noon
I will stand in the center of the front line , with the guns , and on each side of us will be the ones I shall select . All those in front will have bows and arrows , but you will not need them , unless they come up too close . We must now march to the right , as fast as we can , and get between them and our friends . '' The column started out on its mission , and made its way with the utmost speed to the east , and before noon turned to the north , being thus placed directly in the path of the oncoming forces . The allies moved along deliberately , entirely unaware of the existence of any force . Before four o'clock the first signs of the advance were observed . Blakely had selected a strong position on a slight elevation , on the east side of one of the little streams which flowed into the Cataract River , that commanded an open front .