is concentrated.'

"The General then said to him:

"'Mr. Ridenbergen, you are a young man. I hope to hear good things of
you in the future,' and bade him good-bye.

"The General arrived at Allentown the next day. After the family
greetings, kisses from his wife and little daughter, and a 'How ar' you,
Marsa Tom?' from Ham and a 'Bress de good Laud, heah you is agin!' from
Aunt Martha were over, the General related his trip to me in minute
detail, and told me that matters were much worse than he had any
suspicion of prior to his investigations. In speaking of those he had
seen, and his many talks with members of the Knights of the Golden
Circle, his utter contempt for them, and especially for many leading
men who claimed to be loyal to the Union, but did not like the
unconstitutional manner of prosecuting the war, he remarked:

"'There was but one of all of them that I have seen for whom I have any
sympathy or respect, and he is the young Virginian, Mr. Ridenbergen.
I rather liked the frankness of this young man. I am satisfied that
at heart he is not a rebel, but is young, and, after engaging in the
rebellion, will go as far as any one to make it a successful cause.'

"Just then Jackson came from the train and entered the house.

"'My! how well you are looking, Gen. Anderson, compared with your
appearance when I left. You must have been to some water-cure or have
used some kind of elixir of life,' was his first greeting.

"'No, sir,' replied the General; 'I have been marching, and it has
brought me out wonderfully.'

"'Yes, it has. Well, Jennie, I saw David, Dr. James and Henry. They are
all well and "spilin'" for a fight. David thinks that his brigade can
thrash the whole rebel army.'

"Little Jennie rushed to her Uncle Jackson, saying:

"'Did you see my good papa?'

"'Yes, dear, I saw him, and he sent you a thousand kisses and asked all
about you.'

"Turning away, he said, 'Poor David, his heart is broken over the loss
of his little Sarah.'

"Gen. Anderson said, 'Sit down, and tell us all about your visit. Were
you successful?'

"'Oh, yes; I am a full-fledged Captain in the 18th U. S. Inf.,
and assigned, by order of the Secretary of War, as Aide-de-camp to
Brig.-Gen. Thomas Anderson, the hero.'

"'Stop, stop,' said the General; 'you must not commence that too soon.
The taffy part must be left off if you are to be on my staff.'

"'My dear,' said his wife, 'he can say that about you to me; for it's