nine o'clock
The Prussians were spreading more and more over the hill-side near the windmills . This movement continued till eight o'clock . Nobody was hungry , but we ate all the same , so as not to reproach ourselves ; for the battle , once begun , might last two days without giving us a chance to eat again . Between eight and nine o'clock the first battalions of our division left the wood . The officers came to shake hands with their comrades , but the staff remained in the rear . Suddenly the hussars and chasseurs passed us , extending our line of battle toward the right . They were Morin 's cavalry .