Here we have them: Major Bull, Major Macwitty, and Captain Ryan." "It is Captain Ryan whom we have made prisoner, sir." "Their dispositions appear to have been good, and ably worked out.
The bridge across the river had been destroyed, and our crossing was opposed by one column.

While we were attempting to force the passage, three more columns attacked us, one on each flank and rear; while a fourth, composed of a portion of the force defending the passage who, as soon as we were fairly engaged with the other columns, crossed the ford lower down, leaving a thousand men to face us on the river bank, advanced against our left.

Finding themselves thus greatly outnumbered, the column fell back, leaving behind them some five hundred dead and wounded.

Their passage was closed by the enemy, who had broken down some bridges and thrown a breastwork across the valley; but after sharp fighting they made their way through." He then turned to the other despatch.
"This is still more useful," he said.

"It is a general report of their proceedings since they crossed the frontier, and gives the number of each column.