onalists, kept the minds of the family as much
away from the battle of the Gaps as possible. The Doctor having lived in
Virginia and Col. Anderson in Mississippi, their conversation naturally
turned on the condition of the South. The Doctor said 'there are in
Virginia many Union men, but they were driven into secession by the
aggressiveness and ferocity of those desiring a separation from the
Government.

"'Those people are opposed to a Republican form of Government, and if
they succeed in gaining a separation and independence, sooner or later
they will take on the form of the English Government. They now regard
the English more favorably than they do the Northern people, and the
most surprising thing to me is to see the sentiment in the North in
favor of the success of this (the Southern) rebellion. True, it is
confined to one political party, but that is a strong party in the North
as well as the South.

"'One of the dangers that will confront us is the tiring out of our
Union people at some stage of the war, and following on that the success
by the sympathizers with the rebellion in the elections North. If this
can be brought about it will be done. This is part of the Southern
programme, and they have their men selected in every Northern State.'"

"'I have heard this discussed frequently, and their statements as to the
assurances that they have from all over the North--in New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and so on. In Ohio, their chief adviser
from the North, Mr. Valamburg, resides. Such men as "Dan" Bowen and
Thos. A. Stridor, both very influential and prominent men, are regarded
as ready to act in concert with them at any moment. Should that party
succeed, with such men as I have mentioned as leaders, the independence
of the Confederacy would at once be acknowledged, on the ground that we
have failed to suppress the rebellion, and that a further continuance
of the war would only prove an absolute failure; and I fear that our
Northern peacemakers would then cry "peace! peace!" and acquiesce in
this outrage upon our Republic and our Christian civilization," 'Yes,'
replied Col. Tom; 'but, Doctor--there is a feature preceding that which
should be carefully considered. I fear, since I have heard what is
going on here, that these Northern secessionists and sympathizers will
organize in our rear and bring on war here at home. I was ordered to the
Capital to watch this movement. They are organizing all ar