midnight on the 31st of
December
`` I will swear and rave so loudly that he will certainly hear it in Paris , '' said Blucher . `` Let us curse the necessity imposed on us , and secretly make all necessary dispositions , inform the commanders , and issue the orders , so that we may all cross the Rhine at midnight on the 31st of December . '' `` What ! The passage is to take place at midnight on the 31st of December ? '' asked Gneisenau . `` Yes , general . Let us begin the new year with a great deed , that we may end it with one . ''