Key proceeded with the greatest secrecy in the organization of his forces.  He accepted none but Western men, and preferred Illinoisans, Iowans, Kansans, Indianians and Ohioans.  The boys from those States seemed to naturally go together, and be moved by the same motives.  He informed Wirz what he proposed doing, so that any unusual commotion within the prison might not be mistaken for an attempt upon the Stockade, and made the excuse for opening with the artillery.  Wirz, who happened to be in a complaisant humor, approved of the design, and allowed him the use of the enclosure of the North Gate to confine his prisoners in.

In spite of Key’s efforts at secrecy, information as to his scheme reached the Raiders.  It was debated at their headquarters, and decided there that Key must be killed.  Three men were selected to do this work.  They called on Key, a dusk, on the evening of the 2d of July.  In response to their inquiries, he came out of the blanket-covered hole on the hillside that he called his tent.  They told him what they had heard, and asked if it was true.  He said it was.  One of them then drew a knife, and the other two, “billies” to attack him.  But, anticipating trouble, Key had procured a revolver which one of the Pilgrims had brought in in his knapsack and drawing this he drove them off, but without firing a shot.

The occurrence caused the greatest excitement.  To us of the Regulators it showed that the Raiders had penetrated our designs, and were prepared for them.  To the great majority of the prisoners it was the first intimation that such a thing was contemplated; the news spread from squad to squad with the greatest rapidity, and soon everybody was discussing the chances of the movement.  For awhile men ceased their interminable discussion of escape and exchange—­let those over worked words and themes have a rare spell of repose—­and debated whether the Raiders would whip the regulators, or the Regulators conquer the Raiders.  The reasons which I have previously enumerated, induced a general disbelief in the probability of our success.  The Raiders were in good health well fed, used to operating together, and had the confidence begotten by a long series of successes.  The Regulators lacked in all these respects.

Whether Key had originally fixed on the next day for making the attack, or whether this affair precipitated the crisis, I know not, but later in the evening he sent us all order:  to be on our guard all night, and ready for action the next morning.

There was very little sleep anywhere that night.  The Rebels learned through their spies that something unusual was going on inside, and as their only interpretation of anything unusual there was a design upon the Stockade, they strengthened the guards, took additional precautions in every way, and spent the hours in anxious anticipation.

We, fearing that the Raiders might attempt to frustrate the scheme by an attack in overpowering force on Key’s squad, which would be accompanied by the assassination of him and Limber Jim, held ourselves in readiness to offer any assistance that might be needed.