Only two men could climb it abreast, and the advancing files could have been destroyed by a dozen marksmen with breech loaders.

The only reasonable supposition was that, having been engaged for five hours, their ammunition was practically exhausted.
Several acts of heroism were performed in the battle.

One of the pipers, Lance Corporal Milne, was shot through both legs; but still continued to play his pipes, in a sitting position.

Four other pipers played right across the fatal passage, three of them being wounded.

Lieutenant Tillard was the first man across.