noon
Still many lives might have been sacrificed and no adequate object obtained , so I doubt not that events turned out for the best . 17th . -- At length the storm began to abate , but great was our anxiety lest the enemy should discover our situation and attack us . Happily they did not come on , and by noon we were able to bring back that part of the army which had crossed the river . Our generals held a council of war , and it became known that the sad hour had arrived when we must sue for terms with the enemy , or undergo all the dangers of an assault with the certainty of being defeated at last . With feelings of sorrow and regret we saw the flag of truce depart . We waited the result with anxiety .