Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-10
HONORS ITS HERO.
Grand Army Post Has a Nero
rial Entertain ment.
BUFoRDs CALAMITY EULoe1zED.

BUT0RDs GALLANTRY EUL0aIZED.
| nal Rsminiscences Interestingly Related
| ~ Hal II. c. ConnelIy-Oth srs Talk aad
Sing In Honor q the Dead Soldier.
General John Buford's many gal
liant deeds while serving his country
in the late conflict between the north
and south were again impressed in the
hearts of large assemblage of SOL
diers and their friends who last even
ing met to pay tribute to his immor-
tai memory.
The occasion was in the nature of
q memorial entertainment arranged
by John Buford Post 24S, G. A. r.,
in honor of the man after whose name
the post was christened. Aside from
An entertaining program of musical
selections, Maj. H. c. Connolly re-
lated some interesting history of
Gen. Buford and the forming Of the
local post.
..In the city of Rock Island in the
spring of 1885," said Maj. Connolly,
"several old soldiers met for the pur-
pose of talking over the formation of
q post Of the Grand Army of the Re-
public. One Of the important points
to be discussed was the name to be
given the new post. Like other
counties in Illinois, Rock Island had
its representative soldiers. living and
dead, who sprang to the rescue of
their country when traitors con-
spired to destroy it. The names of a
number of our dead soldiers with
bright records were discussed. Fin
ally it was agreed that the post
should be named after that intrepid
officer, Gen. join Buford.
.'In the prime d his manhood, Qal.
John Buford, the fAther Of John, left
his ancestral home Kentucky. and
came with his fam 10 Rock Island.
Here he lived and d ID. and here for
many years he was q representative
citizen. and leading business man.
Gen. Napoleon B. Buford. his eldest
son. went from Kentucky to West
Point, where he graduated. After
serving the regular army for a while
he resigned and located in Rock ISL
and. Forty years ago no citizen was
more prominent in financial and bus.
mess matters than Gen. N. B. Bu-
ford. He was always willing and
ready to lend helping hand to what
ever promised to be beneficial to our
local interests. In 1861 he was ap-
pointed colonel of the 9th Illinois
infantry and at the close of the war
was breveted major general. His
military career was distinguished
and creditable. He will always
have place beside those who fought
to preserve the old flag in the late
rebellion. Beside N. b. and John,
Col. Buford had two other sons.
Thomas J. and James M. Buford.
For more than half a century these
two citizens have gone in and out
amongst US in the paths of peace.
doing honor to the name which their
soldier brother made illustrious in
the war.
John Baford's Boyhood.
"a portion of John Buford's boy.
hood days was passed in Rock ISL
and, and from here he went to West
Point. When the civil war broke
out he was a captain stationed al
Camp Floyd, Utah. Other officers
stationed here and reared in the
south were loud in their declarations
in favor of the southern confederacy.
They resigned their commissions to
fight for the south. John Buford
was quiet and made no disclosure
Iaa 70 hic f,turo oorroo 10 avoided
the discussion of political topics.
One day one Of his brother officers
asked Buford what he was going to
do. He replied that he had received
letter from the governor of Ken
lucky urging him to go there. and
that il he did he could have any mil.
itary command in the governors
gift. What reply did you make,
John?' asked the loyal Gen. Gibbon,
recently deceased. who was one of
the group. Buford's blue eyes flashed
fire, and the color rose in his hand
some face as he replied: Il wrote
to the governor of Kentucky that
was an officer of the United States
army. and that I intended to remain
one.'"
Then MAJ. Connolly referred to the
great service which he rendered his
country. especially at the battle Of
Gettysburg. the first day, and which
has given him undying fame. Maj.
Connolly also described the monu-
ment erected on the Gettysburg bat
tlefield in honor of Gen. Buford, and
OF the impressive ceremonies attend
ing on its unwilling. when Gems.
Merritt. Gregg and Wilson. the lat
ter telling the story Of the dead SOL
dier's life. three of the greatest liv-
ing cavalry men were on the plat.
form. where Thomas ]. and James NJ.
Buford. brothers of the dead general,
also sat.
Maj. Connolly related this incident
OF Gen. Buford: Richardson, . con-
federate spy. was captured at Fred
erick. He was ordered to be tried,
and II found guilty, to be hung. He
was convicted. letters addressed to
i ten E~o11 hos~~ R.--l = l-~<