The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-04

as lieutenant and came out as captain
When the civil war came on Buckner re-
sided in Kentucky and was made AdJutant-
general of the State, with command OF the
state Guard During the siege or Fort
DoneIson Buckner third in command
of the fort Grant surrounded the fort on
all sides. and after the attacks of Feb: 10
and IA, the Confederate forces saw that
further resistance would be frultiess and
the senior generals turned the command
over to Buckner and in the evening de-
parted by boats with 5000 men,
GRANTS FAMOUS LETTER
Buckner. quickly realizing that his situa-
ton was hopeless. at once decided to sur
render. He wrote a letter to General Grant
sugges ting an armistice till noon of Feb. Is,
that terms of surrender might be agreed
upon by appointed commissioners. To this
General Grant Immediately replied in a let
ter that has since been chronicled and
made famous in history. No terms except
immediate and unconditional surrender can
be accepted. / propose to move immediate
ly upon your works" Buckner. in his re-
ply to this, said: The dlstrlputlon or
forces under my command. incident 10 an
unexpected change of commanders and the
overwhelming force under your command,
compel me- Notwithstanding the brlllant
success of the Confederate armies. TO ac-
cept the ungenerous and unchlvalrous
in the hands of General Grant and General
Buckner was imprisoned in Fort Warren
in Boston.
In August he was exchanged and later
placed in command of General Hardee's
corps, under the command OF the Confed-
crate General Bragg where he arose to the
command of the Third Division, with the
rank of major general.
General Buckner was pallbearer at the
funeral of General Grant. After the war
the friendship of the two men was very
strong. During Grants second term of
Office he became financially embarrassed
and was relieved by General Buckner, who
sent him check for a large amount, say
ing that it could be returned at some con-
Venent time JOSeOh e. Johnston was the
other general who served in the Confed-
crate army who was asked to act as pail
bearer at Grants funeral.
AFTER THE WAR.
At the close of the war General Buckner
devoted himself to his business interests
of farming and real-estate dealings.
In 1887 General Buckner was elected Gov
ernor of Kentucky. While he was Gov
ernor General Buckner vetoed more bills
than any previous occupant of that chair,
but only one bill was ever passed over his
veto by the Legislature. When the bill
first came to Buckner he vetoed it because
it provided for a reduction in taxation Of
Is per cent. and he said the result would
be a great deficit in the State finances,
which came to pass when the bill was put
into force. General Buckner said his State
should not suffer from a deficit while he
was the Governor and he made up the def
cit of 100000 from his own pocket After
filing the highest Office in the state for
four years he had the unique experience OF
being appointed. road overseer by Judge
Watkins, the duties of which office he per-
formed faithfully He was also elected a
member of the constitutional convention
from his county He has only one senior
Confederate commander, that one being
General Longstreet. He is one of the four
surviving Confederate generals. Wherever
he is known he is FAMED for mis- generosity.
refinement and deeas Of charity General
Buckner is extremely popular with the
masses. The honor or being nominated for
Vice President by the convention was un-
sought by him but when his name was
mentioned in the Kentucky State conven-
ton it met unanimous favor and without
question it will add more strength to the
cause of sound money IN Kentucky, Ten
nessee, North Carolina and Virginia than
that of any other three men.