seven o'clock
It is now six . '' Fifteen minutes later they had examined their arms and equipped themselves with a full supply of small-arms ammunition , portable wireless instrument and antennæ , and three rations each of eating chocolate . The latter article is dispensed to every soldier in the American armies just prior to an engagement in which he may become separated from his unit or companions , and , if wounded , might otherwise starve to death . The remaining three-quarters of an hour they spent in close study of the map that Major Jones had given them , and promptly at seven o'clock they started upon the dangerous mission . With nightfall the big cannonading had noticeably shut down , but to the south of them artillery firing still could be heard distinctly . It was a black night and they proceeded with the greatest caution . They did not dare use the flashlights that each of them carried , and frequently all of them would have to drop suddenly flat upon the ground as a big rocket went up from either side , lighting the whole section for trace of skirmishing parties .