The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-09-10
UNCLE DANIELS STORY.
Continued from First page.)

we ought to organize the army on a better
basis than it now is, have McGregor relieve
every one who is not his friend, and let US
urge him to march upon the Capital and
there we can install him Dictator, recognize
the South's independence, with the under
standing that they in turn will send their
army to the front near to us, so as to sustain
him. We could seize all armories, arsenals
and war materials. The people would then
be powerless. England would at once re-
cognize the South, and if we could maintain
ourselves six months we could easily
dO-the whole of Europe would recognize
our Government.
just at this moment Gen. McGregor
entered the room and said:
"'Gentlemen, l hope you have been enjoy
ing yourselves. l have been out to my Ad
jutant ntGeneraPs Office, debating my orders
for tomorrow. Ihope you have helped your
selves to my sherry and champaign. 1 had
quite good lot of it brought on, not know
ing how long this campaign might last
"Farlin said: General, 1 would think
that the campaign for the present was almost
over; our troops are in no condition for
further offensive operations
"'Do you think SOP said Gen. McGregor.
Yes; most assuredly.'
Yes added Smite; we are in no hurry
this war cannot be rushed through; and if
this Administration is going to do what I
understand it is, there are some of us who
will not submit
"'What is that?' inquired McGregor.
Free thenegroes. Wewill not stand that.
We want you to be up and dressed. We will
put you in place of the Administration, and
have the country governed properly, make
peace with the South, and stop the war;
"Gen. McGregor here put his finger to his
lips, indicating silence on their part; and
looking in the direction of the bed on which
Gen. Anderson was resting, all became silent
on this subject, and commenced speaking of
the quality of the wine. Very soon supper
was announced, and the messenger was told
to call Gen. Anderson. The General, turning
over and groaning, as if awaking from a
deep sleep, arose. and addressing Gen. Nc
Gregor, said:
"'General, would have slept till morn
ing without intermission, had not l been
called
"He was then introduced to Gen Cross
and Smite, and all repaired to their elegant
meal, and there discussed the occurrences
of the day, the merits of the several officers
who had fallen, etc.
when supper was over, which continued
own headquarters, which had been moved
up to and in n depression or cut near Ant
ler's Run, on the east side There he found
his Adjutant- General, a few darkies, and old
Ham.
"'How are you, Ham, inquired the Gen.
eral. Are you still alive? You did not
stay very close to me to-day, so that you
might be safer," did you, Ham?'
"'No, Massa Tom. When you fuss start
out, was gwine long wild you, but you lef'
me, and den you said muffin bout me comm
wild you and l spose you not kear bout
habin me bodderin you. OATS all how it
war, Massa Tom.'
"'Yes, Ham, see. Well, it is all right.
You stay with the headquarters and take
care of my traps, and will not ask you to
take command of my troops in time of bat
tle.'
Ham laughed one of his peculiar outlaws.
"'Yah! yah! Massa Tom. / speck dat is
de bes' way. Doz you want sumfn to eat?
got plenty of chicken. Dey git skeered at
de fitin', and jjes cum rite to the camp, sab.
Yes, sab, dey am 'fraid of de Sesh, dey is;
dey know dar fiens desc chickens do
"The General laughed, saying, Ham, are
you quite sure they came into camp alone?'
"'Well, sab, dey get in heah some way.
/ not fotched dem in. De fuss 1 seed dem,
dey in de corner oh de tent all srOuched up,
so 1 sposed dey hidin' from de Sesh, and l
jes' took 'em in, to sabe dem. Yes, sab; dat's
de way it war;
"Ham retired behind the tent, and laughed
immoderately, saying: I spect he not kear
berry much; l feels my way pretty good, l
does
"The troops rested during the night, and
4 IL.
and the troops were ordered into camp, and
no further pursuit of the enemy contem-
plated by the commanding General. The
troops, however, were soon required in an
other direction, for the purpose of protecting
the Capital of the Nation. Gen. Andersons
old wound reopened which caused him to
turn over his splendid command. At the
suggestion of his Surgeon, he, with two
Aids-de-Camp and old Ham, returned to
Allentown until such time as he could again
recover sufficiently to do his duty. The
President hearing of his skill in manuyer-
ing troops, and his gallant conduct Oh the
battlefield, ut once promoted him to be q
ajor-General.
Their return home, of course. made our
family very happy again, only marred by
the continued severe illness of Dr. James.
He had fingered for months, sometimes i'm
proving, and then again suffering severely.
He seemed to revive and gain strength on
the return of his friends. Capt. Day took up
his abode at Youngs Hotel and Capt. jack
son remained at home with us. Peter again
returned in a few days, his foot being in a
very bad condition, fearing that an ampu-
tation might become necessary without great
care and immediate rest. Thus our family
were once more partly together, and although
some were suffering greatly, we enjoyed
the recital OF the battle of Antler's Run, by
both Capt. Jackson and the General The
story of his lying on the bed and hear
ing the suggestions of conspiracy by
the superior officers of the Army of the
East caused me serious consideration.
The details of which conversation he
gave me in confidence, having never revealed
it even to his staff officers. l at once re-
paired to the Capital, and saw the President
and Secretary of War, and stated to them
the whole of the conversation and the pro-
posed scheme. They were almost dunn
founded. The President thanked me, say
ing:
"'I have now declared the slaves free