noon
Only scattered bands of hostiles remained , in this part of the country at least . Rest and recuperation for those `` tatterdemalions '' would be the enforced order of the day for a month to come , for while they might readily and speedily build up , it would take many a week to remount the column or restore such horses as remained . Here among the Cottonwoods , with fire and water and food at hand , the men could have loafed in comfort and content a month , if need be ; but here was no grass , and barely a nibble of oats could be distributed for each surviving horse from the scanty supply hurried forward the previous day . Before noon , therefore , after another morning devoted principally to breakfasting , the trumpets were sounding `` boots and saddles . '' No need to sound `` The General '' with its stirring summons to `` Strike your tents and march away , '' for tents had long months before been struck -- by the pen of the commander -- from the list of camp equipage to be taken to the field . `` We were only waiting for Warren to come on , '' explained an aide of the general to a regimental commander , `` and we 've sent him word to meet us on the Birchwood farther up among the hills . We 'll camp there to-night .