noon
Out in the roads lay seven large freight steamers whose cargoes of horses and baggage , belonging to the 2d Florida Cavalry Regiment , were being transferred to lighters . A small tug , throwing up two glittering streaks of spray with its broad bow , was towing three barges through the narrow opening of the lagoon to Corpus Christi , whose docks showed signs of unusual bustle . Short-winded engines were pulling long freight-trains over the tracks that ran along the docks , ringing their bells uninterruptedly . From the camps outside the town the low murmur of drums and long bugle-calls could be heard through the drowsy noon heat . A long gray snake , spotted with the dull glitter of bright metal , wound its way between the white tents : a detachment of troops marching to the station . Beyond the town one could follow the silver rails through the green plantations for miles , as plainly as on a map , until they finally disappeared on the horizon . Now the whistle of the tug sounded shrilly , blowing scattered flakes of white steam into the air .