If he allowed a brigade to be involved in a rearguard action, his whole swift-moving plan of campaign might be dislocated.

It was very annoying to lose a hundred and eighty wagons, but it only meant a temporary inconvenience.
The plan of campaign was the essential thing.

Therefore he sacrificed his convoy and hurried his troops upon their original mission.

It was with heavy hearts and bitter words that those who had fought so long abandoned their charge, but now at least there are probably few of them who do not agree in the wisdom of the sacrifice.

Our loss in this affair was between fifty and sixty killed and wounded.