seven o'clock
When I awoke at six o'clock in the morning , most of the officers and men were still sleeping , but the colonel had disappeared . There was nothing to be done beyond feeding and grooming my horse , which I always made a point of doing myself . As to my own breakfast , my haversack was empty , and I think there was hardly a pound of meat to be found among the whole column . After a short time the men were roused , and just after seven o'clock we saw the colonel come tearing along on horseback , as if pursued by a cavalry division . Evidently he was in a great hurry , and his face was wreathed in smiles . `` Good-morning , gentlemen , '' he cried . `` You will be glad to hear my news : we move in an hour 's time .