The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1897-05-22
Wadsworth Dispatch,
PoausHep
So 90 Per Annum,
MEMORIES OF DONELSON.

General Lew Wallace Tells Some Inter-
es"ing "details Of Buckner's Surrender.
Il first knew General Buckner
two years before the war" said
General Wallace. I'VE had a mill
tary encampment in Charlottesville,
and among the companies invited
was that III Kentucky commanded
by General Buckner. The Invitation
was accepted, and when General
Buckner arrived l put the camp I'M
der his command. Subsequently i
was the guest of General Buckner's
company at a two weeks encamp
ment i'll Louisville, when | made
the acquaintance of twoscore of the
flower of the young men of Ken
lucky.
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 Donelson before all
Of Grants force had come W and
got into position. When surrender
was the only thing that could be
done, Floyd, who had been a mem
Der of Buchanan's cabinet, said to
Pillow, the next in command, i
turn the command over to you
General Pillow, in turn, said to Gen
eral Buckner, L turn the command
over to you The soldierly Buckner
replied: Very well. l am content
to share the fortunes of these men
who are to be surrendered.
Already terms had been asked OF
General Grant, and his famous re-
Spouse to the request was 'uncondi-
tional surrender. | had orders to
assault the Confederate lines al
break of day and was forming my
division for that purpose when an
officer rode out toward US with a
flag of truce. General Fred Knefler,
who was my adjutant general, es-
corted the officer to me, and he in
formed me that General Buckner
desired to surrender. Taking Colo
mel Jim Ross, one of my staff, !
rode inside the works with the Off
Ger of Genral Buckner. Through
the lines of men with stacked arms
we rode to General Buckner's head
quarters in the little village tavern.
The general was at breakfast, but
upon my being announced he sent
one of his staff to invite me inside.
He was ut breakfast with his staff.
With that courtesy which is 30
natural to him. he came forward and
offered his hand, and, turning to
his staff, said, General Wallace,
you know these gentlemen 1t was
true, for they were among the Off
GERS | had met when was their
guest at the Kentucky encampment.
With true Kentucky hospitality,
Buckner asked, Have you break
fastedg' | replied hat l had not.
Sit down and have breakfast, he
continued. as room vas made for
me at his side. Breakfast must have
been a light affair with General
Buckner and his staff that morning.
"'Tom,' said Buckner, addressing
his servant, what have you got to
eatY'
mot much, general said Tom,
with a bow.
Have you any meat2' continued
the general.
"'None, said Tom.
"'Have you any bread2'
"a little corn cake was the re-
ply.
ANY coffee2'
~ Will see, said Tom as he dis
appeared.
I'm a few moments Tom appear
ed with some corn bread and a cef-
feepot. The coffee had been water
ed to transparency. Wallace, do
you take sugar and ream in your
coffee2'
"'Never in the morning. / an
swered.
LIT is well, for we have not even
sugar, was the Kentuckian's reply.
I'VE conversed while | ate the
very frugal breakfast. The surren-
der followed on General Grants
terms but we all admired the chiv-
airy OF General Buckner which was
displayed III his remaining with the
army and sharing its fortunes III