nine o'clock
His rapid French phrases leaped forth as if shot from a pistol , and his shrill voice , familiar to every ear in Vincennes , drew the creole militiamen to him , and soon Beverley 's company had doubled its numbers , while at the same time its enthusiasm and ability to make a noise had increased in a far greater proportion . In accordance with an order from Clark they now took position near the northeast corner of the stockade and began firing , although in the darkness there was but little opportunity for marksmanship . Oncle Jazon had found citizens Legrace and Bosseron , and through them Clark 's men were supplied with ammunition , of which they stood greatly in need , their powder having got wet during their long , watery march . By nine o'clock the fort was completely surrounded , and from every direction the riflemen and musketeers were pouring in volley after volley . Beverley with his men took the cover of a fence and some houses sixty yards from the stockade . Here to their surprise they found themselves below the line of Hamilton 's cannon , which , being planted on the second floor of the fort , could not be sufficiently depressed to bear upon them . A well directed musket fire , however , fell from the loopholes of the blockhouses , the bullets rattling merrily against the cover behind which the attacking forces lay .