This formidable and mobile body, with some batteries of horse artillery and of pom-poms, kept a line a few miles to the west of the railroad, moving northwards parallel with it.

Roberts's main column kept on the railroad, which was mended with extraordinary speed by the Railway Pioneer regiment and the Engineers, under Girouard and the ill-fated Seymour.

It was amazing to note the shattered culverts as one passed, and yet to be overtaken by trains within a day.

This main column consisted of Pole-Carew's 11th Division, which contained the Guards, and Stephenson's Brigade (Warwicks, Essex, Welsh, and Yorkshires).

With them were the 83rd, 84th, and 85th R.F.A., with the heavy guns, and a small force of mounted infantry.