eight o'clock
And the thought sank deep into the heart of the boy as he retired to his bed , and closed his eyes to sleep . A sharp lookout was kept for the rebel gunboats all night , but they never made their appearance . The next morning the weather was heavy -- promising rain . At eight o'clock , however , the signal to weigh anchor -- the Union Jack at the foremast , and the American flag at the stern -- was telegraphed from the flag-ship , and repeated by the flag-ship of each brigade . Again the fleet got in motion , approaching the entrance to Croatan Sound . The water was shoal , and progress was slow , and soon it came on to rain . It was a dismal day ; rain on the decks , rain on the water , rain on the marshy shores of the main land , and over the forests beyond , where the ghosts of blasted trees stretched their naked arms despairingly to the dripping clouds .