 While retreating, several bands of stragglers joined the column en route, boosting its strength to approximately 3,000 men.On October 26, three battalions of the 5th Division had silently crept close to the hill positions of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, guarding a supply dump near Kojo.They attacked so swiftly at one platoon position that fifteen marines were killed there - seven in their sleeping bags.