midday
So the trumpet sounded the halt in a meadow beside a fine stream , and all , save those who were to ride on the outskirts and watch for the enemy , dismounted gladly . A vast drinking followed . The water was clear , running over clean pebbles , and a thousand men knelt and drank again and again . Then the horses were allowed to drink their fill , which they did with mighty gurglings of satisfaction , and the men cooked their midday meal . Meanwhile they talked of Sheridan . All expected battle and then battle again when they joined him , and they looked forward to a great campaign in the valley . That valley was not so far away .