nine o'clock
Evidently the hour fixed upon for our final desertion of Fort Dearborn was close at hand ; and I hastened to seek opportunity for a bath and breakfast . I do not recall now , looking back after all these years upon the events of that day , any dreading of the future , or serious thought of the coming ordeal . The bustle of excitement about me , the high spirits of the men , were like a tonic ; and I remembered only that we were east-bound once more , and my chief concern was to be ready to ride out promptly with the column . It could not have been far from nine o'clock when every preparation was completed , and the echoing bugle called the laggards from their quarters into the open parade . The officers , already mounted , rode about quietly , assigning each driver and wagon to position in the marching column , and carefully mustering the troops . The many sick of the garrison were brought forth from the barracks in their blankets , and gently lifted to places beside the women and children in the loaded wagons ; while the men fit for active duty fell in promptly along the southern wall , the right of their slender column resting opposite the barred entrance . I was assigned to ride with the rear-guard beside the wagons , in company with the few settlers and fifteen of the Miamis under command of Sergeant Jordan .