noon
Every item for which he stood accountable was then at his office , invoices and receipts made out in full . Nothing was needed but the officer designated to relieve him . The Columbia was to leave on Saturday , and up to Thursday evening no relief had appeared . Friday morning the adjutant-general received a written communication , most respectful yet urgent in terms , requesting that the officer might be designated without further delay , and as no answer was received up to noon , Loring followed it with a personal call upon the chief of staff , who said the General had the matter under advisement . `` My luggage goes aboard the Columbia to-night , sir , and I should be aboard by ten o'clock to-morrow , '' said Loring . Colonel Strain coughed dubiously . `` It might be impracticable to relieve you from duty so soon .