Medical
Officer.
Location and
movements.
Detachment.
Topography,
lines, drainage
and conser-
vancy.
'Water.
Food.
Clothing.
Duties.
Exercise,
amusements,
&c.
Marches and
service.
Boots.
Hospital.
RAWAL PINDI DIVISION.
143
29th (Punjab) Reginment, Native Infantry—Talagang.
I. Medical Officer.—Surgeon-Major J. P. Wright has been in medical charge
of the regiment throughout
the year, and has compiled
the annual report, which is
dated from Camp Turki.
II. Location and movements.
The regimental head-quarters were
at Talagang from 1st January to
5th November, on which day they
marched towards Khooshalghur.
The regiment crossed the Indus
on 9th November, from which
date it has been attached to the field
force under Brigadier-General
Keyes, C.B.,V.C. It has been
partly at Khooshalghur and partly
in the Jowaki Afridi country,
taking part in the operations
against Jummoo and Garuba, and on the 31st December it again marched to Shindeh and
Garuba; a detachment of 175 men marched to Attock on 24th April and returned to Talagang
on 8th August, having been absent 106 days, and having at Attock an average strength of
169.81. When the regiment marched from Talagang, a party of 76 men remained behind,
including the recruits. This party was later on somewhat increased and on 31st December it
numbered 101 of all ranks.
As regards topography, the lines, their drainage, and conservancy, Surgeon-
Major Wright has nothing to add to the report for 1876. Further experience has
confirmed his impression regarding the salubrity of the station, There was no
overcrowding, on account of the absence of the detachment at Attock and of
men on furlough. The trees have made good progress, and the station is kept
very clean. There are only three wells, and they get low in the hot weather.
The propriety of increasing the sources of water-supply has been suggested to
the authorities. Prices of food- supplies were about one-third dearer than in
1876 on account of deficient crops and export, but the men are well nourished.
Further experience has confirmed Dr. Wright in his good opinion of poshteens
and chogas as soldiers' garments. The men suffered very little from cold during
the inclement weather they encountered on the march. Duties are light, nights
in bed averaging 11.29.
Exercise, amusements, &c.—The men are generally fond of athletic and gymnastic
sports, and are often proficients in such exercises, but the great passion of the regiment is for
rifle shooting, in which all are much interested, and in which the regiment has taken and kept
the highest place in the native army, and has furnished an exceptionally large number of
marksmen, while taking an exceptionally large number of prizes.
Marches and service.— The head-quarters of the regiment marched only on the 5th
November as noted in paragraph II. A detachment marched to Attock in April, returning to
Talagang in August. The men marched exceedingly well, and showed that the light work of
Talagang had not spoiled them for active service. The distance to Khooshalghur (61 or 62
miles) was done within 66 hours, and with no misadventure or bad result whatever. On 12th
and 26th December, the regiment marched 23 miles through a bad country, and on neither
occasion was a single man left behind. While marching, the men are allowed to wear boots
or native shoes, and the majority prefer the latter. When the new allowance in aid of half
mounting was granted, I suggested that part of it might, with much advantage, be used
in the purchase of stout socks to wear under the boots. Boots without socks are radically
vicious, but if men are not compelled to wear boots on all occasions, the urgency of the need
for change is greatly lessened.
The same hospital is in use and anwers its purpose well. There are no
quarters for hospital assistants or native medical pupils. This has been repeat-
edly brought to notice.
XV. Sickness, mortality, and invaliding.— Strength of the regiment—
Present
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
621.63
Absent
.
.
.
.
. .
.
.
.
.
83.71
Total
.
705.34
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
. Jhelum, Nov. 1869
.
145.9
1.2
4.7
1873
. Peshawur, Feb. 1873 .
277.2
1.8
5.5
1874
Ditto
.
237.1
1.
5.4
1875
.
Ditto
.
236.33
1.42
4.97
1876
. Talagang, March 1876.
126.59
.15
2.63
Average
.
.
204.62
1.11
4.64
1877
. Talagang
.
.
55.49
.56
1.20
Sickness,
mortality, and
invaliding.