Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-21
Rem,nssceuce. Of the Afghan War

den-indeed it has only been discarded
very recently.
"Reminiscences OF the Afghan war
fBy Sergeant c. X Nartn Montreal
Between the 9th and 23d OF Decern-
Der, 1879, there was continual hghtins
outside of Cabul, and the most impor-
iant battles were fought on the l5'n,
attn, and sd OF December; and al
these the Seventy-second and Ninety
second Highlanders greatly distln-
puished themselves. Two Victoria
Crosses fell to the gallant mime
tv-tWa" and one to the famous
foss.shirs Bulfs, together with several
distinguished Conduct Medals Ot the
"Gordons," MAJOR John Stewart White
received the V. Q. for repeated acts Oh
bravery in closing first on almost every
occasion with the enemy; and Lieu
tenant w. Dick Cunningham, also
OF the Ninety-second, received the
Y G. for one OF the finest acis
during the war At the action on
tine 18th the "Gurdons were press
ing hard up the TalIht-i-shah hiii'
and when they got to the top the Al
ghans were in great force, aud here u
great hand-to-band struggle ensued, N
which our men were forced to give way
Just at this time Lieutenant Cunning
ham made the top OF the bill, and seeing
how matters were, cried out to the hlgh-
landers at the top of bis voice: "for
Scotlonds cake, men, rally ROUND me
and let rs die hard" These words
cheered us to the echo, for every man
in the fighting line rallied around the
Lieutenant. which in n few minutes
changed matters, for Major White was
soon to the rescue with a and B compa-
MES go, 3,
in this brilliant Affair three we're killed
and nineteen wounded III the Ninety
second. Among them were Lieutenant
Forbes. from Aberdeenshire, end Color
Sergeant Drummond, from Stanley, IN
Pertshlre. Jock Young. from Hawick,
had four shots through his helmet ;
Donald williamson, from Alness, and
Willie Middleton, from Nyvie, had their
vste--botiles shot away; Lieutenant
Grant, from Speysidc. was hit on
the top brass OF his sporan-this
sewing his life. and Corporal d. McLen-
nan. from Dinghall, was hit on the coat
button lust above the waist-belt, tne
bullet fsttened the button like ashilllng
and ran round his back, making THIN
blue mark like a borse-whip. This
stunned the Corporal for few minutes,
but that was oil. About the close OF tins
engagement jamie Sharp, from Stirling,
was hit on the ankle-bOne, and was
shouting in great agony when our minis
ter. Mr.. Manson, came running to HIM
and asked where he was hit. " Never
mind praying the moo, sir; bring me a
dooley, bring me dooley" (stretcher),
was Jamies reply.
Many large standards were captured
by the "Gordons." and big Jock
Mckay. from Ueesde, made a shirt ont
Of one. On the 18th the Rev. Mr..
Adams. Of the Ninth Lanciers, received
the V. G. for a splendid piece OF work
in saving the life OF boy of that fine
regiment. Mr.. Adams is the frss min
lister OF the Gospel who ever received
this great honor. Our minister was sell
dom near the fghting-ine, but Father
Brown, Of the Hampshire regiment, was
in the middle of every fight, running
round the ranks with large leather bag
of water and shouting now and then
"Now. my boys, you are sure to win, fol
it is Jesus Christ against Mahomet
Atthe engagement of the 18th of De
! cenber two dogs OF the regiment were
wounded, and it was comical TO see them
in action-away far sometimes IN from
of the scouts. st this affair Corpora
Seller, from Huntly, received the Y. G.
for dashing single-handed into redoubt
and killing five Afghans; and Sergeant
John McIArel, from the Braes OF Bal
oulther. received the ID. c. medal fol
dashing in after the Corporal and killing
two men. Corporal Mckay, from Pee
bles, received the ID. c. medal for taking
A dispatch to General Roberts and run
ming through two cross-hres.
On the 23d all men in hospitals who
we're able to sit on a chai; and fire nile
were posted around the hospital in cast
of attack. At this time General hob
erts had only 1000 fighting men. anc
the Afghan army was estimated at 60,
600. We were now entrenched IN Sher
pore, and had hardly enough men +.
cover the circumference Of our entrench
ment. On the 23d the Afghsn army
came on in three divisions, aud we hac
orders not to fire until they were within
eighty wards of our trenches. This or
der was not kept, for the Twenty-eightl
SeDoys fired as soon es they saw
the Afghans fire. Had the SepoyI
obeyed the victory would have beer
more complete. All the captured gum
we had (28I) were placed in the centre
OF our entrenchment in square forma
ton, with al the reserve ammunition
piled around ready for use, so that If We
we're forced from our trenches We all hat
To rally here and make the last stand
Tho "Gordon Highlanders were poste(
Mt place called The Gorge, which wa
certainly the weakest point. undel
the command OF Sir fl. 7. Mcpherson
Y. c., who gave us the signal to oper
fire bv taking Off his helmet. Six Of the
"Gordons" fell before they fired shot
and this was all they lost; for when WI
opened fire the Afghans were within
seventy yards OF us. Our first vollel
made a terrible gap; but on they came
only to follow the fate Of their comrades
After the third volley the command wa
given. "lndependent firing" then I
shout came running along the line, "Th'
bayonet the bayonet !" The piper
were soon in their places. Grasping ou
rifles tight, as soon as the pipes strucl
up we were over the trenches and a
/ than