nine o'clock
For this purpose he immediately set forward on their trail ; but had advanced only a few miles , when he met a party of the fugitives returning from the scene of slaughter . They were alarmed and excited , and of course their account of the battle was greatly exaggerated , believing as they did that they were the only escaped survivors . Their report , to say the least , was very startling , allowing that only the half were true ; and in consequence , Logan decided on retracing his steps to the station , until he should be able to collect more definite news concerning the fight . Gradually one party after another came dropping in ; and by nine o'clock nearly or quite all of the survivors were assembled in the fortress ; when it was ascertained that a little over one-third of the party , or between sixty and seventy of those engaged in the battle , were missing . It was a sad night of wailing , and lamentation , and dreadful excitement in the station ; for scarcely a family there , but was mourning the loss of some friend or relation . Algernon and Isaac had returned , to the great joy of those most interested in their welfare ; but the father-in-law of the latter came not , and there was mourning in consequence . A consultation between Colonels Logan and Boone , resulted in the decision to march forthwith to the battle-ground .