noon
said Allan heartily . `` I am glad that I could put that matter straight for you . It would blight like black frost to have Stonewall Jackson 's hand and mind set against you -- and Richard Cleave is not the least in that predicament ! '' The Army of the Valley , advance and main column , and rearguard , artillery and wagon train , came down the moon-lighted road , having marched twenty miles since high noon . On either hand stretched pleasant pastures , a running stream , fair woods . Company by company the men left the road , were halted , stacked arms , broke ranks . Cessation from motion was sweet , sweet the feel of turf beneath their feet .