The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-10-11 00:00:00

THE MARCH ON CABUL.

The Standard publishes the following telegram from its
special correspondent with General Roberts' column, dated
Zargoon Sbahr, Oct. 3:—

The whole of General Roberts's force assembled here
to-day.
Yakoob Khan and his son and suite rode in with
General Roberts.

Two Pretenders to the Throne, namely, Walli
Mshomed, and a son of Mahomed Sheriff Khan, a
Sudozai chief, are also here,
- -

Three troopers of the 12th Bengal Cavalry, who
were at the time of the massacre on furlough at Cabul,
made their escape from that city yesterday, and
arrived in camp today. They state that there is no
head or direction of the insurrection at Cahn', and that
all is c-mfusion.
The artillery did not join the mutineers, but held
themselves altogether aloof from the affair. They at
present hold Bala Hisser for the Ameer and protect
his property and family. They threaten openly, how-
ever, that unless the Ameer returns to Cabul imme-
diately and takes command of the whole troops against
the British, they will sack the Bala Hisser and city,
and disperse, as they cannot fight without a leader.
The Afghan Regiments are erecting strong entrench.
ments on the ground rising behind and commanding
the Bala Hisser.

A. decisive action in front of Cabtd is now expected.

We shall advance to-morrow t 9 Zadibabad.
The Spiga and Zurmat sections of the Ghilzais are
troublesome, and have been marauding beyond the
the Shaturgsrdan, and threatening that position.
Yesterday their attitude was so threatening that
Colonel Money, with the 3rd Sikhs, determined to
drive them off. He therefore attacked them and de.
feated them with ease, inflicting a loss of 30 killei and
many wounded. Major Griffiths and a sergeant of the
67th Foot were slightly wounded.

-
The Ghilzais dispersed, and the communications are
now open and undisturbed. These small affairs will
probably recur as long as the Pass is open, but they
are of no real consequence.

A Renter's telegram dated Simla, October 4, says :
General Roberta's column reached Zabidabad
yesterday; he experienced some difficulty with the
transport service.
The government has received no positive informa-
tion with regard to the attitude of the Afghan troops
in and about Cabul ; there is no appearance of their
having any leaders.
On the 2nd inst. the Ghilzais assembled in great
force on a ridge of the Shaturgardan, where they
were attacked by the British troops and repulsed with
a loss of thirty killed. On the English side, Major
G-riffiths, of the 3rd Sikhs, Sergeant Dularia, of the
signalling party, and three men belonging to the 3rd
Sikhs were wounded. Yesterday morning a party
of Guides and a detachment of the 9th Regiment
reconnoitred in the direction of Peshbolak.

The Governor of Jellalabad his seat in his submis-
sion to General Gough.

The following telegrams received at the India Office, have
been forwarded to the papers for publication:—
" Oct. s.—Roberts detained yesterday at Z ihidabad
for transport; advances today to Claarasiab, one
march from Calml. All well."

October 5 (Later). "Month September very
fauourable to crops on whole. Floods and .xcessive
rain done harm, parts Bengal and N orth-West ; rain
deficient in few limited tracts.

'Relief operations continue in Deccan; prospects
seaPon generally satisfactory, in parts excellent.
Prices tending slowly downwards.
"Shall send no further season telegram unless
matters change."

SEVERE FIGHTING.-AFGHAN DEFEAT.
OFFICIAL TELEGRAM.
The following telegram was received at the India Office
on Wednesday afternoon :
FROM GENERAL SIB F. ROBERTS, Vi 4 SIBITARGUBLAN,
OCTOBER 8, 1879.

Charasiab, 6th October, 8 p m.—Reconmitring
parties sent out on all roads to Cabul at day-
break this morning. Reported enemy were advancing
in great force from direction of city. Parties had
t') retire, and soon afterwards the high range of
hills intervening between Charasiab and Cabul
were crowned with troops and city people, while
parties of Ghilzais appeared on the hills, running along
both flanks of camp, and reports were received that
the road to Zahidabad was threatened, along which
G,.neral M'Pnerson was advancing with large convoy
of stores and ammunition. Warning was sent to
M.Therson, and some assistance in cavalry. It was
absolutely necessary to carry the heights in front before
evening.
General Baker was intrusted with this very diffi-
cult duty, which he completed in the most admirable
manner. He sent a party under Major White, 92nd
Highlanders, consisting of a wing of that regi-
ment, three guns, Bth Battery 3rd Brigade Royal
Artillery, 100 of 23rd Pioneers, and two squadrons
sth Punjaub Cavalry, to advance by the right of
the gorge. After an obstinate resistance, Major
White succeeded in driving the enemy off the main
hills, and later in the day captured 12 'guns ; our
loss here, three Highlanders killed, sir wounded, and
a man of the sth Pnnjaub Cavalry killed, two wounded,
and a 91h Lancer man. General Baker, with 72nd
Highlanders, wing sth Goorkhas, 100 of sth Pun-
j aub Infantry, remainder 23rd Pioneers, four
guns of No. 2 Mountain Battery and two Gatlings,
made a turning movement to the left, and was
soon hotly engaged. He reports that the advance
of the troops was made to his entire satisfaction, height
after height being carried in gallant style; our loss,
Captain Young, sth Punjab Infantry, Lieutenant
Ferguson, 72d Highlanders, Dr. Duncan, 231 Pioneers,
wounded, and about 70 men killed and wounded;
enemy's loss unknown, but it must have been con-
siderable; they fled in great confusion and lost two
standards.

We have strong picquets posted, as large numbers
of Gbilziis are still in the neighbourhood, but I hope
to-morrow to be able to march within a short
distance of Cahill. Ameer states that Bala Hissar
is no longer in possession of people he can trust;
his family have moved into the city. The head-
men of Chardeh and suburbs of Cabal have
asked if they may par, their respects to me. Others
will probably follow their example; and I am san-
guine that the country will quiet down now that the
people see opposition is useless; but at present there
is very great excitement in the city and country
generally. I received greatest assistance throughout
the day from army signalling under direction of
Captain Stratton, 22nd Regiment,

Writing from Simla under date Oct. 5, the Corre-
spondent of The Times says :—" A lamentable affair
happened on Tuesday between Chappri and Mandori,
in the Kuram Valley. Lieutenant Kinloch, of the
12th Bengal Cavalry, while proceeding to join his regi•
meat, was attacked by some 40 hill marauders, who
were lying concealed near the road. He fell at the
first volley, but his servant escaped. His body was
suhsequently recovered and brought into Thall. This
occurrence has impressed upon the Government the
necessity of taking precautions to protect officers and
small bodies proceeding to the front. Orders have
been issued that the marauders are to be shot wherever
seen, and probably steps will be taken to strengthen
the cavalry escorte through the Kuram valley. Not-
withstanding. those isolated outrages, there is no ap-
pearance of an organized opposition on the part of the
tribes. Bverything is quiet beyond the Shaturgardan.
Supplies are said to be plentiful in the Logar Valley
and coming in well."

CESSATION OF DIPLOMATIC RE-
LATIONS WITH BURMAH.
A itenter's fdlegtilm from Simla says that Mr. St.
Barbs, the Assistant British Resident in Burmab,
has left Mandalay with the whole of the establishment
of the Residency. He had previously given notice to the
authorities, in accordance with instructions from the
Indian Government, that he was about to quit the
capital. Since the departure of Colonel Horace
Browne his position had become more and more un-
sltisfactory, and the continuance of diplomatic re-
lations even for routine business was impossible.—A
Times' telegram dated Mandalay, Oct. 6, says :

"The Brit;sh Resident, with his clerks and the Madras
Guards, walked this morning, at 6 20, from the Residency,
through the main street, to a steamer unmolested. The
people appeared to be much surprised. At the same time
notice was given to British subjects, some of whom went on
board the steamer. All is quiet at Mandalay. The Bur-
mese officials appear unconcerned. The steamer is expected
to leave to-morrow."

NEW RECIPE POE GOOSEBERRY-FOOL,—Firat catch
your Fool, and then give him plenty of cheap Chem.
pagne.—Punch.