midnight
`` Before I leave I 'll have to thank Mr. Jones once more , '' said Harry . `` He runs the best passenger service that I know . '' `` Welcome to it any time , either you or your friend , '' said Jones , saluting with his whip . Harry left the wagon at midnight and overtook the staff , an orderly providing him with a good horse . Dalton , who had also been sleeping in a wagon , came an hour or two later , and the two , as became modest young officers , rode in the rear of the group that surrounded General Lee . Although the darkness had come fully , the Army of Northern Virginia had not yet stopped . The infantry flanked by cavalry , and , having no fear of the enemy , marched steadily on .