about midnight
They called upon their reserves of strength for yet another ounce , and it came . The pursuit thundered on , through the woods and bushes and across the hills and valleys , but the men in blue , in spite of everything , retained their ranks on the turnpike , retreated in order , and facing at intervals , sent volley after volley against the foe . It was impossible for the Southern army to ride them down or destroy them with cannon and rifle . Harry came back about midnight from one of his messages , to Jackson , who was again riding on the turnpike . Most of his staff were gone on like errands , but General Taylor who led the Acadians was now with him . Off in front the rifles were flashing , and again and again , bullets whistled near them . Harry said nothing but fell in behind Jackson and close to him to await some new commission .