Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-09
THE EVENING STAR.
British Victory I'm Asia
DEFEAT OF 1nR AFGHANs AFTER AN ALL-D1Y

Sir Frederick Roberts telegraphs to London
from Charasdad on the 9Th instant, al 5 O'Clock
IN me evening, that the Afghans advanced in
Iorce from Caoul, and there was heavy lighting
all day. The Afghan position was carried and
WE'VE guns were captured. The British loss
was about eighty killed and wounded. General
ROBERTS hoped to be able to march close &c
Caoul next day, Tuesday, Genei al X oberts, in
his dispatch dated Charasiab, october 9Th,
p m: says:-Reconnoitering parties, sent out
on all the roads leading TO CsDul at daylight
this morning, reported the enemy advancing In
great force from the direction OF the city These
parties had to retire soon afterwards. The high
range or hills intervening between CharaSiab
and Cabul was crowded with troops and people
from the city, while parties OF GhtlLais appeared
on the hills running along both TANKS of the
camp, and reports were received that the road
to Zahidabad was threatened Along this road
Mcpherson was advancing with large convoy
of stores and ammunition. Warning was sent
to Mcpherson and some assistance 10 cavalry.
1t was absolutely necessary 10 carry the heights
in front before evening. Baker was entrusted
with this very difficult duty, which he COM
pleted in q most admirable manner He sent a
party under Major White, OF the Cpd High
landers, consiS ing of a wing OF that regiment;
guns OF the Sth battery, Sd brigade Royal ar
tillery; 100 Of the 23d pioneers, aud two squad
rons OF the 5th Punjaub cavalry, to advance b.,
the right of the gorge. After Oh 5tinate resistance
Major White succeeded In driving the enemy of
the main hills, and late In the day he captured II
guns. Our loss here was killed and wounded
Baker, with the I'D IltghlanderS. wing Of the
5th Ghoorkas, 100 Of Sth Punjauo Infantry the
remainder of sd Pioneers, four guns OF No. ,
Mountain battery, and eight Calling guns,
made turning movement TO the left and was
soon holly engaged. He reports that the ad-
vance of the troops was made TO his entire sat-
isfaction, height after height being carried in
gallant style. Our loss was as follows: Capt.
Young, Punjaub Infantry; Lieut. Ferguson, I'D
Highlanders, and DR.. Duncan, 23d Pioneers.
wounded, and about 20 men killed and wound
ed. The enemy's loss is unknown, but must
have been considerable. They fled In great
confusion and lost two standards. We have
strong pickets posted, as large numbers of
Ghilzais are still in the neighborhood, but
hope tomorrow TO be able to march to within
short distance OF Cabul.
Special dispatches from AfghanStan report
that at one time during the attack OF the 6thin
slant on the principal height before Caoul two
companies Of Highlanders were opposed to 1000
Afghans: The latter held their ground until
the H1ghlanders were within twenty yards.
The total Afghan force is said to have been II
regiments, with artillery, and an immense
number of hill men. The backbone of the re-
sistance is broken for the present: but the
whole country is Seethng with excitement, and
the people would rise at the slightest reverse to
the British. The whole British force was to be
within striking distance OF Cabul on the 18th
instant.