If He Felt That Way — Start!
Although Colonel Dana, of the private branch of the War Office Intelligence Department, might have claimed exemption from active service, he never spared himself, though such a messenger ran not only the common military dangers, but of the Johnnies treating him as a spy. During the battles of the Wilderness, acute was the trepidation in Washington, where no news had come since a couple of days—Grant having “cut loose” and buried himself in the midst of the foes. Nevertheless, Dana had a train at Maryland Avenue to take him to the front, and a horse and escort to see him farther; he came to take the President’s last orders. But the other had been reflecting on the perils into which he would be sending his favorite despatch-bearer.
“You can’t tell where Lee is, or what he is doing; Jeb Stuart is on the rampage pretty lively between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan. It is considerable risk, and I do not like to expose you to it.”
“But I am all ready; and we are equipped, if it comes to the worst, to run!”
“Well, now, if you feel that way—start!”—(E. P. Mitchell, from Dana.)