midnight
While it lasted , however , it was hot enough to bring on heavy rain , and the day ended with a tremendous downpour , which converted the hillsides into a network of miniature cascades , and must have been exceedingly unpleasant for any of the Russians whom expediency and watchfulness compelled to remain in the trenches . With nightfall the gale increased in fury ; but the rain had produced at least one good result ; it had laid the dust most effectually while it had made but little mud , for the thirsty earth seemed to absorb the water almost as fast as it fell ; also it cooled the air considerably , which was all to the advantage of the Japanese , who would have the strenuous work of climbing the hill , while it would tend to chill and benumb the Russians , who would be compelled to remain comparatively inactive in the sodden trenches . Whether it was this consideration , or the fact that the barometer was rapidly rising , or a combination of both , I can not say , but about ten o'clock that night the word went round that a general attack upon the Russian works was to be made as soon as possible after midnight . By midnight a change of weather had occurred ; the wind , which at ten o'clock in the evening had been blowing harder than ever , suddenly subsided , the air grew close , almost to suffocation , and an immense black cloud settled down upon the summit of Mount Sampson , where it rested broodingly , the sure precursor of a thunderstorm , if I was any judge of weather lore . The first troops to move consisted of a detachment of the 4th Engineers ' Battalion , who were assigned the perilous duty of blowing down the gates of Kinchau , of which there were four , corresponding to the four cardinal points of the compass . I volunteered to accompany this party , for the task which devolved upon them was one that rather appealed to me ; but Oku was most emphatic in his refusal , explaining that he would more than probably require my services at daylight , or shortly afterward , to communicate with the squadron in the offing . Accordingly , I had to stand aside , somewhat unwillingly , and see them march off without me ; which was perhaps just as well , for the attempt resulted in failure , and every man who participated in it was killed .