If they came upon any solitary sentinel, one man was to be sent back instantly to stop the column; while two others crawled forward and surprised and silenced the sentry.

Should their way be arrested by a strong picket, they were to reconnoitre the ground on either side; and then one was to be sent back, to guide the column so as to avoid the picket.
When he calculated that Ryan must be nearly a quarter of a mile in advance, Terence gave orders for the column to move forward.

When a short distance had been traversed, one of the scouts came in, with the news that there was a cordon of sentries across their path.
They were some fifty paces apart, and some must be silenced before the march could be continued.
Ten minutes later, another scout brought in news that four of the French sentries had been surprised and killed, without any alarm being given; and the column resumed its way, the necessity for silence being again impressed upon the men.

As they went forward, they received news that two more of the sentries had been killed; and that there was, in consequence, a gap of 350 yards between them.

A scout led the way through the opening thus formed.