Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-27
THE SIEGE OF CHITRAL
SIR GEORGE ROBERTSON's STORY
OF THE PERIL.
How the AfEhans FiEht-Incidents OF
the CALAMITY of British Officers
and Privntes-The Death
of Baird.

aAu AElSute1-Ane Deutn
of Baird.
From the London News.
Gallant men and daring deeds pass swift
ly into oblivion in thse stirring days. but
the world has not yet forgotten the famous
siege of the Chitral fort in the sweeping
rush of events. In his book Sir George
Robertson. who, with a handful of brave
young officers and a number of native
troops, was ~beleaguered in that far-distant
outpost for nearly two months, now gives
the history of those momentous days.
In the little Chitral fort on the banks of
the river $50 persons were closely desieged
for seven weeks. almost hemmed in by the
enemy. Ammunition they did not lack. but
the food supplies were very short or ex-
tremely unappetizing. The only Injuries
were a few tins of tobacco, four bottles of
brandy, and a tin or two of Swiss milk.
There was enough corn to give a man Ii
pound a day, but the grinding was diff
ficult. as the mill stones were soft and
the dust mixed with the flour; there was a
little rice for the officers; a few sheep for
tn sick, and a few odds and ends: and
horse meat chiefly. Fortunately they had
an ample stock of peas, and the soup
thereof was a constant dish. The first
horse was soon killed. but only after much
discussion. Whitchurch regulated the kill
inSs- No man knew whose ponies he Was
taking.
Perhaps. says Robertson, our table is worthy of
the gusto with which the fsvorite topic was dis
cussed: Some one would say. What excel
everybody frightened up, and ate Savoy dinners or
suppers over again in Imagination. and gloatingly.
This theme reyer stalled. In Paris they did the
same. no doubt.
Time never hung heavily on their hands.
The fort was always being strengthened;
they were always loopholing, sentry-goinS
shooting: even a tea-tray was utilized for
the defenses. Military discipline was
strictly enforced. 1t was an exciting ex-
open at walking pace; he always ran.
Wars alarms seldom ceased, except dur
ing a brief armistice, and by degrees the
enemy crept nearer and nearer. by. throw.
ated them.
The enemy dared not actually storm tine
fort, and held on in the hope of enticing
them to surrender, offering many tempting
inducements to them to walk out, which
were really mere pleasant euphemisms 10
begging them to offer their threats to sharp
Pathan knives. They had their good days
enough, their luck did not take a decided
turn until the Union Jack was hoisted. 1t
had been left behind at Gilgit. so. being
NASy AoN
They made one out of some cheap. red
dyed cloth, a blue turban, some white cot
ton material Material e a picture re- on \ a TN OF navy
was little real fighting. says Robertson.
| Civilians who peruse this history will think
otherwise. Even he admits one or two ex-
ceptions: On the very first day Of the out
break. during a reconnaissance In which
into the fort. Baird was mortally wounded
and carried in by the gallant Whitchurch
right through the enemy; He risked his
deed. Before Baird died. on the next day,
he sent for his chief. who gives this pa
thetic account of what passed.:
gan to speak. He knew he was dying. he said.
/. But he did not mind dying. IT was a soldiers
| Then he related how Whitehureh STUCK to him al
ways. Speech was then difficult for melt is
put my hand gently on the bloodless forehead and
gave a solemn promise mot to forget Whitchurch.' >
He made on or two further requests of a secret char.
acter. for he was as piously flial to his widowed
mother as he was urgent about his brave friend.
Then Robertson was called away, by an
urgent message; Il moved toward ard, the n dE11
lips slowly framed a half smile. the kind
| eyes grew soft. while. with a voice weak
b bvt a SIN I S Sneeri All H xonr mIrmuy well Come come
right One cannot help exulting that in
this practical. fame-seeking age, when a
modify as any other, British officers can
nevertheless be found ready to die for pure
ly unselfish sentiments of comradeship. or
the just recognition of another's merits"
Baird was buried by night, to the whistlin2
of bullets, in his soldiers overcoat. When
things were at their very worst with the
bcsieged the officers met in council and re-
corded the circumstances, in case Of the
worst; Whitchurch now holds the v. c.
Mining the Gun Tower.
Another incident was the attempt to
the gun tower, which is admirably told.
On the memorable morning of the 18th of
April. in the seventh week Of the siege.
they distinctly heard, working under
ground, the mufiled vibrating thud of a
| pick, with an occasional high-pitched ring
as iron struck stone. They look at one
work. The enemy had possession of a
summer house at the end of the garden
without the fort: The mine was being
to mak a sortie. and this Is what hap
pened:
At 4 O'Clock the parapets and towers were stealthily
manned. and Harley's party collected in the passage
leading to the garden exit-siient and crowded to-
gether. with their bayonets dimly cleaning. for there
was to be no firing till the post was carried-nothing
but white steel. All hearts stopped beating for an
instant. Everyone knew. and at that felt more than
pick. picking at the foot of the gun tower. and ap.
| preaching nearer and nearer. 1t made one feel SICK
to reflect how everything depended upon the summer
house being merely occupied by rifemen, and not be.
ing invincible by reason of the defenses.
Thu fort gates were swung OPEN The
enemy was taken by surprise and driven
off. though with some loss of life. Then
like a thunder cloud bursting over the fort
came the violent outbreak of musketry,
and from all sides fighting men were seen
running up in the firm belief that the be-
sieged were making a dash for life. Within
the walls the pent-up feelings Of our men
found vent in violent emotion, furious
shooting, and deafening uproar. On every
liant We're flushed faces, glazing eyes, and
features distorted with excitement. Ever
the brave Sikhs in the hospital came crawl.
ing out, seized rifles. and crept on to the
parapet.
Hard Service.
Several of them had lost half their feet
from frost bite, and were obliged to hobble
sideways or even swarm up the notched
holes which did duty for ladders. All alike
were full of battle madness. Meanwhile
Harley was fighting hard in the summer
house and had found the shaft of the
mines. The miners within were bayon-
cited as they appeared at the orifce, ex.
cept two. In the noise, the reek and the
fury. sudden death alone would have re.
strained the blood of the furious Sikhs
Then, the tunnel being evacuated. Harley
placed his explosives in its depths. Rob.
ertson goes on:
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