"Why don't you take young Strong with you, General?"
Sheridan turned sharply to Tom, asking:
"Can you ride?"
"Oh, yes, sir. I've ridden ever since I can remember."
"Well, that's not so very long a time. But I'll take your word for it. Would you like to go with me?"
"I'd like it better than anything else in the world, General."
Tom had rejoiced in the idea of being with Grant, but he knew that the commander-in-chief must stay behind his lines and that his staff could catch but glimpses of the fighting, when they were sent forward with orders, whereas with Sheridan he might be in the very thick of the fighting itself. His ready answer and the joy that beamed in his eyes pleased the fighting Irishman.
"Can I borrow him of General Grant?" Sheridan asked Porter.
"I'll answer for that," Porter replied. "The General told me to put Strong to whatever work I could find for him to do."