“'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.'