A telegram was also sent to Captain Hall, instructing him to despatch a company to increase the garrison at Kwisa.

In the meantime two companies of the troops on the Prah were ordered to proceed, instantly, to the relief of Kwisa, under the command of Captain Melliss and, to Lisle's satisfaction, some of his company were to form part of the force.
They started at two in the afternoon, but it was four before they got across the Prah; and they could only march ten miles that evening, which they did through a pouring rain.

An early start was made, next morning.

By eight o'clock they reached Fumsu, which was held by a company of soldiers under Quartermaster Sergeant Thomas; who informed them that all the troops ahead were perilously situated, short of food and ammunition, and crippled with casualties.

He tried to dissuade them from going farther, saying: "You are simply walking into a death trap.