eight o'clock
`` They -LRB- the batteries -RRB- were made of earth , hogsheads of sugar , and whatever else could be laid hold of that would answer the purpose . Upon them they placed thirty pieces of heavy ordnance , manned by picked gunners of the fleet , who had served under Nelson , Collingwood , and St. Vincent . `` That morning was the 1st of January , 1815 . A thick fog hid the two armies from each other until after eight o'clock . Then a gentle breeze blew it aside , and the British began firing briskly upon the American works , doubtless feeling sure they would presently scatter them to the winds , and that their own army , placed ready in battle array , would then rush forward , overpower the Americans , and take the city . `` Heavier and heavier grew their bombardment ; the rocketeers sent an incessant shower of fiery missiles into the American lines and upon Jackson 's headquarters at Macarte 's , more than a hundred balls , shells , and rockets striking the building in the course of ten minutes . He and his staff immediately left the house , and in the meantime he had opened his heavy guns on the assailants .