midnight
`` Forward -- double-quick -- march ! '' says Captain Bob Shorty , `` we can catch the Confederacy alive if we 're quick enough . '' And now , my boy , the march was resumed with new vigor , for it was certain that the enemy was right in front , and might be strategically annihilated . A long time passed , however , without the discovery of a soul , and it was after midnight when the next house was gained . A small black contraband came to the door , and says he : `` By gorry , mars ' r sogerum , what you hab ? '' `` Tell me , young Christy 's minstrel , '' says Captain Bob Shorty , `` have any troops passed here to-night ? '' The contraband turned a summerset , and says he : `` Mars ' and misses hab seen two companies dis berry night , so helpum God . ''