to-ings and fro-ings

All sorts of light horse are seen dashing about northern Bohemia, but it isn't entirely clear what they are doing, where they are going, or what they have seen. Generals and field marshals sit late into the night in their tents, tapping their fingers and pacing about their maps. But no great fireworks take place, and staff officers wear out a good many horses to no (apparent) good end.