Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-04

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by rail east of Peshawur; 80 that the
Black Mountain seems within easy
reach OF civilization. And, indeed, on
the map, and even when looking up the
Indus from Darband, il seems easy
enough to get into the heart OF tho
Black Mountain by way OF the river
valley. for the river looks as II
it flowed through reasonably broad
valley between two steep mountain
bblocks As matter of fact. however,
the column which marches up the Indus
from Darband has had q much more
difficult task than the other, which
marched across the crests OF the noun
tains from Oghi. The Indus here really
flows through deep gorge, into which
great SPURS abut from the main ridge
which cannot be rounded, but must be
crossed. Thus often O steep climb OF
Thousand feet with a steep descent on
the other side is necessary in order TO
make half miles progress. Moreover
the Indus for long stretch here IS quite
unexplored and may harbor all sorts OF
Unforeseen difficulties.
The Black Mountain itself is described
in Colonel FACETS record Of the expedi-
tons undertaken against northwest
frontier tribes As district of compare
lively small extent, but OF the most
rugged character. Ii is only about
thirty miles long, with an average
breadth of ten miles, and an average
height of 5000 feet above the sea level.
1t is really a long crest running IN
generally northern direction at some
little distance east of the Indus, from
near Darband on the south where the
river takes sharp turn eastward on the
north. The ridge is in general moro
rounded than sharp, sends up high
peaks at intervals, is crossed here
aud there 10y deep passes, and
shoots out great spurs east and
west, which are often precipltous and
rocky, with deep, narrow glens or gorges
living between them. in which are plant
ed the villages of the tribes. Tho soil OF
the hillsides ia described rs for the most
part rocky end stony. When unculti-
waited the lower slopes are covered with
thorny bushes and grass; further up
forest replaces these, and the whole OF
the upper portion Of the spurs and crest
is thickly wooded. Along the crest fire.
quent open glades occur in the forest,
which, with the exposed slopes of higher
peaks, are covered with short grass. The
Indus in this part is deep and rapid,
from 70 to $50 yards wide, and
crossed at eleven different points by
ferries, the boats accommodating
from twenty to thirty passen-
sengers. The natives also cross
the river at nearly every point on
inflated skins, which they can do
with great rapidity and in great num-
bers. The scenery in some parts IS
magnificent, as might be expected, and
with its general features we are pretty
familiar from the information obtained
during the troublesome punitive expe-
dltions of 1929 and los. The eli
mate OF She Black Mountain is fine IN
spring, summer, and autumn, but se-
we're In the winter, when snow falls IN
sufficient quantity to stop communica-
tons over the crests, along which are
the main routes for military expedl-
ton.
Kotkai, where the severe fighting was
on Friday, lies on the Indus, between
mountain spurs, about fifteen miles
north from Darband. IL was destroyed
in the expedition 81 lSj2-'53. Oghi,
where we have maintained an outpost Tor
some time-an attack on which led to
the present expedition-is about fifteen
miles east OF hotkai, on the other side OF
the main crest, and lying itself IN
mountain region with peaks rising 10 n
height Of $4,000 feet. 1t IS the starting
point OF three of the columns which
form the present expedition. Although
the population of the Black Mountain.
like that Of other parts Of the northwest
frontier, is somewhat mixed, the peO-
pie with whom we had an en-
counter on Friday at Kotkai are
the Hassanzais, a branch of the
Yusufzais, a section OF the bloodthlrsty
and ireacherous Pathans. about whose
afinities there is 50 much controversy.
They are Mohammedans Of a somewhat
lax type. Many who have settled on the
British side of the border have become
quiet and Industrious citizens. The
Hsssanzais reside on both sides OF the
Indus, those on the Black Mountain side
occupying the most southern portion Of
its western slopes. They are divided
into ten subdivisions, and can command
about 1, 500 fighting men, though some
of their neighbors would no doubt be
willing enough to send contingents.
Every man possesses his sword and
shield. and there are said to be 100
matchlocks in the tribe. They both
manufacture swords and import them,
and know also how to make gun
powder. They are Independent OF
supplies from British Territory, and
although at feud among Themselves
evidently know how 10 unite against a
common attack. To the north and east
OF the Hassanzais are the Akazals, their
near relations, who can muster 900 fight
ing men, aud could command the help
Of other tribes living on their territory.
10 the north Of them again are the
ChagarZais, also Yusufzai Pathans those
on the Black Mountain side of the Indus
being able TO muster 1890 lighting men.
These are the principal tribes with whom 7.
we have Immediately TO deal IN tho
present expedition, though mixed with
these are others who would probably be
only too willing to join against the .
British. II, however, the rumors Of 4
further tisings on our northwest frontier
turn out TO he unfounded. it is not likely /
that the Black Mountain campaign will /
be otlong duration.
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Lemon EiAziT.