The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-10-18 00:00:00

THE ENTRY INTO CABUL, -

The Standard of Monday morning pnblished the
fullowing from their Special Correspondent :
CHARASIAB (Through Dakka), OA 6, 10.0 p.m.

Early this morning a cavalry reconnaissance discovered
that the enemy were posted in great force in a very strong
position on the hills four miles from Cabul.
General Baker's Brigade was ordered to carry the posi-
tion Baker himself, with the main body of his troops,
moved round so al to develope a strong left flank attack,
while a portion of the 92nd Highlanders and 23rd Pioneers,
under Major White, supported by a field battery, moved
igurward in direct attack of the position.
The artillery fire was admirable, and greatly aided our
advance. The Highlanders climbed a high hill in front of
the slimly's position, and dr,•ve them off the crest in gallant
style; then, pursuing them hotly, crowned a second crest.
The enemy opposed a most obstinate resistance to Baker's
flanking column, fighting behind their strong positions with
great determination. The Afghans at last fell hack throngti
the gorge, and as they did so the cavalry dashed forward
and pressed them back. The enemy, however, were still
fu'l, of fi,ht and fired heavily upon them.
It=tiring from the gorge the Afghans took up a strong
°salon in a fortified village on the plain beyond. It was
now nightfall, and Baker's troops were ordered to hold the
position. Part of the troops bivouacked on the heights they
had won for the night; thereat returned to camp.
Our losses are at present unknown, but the 72nd High-
landers, in the left attack, have suffered heavily. We have
taken sixteen guns, four Armstrongs, and twelve mountain

guns.
We march on'orab at 5.0 a.m. to morrow.

. The Evening Standard of Monday publishes the fol-
nwing from their Special Correspondent :
BEFORE C41317L, Oct. 10.
On the morning of the Bth the whole Cavalry Brigade,
consisting of a squadron of the 9th Lancers, the sth
Punjab Cavalry, 12th Bengal Cavalry, and the 14th Bengal
Lancers, were ordered to mount suddenly, and trotted along
the roads towards Bala Hisser. On nearing the fort the brigade
turned to the right, skirting the hills. It then trotted on to
Shahpore, where the enemy were reported the day before
A large body of the enemy were discovered upon a high
bill to the front swarming along the ridge. It seemed difficult
to turn their position.
The brigade, however, advanced, and halted close to a
large fort. It was found deserted.
Through an open gate a squadron of the sth Punjab
Cavalry entered and discovered seventy two guns, Arm-
strong!, mountain battery, and howitzers.

The magszlne was still smouldering, having been blown up
tho night before when the enemy abandoned the f ,rt. This
accounts for the tremendous shock felt in the camp.
The cavalry now took up a position in reserve, and were
placed on all the roads guarding the retreat. The artillery
advanced from the camp and th died the heights, the eaemy
returning the tire.
Running along the entire crest of the eretny's hill was a
high wall. Their camp was pitched with its base facing the
cavalry bolding the rear of tha hill.
The Artiliery fired until sunset, the enemy maintaining the
position, from which It was impossible to dtslodgl them
without Infantry.

Biker's Brigade did not come up until it was too dark to
make an attack. The Cavalry b vouacked at nigrit inside
some walk(' enclosures. Just b4ore dark the lath Bogal
Ltnara made a dash and killed some men firing at our
water parties.
_ _ _ . _

Early- in the morning the 9th Cavalry observed that the
enemy's position was abandoned. The line of retreat was
ascertained to be towards Ghnzni, and they had been flying
all night.
A rely harassing pursuit took place. It was carried on
for flteen miles. dome of the horses fell out and died. The
enemy were scattered on the hills in all directions in small
parties. Some troops of the stla Puojib Cavalry pursued
them over the hills: another party cut off the retreat, and
17 were killed. There were no more signs of the enemy,
who were completely routed.
The 1211 Bengal Cavalry reconnoitred come miles farther,
and twenty one miles off captured six field guns, six
mountain guns, some eleghants, camels, horses, dc:., and a
few prisoners. The remainder of the force returned to camp,
dob.g nearly forty miles that day.
On returning they rode throug'a the city of Cabul, now
entertd for the first time. The tiazasr was immense and
picturesque. Some shape were open, and people sitting
about. The merchants are returning daily.
We found the camp pitched on a new site, close to the
Bala 11 saar.

The Artillery and the Cavalry are in the plain; the Infantry
on a small hill in the rear. All was quiet last night. The
date of the final entry is ma-known.
There are some doubts as to the Bala Hussar being mined.
No more fighting here is expected, Cough there may be a
little in the country later on The expedition has been en-
tirely successful. The troops have worked splendidly, ad-
vancing without tents, and carrying their rationa.
Roberts deserves well for his energy in successfully com-
batting grave transport difficulties.

The following has been sent to the p%pers from the
India Office
(From Viceroy, October 13.)

Roberts telegraphs all accounts agree, troops completely
routed, and tribes who were assembling to fight us returned
to their homes. He requests heavy battery coming up
with Khyber column may go back to India, as the heavy
guns and howitzers originally presented by British Govern-
ment to Ameer are in our possession complete. Rorerts
visited Bala Hissar 11th ; was to make public Entry into
Cabul 12th. Most of the influential men of city have paid
their respects.

The following were killed on the 6th :-72nd Highlanders
—651, Sergeant George Slat; 205, Private Henry Cracknell ;
1,614, Piper James Macpherson; 2056,, Private James
Walker; 2,054, Private James Hogg. 92nd Flighlaxclers-
-09, Private Barnes; 404, Gellately ; 918, James Meek.
Jemadar Khanemula and four men, sth Punp.,b Infantry;
Ave men bib Goolkhas; one, 23rd Pioneers, and five doolle
bearers—total, 24.

Woanded.—Captain It G. Kennedy, slightly, on 4th;
Surgeon Andrew Duncan, 23rd Pioneers, and Captain C.
Young, sth Punj ,h Infantry, both seriously, on fich ; and
Denten:tut C. A. Ferguson, 72nd Highlanders, slightly ; 31
of 720 d Highlanders, 6 of 92nd Highlanders, 3 of sth Punjab
Infantry, 10 of 5:11 Goorkhas, and 3 cloolie bearers—total, 07.

The following has been sent from the India Office
to the papers for publication :

(From Viceroy, October 14th)

Brigadietr-Ganeral, Ali Kheyl, telegraphs bis camp attacked
daybreak by large number ot Stampsls, Shinwaris, Hassan
and Ahmed Khels' very boldly; well met by 29th and Bth;
counter attack by Cavalry detail and Fttantry, with complete
yuccess ; enemy left many dead, 23 bodies brought in, more
expected. Our casualties, live slightly wounded; our at-
tacking parties returning unmolested.