midnight
Although a man of letters and devoted to study , I know that he possesses , among his other talents , a military genius , which makes me value his opinion ; say also that it is the very subject which has been occupying my thoughts . '' `` My father is more out of spirits than I have ever seen him , '' said Albert . `` It is owing to a letter he lately received from a friend at Utrecht , detailing an extraordinary circumstance which occurred in that city some time ago . It is said that five soldiers of the Burgher Guard were on their midnight watch , when , the rest of the sky being as dark as pitch , they observed , directly over their heads , a clear space , equal in extent to the length of the city , and of several yards in width . Suddenly two armies , in battle array were seen advancing upon each other ; one moved rapidly up from the north-west , with banners waving , spears flashing , trumpets sounding , accompanied by heavy artillery and squadrons of cavalry ; the other came slowly from the south-east . They at length met and joined in a desperate conflict for a few moments ; the shouts of the combatants , the heavy discharge of cannon , the rattle of musketry , the tramp of foot soldiers , the rush of cavalry , were distinctly heard . The very firmament trembled with the shock of the contending hosts , and was lurid with the fire of their artillery .