Lew Wallace in 1859

1905

The passing of Gen. Lew Wallace brings to mind an incident in his experience in military affairs that did not give any intimation of his subsequent distinction either as a military chieftain or as an author, writes "Veteran" in the New York Sun.

In 1859 at Lafayette, Ind., there was a military encampment of several militia companies from Indiana and Kentucky. Gen. Simon Boliver Buckner was commandant, and Mr. Lew Wallace, first lieutenant of a Crawfordsville organization, was appointed adjutant. At the first guard mounting, a new experience for Mr. Wallace, he got mixed up somewhat, having the sergeants, corporals and privates of the guard all in one rank, without regard to relative positions. Gen. Buckner, who was looking on with evident dissatisfaction, said to me: "Captain, kindly go over and show Mr. Wallace how to mount guard; he knows absolutely nothing about it, although he has a copy of the Army Regulations in his hands."

A few years ago Gen. Wallace was at the Waldorf-Astoria, and Gen. Buckner at the Fifth Avenue, and I brought them together. "Wallace," said Buckner, in the course of conversation, "your military history and mine were somewhat different. Your first experience at Lafayette, Ind., was a failure decidedly, but you learned something during the war, and ended in a blaze of glory, while I graduated at the Military Academy, and well — you know the finale — allow me to ring the bell."