Let them hold themselves in readiness to march to-night.Cited from Twenty Years After, by Alexandre Dumas
As requested by the general assembly, I enjoin upon the militia forthwith to elect their company officers; and I call upon volunteers to organize themselves without delay.The military are directed to hold themselves in readiness for immediate service.Given under my hand and the seal of the State, at the city of Providence, this 6th day of May, A.D. 1842.…Cited from Messages and Papers of the Presidents: John Tyler, Ed. by Richardson
They go on with frigates and fortifications, because they were going on with them before.They direct eighty thousand of their militia to hold themselves in readiness for service.But they reject the propositions to raise cavalry, artillery, and a provisional army, and to trust private ships with arms in the present combustible state of things.…Cited from The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3 (of 4), ed. by T.J. Randolph
The Acadian prisoners and their families were divided into groups answering to their several villages, in order that those of the same village might, as far as possible, go in the same vessel.It was also provided that the members of each family should remain together; and notice was given them to hold themselves in readiness.…Cited from Montcalm and Wolfe, by Francis Parkman
Wolfe's plan of attack was soon formed, and he at once proceeded to carry it out.The soldiers were directed to hold themselves in readiness either to march or fight at the shortest notice.A little before midnight on the 28th -- about thirty hours after the forces had been landed -- the sentinel on the western point of the island perceived certain black objects in the river which were slowly moving towards the land where he stood.…Cited from Canadian Notabilities, Volume 1, John Charles Dent
Britain, France, and the United States are already agreed that they will combine to repel unprovoked aggression on the part of Germany.That evidently signifies that they will hold themselves in readiness to fight, and will therefore make due preparation.This arrangement is a substitute for a supernational army, as though prevention were not better than cure; that it will prove efficacious in the long run very few believe.…Cited from The Inside Story Of The Peace Conference, by Emile Joseph Dillon
Charlotte and Gwinnie had begun by sitting on their drivers' seats in the ambulances standing in the yard, ready to start the very instant it came.Their orders were to hold themselves in readiness.They held themselves in readiness and saw McClane's cars swing out from the rubbered sweep in front of the Hospital three and four times a day.…Cited from The Romantic, by May Sinclair
Let our Leaguers know that the moment is approaching, and let them hold themselves in readiness.Cited from The Forty-Five Guardsmen, by Alexandre Dumas
Upon the evening of the third day, the besiegers' fire had done its work, and a gap in the wall some eighty yards wide was formed.The garrison were ordered to hold themselves in readiness, and a strict watch was set.Towards morning, a distant hum in the nizam's camp proclaimed that the troops were mustering for the assault.…Cited from With Clive in India, by G. A. Henty
The guard to be relieved from Col. Ewing's Brigade, the guards at Bergen to be excepted.The other two Brigades to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning.…Cited from The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brooklyn, by Henry P. Johnston
They were also required to hold themselves in readiness to accompany him on his journey to Augsburg.There was, however, no hurry about arriving there; for the Emperor came thither so slowly from Italy, that it was found impossible to meet on the day originally appointed.…Cited from Life of Luther, by Julius Koestlin
One of Madame Waddington's more personal oeuvres is the amusement she, in company with her daughter-in-law, provides for the poilus in the village near her son's estate.Regiments are quartered there, either to hold themselves in readiness, or to cut down trees for the army.They wandered about, desolate and bored, until the two Madame Waddingtons furnished a reading-room, provided with letter paper and post-cards, books and, I hope, by this time a gramophone.…Cited from The Living Present, by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton
Well, all we can do is to prepare ourselves for the worst.I find that no tidings have been sent by any authority to the men of this estate to hold themselves in readiness for sudden alarm.I wonder whether the same remissness prevails elsewhere.…Cited from Alfgar the Dane or the Second Chronicle of Aescendune, by A. D. Crake
All had received orders to hold themselves in readiness for an instant march, and his blood tingled with expectancy.At midnight the Winchester regiment rode off to the left to join the cavalry under Wilson which was to lead the advance, moving along a pike road and then crossing the little river Opequan.…Cited from The Tree of Appomattox, by Joseph A. Altsheler
Two mounted messengers shall hold themselves in readiness to forward dispatches.Cited from Louisa of Prussia and Her Times, by L. Muhlbach #7
That all forces in said Territory hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice to repel any and all such invasion.Cited from The Story of the Mormons by William Alexander Linn
Let our regiments hold themselves In readiness to march; for we shall leave Pilsen ere evening.Cited from German Classics, Vol. III (Schiller), by Kuno Francke, Editor-in-Chief
Abdul Mourak, always watchful, was the first to see them, but already they were halfway across the open.He called to his men to mount and hold themselves in readiness, for in the heart of Africa who may know whether a strange host be friend or foe?Werper, swinging into his saddle, fastened his eyes upon the newcomers, then, white and trembling he turned toward Abdul Mourak.…Cited from Tarzan, Jewels of Opar, E.R. Burroughs
Thomas determined to hold his position until nightfall, if possible, before withdrawing.He then distributed ammunition to the commands and ordered the division commanders to hold themselves in readiness to fall back as soon as ordered.Reynolds at half-past five was notified to commence the movement.…Cited from The Army of the Cumberland, Henry M. Cist
The steepness of the precipice was guard enough near the town.Wednesday, the 12th of September, the English troops were ordered to hold themselves in readiness.They passed the day cleaning their arms, and were ordered not to speak after nightfall or permit a sound to be heard from the ranks.…Cited from Canada: the Empire of the North, by Agnes C. Laut