about three in the
morning
The _ Albemarle _ was made fast to a wharf , with a defence of logs around her about thirty feet from her side . A chance fire on the shore enabled us to see this , although the night was intensely dark , and raining . `` From the report afterwards published by the commander of the _ Albemarle _ , it seems that a good look-out had been kept . The watch also had been doubled , and when we were seen -LRB- about three in the morning -RRB- they were all ready . After hailing , a brisk fire was opened on us both by small arms and large guns ; but the latter could not be brought to bear , owing to our being so close , and we partially disturbed the aim of the former by a dose of canister at close range . Paymaster Swan , of the _ Otsego _ , was wounded near me , and some others . My own jacket was cut in many places , and the air seemed full of bullets .