five o'clock in the morning
Out of its flame and smoke leaped two or three fine names that dazzled men 's eyes awhile ; and among the fortunate was a silent young lieutenant of infantry -- a taciturn , but not unamiable young lieutenant -- who was afterward destined to give the name of a great general into the keeping of history forever . Wrapped up somewhere in this Mexican war is the material for a brief American epic ; but it is not to be unrolled and recited here . With the departure of Our Country 's Gallant Defenders , as they were loosely denominated by some -- the Idiots , as they were compactly described by others -- monotony again settled down upon Rivermouth . Sergeant O'Neil 's heraldic emblems disappeared from Anchor Street , and the quick rattle of the tenor drum at five o'clock in the morning no longer disturbed the repose of peace-loving citizens . The tide of battle rolled afar , and its echoes were not of a quality to startle the drowsy old seaport . Indeed , it had little at stake . Only four men had gone from the town proper .