“K. G. C.”--ORGANIZATION OF THE ENEMIES OF THE UNION IN THE
NORTH--PLOTTING EVERYWHERE--OBJECTS OF THE TRAITOROUS
LEAGUE.
“The bay trees in our country are all withered,
And meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven--
The pale faced moon looks bloody on the earth,
And lean-looked prophets whisper fearful change,
Rich men look sad, and ruffians dance and leap.”
--Shakespeare.
“The loss of little Sarah had spread such a gloom over our household
that I felt a desire to be out at David's farm, away from the house, as
much as possible. Peter also seemed much depressed and showed a great
desire to return to his regiment. On one occasion, when Ham and I
returned in the evening, the conversation drifted in the direction of
the absent ones in the army, and to Harvey, who fell at the battle of
the Gaps. My wife at once alluded to her dream, which seemed to be
preying upon her mind almost constantly. Peter was silent, but I noticed
that he dropped a tear. After a moment he said:
“'Mother, you should not be constantly thinking of your strange dream.
You will become morbid on the subject, unless you drive it from your
mind. There is nothing in it that worrying will or can change. There can
be nothing sure in dreams, and if there is, you can only discover it in
the future. The war will reveal it all to you should there be anything
in it.”
“Ham must speak; it was thought by him to be his time.
“'Yes, missus, de wah 'splain it all. Massa Peter and me talk 'bout dat.
No danger come out of dreams, you know.'
“'Why, Ham,' said Aunt Sarah, 'I thought you dreamed about Peter, and
said he was all right. You assured us of it; and you said that you
always knew by your dreams when matters were all right.'
“'Yeas, yeas, missus; but, you see, I be fool on dat. You see, Massa
Peter come back wid a so' foot, shot up putty bad. I got fool on dat
dream. You see, Marfa allers tells me 'bout de dreams. So you see, I
jes' thought I could tell, too. I miss it. Yeas, I miss him dat time.
Marfa, she know, she do. She tell you all 'bout dem when she comed.'
“Then he laughed a regular darky laugh, as I found he was sure to do, if
he concluded he had drawn you off on a 'false scent,' or heard anything
that pleased him.
“Aunt Sarah was relieved. The fact that Ham admitted that he was
humbugged by his own dream seemed to quiet her nerves; so she did not
allude to her dream again for a great while. But I could see plainly
that Peter was very much depressed whenever allusion was made to it. O,
it was prophetic, 'twas a revelation of dire calamities to follow, one
after another.
“I could see it all when time unfolded the mystery, as it did, in
regular order. It was a warning so strangely imparted. But why, why this
warning, and why the calamities? That is the question which has been
demanding an answer so long; and yet no answer comes that seems to
satisfy my mind. Well, well, let that pass for the present.
“The next morning I sent Ham to the farm on horseback to bring some
vegetables. Early in the forenoon we heard a noise as if the running
of a horse down the street, and looking out saw Ham coming under heavy
pressure, with sails spread. I ran out on the porch, and Ham pulled in
opposite the little yard gate. I called to him, and asked what was the
trouble. The old darky was so scared that he stammered and made motions,
but I could get nothing of an intelligent character from him. I made him
dismount, tie up his horse, and come in. By this time the family were
all out inquiring into the trouble. Ham sat down on the edge of the
porch near the entrance and fanned himself with his hat. Great drops
of perspiration were rolling down his face. He seemed to be in much
distress. Finally Jennie said to him:
“'Ham, where is the lettuce, the asparagus, and the butter we sent you
after?'
“Ham, finding by this time that he was not dead, essayed to speak. He
raised himself to his full height.
“'W'y! W'y! Yeas! Yeas! De--de--de--dey done gone!'
“'Gone where?' asked Jennie.
“'Dey done gone on de road, missus. I jes' tell you-uns dey's Sesh in
heah. 'Spec dey got dem, dey eat dem for dey dinner. Dey got dem, sho.'
“'Well, what about the “Sesh,” as you call them?
“'O, I tole you all 'bout dem. 'Pore de Laud, I mus' rest fust. I is
powerful tired, missis--I is.'
“'Well, Ham, put up your horse and get over your fright, and then
perhaps you can explain more satisfactorily what has happened to you.'
“'Yeas, missus, I 'spect dat am de bes' way.'
“So, when Ham had cooled off, we had him give us his experience. He
said:
“'Well, Massa Daniel, I jes' go to de farm and dar seed Massa Joseph
Dent. He fix up de littis, de 'sparagrass, and de eggs; and when dey all
fix up I get ready to come home. He says, “Ham, you see dem fellows down
de road dar?” I looked and seed 'em, and say “Yes, sah.” Den he say,
“Dey bad man's dey is; kase dey's done bin heah all de mornin' lookin'
round like dey wants sumfin, and I watch 'em close; if dey boddersme
dey ketch it, sho;” dat's what he say! I done told Massa Dent dat I not
feared. But dat was a story, kase me was some skea'd. I gits on de hoss
and corned right on jes' like I wa'n't skea'd at all. I rides slow doe,
kase as how I wa'n't sho' 'bout dem mans. So I gits 'bout half way down
the road home, and dem mans--dar war free of dem; dar war free, sho',
dey jes' steps right in de road afore me and de hoss. I say “Good
mornin,” and takes off my hat like a gemman. Dey say “Whar you goin',
nigga?” Den I know'd who dey is. When dey say “nigga,” dat's nuff
for dis child. I know'd dey be “Sesh.” Dat's what “Sesh” all call
us--“niggas.” I tells you, den I's ska'd. One ob dem say, “What you got
dar, nigga?” I say “wegetables for de house.” Ben dey say “Who house?'
I told dem Massa Daniel. Den dey say, “Dat ole Lyon? Dat ole Ablishner?
Dat ole scoun'el what want to whip de Souf? To free de niggas 'mongst
us?” I say, “Don' know 'bout dat. Massa Lyon not say nuffin to me 'bout
dat.” Den dey sajr, “Whar you come from, anyhow?” I tole 'em I comed
from up in de State whar Massa Daniel comed from. Den dey swar dat I a
liar; dat dey know'd Massa Daniel; dat he fetched no niggas hyar from
'Hio. Den when dey say “'Hio,” golly, I be glad; kase I could't smell
out de name afore; forgot him clar, sho'. Den I say I comed from 'Hio
awhile ago, an' stay wid you, kase I know'd you back dar in 'Hio. Den
dey ax me w'at town I comed from. Den dey get me. I skea'd den. One of
dem say, “O, he a d----d fool; he not know nuffin.” I say, “Yes, sah,
sho'; dat's fac. I doesn't know nuffin'bout dem matters what you say.”
Den dey laff. Yes, sah, dey laff. I start on. Den dey say, “Nigga, stop
dat hoss.” De hoss stop. Yes, sah, den I be orful skea'd. O, dey was de
mos' wostest lookin' disciplinous “Sesh” you eber did see wid yo' eyes.
Dey had ole brown jeans coat an' britches. Dey look like de “Sesh” what
I seed when dey lef Col. Tom at my cabin.'
“'Well, said Peter, 'they were escaped prisoners, I have no doubt, from
some place, and are hunting their way South.'
“'Yes, sah,' said Ham; 'dat's it; dey 'scape and is gwine back to de
reb's army, sho': dat's who dey is. I know'd dey was “Sesh.”'
“'Well, go on, Ham; tell us the rest,' said Aunt Sarah. I was so much
amused at Ham's story that I kept rather quiet.
“'Well,' said Ham, 'den dey took de hoss by de bridle and made me git
off. I s'posed dey was gwine to take de hoss, but dey looked de hoss
ober, and say he no good, and gib de hoss back. I got on and dey all
pull out pistols and tell me to “git;” dat's wa't dey say, and sho' you
bo'n, I git--an' de lettice go one way, de 'sparagrass go anoder way,
and eggs go de Lord knows whar--to smash, I reckon. Dey all gone, sho,'
an' I's hyar. Dey shoot when I go. I 'spect I be kill; but I'm hyar,
sho'; dis is ole Ham; he 'scape.'
[Illustration: Ham Encounters the Rebels 097]
“We all laughed--in fact, could not help it. I told Ham that I would
go out with him the next day and we would see about this matter. Ham
withdrew, scratching his head and looking very serious.
“The next day I had the horses hitched to the wagon, and Peter feeling
that he had so far recovered that he could stand the ride, we went
out together. When we came to the place where Ham had met his three
suspicious looking friends we examined the spot, found Ham's lettuce,
etc., scattered somewhat over the ground, but could not see much
evidence of anything else.
“Ham said but little. Finally, I asked him which direction his friends
had gone from here. He at once pointed the way, saying, 'Doesn't you see
de track? Dar he go, Turn 'roun' and go back de same way he come.'
“We could see some indications that Ham's story might be true, but not
enough to be very satisfactory. However, we went along. When we arrived
at the farm and found Joseph Dent we had Ham relate his experience.
Joseph Dent said to come in the house. When we had all been seated,
Joseph said:
“'Well, I have no doubt as to the truth of what Ham says. The same three
men (at least, I suppose them to be, from the description), came here
last night and forced me to let them stay in the house. I was not very
fearful of their doing me any harm, as I was watchful. My partner and
myself could have handled them if they had made any demonstration. We
gave them their suppers and a mug of ale and got them going, and
found that they were escaped rebels, who had been in prison camp
at Indianapolis. They told us that there was a plot to let all the
prisoners loose and to raise an army out of their friends North to
commence war here, and in that way to have the rebellion succeed.'
“Peter inquired how they came to tell so much about their plans.
“Joseph answered that he and his partner pretended to them that they
were in full sympathy with the rebellion, and were staying here only to
have the influence of Col. David to keep them out of the Union army, and
that if compelled at any time to join either army they would join the
rebels.
“'Where have they gone?' inquired Peter.
“'They have gone into the country some twenty miles, to Collins Grove.
There is to be a political meeting there to-morrow, and they expect, as
they told us, that Thomas A. Strider, of Indianapolis, and Dan Bowen,
also of Indiana, were to be there, and through one of them they thought
they could obtain aid; that while in prison they had been initiated
into a society called the “Knights of the Golden Circle,” which was
a secession organization, intended as an auxiliary force to the
rebel army; that Dan Bowen was one of their main men, and so called
“Agitator”; that Thomas A. Strider was Chief Counselor to the
organization in Indiana; was to be in Washington most of the time to
“watch things” and to defend them at all times when any of their order
should be arrested or in any danger.'
“Peter and I went out to the barn and talked the matter over, and
thought that in such a case as this we would be justified in resorting
to any means or strategy to discover this secret organization and
ascertain the designs of its members. We concluded to get Joseph Dent,
who was an old soldier, and very bright, with an excellent memory, to
join it and find out all that he could about the organization. Agreeing
to this, Peter hobbled back on his crutches. He being a soldier made the
proposition to Dent, which he readily acceded to, saying:
“'I had thought of that myself, but feared that you might take me to be
too intimate with these people. I call them Secessionists and rebels. I
think, that if you agree, I will go down to this meeting to-morrow, and
when I come back will come to Allentown, as they might keep a watch on
me here.'
“With this understanding we returned, instructing Joseph Dent to stay as
long as might become necessary, in order to learn all that he could as
to the design of these people. After getting our supplies in the wagon
we returned home. On arriving we found all feeling very joyful over the
fact that Col. Anderson would be home in the course of a week. He had
so written to me. Aunt Sarah had opened and read the letter. Little
Mary was so delighted that she ran out and tried to tell us all that her
father had written. She would talk and stammer and draw a long breath,
and then commence again, and repeat until I had to tell her to rest
and begin slowly. When we got in we heard all. The two children were
delighted at the prospect of seeing Aunt Martha almost as much as seeing
the Colonel and his brave wife. Peter and I had to keep quiet about our
program with Joseph Dent, and therefore discussed other matters. During
the evening Peter concluded that he would not attempt returning to his
regiment until Col. Tom should arrive, so that he could arrange about
the command and take some word back to Col. Rice. (I said not one word
about Tom's commission as Brigadier, but continued the suggestion that
Col. Rice could not think of doing otherwise than turning over the
command to Col. Anderson.) Just then the post-boy came again with a
letter. I opened it and found it to be from my son Jackson, at St. Paul,
Minn., (where he resided and was engaged in railroad building,) stating
that he considered it his duty to enter the service of his country.
Being young and healthy, he said, no patriot in this crisis, blessed
with good health, could afford to remain out of the army; that the day
would come when the question would be asked of all such persons, 'Why
did you not go to the war and fight for your country?' Poor boy, if he
were living now he would ask himself the queston: 'Why did I go; for
what did I peril my life?' Yes! yes!
“Well, I kept this from my wife, Aunt Sarah, for the time. She was so
worried about our family that I thought best to wait for a day or so,
inasmuch as she did not see me get the letter. A couple of days passed
and Joseph Dent came to our house. After seeing and speaking to Jennie
about the farm and her interest generally, and telling Aunt Sarah about
Ham's scare and joking him somewhat, he spoke to Peter and myself, and
said that he wanted to see us alone.
“We all went out to the barn, and there he told us all that he had heard
and seen--that he had gone to Collins' Grove; that there was a large
political meeting there; that Dan Bowen spoke in the most excited manner
of the wrongs and outrages, as he termed them, of the vile abolition
adminstration; that the Union soldiers were mere hirelings; that he
hoped none of his party would join the Abolition army to assist in
robbing and murdering our brethren down South. (Dent had noted these
sayings in his memorandum; he was a man of fair education and a close
observer.) Bowen was vociferously applauded during his remarks. Thos. A.
Strider spoke also; but he was not so vehement and abusive as Bowen, but
was equally strong against the war for the Union. Strider spoke of it
as an unholy war on our part, and all the acts of Congress and the
President being 'unauthorized and unconstitutional,' and that the
war would be a failure and ought to be; that he would not see money
appropriated, if in his power to prevent, to carry it on; that if the
Government undertook to draft his friends in Indiana as soldiers,
he would defend any of them (free of charge) that resisted such an
unconstitutional proceeding. He continued in this vein for an hour.
These utterances were loudly applauded by the majority of the audience.
But, continuing, he stated that on that day he came across the three
escaped prisoners heretofore mentioned, and staid with them during the
speeches and agreed to all that was said, so as to satisfy them of his
strict adherence to their principles.
“They said to him that if he would remain that night they would initiate
him into their mysterious organization. He acceded to their proposition
without hesitation, and remained--not leaving them for an instant. In
the evening, shortly after dark, they were all conducted to a large
empty barn near by, and on entering it Dent found Thos. A. Strider
presiding, and Bowen lecturing on the designs and purposes of the
Knights of the Golden Circle.
“After he had explained the objects of the organization, an obligation
was administered to all who had not before been admitted and obligated.
Dent, being one who had not before joined, with others took the
obligation, and was then instructed in the signs, grips and passwords.
He said that he played it pretty well, so that he was thoroughly
instructed, and kept repeating them to himself, so that he might not
forget any part. The obligation pledged them to use all possible means
in their power to aid the rebels to gain their independence; to aid and
assist prisoners to escape; to vote for no one for office who was not
opposed to the further prosecution of the war, to encourage desertions
from the Union army; to protect the rebels in all things necessary to
carry out their designs, even to the burning and destroying of towns and
cities, if necessary, in order to produce the desired result. They were
also directed to give information at all times of any knowledge they
might have of the movements of our armies, and of the coming of soldiers
to their homes; to use their influence to prevent their return to the
army. They were not even to disclose the murder of any returned soldier
or Union man, if done by any one belonging to this organization. They
were told in the instructions that men were sent into our prisons to
obligate and instruct all prisoners, so that they could make themselves
known in traveling, should they escape; also, that the organization
extended into Canada, as well as every State in the North; that men
in our army belonged to it, who would retreat in battle, or surrender
whenever they could do so; they could always make themselves known to
the rebel commanders; that the members were in every way possible
to foment jealousies and ill-feeling between the Eastern and Western
troops, and especially between the commanding Generals of the two
sections; they were to encourage the Western volunteers not to allow
themselves to be commanded by Eastern officers, and especially were
they to tickle the fancy and pride of the Eastern officers and men, by
encouraging them not to allow themselves to be subjected to the control
of the uneducated men of the West--in short, every kind and character
of argument was to be resorted to. In the event of failure, any other
means, no matter what, was to be employed to cause failure on our part
and success on theirs.
[Illustration: Knights of the Golden Circle meeting in a barn 103]
“Peter wrote down every word told us by Dent, being very careful about
the signs and passwords. This being done, we cautioned-Dent to be
extremely careful in his conversations with others, and never to speak
of this organization to any one, for fear that he might get into trouble
or suffer in some way from its members. Dent bade us good day and
left for home. We returned to the house and there read over Peter's
memorandum carefully, and studied the signs and passwords so as to fully
comprehend them. This, to us, was a serious question. Peter felt as
though there was much in this to cause our country great trouble in
addition to what was already upon us. I said to Peter that I would at
once write to the President and send him all the statements as they were
made to us by Dent, as well as suggest to him the necessity of having
this conspiracy (as it was nothing less) ferreted out at once, which I
did that day, and also suggested the arrest and trial of all that could
be found who were engaged in getting up these organizations. I soon
received a letter, not from the President, but from another, which
satisfied me that my letter had been received by the one for whom it was
intended.
“Very soon the whisperings and newspaper gossip showed plainly that
there were jealousies in the Army of the East as well as in the Army
of the Center. Officers were complaining of each other, and some were
charging ill-treatment on the part of the Administration, showing
clearly that there were influences silently at work. About this time I
received a note from Washington requesting me to come to that city. I
prepared for the trip. Bidding good-by to our family, and requesting
Peter not to leave until I should return, I was off, no one but Peter
and my wife holding the secret of my leaving home at this time. When I
arrived at Washington I proceeded to the Executive Mansion, sent in my
name, and was at once admitted. The President met me most cordially, and
asked me to be seated. He wrote a note and sent it out by a messenger,
then turned to me and entered into conversation about the health of our
people, the crops of the country, and the sentiments I found generally
held among the people of the West in reference to the war. I said to him
that among the Union people there was but one sentiment, and that was
that the last man and last dollar must be exhausted, if necessary, to
put down the rebellion. He grasped me by the hand warmly and said:
“'Lyon, my good friend, I am exceedingly glad to know that. I have been
hearing curious stories about your part of Indiana. The Governor of your
State seems to fear trouble from some cause.'
“'My dear Mr. President,' I said, 'do not misunderstand me. I do not
mean to say our people are united; it is only the Union people I had
reference to. There is a strong party in the State who are utterly
opposed to the prosecution of the war, and they are led on by very
strong and influential men.'
“'Yes,' said the President, 'this man Strider is at the head of that
party. He is a smooth-talking fellow--rather an “Oily Gammon,” very
shrewd, and hard to catch at any open or overt act. He has a way
of setting others on and keeping out himself. At least, I should so
conclude from what I have seen and know of him.'
“'Yes, Mr. President, you have estimated the man correctly,' was my
reply.
“'Just at this point in the conversation, the Secretary of War came in.
The President was going to introduce me.
“'No introduction is necessary, Mr. President,' said the Secretary;
'this is one of my old neighbors and friends.'
“'Our meeting was full of warmth and friendly greetings, having been
friends for many years in Ohio prior to my leaving the State. We were
all seated, and after some general conversation between the Secretary
and myself, the President remarked that he had sent for me, and on my
presenting myself he had sent for the Secretary of War for the purpose
of having a full conference in reference to the situation in the rear of
the army out West, and that from my letter to him he did not know of any
one who could give him that information better than myself.
“'By the way,' said he, 'what about your nephew, Anderson? He must be
a glorious fellow and a good soldier. Of course, you have received the
commission that the Secretary and I sent you for him?'
“'Yes I thanks to you, Mr. President. He is improving very fast. His
wound will soon be well, and he will then be ready for the field again.'
“'Tell him,' said the President, 'that I will watch his career with
great interest. Coming from where he does, he must have good metal in
him to face his friends and relatives in taking the stand he has.'
“'Yes, sir,' said I; 'he is a true man, and his wife, though a Southern
woman, is one of the noblest of her sex, and as true a patriot as ever
lived.'
“'Your family are nearly all soldiers, I believe, Mr. Lyon,' said the
Secretary.
“'Yes, Mr. Secretary; I had seven sons--five are in the army, one was
killed at the battle of the Gaps, and the seventh is on his way from St.
Paul to join it. God knows I have some interest in our success, and I
will go myself at any time should it be necessary.'
“'The President here interrupted:
“'No, Mr. Lyon, you must not. You have done enough. If this Government
cannot be saved without the eighth one of your family putting his
life in peril at your age, it cannot be saved. We will accept no more
recruits from the Lyon family.'
“'The President then asked me to give to the Secretary and himself the
situation in the West as nearly as I could, and especially in Indiana.
“I proceeded to state the situation--the bitterness of the opposition to
the Administration, as well as to the war, then being manifested by
the anti-war party, or, in other words, by the Democratic party as an
organization; the organized lodges of the Golden Circle, their objects
and designs, the influence they were to bring to bear, how they were
to operate and in what directions, the jealousies they were to engender
between the officers of the East and the West; the fact that they were
to release prisoners and to destroy towns and cities in the North,
should it become necessary.
“The President and Secretary both listened with grave attention, and
seemed to fully comprehend the situation.
“The President finally said:
“'Mr. Secretary, this is a very serious matter, and is becoming more so
every day.'
“'Yes,' replied the Secretary; 'you know, Mr. President, that we have
talked this over heretofore, but this revelation seems startling. I can
begin to see where the influence partly comes from which gives us so
much trouble with some of the officers of the Eastern army. At first I
was induced to believe that they were jealous of each other, but I am
beginning to think it comes from political influences in opposition
to the Administration, having a desire to change the policy of the
Government in reference to the war. Several of the senior officers in
different commands act as though they thought more of promotion and
being assigned to large commands than the success of our cause. They
will not serve under any but their own selection of commanders--at
least, make opposition to doing so. There seems to be a little coterie
who think no one is suitable to command except themselves. They have not
been very successful so far, and act as though they were determined
that no one else should be. We have relieved their chief and brought a
new man to the field, and I do believe that some of these men will
not give him a cordial support. We must wait, quietly, however, for
developments. One thing is strange to me, and that is that I find these
complaining gentlemen all have been and now are in sympathy with the
party which is found in a great degree opposing the war. I do not mean
by this to impeach their patriotism, but to suggest that the influences
which operate upon them and flatter their vanity by suggestions of
presidency, cabinets, head of the army, future power, greatness,
etc., are not coming from the people or party in full accord with the
Administration and in favor of such a prosecution of the war as will
insure ultimate success.'
“'Well,' said the President, 'we are in their power at the present, and
their demands upon the Administration are of a character to induce the
belief that they are preparing the road to an ultimate recognition of
the so-called Confederacy; but, gentlemen, they will not succeed.' (This
he said with much warmth.) 'I will not let them succeed. The Lord, in
his own good time, will raise up and develop some man of great genius as
a commander, and I am now patiently waiting for that time. I cannot put
these men aside now. The country would sympathize with them and feel
that I do not know as much about war as they do; but they will tell the
tale on themselves very soon, and then we will be completely justified
in getting rid of them. This war must go on for some time yet if the
Union is to be restored, and I have faith that it will be; but I am just
now bothered more about the condition in the rear than in the front;
that will come out all right in time. But if these Golden Circle
organizations spread, as they seem to be doing, in the West, where a
great portion of our troops must come from, and the people should once
get the idea fixed in their minds that the war must be a failure, and a
fire in the rear is started of great proportions, then what? Then will
come the serious question. And should the people pronounce at the next
election against a further prosecution of the war, there will be a
secret understanding with those who come into power that the so-called
Confederacy is to be recognized, and that will be the end.'
“'But, Mr. President, do you look for such a result?' I asked.
“'No, sir,' responded the President; 'I was only putting the worst side
of the case--just as I would look at the worst side of a client's case
in court. The people of this country love this republic too well to see
it go down marred and destroyed merely for the purpose of upholding the
crime and infamy of slavery. No, gentlemen, this Union will be restored.
All the rebels of the South, and all the sympathizers and Golden Circles
of the North cannot destroy it so long as there is one patriot left
qualified to lead an army. They will have to burn every city and
assassinate every leading man who is able to be a leader before our flag
will go down in gloom and disgrace. This they may try. God only knows
what desperate men will do to uphold an unholy cause.'”
“How prophetic this thought was,” said Dr. Adams.
“Yes, it was really so. The very things mentioned were attempted, and
an organization completed for the purpose. They accomplished a part
of their hellish design, but they did not succeed to the extent
contemplated.
“But to return to the conversation with the President and Secretary:
“The President then asked me if I would, in my own way, further ferret
out what was being done by this organization in the West and post him by
reports in writing as often as I could conveniently do so.
“I responded that I could not go into the lodges myself, but I would, in
every way that I could consistently, through others, obtain information
and send him.
“'This,' he said, 'was all that he could ask me to do, situated as I
was.'
“This being all that was desired, the Secretary of War made out a pass
authorizing me to enter any and all of our lines or camps of prisoners,
to visit any and all hospitals--in fact, to go to and pass through all
places under military control in the United States. With this pass in my
pocket I bade good-by to the President and Secretary and left for home.
“When I returned I found that Col. Tom Anderson, his wife, and old
Aunt Martha had arrived. The family had a joyful meeting and had become
settled down. All were glad to see me. Col. Tom, his wife, and Aunt
Martha had many pleasant things to relate--how Tom recovered so rapidly;
how kind Col. Harden had been; what a good man Surg. Long was; how a
band of rebels came down the river to old George's farm, where Tom
had been so long; how they were surprised and captured by one of Col.
Harden's reconnoitering parties, and that they said they were sent to
take Mr. George's property away and to bring with them old Ham and Aunt
Martha.
“Old Ham, being present, broke out in one of his characteristic laughs.
“'Ah! He-ogh. Fo' de good Laud, dat's de time dey miss der cotch. Dis
darky was done gone when dey comed. I know'd dey'd be dar sometime for
dis cat, and Marfa, too. I tells you, dey want her, dey do. She know how
to cook and do things, she do. Be a cole day when dey gits dis cat agin,
sho's you born'd.'
“Aunt Martha came in and said to Ham:
“'What you doin' heah, Ham?'
“'I's sympensizen wid dem “Sesh” what comed down to ole Massa George's
place back yonder for to fotch me and you back to de Missip. De cat done
gone. He-ah! he-ah!'
“'Yes; but you ole fool, dey'd got you if it had not bin for me. I beg
you afore you goes to go wid Massa Daniel, you knows I did.'
“'Yes, Marfa, dat's so. I tole dem all de time dat you knows de bes'.
Don't I, Massa Daniel?'
“'Oh, yes, Ham,' I said. 'You always speak well of Martha, and what she
knows.'
“'Deed I do, Marfa; dat's so; I does, all de time.'
“'Dat's all right den, Ham. I forgib you all what you do, so you jes'
git out in de kitchen; dar's whar you blong. Dese folks spile you ef dey
don't mind deyselves.
“The family, or a considerable portion of them, again being together, we
naturally drifted in our conversation as to the war, it being uppermost
in everybody's mind at that time; so I found an opportunity to tell Col.
Anderson and Peter all about my trip, what had occurred, and what I had
promised to do. Peter said that I would have to be very cautious, and
that the first thing was to understand whether or not the Postmaster
here could be trusted. Should he allow it to be known that I was
frequently communicating with the President, the enemies at Allentown
would manage in some way to discover my communications, and thereby my
life would be in danger.
“I knew the Postmaster, however, and that he could be trusted; so that
part of the matter was settled.
“Colonel Anderson suggested that there should be no haste in settling
the arrangements; that it was of such importance that a little
reflection would do no harm; so we laid the matter over for the
present.”
“Uncle Daniel,” said Col. Bush, “we who were in the army felt the
influence of the Knights of the Golden Circle. There was one time during
the war when we would have hundreds of desertions in a night; nor could
we stop it for a considerable length of time. We finally discovered
that the people opposed to the war were engaged in every possible way
in influencing the relatives of the soldiers. They would sometimes get
their wives to write about their sufferings, sickness in their families,
and in every way that it could be done they were rendered dissatisfied.”
“Yes,” said Maj. Clymer, “that is true in every respect. Part of my
command deserted, and I have found since the war that they were induced
to do so by these very influences.”
“The situation at that time was very critical,” said Dr. Adams. “I
remember well when mobs were organized and when soldiers were shot down
on the road in this vicinity while returning to their commands after
being home on a leave of absence.
“O, yes, those were perilous times for all who were in favor of their
country's success. Returning, however, to family matters:
“On the morning of the next day, after Peter, Col. Anderson and myself
had talked over the matter of my Washington trip, and sat down to
breakfast, Col. Anderson found a paper under his plate. All eyes were
upon him, and he turned his upon the paper. He read it, and looked at
me as though he understood it all, yet it was evidently a very happy
surprise; he said not one word, but handed it to his wife, supposing
that the rest knew of it. She jumped up from the table and threw her
arms around my neck and wept for joy. This procedure seemed to puzzle
the rest of the family, as they were totally ignorant of the contents of
the paper.
“'Mother,' exclaimed Peter, 'what is all this?'
“Col. Anderson said: 'Aunt, do you not know what it is?'
“'No, indeed,' she replied.
“I then revealed the secret of my keeping the fact quiet about Tom
having been commissioned as a Brigadier-General
“Peter at once said: 'Well, that settles the question in our regiment;
and I am truly glad, for two reasons: first, that Col. Anderson has been
promoted, and, second, that it leaves our regiment intact.'
“All congratulated the Colonel and were happy over it. Old Aunt Martha
who was waiting on the table that morning shouted out 'Glory! Dat's jes'
what I sed; dat de good Laud was gwine to keep Massa Tom for some big
thing, so he do good. I know'd it.'
“We all felt that it was due him and all were glad. Upon looking up I
discerned tears in Jennie's eyes, I knew in a moment her thoughts, but
said not a word. Her darling child, Sarah, had died, and of course
she was sensitive and easily touched. After breakfast I took the first
opportunity to say to her: 'My dear child, don't feel badly; your
husband's promotion will come very soon.'
“This seemed to cheer her up, and all went on well and pleasantly. No
one seemed to understand Jennie's tears but myself, and I was very
quiet on the subject. Sure enough, the very next day she got a letter
from David, telling her that he had been promoted and assigned to the
command of a brigade. This made us all doubly happy, and caused us to
forget our grief for a time. The two children did not quite understand
all this. But Aunt Martha, to whom the children had become quite
devoted, was in her very peculiar way explaining it all to the children,
and yet she knew but little more about it than they did, and between her
explanations and their understanding of it, made it very amusing indeed.
“Two days afterwards Peter left for his command, which was still
encamped on the battle-field of Pittskill Landing. He felt as though he
could do camp duty if no more. He wore the same sad countenance that had
become fastened upon him since he had been pondering over his mother's
dream.
“Col. Anderson was still very weak, but was nervous about the future
and extremely anxious to recover sufficiently to take the field. His
bloodless face and trembling motion showed that he couldn't perform
field duty for some time to come. He made a request, however, for
the detail of Capt. Day, of Col. Harden's regiment, as one of his
aides-de-camp. The order for the detail, in accordance with his wishes,
he soon received, but delayed sending it forward, leaving Capt. Day with
Col. Harden until such time as he should be able to be assigned to duty.
In talking over with Gen. Anderson the situation and the mission I had
to perform, we concluded, inasmuch as he was only slightly known through
the West, that he could travel through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois on a
prospecting tour and be less liable to suspicion than myself, known as I
was in many parts of the country, and that the journey was just what he
needed to give him strength.
“Preparatory to his undertaking the expedition we thought proper to
visit Joseph Dent on the farm, and have the General more fully posted
in the mysteries of the Golden Circle. We at once repaired to the farm.
While there Dent instructed him thoroughly, he having it at his
tongue's end, as he had been meeting with the Circle frequently in
the neighborhood, under the advice of Peter and myself. Gen. Anderson
carefully wrote down everything in his pocket memorandum book, and after
frequently going over the signs, manipulations, passwords, etc., with
Dent, we left for home. All the preliminaries were then arranged,
so that the General was to start as soon as he considered himself
sufficiently strong to undergo the fatigues of the journey.
“Late in the evening the form of a tall, well-proportioned man appeared
at the door and rapped. I said 'Come.' He entered, saying, 'Father, how
are you?' I saw it was my son Jackson, from St. Paul, Minn. After hearty
greetings, I introduced him to Gen. Anderson and wife. Aunt Sarah
soon entered the room, and the meeting between mother and son was most
touching. In the conversation that ensued Jackson soon disclosed the
fact that he was on his way to join the army somewhere, not entirely
defined in his own mind; but came by to pay a visit to us first.
“Gen. Anderson seemed at once to take a fancy to Jack son, and proposed
that he make application for a Captaincy in the Regular Army and be
assigned to him as one of his staff officers. This was readily acceded
to by my son. The papers were made out, and Jackson started for
Washington the next morning to make the request of the President, the
understanding being that he was to return to my house and await
the future movements of Gen. Anderson. His mother, hearing of this
arrangement, was better satisfied with it than she would have been if
he had started out in some regiment; but she wept bitter tears at the
thought of all her sons endangering their lives.
“She said to me:
“'Daniel, if our whole family, or a greater part of them should be lost,
who will remember it to our honor, and where will sympathy for us come
from? You know the youth who fired the Ephesian Dome is remembered,
while the builder is forgotten.'
“These words of my good wife are constantly ringing in my ears. How
true! how true!”