“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.'