Twelve o'clock
Since Howe 's time there had been a more decorous rule , and the taverns closed early . There were no roystering soldiers flinging their money about and singing songs in King George 's honor , or ribald squibs about the rebels , and braggart rhymes as to what they would do with them by and by . Everything , this October night , was soft and silent . Even party people had gone home long ago , and heard the watchman sing out , `` Twelve o'clock and all is well ! '' Only the stars were keeping watch , and the winds made now and then a rustle . Someone rode into the town tired and exhausted , but joyful , and with joyful news . The German watchman , who caught it first , went on his rounds with , `` Past two o'clock and Lord Cornwallis is taken . ''