The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-04-15
WAR COMMENCED.
DIPLOMACY ENDS IN BLOOD.
Tho Report OF the Battle on the AT.
CHAN Frontter Confirmed-War Is
Inevitable.

CHAN Frontier Confirmed-War rs
Inevitable.
LONDON, April 9.-The report that
an engagement had taken place be-
tween the Russian and Afghan out
posts has been confirmed by dis
patches received from Meshed.
The battle occurred on March 80.
The Afghan camp, situated below
the junction of the Murghab and
Kushk, was captured by the Rus
SLAMS after brief but stongly con-
tested battle, during binding rain
storm.
The hfghans fought with great
desperation, and opposed, step by
step, the advance of the Russians.
Two companies of Afghans defend
ed one position until they were
completely y annihila,ed by a deadly
artillery fire opened on them by
the Russians.
The Afghans retreated in perfect
order after inflicting some severe
losses. The Russians were evident
ly surprised by the stubborn oppo-
sition, and did not follow up their
advantage, being content with the
capture of the camp.
Five hundred Afghans were kill
ed. The Russian loss was fifty
killed and wounded. The camp
contained /. large quantity of arms,
ammunition and military stores,
all of which fell into the hands of
the Russians.
The St. Petersburg Official Hes
senger publishes the following this
morning: Gen. Kameroff reports
that in consequence of hostile man
ifestations by the Afghans he was
compelled to attack them. The AT
ghans were posted upon both banks
of the river Kushk, in fortified po-
sitions.
The Afghan force consisted of
1000 men, with eight guns, and
were defeated with a less of 500.
All the artillery, two standards of
banners, and the entire camp outfit
an'1 provisions of the Afghans were
captured.
The Russian loss was three sub
alterns and 10 soldiers killed. When
the fight ended Gen. Kameroff re-
turned across the river to the po-
sition he had formerly occupied.
Gen. Kemeroff also reports that
some British officers, who had been
eye-witnessess but not participants
in the engagement, appealed to the
Russians for protection when they |
saw the Afghans were beaten.
"But, unfortunately" he says, "a
convoy which he Immediately dis
patched to the relief of those Off
GERS were unable to overtake the
cavalry who carried the
British away with them in their
flight"
These officers are believed to be
members of the Afghan boundary
under Sir Peter Lums-
den and are stated to have been
engaged in their duties. The off,
GERS with the boundary commission
are Major Bax, in command OF 200
officers and men, and the Eleventh
Bengal Lancers, Capt. Heath, Lieut..
Drumnond and Lieut.. Wright; Maj.
Meikleiohn, in command of 200 ofh-
GERS and men of the Penjaub In
fantry, Captain Cotton and Lieut..
Rawlins.
The report that the English Off
GERS in the Afghan camp had asked
protection OF the Russians after the
battle of March 80 is contradicted
by dispatches received at the War
Office from Sir Peter Lumsden.
These dispatches show that the Of
ficers referred to were members of
his staff who had been assisting the
Afghans in planning defenses for
Penjdah.
They witnessed the attack and
after seeing the retreat of the AT
ghans. who were taken unawares
and unprepared, they started on
their ride TO Gulran to inform Sir
Peter of what had occurred.
They had no communication with
the Russians and were unmolested
by them. They say the Afghans
fought bravely, but were overborne
by superior numbers.
A dispatch to the Times from
GulraL, dated April 3, states that
the Russians, while making pre-
text of changing the position of
their outposts on the Afghan FROM
tier. attacked Penjdah on March 80
and drove the Afghans out of their
position. The Afghans stubbornly
resisted their assailants.
The weather was wet at the time
of the attack, which rendered the
muzz.e-loading guns of the Afghans
useless. Two companies held one
positions against the Russians until
its defenders were killed. The Af-
ghans retreated to Marauchak gin
perfect order. The Russians made
no pursuit.
The Savanks remain neutral, but
planned the Afghan camp. The
Russian losses are said to be great.
The British officers remained until
the Afghans effected their retreat,
when they joined the camp of Sir
Peter Lumsden.