From the road came creakings and grumblings as some surly guns were dragged away?

This appears to be a description of a military camp or a battlefield, where heavy artillery or other large guns are being moved or transported. The creakings and grumblings suggest the difficulty in moving these heavy objects, and the use of the word "surly" to describe the guns gives a sense of their intimidating or menacing presence. The overall tone is one of activity and commotion as the guns are being relocated.