ever they could. In this way
they had hopes of carrying the election.

"I sent this report to the President by letter, which he received in
time to have all the prison guards re-enforced. The attempt was made,
however, but defeated in every instance. In Chicago they were very
near accomplishing their designs. They had cut the water pipes and were
making preparations for the burning of the city. But the attack on the
camp was thwarted, and the leaders arrested and put in prison. John
Wall, of whom I have heretofore spoken, was one of the leaders, and was
captured and imprisoned.

"Mr. Lincoln was triumphantly elected. Mr. Jacob Thomlinson's friend,
'Little Mack,' as he called him, was ingloriously defeated. This
indorsement by the people of the war measures and the manner of their
execution was cheering to our loyal people, as well as to the armies and
their commanders.

"Soon after the election Sherwood abandoned pursuing Head, leaving the
States of Tennessee and Kentucky, with Head's army scattered along
the main thoroughfares, to be looked after by Papson, with his forces,
preferring himself to take the Armies of the Tennessee and Georgia and
cut loose and march unobstructed to the Sea. On the march, food for the
troops and animals was found in abundance, making this march really a
picnic the most of the way.

"While Sherwood was making this march, matters of great interest were
going on in Tennessee. On the last day of November the enemy, maddened
by disappointment in their failure in the North to carry the election
and have their Confederacy recognized, concluded to risk their all in
a great battle for the recapture of the State of Tennessee. Head, then
in command of an army increased to nearly 50,-000, moved across Goose
Run and against our forces at Franktown, where he at once assaulted
Scovens, who had been sent to oppose his advance. Our troops were behind
intrenchments. He attacked with fearful desperation. At no time during
the war did any commander on either side make a more furious and
desperate assault than was made by Head. After forming his lines in
double column, he moved right up to our works, where his men were mowed
down by the hundreds. Gen. Pat Cleber charged time and again with his
division, and hurled them against our works only to be as often driven
back with great slaughter. At last, in a fit of desperation, he led his
men up to the very mouths of our cannon and the muzzles of our muskets.