nine o'clock
Graham had good cause to wonder at the sort of freemasonry that existed among the negroes , and the facility with which they obtained and transmitted secret intelligence . Still more had he reason to bless their almost universal fidelity to the Union cause . Another negro joined them as guide , and in the gray of the morning they approached the Union pickets . Graham deemed it wise to wait till they could advance openly and boldly ; and by nine o'clock he was received with acclamations by his own regiment as one risen from the dead . After congratulations and brief explanations were over , his first task was to despatch the two brief letters mentioned , to his aunt and Hilland , in time to catch the daily mail that left their advanced position . Then he saw his brigade commander , and made it clear to him that with a force of about two regiments he could strike a heavy blow against the Confederates whom he had been reconnoitring ; and he offered to act as guide . His proposition was accepted , and the attacking force started that very night .