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to Berger by an orderly to say that I had got to the top of the pass and asked him to come to see me, stating at the same time that some food was on the way for his men but the coolies had bolted and that he must send some men up for it. After waiting a quarter of an hour I saw what I took to be his advance guard moving off N.W.; having decided that the pass was impracticable for my guns I decided to push back to camp and work round N. & W., skirting the hills and taking the rebels in rear or driving them on to Berger's party. My escort now consisted of 30 rifles K.R. and 10 of my own men with Carbines. I reached the bivouac about 6 a.m., where I had left Colville in charge, and he reported all quiet and no orders had come in from Taipo-hu. I considered my escort sufficient owing to the hasty manner in which the rebels had retreated and judging by their arms, so I decided to push on at once.
On arrival at Sheung Wai - a walled village, I blew in the gate (3 common shell from a ? pr.). This was the village to which the rebels had descended after firing at us the previous night. I found the village deserted and discovered some ammunition but no guns. I gave the coolies some rice which I found in the village and proceeded to Fanling; all the country seemed quiet and the people of Fanling received us well. I had heard no firing in any direction. At Fanling I received a note from O.C. Troops that I had gone in the wrong direction and was, if possible,
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to Berger by an orderly to say that I had got to the top of the
pass and asked him to come to see me, stating at the same time
that some food was on the way for his men but the coolies had
bolted and that he must send some men up for it. After waiting a
quarter of an hour I saw what I took to be his advance guard
moving off N.W.; having decided that the pass was impracticable
for my guns I decided to push back to camp and work round N. & W..
skirting the hills and taking the rebels in rear or driving them
on to Berger's party. My escort nor consisted of 30 rifles § K.R.
and 10 of my own men with Carbines, I reached the bivouac about
6 a.m., where I had left Colville in charge, and be reported all
quiet and no orders had come in from Taipo-hu. I considered my
escort sufficient owing to the hasty mauuer in which the rebels
had retreated and judging by their arms so I decided to push oa
at once. On arrival at Sheoug Wai - a walled village, I blew in
the gate (3 common shell from a ? pr.) this was the village to
which the rebels had descended after firing at us the previous
night. I found the village deserted and discovered some annuni,
tion but no guns. I gave the coolies some rice which I found in
the village and proceeded to Fanling; all the country seened
quiet and the people of Fanling received us well. I had heard
no firing in any direction. At Fanling I received a note from
0.0. Troops that I had gone in the wrong direction and was if
Inis
possible
Page 120Page 121
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