twelve o'clock
The shore line of the Atlantic was crowded with people , many of whom plunged into the ocean in the vain attempt to get away . The scenes in the city were too revolting to narrate , for a large class of the community , released from all restraint of moral and civil law , were bent on securing all the lawless pleasures that force could command , during the few hours that was left to them . And the line was steadily coming East . Chicago was cut off at twelve o'clock . And at four intelligence had ceased coming from Buffalo . At this time the sound of the winds was like the roar of the sea . I had torn myself away from the window where I had been staring at the now packed and struggling masses of people , and had locked myself in the room with the dead body of Kate .