BUCK'NER, SmaroN (1823—). An American soldier and politician. He was born in Kentucky, graduated at West Point in 1844, and was assistant professor of geography, history, and ethics there in 1845-46. He then served in the Southern campaign under General Scott during the Mexican War, and received the brevets of first lieutenant and captain respectively for gal lantry at Churnbusco and Slolino del Rey. From 1848 to 1850 he was again at West Point, as assistant instructor of infantry tactics, but re signed from the service in 1855, after which he practiced law, first in Illinois and then in Ken tucky, where he is said to have been a prominent member of the Knights of the Golden Circle (q.v.). In 1860 he was made inspector-general of the State and commander of the Home Guards, and on the outbreak of the Civil War he be came a brigadier-general in the Confederate ser vice. He was the third officer in rank at Fort Donelson at the time of the attack of the Federal army and fleet early in 1862, and, Generals Floyd and Pillow withdrawing during the night of February 15, it devolved upon him to sur render the fort and garrison to General (rant.
(See PORT HENRY AND FORT BONELSON.) In the following Angust he was exchanged, and subse quently commanded a division under Bragg in Tennessee, and, as major-general, took a con spicuous part in the battles of Slurfreesboro and Chickamauga. On Slay 26, 1865, having pre viously attained the rank of lieutenant-general, lie surrendered with Gen. Kirby Smith's army at Baton Rouge, La. After the close of the war he returned to Kentucky. and from 1887 to 1891 was Governor of the State. In 1896 he was the candidate of the National (Sound Money) Demo crats for Vice-President of the United States on the ticket with J. Al. Palmer (q.v.).