BUCKNER, Simon Bolivar, American sol dier and politician: b. Kentucky, 1 April 1823; d. 8 Jan. 1914. He was graduated at West Point in 1844, taught there, as assistant professor, during the next two years, and served in the Mexican War, 1846-48, under Generals Taylor and Scott. He was brevetted 1st lieutenant, and also captain, for gallantry at the battles of Churubusco and Molino del Rey. From 1848 to 1850 he served at West Point as assistant instructor in infantry tactics. In 1855 he re signed from the army and engaged in various occupations, civil and military, in Illinois and Kentucky. When the Civil War began he joined the Confederate army as a brigadier general. Afterward he rose to distinction, attaining the rank of lieutenant-general, and taking a prominent part in several important events of the war, notably in the defense and surrender of Fort Donelson, 16 Feb. 1862. Here
he was third in rank, but Generals Floyd and Pillow withdrew during the night of 15 Feb ruary, and it remained to Buckner to surrender the garrison and fort to General Grant. He was exchanged the following August and led a division under Bragg in Tennessee, and was present at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. He attained the rank of lieutenant-general and sur rendered with Kirby Smith's army at Baton Rouge, La., 26 May 1865. He was one of the at General Grant's funeral in 1885, the personal selection of the great soldier himself, who had been warmly attached to him for many years. In 1896 he was nominated for Vice-President by the National (Gold) Demo crats on the ticket with J. M. Palmer, having previously (1887-91) served a term as governor of Kentucky.