The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-02-08
TWO VETERANS MEET



me Former Tells How the Brave Old
Cosfedcrate On'oor Surrendered to Him
~t Fort Donelson-Preferred to Share
tho Fate OF tho Army.
About 4:S0 o'clock the other after
noon General Buckner knocked at the
door Of General Wallace's room in the
Denison. Upon the response Come
In" the Kentuckian walked in, and in
q moment the two generals, who are
connected In 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 a soldier,
General Wallace asked him to q seat
and cigar.
Permit me to light my pipe" said
General Buckner az he presented to
sight cob with long, crooked stem.
Shall ! introduce you as governor
or general?" asked Wallace.
"As Sim Buclner," Z" 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 q group.
II first knew General Buckner two
years before the war;" said General
Wallace. "We had military encamp-
ment in Crawforlsville, and among the
companies invited was that in Kentucky
commanded by General Buckner. The
invitation was accepted, and when Gen.
eral Buckner arrived put the camp un-
der his command. Subsequently was
the guest Of General Buckner's company
at q 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
mp and got into position. When surren-
der 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. I 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
q flag Of truce. General Fred Knefler,
who was my sdjutant general, escorted
the officer to me, and he informed me
that General Buckner desired to surren-
der. 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 in
Site 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,
you know these gentlemen. 1t was true,
for they were among the officers had
met and become acquainted with when
was their guest at the Kentucky en-
campment With true Kentucky hospi-
tally, Buckner asked, Have you break
fasted?' / replied that had not Sit
down and have breakfast, he continued,
as room was made for me at his side.
Breakfast must have been light affair
with General Buckner and his staff that
morning. Tom, said Buckner, address
ing his servant, what have you got to
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.
ANY coffee?'
"'I will see, said Tom as he disap-
peared.
''In a few moments Tom appeared
with some com bread and coffeepot.
The coffee had been watered to trans
parency. Wallace, do you take sugar
and cream in your coffee?'
"'Never in the morning. answered.
" 1t is well, for we have not even
sugar, was the Kentuckian's reply.
1--WE conversed while 1 ate the very
frugal breakfast The surrender follow
ed ON General Grants terms, but we all
admired the chivalry Of General Buck
ner, which was displayed in his remain
ing with the army and sharing its for
tunes in the surrender when he might
have escaped, as did his superior 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 Wis
tied him short time before his death