“The General did so, and dropped off to sleep. Soon some general officers came in and were seated at a table, imbibing rather freely. The noise they were making aroused the General from his slumbers. He recognized Farlin; to the others he was afterwards introduced, being Gen. Bowlly Smite and Gen. William Cross. The General did not rise, nor did he, by any means, exhibit any knowledge of their presence. “In the conversation between these three Generals they were discussing the probable success of the war and the course of the Administration. “Farlin said: 'I am very decidedly of the opinion that this war will last for ten years, and finally the South will gain their independence. The North will tire out, and the property-holders will get tired of paying taxes. This war is very expensive, and the debt will eventually alarm the country, so that they will be ready to accede to anything.' [Illustration: Anderson overhears the Conspiracy 162] “Said Smite: 'Well; but what will become of everything? This Government is not strong enough to stand this strain. It has not power, except it be usurped, to prosecute the war against these Southern States. I do not believe in a Republic anyway. We ought to have a government of central force and power--a military government, or a monarchy, such as England. Suppose we had such a government as that. We would not be afflicted every now and then with new commanders that we who make soldiering our profession know nothing and care nothing about, and cannot allow to be placed over us when we can avoid it.' “'Well; but,' said Cross, 'what can we do? That is what we should think about. For instance, here, to-day, we have won a great battle. It is not likely that either of us will be put in command of anything higher than a corps. The command of the different armies will be given to some of those pets who want to free the niggers; and I was told the other day in Washington by Mr. Thos. A. Strider, who is one of the ablest men in this country, that this Abolition President was going to try to set the slaves free and thereby impoverish the South, so as to force them to lay down their arms. He said that if this was done he would not be surprised if Indiana would rise up in revolt. “'If that be true, I will leave the army myself, said Smite.'