s 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 ol