etary
of War had this information.

"Gen. Anderson replied that they had.

"Gen. Silent smiled, but said not a word. The conversation on this
subject then dropped. Gen. Silent inquired if he believed in dreams.

"Gen. Anderson answered in the negative; at the same time he said he had
heard on one or two occasions of very strange dreams, and one especially
that he was watching closely to see if it would turn out in accordance
with an interpretation given to it by a person whom he well knew.

"Gen. Silent then asked him if he had ever seen anything that he could
not understand or account for.

"'No, sir,' replied Gen. Anderson.

"Gen. Silent said no more, and it then being quite late they separated.
Gen. Silent left early next morning for the East. As soon as he could
reach Washington he appeared at the Executive Mansion and had an
interview with the President, when he was informed that he had been
ordered East with a view of putting him in command of all the armies of
the United States. He did not exhibit the least surprise at this, but
at once proceeded to lay his plans before the President and Secretary of
War. The plans were the same as suggested by him to Gen. Anderson. After
careful consideration they were approved.

"The President told Gen. Silent he now should have the full support of
the Government, with supreme command, and that the President would hold
him responsible for the suppression of the rebellion, and expect that
the enemy would be dispersed at an early day.

"Gen. Silent replied that the rebellion would end within fourteen
months.

"'Why fourteen months? Could you not say twelve?'

"'No, sir,' replied Silent; 'I put it fourteen. I hope to see it
accomplished at an earlier date, but within this time it will be done.'

"'Gen. Silent, I have a strange reason for saying twelve months,' and
the President laughed at the idea of having a superstition about dreams,
'but, General last night I had such a curious dream that I must tell it
to you. I thought a strange man appeared in the presence of the Armies
of the West, riding upon a large brown horse, and that where-ever and
whenever he appeared the armies were successful; that this strange
man would disappear without uttering a word. This same strange man had
appeared at the East, and at his appearance the rebel armies laid down
their arms and sued for peace. In my dream peace was restored, but it
lasted for only a short time; the citizens of Mary