noon
Scouts in blue met them and the gallant column shook their sabers and saluted . Yes , it was true , they said , that Sheridan was gathering a fine army and he and all of his men were eager to march , but Colonel Hertford 's force , sent by General Grant to help , would be welcomed with shouts . The fame of its three colonels had gone on before . It was bright noon when they approached the northern end of the valley , and Dick saw a horseman followed by a group of about twenty men galloping toward them . The leader was a short , slender man , sitting firmly in his saddle . `` General Sheridan ! '' exclaimed Shepard .