Four o'clock
The regiment formed in the open square , the crowd about it so dense as to seem stifling , the windows of its building rilled with the sweetest and finest and fairest of faces , -- the mothers , wives , and sweethearts of these young splendid fellows just ready to march away . Surrey from his station gazed and gazed at the window where stood his mother , so well beloved , his relations and friends , many of them near and dear to him , -- some of them with clear , bright eyes that turned from the forms of brothers in the ranks to seek his , and linger upon it wistfully and tenderly ; yet looking at all these , even his mother , he looked beyond , as though in the empty space a face would appear , eyes would meet his , arms be stretched towards him , lips whisper a fond adieu , as he , breaking from the ranks , would take her to his embrace , and speak , at the same time , his love and farewell . A fruitless longing . Four o'clock struck over the great city , and the line moved out of the square , through Fourth Street , to Broadway . Then began a march , which whoso witnessed , though but a little child , will remember to his dying day , the story of which he will repeat to his children , and his children 's children , and , these dead , it will be read by eyes that shall shine centuries hence , as one of the most memorable scenes in the great struggle for freedom . Hands were stretched forth to touch the cloth of their uniforms , and kissed when they were drawn back . Mothers held up their little children to gain inspiration for a lifetime .