ten o'clock
He had boldly despatched Cook across the Potomac bridge with the wagons , horses and treasures stolen from Colonel Washington 's house to be stored at headquarters . There was still no doubt or shadow of turning in his imperious soul . With each passing moment the swift feet of the avengers were closing the trap into which he had walked . By ten o'clock the terror-stricken people of the town and county had seized their weapons and the fight began . Bullets were whistling from every street corner and every window commanding a glimpse of the Arsenal and Armory . Brown 's handful of men began to fall . The Rifle Works surrendered first and his guard of three men were all dead or wounded .