midnight
I studied that book until I got the thing down so fine that I could have fought the battle of Gettysburg successfully , and I longed for a chance to show what I knew about military science and strategy . It seemed wonderful to me that one small red-head could contain so much knowledge about military affairs , and I felt a pity for some officers I knew who never had studied at all , and did not know anything except what they had picked up . I fought battles in my mind , day and night . Some nights I would lay awake till after midnight , planning campaigns , laying out battle-fields , and marching men against the enemy , who fought stubbornly , but I always came out victorious , and then I would go to sleep and dream that the President and secretary of war had got on to me , as it were , and had offered me high positions , and I would wake up in the morning the same red-headed corporal , and cook my breakfast . Sometimes I thought it my duty to inform the government , in some round about way , what a bonanza the country had in me , if my talent could only be utilized by placing me where I would have a chance to distinguish myself , and bring victory to our arms . I reflected that Grant , and Sherman , and Sheridan , and all of the great generals , were once corporals , and by study they had risen . There was not one of them that could dream out a battle , and a victory any better that I could .