noon
And there old Chester , with kindling eyes , reads to the silent company the brief official order . Ay , though it be miles and miles away , fast as steam and wheel can take it , the good old regiment in all its sturdy strength goes forth to join the rescue of the imprisoned comrades far in the Colorado Rockies . `` Have your entire command in readiness for immediate field-service in the Department of the Platte . Special train will be there to take you by noon at latest . '' And though many a man has lost friend and comrade in the tragedy that calls them forth , and though many a brow clouds for the moment with the bitter news of such useless sacrifice , every eye brightens , every muscle seems to brace , every nerve and pulse to throb and thrill with the glorious excitement of quick assembly and coming action . Ay , we are miles and miles away ; we leave the dear old post , with homes and firesides , wives , children , and sweethearts , all to the care of the few whom sickness or old wounds or advancing years render unfit for hard , sharp marching ; and , thank God ! we 'll be there to take a hand and help those gallant fellows out of their `` corral '' or to have one good blow at the cowardly hounds who lured and lied to them .