ten o'clock
If the force at Hanover Court-House , or the Junction , were seeking to get to the rear of McClellan 's right wing , this would be the road by which it would march ; this road then , beyond all question , was constantly watched , and there was strong probability that rebels were kept posted in good positions upon it . But for the fact that I might find it necessary to reach the Junction , I should now have gone forward afoot . I decided to use still greater circumspection in going farther forward , and to get near the enemy 's post , if there should prove to be one , at the Court-House , only after nightfall . Thus we had from ten o'clock until dark -- nine hours or more -- in which to make our gradual approach . The country was so diversified with woods and fields that we found it always possible to keep within shelter . When we lost sight of the road , Jones or I would climb a tree . By making great detours we went around every field , consuming much time , it is true , but we had plenty of time .