The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-28
CONQUERING THE AFGHANS.

FURTHER DETAILS OF GENERAL ROBERTS DE-
cIsIvE VICTORY IN TIE PEIwAR PAss-HARD
FIGHTING AND HOW THE INDIAN TROOPS
STOOD UP TO 1T. -M.
London Times Calcutta Correspondence
Mahommed Azim's Fort in thu Kuram Valley was
occupied without opposition by General Roberts
the 25th OF November, which date the adj
vanced guard under Colonel Gordon consisting of
the Twenty Punjab native infantry. the Fifth
Punjab infantry. a mountain train battery and
squadron of the Tenth Hussars campod on the
plain near the fort. Wood and supplies
and great confusion was APP
parent in the commissariat arrangements
The division gradually concentrated here and
the 2stn advanced toward the Peiwar Pass. dis
tance or fifteen miles. in two brigades. The First
brigade, leading the way consisted Of the Eighth
foot Fifth Punjab infantry, Twenty ninth native IN
fantry and Twenty-thrd pioneers, with mountain
train The Second brigade, following, consisted of
the Seventy-sccond Highanders. Second Punjab in
fantry, and batteries Royal Horse artil-
lery, the Twelfth Bengal cavalry. with one
squadron of the Tenth Hussars and the Fifth
Goorkhas. Brigadier Cobbe commanded the First.
and Brigader Thelwall the Second brigade. The
advance began at three A. NJ the troops marching in
biting. cold wind, blowing stony plateau.
accommodating in 'front.' reported that the enemy had
been seen in the villages and undulating ground be-
fore the Peiwar hills The Twenty ninth and Fifth
Punjab infantry and two mountain guns were ut
once detached to the left and proceeded under cover
of low range OF hills till they reached the Mangal
village of Tooscrunge. f&-
THE DEFnEs.
From this point the road turned mp a steep deflo
and crossed ranges overlooking the village Turgia
Here the enemy WAS first seen, some swArming up
the pass and others still far down The Fifth Punjab
infantry rapidly pushed down and occupied the
village. while the Twenty-ninth went up tho
glen. hoping to gain the summit before
dusk. The enemy now commenced firing from
higher ground, but the Twenty ninth pushed and
the leading companies succeeding in gaining posi-
ton well up the glen. amid thick pine forest. A
hot skirmish then opened the Afghans using their
artillery. while the remainder of the division push
ing directly to the front, came into action and
replied by sharp infantry and artillery fire. Even
criy to support the Twenty ninth natiye infan-
try, and the troops had been under since
tire to byouac. On their way back the Twentyninth
came under heavy fire from the Afghans who
crowned the crags above and poured down brisk
mirably and the whole force ultimately bivouacked
under the pass. There was, of necessity, much
fusion in the camp Our casualties are, Lieuten
Reid of the Twenty ninth, dangerously wounded;
about sixteen Sepoys killed and wounded
A NIGHT DEVELOPMENT.
From the 23th to the 30th the division halted to
enable supplies to come up. The enernys position
very strong and imprcenable in front consisted of
high range OF pine clad hills and precipitous cliffs.
The road the pass led through high commanding
hills. The enemy occupied . front OF some
miles and numbered 1000 men. They had twenty
four guns. all placed commanding points. The
front also strengthened by telling pine and
on the cres. Of the pass and amused themselves b.
firing long shots into the camp The position having
been thoroughly reconnoitred. General Roberts.
the night OF the LIST, made a march with five rcg-
ments, four Horse Artillery guns and mountain
battery, with view to surprising and turning the
to make front attack and silence the guns in
position. The movement WAS well planned and
the night march The force moved due south
three miles. then turned up the bed of torrent
toward the spn-gawi kotal. or crest under main
| range. The 9th Goorkhas leading. next the rad
Highanders and the 2gth. with mountain battery.
as the assaultng column. came at dawn unobserved
on the enemy's intrenchments in the dense Pine
| forests. As the day broke sharp roll OF
Sniders from the Goorkhas smote the Afghan line.
I and IN very few minutes Major Firzhugh and his
gallant little Goorkhas had captured the rst line Of
| The enemy intrenchments
THE ENEMY GIVES WAY. .sftt I'LL
| The Seventy second Highlandcrs and the Twenty.
ninth Punjab infantry. pushing rapidly now gave
material assistance and before the sun well up
| the whole OF the elemys left flank gained. Re-
sistancc, though short determined. the enemy
| leaving seventy dead on the ground On side
poor Captain kelso, OF the artillery shot dead.
! and several Goorkhas and number of tho
| Seventy second Highlanders were hit The troops.
\ sweeping through the intrcnchments. collected
on q wide plateau OF the ridge to the left.
The Twcnty-ninth were sent out to skirmish
through the pine forest ahd along the backbone Of tho
ridge leading down to the Pass, the Goorkhss and the
! Seventy second Hghlanders acting support with
the second brigade in the rear. The Object Of the
1 movement was to join hands with the front attack
from the camp. whence our heavy guns and the Mar.
tin-Henrys Of the Eighth could be distinctly heard.
| The Twenty-ninth pressed ON, and for mile met
| no resistance. but on reaching the ridge
looking the Kotal the enemy were seen crowding
mn the slopes and forests to the right front eyi.
! IDENTIFY with the object of cutting OF our rear.
sharp skirlish ensued. Some OF the Twenty ninth
pushed on to the enely's ridge. but, being over
4 whelmed by superior numbers, mad to fall back
| short distance The Afghans were now in great
force and from nine to four our troops were sharply
1 engaged. battery then enhladod the Afghan left
flank, and the whole OF our front was lined by the
! First and Second brigaies. An inccssant fire was
nude dank movement to cut of the encmy's
treat leaving tho second Punjab infantry to line the
ridges aud the Twenty-nnt to guard the wounded.
! LOOT.
About four the pass was evacuated. and a dusk tho
enemy were In full retreat, the hank movement evil
IDENTIFY making them fearful for their communica-
tions. Our troops bivouack;d on the field ct eleva-
tons varying from 5000 feet to 1900 feet. Water
scarce. but wood fortunately, abundant. Our
loss two officers and twenty men killed. aud two
| oths and seventy-une men wounded. 1t is sup
! posed the eucmy left nearly three hundred dead.
| over one hundred and thirty being found on the
| field. Twenty guns and large amount Of stores
and rites captured, aud by the 4th of De-
celnbcr the Afghan held force was in utter rout.
| The most complete. The position
| taken could hardly have been stronger. The enemy
fought both with skill and dcterupkuation. A in al
cover lighting, tho element OF charce played q
The night march being undiscovered was most for
tunate circumstance Had the enemy kept the slight
est lookout must have met with Tho
front attack well carried ont the Eighth foot and
the Fifth Punjab infantry getting up within one thou
sand yards Of the pass, while the horse artillery made
splendid practice completely silencing their guns by
| two p. NJ, and at three the pace was evacuated.
49, .xf..r~v