nearly noon
`` If not , it will at least give you a chance to see the pretty daughter , '' remarked the Sergeant . `` Shut up , or I will have you reduced to the ranks , '' growled the Lieutenant . The subject was rather a painful one to the Lieutenant , for during his visit to the Osbornes the week before , when he tried to make himself agreeable to the daughter , the lady told him in very plain words what she thought of Yankees . `` It 's nearly noon , too , '' continued the Lieutenant , after the interruption , `` and that spring near the house is a splendid place to rest our horses and eat our dinners ; so fall in . '' The Lieutenant slowly mounted Calhoun 's horse , for his fall had made him sore , and in none the best of humor , he gave the command , `` Forward ! '' The plantation of Mr. Osborne was soon reached . It was a beautiful place .