one o'clock
It would have been impossible to advance and leave this hostile camp so close to a station in our rear . Lord Gifford was therefore sent out at daybreak to reconnoiter it . He approached it closely , when twenty men sprang out from the bush and fired at him , fortunately without hitting him . When he returned and made his report the general determined to attack and burn the place , and orders were issued for a column , consisting of Russell 's regiment , Rait 's battery , and the Naval Brigade , supported by the 42d and commanded by Colonel M'Leod , to start at one o'clock . The march was not opposed through the bush , but as the scouts entered the clearing a heavy fire was opened upon them . Lord Gifford and almost the whole of his party were more or less severely wounded when the sailors rushed in to their support . For a short time the enemy kept up a heavy fire from the houses , and then fled , leaving about forty of their number dead on the ground .