it was nearly dark when grey returned at last to his tent , having sent out a scouting party , received reports from the regimental captains , waited for the scouting party 's report , conferred with ewart symington , sent ensign brett with stiff remarks to the quartermaster regarding a cask of what purported to be salt beef , but which in fact appeared to be the remains of an extremely elderly horse , made his own report to hal , and written orders for the next day , all with a wad of damp guncotton pressed over his wounded eye .