The advance guard consisted of the 2nd Punjab Infantry, and the 1st and 2nd Ghoorkhas.

The others were told off to burn and destroy all villages on either side of the nullah.

The baggage of the whole division followed the main guard.
Directly the camp was left, the sides of the nullah enlarged and, for half a mile, the road lay through a narrow ravine.

The drop was rapid; for the river, swollen by the fallen snow, had become literally a torrent; and the scene with the baggage was one of extreme confusion.

The recent disaster had given a frenzied impulse to the generally calm followers, and all felt anxiety to press forward, with an impetus almost impossible to control.