A happy wedding.-Marriage of Seraine Whitcomb and Henry
     Lyon.-Fire and plague.-The plotting in Canada to burn
     cities and spread disease.

     “I did not fall in love-I rose in love.”-Bulwer.

“After Jacob Thomlinson and C. C. Carey had recovered somewhat from their alarm and demoralization, they spoke freely to their friends in Montreal (and they had many there) about the burning of the Will-o’-the-Wisp, saying it was a great loss to their interests, without specifying in what way.  In a few days Jackson, (after finding that they had invited Valamburg, of Ohio, Strider, Bowen, and Bryan, of Indiana, for consultation,) could remain no longer, as he would be known by Valamburg at once.  He bade his friends good-by, saying he would travel through the West and would return if it became important to do so.  He left for Toronto, remained there a day or so, and then came to Windsor, where he remained for several days.  Finally he met Henry, who had just returned from Montreal to Windsor, where he was known as Henry Davis.  He was introduced by Henry to one Samuel Wintergreen, who was in the employ of the Confederacy, or, in other words, of the rebels, getting everything ready for raids on the cities and villages in Ohio and Illinois.  This man was very shy of Jackson, but spoke freely on all subjects save what he was himself doing.  Henry and he were chums and seemed to understand each other perfectly.

“Wintergreen was from Thomlinson’s town in the South, and was fully trusted and posted by him with all their plans and schemes.  The only remark he made to Jackson was that he knew, from Mr. Thomlinson, who Jackson was, and merely asked if he saw the burning of the Will-o’-the-Wisp; to which Jackson replied in the affirmative.  Jackson and Henry had arranged so that they should leave for Detroit the next day.  Henry informed Wintergreen that he must visit Detroit on matters of importance, and that he might, perhaps, be detained for some considerable time, but that he would keep his eyes and ears open at all times during his absence.  The next morning Jackson and Henry met in accordance with their agreement and immediately left for Detroit.  Upon arriving they drove directly to the house of Mr. Whitcomb, where they found the old gentleman, his wife, and Seraine; James, her brother, now a Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp to Gen. Anderson, having some time prior left for Allentown, in order to be with the General, where he had since remained, giving to him every attention.  While spending a pleasant evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb, in conversation, in reference to the army, Henry remarked that he longed to be in the cavalry service once more, so that he might get even for the suffering he had experienced at the hands of our enemies while nearly starving to death in Pine Forest Prison.

“Miss Seraine here spoke with much feeling, her eyes filling with tears as she said:  ’I think there are quite a sufficient number of your family already in their graves by the hands of the rebels without any more of you taking the chances of death that must be taken in the army.’

“‘Yes,’ said Jackson; ’and there seems to be one less at almost every turn.  I feel that my time will surely come sooner or later, before this war closes.’

“This was uttered in such a sad and melancholy tone that Henry could not for a moment control his feelings.  Recovering, he said: 

“’It does seem that our family are struggling against fate; just think of the barbarous manner in which Harvey was killed, and see how, recently, the fiendish bushwhackers murdered poor brother Stephen.  Would you not desire to be avenged on such wretches as these?  Ever since I heard this, which was but a short while ago, (first told me by Seraine,) I have felt almost desperate, and certainly very revengeful.’

“‘Yes,’ said Jackson, ’revenge is saia to be sweet; but suppose you cannot get it, and instead of being revenged, you lose your own life?’

“‘That is not all, Capt.  Lyon,’ as Seraine called him by his title; ’Mr. Henry Lyon promised me that he would not enter the service again, but that he would stay at home and take care of his father and mother, and I hope he will do so, and not break his promise to me.  I have periled my life for him, and would do the same again.’

“Henry clasped her in his arms and said:  ’Seraine, I will do anything for you, and now I want to say right here, in the presence of my brother, that I am now and ever have been, ready to fulfill all of my promises to you.’

“Seraine looked him in the face and said:  ’I have never doubted you, Henry, nor do I now.’

“’Jackson here interrupted, and turning to Henry, said:  ’What are your promises to Seraine?’

“’That she and I would become man and wife whenever she should say that the time had arrived to have the marriage take place.  Is it not so, Seraine?’

“’Yes, Henry, that is true; but I have never thought that the proper time had arrived.’

“‘Well,’ said Jackson, ’if you will allow me to suggest, I think the time has now arrived.  Seraine, your father and mother are growing old; your only brother is in the army and may never return.’  And to Henry he said:  ’Our mother and father are also growing feeble from so much grief.  Mother, I think, cannot survive very much longer, and all of us who are now left, save yourself, are in the army.  From our experience thus far the future is not full of hope.  You and Seraine may soon be all that are left of both families, except, perhaps, some one or more of our parents.  Now, Seraine, let us get your father and mother to go with us to ALLentown, and there, in the presence of both families who yet remain above the sod, (save brother Peter, who cannot be with us,) have this marriage solemnized.  Henry, our mother and Jennie would be very happy over this, and so would Mary Anderson and the children, all of whom love Seraine very much.’

“By this time the tears were rolling down Seraine’s cheeks.  Henry stood looking at her, and grasping her by the hand, when Jackson had finished, he led her into the presence of her father and mother and told them the proposition, and asked them to consent.  They gave Seraine to Henry, and blessed them both as their children.  Seraine, in answer to Henry, thought, in consideration of the whole situation, that the time had come, and that she would acquiesce in the arrangements as proposed by Jackson, who was happier now than he had been since the beginning of the war, and so expressed himself to Seraine and Henry.  The next day being agreed upon for their departure for ALLentown, Jackson repaired to his room, leaving Henry and Seraine together to talk over the details of their prospective marriage.

“Leaving Detroit the following morning they arrived at my house in the afternoon and found a warm welcome awaiting them, my wife and the two other ladies of my household doing everything to make Seraine’s father and mother feel that they were more than merely welcome.  When we were all together Jackson became spokesman, and waxed quite eloquent over the whole affair.  When he had finished Gen. Anderson cried out: 

“‘Bravo!  Bravo!  Henry and Seraine!’

“My wife drew Seraine to her bosom as she would have taken a child, and embraced her and wept, until, from sympathy, we all were overcome with emotion.  The family congratulated Henry.  The two little girls did not quite understand it all, and began plying us with questions until we had to explain all about it, and tell them Seraine was going to be their ‘aunty.’  This delighted them, and they commenced climbing upon Henry’s lap, and questioning him about their ‘Aunty Seraine,’ until finally he made his escape from the house.

“The preliminaries were soon arranged, and Mr. Whit-comb and I procured the necessary license.  I then called in our minister, the Rev. Mr. Lowe, who performed the marriage ceremony in the parlor of our home.  We were very happy that evening in celebrating Henry’s and Seraine’s wedding, and seemed to have forgotten for the time being all our misfortunes and griefs.  In speaking of Seraine’s success in visiting the Southern prison-pens and rescuing Henry, I came very near letting out the secret kept from her father and mother about the visit of Mary Anderson to the President in order to rescue her brother, but caught myself in time and changed the conversation.  Our minister, a truly loyal man, was most enthusiastic over the marriage, insisting that this was just as it should be, and at the same time expressing some surprise that it had not taken place before.  I said to him that I felt so, but had not interfered.  I had allowed the two young people to arrange the matter to suit themselves.  I must confess, however, that I was well pleased, and certainly should never have been satisfied if Henry had not married Seraine.  No more devoted woman ever lived.

“Just at this moment Aunt Martha announced tea.  We all entered the dining-room and sat down to tea, as she called it, but found, instead, a right royal wedding feast, which all enjoyed exceedingly.  Young James Whitcomb, who had been very quiet during the evening, though very attentive to his mother and father, now asked the minister if he thought it right for him to keep from his parents anything pertaining to himself which might distress them in his absence.

“Mr. Lowe replied that he thought they should know all.  All turned and looked at each other with surprise.  The young man was silent for a moment, and his great blue eyes filled with tears.  He said: 

“’I have never heretofore kept anything from my mother, father or sister, and I am now fully determined to tell them all about myself.’

“We enjoyed our dinner, however, and joked Henry by telling him that Seraine would have to look after him, as she had been doing all through the war up to this time.

“Here Aunt Martha had to come in; we could not stop her.  She said: 

“’Yes, sah; dat gal takes kear of Marsa Henry.  If it not done been for her he done starved to deff, he would.  Dem Sesh, dey be affer dis fambly.  Dey done kill mos’ all, and am still affer you.  I tells you, dey am; I knows dem, I do.  Marsa Henry, you mus’ stay home wid de folks, you mus’.’

“At this my wife became much distressed.  I told Aunt Martha to stop, which she did.  Aunt Sarah then referred to Peter, saying that her dreams were now entirely about him, and that she was sorely troubled on his account.  Ham stood near by, listening, and said: 

“‘No mistake, Marsa Peter all right.  I see him las’ night in my head glass when I’s sleep.  He all right, sho’.’

“By this time we had finished dinner, or tea, and were returning to the sitting room, when James Whitcomb took his parents out on the veranda and told them all about his trouble, the kindness of our family, Mary Anderson’s trip to see the President, his clemency, etc.; his present situation, and how he obtained his position.  We thought that this was a mistake, but he felt relieved, and his parents and sister, after they were satisfied of his having done no wrong intentionally, felt that it was the best for them to know it.  We had intended it should be kept from them, but it was now no longer a secret in my family, and it was perhaps best that his father and mother should know all.

“The next day Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb thought that they must return home.  Mr. Whitcomb said to Henry and Seraine that they must come as soon as they could do so to their house and make it their home, as he and his wife being alone at such a time it was very hard, and made them discontented.  They thanked all of us for our watchfulness over their only son, and it seemed that they could not thank the General and his wife sufficiently for what they had done for him.  They bade us all good-by and separated from Henry and Seraine with many regrets.

“After they had gone Jackson entertained us by a recital of his visit to Europe, and, in addition to what he had written me, he gave us all he had seen and heard.  His recital of the burning of the Will-o’-the Wisp was quite graphic, and excited Henry and the General very much.  No one except those who were in the secret knew what she had on board, nor the importance to the Confederacy of the men that were lost with her.  The language used by Gen. Anderson against such fiendishness as Jackson’s statement disclosed I will not attempt to repeat.  It was strong and denunciatory, such only as men like himself, versed in letters, could employ.

“I requested Jackson to make me a detailed report from the day he left my house up to the date of his return, which he did.  I retained a copy of his report, and still have it.  We did not call on Henry for his report that day, but on the next told Henry that if he could leave Seraine long enough (you know how young people are), we would like him to tell us what he learned in Canada.  I really did not suppose that he could tell us a very great deal of interest, as I presumed he had spent much of his time in Detroit, as there was an attraction for him in that place which would naturally draw him thither.  He said, however, that he was ready to tell us all that he had discovered in reference to the conspiracy; that when he went to Canada he formed the acquaintance of a Mr. Samuel Wintergreen, and soon they became great friends, as he satisfied Winter-green that he was ready to carry out any plan to aid the Confederacy.  The passwords, signs and grips of the Golden Circle seemed to be all that any one needed in order to be at once recognized as a friend to those people.  In Canada the people, almost without exception, were in sympathy with the rebellion.  After traveling for quite a while he came back to Windsor, and there again met his friend Wintergreen.  Remaining there for some time and talking with many persons without any material results, Wintergreen invited Henry to accompany him to Toronto, and finding nothing of importance there, they left for Montreal On arriving at Montreal they found Jacob Thomlinson, C. C. Carey, and many other distinguished men.  Wintergreen met Jacob Thomlinson, and reported to him that his friend of whom he had written was with him.  Thomlinson asked him to come to his rooms, and to bring his friend Davis.  That evening they visited Mr. Thomlinson, and found Mr. Carey and two other gentlemen-a Mr. Landers and Ben Wudd.  Henry was presented as Henry Davis, one of the agents under Mr. Wintergreen who was to assist (as it was then understood) in carrying out such plans as might be agreed upon in the interest of the rebel or Confederate Government.

“They remained together till a late hour discussing various points.  One of the topics was the great loss the Confederacy had sustained in the burning of the Will-o’-the-Wisp, in the material, and by the death of Prof.  McCul-lough and Dr. Mears, as they alone held the secret of manufacturing the wonderful explosive.  Thomlinson and Carey insisted that there should be no let-up, and that they must now resort to other means, in which the other gentlemen agreed.  It was thought best to try releasing prisoners and arming them and such others as would join them, and make portions of the North a desolate waste, as they said was now being done in the South by the Union army.  Thomlinson said in reference to releasing prisoners that he intended in a very short time to make preparations in Illinois for an attack on Camp Douglas, near Chicago.

“‘I think,’ said he, ’that will result in the burning of the city.  It is one of the worst places in the North.  The influence of Lincoln over the people there is very great, and extremely bad for us, and that city must be destroyed by some means.  If the Will-o’-the Wisp had not been lost, Chicago would now be in ashes.’

“After some further discussion on this subject, all went their way for the night, with an understanding that there would be a meeting of delegates from the Northern States, called by Jacob Thomlinson, to assemble at St. Catharines in one month from that time, where many matters of interest would be discussed and considered.  Henry and Winter-green then returned to Windsor with the understanding that they would attend the meeting at St. Catharines.  At Windsor, Henry and Jackson met, and that which followed their meeting I have already stated.  What Henry ascertained in Canada was only important in this, that it had opened the way for discovering that which was important to know, which probably would occur afterwards.  I requested Henry to do as Jackson was doing,-to write out his statement in full.  After both were prepared, I sent Henry with them to the President.  He thought it a little hard to be sent so summarily away from his bride.  The President received Henry with great kindness, and told him to inform me that the whole matter had been more skillfully and successfully managed than anything in this line since the war began.  He also said, that he and the Secretary of War could breathe freer since they had learned the fate of the cargo of the Will-o’-the-Wisp, and that McCullough and M ears had their deserts.

“The President requested Henry to continue his investigations, and especially to attend the meeting of the leading Knights of the Golden Circle, who were soon to meet at St. Catharines, in Canada, and send through me, without delay, his report.  The President inquired very particularly about all our family, including Gen. Anderson and Jackson.  He also desired to know what had become of James Whitcomb and his sister.  Henry explained fully about them all, and when he mentioned that Seraine was his wife, the President shook his hand most heartily, and told him that he was a very fortunate man.

“When Henry returned home and had sufficient time for rest we held a consultation, and agreed to the following plan:  Henry was to start at once with his wife for Detroit, leave her with her parents, and pass over to Windsor, and there, in company with Wintergreen, visit all places that Wintergreen might suggest, and then go to St. Catharines to the meeting arranged for the delegates from the Golden Circle of the Northern States; that when he had obtained information of any value, he was to return to Detroit, write his report in full, give it to his wife Seraine, and she was to come in person with it to me.”

“She was a jewel,” said Dr. Adams.

“Yes,” said Col.  Bush; “there were but few like her.”

Uncle Daniel continued:  “Our lines of communication now being safely established, we were all anxious for Henry’s departure; therefore, Henry and Seraine left for Detroit, leaving all of us almost heartbroken to be forced to give them up.  But the hope of seeing them very soon again reconciled us to some extent.  The two children said they loved their Aunty Seraine so much that they did not wish her to go away any more.  After they were gone, it now being far into the Winter-in fact, Spring was approaching-Gen. Anderson said he felt that he could again take the field and perform his duty without endangering his health, and therefore must make preparations for returning to his command.  We tried to dissuade him from it, but it was of no avail, so the next day he told the family that he should leave very soon.  In the conversation he said that he had felt all the time that there was a void in his military family that could not easily be filled.  He felt the loss of Capt.  Day very much, but said he would try James Whitcomb thoroughly and had great hopes of him.  Aunt Martha was near by and heard what was said.  She immediately hunted up Ham and said:  ’Marsa Gen’l is gwine off to fight dem Sesh agin, and I ‘spect he want Ham to go, too.’

“Ham said:  ’Well, Marfa, maybe he not want me any more.  I’s not well; I’s got dem pains in de knees and de breas’ and de shouldars and de stomach.  What is it dey calls dem pains?’

“‘Rumatiks, you olé fool; doesn’t you know nuffin’?’

“‘No, Marfa, I not know nuffln’; you know I doesn’t.  I ’spect you better told de Gen’l, Marfa, I’s sick.  I go off and die wid dem pains, den what you do, Marfa?  You be all by yerself, and don’t you see dat won’t do, Marfa.  No, indeed, dat won’t do.’

“‘Well, now, Ham, I’s not goin’ to tell Marsa Gen’l no such way as dat.  No, sir.  Ham, you jes’ got to go wid de Gen’l; dat’s what you do, so you needn’t be tucken sick jes’ for to skeer me, kase I know you, Ham.  You no get kill.  No, sah, no danger; so you jes’ go, dats what you do.’

“‘Well, Marfa, jes’ as you say.  If you say Ham go, he goes, dats all; but de good Laud love you, Marfa, I’s powerful sick, sho’.’

“’No you isn’t; you play dat afore.  I knows you, Ham; you knows I do.  You jes’ stop dis rumatiks and go wid de Gen’l, dat’s what you do.  When did you get sick?  I not hear it afore.  You not sick.  Let me see you walk.’

“Old Ham hobbled off and Martha laughed at him.  This nettled the old man and he straightened up and said:  ’Well, I guess I’s not bery bad, but I’s not well, all de same.’

“I came up to them, and nothing more was said.

“I told Ham to go out to the farm and ask Joseph Dent to come into my house in the morning.  His sickness all left him and he did the errand.  The next morning Dent came in with Ham and we interrogated him on the question of his friends and what they were doing.  He said that two days prior to this they had a meeting and were notified that they must change their name to the ‘Sons of Liberty’; that the object of their organization was becoming too well known, and that they could not operate any longer under their old name.  This was being done all over the country and in Canada.  He also stated that Thos.  A. Stridor had ordered them to send delegates to Indianapolis secretly, in order to assist in appointing delegates to go to St. Catharines, in Canada, in a few days, to consult as to the best means to be adopted to aid their friends, as they had met with a great loss.  They had lost a ship and a valuable cargo, as well as their most important men who were to operate in burning cities.  This was so true of what had occurred that we no longer had any doubt as to their certain communication one with another, as well as their perfect organization.  This was all they did at that time.  We excused Dent, and he returned home.

“That evening at tea my wife (Aunt Sarah) said to Jackson and the General that she wished Peter to come home.

“‘But,’ said Jackson, ’mother, you must remember he has been promoted, and is now a Brigadier-General commanding a brigade, and he cannot very well get away.  He might lose his command by leaving.’

“‘Well,’ said his mother, ’I want to see him.  I am dreaming about him whenever asleep, and I feel there is something sure to happen to him.  I have seen all the rest of you who are alive, and I want to see him.’

“Here Jennie broke down and cried, remembering the death of her poor husband when mention was made of all being present who were then alive.  Jackson spoke to Jennie and his mother and quieted them.  We all repaired to the sitting-room and talked over Gen. Anderson’s returning to his command.  This was Saturday evening.  So he instructed Capt.  Jackson and Lieut.  Whitcomb to be ready on Monday morning, as they would then leave for Chatteraugus.  They were well pleased with the General’s determination.  His poor wife was depressed, and said she felt as though he had made so many narrow escapes that perhaps he might not escape again.  But grief and sorrow had been such constant visitors at our house that we were all prepared for almost anything, and always looking for the worst.  We enjoyed ourselves, however, as best we could until Monday.  Jackson took in the situation, and kept us interested by giving accounts of many things seen and heard by him in England.  This was very interesting to us, but more especially to the ladies and little girls.

“On Monday they left for their command.  The parting with the family was one of those affecting scenes natural under the circumstances.  When poor old Ham bade good-by to all, after kissing Aunt Martha, his wife, he turned to my wife and Mary Anderson, and said:  ’You need not to cry no mo.’  I be ‘sponsible for de General and Capt.  Jackson.’

“This was too much for Mary Anderson.  Although weeping, she could not restrain a smile, nor could the others; but Ham was in good faith, poor old man.

“After they had gone I felt keenly, and drove out to the farm, and there spent the rest of the day with Joseph Dent.  He, however, knew nothing more than he had disclosed to us, about which I have already spoken.  On returning in the evening I found all the family very lonely and solemn.  They felt the loss of that portion of our family who were compelled to leave.  Our little children climbed upon my knees and talked and chattered about their Uncle Henry and Aunty Seraine, as well as the General and Jackson, but ‘Aunty Seraine’ seemed to be the favorite.  I did the best I could to gratify them by trying to answer their questions.  Some two weeks had passed in this way when one morning I was notified to meet Seraine at the depot.  I did so and brought her to the house.  When the very hearty and affectionate greetings were over, and the two poor little girls had gotten through climbing on Seraine and asking her questions, which she did the best she could to answer, she gave me a paper which was Henry’s report, accompanied by a good letter from him, stating that he would come soon himself.  This was not signed.

“I carefully examined his report, and was almost dumfounded at some of his statements; but he had gone into such minute details and given such indubitable proofs that no one could for a moment doubt.  Henry said that on his arrival again at Windsor he met Wintergreen, and after preliminaries were arranged they traveled about the country from one town to another, until the time had arrived for the assembling of the prominent friends of the rebellion at St. Catharines in accordance with Jacob Thomlinson’s request.  They started for that place, and on arriving stopped at the Victoria Hotel, where they met a great number of persons, strangers to both, but well known in the Circle.  Henry, on recovering from his prison starving and sickness, had grown quite stout, and was so different in his appearance from what he had ever been prior to his recovery that his own acquaintances would not have recognized him, therefore he did not feel that he was in any danger of being detected.  He had heretofore claimed to Wintergreen that he was from Parkersburg, W. Va., and having been raised near there in Ohio could speak quite understandingly of the country thereabouts, as well as about a number of people.

“On Wednesday, being the day fixed, quite a number of men from different parts of the country assembled.  Quite a large room in the rear of the Victoria Hotel had been procured, in which the gentlemen were to meet, and Wintergreen, having been designated by Jacob Thomlinson for that purpose, notified the various delegates of the time and place of meeting.  When all were assembled each one was required to give the signs, grips and passwords of the Golden Circle, or the ’Sons of Liberty,’ as the name had been changed within a few days from the Knights of the Golden Circle to the Sons of Liberty.  Henry did not find the slightest difficulty in being recognized, as he had perfected himself in all the signs, grips and passwords of the order in his travels with Wintergreen.

“After Jacob Thomlinson, Mr. Carey and their committee were satisfied as to those present, they were called to order and seated in as regular a manner as would have been done in any deliberative body, by Mr. Valamburg, of Ohio, who, in taking the chair, said that as Grand Commander of all the Sons of Liberty in the United States, Canada and the Southern Confederacy he desired to occupy the time of the delegates for a few moments, in order that he might explain the object for which they had met.  The assembling at that place, he said, was in order to be without the jurisdiction of the United States; that while together and out of the way of danger they were to deliberate in reference to matters that were best calculated to effectively aid the Southern people, who were struggling for an independent constitutional government; that the Government of the United States had become intolerable in its oppressions and tyranny.  He made a long speech, presenting a list of abuses by our Government against the Southern people, and urged the necessity for aid to the South at once, in some way that would be most potent.  When he took his seat he was loudly applauded by all his hearers.  In this meeting were B. Wudd and McMasterson from New York, Mr. Woodsen and Mr. Moore from Pennsylvania, Valamburg and Massey from Ohio, Dan Bowen and Dorsey (who was a substitute for Thos.  A. Strider) from Indiana, N. Judy Cornington and a Mr. Eagle from Illinois (both from Chicago).  Other States were represented-Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, Maine and Massachusetts; but Henry did not give the names of the delegates from those States.

“Many propositions were discussed.  Jacob Thomlinson gave the full details of what Prof.  McCullough and Dr. Mears were preparing to do; their loss by the burning of the Will-o’-the Wisp; also, Dr. Blackman’s proposition and the loss of his goods, and he now wanted to see what could be devised as substitutes.  All of the representatives present seemed to deeply deplore the loss to the Confederacy of the secret only known to the men who went down with the Will-o’-the Wisp.

“Jacob Thomlinson explained that he had been instructed by the authorities at Richmond to lay several matters before this or any meeting they might have of representative men from the North.  It was desirable to have these matters fully understood, so that the friends of the South in their meetings could commit all who were willing to aid the South in carrying out the various propositions.  First, he would lay the message of President Davis on only one important subject before this meeting.  It was dated January 13, 1863, and was in reference to the Proclamation of Emancipation by Mr. Lincoln.  Thomlinson said: 

“’Mr. Davis claims that “by it the negroes are encouraged to general assassination of their masters by the insidious recommendation to abstain from violence unless in necessary self-defense.  Although our own detestation of those who have attempted the most execrable measures recorded in the history of guilty man is tempered by profound contempt for the impotent rage which it discloses so far as regards the action of this Government on such criminals as may attempt its execution, I confine myself to informing you that I shall, unless in your wisdom you deem some other course more expedient, deliver to the several States’ authorities all commissioned officers of the United States who may hereafter be captured by our forces in any of the States embraced in the proclamation, that they may deal with them in accordance with the laws of those States providing for the punishment of those criminals engaged in inciting servile insurrection."’

“At the conclusion of the reading of this extract loud cheers went up for Jeff Davis.  Jacob Thomlinson continued reading: 

“’On the first day of May last the Confederate Congress passed a series of resolutions.  The fourth resolution declares that every white person, being a commissioned officer, or acting as such, who during the present war shall command negroes or mulattoes in arms against the Confederate States, shall be deemed as inciting servile insurrection, and shall, if captured, be put to death.  The seventh resolution declares that all negroes and mulattoes who shall engage in war, or shall be taken in arms against the Confederate States, or shall give aid or comfort to the United States, shall, when captured in the Confederate States, be delivered to the authorities of the State or States in which they shall be captured, to be dealt with according to the present or future laws of such States.’

“After reading the message and resolutions, he said that in order to understand the full scope of both, it would be proper for him to state that the laws of all the Southern States for the crime of inciting servile insurrection fixed the penalty of death, so that the meaning of the whole proposition is, that any white man commanding negroes or mulattoes, who shall be captured, shall suffer death, and it will be the same when negroes or mulattoes are captured in arms against the Confederacy.  With this explanation he submitted these documents, which were all printed and distributed in confidence, and in this way Henry was enabled to give the whole proceedings.  Mr. Valamburg decided that the proposition might be debated, and on this being so determined, Dan Bowen, of Indiana, arose and made a most inflammatory speech.  He said he was born in Virginia, and would stand by her in her trials.  He was in favor of Jeff Davis’s message, and not only so, but would favor the hanging of any white man who would lead negroes against his Southern friends, and would sustain them in any measure of punishment that they might adopt in such cases.

“Mr. Eagle, of Illinois, made quite a speech on the same line.  He was from Kentucky originally, and was for the South getting their rights at any cost.  He said:  ’Let blood flow like rivers, sir.  Yes, sir; let fire rain upon Northern cities, and let the destruction of property become general, if necessary to produce the desired result.  You must make the Northern people feel poverty, sir, if you wish to succeed.  They care more for their property than for their lives.  You must touch their pockets and then you touch their hearts.  They are a fast-going people.  I would just as lief as not they would know after the war is over, if it ever is, that I was in this meeting.  No matter how the war may terminate, they will forget it all in a month, especially if times are good and money shall be plenty.’

“This caused a great laugh, and the speaking ended.  The question was taken and decided unanimously in favor of the proposition.  None but delegates were allowed to vote.

“Mr. Carey then presented his views, which were that their Northern friends must encourage raids and guerrilla warfare in their own States, and that they must commence it themselves.  Burning must be resorted to when it could be done.  He said that it had been so managed at Camp Chase in Ohio, by their friend, the Grand Commander of the Sons of Liberty, that a great many very excellent Confederate officers had made their escape, and were ready at any time to take command of men whenever their friends were ready, and that those officers were brave and fearless men ready to undertake any kind of enterprise or daring exploit.  He did not look for any more foolish expeditions like the one made by Gen. Morganson.  That it was not successful is easily understood.  The Southern people were in too great haste in trying raids by large bodies of men where there were no lines of escape or retreat.”

“Yes,” said Col.  Bush; “they counted their chickens before they were hatched.”

“I think they were stale eggs,” said Capt.  Inglesby.

“Mr. Carey said,” continued Uncle Daniel, ’We have now entered upon a system of small raids and destruction of property, so as to be very effective.  And although we fear that we cannot repair our loss in the kind of material we had secured and had on board of the Will-o’-the-Wisp, yet we may, by good management, in some degree compensate for it, and, in order that you may understand how we propose to operate, I will read to you the order of the Secretary of War of the Confederate States to one J. C. S. Blackman, the brother of Dr. Blackman, whose poisoned goods were lost on the Will-o’-the-Wisp.  The order is dated Richmond, 1863, and signed J. A. Seddon, Secretary of War, C. S. A., authorizing Blackman to enlist a company of men, not to exceed fifty in number, for special service on the Mississippi River.  In lieu of pay or other compensation they are to receive such percentage of the value of all property of the United States or loyal people destroyed by them as may be awarded by an officer selected by the Department in charge of such duty, but in no case to exceed fifty per centum of the value.’

“Carey said that under this order it was understood as soon as Blackman should enlist twenty-five men for this purpose he was to receive a commission in the provisional army without pay.  This commission was for his protection in case he should be captured.  Said he: 

“’We are now issuing quite a number of these commissions, and much good has already resulted.  Blackman has destroyed a great quantity of property on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.  A man by the name of J. G. Beall, who holds a like commission, has destroyed a great amount of supplies and other property on the Chesapeake.  He is near here now, has a vessel, and is recruiting men for the Sons of Liberty in New York city, with a view of running over to St. Albans, in Vermont, and is not only to destroy property, but is to terrify those rich old Vermont Yanks out of their wits.  It is by such means that we must alarm the Northern property-holders into peace measures and into voting the anti-war ticket.  This is the only sure way to success, in my opinion.’

“They all laughed and agreed that a St. Alban’s raid would be a splendid thing, as the old Yankees would do anything to save their money and property.  Mr. Carey continued: 

“‘I think Mr. Beall is known to Mr. Wudd and Mr. McMasterson.’

“They both replied that they knew him well, and he could be relied upon to do whatever he should undertake.

“‘Now,’ said Mr. Carey, ’the prisoners at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, Ill., and at Camp Chase, in Ohio, must be released.  Mr. Thomlinson has the money to pay all expenses.  Cannot you men in the Northern States assist in this?  Can you not get up organizations such as Blackman and Beall have done?  The Richmond authorities will pay the same percentage for the destruction of all property necessary for the use of the army, as they do Blackman and Beall.  Why, gentlemen, crops enough might be destroyed in one night by a simultaneous move to very badly embarrass the prosecution of the war.’

“A man by the name of Burnett H. Yonkers, who was present, said he would undertake to release the Camp Douglas prisoners if the gentlemen here from Chicago would render their assistance, to which the gentlemen replied that they would give any aid in their power; that already there had been arms sufficient for this purpose secured by Thomlinson and placed in the hands of a friend in Chicago by the name of Wall; that if Mr. Yonkers should go to Chicago on that business he should stop at the Richmond House and inquire for Mr. John Wall, Mr. Morris Buckner, or either of the gentlemen present; that any of the clerks of the Richmond House would know where to send for either of the persons mentioned.

“Mr. Walters, of Arkansas, being present, (the same that Gen. Anderson met in Colestown, Ill.,) and being one of the chief Organizers, was asked in reference to the condition of the Sons of Liberty.  He said he had been traveling for more than a year in the Northern States.  He had never been molested, nor had he been questioned as to his business.  He had organized thousands of Lodges and found the friends-that is to say, the common people, who connected themselves with the order-ready and willing to act at any time, and willing to do anything that was required.  The only trouble he found was in the cowardice of the leaders.  To illustrate what he meant, he said:  ’I came from Indianapolis here.  Thos.  A. Stridor promised me faithfully that he would be here, but you do not see him.  He is the one man of all others in the West who is expected to advise and suggest.’

“Dan Bowen here interrupted, saying:  ’Strider has been at work.  He has been in Washington, and has sown seeds of dissension in the army; has created jealousies between the Eastern and Western commanders, and produced much trouble on account of the Emancipation Proclamation.’

“‘Yes,’ said Col.  Walters, ’that I believe to be true; but why is he not here?  I see he sends a substitute; is he afraid?  Mr. Eagle was correct when he said the people of the North will forget all about the war in a month, if you will only give them a chance to make money.  I can go into any city and proclaim myself in sympathy with the rebellion, and no one will molest me.  If we should fail, and our cause go down, it would not be one year before Jeff Davis would be invited to attend agricultural shows North, so as to draw a crowd and increase the gate money.’  This caused great laughter.  ’I want now to ask my friend Bowen why his friend Thos.  A. Strider is not here.’

“‘Well,’ said Bowen, ’I cannot say.  I had hoped that he would be here, but I find he is not.’

“Mr. Eagle, who seemed to be rather sarcastic, said he understood Strider was compelled to stay at home on account of a cow case in which he was employed.  They laughed at this, and then proceeded to business.  The propositions and suggestions were all indorsed, and many promises made on the part of each one present as to the part he would take in the matter when he returned home.

“Jacob Thomlinson said to Mr. Yonkers that he wished him to remain a day or so longer, as he desired to confer with him about the prisoners at Chicago.  He then made quite an address to those present, saying the success of the Confederacy depended largely upon their friends in the North; that if the war continued two or three years longer the supply of men and money would fail.  All their available men were in the army, and there was now nowhere whence they could draw recruits.  Their friends in the North must wake up and help.  They had friends enough in the North to make the Confederacy a success in six months, if they would only come up to the work manfully. “’Let our friends do as our friend Carey suggests, get up raids, organize companies for spoils; this is seductive and calculated to gather in young men.  We will release our men who are now prisoners and turn them loose full of fiendish revenge, and alarm our enemies into peace measures.  You who are our friends in the North must go home determined to carry the next election.  This is important.  If we can defeat Lincoln at the next Presidential election we are safe.  The watchword must be that the war has been a failure; that the North cannot subdue the South; that foreign countries are ready to recognize the Confederacy, which will involve the United States in other wars; that the people are being taxed unmercifully; that the war should stop and the unbearable taxation cease.  Your next Democratic platform should start out with the proposition that the war has been prosecuted only for the freedom of the negroes, and not for the Union, and that their freedom can only be maintained by the Union armies being entirely successful, and that during years of horrible, bloody war the Government has failed to conquer the rebellion and must continue to fail.  Do this, and stand by it with a good candidate, and you must succeed.  I would suggest that you take your “Little Napoleon,” General Mac, for your candidate.  He is exceedingly popular with the soldiers of the East, and with the people also, as I am told.  The sympathy will be with him, having been relieved from the command of the Eastern armies because he could not whip us, which was no fault of his, as none of their commanders will succeed in doing that on our own ground.  We were foolish to undertake an invasion of the North.  But no matter, we will soon make up for this.  If you will take up Little Mac there will be no trouble in your giving him the nomination, and then one united effort on the part of our party will send him into the White House.  If he can be elected that will end the war, as he is a peace man and a Democrat.  We would then have another advantage.  Many of the officers of the Union army of the East do not believe in our subjugation, and are bitterly opposed to the Emancipation Proclamation.  Some of them have large commands.  For instance, there is Gen. Farlan, who is a friend of mine of long standing; he is violently opposed to the Lincoln administration, and would at once favor a cessation of hostilities.  So also is Gen. Smite and General Cross, both leading Generals.  I may also mention Gen. Fitzgibbon.  He has been ready for some time to stop the war, because he is thoroughly satisfied that we have been wronged and oppressed.  He is in favor of putting Little Mac in as President.  He would be ready for peace on our terms, which would be to withdraw the Union forces and let us alone.  We have been robbed of our property, but should we gain our independence we care nothing for this, as we would reclaim our slaves, such as have not been stolen by the Abolition army.  This, gentlemen, is what we desire and expect you to aid us in securing.  If these things all fail us we will, in our desperation, make the homes of many of your Northern men miserable and desolate.’

“When he was through with his suggestions they all cheered him, and each one, by short speeches, pledged a faithful adherence to the Confederacy.  When they adjourned it was to meet again at some place in Canada to be named by Jacob Thomlinson, and the representatives to be notified by Mr. Valamburg.  They separated with three cheers for the Confederacy.”

Dr. Adams said:  “I am desirous of knowing if Jacob Thomlinson and Mr. Carey are the same persons whom your son Jackson met in London?”

“Yes; they are the same men who were engaged in procuring explosives and poisoned clothes, of which I have heretofore given you a full account.”

Col.  Bush asked if this man Blackman, who took out a commission in order to depredate and plunder, is still living?

“Yes, he is not only living, but is now holding one of the highest positions in the United States, as a Reformer.”

“What?” said Dr. Adams.

“Yes, sir, as I once before have stated, his brother, who was to distribute poisoned clothing to our soldiers and in our hospitals, was made Governor of one of the adjacent States, and this marauder has been given one of the highest and most honorable positions.  But why?  You look surprised, Doctor.  Has this not been so ever since the war?  The most desperate and reckless men have been given the highest places by the opponents of the war, while our people, many of them, are only too glad to find something against one of our good soldiers as an excuse for laying him aside as useless furniture.”

Said Maj.  Clymer:  “Valamburg is dead, I believe.”

“Yes; he shot himself accidentally soon after the war, and died of his wound.”

Uncle Daniel proceeded by saying:  “I made my arrangements to leave for Washington at once, in order to have this information in the hands of the President as soon as possible.  I requested Seraine to remain with the rest of the family until I should return, as I might wish to send some word to Henry.  When I arrived at Washington and called upon the President I told him the reason I had not visited him recently, and why I had sent my son with the last report.  Our afflictions had been severe and my wife was in such a condition, both in mind and body, that I really feared to leave her, except under very extraordinary circumstances.  The President was very glad to see me and very grateful for what my sons were trying to do for our country He asked after the health of my family, Gen. Anderson, and all of whom he knew as in any way a part of us, and the poor man seemed almost as much grieved over our misfortunes as myself.  He seemed to be full of hope, however, and spoke to me very freely about the war and our chances of final success.

“He strode across the room and, turning to me, said:  ’We are now on the right road, I think.  I have rid myself of some of those Generals that we spoke about when we last met, and I intend to be rid of them for the remainder of the war.  If they want dictators, and will not obey the President, they will have to organize outside of the army.  I have now a new commander for the Army of the East who seems to be doing well.  I hope he may continue as he began.  He won the battle of Gotlenburg and broke the rebel army to pieces.  ‘I 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 I think of bringing him East and giving him control of all the armies; but I will determine this later.’

“I 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 statement to the Secretary.  He also read it carefully.  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 a warning to the new commander to look out for an attempt to release the prisoners.

“The Secretary said to the President:  ’The 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 plunder.  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 infamy to which those men were driven.’

“‘Yes,’ said the President.  ’Mr. Lyon, is he your eldest son now in the army?’

“’I have but two left in the army-Jackson and Peter.  The latter you promoted for gallantry at Middleton Ridge.  Jackson is now my oldest son in the service.’

“‘Mr. Secretary,’ said the President, ’you will make out a commission for him as Brigadier-General, and give it to Mr. Lyon to take home with him as an evidence that we appreciate the services of his family, and especially Jackson’s great service in this most important matter.’

“I was visibly affected.  The President saw it as he stood by a window for a moment.  I arose and thanked him.  He said: 

“‘No, the obligation is the other way.’

“Just then a dispatch was handed the President, stating that quite a number of prisoners had escaped from Camp Chase.  He gave it to the Secretary, saying: 

“’I 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 those fellows.  They are doubtless up to some game.’

“He asked me to keep Henry in Canada if I thought he could do good by staying there.  I promised him to do so, and after getting Jackson’s commission and bidding the President good-by I left for home, feeling gratified at the recognition given me.  Arriving at home, I 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.

“I placed Jackson’s commission in an envelope with a letter explaining how the President came to promote him.  When the boy returned from the post-office he brought me a morning paper containing an account of Beall’s raid on St. Albans, Vt.; how he had sacked the town, robbed the banks and alarmed the people.  I said to Seraine, ’There it is!  They have carried out the first part of their program, and we will soon hear of trouble in all the prison camps.  I regard this as the beginning of desperate work.’

“‘Yes,’ said Seraine; ’Henry was very sure that they were desperately in earnest; but I thought, perhaps, the warning 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.  I 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 ill 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 experience while in slavery.  My friends, this did not last a great while.  More sorrows soon came to us.”