Enter Messenger.
Messenger. Our right wing is retreating. The Fifth Regiment is completely destroyed.
Chief Engineer. According to plan. Sixth Regiment replace them.
Tramp. Ho, yuss!... There was other reports that began ‘The Regiment was butchered—accordin’ to plan!’ And after ’is battle, ’e’ll go round and scan The corpses, all ’eaped up—’accordin’ to plan’.
Enter Stretcher-bearers with wounded.
A Wounded Man. The fifth Regiment, our regiment—we’re all destroyed. Stop! Stop!
[Telegraph instrument clatters.
Signal Officer. (Reading dispatch) ‘Fifth regiment destroyed. We await orders.’
Chief Engineer. Sixth take its place. (To 2nd Engineer) Issue a report.
2nd Engineer. The battle is developing successfully. The Fifth Regiment especially distinguished itself, heroically repelling all attacks, whereupon it was relieved by the Sixth.