Over the rough road trudged the long line of sweltering men.

In advance were the scouts; then followed several light companies of the Black Watch; then the main body of the little army; and in the rear came the toiling pack-horses.

Until noon the soldiers marched, panting and tortured by mosquitoes, but buoyed up by the hope that at Bushy Run they would be able to quench their burning thirst and rest until nightfall.

By one o'clock in the afternoon they had covered seventeen miles and were within a mile and a half of their objective point.
Suddenly in their front they heard the sharp reports of muskets; the firing grew in intensity: the advance-guard was evidently in contact with a considerable body of Indians.

Two light companies were rushed forward to their support, and with fixed bayonets cleared the path.