three o'clock in the morning
Not far away from them was Sergeant Whitley , ready for use as a scout . Shepard had disappeared already in the darkness . They joined Wilson 's command and waited in silence . At three o'clock in the morning the word to advance was given and the whole division marched forward in the starlight . They had not gone far before Shepard rode back telling them that the crossing of the Opequan was guarded by Confederate troops . The cavalry increased their speed . After the long period of inaction they were anxious to come to grips with their foe .