midnight
The signal corps flashed their green and red lights from the tower to distant armories . Ambulance corps hastened their preparation , packing saws , knives , lint , and bandages . Imperative orders from general to colonels , to majors , to captains , to corporals tracked the militia men to their homes , and to their places of amusement . By midnight every military organization in Harrisville was under arms . The general with his staff was at his headquarters and ready for action . Before sunset Colonel Harris had his steel mills enclosed by a high fortress-fence ; many agents were dispatched to other cities to advertise for , and contract with , skilled labor for his mills . On his way home , he called again on the mayor , also at brigade headquarters , and satisfied himself that his property would be protected .