Quarman was stockaded to resist an attack.

Gordon with the Houssa company lay a quarter of a mile in advance of the village, Gifford with his scouts close to the edge of the wood.

Major Home with the engineers cut a wide path for the advance of the troops to within a hundred yards of the village which the enemy held.
Every one knew that the great battle of the war would be fought next morning.

About half past seven on the morning of the 81st of January the 42d Regiment entered the village of Quarman, and marched through without a halt.

Then came Rait's artillery, followed by the company of the 23d and by the Naval Brigade.