six o'clock
Every morning , as before mentioned , this young officer went out alone to perform the dangerous work of disconnecting the mines , so that the inhabitants of the town might go out and in and move about during the day-time in safety . Again , a little before sunset every evening , he went out and reconnected them , so that the enemy could not approach the place without the risk of being blown to pieces . At the same time the gates were closed , and no one was allowed to leave or enter the town . On this particular evening the lieutenant went out as usual on his dangerous mission just after six o'clock . He had not been long gone when a loud explosion was heard , and a cloud of smoke was seen where one of the mines had been laid down . A party at once sallied out , and found , as they had feared , that the brave young fellow had perished . He had been literally blown to pieces , his head being found in one place , while other portions of his body were scattered around .