noon
Colonel Washington inspected personally the whole line , and saw that no detail was overlooked . He had not slept for two nights , but seemed indefatigable , and even the regulars cheered him as he passed along the breastwork . But at last the inspection was finished and we settled down to wait . Peyronie and myself had been stationed at the northwest corner of the fort with thirty men , and just before noon , from far away in the forest , came the sound of a single musket shot . We waited in suspense for what might follow , and in a moment a sentry came running from the wood with one arm swinging useless by his side . `` They have come ! '' he cried , as he tumbled over the breastwork .