Stretford and Urmston Examiner. — 1879-10-18 (Stretford, Greater Manchester, England)

THE EXAMINER, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1879.  „ - • LA° -*OREIG3 STELLIGEWE • •  THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGN.-OCCUPATION OF CABUL.  General Roberts telegraphed to the Vieeroy on the 12th inst. that the immediate object of his expedition has been alcompliebed, and that Cabul is practically in. his possession. It will be remembered that the previous news received left General Baker on the west side of Cabal waiting to attack the enemy, who, strengthened by the Kohistan regiments, was entrenched in a strong position. This attack was never made. On the evening of Wednesday, the Bth, darkness set in before the Afghans could be brought to an engagement, and under cover of the night they fled, leaving twelve guns behind them. The cavalry started in pursuit, but the enemy had so completely dispersed that only a few small parties were overtaken. General Roberts then found :himself with 110 captured guns, and and the Afghan capital undefended before him. He intended, he said, to make his public entry on Saturday or next day. At noon on Sunday General Roberts, accompanied by the Ameer Yakoob Khan, made his public entry into Cabul. The British flag was hoisted on the Bala Hissar amid discharges of artillery. The effect of the victories before the walls of the city has been decisive on the attitude of the warlike tribes who were hastening from their hills to succour the defenders of Cabul. They have retreated, and are dispersing to their homes. Interesting descriptions of the operations which immediately preceded the fall of the city will be found _ _ . .  in another column'. General Roberts will in a short time be dependent for reinforcements, if not for supplies. on the Khyber route alone, and the progress of the column which is moving by that road is described as painfully slow. Snow has already fallen on the Peiwar Kotul, and a great deal depends on the speed with which the alternative route is opened up. General Roberts and his staff have visited the Bala Hispar, whese it was found that the Residency, occupied by the unfortunate Sir Louis Cavagnari, was still standing, having escaped total destruction by the fire which had been ignited by the rebels from the roof of a high building at the northern end of the courtyard. The interior had been completely looted, and even the hangings had been taken away. In front of the building was a pile of charred logs, beneath which the bodies of Major Cavagnari and Dr. Kelly were believed to have been buried. Excavations were to be made with the view of recovering their remains. An interesting relic was discovered in the shape of the murdered Envoy's visiting diary. This book was found in the Ameer's Palace. Confirmation is unfortunately forthcoming of the statement that no quarter was given in the flight and pursuit from Cabul towards Ghuzni. The affair, however, is not so bad as was represented in the telegram, which alleged that great slaughter had taken place. As was at first reported, only a small body of fhe enemy were overtaken, and these were shot and sabred.  Telegrams say the Afghans have destroyed all the available camels.  The Daily Chronicle's Bombay correspondent says that the northern Ghilzais retired to their strongholds in the mountains when they saw General Roberts taking Cabul, but it is feared they will return for plundering purposes. The The Times correspondent says that the guns taken at Cabul were imitation Armstrongs, of Cabul make. Professor \rambery, in the Feather Lloyd, advocates the establishment of permanent garrisons at Candahai, Herat, Balkh, and eventually at Cabul.