The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-29

derson, and all of whom he knew as in anyway
{. part of US, and the poor man seemed almost
as much grieyed over our miSfortuneS as my
self. He seemed to be full of hope, however,
and spoke to me very freely about the war and
our chances of final success
He strobe across the room and turning to
me- said: we are now on the right road | think.
have rid myself of some Of those Generals
that we spoke about when we last met, and L
intend to be rid of them for the remainder of
the war. If they want dietators and will not
obey the President, they will now have to
organize outside of the army. L have now q
new commander for the Army of the Last who
seems to be doing WELL l hope he may con-
tinue as he began. lie won the battle of Got
tenburg and broke the rebel army to pieces.
Il think said he, that Gen. Meador should
have followed up his victory; but perhaps not.
If he should not exactly fill the bill, my eye is
on a Western man who seems to know what he
is about, and l think of bringing him East and
giving him control of all the armies; but will
determine this later
e. then gave him the statement made to me
by Henry. He read it over carefully, and in
an excited manner ordered a messenger to go
for the Secretary of War. He soon arrived, and
after greetings the President handed the state
meut to the Secretary. He also read it care
fully. They then discussed the matter, and
concluded to order an additional force to Camp
Chase, relieve the commandant and place a
more careful and efficient officer in his place.
This was done by telegraph, with warming to
the new commander to look out for an attempt
to release the prisoners.
"The Secretary said to the President: These
rebels are desperate, and since they lost their
shipload of explosives and poisoned clothes,
with their two friends who were to carry out
their plans, they are determined to attempt
something else equally desperate, and we must
look for raids, fire and plumber. By the way,
said the Secretary to me- that was rather a
nice thing your son Jackson did in finding out
all their schemes in London. Had it not been
for his discovery We never would have known
the desperation and infarny to which these
men were driven
eyes said the President. Mr.. Lyon, is he
your eldest son now in the army?'
al have but two left in the army-Jackson
and Peter. The latter you promoted for gal
lantry at Middleton Ridge. Jackson is now
my oldest son in the service
&c Mr.. Secretary said the President, you
will make out commission for him as Briga-
dier-General, and give it to Mr. Lyon to take
home with him as an evidence that we appre-
ciate the services of his family, and especially
JacksOn's great service in this most important
matter
"I shed tears. The President saw it as he
stood by window for moment. / arose and
thanked him. He said:
"'NO, the obligation is the other way
Just then dispatch was handed the Presi-
dent, stating that quite number of prisoners
had escaped from Camp Chase. He handed it
to the Secretary, saying:
~ guess we were a little late in removing
the commander of Camp Chase; it ought to
have been done sooner. Mr.. Lyon said the
President to me, we will have to watch these
fellows. They are doubtless up to some game
He asked me to keep Henry in Canada if
thought he could do good by staying there. /
promised him to do so, and after getting jack
sons commission and bidding the President
good-by left for home, feeling gratifed at the
recognition given me. Arriving at home, |
found my wife better, and when she found that
Jackson had a commission as Brigadier- General
she seemed so happy that we felt that she
would entirely recover.
Il placed Jacksons commission in an en-
velope with a letter explaining how the Presi-
dent came to promote him. When the boy re-
turned from the post-oftice he brought me a
morning paper containing an account of Bealls
raid on ST. Adams, Vt; how he had sacked the
town, robbed the banks and alarmed the people.
l said to Seraine, There it is! They have car
ried out the first part of their program, and we
will soon hear of trouble in all the prison
camps. l regard this as the beginning of des-
perate work
"' Yes said Seraine; Henry was very sure
that they were desperately in earnest; but |
thought, perhaps. the warming we had given to
the President might save any further disaster
in that direction
"Seraine remained about a week longer and
then left for Detroit, l sent a letter to Henry,
directing him to remain in Canada as long as
necessary to find out when, where and how
they were to move and operate. My poor wife
was soon taken i'll again, and was quite feeble
and almost helpless for some weeks. Aunt Martha
was constantly by her bedside. waiting on her,
as well as trying to entertain her with her
curious interpretations of dreams and her ex-
perience while in slavery. This, though, my
friends, did not last great while. More sor-
rows soon came to us"
The tears streamed down the old mans face,
and We withdrew for the present.
To be coatinaed.1