There was total silence. One could hear only the sound of men breathing as they lay on the ground awaiting the signal to attack. These 1800 soldiers had been crouched in tense excitement since 1 A. M.

At 5 A. M. as they heard the bugle calls giving the signal to attack, they jumped up, grabbed ladders, crowbars, pikes, axes, and bayonets and surged forward to the fort! Their four columns began to move into position.