It was otherwise with Binacayan, for Marina's Brigade having made a reconnaissance in force on the 28th, were received with a heavy fire, and after an hour's skirmish in which some were killed on each side, they returned to their camp at Bacoor; Lachambre considering that an attack in that direction would result in a useless waste of life, for the advance would be along narrow causeways across swamps. Having received provisions and ammunition by sea from Manila, he returned with his division to Imus, the garrison of which had not been molested by the rebels. At daylight on the 31st March, the division left Imus and marched across country in a westerly and southerly direction, fording numerous streams running at the bottom of deep ravines, as well as many irrigating canals and ditches. Soon after the start the right flank was fired upon, the fire increasing as the column moved forward. The engineers had to improve the approaches to the fords of the Rivers Julian and Batong Dalig under fire. The leading brigade carried several entrenchments on its front and flank without halting, but extending skirmishes on either flank to beat off the enemy. The rear brigade was attacked on both flanks and had to fight a rearguard action as well. The division bivouacked for the night at Bacao, a point from which it threatened the rebel towns of San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Rosario and Noveleta, all within easy reach. The losses on the day's march were 6 killed and 37 wounded, whilst 400 rebel killed were counted on open ground, and many must have fallen amongst the bushes and trees. They, however, were not at all dismayed, and surrounded the bivouac at night, firing repeated volleys and engaging the outposts. On the following day (1st April), the division with all its baggage crossed the River Ladron, and took up a position in the centre of a large tract of rice-fields, having Noveleta on the north, San Francisco on the south, Rosario and Santa Cruz to the west, and San Antonio on the east. San Antonio was first taken by assault after the parapet had been breached by the fire of two batteries of mountain guns. The fugitive Tagals who escaped with their lives took refuge in Noveleta. The situation was now as follows: Arizon's Brigade threatened Noveleta, Marina's Brigade threatened Rosario and Sarralde's Brigade attacked Santa Cruz--the baggage being in the centre and out of fire. At this moment a dense mass of the enemy issuing from San Francisco, made a desperate attack upon the Spaniards nearest to them. The whole of the division with its twelve guns, was now in action and surrounded by the enemy, Lachambre in the centre keenly watching the fight. When he judged the right moment had arrived, he ordered Arizon's Brigade to storm Noveleta.