midnight
Pennons , cock-feathers , clattering steeds , pealing salvos , banners , columns , ladies ' favors , balls , concerts , toasts , the Free Gift Lottery -- do n't you recollect ? -- and this uniform and that uniform , brother a captain , father a colonel , uncle a major , the little rector a chaplain , Captain Ristofalo of the Tiger Rifles ; the levee covered with munitions of war , steam-boats unloading troops , troops , troops , from Opelousas , Attakapas , Texas ; and a supper to this company , a flag to that battalion , farewell sermon to the Washington Artillery , tears and a kiss to a spurred and sashed lover , hurried weddings , -- no end of them , -- a sword to such a one , addresses by such and such , serenades to Miss and to Mademoiselle . Soon it will have been a quarter of a century ago ! And yet -- do you not hear them now , coming down the broad , granite-paved , moonlit street , the light that was made for lovers glancing on bayonet and sword soon to be red with brothers ' blood , their brave young hearts already lifted up with the triumph of battles to come , and the trumpets waking the midnight stillness with the gay notes of the Cracovienne ? -- `` Again , again , the pealing drum , The clashing horn , they come , they come , And lofty deeds and daring high Blend with their notes of victory . '' Ah ! the laughter ; the music ; the bravado ; the dancing ; the songs ! ''