half past eight
`` General Lambert with his troops tried to come to the aid of Packenham , Gibbs , and Keane , but was able only to cover the retreat of their vanquished and flying columns . '' `` And the victory was won then , papa ? '' queried Lulu . `` Yes , though the battle had lasted but a short time ; by half past eight A. M. the musketry fire had ceased , though the artillery kept theirs up till two o'clock in the afternoon . '' `` Were both Americans and British playing their national airs while the fight was going on , sir ? '' asked Walter . `` The British had no music but a bugle , '' replied the captain , `` not even a drum or a trumpet ; but all through the fight , from the time they sent up their first signal rocket , the New Orleans Band was stationed near the spot where the American flag was flying , playing national airs to cheer and animate our soldiers . ''