noon
The field officers spread out and rode squarely at the most promising crossings in sight . The men watched their progress , and took the best they found . If the water did not get above the middle of the sides of the Colonel 's medium-sized horse , they took off their haversacks and unbuckled their cartridge-boxes , and plunged in after him , the shorter men pairing off with the taller men , and clinging to them . So eager was their advance that by the time they halted at noon for a rest and a cup of coffee , they were miles ahead of the rest of the brigade , and beginning to look forward to catching glimpses of Shelbyville . They had encountered no opposition except long-taw shots from rebel cavalry watching them from the opposite sides of the yellow floods , and who would scurry away as soon as they began to cross . The young Aid again appeared upon the scene . `` Colonel , '' he said , saluting , `` the General presents his compliments , and directs that you advance to that next creek , and halt there for the night and observe it . ''