noon
* * * * * Colonel Penhallow was detained by consultations with the Governor and by regimental work until near the close of August , when his command was hurried forward to join McClellan 's army . He followed it a day later . He wrote long notes to his wife almost daily and then in September after the battle of Antietam more freely to Leila : -- `` DEAR LEILA : You will be surprised to hear from me as at Washington on this September 19th . I overtook my command at noon , in Philadelphia , where the regiment was being well fed in the big building known as the Cooper Shop . I was pleased with the look of the men , who have been long drilled in camp . After the meal I went outside and mounted Dixy , who was as rebellious as if he knew he was on the side to which his name did not belong . A soldier was vainly trying to mount my mare .