Meteorology.
Drains.
Conservancy.
Water.
Diet.
Rations while
on service.
Rum.
Clothing.
Day and em
-
ployment.
158
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
31st December. The detachment at Abazai was relieved every month during the cold season
and after every two months in the hot. The others were not relieved.
Surgeon-Major Caldwell's account of the meteorology of the year
agrees closely with that given in the report of the XIth (P. W. 0.) Bengal Lan
-
cers. During the heavy rains of November and December the huts sustained
damage, but as only the depot was at Nowshera, there was ample shelter for the
men. The drains (surface) have been deepened, and there is no lodgment of sur
-
face water. No change has taken place as regards conservancy, which is satis
-
factory. The supply of water, too, is good and abundant.
IX. Diet.—In cantonments and in camp at Dilzai and Mackeson, the men purchased their
own supplies from the regimental bunnias, and these were of the usual kind and of good quality.
The food is daily subjected to the approval of the Quarter-master and native officer of the day.
From the 4th December, when active operations commenced, the men received commissariat
rations as follows per man 1 seer ; dhal, 2 chittacks ; ghee, 1 chittack ; salt, 1/3 chittack.
During the first week no other food was obtainable, but after the return of the force to the
plains at the foot of the Shirgussa ridge, a bazar was established there by outside bunnias from
Peshawar, and a great variety of vegetables and spices could be bought in considerable
quantities. In the middle of December, by private arrangement through the civil authorities at
Peshawar, a flock of goats was sent for the regiment ; but as the Men purchased only a few of
them (though the prices were moderate), no further supply was ordered. In .cantonments the con
-
sumption of rum has been limited. During the expedition it was served out during inclement
weather, and tea and sugar to the non-spirit drinkers. There has been no under-feeding, and
the men are well nourished.
Exercise,
amusements
and occupa
-
tions.
X. Clothing.— The clothing was the same as worn in the previous year.
XI. Duty and employment.— The duties in cantonment were much the same as last year,
parades and escorts for commissariat and ordnance stores passing up and down the trunk road.
In camp, besides the duties incidental to active operations, the men were employed when
at Shirgussa in making roads during the day-time. At night the regimental guards were 80
strong, owing to the frequent surprises and firing of the enemy, and the number of nights
in bed was then only 2.76. I consider that, during the expedition, the duties were very arduous
and trying. The average number for the year of nights in bed was 7.58.
XII. Exercise, amusements and occupations.—B esides the regimental gymnasium, through
which the recruits have all to pass, and in which many of the sepoys were exercised, they have
been occupied in laying out a large garden north of the lines and close to the parade-ground,
where a variety of vegetables, spices and some cereals are grown. It has been a success, and
affords healthful occupation and amusement to the men, and they appear to be interested
in its
Progress.
Marches and
service.
Engagement
with the Jowakis.
The Shirgussa
ridge.
XIII. Marches and service.— After the catastrophe at Shahkote, the 27th Punjab
Infantry and 11th Bengal Lancers marched together on the 2nd November west to Dilzai,
a distance of 14 miles, and encamped near that village on the plain below the Cherat hills. Here
they remained till the 29th November, when the regiment was ordered to Mackeson, a
distance of about 18 miles, to join the force assembling there for operations against the Jowakis.
Owing to a defective commissariat, the force was unable to take the field till the 4th December,
but on the morning of that day it commenced its march in two columns to the foot of the
Shirgussa hills, about five miles south-east of Mackeson. Here the artillery began shelling
the heights with their 40-pounder guns, whilst the infantry, covered by their fire, ascended
the hill from two different points, drove off a handful of the enemy who were there, and took
possession. On the top and north side of the ridge the whole force encamped and remained
till the 9th. At daylight on the 6th, the regiment, with the greater part of the force, descend
-
ed the hill into the Bori valley, which they crossed, and commenced the destruction of the
Jowaki villages and towers which were situated at the foot of a high range of hills running
parallel to the Shirgussa ones. Having destroyed as many villages as the daylight would
permit, the force returned at dusk to their former bivouac on the hill. On the 7th and
8th the same operations were continued till all their villages were destroyed. The distance
from the Shirgussa ridge to Bori is but 3 miles, but the force was out the whole day
on the 6th, 7th and 8th, owing to the number of villages and towers that had to be burnt
and blown up. The Shirgussa ridge is about 1,000 feet above the plain, and runs nearly
east and west. It is a steep and rugged hill, covered with low brush-wood and sandstone
boulders and rocks. The soil is sandy and dry, but it proved a most unpleasant place for an
encampment on account of the want of space and the numerous rocks and stones. During
the stay there the sepoys were without tents or bedding, and had their great-coats only to sleep in.
Owing to the altitude and exposed position, the cold at night was very great. Fortunately
. the first few days were fine, but on the night of the 7th there was a heavy fall of rain ;
and the 8th was a dull, cloudy day with drizzling rain, which by 4 P.M. had become a heavy
downpour, which lasted with scarcely any intermission till the night of the 9th. The water
-
supply on the ridge was from small springs and streams on the south side and near the foot of
the hill some distance from camp. On the evening of the 9th, part of the force, including the
regiment, marched to the foot of the hill below the ridge and encamped there in the. open in
a heavy fall of rain, the commissariat having failed in bringing over the tents from Mackeson,
a distance of five miles. At the
Shirgussa,
where the regiment remained till the morning of the