Lew Wallace Meets Simon B. Buckner Just After the Surrender of Fort Donelson

[@davidgladstone5261]

I knew Lew Wallace's great grandaughter in Southport Conn. and spent time In his office, perfectly preserved as it was when he wote Ben Hur, a favorite of mine. It was quite a thrill.

[@OlJarhead]

Lew Wallace’s grandson, William Noble Wallace, was a Marine Officer who was killed in France in WWI. He was the recipient of both the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Service Cross.

[@johnholliday5874]

LTG Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr was killed on Okinawa.

[@philspaugy1756]

Wallace’s eye for detail and of course writing style is magnificent!

[@maxenielsen]

Great story, showing honor, respect, and gallantry so needed today. Thank you!

[@jonrettich-ff4gj]

Wallace’s ability to understand humanity and write about us makes this very touching. Fine officer as well. I can wonder whether his friendship with Lincoln didn’t make him somewhat suspect in Grant’s eyes. I wonder why men like Buckner and B. Johnson continued after their abandonment especially as it seems obvious that just a little southern understanding might have ended this. They all felt themselves part of the U.S. somewhere deeply. Thanks for another great choice

[@TomB-p3d]

Never Forget that Nathan Bedford Forrest was at the Fort. Refused to surrender and escaped with his Calvary and some Infantry.

[@briankesterson4365]

We must not forget that Grant in his memoirs absolved and praised Lew Wallace of any wrong doing. Lew Wallace was a great man in my book!

[@MultiHistory]

Another outstanding episode. Thank you. I believe you will enjoy visiting Wallace’s study in Indiana; it is amazing.

[@danbendix1398]

Two honorable men dealing honorably with each other ... modern politicians and pundits could learn a lot from their example.

[@davec6146]

You always bring to us interesting information. Thank you for your efforts.

[@jimmoore9239]

Big fan of Lew. His study is cool as heck. Do check their hours in advance. I've visited it more than once, including just this past summer(2024). Recommend also taking in his spectacular grave. I've followed his life since I was a kid. The Confederates that were surrendered at Donelson were shipped up the rivers to Cairo, IL by steamboat Once in Cairo, Union people "divided them up", sending about 3,000 to Indianapolis, 5,000 to Chicago, some to Alton IL and more to the island prison north of Ohio. Indy & Chicago both converted Union Army camps into POW camps. Indy, Fort Morton and Chicago Fort Douglas. Now, Lew Wallace was the Adjacent General of Indiana in 1861. With guidance and help from Gov. Oliver P. Morton, Lew turned the old Indiana State Fairgrounds into, Camp Morton. Fitting, Morton was known as Lincoln's War Governor and Camp Morton mustered in thousands of Hoosier country boys to the US Army. In Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, there is a memorial to the dead Confederates who perished at Camp Morton, nearly 1,700. Their remains are buried there as well, in a mass grave. Their names, rank and death dates are all immortalized on brass plaques, listed by state, in alphabetical order. I pay close attention to the ones who died in 1862 as they were almost certainly the captured from Donelson. I've always wondered what Lew thought of turning Camp Morton into a prison. Since he was integral to establishing it as a muster-in Camp. Be sure to check the hours at Lew's masterpiece study. Also, his grave is something to see.

[@janicebrowningaquino792]

I love this channel!!!!

[@mlbs4803]

Ben Hur was also filmed in 1925 starring Ramon Navarro and Francis X. Bushman. In one scene, not in the 1959 version, after Ben Hur's mother and sister have been released outside the city walls, they find Ben Hur asleep on a bench after battle. They both so much want to embrace him but know they can't. His mother, instead, kisses her son's shadow as he sleeps, and then they creep away silently. I still tear up thinking of that heart wrenching scene. Gen. Wallace was a splendid writer, as witnessed by the excerpts you read today. Many thanks.

[@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail]

Thanks! On my watch list: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4Oacp2jpseLebM

[@curtgomes]

Wallace & Buckner... two great Americans who were at great odds but remained honorable and resolute through incredible challenges.

[@bjohnson515]

Simon Bolivar Buckner's son was Army commander on Okinawa in 1945. And, was killed in June at the near end of the battle.

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

Yes. And as a Lt General he was one of the highest ranking US officers to die in battle. As I recall Buckner Sr was governor of KY after the War.

[@hamiltonconway6966]

I was stationed on Okinawa about 45 years ago. I have seen the monument where Gen Buckner was killed. On the south end of the island not far from Suicide Cliff, where the Japanese high command gathered at the end.

[@Hotrodford]

@@hamiltonconway6966you mean nobody has tore down the statue yet? After all he was the son of a confederate general and we just can’t have anything that represents history and the southern confederacy.

[@oldgeezerproductions]

It was the summer of 1957 and I had just graduated from the 7th grade. On a long road trip throughout the Western US, stopping at various towns and cities, my family stayed in Santa Fe, NM while my father was there for interviews. Santa Fe, at that time, was an, old, dusty and sleepy town and totally unlike the fashionable tourist trap it soon became (and remains, to this very day). When I visited the Palace of the Governors, there was nobody around except an old Native American man fast asleep in a somewhat ... ah ... indecorous ... manner there on the porch with a blanket on his shoulders. This was the first time I'd ever seen an "Indian" and asleep where he was and so incongruously, I was (silly to say) somewhat fearful of the man. I remember how utterly impressed I was with the age of the Palace of the Governors building, dating back to the early 1600's (to the Conquistadors already!!!) and inside was the desk that Lew Wallace had sat at while he wrote Ben Hur... the very desk! From school I knew of his book and the story it told and there was a movie being advertised that everyone was eagerly awaiting to come out starring my favorite actor. At that time, I learned that Mr. Wallace had been the military governor of New Mexico, but I wasn't aware, until later, of his generalship during the Civil War.

[@1961OnRock]

Buckner's son was the highest ranking U.S. officer killed by enemy fire in World War II. Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. was a three star general and commander of U.S. forces on Okinawa.

[@markwilliams9133]

Really enjoying your videos! The Wallace museum is well worth a visit. His building, (man-cave) is preserved as it was at his death and has many CW relics from Shiloh. I believe he, and one of his grandsons who was killed in WW1 are buried in a cemetery nearby.

[@markmcdaniel3975]

Ron, Don’t put off your visit to Lew Wallace’s study it’s remarkable. I’m here in Indiana we welcome you.

[@CrossTrain]

Likewise, from another Indiana resident and fan!

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

My name ain’t Ron but I’m gonna take you up on that. I’m not all that far away and knew nothing about it.

[@davidgladstone5261]

His study in Southport Connecticut where he lived was wonderful.

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

@ Lew was one studious fellow 😊

[@silverstar4289]

You sir, will very much enjoy your visit to General Wallace’s home and study. I ask anyone with the opportunity to do so. No doubt, all will come away envious that they do not have a splendid study with a moat. Man cave? Bah! Begone from my sight and smell!

[@rdbchase]

13:11 "rivally [sic]" -- "rivalry"

[@spacehonky6315]

Poor Buckner, always given a crap sandwich. Is there a more useless group of senior Confederate officers for him to serve under? Floyd and Bragg come immediately to mind. I enjoyed this narrative of what happened in that small tavern. The polite negotiations between men who knew each other pre-war is interesting. I dunno what to think about the river Navy. They were punishing a lowly Lieutenant for failing to singlehandedly obtain the fort's surrender?😅

[@delstanley1349]

From Simon Buckner to Billy the Kid. If memory serves Wallace offered BTK amnesty, but the Kid went and killed somebody named Grant.

[@davidlord7364]

Ben Hur!

[@revolutionaryhamburger]

Ben Hur and done that.

[@davehilderman2971]

You forgot to say he was gov of new mexico. My home state

[@robertgibson7141]

And Simon Bolivar Buckner became governor of Kentucky, my home state. Two great men.

[@stuartwald2395]

He gets mentioned at the end of the John Wayne movie "Chisum" about him granting pardons after the Lincoln County War.