He seemed to feel that he had been tempting Providence by his bold speech, and even expressed his regret to Tom for what he had said.
It was dark when the order to march was given.

The night was exceedingly gloomy, and the rain poured down upon the devoted army, as it moved forward to do its great work.

Hour after hour, in the deep darkness and the pouring rain, the men struggled through the mire, expecting every moment to be hurled upon the rebel battalions, or to meet the impetuous onset of the foe.
Between ten and eleven, when the men were nearly worn out by the exhausting labors of the march, they were ordered to halt in the road, and bivouac for the rest of the night.

What a time and what a place for repose! They could only wrap themselves up in their wet blankets, and stretch themselves upon the ground, soaked with water, and with the rain still pouring down upon them.

But they slept, and enjoyed their rest, for Nature was imperative in her demands.
At daylight the march was resumed; for the intrepid Hooker, ever faithful to the trust confided to him, was wholly in earnest.