The National tribune., 1885-11-26

1.-THE General did not know at what moment
! he mi ht be relieved from the command of the
Army, and was therefore anxious that the
Secretary of War might in some way be pre-
pared for the emergency, should it arise; but
said that he could not personally be party to
any preparations for such an event while he
was subject to the orders of the President. So
he said that he would retire, but would leave
his Chief of Staff, who, he said seemed to be
beligerent enough for any purpose. When the
General withdrew the Secretary said:
| "'Now, Mr.. Lyon, what can you do to aid US,
or what do you suggest?'
q l said: Give me until this evening to re-
| fleet upon the matter and will meet you two
| gentlemen here at any hour that may be agreed
upon So s o'clock was designated, and we
separated.
During the day I made inquiry of Gen.
Anderson about the disbanded soldiers how
they, or some of them, could be organized lii an
emergency, and supposed the case of the rebels
! trying their rebellion over again. He laughed
| at the idea, but said there was but one condi-
! tion of things that could possibly bring about
such a result, and that was if the President
should undertake the restoration of all the rebel
| States without the action of Congress- as he
had heard limited by some leading rebels who
had been recently in Washington. Then trouble
would follow
II asked him if it would not be we'll for some
men of influence to be on the alert
Yes he replied; there ought to be Sc
cret force in Washington and elsewhere, until
the reconstruction OF the rebel States is COM
plete.'
" | said no more to him at this time on this
subject. Gen. Anderson said he should call and
see the General of the Army in day or so, as
he had oaly called occasionally since in Wash
ington but that his calls were always made
very pleasant.
"At o'clock sharp l went to the War Office
q nd ha and thn IN nf Statf
to the General waiting for me. We at once en-
tered into conversation on the subject of the
conspiracy. l made the same suggestion that
Gen. Anderson had made to me, which was at
once discussed and thought to be good propo-
sitiOn. But how could it be done without the
whole matter being made public in some way?
This was matter that must be kept within
the knowledge of a very few discreet men, the
Secretary thought.
True said l but you must have o
nucleus here in Washington if you eau find tho
man to organize it, know man that would be
perfectly safe, but have suggestion in con-
nection with him that l think better. 1t is
this My son Henry is very anxious to go to
the Black Hills but that country being unsafe
on account of the Indians, | have been think
ing that Il large number of discharged soldiers
would jump ut an enterprise of this kind. They
could be organized and have it so arranged that
they could be got together quickly for any
arise, when the danger should be passed the
General of the Army could properly issue an
order preventing any organization or cOmbina-
tion OF men from entering the Black Hills
country, and instruct the army in that part of
the West to carry out the order. This would
let the men at the head of the organization out
of the Scrape, and would afford them an ample
excuse for abandoning the enterprise
The Secretary said: This seems feasib BILE;
who could you trust with this management
Il replied, Gen. Tom Anderson
Just the man. replied both gentlemen.
"The Secretary said: This part is in your
hands We do not wish to see anyone but you
on this part of the plan. We will give our con-
fidence to no one else. We hope you will not
delay. We will look ont for Washington. You
need not hesitate; these two men, Gen. Ander-
son and your son, will be amply compensated
"The Chief of Staff to the General then re-
marked: Il think l know the man to take hold
of matters in Washington He then named a
man who had been Union officer and who
was then in the city. He was sent for and had
an interview that afternoon with the two gem
tlemen mentioned. / Immediately returned to
Gen. Anderson's Office, and asked him to 20
with me to my room. When there l laid the
case before him fully, imposing entire secrecy,
should the terrible threatened disaster be |
averted, saying to him that Henry, my son,
being young and thOughtless must not know |
the inside, but must look upon it merely as a |
matter of precauti0n, and with the intention of |
carrying out the Black Hills scheme in order |
to get into that rich mineral country.
The General readily assented to all, and at |
once prepared to return home with me. He |
visited the General of the Army that afternoon |
aud we left for home the next evening.
1.-The next morning l again visited the Sec |
rotary of War, and explained to him the Gen
erals readiness to act. He was delighted with |
the arrangement and said to me that must |
return in two weeks and let him know how /
matters were progressing; that it would not do |
to communicate in writing. l babe him good
by, and the General and left for home.
"On our arrival his wife and the two chill |
dren were greatly delighted, as well as the rest |
of the family, including Ham and Aunt Martha.
His wife, finding that he was to remain at home
for some time, was extremely happy. Henry
was now called into council and put in posses
sion of part of our plan. They at once went
to work diligently, and in a very short time had |
made up secret organization with a view, as
understood, of going to the Black Hills, and by
moving about in the country found that any |
mn mber of good sold fers could he ar