“But you wouldn't have been drafted. You were in the Home Guards, if I remember right. And Mr. Brinsmade tells me you were useful in many ways What was your rank in the Home Guards?”
“Lieutenant colonel, sir.”
“And what are you here?”
“A second lieutenant in temporary command, General.” “You have commanded men?”
“Not in action, sir. I felt that that was different.”
“Couldn't they do better for you than a second-lieutenancy?”
Stephen did not reply at once, Mr. Brinsmade spoke up, “They offered him a lieutenant-colonelcy.”
The General was silent a moment: Then he said “Do you remember meeting me on the boat when I was leaving St. Louis, after the capture of Fort Henry?”
Stephen smiled. “Very well, General,” he replied, General Sherman leaned forward.
“And do you remember I said to you, 'Brice, when you get ready to come into this war, let me know.' Why didn't you do it?”