“'Yes,' said the President, 'this man Strider is at the head of that party. He is a smooth-talking fellow--rather an “Oily Gammon,” very shrewd, and hard to catch at any open or overt act. He has a way of setting others on and keeping out himself. At least, I should so conclude from what I have seen and know of him.' “'Yes, Mr. President, you have estimated the man correctly,' was my reply. “'Just at this point in the conversation, the Secretary of War came in. The President was going to introduce me. “'No introduction is necessary, Mr. President,' said the Secretary; 'this is one of my old neighbors and friends.' “'Our meeting was full of warmth and friendly greetings, having been friends for many years in Ohio prior to my leaving the State. We were all seated, and after some general conversation between the Secretary and myself, the President remarked that he had sent for me, and on my presenting myself he had sent for the Secretary of War for the purpose of having a full conference in reference to the situation in the rear of the army out West, and that from my letter to him he did not know of any one who could give him that information better than myself. “'By the way,' said he, 'what about your nephew, Anderson? He must be a glorious fellow and a good soldier. Of course, you have received the commission that the Secretary and I sent you for him?' “'Yes I thanks to you, Mr. President. He is improving very fast. His wound will soon be well, and he will then be ready for the field again.' “'Tell him,' said the President, 'that I will watch his career with great interest. Coming from where he does, he must have good metal in him to face his friends and relatives in taking the stand he has.' “'Yes, sir,' said I; 'he is a true man, and his wife, though a Southern woman, is one of the noblest of her sex, and as true a patriot as ever lived.' “'Your family are nearly all soldiers, I believe, Mr. Lyon,' said the Secretary. “'Yes, Mr. Secretary; I had seven sons--five are in the army, one was killed at the battle of the Gaps, and the seventh is on his way from St. Paul to join it. God knows I have some interest in our success, and I will go myself at any time should it be necessary.' “'The President here interrupted: “'No, Mr. Lyon, you must not. You have done enough. If this Government cannot be saved without the eighth one of your family putting his life in peril at your age, it cannot be saved. We will accept no more recruits from the Lyon family.' “'The President then asked me to give to the Secretary and himself the situation in the West as nearly as I could, and especially in Indiana.