John_T._Wilder

Col. Wilder was a competent civilian who rose through the ranks early in the Civil War. He was involved in one quite odd incident of note. In command of a 4,000 man detachment at Munfordsville, KY, he found himself surrounded by over five times his numbers. The first day his men repelled a vigorous attack, but by evening Bragg had brought up a couple dozen artillery pieces, and Wilder's command faced unreasonable odds. Wilder crossed the lines under a flag of truce and sought out Confederate Gen. Buckner. He stated he had heard Buckner was an honest man, and being a civilian most of his life, he asked Buckner if he, Wilder, had done enough and could honorably surrender. A nonplussed Buckner stammered for a moment, then gave the earnest Wilder the best advice he could, and took him out to count the Confederate artillery pieces. Wilder went back to his lines, conferred with his officers, and surrendered.

Where else but in the American Civil War could a well-meaning but perplexed civilian soldier cross over to the enemy seeking professional advice, and be treated fairly?