The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-13
WALLACE TELLS A STORY.
Meeting with Gen. Recalls
the Surrender of Fort DOneIsOn.

About 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon
General Buckner knocked at the door of
General Wallace's room in the Denison-
Upon the response, Come in the Ken
tuckian walked in and in a moment the two
generals, who are connected in history with
the affair at Donelson, some years ago.
We're warmly shaking hands. After those
present had been introduced to the Ken
tuckian. who has yet the bearing of a SOL
der, General Wallace asked him 10 have a
seat and a cigar.
Permit me to light my pipe said Cen
eral Buckner. as he presented to sight a
cob with a long, crooked stem.
Shall / introduce you as Governor or
General?" asked Wallace.
LAS Sim Buckner," was the quick re-
Spouse.
After the two had talked for a few min
utes they walked down into the rotunda
of the hotel arm-in-arm and became the
center of a large group.
Il first knew General Buckner two years
before the war said General Wallace. W
had a military -encampment i'm Crawfords-
vile, and among the companies invited was
that in Kentucky commanded by General
Buckner. The invitation was accepted. and
when General Buckner arrived / put the
camp under his command. Subsequently, l
was the guest of General Buckner's COM
pany at a two weeks -encampment i'm Lou
isville. 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 Donelson
before all of Grants force had come up and
got into position. When surrender was the
only thing that could be done. Floyd, who
had been a member of Buchanan's Cabinet.
said to Pillow. the next in command. L
turn the 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; i am
content to share the fortunes of these men
who are 10 be surrendered. Already terms
had been asked of General Grant. and his
famous response to the request was 'uncon-
ditional surrender / had orders to assault
the Confederate lines at break of day. and
was forming my division Tor that purpose,
a flag of truce. General Fred Knefier. who
was my adjutant general. escorted the Off
Ger to me and he informed me that Cen
eral Buckner desired to surrender. Taking
Colonel Jim Ross. one of my staff, | rode
inside the works with the officer of General
Buckner. Through the lines of men with
stacked arms, we rode to General Buckner'S
headquarters 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 at breakfast
with his staff. With that courtesy which is
so 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 officers i had met and become
acquainted with when i was their guest at
the Kentucky encampment. With true
Kentucky hospitality; :. Buckn@r asked;
had not. Sit down and have breakfast, he
continued. as room was made for me at his
side. Breakfast must have been "A light
affair with General Buckner and his staff
that morning. Tom said Buckner, adj
dressing his servant, what have you got to
eat?'
Not much, general said Tom. with a
bow.
"'Have you any meat?' continued the
general.
None said Tom.
Have you any bready
"A little corn cake was the reply.
Amy coffee?'
~ will see said Tom. as he disappeared.
I'm a few moments Tom appeared with
coffee had been watered to transparency.
Wallace. do you take sugar and cream in
your Coffee
Never i'm the morning. I answered.
1t is well. for we have not even sugar.
was the kentuckian's reply.
we conversed while i ate the very fruga.
breakfast. The surrender followed on Cen
eral Grants terms: but We all admired the
chivalry of General Buckner, which was
displayed in his remaining with the army
when he might have escaped, as did his SUI
perior officers. General Grant had known
General Buckner in the old army and they
were fast friends. By the special invitation
of General Grant. General Buckner visited
him a short time before his death, and was
one of his pallbearers. / am very proud TO
have enjoyed his personal friendship nearly
forty years