about ten o'clock
It soon became known that they were to occupy their present camp until General Douay could obtain definite information as to the movements of the enemy . The general had been harassed by an intense and constantly increasing anxiety since the day before , when he had seen Margueritte 's division moving toward Chene , for he knew that his flank was uncovered , that there was not a man to watch the passes of the Argonne , and that he was liable to be attacked at any moment . Therefore he had sent out the 4th hussars to reconnoiter the country as far as the defiles of Grand-Pre and Croix-aux-Bois , with strict orders not to return without intelligence . There had been an issue of bread , meat , and forage the day before , thanks to the efficient mayor of Vouziers , and about ten o'clock that morning permission had been granted the men to make soup , in the fear that they might not soon again have so good an opportunity , when another movement of troops , the departure of Bordas ' brigade over the road taken by the hussars , set all tongues wagging afresh . What ! were they going to march again ? were they not to be given a chance to eat their breakfast in peace , now that the kettle was on the fire ?