My officers and men were careless of
precautions; the sentries were nearly all asleep. The cannon had been
loaded with shell instead of canister. The Woolwich tubes had been put
away so safely that they could not be found when wanted. The gun had not
been sighted for close distance, neither had any of my most positive
instructions been carried out. The artillerymen were sound asleep upon
their mats around their neglected gun.
I have already described the tactics of Bari night attacks. There can be
no doubt that their scouts must have crept close to the camp, and must
have returned to the main body without having been observed by the
sentries. The report that all were asleep, or off their guard, had been
delivered.
It is supposed that some thousands of the enemy moved cautiously
forward, concealed by the darkness, upon ground that otherwise could not
have admitted a stealthy approach.
Fortunately for the expedition, one or two of the cattle sentries were
awake, otherwise the entire force must have been massacred.
The Baris crept forward without being observed, until they arrived near
the silent and sleepy camp. Then with sudden shrieks and yells they
rushed forward in a mass upon the unsuspecting troops!
