midnight
`` I shall keep every sense on the alert , sir . '' Noll was given command of the camp . Captain Foster , now thoroughly fagged , turned in for a few hours ' sleep , after leaving orders to be called at eleven o'clock . `` You will find me prowling about your lines from midnight on , Mr. Overton , '' was the captain 's last word before turning in . `` It is now nearly dark , so I suggest that you march your men without any unnecessary delay . '' Two minutes later Lieutenant Hal was marching his command from camp . He did not take his column through the village .