eleven o'clock in the morning
He lost no time , and in the course of the night threw up two works within seventy paces of the fortifications . The English commander did not suffer so rash and disdainful a step to pass unpunished . The scouts , who were outside the works , brought in news of what was being done , and also that the working parties were protected by a strong force . The three guns which constituted the entire artillery of the defenders were moved noiselessly to the salient angle of the Star opposite the works , and at eleven o'clock in the morning these suddenly opened fire , aided by musketry from the parapets . The covering force precipitately retreated , and 30 men sallied out from the fort , carried the intrenchments , and bayoneted their defenders . Other troops followed , the works were destroyed , and the intrenching tools carried into the fort . General Greene , advancing with his whole army , arrived only in time to see the last of the sallying party re-enter the village .