five o’clock in the morning
The morning of the 6th of May was ushered in with thunder . The battle of the preceding day had been a sort of `` feeler '' -- now the real struggle came . By a curious coincidence , Grant and Lee both began the attack and at the same hour . At five o'clock in the morning the blue and gray ranks rushed together , and opened fire on each other . Or rather , they fired when they heard each others ' steps and shouts . You saw little in that jungle . I have already spoken more than once of this sombre country -- a land of undergrowth , thicket , ooze ; where sight failed , and attacks had to be made by the needle , the officers advancing in front of the line with drawn -- compasses !