The Worthington advance., 1878-11-28
The Opening FSyhf,

L.
day break this morning General Brown stood on
the little plain beyond Jumrood, watching the
| march to the front. A picket of the enemy's
cavalry was visible on top of the Shagai ridge,
beyond the range. The advance guard march,
ed briskly on and presently crested a height
where at one O'Clock skirmish fire was open
| ed On tn enemy's picket. The latter retired
after dcsultory reply. Our forces pressing
on and occasionally firing, reached the Shagai
ridge, whence Ali Mnsjid is clearly visible
At noon Ali hlusjid fired the first shell,
which burst in the air. The secnnd shell Was
we'll aimed and flew over thehagstaff of shagai
ridge and fell without bursting teyond.
long halt was necessary to allow our heavy bat
teries to come up, and the interval was utilized
by the horse artillery in placing guns on tho
heights to our right. Fort Ali Musjid replied
aud the filing became somewhat brisk. Mean
while firing was heard to the left of Fort Ali
Music and some persons conjectured it was
McPhersons turning movement on our right
coming into operations but the Afghans about
Fort Ali Musjid held their ground, although
thus apparently threatened on the flank and
front. Our horse artillery fairly served. The
Afghans replied with spirit from Fort Ali
Musjid at first, but afterwards slackly.
at p. NJ. the forty Founders reached the
scene, as also l1agenais's nine Founders. The
horse guns then moved off the ridge and gave
place to the nine-pounder battery, while the
fortv-pounders played against the right of the
Afghan positions. The Afghan guns slowly but
steadily replied, making good practice, es-
peclally from their sevea-pounders in the cen-
tral bastion.
About 2 o'clock two forty FOUNDER shells
crushed into the central bastion and crumbled
great portion of it, apparently dismounting
the gun which had been stubborn.
Soon after o'clock the infantry advanced
briskly. The fourth brigade took the left
slopesof the valley. pressing on through rocks
towards Fort Ali Musjid, while the third brig
adc took the right side. When the last rocky
ridge on the lefs slope vas crossed, a rocky
plateau followed nearly up to the foot OF Ali
Rlusiid rock. The sk;cmishcrs pushed on stead
lly, fr;ng brisk1y and evoki1G sharp reply
fiom tic enemy. who We're studding the rocks
along the slopes. meanwhile hlanderson's bat
terry, moving along the bed OF the stream, had
come into action. -Four guns previously s.
lenced came again into action. and the enemy
developed guns II new placci.
In view of the expected cooperation from
two brigades dispatched on the turning move
1nent and the sun setting while as yet much
had to be done, operations were reluctantly
suspended till tomorrow, precautions being
taken to protect our position, and the troops
bivouacking where they stood. On our left the
third brigade had gained position very close
to the right flank Of Ali Musjid, and, indeed,
they were almost in storming distance.
An advanced detachment of the third brigade
moved forward until they found themselves
confronted by successive lines of cntrcnch-
ments at dusk, when, retiring in accordance
with orders, they were severely handled. Ma or
Birch, who commanded, and Lieut.. Fitzgerald
we're killed, and a lieutenant ana over twenty
Sepoys and fonr artillsEymcn wounded.
ALI MUsJID FALLS.
LONDON. Nov. 22.-A Jumrood dispatch an
noonces the occupation to-day, Friday, of the
fort of Ali Elusjid, which the Afghaus had
abandoned. Sot & shot was fired.
LONDON, Nov. %. i p. MA dispatch from
Jumrood, dated this morning. says: The
Afghaus abandoned Ali Musjid in the course of
the night. Gen. Tyter's brigade having occu-
pied defiie in their rear. We took possession
this morning. without firing shot, and diapo-
sltlons Tor advancing are now being made.
WAR UNDERGRADUATES.
LONDON Nov. 23.-I,nrd I.qwrence's Afghan
commits sion have resolved to organize them
selves permanent basis, and publish a
statement of their viewE. The .1drert;~cr says:
il private telegram received in London es,i
mated the killed and wounded in operations in
khyber pass st 1000.
A dispatch from Thull reports that the Khur-
um column has formed great camp at Fort
Kapyenga Cavalry and portion of infantry
and artillery have pushed forward eight miles
further to Hazarapir. The Inhabitants of the
valley arc friendly, and are bringing in supplies
freely.
LONDON Nov. PA dispatch dated Jamrood,
Friday. says the garrison of Ali Mnsj;d has
hoted preciritately. leaving arms, food, twen-
ty-nne canton and forty OF fifty wounded.
4 considerable number Of prisoner. have been
tax, n, anu it is reported that an Afghan COM
mandcr is among them. Considerable firing
WAS heard up the pass this FRIDAY morning in
the direction IF Tytlcr's turning force. 1t is
believed the Afghans are not in condition to
make any further resistance.