COPY.
April 17th.
Report by Captain Simonds, R.A.
Operations - April 17th. and 18th., 1899.
115
At 12.30 p.m. it was reported in Camp at Taipo Hui that the rebels were advancing in force from the Westward; I received orders to take 2 guns on to a low spur W. of Taipo Old Market. I experienced great difficulties in getting the guns up quickly as I had no coolies, and all my men were very tired from the night march and hard work of the previous day. After firing 6 rounds (during which the rebels had been firing from several positions to the Westward) and some volleys from the Hongkong Regiment, the rebels disappeared. As a general advance was ordered, I followed as fast as I could. I took only two guns and all available men so as to push on as fast as possible. My direction was North... over a good road up "Shelter Trench Hill" where I had seen a company of the Hongkong Regiment advancing; having reached the head of the pass leading down to Sheung Wai, firing had ceased and I halted to rest the men and sent back for coolies. While halted I noticed smoke rising from the villages to S.W. and S.E. The hill tops to N.W. and N.E. had men on them but none opened fire. While waiting