64
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL,
as any regiment could do. The sick were as usual conveyed in doolies. At this camp there is
a fine view of the hills and snowy range.
On 29th October we started at 4 A.M. for the first march of 12 miles, halting for half
an hour after the first six miles, and again on reaching the
12th milestone at 10 o'clock A.M. At 11-30 A.M. we again
were on the march for our camp at Sahawar, a distance of
15 miles, or a double march that day of 26 miles. Up to this time, that is, from Jhelum, there
were but four sick, but we now left camp with 16 (one coup de soleil ). Extra carriage was enter
-
tained for the large number of sick. We were encamped on the ground close to the 28th Native
Infantry and Her Majesty's 5th Fusiliers, who were proceeding by regular marches. The number
of sick had now greatly increased, and the following carriage had to be entertained:—one ekka
in excess of the eight doolies in hand. At 4 A.M. of the
30th October we again struck tents and were on the march
to Mundea, a distance of 20 miles. Here we halted till 8-15,
partook of a hasty meal, halting for half an hour only; and resumed our march 8-15 A.M.,
passing 12 miles of most beautiful country, the road being up-hill nearly all the way, and
encamped for the night at Mundea,* having accomplished a march of 20 miles, and as a
consequence a certain proportion of foot-sores. The heat
o n
this second march was something dreadful, and a recommenda
-
tion was made to the Commanding Officer to have no marches
in the heat of the day. He at once quite coincided, and subsequent marches were ordered for
3 A.M. and 4 P.M. daily. Water-supply ample and provisions plentiful and good; encamping ground
very good, but having been so recently vacated was in rather a dirty state, but was soon cleaned
up. It was now considered advisable to ascertain the state of the regiment, and a parade was
ordered at 5 P.M. in undress for my inspection. A very large proportion of the men was suffer
-
ing from foot-sores caused by the long marches, and had they been continued, the regiment
would have arrived at Peshawar in a most inefficient state and quite unable to take the field.
Seventy men were picked out by me as unable to march any further. Here orders were received
from head-quarters to proceed the remainder of the distance by single marches. Indeed, the regi
-
ment could not possibly have continued their double marching. We
started again at 4 A.M., 31st October, to Rewat, a short march
of 11½ miles only. The country is hilly all round, but was in excellent order for wheel convey
-
ance. The regiment arrived at 8-10 A.M., and as soon as the baggages arrived the camp was
pitched. All the men were in fair health and excellent spirits.
At 4 A. M., 1st November, we were again on the move for
Rawal Pindi, a distance of 11 miles, and arrived at 8-5 A.M., and the usual pitching of tents, &c.,
commenced on arrival of the baggage. The ground here selected was on the left of the road
close to the latrines and under the walls of the new fort—a more unsuitable site could not have
been given owing to the stench purveying the whole camp-ground. I accordingly suggested to
the Commanding Officer that the site should be changed and tents pitched on more appropriate
ground; this was at once done, and the tents pitched on it to the south of Her Majesty's 12th
Regiment, who were encamped about 500 yards ahead. The ground or rest camps are here
situated on the Mal or Grand Trunk Road. There is a deep well of good water close by, and pro
-
visions of all kinds procurable at moderate prices. An indent was here again forwarded for
carriage on the "Cabul scale," but the Commissariat could not comply, so I was forced to
make other arrangements for the comfort of the sick, and which I found no difficulty in doing.
The regiment halted for two days at this station partly for
rest after their long marches and partly to admit of making
some necessary arrangements for the subsequent journey.
At 4 A.M. of the 3rd we were again on the move towards Janike- Sung as called by the
inhabitants, but really "John Nicholson." The camp was
pitched on the south of the road, a quarter of a mile from the
thanah, in an open space of ground near which there is a well
with plenty of good water. Grass scarce for horses, but provisions good and ample.
At 4 A.M. we were again on our way to Hussun Abdool, a distance of 14½ miles. The road is
in excellent order, and the scenery the whole way picturesque
through low mountainous country. Water to be had on the line
of march if required. Extra carriage entertained for the sick. We reached the camp ground at
8-15 A.M. A beautiful spot on the banks of a winding river with groves of trees in every direc
-
tion to the front, and a little to the rear of the camp is a mountain rising from the road to
about 1,000 feet, extremely difficult of ascent owing to the enormous blocks of rock projecting
in all-directions. Provisions of all kinds, as also fruit and fodder for horses and camels, is plenti
-
ful. The encamping ground high and dry and well selected.
At 4-30 A.M. of the 5th November tents were again struck and the regiment was on the move,
marching towards Lawrencepore, where we arrived at 9-10
A.M., and were encamped in a ploughed field—decidedly the
worst ground we had met with. The sites for tents had to be cleared and made ready.
There is little or no fodder for cattle, no bazar or tehsil, and the surrounding country bore
evidence of having recently been denuded of all crops, but chiefly long thatching grass. It is
29th October 1878.—March to
Sahawar, 26 miles.
30th October 1878.—March to
Mundea, 20 miles.
* Here we were encamped along with
25th Regiment and detachment 72nd.
Total sick 31.
31st October 1878.—March to Rewat,
11½ miles.
1st November 1878.—Rawal Pindi,
11 miles.
1st and 2nd November 1878.—Halt.
3rd November 1878.—Janike-Serai
or Sung, John Nicholson, 13¼ miles.
4th November 1878.—Hussun Ab
-dool, 14½ miles.
5th November 1878.—Lawrencepore,
11 miles.