noon
`` Let us choose sides , '' suggested Ben . `` Instead of having an Army of the North and an Army of the South , we can have -- '' `` An Army of Red and an Army of Blue , '' finished Dave . `` What do you say to the red sweaters against the blue sweaters ? '' As many lads of the school wore red sweaters , and about an equal number wore blue , the idea caught on instantly , and at the noon recess the two armies , of Red and of Blue , were hastily organized . Each numbered twenty-five recruits , and Roger was made the leader on one side and Sam Day the leader on the other . With Roger went Dave and Phil , while Ben , Buster , and Shadow sided with Sam . Roger 's side was the Army of Red , and they made themselves a big red flag , with the initials O. H. on it .