twelve o'clock
In another instant the missile burst near some infantry , at two hundred yards to the right . `` Take orders to that battery , there , to take position on that little eminence to the left there , Captain Barclay . Tell them to keep the guns a little back among the trees , and to open sharply upon Terminiers . '' It was just twelve o'clock now and , in five minutes , there was a roar of cannon along the whole length of both lines . For half an hour the combat continued a mere artillery duel . The shells fell in all directions ; cutting the dry branches from the trees , tearing up the ground , and leaving deep black gashes in the white snow ; crashing through a wall or , occasionally , exploding among the troops . `` Their fire is slackening a little , '' General Chanzy said .