Gen.  Silent guided by A specter.-Army of the center.-
     BELEAGUERED and half starved in Chatteraugus.-Middleton’s
     ridge.-Gen.  Silent’s forces sweep the rebels from the
     crest.

     “O thou whose captain I account myself,
     Look on my forces with a gracious eye. 
     Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath
     That they may crush down with a heavy fall,
     The usurping helmets of our adversaries. 
     Make us thy ministers of chastisement,
     That we may praise thee in thy victory. 
     To thee I do commend my watchful soul. 
     Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes,
     Sleeping and waking, O, defend me...” 
     -Shakespeare

“The Army of the Center was now in a most deplorable condition.  Gen. Biggs’s lines extended to the river above and below, so that the Union army inside of Chatteraugus was practically invested, the rebel army being so situated that every movement of our troops could be watched as carefully as if they were all of the same army.  The enemy persistently threw shells into our camp and made it very uncomfortable both by day and night.  The rains had so swollen the river and damaged the roads that there was no direction from which supplies could be drawn in wagons of sufficient quantity to be of any very great assistance, had the rebels only held the Une of communication by rail.  Our whole command had to be placed at once on half rations.  Over 3,000 wounded soldiers were in camp and hospital, suffering and dying for want of proper food and nourishment.  Forage for the animals could not be procured, and more than 10,000 died in and about Chatteraugus.  One-third of the artillery horses died, and the remainder were unfitted for service.

“Biggs had cut off a train of supplies of medical stores for the wounded, and the ammunition of our army was reduced to the minimum.  In the battle of Cherokee Run the men had thrown away and lost their blankets, so they were exposed to the hot sun and the chilly nights, without blankets, tents, food, or any of the comforts that even soldiers usually enjoy in the field.  When Rosenfelt started on the campaign his order was to take but one blanket to each man, and no overcoats.  In this condition they could not retreat.  They seemed doomed to surrender at no distant day.

“The enemy well knew the condition of our troops, being in possession of the route to our depot of supplies, and the one by which re-enforcements would reach our army.  They apparently held our forces at their mercy.  For these reasons the enemy deemed it unnecessary to assault and lose lives in an attempt to take what seemed secure.  All that Biggs had to do, as he thought, was to wait, and Chatteraugus would fall into his hands without a struggle.  Starvation would soon force terms, as retreat or re-enforcements were considered alike impossible.  No other portion of our armies was reduced to such a terrible extremity during the war.

“This was the situation of the Army of the Center when Gen. Silent took command of it.  Biggs had sent his cavalry to the interior to watch all movements on our part, and especially to prevent supplies from being brought to or concentrated anywhere for our almost famished soldiers.  Weller and Lawting, in command of the rebel cavalry, captured and destroyed in the Sewatch Valley 1,000 wagons loaded with supplies.  They also captured 700 wagons at Macklinville, with about 1,000 prisoners, and at the same time destroyed millions of dollars of other property.

“Gen. Silent had just arrived at Nashua, and, finding that the raiders were burning wagon trains and railroad trains loaded with supplies, collected all the cavalry he could, obtained horses and mounted two regiments of infantry.  Under a skillful officer he started them in pursuit of Weller and Lawting, chasing them into Northern Alabama and capturing near one-half of their commands.  Gen. Silent had no means of getting into Chatteraugus until Biggs’s force at Bridgeton and on the river between there and Chatteraugus could be dislodged and driven out of Looking-Glass Valley, which ran down along the mountain side to the river.  He had difficulty in getting all the positions correctly.

“Finally he met Mrs. Houghton, who had come out from Chatteraugus prior to its investment.  She gave him the most satisfactory detailed statement that he had received from any one as yet.  In the interview she told him what she was doing in that country and where she had been; what she had said to General Rosenfelt the night before the battle of Murphy’s Hill, and what she told him the day before the battle at Cherokee Run.  The General questioned her as to the number of the enemy, the names of the commanders, etc.  When she gave the names of Longpath and Stephenson, the General said: 

“‘They are sending troops here from the rebel army East?’

“‘Yes, General,’ she replied; ’20,000, I am sure, and I so told Gen. Rosenfelt.’

“The General said:  ‘They are using the Victor’s Hill prisoners?’

“‘Yes,’ said she; ’Gen. Stephenson is said to be in command of 20,000 of them.’

“‘But they have not been exchanged as yet?’

“As to that she did not know, but they were now in Gen. Bigg’s army.  Gen. Silent thanked her and invited her to come to Chatteraugus when he should take it; ‘which,’ he said, ’I mean to do in ten days from the day I open the lines of communication, so as to get food to those starving soldiers.’  He then left her with many thanks for the information.

“The next day Mrs. Houghton sought Gen. Silent again and said to him: 

“’General, there is one matter, which may be important, I did not think to mention yesterday in our conversation.’

“‘Pray, what is that?’ said he.

“’Gen. Longpath is to start in a day or so to Knoxburg with his command, in order to drive Broomfield from there, who they understand is now in possession of that place.’

“‘Well,’ said the General, ’that is of more importance to know than anything you have told me.’

“‘I am exceedingly glad then, General, that I thought of it.’

“The General then said to her:  ’I am extremely curious to know how you learned this.’

“’Well, sir, I visit hospitals on both sides, and many things are there said that would not be told to anyone in camp.  I had seen a sick rebel who had just come into the city in citizen’s clothes to be taken care of by his friends, and you must not ask me who or where he is.’

“‘No,’ said the General, ‘I will not.  Good-by!’

“Gen. Silent at once ordered Gen. Hord to concentrate his whole force at Bridgeton as quickly as possible, and in three days the 20,000 men from the Army of the East had secured Bridgeton and crossed over Little Combination River on the road to Looking-Glass Valley.  They moved forward, driving Biggs before them, until they reached the western base of Coon’s Mountain, in order to pass into Looking-Glass Valley.  At the point where he was to enter the Valley the rebels made an assault upon his head of column.  Hord deployed his troops, advanced to the attack, and very soon routed the enemy.  The enemy now could very plainly detect and understand the movement.  Our troops went into camp at about six o’clock.

“The rebels could see that if this movement was successful re-enforcements as well as supplies to the Union army would immediately be the result, and they were bewildered and chagrined.  At about one o’clock the same night, Hord was attacked in force by the enemy.  Gear’s command first received the assault.  Hord at once moved to the support of Gear, but before reaching him found a large rebel force posted on a range of hills which completely commanded his line of march.  These hills were steep and rugged.  There was, however, but one course left, and that was to assault.  This was done in a most gallant style.  The hills were scaled and the enemy driven from them with a loss of many prisoners, as well as killed and wounded.  Gen. Gear meanwhile had been contending against a superior force for two hours, and though almost enveloped at one time by the enemy, he finally succeeded in repelling the assault.  The moonlight was so bright that the firing seemed to light up the whole heavens, as if meteors were in every possible space.  The yells of the rebels, the running away of teams, the heavy sound of artillery, were enough to ‘frighten the souls of fearful adversaries.’  Mules broke away from their wagons and hitching places, some with halters, some with harness and singletrees dangling at their heels.  Horses neighing and mules braying, all dashed in the direction of the enemy, who mistook the fleeing animals for a cavalry charge, and fled in disorder and confusion.  At daylight the enemy had been repulsed at every point and our route to Chatteraugus secured.

“Gen. Silent had managed to communicate with Gen. Papson, and directed that one of his divisions should cross over the river in front of his camp in plain view of the enemy, and while the enemy were watching these movements pontoon bridges were being laid across the river by the Engineer Corps, they passing down the river beyond the left flank of the enemy in the night time.  Over this bridge crossed Palmerston’s Division and joined Hord, and by the next morning all the heights commanding the bridge and Looking-Glass Valley were secured-communication opened by way of the north side of the river by crossing the pontoon bridge, and on that very day rations for the men were taken into Chatteraugus.  Such a shout as went up from the throats of nearly 50,000 men was perhaps never heard before nor since.  Gen. Silent entered Chatteraugus with the supplies for the hungry, and was most gratefully received by officers and men.  When this line was opened the boys christened it ‘Silent’s cracker line.’

“The scene that followed the opening of this line of communication is not to be described by any one.  Poor fellows, they had suffered long and much.  They were patriots; but how many people remember it now?”

At this point the old man grew eloquent, and finally bowed his head for a moment.  Resuming, he said: 

“In a very short time every one had gained confidence and courage, and was again not only ready but eager for the fray.  Biggs at once saw his peril.  Longpath was at Knoxburg trying to dislodge Broomfield, while Gen. Papson was being rapidly re-enforced.  And now the tables were turned.  The rebels no longer jeered at and tantalized our boys with inquiries as to when they proposed to start for ‘Pine Forest Prison.’  Jeff Davis, the Confederate President, had only a few days before visited Biggs’s army and looked down upon our starving soldiers.  Our boys knew this, and would ask if Jeff Devis would like to dine with Gen. Silent on hard-tack?

“Just at this time our forces were anxiously looking for the arrival of the troops from the Army of the West, which they knew were marching with all the energy they could to the aid of their comrades.  So the next morning the rebels were saluted with a shout that rang from the valley up to the top of Looking-Glass Mountain and along Middle-ton’s Ridge.  It was the arrival of Sherwood from Victor’s Hill with two full corps of as good soldiers as ever marched under the American flag.  Cheer upon cheer from both our armies rang out and gladdened the hearts of all.

“The next day Gen. Silent was handed a note by a cavalryman.  He examined it, and found that it bore information to the effect that Longpath had failed to capture Knoxburg, but had been repulsed by Broomfield and was then marching rapidly to re-enforce Biggs.  On inquiry the General found that the note was written by a lady, who was then some ten miles away at a farmhouse.  The cavalryman stated that she was very anxious that Gen. Silent should get the note that day, and that she had also told him to say to the General that she was the same lady who had given him certain information at Nashua some days before, and that she informed the bearer of the contents of the note and requested him to destroy it if in danger of being captured.  Gen. Silent consulted Gen. Papson and found that he had implicit faith in her statements, as he said she had given Rosenfelt truthful and important information twice as to the numbers and movements of the enemy.  Gen. Silent said: 

“’This being so, we must drive Biggs from his position before Longpath can join him.’

“It was then raining and blowing a perfect gale, and Gen. Papson said that it might be well to delay until the storm was over.  This Gen. Silent assented to, but directed that all preparations be made for the attack, so as to be in perfect readiness at a moment’s notice.

“Sherwood, however, had not yet succeeded in getting to the position assigned him.  He was struggling against rain, wind, and high water.  In crossing Little Combination River to the north side the pontoon bridge gave way, and Gen. Osterman and his division of Sherwood’s command were completely cut off and left on the south side of the stream.  Silent ordered him to proceed up the river to a point opposite Middleton’s Ridge with the remainder of his command.  By this time the freshet was so great that it was impossible to repair the bridge.  So Osterman was ordered, if he could not get across by eight o’clock the next morning, to report to Gen. Hord.  Sherwood finally succeeded in moving the rest of his command to the point indicated.  Pontoons were now necessary for bridging the river at this point in order to cross the troops again over to the south side to assault Middleton’s Ridge, the point of it sloping down near to the river, on which rested the rebel right flank.  There were but few pontoons to be obtained, and here the genius of man came well into play.  Rafts and boats of a rough character were at once improvised, and by the morning of the 24th of November Sherwood’s command was once more on the south side of the river, with men, horses and artillery, ready for the assault.  He was moving in a drizzling rain, and as the clouds hung low his movement was pretty well covered.  He pushed forward with great rapidity and seized the smaller hills near the river, driving the enemy therefrom, and at once fortified them securely.

“The rebels now seeing this advantage made an ineffectual assault to dislodge him.  He had possession of two hills, with a depression in his front between him and the main ridge, it being his objective point.  The mist and heaviness of the day prevented the enemy on Looking-Glass Mountain from seeing or understanding the movement of Sherwood on the right.  Night closed in, and as the clouds cleared away, the light of the camp fires revealed the position of both armies.  Indeed, the night was beautiful.  The lights on the north side were made by those guarding the camp of Sherwood, left in his movement, across the river.  These lights of the camp fires of both armies now formed a complete circuit, making a grand picture.  The stillness of the night was a warning to all that in the morning work was to be done.

“About the hour of ten Gen. Silent was out looking at the lights, and in order to form some opinion of the condition of the weather during the next day, he strolled along the river bank alone.  Stopping at no great distance from one of the sentinels, he sat down upon a stone under a large tree, the shadows of which obscured him from view.

“While sitting absorbed in thought as to what the future would be to the army then preparing for a desperate battle, a strange form seemed to appear before him.  He was at first startled, and then felt as though he had dreamed, and was thereby deceiving himself.  The object was apparently a woman dressed in a long flowing robe of pure white.  The features were regularly formed; she had large blue eyes, long, auburn hair, and a light shone about her which made every feature plain and visible to him.  This strange apparition did not speak, but pointed to Looking-Glass Mountain, and passed her hand, extending her forefinger, as though tracing the mountain along to where it dips down to the Roseville road.  At this point she held her finger pointing for some seconds.  She then turned and pointed to the end of Middleton’s Ridge, near the river, and there hesitated; then turned and pointed to the center of the ridge, near where Gen. Biggs’s Headquarters were afterwards located.  Here she seemed to trace two lines on the side of the ridge by passing her finger twice back and forth.  She hesitated at this point for some moments, finally pointing to the sky as though calling attention to the stars.  At this moment Gen. Silent arose quite excited, and the strange specter vanished.  He stood for some moments motionless.  He could not move, and was trembling with nervousness.  Finally he aroused himself and stepped to the spot where the strange figure had appeared.  There was nothing that could have been by dreamy imagination distorted into such a form.  He said to himself, ’I dreamed; I must have dreamed; how could this be otherwise?’ Just at this moment he saw a sentinel walking his beat some paces away and approached him cautiously.  The sentinel challenged, and Silent went forward and gave the countersign.  He then told the sentinel who he was, and inquired if anything unusual was going on.  The sentinel replied in the negative.  Silent then inquired if he had seen nothing unusual.

“‘No,’ replied the sentinel, ’except that you have been sitting on the stone under this tree for some time.  I have been watching you, as I was not aware of your business.’

“‘You saw nothing else?’ said the general

“‘No, sir,’ was the reply.

“The General then bade him good night and returned to his headquarters, feeling pretty sure that he had fallen asleep and dreamed while sitting under the tree.  Yet he had a half lingering superstition on the subject, and it annoyed him very much.  He could not divine the meaning of it; whether a dream or not he could not decide.  He walked back and forth in a very unusual manner.  One of his staff inquired if anything had gone wrong in the movements of the army.  He said not, but inquired if all the Orderlies were at their posts, saying: 

“’I will want them very soon to take orders to the field.  They must be cautioned, also, as they will be in some danger in passing to where they must go.’

“He then sat down and commenced dictating his orders.

“At midnight they were sent out to the different commanders.  Hord was to attack with all his force, assisted by Osterman’s division, in the morning at the earliest moment possible, and scale Looking-Glass Mountain.  Gen. Papson was to make a demonstration against the rebel center.

“The mountain is very steep and covered with trees and underbrush.  Crags jut out at every turn all over its sides, and at the summit a high crest rises almost perpendicular 50 or 60 feet.  Around the point of the mountain nearest the river the enemy had heavy earthworks, held by one brigade.  The ridge or crest of the mountain was held by some 7,000 men, with many pieces of artillery.  Hord’s command was all on the west side of the mountain, entirely obscured from the sight of any of our troops who were in the town of Chatteraugus, so that nothing could be seen except the rebels who occupied the crest of the mountain.  The movements of the enemy proved clearly that some advance was being made.

“Gens.  Silent and Papson stood on an earthwork on the north side of the town near the river, where they could plainly see all the rebel lines.  Very soon the smoke and sounds of battle were seen and heard.  Osterman had attacked the rebels in their works at the foot of the mountain nearest the river and driven them pell-mell out of their intrenchments, killing, wounding and capturing a great number.  At the same time Gen. Gear was pushing up the mountain, his right passing directly under the muzzles of the enemy’s guns which were on the summit, climbing over logs, boulders and crags, up hill and down, dislodging and driving the enemy wherever he opposed.  Up and on went our brave boys to the mouths of cannon and into the very jaws of death.  Gen. Silent, addressing Papson, said: 

“’General, our men must be climbing up the mountain’s side.  The enemy would not fire so rapidly nor such volleys unless our men were near them.’

“‘No, I should think they would not,’ said Papson.

“The fire flashed from their guns and muskets in the sunlight as though the heavens were in a blaze.  Soon batteries could be seen pulling out and moving on the table of the mountain in the direction of the south.

“‘Do you see that, Papson?’ said Silent.  ’They are getting ready to retreat.  See, they are sending their batteries out of danger!’

“Papson looked, but said not a word.  Soon a portion of their infantry moved in the same direction.  The noise of artillery firing could be heard no longer, but the rattle of musketry was becoming more distinct.  The men and officers who were not in the demonstration against Middleton’s Ridge, which was not a very heavy one, were standing and looking in breathless silence at the upper table-land of Looking-Glass mountain.  Finally our line was seen moving up the crest, the men firing as they came, and such a yell as arose from our men in the town of Chatteraugus was of the kind to bring joy to a patriot’s soul.  On they went, the fire flashing from the muzzles of their muskets.  The rebels began to retreat, our men pressing them until they were driven entirely from the mountain and across the valley near the old Mission House, and nearly to the foot of Middleton’s Ridge.  Papson’s movement against the ridge, which was the enemy’s right, ceased, and Looking-Glass Mountain was ours.  Joy was unconfined among our troops.

“The poor fellows, who were nearly starved, acted as though they were perfectly well and hearty, although they had had but little to eat for weeks.

“This was only the beginning of the end at Chatteraugus.

“Gen. Silent thought the rebels would now retreat into Georgia; but in this he was mistaken.  They strengthened their line on Middleton’s Ridge and extended it across the valley to where Looking-Glass Mountain slopes down to the road from Roseville to Chatteraugus, and there they seemed bent on staying.  Two days later, finding the enemy again preparing for battle, Gen. Silent issued his orders for a general assault.  Sherwood at early dawn was to attack the enemy on his right and drive him back if possible on the southern portion of the ridge; Papson was to be ready to assault in front at the moment when the commanding General should think the proper time had arrived; Gen. Hord was to cross from Looking-Glass Mountain over to the Roseville road and attack his left flank.

“The morning was clear and cold.  Biggs’s Headquarters could be seen on the crest of Middleton’s Ridge, near the center of his line.  Gen. Silent occupied a knob or high point near our lines that had been wrested from the enemy in a skirmish the day before.  All were anxiously waiting the assault and final result.  Now and again a shot would be heard, and then a volley.  There were skirmishings occasionally in different directions.  On Hord’s line, as he advanced, slight skirmishing was kept up, and at the base of the ridge a shot would be fired in the direction of where Papson was forming his line.  Finally shots were heard on our extreme left, then more, then a piece of artillery, then a volley, then a battery opened, then commands were heard and the battle began.  Sherwood was moving against the enemy’s right flank.

“He attacked as ordered, but found the enemy in strong force and very stubborn.  The battle continued on this part of the line without any very material advantage to either side.  At about three o’clock Gen. Papson was ordered not to delay his attack any longer, so at this time the movement of the whole army against the enemy commenced.  Papson attacked in double column, Gens.  Anderson and Sherlin leading the assault with their divisions.  In the center, at the first assault made on the rifle-pits at the base of the ridge, our forces were not successful, and falling back for a short distance they readjusted their lines, changed some of the regiments, and moved forward again to the attack.  This time the movement was as if it were machinery in motion.

“When close to the enemy a bayonet charge was ordered, and against the foe they drove the instruments of death.  The men who were in this deadly charge will never forget it.  As they came with bayonets fixed and directed, the enemy, seeing their determination, poured a deadly fire into their ranks.  Many a brave man fell, but on the lines swept over the trenches.  Here the rebels were killed and wounded in such numbers that they lay one across another in great numbers.  The enemy fell back, giving up the trenches to our victorious troops, and retreated to their main works on the top of the ridge.

“Our troops moved right on up the slope of the ridge, facing a shower of shot and shell and musketry most destructive and deadly.  Anderson and Sherlin led the way.  Commanders of corps, divisions and brigades vied with one another as to who should reach the crest first.  For a time it seemed doubtful if any of them would succeed in accomplishing it.  Our artillery was in battery playing on the enemy from an eminence on the plateau east of the town and between the two lines.  Finally the guns of the enemy were disabled, some dismounted, and others driven from their position.  Our whole line then made one desperate effort to scale the ridge and charge the rebel works.  With a mighty shout and ’Come on boys!’ from Sherlin and Anderson, the heights were scaled, and amid sickening scenes of blood and death our brave boys stormed and captured their breast-works.  Their center was pierced and broken.  They wavered and finally retreated down the opposite slope of the ridge.  Gen. Anderson seized one of our flags, mounted the rebel works, and held it up so that our whole army might see it, and they did.  The sight of the old flag on the rebel works on Middleton’s Ridge, filled our men with joy and enthusiasm.  They rushed forward, shouting as they went.  The men who had been shut up and nearly starved, wept with joy unspeakable.

“Sherwood now doubled the enemy’s flank back until they were retreating and falling back on the two divisions of Anderson and Sherlin, who turned and poured volleys into their rear.  The retreat of Biggs’s army now became general We captured many prisoners.  Just at this moment a rebel cavalry officer on a white horse was seen dashing down the ridge from the direction of the rebel left.  He came within a short distance of our line and took off his hat to our troops, as if he intended to surrender.  Turning on his horse he drew a revolver and flred.  The ball struck Gen. Anderson in the right shoulder, inflicting a severe and painful wound.  Gen. Anderson turned and saw him as he escaped down the side of the ridge.  Anderson recognized him, but did not say a word.  Many shots were flred at him by the soldiers, but he made good his escape.  (It was Gen. Joseph Whitthorne, the fiend.) Gen. Anderson was taken by Jackson and James Whitcomb (who had been by his side during the whole of the engagement) back to the town to be cared for by the Surgeon.  Gen. Anderson inquired after Capt.  Day, and upon inquiry it was found that he had been severely wounded during the last charge up the ridge, and had been carried in an ambulance to the hospital.

“The battle was won.  No rebel flag was insight, and the Stars and Stripes w ed over Looking-Glass Mountain and Middleton’s Ridge once more.  Longpath just reached Ringgold’s Gap in time to meet his flying friends, who were in a great state of demoralization.  They had been utterly routed and broken to pieces.  Our army was in great glee and full of joy that night and for many days thereafter.  The Army of the Center had been in such bad condition for so long a time-being hemmed in and starved-that it became necessary to go into quarters for recuperation, and also to refit and refurnish it with horses, mules, harness, etc.  The troops were, therefore, distributed at the most convenient points on the lines of our communications.

“Gen. Silent, now having put Gen. Biggs and his army in a condition of harmlessness for the season, took up his headquarters at Nashua.

“The next morning after the battle, my son Jackson left Gen. Anderson (who was comparatively easy, for his wound, though painful, was not considered dangerous,) to search for Capt.  Day.  He found him in the officers’ hospital, wounded severely, shot through the bowels.  He died that night.  This was sad news to the General, for he loved him as if he had been a brother.  He was buried at Chatter-augus.  His friends were notified, and removed his remains to the cemetery near Bloomington, Ill.  He was a gallant soldier, and had been so kind to Gen. Anderson that we all loved him.  His death caused nearly as much sadness in my family as the loss of one of our own sons.

“My son Jackson, James Whitcomb and old Ham staid close by Gen. Anderson, doing all they could to alleviate his sufferings.  There was no suspicion as to who had shot him.  One day, however, he was suffering with a severe fever, and in a delirium remarked: 

“‘Jo Whitthorne is my evil genius.  He intends to murder me.’

“This he repeated so often that when he was sufficiently recovered Jackson asked him if he remembered saying this?  He replied that he did not.  Jackson told him that it had aroused his suspicions on the subject.  He then revealed the secret to Jackson under the seal of confidence, as he said it would kill his wife if she knew it.  Jackson afterwards revealed the same to me, but no mention was ever made of it by either of us.

“Old Ham was so attentive and kind that no one asked him as to his whereabouts during the battle.  Jackson, however, found him under the bed when they brought the General back from the field.  The old man said that he had been sick all day, and got under the bed to be out of the way.  When they came back he said to the General; ‘I know you be kill’ dat day or hurted bery bad, kase I dream it.  De good Laud tole me so when I sleep.  No ‘sputin’ it, sho, for de Laud allers tells me ’bout dese matters; and you can ax Marfa if it is not so when you go home.’

“When the General recovered so as to think of these matters he dictated his report to Jackson, who wrote it for him, in which he recommended Peter for promotion, among many others, for gallant conduct, and also recommended Orderly James Whitcomb for a Lieutenancy in the Regular Army.  These recommendations were complied with at once, and Peter was assigned to the command of a brigade.  James Whitcomb was assigned to the 13th U. S. Inf., and detailed at Gen. Anderson’s request as an Aide-de-Camp in place of Capt.  Day.  The President sent Peter’s commission to me and I took it to him at Chatteraugus, in accordance with the wish of Gen. Anderson, who desired to see me, and at the same time to keep from his wife and our family the fact of his being wounded until he should be able to come home.  I found my sons both well and Gen. Anderson improving when I arrived.  I remained several days.  I met Gen. Silent and had several conversations with him.  I found him well posted as to all matters North as well as South.  He said there was no danger of Biggs during that Winter.  He could not more than recuperate his army, and in the Spring, in all probability, the rebel army in the center would have a new commander, as Biggs was a great failure; that if he had moved against our forces when he had them caged up before re-enforcements came, our army would have been compelled to surrender.  He also spoke of our danger in the North from the anti-war party.  He regarded it more dangerous than the rebel army.  If they could succeed in carrying the election the Confederacy would by them be recognized and the Union dissolved.

“In a few days Gen. Anderson was adjudged by the Surgeon to be strong enough to travel.  He was granted an indefinite leave of absence by Gen. Silent, who regarded him very highly as an able officer.  Gen. Anderson, myself, Jackson, James Whitcomb (now lieutenant), and Ham started for Allentown.  On arriving at home the family were overjoyed, surprised, and grieved all at the same time-overjoyed at our return, surprised that they had not heard of the General being wounded, and grieved at his suffering.

“Lieut.  James Whitcomb was introduced to the family, who were delighted to see him.  He left the same evening for his home in Detroit, and we were together once more, save two sons, Peter and Henry.  The meeting between Ham and Aunt Martha was very affecting.  Their manner and queer remarks were laughable.  Soon Aunt Martha came in to see her Marsa Gen’l Tom.  She hugged him and got down on her knees and prayed for him, and then said to me: 

“’Uncle Daniel, I bress de good Laud, for you bring Marsa Tom back.  I cure him, sho.  I knows what to do; de Laud tell me, he do.  He not goin’ to let Marsa Genl Tom die; no he not!  He want him to whip de Sesh, he do.  I knows; de Laud tell me bout dat in de dream.  He not fool dis old ’oinan; he neber do.  Ham, he dream ’bout dat when he down to de fight.  He say he sick when dey fight.  How is dat, Uncle Daniel?  Did Marsa Tom tell you?  Was he sick?  He awful coward, Ham is, but if he sick, den all right; but when he not been sick he must stay wid Marsa Gen’l to keep he things all right.  Ham say he do dat.  I ‘spect he do; he say so.’

“We told Aunt Martha that Ham was all right, and that pleased her, poor old woman.  She was pure gold; God never made a better heart under any white skin than she had under her black one.

“Gen. Anderson had the best of attention, and improved daily until he could walk about without pain, but he was not fit for duty for a considerable time.  The two children were delighted, and were full of questions of all kinds.  One day when they were trying to entertain the General, his little daughter asked him who shot him.  I saw the tears come into his eyes, and he arose and walked out on the porch without making any answer.”

Just at this moment Mrs. Wilson came into the room, and Uncle Daniel took her on his knee and kissed her, saying: 

“Jennie, you are my all and only hope, save my poor grandson, that I now have left.  My time will soon come, however, when I can quietly quit this world of trouble and care and find a home where works will have due consideration; where those who serve in the army of the Lord will at least be considered the equal of those who have been in rebellion against him.

“My good friends,” said Uncle Daniel, “you may think strange of my melancholy mood; but why should I desire to live longer and see what I do and feel as I do constantly on account of the manner in which things are now being conducted.”

“I am not in any way surprised at your feeling as you do.  I have felt and do feel the same, though my misfortunes and troubles have not been severe in comparison with yours,” said Col.  Bush.  “But, Uncle Daniel, to call your attention away from your sorrows for a moment, I am very desirous of knowing what became of Mrs. Houghton.”

“She remained in that part of the country during that Winter and until our combined Armies of the Center and West commenced their next campaign, during all of which time she kept our commanding Generals posted as to the movements of the enemy, his strength, when troops were sent east or west, where and how many; and when the troops were moved south in the Spring she returned to New York, and, I have been informed, married again.  I hope she may be yet living and enjoying great happiness.  She was a true woman.  I have not heard of her for many years, however.”

“She was a heroine sure,” said Col.  Bush; “her movements were of a most important character, Uncle Daniel.”

“Yes, Colonel, she was a true patriot, and loved her country for her country’s sake, and I hope the Lord has thrown fortune and pleasure in her pathway.  There were a great many patriotic and daring acts performed by women during our war.  God bless the good women.  To our poor sick and wounded soldiers they were like ministering angels, both in the camp and hospitals.”