midnight
Here , under this tree will do . '' Dick threw himself down and Colonel Winchester , finding a blanket , spread it over him . Then the boy closed his eyes , and , for a while , phase after phase of the terrible conflict passed before him . He could see the white wall of the Dunkard church , the Bloody Lane , and most ghastly of all , those dead men in rows lying on their arms , like regiments asleep , but his nerves grew quiet at last , and after midnight he slept . Dawn came and found the two armies ready . Dick and the sad remnant of the Winchester regiment rose to their feet . Although food had been prepared for them very few in all these brigades had touched a bite the night before , sinking into sleep or stupor before it could be brought to them .