ten o'clock
`` I wrote a recommendation to your new department for the appointment of a young friend of Miss Barton to a position in your office . He 's a man of brilliant talents -- a foreigner who has cast his fortunes with us . Do what you can for him -- '' `` I 'll remember -- '' the Secretary nodded and hurried to his office to issue his proclamation of martial law for the city and district of Richmond . At ten o'clock the rain began to pour in torrents . The streets were flooded . Rushing rivers of muddy water roared over its cobble stones and leaped down its steep hills into the yellow tide of the James . Every flag drooped and flapped in dismal weeping against its staff .