we started, accompanied by Lockhart, and pushing on rapidly. reached Sheung Ts'un where we found Barrett all safe. A few rounds from guns had been fired at his men in the early morning but no attack had been made on his position. On the march we passed through the Lam Ts'un Valley where Captain Berger pointed out to me the details of the previous evening's engagement, he explained the absence of many casualties to our force by the fact that the Chinese kept firing in the direction of the mountain path, believing that troops would not be able to move over the steep hill sides.
They little knew the soldiers of the Hong Kong Regiment. When they found out their mistake they became so disconcerted that their fire was wild and practically harmless.
On my way to Sheung Ts'un I sent a message to Simmonds to join me with two guns at that place. The other two guns were at Taipo Camp.
Reviewing this little action, I desire to bring to Your Excellency's notice the admirable manner in which Captain Berger of the Hong Kong Regiment handled the Infantry Force. I had at first believed that he had pushed on too far from his base and rather feared that the Chinese might have drawn him into an ambuscade, but reflection and a review of the situation convinced