midnight
When he came back from one of these errands about midnight , just after the rise of the moon , he found General Jackson standing upon the bank of the river , giving minute directions to a swarm of officers . His mind missed nothing . He directed not only the movements of the troops , but he saw also that the trains of ammunition and food were sent to the proper points . About half way between midnight and morning he lay down and slept in a small house near the river bank . Shortly before dawn the commander of a battery , looking for one of his officers , entered the house and saw Jackson , dressed for the saddle , sword , boots , spurs and all , lying on his face upon the bed , asleep . On a small table near him stood a short piece of tallow candle , sputtering dimly . But the officer saw that it was Jackson , and he turned on tiptoe to withdraw .