Complex sentence: Cut off from any sources of information, many in the garrison thought it might mean the war in Europe had ended; in fact, the British merely wished to send Sergeant Taylor, who was in German captivity, a few gifts.
Split into simpler sentences: Cut off from any sources of information, the garrison believed the war in Europe had ended. In fact, the British merely wished to send Sergeant Taylor, who was in German captivity, a few gifts.