midnight
At night he was put on guard . `` Wednesday he was sent with another party to protect a band of emigrants crossing the marshes . At night he was sent with still another party to reconnoiter Molina-del-Rey . `` Thursday he was sent in attendance upon the officer that carried despatches to General Quitman , and did not return until after midnight , when , thoroughly worn out , driven indeed to the extreme degree of mortal endurance , he was again on a sultry , oppressive night , in a still , solitary place , set on guard where a few hours later he was found asleep upon his post -- by whom ? The Colonel of his regiment and the Captain of his company , who seemed bent upon his ruin -- as I hold myself bound to establish before another court-martial . `` This result had been intended from the first ! If five nights ' loss of sleep would not have effected this , fifteen probably would ; if fifteen would not , thirty would ; or if thirty would n't sixty would !