New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-21
HEAVY FIGHTING IN INDIA.
A BRITISH STORMING FORCE SUFFERS
SEVERELY.
PUNIshING THE REBEL TIL1-MEN 80 EASY TASK
INSURGENTS POUR \ DEADLY FIRE
ON THE BRITISH FROM A
MOUNTAIN HEIGHT.

MOUNTAIN HEIGHT.
Simla oct 20-Ofcial advices from Fort
Lockhart say that after the fighting on Monday
last between the British troops under General
Sir Yeatman Biegs and the insurgent tribesmeh
from Chagru. the Samana Range, the BRUSH
force returned to Shinwari. and the tribesmeh
greatly reinforced reoccupied in force the
heights west of Chagru.
According to advices from Fort Lockhari
the tribesmen having occupied Dareai Ridge
which commands Chagru. on the Sainaha
Range. General Sir Yeatman Biggs sent the
Second Division this morning to dislodge them.
The position was n very strong one. on the
summit of a PERCEPTIONS hill reached only by
a single path aloag which the attacking force.
consisting Of the Gurkha Regiment and the
Dorsetshire Regiment. was forced to climb in
Indian file. three batteries meanwhile shelling
the Sangars.
The British suffered a temporary check when
they reached the open space, and were exposed
10 an accurate fire. After "a prolonged artillery
fire. the Gurkhas were reinforced by the Cor
don Highianders Then followed IL magnificent
rush tho open space in tho teeth Of a
murderous fusiladc. The enemy stood their
ground TIL the British reached the rocks be-
low. down which the tribesmen could not se"
to fire. and then they fled pcll-mell
The losses of the Gurkhas and the Gordon
Highlanders
According to later advices. General Biggs 8
division advanced at daybreak by way OF Cha
gru-Kotal with Brigadier-Gcncra Kemrster =
brigade leading. 1t was nearly 10 o'clock when
the enerry began long-range fire. The three
mountain batteries. masscd on Chagru- Kotal.
repli ID. while tho Gordon Bighlandera pushed
through to support the first line, firing vocys
at Ions range
The tribesmcn reserved their fire till the Gurk-
has reached the zigzag path under the pcrper-
dicuar cliff. where Major Jennings Bromley
was killed Oh Monday in the fighting between
the BiGgs brigade and the insurgent trihesmen
from Chagru. on the Samana Range.
Three British companies crossed the zone OF
fire at rush, sustaining heavy losses. while
the remainder deployed TO the lef: to intercept
a flank attack threatened by some seven thou
sand Of the enemy from that direction. The
Dorsetshirc Regiment att ,mpted 10 support
three companies of Gurkha5 but kept back
by the enemy, who remained cool and reserved
their fire until the British were we'll exposed.
At 1870 p. IN. matters looked serious. the
British gunnre though aided by a mountain
battery from Fort Gulistan. had failed TO dis
lodge the enemy. General Kcmpster thereupon
went 4piNdlt lU person. UpNlliL up lut 'Iot
don Highlanders and the I'd sikh Regiment
into the lighting line. \ systematic assault
then organized. ana two thousand men
with fixed bayoneis stood waiting foG the order
10 advance.
Three minutes before the word OF command
given General kempstcr helIographed back
instructions 10 the batteries 20 concentrate their
flrc. The eighteen pieces Of artillery responded.
an under cover of this fire, the leading com
pany OF Highlandeis. amid perfect silence.
rushed into the fire zone.
Half the men dropped. but the remainder
pushed galiantly on till they reached the cover
where the Gurkhas lay. The rest OF the force
streamcd after them. and the tribesmen seeing
that most OF the troops had passed the fire
zone fed up tine hill and collected under cover
OF the clINs The Iiighanders and mixed rcgl-
ments after pausing moment 10 take breath.
again advanced to the assault and twenty min
utcs later the position won.
The ridge was storned at , o'clocS From
noon until that hOIr the tribcsmcn, sheltered IN
the Sangars. stood heavy bOmbardment. beat
ing their drums waving their standards. shout
ing defiance and maintaining a hot fire on the
advancing infantry.
General Sir Yeatman Bggs will continue the
advance so To hold the frontal hills. and then
push on to Kharappa where he will be joined
by Sir William Lockhart
Throughout yesterday the tribesmen contn
ued their work Of building breast~orks on the
summit.
The India Council and the War ONCE are said
10 be considering important measures involving
the addition of one-third to the strength Of the
Indian Army.