(Mishnah): Every day they take [ashes] off the Mizbe'ach from Kros ha'Gever or close to it, before or after it, and on Yom Kipur from midnight, and on festivals from the [end of] the first Mishmar [of the night]. Before Kros ha'Gever, the Azarah was full of Yisraelim.

(Gemara - R. Mana): It is reasonable only [to say opposite to our Mishnah -] rather, on Yom Kipur [Terumas ha'Deshen] was from [the end of] the first Mishmar, and on festivals from midnight, lest (if Kohanim engage with Haktarah on the Mizbe'ach longer, i.e. until midnight,) they come to be thirsty.