Then came a dead silence, as a hand fell upon the Vermonter's shoulder.

Warner looked around and his jaw fell.

General McCook, who commanded this part of the army, was standing beside him.
"Excuse me, sir, I--" began Warner.
"Never mind," said the general.

"I had come for a drink of water, and hearing your debate I stopped for a few moments behind a tree to listen.
I don't know your name, young gentleman." "Warner, sir, George Warner, first lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel Winchester." "I merely wished to say, Lieutenant Warner, that I listened to your speech from the first word to the last, and I found it very cogent and powerful.

As you say, things must have beginnings.