used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
alarmsnounUS /əˈlɑːrmz/
plural of “alarm” — fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
ambulancenounUS /ˈæmbjələns/
a vehicle that takes people to and from hospitals
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
bonnets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
couriersnounUS /ˈkɜːriərz/
plural of “courier” — a person who carries a message
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
drillsnounUS /drɪlz/
plural of “drill” — a tool with a sharp point and cutting edges for making holes in hard materials (usually rotating rapidly or by repeated blows)
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
FerryverbUS /ˈferi/
transport from one place to another
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
a state of high honor
From this reading On such occasions Baby was in all her glory.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
head-quarters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
the force of workers available
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
something you have to do
From this reading On such occasions Baby was in all her glory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
paradesnounUS /pərˈeɪdz/
plural of “parade” — a ceremonial procession including people marching
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
picketnounUS /ˈpɪkɪt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
RebelnounUS /ˈrebəl/
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On such occasions Baby was in all her glory.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Then the officer at the Ferry would think that there was to be an attack made, and couriers would be sent, riding to and fro, and the men would all be called to arms in a hurry, and the ladies at head-quarters would all put on their best bonnets, and come down stairs, and the ambulance would be made ready to carry them to a place of safety before the expected fight.
propel through the air
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
soldiers collectively
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
two times
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Baby had evidently a natural turn for war, further cultivated by an intimate knowledge of drills and parades.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading The nearer she came to actual conflict the better she seemed to like it, peaceful as her own little ways might be.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
which person or people
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Twice, at least, while she was with us on picket, we had alarms from the Rebel troops, who would bring down cannon to the opposite side of the Ferry, about two miles beyond us, and throw shot and shell over upon our side.
