twelve o'clock
Every flag drooped and flapped in dismal weeping against its staff . The decorations of the houses and windows outside were ruined . The bunting swayed and sagged in deep curves across the streets , pouring a stream of water from the folds . At twelve o'clock , the procession formed in the Hall of the Virginia Legislature and marched through the pouring rain to the platform erected around the statue of Washington . In spite of the storm an immense crowd packed the space around the speaker 's stand , presenting the curious spectacle of a sea of umbrellas . Socola watched this crowd stand patiently in the downpour with a deepening sense of the tragedy it foreshadowed . The people who could set their teeth and go through an inauguration ceremony scheduled in the open air on such a day might be defeated in battle , but the victor would pay his tribute of blood .