seven o'clock
There was something in the cool , practical manner in which each man prepared for work that promised well , and it should be said to the everlasting credit of the Naval Reserves that they invariably fought with the calmness and precision of veterans whenever they were called upon . In the present case , there would have been some excuse for faint-heartedness . The crew of the `` Yankee , '' made up of men whose previous lives had been those of absolute peace , who had never heard a shot fired in anger before their arrival at Santiago , who had left home and business in defence of the flag -- these men went about their preparations for attacking the fortifications with as little apparent concern as if it were simply a yachting trip . There was no holding back , no hesitancy , no looks of concern or anxiety , but when the signal to advance inshore appeared on the `` New York , '' at six bells -LRB- seven o'clock -RRB- , there was a feeling of relief that the time of waiting was over . We were to be in it at last . The flagship 's signal to advance in formation was obeyed at once . Moving in double column , the fleet stood in toward the batteries .