The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-02-10
TWO VETERANS MEET
GENERAL WALLACE MEETS GENERAL
BuCkNER IN INDIANAPOLIS.
The Former Tells How the Brave ola
Confederate Officer Surrendered to Him
at Fort Northumberland To sbar.
the Fate of the Army.


Denison. Upon the response Come
in the Kentuckim walked in, and in
a moment the two generals who are
connected III history with the affair at
Donelson some years ago, were warm.
ly shaking hands. After those present
had been introduced to the Kentuckian,
who has yet the bearing of soldier
General Wallace asked him to seat
and a cigar.
Permit me to light my pipe, said
General Buckner as he presented to
sight a cob with long, crooked stem
Shall introduce you as governor
or general?" asked Wallace.
"As Sim Buckner, " was the quick
response.
After the two had talked for few
minutes they walked into the rotunda
of the hotel arm in arm and became the
center of a group
Il first knew General Buckner two
years before the war; said General
Wallace. "We had "a military encamp-
ment in Charlottesville, and among the
companies invited was that in Kentucky
commanded by General Buckner The
invitation was accepted, and when Cen
eral Buckner arrived put the camp I'M
der his command. Subsequently was
the guest of General Buckner company
at u two weeks encampment in Louis
vile, when made the acquaintance of
two score of the flower of the young
men of Kentucky.
AT Donelson Buckner was the heroic
figure on the Confederate side. There
were two generals who outranked him
who, if they had taken his advice,
would have cut their way out of Donel-
son before all of Grants force had come
up and got into position. When suTen-
der was the only thing that could be
done, Floyd, who had been member
of Buchanan's cabinet, said to Pillow,
the next in command, Il turn the COM
mand over TO you. General Pillow, in
turn, said TO General Buckner, I turn
the command over to you. The sol
dierly Buckner replied: Very well. !
am content to share the fortunes Of
these men who are to be surrendered.
Already terms had been asked of Gen
eral Grant, and his famous response to
the request was unconditional surren-
der. | had orders to assault the Confed-
crate lines at break of day and was
forming my division for that purpose
when an officer rode out toward us with
flag of truce General Fred Knefier,
who was my adjutant general, escorted
the officer TO me, and he Informed me
that General Bucbner desired to surren-
der. Taking Colonel jim Ross, one OF
my staff, | rode inside the works Will
the officer of General Buckner. Through
the lines Of men, with stacked arms, W.
rode TO General Buckner's headquarters
| in the little village tavern. The genera
was at breakfast, but upon my being
announced he sent one of his staff to IN
| yite me inside With that courtesy
! which is so natural to him, he came
forward and offered his hand and, turn
ing to his staff, said, General Wallace
Won know these gentlemen. 1t was true
for they were among the officers L hat
met and become acquainted with whel
l was their guest at the Kentucky Ell
campment. With true Kentucky hospl
talitv. Buckner asked, Have you break
fasted?' / replied that / had not. 81
down and have breakfast, he continued
as room was made for me at his side
Breakfast must have been light atfall
with General Buckner and his staff tina
morning. Tom, said Buckner, address
ing his servant, what have you got Il
eat?'
"'Not much, general, said Tom
with bow.
"'Have you any meat?' said the gen
eral.
{" None, said Tom.
" Have you any bread'
"a little corn cake, was the reply
4" ANY coffee?'
"'I will see, said Tom as he disap
peared.
Gin few moments Tom appeared
with some corn bread and coffeepot
The coffee had been watered to trans
parency. Wallace, do you take suga
and cream in your coffee:
"'Never in the morning, answered
"sIt is well, for we have not ever
sugar, was the Kentuckian's reply.
eve conversed while L ate the yer.
frugal breakfast. The surrender follow
ed ON General Grants terms but we al
admired the chivalry of General Buck
ner. which was displayed in his remain
ING with the army and sharing its Tor
times in the surrender when he Nigh
have escaped, as did his superior officers
General Grant had known Genera
R,,clxner in the old army, and they wer
fast friends. BY the special invitation
of General Grant, General Buckner Wis
tied him a short time before his deaf
and was one of his pallbearers. l an
very proud to have enjoyed his =, persona PERSONA
friendship nearly 40 years. INDIAN
apolis Journal.