hoping to take the position in the first rush.

The route was bad: there were no roads, and only the broad trail left by the flying enemy to follow. While advancing through the forest, which lay across their route, they could hear the enemy in every direction cutting wood for their fortifications. They were, however, lucky enough to approach the enemy's position without being discovered, and the advance-guard was only fired upon after holding conversation with the enemy in camp, whom they had mistaken for natives. The irregulars had reported the enemy to be encamped on a large plain, whereas they had taken possession of an opening in the forest; this they had surrounded by a palisade, which, as it subsequently turned out, was in some places still unfinished.

Outside the palisade were