The New York herald., 1879-12-29
HOW THE TRIBES ROSE.

HOW THE TRIBES ROSE.
[The London Times summarizes the events which
preceded the victory Of the 23d inst 1t believes that
the rising was general one. From Kohistan in tho
north to MADAM, zaimukht and Logar in the south.
fanatical Afghans swarmed forth at the bidding Of
their still fanatical mollahs and Sir F. Roberts,
deeming it wise to nip these gatherings in the bud.
took steps to prevent junction of the malcontents.
and then to scatter them before a serious combina-
tion could be effected. His plan of operations
simple enough-one which has been tried times
without number In Oriental campaigns, and usually
with success. On tho 9th Brieadier General II.
Baker, c. b. with weak brigade Of all arms. con-
ssting of four mountain guns. the Fifth Punjab
cavalry, under that beau saJreur Lieutenant Colonel
Benjamin Williams; 45O of the Ninety-second High
landers and 45o OF the Fifth Punjab infantry moved
by crcutous route, with the intention Of placing
himself between the southern insurgents and
their stronghold Ghazni. At the same. time
Brigadier General Macpherson. v. c.. c. b.. moved
out with q stronger brigade. consisting OF
squadron Of the Ninth Lancers. squadron of
the Fourteenth Bengal Lancers, the Sixty-seventh
foot, 45O men of the Third Skhs aud 450
of the Fifth Goorkhas with four guns Of the r
Battery. brigade. Royal Horse artillery to attack
the insurgents in front. His orders to entice
the enemy on, drawing them away from Ghazni.
thus giving Baker time to form up in their rear and
foe between the two British forces The plan failed,
and the is not far to seek. 1t Is the
old story-faulty intelligence. The Kohistani
insurgents were unexpectedly met with and
apparently succeeded In drawing Macpherson of
from the real scent. They were driven
northwards with our casualties being few, in
cluding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Fitzhugh.
Fifth Goorkhas wounded. 1t would appear that
Macpherson pursued these men for some distance,
finally meeting Sir +. Roberts, who had ridden out
from Cabul The brigade was now ordered to
its steps and out the original plan Of
feating the Maidan. Zamukht and Logar men. Briga-
dier General Durham Massey taking the cavalry and
Horse Artillery guns by the valley road. Macpher-
son with the infantry following the line of the
hills. There no reading between tho lines in the
telegram we publish. Massey deliberately walked
into trap.
MAssY's BLuNDKR.
1t is difficult to conceive that smart cavalry
officer should move without proper precautions. He
was advancing ''too confidently" through most
difcult country. studded with walled villages and
much cut up with water courses. when he suddenly
found himself confronted by overwhelming force
of the enemy. 1t is to be feared that necessary pre-
cautions must have been neglected. There could
have been careful feeling Of the way but rather
blind. haphazard advance in column Of route into
the meshes of the web which the astuto
Afghans had woven. Having blundered into
the trap Dunham Massey showed tho gal
lantry which earned for him the sobriquet
.Redan Massy quarter Of century ago.
and at once opened fire on the enemy. thinking to
check him by his artillery. Tho Afahans showed
no quailing now. On they came steadily for the
guns. and repeated charges of the small cavalry
escort only had the effect of developing their at
tack. In attempting to retire. the guns got into
turned aud abandoned. the gunners joining with the
cavalry in q rapid retreat. 1t is idle TO mince mat
ters the movement mismanaged from begin
ming to end. and the direct statement that Massys
cavalry were rallied by Sir f. Roberts in person and
that the retirement covered by the Fourteenth
Bengal Lancers shows only too plainly why It was
that the casualties among the officers of the
Ninth Lancers wero heavy. Colonel @. M. Mac
grogor, the chief of the STAFF an officer known az
we'll for his personal gallantry for his other at
tainmcnts. and who bears ON his body the scars Of
nine wounds and on his breast eight decorations.
led forward the rallied and recovered the lost
guns. This is not the first time this officer has 80
distinguished himself. for in the China war with
troop of Fanos horse he charged the Tartar hordes
who were surrounding battery OF our guns. and
earned not merely recommendation for the victo-
ria Cross, but, what is moro honor, personal
mention in the speech In which Lord Herbert pro-
posed vote OF thanks to the army for their services
In tho war.
MAcpHERsox's ASSAULT.
In the meantime the enemy, exultant at thcir sue
cess and finding the road clear-.or Macpherson was
cropping to the west aud Baker waiting the desoue-
n,cnt in the south-pushed boldly to Cabui.
Roberts, foreseeing this move. hold the Dehtimo-
zang gorge to the west Of the city with detachment
of the tysccond Hghlandors, reinforced by the
rallied cavalry. Checked in front, the Insurgents
now found themselves pressed in rear by Macpher.
son, who, discovering his mistake too late. had
countermarchcd his brigade. and now near
ing tho The insurgents, between two
cross fres, bctook themselves to the high
hills in the vicinits of the city. whence
Macpherson determined to dislodge them
His troops. however were too much exhausted for
him to attempt the assault that day. delay which
the enemy took advantage Of by making series of
attacks on the picket Of the Seventy holding
the gorge which barred their entrance to Cabul. by