 Of these, only Bromhead's company could be considered a cohesive unit.Additionally, up to 39 of his company were at the station as hospital patients, although only a handful of these were unable to take up arms.With fewer men, Chard realised the need to modify the defences, and gave orders that biscuit boxes be used to construct a wall through the middle of the post in order to make possible the abandonment of the hospital side of the station if the need arose.