The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-09-27 00:00:00

THE AFGHAN REVOLT.

The following telegram has been sent to the papers from
the India Office for publication :
Frora the VICEItoY, September 20.
"Letter from Ameer, dated 16th September, and
enclosing Turkestan and Herat reports, as follows :
Mutiny of troops and murder of Fakir Ahmed
Juni Civil Governor and Military Commandant
Under Ayoub Khan at Herat, disaffection of three
regiments ordered to march from Taktapul and Mazar
Sheriff to Ali Shahan in Turkestan. Ayonb's letter
to Ameer confirms report of disturbance in Turkestan,
and begs leave to resign his position. Ameer states
that he hopes very shortly to regain his power, and in-
tends to expend the whole of his resources and energy
in maintaining his friendship with the British Govern-
ment.'

" This news is confirmed by following telegram
simultaneously received from Major St. John, in
Randahar :
" ' Letter from Ayoub Khan at Herat to Birder
states that on the sth September Clabuli regiments
mutinied, attacked house of General Fakir Ahmed
Khan, killed him, plundered and burnt his house.
Fakir Ahmed Khan was a noted and very faithful
adherent of Yakoub and his brother, Ayoub Khan;
fied whit the latter into Persia in February, 1875, in
the time of Shere Ali."

The Standard publishes the following telegram from its
.oPecial Correspondent at All Kiley!, dated Sunday even-
ing :.__

An important Embassy has arrived here from the
Arneer.
It is composed of Wazir Shah, Mahomed Khan
and Mustafi Hababoola, with a suite of attendants.
yhey bring assurances of the Ameer's fidelity and
frlpndship ; but, beyond this, the object of their
ission is, as yet, unknown.
The Ghilzai Chiefs are, so far, faithfully carrying
out the agreements which they have signed for fur-
nishing transport beyond the Shaturgardan. The
Prospects, therefore, of an early advance appear more
/avowable at the present moment than they have
hitherto done.
The tribes in the neighbourhood of the Khurum
Valley seem to be unsettled.

A. J.- ehad is being preached in the Khoist Valley,
and also among the Mongols and other tribes.
According to the reports received here, great prepa-
rations are being made by the rebels, and a vigorous
resistance may be expected near Cabul.

A Renter's telegram, dated Simla, Sept. 21, says
The A.fridi and other tribes in the Khyber Pass have
Rtlaranteed the safety of their portions ef the road to
Cabal.
The Shinwarris are volunteering to convey supplies
to the front.
General Roberts's force will advance as soon as suf.
Went means of transport has been supplied.

RAID ON A BRITISH CONVOY.
(From a second edition of Tuesday's Daily News.
ALLAHABAD (via. Tin:MR.O), Sept. 23, 82 &m.
A British convoy returning by Sirkal Kotal, near Shatur-
flordun, was attacked by a party of Mongols on the morning
01 the 22nd.

igtit Sepoys and fifteen mule drivers were killed. The
Mules, rifles, and stores were looted.
The 72nd Regiment went in pursuit of the enemy, who
retired by some unknown paths, and fired from mountain
ops.
(From a Second Edition of Tuesday's Daily Telegraph.)
SHATuRGARIMN, September 22, 6.45 p.m.

„On the 19th inst. Alustanni Habib Allah Khan and Nazir
-12abib Mahomed, two of the highest dignitaries of the
Court of Cabta, occupying the post of confidential advisers
to the Ameer, arrived here with a large retinue, being re-
ceived at the entrance of the camp by a British officer de-
DUted for the purpose.
r, IlleY were the bearers of a letter from the Ameer to
ueneral Roberts' and proceeded on the 20th to the divisional
head•quarters at Ali Kheyl, escorted by a British officer.

The object of this important minion has not transpired,
but it is generally supposed that it is to persuade the Indian
Government to abandon the idea of an advance upon Cabul.

_
During the night of the 19th, about ten o'clock, the camp
Of the 72nd Regiment was tired into. The officers were
standing round a wood tire when shots from a neighbouring
hill were discharged at them.
-- -

-
They immediately scattered the burning logs, that the
enemy should have nothing to aim by, and whilst doing so
were again shot at, a brisk volley being poured into the
"hill One ball entered a soldier's tent and wounded Private
Jackson, as he was preparing to tarn out.

The 72nd picquet and sentries quickly made use of their
rifles in return, and a company was sent out to clear the
round. The marauders, however, had decamped, having
put out the lighted beacon used to show the way to our
Position. They were probably Ghilzals under the influence
at religious excitemedt.
The road to the Karatigha, over the Sirkat Kota!, is now
ready tor the passage of guns, and that across the Shutur-
Bardun Pass down the other side to the bed of the river is
also completed for wheeled traffic.
Permanent telegraph wire has been laid to the crest of
Shuturgardun whence messages have been sent to India
*lnce the 19tit.
A "Duffudar " and " Sower " of the Guides, part of the
'raberey guard which escaped the massacre, arrived here on
the 16th, disguised as Afghans.

- -
Nakshbhand Khan Sirdar Bahadur, who has tied from
Cabul, has taken refuge with us. He was Rissaidar (Major)
W 19th Bengal Lancers.
Badsha Khan's uncle is now at All Kheyl.
This morning some Mongols attacked a convoy of 90 mules,
In charge of 11 sepoys of the sth Punjab Infantry. Eight
aePeys and 15 mule drivers were killed—most of them stabbed
by knives. The Mongols were 400 strong, and surprised the
Party at the foot of the Kotal, an out-of-the-way spot at the
ehtrance of the pass.
At the same time they attacked the tower at the top of the
Tirkal Kotal, held by a detachment of the same regiment
under a British officer. These, however, soon dislodged the
enemy, who had ensconced themselves amongst the rocks
oPPosite and above them Four companies of the 72nd, en-
can:tiled two miles off, were sent in pursuit, but before they
could come up with the enemy the Mongols made off by un-
known paths to their own mountain tops, whence they fired
a Volley in defiance of th.ir pursuers It did no harm, as it
was at a distance of 4,000 yards. They looted several mules,
snider rifles, ammunition, and accoutrement.
The Second Brigade is now holding the Shuturgarduu.
General Baker Is In command, and expects to advance on
..Rhushi very shortly.
This force is composed of the 72nd Highlanders 15th
Goorkhas, and the 15th Punjab Infantry. The 23;c1, at-
tached to General Roberts, is expected here.
The health and spirits of the troops is excellent. The
weather is tine and cold.
BOMBAY, September 23 (2.20 p.m.)

_
The Mongols have attacked a British convoy near the
Shatugardun. Twenty-four have been killed on our side.

The Calcutta Correspondent of The Times says :
" The refusal of the Government to allow non-combatants
to accompany the columns as special correspondents has
been very unfavourably received. The reasons assigned are
that the resources are already taxed to the utmost to supply
food and transport for the combatants and that every extra
raan would add to the difficulty: also that special corre-
ersondents would run great risks and the Government could
not undertake to protect them if they strayed from the
troops. It is generally felt that these reasons will not bear
examination. Indeed, the Government seems almost
ashamed of them, for now it is announced that it hopes to
be able to withdraw the prohibition shortly."

.t.The Bombay Correspondent of the Standard states that
harvest in the valleys approaching Cabul 13 so abundant
ells it Will greatly lessen the necessity for other supplies.