I don't know exactly how it came about, but one evening when we were all in the office together the talk turned on the Civil War. Some one asked the Captain:
"You knew General McClellan personally, didn't you, Cap'n?"
I remember how the old Captain squared himself up in his chair.
"Yes, I knew Little Mac. I knew Little Mac——"
It took nothing at all to set the Captain off, and he was soon in full flood.
"I said to Little Mac, riding to him at full gallop ... and Little Mac said to me:
"'Captain Doane.'
"'Yes, sir, General,' said I.
"'Do you see that rebel battery down there on the hillside?'
"'I do, General.'