“I replied: 'Gen. Tom Anderson.'
“'Just the man,' replied both gentlemen.
“'The Secretary said: 'This part is in your hands. We do not wish to see anyone but you on this part of the plan. We will give our confidence to no one else. We hope you will not delay. We will look out for Washington. You need not hesitate; these two men, Gen. Anderson and your son, will be amply compensated.'
“The Chief of Staff to the General then remarked: 'I think I know the man to take hold of matters in Washington.' He then named a man who had been a Union officer, and who was then in the city. He was sent for and had an interview the following afternoon with the two gentlemen mentioned. I immediately returned, met Gen. Anderson, and asked him to go with me to my room. When there I laid the case before him fully, imposing entire secrecy, should the terrible threatened disaster be averted, saying to him that Henry, my son, being young and thoughtless, must not know the inside, but must look upon it merely as a matter of precaution, and with the intention of carrying out the Black Hills scheme in order to get into that rich mineral country.
“The General readily assented to all, and at once prepared to return home with me. He visited the General of the Army the following day.
“The next morning I again visited the Secretary of War, and explained to him the General's readiness to act. He was delighted with the arrangement, and said to me that I must return in two weeks and let him know how matters were progressing; that it would not do to communicate in writing. I bade him good-by, and the General and I left for home.
“On our arrival his wife and the two children were greatly delighted, as well as the rest of the family, including Ham and Aunt Martha. His wife, finding that he was to remain at home for some time, was extremely happy. Henry was now called into council and put in possession of a part of our plan. They at once went to work diligently, and in a very short time had made up a secret organization with a view, as understood, of going to the Black Hills, and by moving about in the country found that any number of good soldiers could be rendezvoused at Indianapolis ready to move by rail in any direction required, the Black Hills being the objective.
“Gov. Morton was sent for and had an interview with the Secretary of War. What arrangement or understanding was had between them I did not know, nor did I ever learn. The only thing he ever said to any of us was to Gen. Anderson, that there were plenty of arms, etc., in Indianapolis, and if he should ever have to start for the Black Hills to let him know at once. I suspected that he was fully posted.
“I returned in about two weeks to Washington. In the meantime the President had attempted to send the General of the Army out of the country into Mexico, on some civil mission. The General had positively refused to go. By this time there was quite a bitter feeling. The President expressed himself freely. The General was silent.
“The Secretary of War had been requested to resign, which he had refused to do, and the excitement was warming up considerably. Many telegrams were coming to the General of the Army from his old soldiers, saying they were ready to come to Washington in case of trouble with the President on the question of the enforcement of his views against the action of Congress. The General would destroy these telegrams as fast as they came. I told the Secretary of the progress of Gen. Anderson and Henry in reference to the Black Hills. He was very much gratified at the result.