Evening journal., 1910-09-06
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Confederate Version Of
a Famous War Incident

BY "HOlland."


In his personal memoirs General
Grant refers briefly to the fact that
after Fort Donelson had surrendered
70 him he offered to share his pocket
book with his defeated foe, General
Simon Doliver Ruckner At a time
when he was North on a lecturing
tour, the late General John B. Gordon,
who commanded one wing of Lees
army at Appomattox, described to me
In gre/er detail this incident. just
as he had received the story from the
lips Of General Buckner himself
General Buckner," said the distin-
guished Georgian, was a little an
noyed at the very peremptory com
munication sent to him by General
Grant. in which the latter demanded
unconditional surrender He realized
that Grant had him hemmed in and
at his mercy. yet Buckner looked
upon the terms as harsh, and the
manner in which the terms were ex-
pressed as harsher still. But the ir-
ritation was only temporary. Follow
ing the surrender, as Buckner was ap-
preaching Grants headquarters. the
latter saw him first and went out and
met him more than half way. That
was enough for Buckner. Il told him
that his old schoolmate at West Point
was still his personal friend, though
his military enemy. Straightway his
hear was softened towards his con-
queror, and, dropping all formality,
the two conversed as OF old.
For quite a little while, General
Buckner told me. lR and Grant re-
called old times and old friends.
Then Grant quitely drew Buckner
aside, so that there would be no list
ener or witness to what might follow
General said Grant you have
been shut up here for some time you
couldn't have been very literally sup
piled with money; you must be in
need of some funds for personal ex-
penses Here Grant thrust a hand
into a pocket. drew out his wallet and
opened it. I am not very plentifully
supplied with funds myself, he added,
but / shall be very glad to have you
share with me what l have And be
extended the opened wallet towards
his enemy.
"Buckner was so touched by this
unexpected courtesy and act of deli
cate consideration that for q moment
or two he did not reply, because ne
could not. and he had to turn his
head away to hide his feelings. But,
at last, having conquered the lump in
his throat, he confessed to Grant that
he hadn't q cent and that he would be
very glad to avail himself Of his old
schoolmate's offer So he took from
the wallet what he thought would he
sufficient TO meet his needs for the
time being, and from that day until
General Grants death there was no
more devoted admirer Of Grant than
Simon Boliver Buckner."
Some time after hearing this story
from General Gordon, I repeated it to
General Frederick D. Grant
Yes" said the son of the great gen.
eral, General Gordon's account of the
incident IS substantially correct. I
know that the warmest friendship ives
then established between General
Buckner and my father. You may re-
member that General Buckner came
from his home in Kentucky to New
York expressly TO attend my fathers
funeral. that he might pay his last
respects to his conqueror. But such
little courtesies and kindnesses as
that you speak of we're constantly
shown to one another by the generals
who we're engaged on opposite sides
in the Civil War. At Appomattox,
when father first met General Lee 10
draw up the terms of surrender. they
chatted for some little time about ex-
periences in war and old friends. 1t
was then that father said to Lee that,
while he presumed General Lee would
not recollect him in the Mexican war,
since he was only a lieutenant at the
time. nevertheless he-my father-of
course had a vivid recollection Of
Colonel Lee And it pleased father
greatly to have General Lee say in
stantly In reply:
"'oh, yes, General Grant. l remem-
Der you very we'll.
Copyright, 1910. by Associated Liter
ary PressD
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell
@How Senator Plumb Kept Posted on
Kansas"