Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-09-16
The Former Siege of Candahar.

In consequence OF the great interest
taken in the present siege Of Candahar
and the recent attempt to storm IL made
by Ayoob Khan, a sketch of the former
siege of 1912 will be read with attention:
In November, 1912, affairs were in a
peaceful condition 1t Candahar, al
though there was some trouble nc Cabul.
While things were in this satisfactory
state it was decided to reduce the garri-
son and to send an English brigade and
three of the native regiments back to
India under the command of Colonel
Maclaren. The brigade had even COM
menced its march toward Quetta when
alarming news from the north nccessi-
tated its immediate recall. and, instead
of proceeding to their homes in the
plains of Scinde, the Sepoys advanced
northward with the intention of rein
forcing Elphinstone at Cabul. For I'M
known reasons Maclaren, after months
absence, abandoned the attempt of
marching on Cabul and returned to
Candahar, thus raising the garrison to
its original strength. The consequences
of this plunder were very serious, for,
had he persisted In his advance, not
only Ghazni would have been saved but
the final catastrophe at Cabul might
have been averted. Before the year 1S41
closed it was evident that the English
garrison at Candahar was environed by
enemies. At this crisis Candahar, in
trusted to General Mott and Major Raw
linson, stood forth as rock amid
troubled waters, in face of the hostility
of the powerful tribes of Western Al
ghanistan. .,... q. .....,..,
In January an Afghan army approach
ed Candahar and pitched their camp ut
the village of Killa-Chuk, on the Argan-
dab. Mott marched out with the greater
part of his force and immediatelytattack
ed the enemy. The Afghans were CON-
pletely defeated and suffered severe
loss. Although successful. in the field,
the position OF the English at Candahar
became more perilous than before in
of the declared hostility of
the Durani clans. Early in March Raw
linson took the final precaution of clear
ing the city of its Afghan inhabitants.
Only 1000 families were permitted
to remain. No sooner had this been
done than Mott again took the field,
leaving Rawlinson in charge Of the city.
During three days Mott kept up q run
ming fight with the Afghans, and by that
line he had drawn a considerable dis
.ance away from Candahar. The Az
chan troops were at once led back by
,ircuitous route to Candahar in the hope
Of surprising and overwhelming the
small garrison. Rawlins at once sent
post haste to inform General
Mott. During three hours that night a
contest ragged at the Herat gate, where
he Afghans were forcing an entrance,
md scarcely less severely ut the Cabul
Ind SINGAPORE gates; but toward mid
night the Ghazis could not be brought
again to the charge and the Afghans
.etired, baflled by the skill and deter
of the small body of men I'M
Ter the command of Majors Rawlinson
md Lane. r'tl
During these later months great prep
lrations had been in progress in Scinde
or the reinforcement of the Candahar
lrmy. A brigade under General Eng
and had been formed and sent through
he Bolan to Quetta before the close of
March. Unfortunately, General Eng
and did not prove equal to the occa-
ion, and when q show Of resistance was
made to his advance at Haekalzae, he at
nee gave up the attempt and retired to
luetta. General England made another
.ttempt, but 1t Is only necessary to add
hat General Motifs forces cleared tho
Oh Canuanhr OF the enemy
n the course of the following spring.
n June every thing was In readiness
or the withdrawal Of the English forces
rom Candahar; but Mott, with his two
European regiments, retired northward
y way Of Ghazni and Cabul. In that
quincy he was completely successful,
efeating the enemy in two pitched en-.
ounters, capturing the fortress of
ihazni,s and reaching Cabul only
wo days later than General Pollock.
rho had advanced from Jellalabad'
he salient point of difference between
ieneral Motifs defense of Candahar and
hat of General Primrose appears TO be
hat, whereas the former held the citv
! its entirety, the latter has been COM
elled to abandon the city and concen-
ate his force in the citadel. General
,ott, with larger body OF troops, was
BILE to hold his ground mainly by clear
lg the city Of its Afghan inhabitants.
nd, as General Primrose was unable 10
erform similar task, there was no al
'rnative to placing his force In a ad-
antageous o position for defense a.
ossible. For this reason there In more
round for anxiety now than there was
! 1912, and q greater necessity In pro-
ortion to hurry ND reinforcements.