The brigade commander of the 68th Battle Line Infantry Brigade, Clay Bell, did not receive the order to attack until six in the evening.
He was stunned by the order: "Go... to Babi Village? Now? Damn, I don't even know where that village is."
The sergeant who delivered the message replied with a stern face: "The acting commander orders you to leave immediately and to march through the night."
Clay Bell: "The acting commander had just been urging us to quickly chase down the enemy's fleeing soldiers to the east, and now just as we've stopped to rest, we haven't even warmed our seats, and we're asked to turn back? Are they messing with us?"
The sergeant: "To my knowledge, no. You had better depart quickly, Mr. Brigade Commander."
After saying that, the sergeant saluted and turned to leave.
Clay Bell frowned, his face scrunching up.
His adjutant came running over: "Brigade Commander, dinner is ready."
"Tell them to eat quickly, we have to depart again once they're done."
