Before the Relief Force could cross it was necessary to bridge the river, and this was done at a narrow part.  Directly it was completed the Guides were ordered across to hold the bridge-head, and thus cover the passage of the main body next morning.  That the defence might not be a passive one only, Lieutenant-Colonel Fred Battye, who was commanding, was ordered at dawn to push out, destroy all the neighbouring villages, and turn the enemy out of all positions from which they had been operating during the construction of the bridge, and from which they could harass the passage of the force.  During the night a freshet came down, the river rose fourteen feet, and the newly finished bridge was swept away.  The Guides were thus isolated on the far bank, but getting no orders to the contrary, and very possibly thinking that to remain inactive was to invite unwelcome attention to their condition, Colonel Battye decided to adhere to the original programme.  Therefore leaving two companies at the site of the broken bridge, he at six in the morning moved out to drive back the enemy’s outposts, and destroy such villages as were troublesome.

Up to nine o’clock there was no opposition to speak of.  Colonel Battye then formed the five companies of the Guides, which constituted his force, into three small columns, and was proceeding to carry out more extended operations, when, from the high ground now occupied, dense masses of the enemy, afterwards officially estimated at from seven to ten thousand, were seen rapidly approaching his right flank.  It had evidently become known to the enemy that the bridge was broken, and that the Guides were cut off by an impassable river from all support.  The matter was immediately reported by heliograph to Sir Robert Low, and orders as promptly sent for the Guides to retire on the bridge-head.

It is on an occasion like this that the true fighting value of a regiment shows itself.  Great as is the glory of those who, surrounded by comrades, are borne on the tide of great events to victory, still greener are the laurels that adorn the standards of those who, amidst great tribulation and fighting against overwhelming odds, keep untarnished their ancient fame.

Before the anxious eyes of an army, so near yet so powerless to help, the Guides commenced their retirement.  With the great mountains as an amphitheatre the drama began to unfold itself before the gaze of waiting thousands.  At first so far away were they, so few, so scattered, and clad to match the colour of the hills, that only the strongest glasses could make out the position of the Guides; but apparent to the naked eye of all was the great straggling mass which was falling with relentless swiftness, guillotine-like, on the narrow neck of the communications with the bridge.  With cool intrepid courage, with a deliberation which appeared almost exasperating to the onlookers, Colonel Battye and his men took up the challenge.  Little parties of soldiers could be descried slowly