two in the morning
Bonaparte was easy in his mind ; there was but one bridge over the Bormida , and he had been assured that that was down . Pickets were stationed as far as possible along the Bormida , each with four scouts . The whole of the night was occupied by the enemy in crossing the river . At two in the morning two parties of scouts were captured ; seven of the eight men were killed , the eighth made his way back to camp crying : `` To arms ! '' A courier was instantly despatched to the First Consul , who was sleeping at Torre di Galifo . Meanwhile , till orders could be received , the drums beat to arms all along the line . A man must have shared in such a scene to understand the effect produced on a sleeping army by the roll of drums calling to arms at three in the morning .