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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9404-h.zip b/9404-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d5ef6d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/9404-h.zip diff --git a/9404-h/9404-h.htm b/9404-h/9404-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a120be1 --- /dev/null +++ b/9404-h/9404-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9980 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Story of the Malakand Field Force, by Sir Winston S. Churchill + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Malakand Field Force, by +Sir Winston S. Churchill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Story of the Malakand Field Force + +Author: Sir Winston S. Churchill + +Release Date: July 27, 2009 [EBook #9404] +Last Updated: January 26, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE *** + + + + +HTML conversion by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE STORY OF THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE + </h1> + <h2> + AN EPISODE OF FRONTIER WAR + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Sir Winston S. Churchill + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "They (Frontier Wars) are but the surf that marks the edge + and the advance of the wave of civilisation." + + LORD SALISBURY, Guildhall, 1892 +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a><br /><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> THE THEATRE OF WAR + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> THE + MALAKAND CAMPS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> THE + OUTBREAK <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> THE + ATTACK ON THE MALAKAND <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. + </a> THE RELIEF OF CHAKDARA <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> + CHAPTER VI. </a> THE DEFENCE OF CHAKDARA <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> THE GATE OF SWAT + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> THE + ADVANCE AGAINST THE MOHMANDS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER + IX. </a> RECONNAISSANCE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> + CHAPTER X. </a> THE MARCH TO NAWAGAI <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> THE ACTION OF THE + MAMUND VALLEY, 16TH SEPTEMBER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> + CHAPTER XII. </a> AT INAYAT KILA <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> NAWAGAI <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> BACK TO THE MAMUND + VALLEY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> THE + WORK OF THE CAVALRY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. + </a> SUBMISSION <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER + XVII. </a> MILITARY OBSERVATIONS <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> AND + LAST... THE RIDDLE OF THE FRONTIER <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THIS BOOK + IS INSCRIBED TO + MAJOR-GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + UNDER WHOSE COMMAND THE OPERATIONS THEREIN + RECORDED WERE CARRIED OUT; BY WHOSE GENERALSHIP + THEY WERE BROUGHT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION; + AND TO WHOSE KINDNESS THE AUTHOR IS INDEBTED + FOR THE MOST VALUABLE AND FASCINATING EXPERIENCE + OF HIS LIFE. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "According to the fair play of the world, + Let me have an audience." + + "King John," Act v., Sc. 2. +</pre> + <p> + On general grounds I deprecate prefaces. I have always thought that if an + author cannot make friends with the reader, and explain his objects, in + two or three hundred pages, he is not likely to do so in fifty lines. And + yet the temptation of speaking a few words behind the scenes, as it were, + is so strong that few writers are able to resist it. I shall not try. + </p> + <p> + While I was attached to the Malakand Field Force I wrote a series of + letters for the London Daily Telegraph. The favourable manner in which + these letters were received, encouraged me to attempt a more substantial + work. This volume is the result. + </p> + <p> + The original letters have been broken up, and I have freely availed myself + of all passages, phrases, and facts, that seemed appropriate. The views + they contained have not been altered, though several opinions and + expressions, which seemed mild in the invigorating atmosphere of a camp, + have been modified, to suit the more temperate climate of peace. + </p> + <p> + I have to thank many gallant officers for the assistance they have given + me in the collection of material. They have all asked me not to mention + their names, but to accede to this request would be to rob the story of + the Malakand Field Force of all its bravest deeds and finest characters. + </p> + <p> + The book does not pretend to deal with the complications of the frontier + question, nor to present a complete summary of its phases and features. In + the opening chapter I have tried to describe the general character of the + numerous and powerful tribes of the Indian Frontier. In the last chapter I + have attempted to apply the intelligence of a plain man to the vast mass + of expert evidence, which on this subject is so great that it baffles + memory and exhausts patience. The rest is narrative, and in it I have only + desired to show the reader what it looked like. + </p> + <p> + As I have not been able to describe in the text all the instances of + conduct and courage which occurred, I have included in an appendix the + official despatches. + </p> + <p> + The impartial critic will at least admit that I have not insulted the + British public by writing a party pamphlet on a great Imperial question. I + have recorded the facts as they occurred, and the impressions as they + arose, without attempting to make a case against any person or any policy. + Indeed, I fear that assailing none, I may have offended all. Neutrality + may degenerate into an ignominious isolation. An honest and unprejudiced + attempt to discern the truth is my sole defence, as the good opinion of + the reader has been throughout my chief aspiration, and can be in the end + my only support. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Winston S. Churchill + + Cavalry Barracks, + Bangalore, 30th December, 1897 +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I: THE THEATRE OF WAR + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Ghilzaie chief wrote answer: "Our paths are narrow and + steep. + The sun burns fierce in the valleys, and the snow-fed streams run + deep; + . . . . . . . . . . + + So a stranger needs safe escort, and the oath of a valiant friend." + + "The Amir's Message," SIR A. LYALL. +</pre> + <p> + All along the north and north-west frontiers of India lie the Himalayas, + the greatest disturbance of the earth's surface that the convulsions of + chaotic periods have produced. Nearly four hundred miles in breadth and + more than sixteen hundred in length, this mountainous region divides the + great plains of the south from those of Central Asia, and parts as a + channel separates opposing shores, the Eastern Empire of Great Britain + from that of Russia. The western end of this tumult of ground is formed by + the peaks of the Hindu Kush, to the south of which is the scene of the + story these pages contain. The Himalayas are not a line, but a great + country of mountains. By one who stands on some lofty pass or commanding + point in Dir, Swat or Bajaur, range after range is seen as the long surges + of an Atlantic swell, and in the distance some glittering snow peak + suggests a white-crested roller, higher than the rest. The drenching rains + which fall each year have washed the soil from the sides of the hills + until they have become strangely grooved by numberless water-courses, and + the black primeval rock is everywhere exposed. The silt and sediment have + filled the valleys which lie between, and made their surface sandy, level + and broad. Again the rain has cut wide, deep and constantly-changing + channels through this soft deposit; great gutters, which are sometimes + seventy feet deep and two or three hundred yards across. These are the + nullahs. Usually the smaller ones are dry, and the larger occupied only by + streams; but in the season of the rains, abundant water pours down all, + and in a few hours the brook has become an impassable torrent, and the + river swelled into a rolling flood which caves the banks round which it + swirls, and cuts the channel deeper year by year. + </p> + <p> + From the level plain of the valleys the hills rise abruptly. Their steep + and rugged slopes are thickly strewn with great rocks, and covered with + coarse, rank grass. Scattered pines grow on the higher ridges. In the + water-courses the chenar, the beautiful eastern variety of the plane tree + of the London squares and Paris boulevards, is occasionally found, and + when found, is, for its pleasant shade, regarded with grateful respect. + Reaching far up the sides of the hills are tiers of narrow terraces, + chiefly the work of long-forgotten peoples, which catch the soil that the + rain brings down, and support crops of barley and maize. The rice fields + along both banks of the stream display a broad, winding strip of vivid + green, which gives the eye its only relief from the sombre colours of the + mountains. + </p> + <p> + In the spring, indeed, the valleys are brightened by many flowers—wild + tulips, peonies, crocuses and several kinds of polyanthus; and among the + fruits the water melon, some small grapes and mulberries are excellent, + although in their production, nature is unaided by culture. But during the + campaign, which these pages describe, the hot sun of the summer had burnt + up all the flowers, and only a few splendid butterflies, whose wings of + blue and green change colour in the light, like shot silk, contrasted with + the sternness of the landscape. + </p> + <p> + The valleys are nevertheless by no means barren. The soil is fertile, the + rains plentiful, and a considerable proportion of ground is occupied by + cultivation, and amply supplies the wants of the inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + The streams are full of fish, both trout and mahseer. By the banks teal, + widgeon and wild duck, and in some places, snipe, are plentiful. Chikor, a + variety of partridge, and several sorts of pheasants, are to be obtained + on the hills. + </p> + <p> + Among the wild animals of the region the hunter may pursue the black or + brown mountain bear, an occasional leopard, markhor, and several varieties + of wild goat, sheep and antelope. The smaller quadrupeds include hares and + red foxes, not unlike the British breed, only with much brighter coats, + and several kinds of rats, some of which are very curious and rare. + Destitute of beauty but not without use, the scaly ant-eater is frequently + seen; but the most common of all the beasts is an odious species of large + lizard, nearly three feet long, which resembles a flabby-skinned crocodile + and feeds on carrion. Domestic fowls, goats, sheep and oxen, with the + inevitable vulture, and an occasional eagle, complete the fauna. + </p> + <p> + Over all is a bright blue sky and powerful sun. Such is the scenery of the + theatre of war. + </p> + <p> + The inhabitants of these wild but wealthy valleys are of many tribes, but + of similar character and condition. The abundant crops which a warm sun + and copious rains raise from a fertile soil, support a numerous population + in a state of warlike leisure. Except at the times of sowing and of + harvest, a continual state of feud and strife prevails throughout the + land. Tribe wars with tribe. The people of one valley fight with those of + the next. To the quarrels of communities are added the combats of + individuals. Khan assails khan, each supported by his retainers. Every + tribesman has a blood feud with his neighbor. Every man's hand is against + the other, and all against the stranger. + </p> + <p> + Nor are these struggles conducted with the weapons which usually belong to + the races of such development. To the ferocity of the Zulu are added the + craft of the Redskin and the marksmanship of the Boer. The world is + presented with that grim spectacle, "the strength of civilisation without + its mercy." At a thousand yards the traveller falls wounded by the + well-aimed bullet of a breech-loading rifle. His assailant, approaching, + hacks him to death with the ferocity of a South-Sea Islander. The weapons + of the nineteenth century are in the hands of the savages of the Stone + Age. + </p> + <p> + Every influence, every motive, that provokes the spirit of murder among + men, impels these mountaineers to deeds of treachery and violence. The + strong aboriginal propensity to kill, inherit in all human beings, has in + these valleys been preserved in unexampled strength and vigour. That + religion, which above all others was founded and propagated by the sword—the + tenets and principles of which are instinct with incentives to slaughter + and which in three continents has produced fighting breeds of men—stimulates + a wild and merciless fanaticism. The love of plunder, always a + characteristic of hill tribes, is fostered by the spectacle of opulence + and luxury which, to their eyes, the cities and plains of the south + display. A code of honour not less punctilious than that of old Spain, is + supported by vendettas as implacable as those of Corsica. + </p> + <p> + In such a state of society, all property is held directly by main force. + Every man is a soldier. Either he is the retainer of some khan—the + man-at-arms of some feudal baron as it were—or he is a unit in the + armed force of his village—the burgher of mediaeval history. In such + surroundings we may without difficulty trace the rise and fall of an + ambitious Pathan. At first he toils with zeal and thrift as an + agriculturist on that plot of ground which his family have held since they + expelled some former owner. He accumulates in secret a sum of money. With + this he buys a rifle from some daring thief, who has risked his life to + snatch it from a frontier guard-house. He becomes a man to be feared. Then + he builds a tower to his house and overawes those around him in the + village. Gradually they submit to his authority. He might now rule the + village; but he aspires still higher. He persuades or compels his + neighbors to join him in an attack on the castle of a local khan. The + attack succeeds. The khan flies or is killed; the castle captured. The + retainers make terms with the conqueror. The land tenure is feudal. In + return for their acres they follow their new chief to war. Were he to + treat them worse than the other khans treated their servants, they would + sell their strong arms elsewhere. He treats them well. Others resort to + him. He buys more rifles. He conquers two or three neighboring khans. He + has now become a power. + </p> + <p> + Many, perhaps all, states have been founded in a similar way, and it is by + such steps that civilisation painfully stumbles through her earlier + stages. But in these valleys the warlike nature of the people and their + hatred of control, arrest the further progress of development. We have + watched a man, able, thrifty, brave, fighting his way to power, absorbing, + amalgamating, laying the foundations of a more complex and interdependent + state of society. He has so far succeeded. But his success is now his + ruin. A combination is formed against him. The surrounding chiefs and + their adherents are assisted by the village populations. The ambitious + Pathan, oppressed by numbers, is destroyed. The victors quarrel over the + spoil, and the story closes, as it began, in bloodshed and strife. + </p> + <p> + The conditions of existence, that have been thus indicated, have naturally + led to the dwelling-places of these tribes being fortified. If they are in + the valley, they are protected by towers and walls loopholed for musketry. + If in the hollows of the hills, they are strong by their natural position. + In either case they are guarded by a hardy and martial people, well armed, + brave, and trained by constant war. + </p> + <p> + This state of continual tumult has produced a habit of mind which recks + little of injuries, holds life cheap and embarks on war with careless + levity, and the tribesmen of the Afghan border afford the spectacle of a + people, who fight without passion, and kill one another without loss of + temper. Such a disposition, combined with an absolute lack of reverence + for all forms of law and authority, and a complete assurance of equality, + is the cause of their frequent quarrels with the British power. A trifle + rouses their animosity. They make a sudden attack on some frontier post. + They are repulsed. From their point of view the incident is closed. There + has been a fair fight in which they have had the worst fortune. What + puzzles them is that "the Sirkar" should regard so small an affair in a + serious light. Thus the Mohmands cross the frontier and the action of + Shabkadr is fought. They are surprised and aggrieved that the Government + are not content with the victory, but must needs invade their territories, + and impose punishment. Or again, the Mamunds, because a village has been + burnt, assail the camp of the Second Brigade by night. It is a drawn game. + They are astounded that the troops do not take it in good part. + </p> + <p> + They, when they fight among themselves, bear little malice, and the + combatants not infrequently make friends over the corpses of their + comrades or suspend operations for a festival or a horse race. At the end + of the contest cordial relations are at once re-established. And yet so + full of contradictions is their character, that all this is without + prejudice to what has been written of their family vendettas and private + blood feuds. Their system of ethics, which regards treachery and violence + as virtues rather than vices, has produced a code of honour so strange and + inconsistent, that it is incomprehensible to a logical mind. I have been + told that if a white man could grasp it fully, and were to understand + their mental impulses—if he knew, when it was their honour to stand + by him, and when it was their honour to betray him; when they were bound + to protect and when to kill him—he might, by judging his times and + opportunities, pass safely from one end of the mountains to the other. But + a civilised European is as little able to accomplish this, as to + appreciate the feelings of those strange creatures, which, when a drop of + water is examined under a microscope, are revealed amiably gobbling each + other up, and being themselves complacently devoured. + </p> + <p> + I remark with pleasure, as an agreeable trait in the character of the + Pathans, the immunity, dictated by a rude spirit of chivalry, which in + their ceaseless brawling, their women enjoy. Many forts are built at some + distance from any pool or spring. When these are besieged, the women are + allowed by the assailants to carry water to the foot of the walls by + night. In the morning the defenders come out and fetch it—of course + under fire—and are enabled to continue their resistance. But passing + from the military to the social aspect of their lives, the picture assumes + an even darker shade, and is unrelieved by any redeeming virtue. We see + them in their squalid, loopholed hovels, amid dirt and ignorance, as + degraded a race as any on the fringe of humanity: fierce as the tiger, but + less cleanly; as dangerous, not so graceful. Those simple family virtues, + which idealists usually ascribe to primitive peoples, are conspicuously + absent. Their wives and their womenkind generally, have no position but + that of animals. They are freely bought and sold, and are not infrequently + bartered for rifles. Truth is unknown among them. A single typical + incident displays the standpoint from which they regard an oath. In any + dispute about a field boundary, it is customary for both claimants to walk + round the boundary he claims, with a Koran in his hand, swearing that all + the time he is walking on his own land. To meet the difficulty of a false + oath, while he is walking over his neighbor's land, he puts a little dust + from his own field into his shoes. As both sides are acquainted with the + trick, the dismal farce of swearing is usually soon abandoned, in favor of + an appeal to force. + </p> + <p> + All are held in the grip of miserable superstition. The power of the + ziarat, or sacred tomb, is wonderful. Sick children are carried on the + backs of buffaloes, sometimes sixty or seventy miles, to be deposited in + front of such a shrine, after which they are carried back—if they + survive the journey—in the same way. It is painful even to think of + what the wretched child suffers in being thus jolted over the cattle + tracks. But the tribesmen consider the treatment much more efficacious + than any infidel prescription. To go to a ziarat and put a stick in the + ground is sufficient to ensure the fulfillment of a wish. To sit swinging + a stone or coloured glass ball, suspended by a string from a tree, and + tied there by some fakir, is a sure method of securing a fine male heir. + To make a cow give good milk, a little should be plastered on some + favorite stone near the tomb of a holy man. These are but a few instances; + but they may suffice to reveal a state of mental development at which + civilisation hardly knows whether to laugh or weep. + </p> + <p> + Their superstition exposes them to the rapacity and tyranny of a numerous + priesthood—"Mullahs," "Sahibzadas," "Akhundzadas," "Fakirs,"—and + a host of wandering Talib-ul-ilms, who correspond with the theological + students in Turkey, and live free at the expense of the people. More than + this, they enjoy a sort of "droit du seigneur," and no man's wife or + daughter is safe from them. Of some of their manners and morals it is + impossible to write. As Macaulay has said of Wycherley's plays, "they are + protected against the critics as a skunk is protected against the + hunters." They are "safe, because they are too filthy to handle, and too + noisome even to approach." + </p> + <p> + Yet the life even of these barbarous people is not without moments when + the lover of the picturesque might sympathise with their hopes and fears. + In the cool of the evening, when the sun has sunk behind the mountains of + Afghanistan, and the valleys are filled with a delicious twilight, the + elders of the village lead the way to the chenar trees by the water's + side, and there, while the men are cleaning their rifles, or smoking their + hookas, and the women are making rude ornaments from beads, and cloves, + and nuts, the Mullah drones the evening prayer. Few white men have seen, + and returned to tell the tale. But we may imagine the conversation passing + from the prices of arms and cattle, the prospects of the harvest, or the + village gossip, to the great Power, that lies to the southward, and comes + nearer year by year. Perhaps some former Sepoy, of Beluchis or Pathans, + will recount his adventures in the bazaars of Peshawar, or tell of the + white officers he has followed and fought for in the past. He will speak + of their careless bravery and their strange sports; of the far-reaching + power of the Government, that never forgets to send his pension regularly + as the months pass by; and he may even predict to the listening circle the + day when their valleys will be involved in the comprehensive grasp of that + great machine, and judges, collectors and commissioners shall ride to + sessions at Ambeyla, or value the land tax on the soil of Nawagai. Then + the Mullah will raise his voice and remind them of other days when the + sons of the prophet drove the infidel from the plains of India, and ruled + at Delhi, as wide an Empire as the Kafir holds to-day: when the true + religion strode proudly through the earth and scorned to lie hidden and + neglected among the hills: when mighty princes ruled in Bagdad, and all + men knew that there was one God, and Mahomet was His prophet. And the + young men hearing these things will grip their Martinis, and pray to + Allah, that one day He will bring some Sahib—best prize of all—across + their line of sight at seven hundred yards so that, at least, they may + strike a blow for insulted and threatened Islam. + </p> + <p> + The general aspect of the country and character of its inhabitants have + thus been briefly described. At this stage it is not necessary or + desirable to descend to detail. As the account proceeds the reader may + derive a more lively impression of the sombre mountains, and of the + peoples who dwell beneath their shadow. + </p> + <p> + The tale that I have to tell is one of frontier war. Neither the + importance of the issues, nor the numbers of the combatants, are on an + European scale. The fate of empires does not hang on the result. Yet the + narrative may not be without interest, or material for reflection. In the + quarrels of civilised nations, great armies, many thousands strong, + collide. Brigades and battalions are hurried forward, and come perhaps + within some fire zone, swept by concentrated batteries, or massed + musketry. Hundreds or thousands fall killed and wounded. The survivors + struggle on blindly, dazed and dumfoundered, to the nearest cover. Fresh + troops are continuously poured on from behind. At length one side or the + other gives way. In all this tumult, this wholesale slaughter, the + individual and his feelings are utterly lost. Only the army has a tale to + tell. With events on such a scale, the hopes and fears, the strength and + weakness, of man are alike indistinguishable. Amid the din and dust little + but destruction can be discerned. But on the frontier, in the clear light + of morning, when the mountain side is dotted with smoke puffs, and every + ridge sparkles with bright sword blades, the spectator may observe and + accurately appreciate all grades of human courage—the wild + fanaticism of the Ghazi, the composed fatalism of the Sikh, the + stubbornness of the British soldier, and the jaunty daring of his + officers. He may remark occasions of devotion and self-sacrifice, of cool + cynicism and stern resolve. He may participate in moments of wild + enthusiasm, or of savage anger and dismay. The skill of the general, the + quality of the troops, the eternal principles of the art of war, will be + as clearly displayed as on historic fields. Only the scale of the + statistics is reduced. + </p> + <p> + A single glass of champagne imparts a feeling of exhilaration. The nerves + are braced, the imagination is agreeably stirred, the wits become more + nimble. A bottle produces a contrary effect. Excess causes a comatose + insensibility. So it is with war, and the quality of both is best + discovered by sipping. + </p> + <p> + I propose to chronicle the military operations of the Malakand Field + Force, to trace their political results, and to give, if possible, some + picture of the scenery and people of the Indian Highlands. These pages may + serve to record the actions of brave and skilful men. They may throw a + sidelight on the great drama of frontier war. They may describe an episode + in that ceaseless struggle for Empire which seems to be the perpetual + inheritance of our race. They may amuse an idle hour. But the ambition I + shall associate with them is, that in some measure, however small, they + may stimulate that growing interest which the Imperial Democracy of + England is beginning to take, in their great estates that lie beyond the + seas. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II: THE MALAKAND CAMPS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ibam forte via sacra.—HORACE. +</pre> + <p> + The town and cantonment of Nowshera was the base from which all the + operations of the Malakand Field Force were conducted. It is situated on + the India side of the Cabul River and is six hours by rail from Rawal + Pindi. In times of peace its garrison consists of one native cavalry + regiment, one British, and one native infantry battalion. During the war + these troops were employed at the front. The barracks became great + hospitals. The whole place was crowded with transport and military stores; + and only a slender force remained under the orders of Colonel Schalch, the + Base Commandant. + </p> + <p> + The road from Nowshera to the Malakand Pass and camps is forty-seven miles + long, and divided into four stages. Usually there is an excellent tonga + service, and the distance is covered in about six hours; but while the + Field Force was mobilised so much traffic and so many officers passed up + and down the line, that the tonga ponies were soon reduced to a terrible + condition of sores and emaciation, and could hardly drag the journey out + in nine, ten, or even twelve hours. After leaving Nowshera, and crossing + the Cabul River, a stage of fifteen miles brings the traveller to Mardan. + This place—pronounced "Merdane"—is the permanent station of + the Corps of Guides. It is shady and agreeable, though terribly hot in the + summer months. It boasts an excellent polo ground and a comfortable + rest-house. The passer-by should pause to see the Guides' cemetery, + perhaps the only regimental cemetery in the world. To this last + resting-place under the palm trees, close to the fields where they have + played, and the barracks in which they lived, have been borne the bodies + of successive generations of these wardens of the marches, killed in + action across the frontier line. It is a green and pleasant spot. Nor is + there any place in the world where a soldier might lie in braver company. + </p> + <p> + After Mardan the road becomes more dusty, and the surrounding country + barren and arid. [This description applies to the autumn season. In the + winter and spring the country for a time is green and the air cold.] The + mountains are approached, and as the tonga advances their shapes and + colours are more distinctly seen. A few knolls and ridges rising from the + level plain, mark the outposts of that great array of hills. Crossing a + shallow stream—a tributary of the Cabul River, Jalala, the second + stage is reached. In peace time a small mud fort is the only indication, + but this is expanded by the proximity of war to a considerable camp, with + an entrenchment around it. Stopping only to change ponies, for it is a + forsaken spot, the journey is resumed. The avenue of trees on either side + has ceased. The road is seen simply as a white streak stretching towards + the mountains. It is traversed in a sweltering heat and choking dust. All + around the country is red, sterile and burnt up. In front the great wall + of hills rises dark and ominous. At length Dargai at the foot of the pass + is reached. It is another mud fort, swelled during the operations into an + entrenched camp, and surrounded by a network of barbed wire entanglement. + The Malakand Pass can now be seen—a great cleft in the line of + mountains—and far up the gorge, the outline of the fort that guards + it, is distinguishable. + </p> + <p> + The graded road winds up, with many a turn, the long ascent from Dargai to + the top of the pass. The driver flogs the wretched, sore-backed ponies + tirelessly. At length the summit is neared. The view is one worth stopping + to look at. Behind and below, under the haze of the heat, is the wide + expanse of open country—smooth, level, stretching away to the dim + horizon. The tonga turns the corner and enters a new world. A cooler + breeze is blowing. A single step has led from peace to war; from + civilisation to savagery; from India to the mountains. On all sides the + landscape is wild and rugged. Ridge succeeds ridge. Valley opens into + valley. As far as the eye can reach in every direction are ragged peaks + and spurs. The country of the plains is left, and we have entered a + strange land, as tangled as the maze at Hampton Court, with mountains + instead of hedges. So broken and so confused is the ground, that I despair + of conveying a clear impression of it. + </p> + <p> + The Malakand is like a great cup, of which the rim is broken into numerous + clefts and jagged points. At the bottom of this cup is the "crater" camp. + The deepest cleft is the Malakand Pass. The highest of the jagged points + is Guides Hill, on a spur of which the fort stands. It needs no technical + knowledge to see, that to defend such a place, the rim of the cup must be + held. But in the Malakand, the bottom of the cup is too small to contain + the necessary garrison. The whole position is therefore, from the military + point of view, bad and indefensible. In the revised and improved scheme of + defence, arrangements have been made, to command the available approaches, + and to block such as cannot be commanded with barbed wire entanglements + and other obstructions; and by a judicious system of works much of the rim + is now held. But even now I am told by competent judges that the place is + a bad one for defence; that the pass could be held by the fort alone, and + that the brigade stationed there would be safer and equally useful, if + withdrawn to Dargai. At the time this story opens the Malakand South Camp + was an impossible place to put troops in. It was easy of access. It was + cramped and commanded by neighbouring heights. [Under the arrangements + which have been made since the war, the Malakand position and the works at + Chakdara and Dargai will be held by two battalions and some details. These + will be supported by a flying column, the exact location and composition + of which are as yet undetermined.] + </p> + <p> + The small area of the camp on the Kotal necessitated the formation of a + second encampment in the plain of Khar. This was close under the north + outer edge of the cup. It was called for political reasons North Malakand. + As a military position it, also, was radically bad. It was everywhere + commanded, and surrounded by ravines and nullahs, which made it easy for + an enemy to get in, and difficult for troops to get out. It was, of + course, of no strategic value, and was merely used as a habitation for the + troops intended to hold Malakand, for whom there was no room in the crater + and fort. The north camp has now been definitely abandoned. + </p> + <p> + Nobody, however—least of all those who selected the site—would + seem to have contemplated the possibility of an attack. Indeed the whole + situation was regarded as purely temporary. The vacillation, caused by the + change of parties and policies in England, led to the Malakand garrison + remaining for two years in a position which could not be well defended + either on paper or in reality. At first, after the Chitral campaign of + 1895, it was thought that the retention of the brigade in this advanced + post, was only a matter of a few weeks. But as the months passed by the + camp began, in spite of the uncertainty, to assume an appearance of + permanency. The officers built themselves huts and mess rooms. A good polo + ground was discovered near Khar, and under careful management rapidly + improved. A race-course was projected. Many officers who were married + brought their wives and families to the camp among the mountains, and the + whole place was rapidly becoming a regular cantonment. No cases of Ghazi + outrage broke the tranquillity. The revolvers, which all persons leaving + camp were by regulations obliged to take, were either unloaded or carried + by a native groom. Shooting parties were organised to the hills. A + well-contested polo tournament was held in Christmas week. Distinguished + travellers—even a member of Parliament—visited this outpost of + empire, and observed with interest the swiftness and ease with which the + Anglo-Saxon adapts every situation to his sports and habits. + </p> + <p> + At the same time the station of the Malakand Brigade was far from being a + comfortable one. For two years they lived under canvas or in rude huts. + They were exposed to extremes of climate. They were without punkahs or ice + in the hot weather. They were nearly fifty miles from the railway, and in + respect of companionship and amusements were thrown entirely on their own + resources. When the British cavalry officer succeeds, in spite of official + opposition, expense and discouragement, in getting on service across the + frontier, he is apt to look with envious eyes at the officers of the + Frontier Force, who are taken as a matter of course and compelled to do by + command, what he would solicit as a favour. But he must remember that this + is their compensation for long months of discomfort and monotony in lonely + and out-of-the-way stations, and for undergoing hardships which, though + honourable and welcome in the face of the enemy, become obnoxious in times + of peace. + </p> + <p> + After crossing the Malakand Pass the first turning to the right leads to + the Swat Valley. The traveller is now within the mountains. In every + direction the view is restricted or terminated by walls of rock. The + valley itself is broad, level and fertile. The river flows swiftly through + the middle. On either side of it, is a broad strip of rice fields. Other + crops occupy the drier ground. Numerous villages, some of which contain + large populations, are scattered about. It is a beautiful scene. The cool + breezes of the mountains temper the heat of the sun. The abundant rains + preserve the verdure of the earth. + </p> + <p> + In ancient times this region was the seat of a Buddhistic kingdom, and was + known as Woo-Chang or "Udyana," which means "the Park," and proclaims the + appreciation which its former possessors had of their pleasant valley. + "The people," says the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien, who visited the country in + the fifth century, "all use the language of Central India, 'Central India' + being what we should call the 'Middle Kingdom.' The food and clothes of + the common people are the same as in that Central Kingdom. The law of + Buddha is very flourishing in Woo-Chang." "The Park," which includes all + the country on both banks of the Swat River—then called the + Subhavastu—but which perhaps applies more particularly to the upper + end of the valley, was famous for its forests, flowers and fruit. But + though the valley retains much of its beauty, its forests have been + destroyed by the improvidence, and its flowers and fruit have declined + through the ignorance, of the fierce conquerors into whose hands it fell. + </p> + <p> + The reputation which its present inhabitants enjoy is evil. Their + treacherous character has distinguished them even among peoples + notoriously faithless and cruel. Among Pathans it is a common saying: + "Swat is heaven, but the Swatis are hell-fiends." For many years they had + lain under the stigma of cowardice, and were despised as well as + distrusted by the tribes of the border; but their conduct in the recent + fighting has cleared them at least from this imputation. + </p> + <p> + Several minor chieftains now divide authority in the Swat Valley, but till + 1870 it was governed by a single ruler. The Ahkund of Swat was by origin a + cowherd, an office considered most honourable in India. The cow is a + sacred beast. His service is acceptable to the Gods and men. Princes glory + in the name—though they do not usually carry their enthusiasm + further. "Guicowar" translated literally means "cowherd." From such + employment the future Ahkund received his inspiration. He sat for many + years by the banks of the Indus, and meditated. Thus he became a saint. + The longer his riparian reflections were continued, the greater his + sanctity became. The fame of his holiness spread throughout all the + region. The Swatis besought him to come and live in their valley. After + dignified and diplomatic reluctance, he consented to exchange the banks of + the Indus for those of the Swat. For some years, he lived in the green + valley, and enjoyed the reverence of its people. At the time of the great + mutiny, Said Akbar, the King of Swat, died, and the saint succeeded to the + temporal as well as the spiritual authority. In 1863 he preached the Jehad + against the British, and headed the Swatis and Bunerwals in the Ambeyla + campaign. The power which the Sirkar so extravagantly displayed to bring + the war to an end, evidently impressed the old man, for at its close he + made friends with the Government and received from them many tokens of + respect. + </p> + <p> + Before he died in 1870, he summoned his people around him and declared to + them that one day their valley would be the scene of a struggle between + the Russians and the British. When that came to pass he charged them to + fight on our side. The saying is firmly fixed in the hearts of the + tribesmen, and is associated with the memory of their famous priest, known + to English minds chiefly through the medium of the "Bab Ballads." + </p> + <p> + His two sons are dead, but his two grandsons, [the Mianguls of Swat] both + quite young, live on in the valley, and are the owners of the Ahkund's + freeholds, which are in every section of the Swat country. They have very + little political influence; but their persons and property are respected + by the people and by the British for the sake of their grandfather, who + sleeps in an odour of sanctity at Saidu, near Mingaora. + </p> + <p> + From the Malakand the signal tower of Chakdara can be seen eight miles + away to the eastward. Thither the broad graded road runs like a ribbon + across the plain. Seven miles from the Kotal Camp, it crosses the Amandara + Pass, a gap in a considerable underfeature, which juts from the southern + mountains. After this it turns more to the north and leads to the + fortified bridge across the river. I invite the reader to remark this + road, for it is historic. It is not only the route by which the Malakand + Field Force was able to advance, but it is the very reason of their + existence. Without this road there would have been no Malakand Camps, no + fighting, no Malakand Field Force, no story. It is the road to Chitral. + </p> + <p> + Here then, at once, the whole vast question of frontier policy is raised. + We hold the Malakand Pass to keep the Chitral road open. We keep the + Chitral road open because we have retained Chitral. We retain Chitral in + accordance with the "Forward Policy." I am thus confronted at the very + outset of this book, which was intended to be devoted chiefly to the + narration of military events and small incidents, with that wide political + question, on which the keenest intellects in England are in doubt, and the + most valuable expert evidence in India is divided. The reader must not + think me pusillanimous or weak if I postpone the discussion of so great + and controversial a matter till a later chapter, when I may perhaps enjoy + a larger measure of his sympathy and agreement. After the story has been + told, it may not be inappropriate to point the moral. + </p> + <p> + Prudence encourages procrastination. But while the consideration of the + advisability of the retention of Chitral may be deferred, a description of + the means is convenient, if not necessary, to the present chapter. + </p> + <p> + Nowshera is the railway base of the road. Thence we have followed it to + Mardan and across the frontier. Here the new and disputed portion begins. + Passing at first through the Lower Ranizai country, it climbs the Malakand + Pass, descends into the valley beyond and runs thence through Upper + Ranizai territory and Lower Swat to Chakdara. Here it crosses the Swat + River by the fine suspension bridge which the fort guards. The three spans + of this bridge are together nearly 1500 feet long. It was constructed in + 1895, during the operations, in about six weeks, and is a very remarkable + piece of military engineering. Beyond the Swat the road runs through the + territories of the Khan of Dir, north and east to Sadu, an obscure village + thirty-five miles from Malakand. This marks the end of the first section, + and further than this wheeled traffic cannot go. The road, now become a + camel track, winds along the left bank of the Panjkora River to within + five miles of Dir, where it crosses to the right bank by another + suspension bridge. Thence it continues to the junction of the Dir stream, + along which it finds its way to Dir itself, some fifty miles from Sadu. + Beyond Dir camels cannot proceed, and here begins the third section—a + path practicable only for mules, and about sixty miles long. From Dir the + road is a triumph of engineering. In many places it is carried on wooden + galleries perched on the faces of steep and tremendous cliffs, and at + others it works round spurs by astounding zig-zags, or is scarped from the + mountain side. At the end of the road is Fort Chitral with a garrison of + two battalions, one company of sappers, and two mountain guns. + </p> + <p> + The road is maintained and protected by the tribes through whose + territories it passes; but the two principal points where it might be + closed are held by Imperial garrisons. The Malakand Fort guards the + passage of the mountains. Chakdara holds the bridge across the river. The + rest is left to the tribal levies. The Ranizai tribe receive an annual + subsidy from the Indian Government of 30,000 rupees, out of which they + maintain 200 irregulars armed with Sniders, and irreverently called by the + British officers, "Catch-'em-alive-Os." These drive away marauders and + discourage outrage and murder. The Khan of Dir, through whose territory + the road runs for seventy-three miles, also receives a subsidy from + Government of 60,000 rupees, in consideration of which he provides 400 + irregulars for its service. + </p> + <p> + Until the great rising these arrangements worked admirably. The tribesmen + interested in the maintenance of the route, were most reluctant to engage + in hostilities against the Government. The Lower Ranizais, south of + Malakand, abstained altogether. The elders of the tribe collected all the + arms of their hot-headed youths, and forbade them to attack the troops. + The Upper Ranizais were nearer the scene of the disturbance, and were + induced by superstition and fear to join the Mullah; but very + half-heartedly. The Swatis were carried away by fanaticism. The Khan of + Dir throughout behaved loyally, as he is entirely dependent on British + support, and his people realise the advantages of the subsidy. + </p> + <p> + If the road is interesting its story is more so, and a summary of the + events and causes which have led to its construction, may also throw some + light on the political history and methods of the border tribes. + </p> + <p> + The uncertainty and insecurity of their power, has always led petty chiefs + to seek the support of some powerful suzerain. In 1876 the Mehtar of + Chitral, Aman-ul-Mulk, was encouraged to seek the protection, and become + the vassal of our vassal, the Maharaja of Cashmere. In accordance with the + general scheme of advance, then already adopted by the Indian Government, + a British agency was at once established at Gilgit on the Chitral-Cashmere + frontier. Aman-ul-Mulk was presented with a certain supply of arms and + ammunition, and an annual subsidy of 6000 rupees, afterwards raised to + 12,000 rupees. The British thus obtained an interest in Chitral, and a + point of observation on its borders. In 1881 the agency was withdrawn, but + the influence remained, and in 1889 it was re-established with a much + larger garrison. Meanwhile Aman-ul-Mulk ruled in Chitral, showing great + respect to the wishes of the Government, and in the enjoyment of his + subsidy and comparative peace. But in 1892 he died, leaving many sons, all + equally ferocious, ambitious and unscrupulous. One of these, Afzal by + name, though not the eldest or acknowledged heir, had the good fortune to + be on the spot. He seized the reins of power, and having murdered as many + if his brothers as he could catch, proclaimed himself Mehtar, and invited + the recognition of the Indian Government. He was acknowledged chief, as he + seemed to be "a man of courage and determination," and his rule afforded a + prospect of settled government. Surviving brothers fled to neighbouring + states. + </p> + <p> + Nizam, the eldest, came to Gilgit and appealed to the British. He got no + help. The blessing had already been bestowed. But in November, 1892, Sher + Afzul, a brother of the late Aman, returned by stealth to Chitral, whence + fraternal affection had driven him, and killed the new Mehtar and another + brother, both of whom were his nephews. The "wicked uncle" then ascended + the throne, or its equivalent. He was, however, opposed. The Indian + Government refused to recognise him. Nizam, at Gilgit, urged his claims, + and was finally allowed to go and try to regain his inheritance. The moral + support of 250 Cashmere rifles brought him many adherents. He was joined + by the people. It was the landing of William of Orange on a reduced scale, + and with Cashmere troops instead of Dutch Guards. Twelve hundred men sent + by Sher Afzul to oppose him, deserted to his side. The avuncular usurper, + realising that it might be dangerous to wait longer, fled to Afghanistan, + as James II had fled to France, was received by the ruler with + hospitality, and carefully preserved as an element of future disorder. + </p> + <p> + Nizam now became Mehtar according to his desire. But he did not greatly + enjoy his power, and may have evolved some trite reflections on the vanity + of earthly ambition. From the first he was poor and unpopular. With the + support of the Government of India, however, he managed to maintain a + weak, squalid rule for a space. To give him countenance, and in accordance + with the Policy, Captain Younghusband was sent to the country with a + hundred bayonets. The Gilgit garrison was increased by a battalion, and + several posts were established between that place and Mastuj. + </p> + <p> + Thus the Imperial forces had entered Chitral. Their position was soon to + become one of danger. They were separated from Gilgit by many miles of bad + road, and warlike tribesmen. To move troops from Gilgit would always be + slow and difficult. Another route was however possible, the route I have + described—a route northwards from Peshawar through Dir—shorter + and easier, starting from British territory and the railway. Towards this + line of communication the Indian Government now looked. If British troops + or agents were to be retained in Chitral, if in other words their + recognised policy was to be continued, this route must be opened up. They + sounded the Home Government. Lord Kimberley replied, deprecating increase + of responsibilities, of territory and expenditure, and declining to pledge + himself to support such a scheme. At the same time he sanctioned the + temporary retention of the troops, and the agent, in the hopes of + strengthening Nizam. [Despatch from Secretary of State, No.34, 1st Sept., + 1893.] + </p> + <p> + At this point Umra Khan must enter the story. The Gilgit agency report, + dated 28th April, 1890, speaks of this chief, who was the Khan of Jandul, + but whose influence pervaded the whole of Bajaur as "the most important + man between Chitral and Pashawar." To this powerful ruler, another of the + sons of Aman, named Amir, had fled from the family massacre which followed + his father's death. Umra Khan protected him and determined to turn him to + his own advantage. In May, 1894, this youth—he was about twenty + years of age—returned to Chitral, professing to have escaped from + the hands of Umra Khan. He was kindly received by Nizam, who seems to have + been much hampered throughout his career by his virtue. On 1st January, + 1895, Amir availed himself of his welcome, to murder his brother, and the + principal members of the Chitral Cabinet. He proclaimed himself Mentar and + asked for recognition. The Imperial officers, though used to frontier + politics, refused to commit themselves to any arrangement with such a + villain, until the matter had been considered in India. + </p> + <p> + Umra Khan now advanced with a large force to the head of the Chitral + Valley, nominally to assist his dear friend and ally, Amir, to consolidate + his rule, really in the hopes of extending his own territories. But Amir, + knowing Umra well, and having won his kingdom, did not desire to share it. + Fighting ensued. The Chitrals were beaten. As he could not make any use of + Amir, Umra Khan invited the wicked uncle to return. Sher Afzul accepted. A + bargain was struck. Sher Afzul claimed to be made Mehtar, Umra supported + his claims. Both threatened force in the event of opposition. + </p> + <p> + But the Imperial Government rose in wrath, refused to have anything to do + with the new claimant, informed him that his language was impertinent, and + warned Umra Khan to leave Chitral territory forthwith or take the + consequences. The answer was war. The scanty garrisons and scattered + parties of British troops were attacked. A company of the 14th Sikhs was + cut to pieces. Lieutenants Fowler and Edwards were taken prisoners. Fort + Chitral, into which the rest of the Chitral mission and their escort had + thrown themselves, was closely and fiercely besieged. To rescue them was + imperative. The 1st Division of the Field Army was mobilised. A force of + nearly 16,000 men crossed the frontier on the 1st April, from Mardan, to + advance to the relief by the shortest route—the route through Swat + and Dir—the line of the present Chitral road. The command of the + expedition was confided to Sir Robert Low. Sir Bindon Blood was Chief of + the Staff. + </p> + <p> + So far the tale has been of the steady increase of British influence, in + accordance with an avowed and consistent policy—primarily in + Chitral, and ultimately throughout the border tribes. One movement has + been followed by another. All have been aimed at a common end. Now + suddenly we are confronted with an act by which the Government of India + with open eyes placed an obstacle in the path, which they had so long + pursued, to follow which they had made so many efforts themselves and + demanded so many sacrifices from their subjects. Perhaps from compunction, + but probably to soothe the Liberal Government, by appearing to localise + the disturbances, and disclaiming any further acquisition of territory, + they issued a proclamation to "all the people of Swat and the people of + Bajaur, who do not side with Umra Khan," in which they declared that they + had "no intention of permanently occupying any territory through which + Umra Khan's misconduct" might "force them to pass, or of interfering with + the independence of the tribes." [Proclamation, 14th March, 1895.] + </p> + <p> + If this proclamation was intended for political purposes in England, it, + from one point of view, succeeded most admirably, for there has been + nearly as much written about it as about all the soldiers who have been + killed and wounded in the war. It had, however, no effect upon the + tribesmen, who were infuriated by the sight if the troops and paid no + attention to the protestations of the Government. Had they watched with + care the long, steady, deliberate advance, which I have so briefly + summarised; had they read the avowed and recorded determination of the + Indian Administration "to extend and, by degrees, to consolidate their + influence" [Letter from Government of India, No.407, 28th February, 1879.] + in the whole drainage system of the Indus, they might have even doubted + their sincerity. Instead, and being unable to make fine distinctions, they + saw only invasion in the military movements. + </p> + <p> + They gathered accordingly, to oppose the advance of the troops. To the + number of 12,000 they occupied the Malakand Pass—a tremendous + position. From this they were driven with great slaughter on the 3rd of + April, by the two leading brigades of Sir Robert Low's force. Further + operations resulted in the passage of the Swat and Panjkora Rivers being + effected. The road to Chitral was open. The besiegers of the fort fled, + and a small relieving force was able to push through from Gilgit under + Colonel Kelly. Umra Khan fled to Afghanistan, and the question of future + policy came before the Government of India. + </p> + <p> + Two alternatives presented themselves: either they must "abandon the + attempt to keep up any effective control" over Chitral, or they must put a + sufficient garrison there. In pursuance of their recognised policy, the + Council decided unanimously that to maintain British influence in Chitral + was "a matter of first importance." In a despatch [Despatch of Government + of India, No.240, 8th May, 1895.] to the Home Government they set forth + all their reasons, and at the same time declared that it was impossible to + garrison Chitral without keeping up the road from Peshawar, by which the + Relief force had advanced. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th of June Lord Rosebery's Cabinet replied decisively, with + courage if not with wisdom, that "no military force or European agent + should be kept at Chitral, that Chitral should not be fortified, and that + no road should be made between Peshawar and Chitral." By this they + definitely and finally repudiated the policy which had been consistently + followed since 1876. They left Chitral to stew in its own juice. They + over-ruled the Government of India. It was a bold and desperate attempt to + return to the old frontier line. The Indian Government replied: "We deeply + regret but loyally accept decision," and began to gather up the severed + strings of their policy and weave another web. + </p> + <p> + But in the nick of time the Liberal Administration fell, and Lord + Salisbury's Cabinet reversed their decision. It is interesting, in reading + the Blue Books on Indian questions, to watch the emotions of party + principles, stirring beneath the uniform mask of official responsibility—which + the most reckless of men are compelled to wear as soon as they become + ministers. The language, the style, the tone of the correspondence is the + same. It is always a great people addressing and instructing their + pro-consuls and administrators. But the influence inclines backwards and + forwards as the pendulum of politics swings. And as the swing in 1895 was + a very great one, a proportionate impulse was given to the policy of + advance. "It seemed" to the new ministry "that the policy... continuously + pursued by successive Governments ought not to be lightly abandoned unless + its maintenance had become clearly impossible." [Despatch, Secretary of + State, No.30, 16th Aug., 1895.] Thus the retention of Chitral was + sanctioned, and the road which that retention necessitated was completed. + </p> + <p> + I approach with nervousness so great a matter as the "Breach of Faith" + question. In a book devoted chiefly to the deeds of soldiers it seems + almost presumptuous to discuss an affair which involves the political + honour of statesmen. In their unnecessary and gratuitous proclamation the + Government of India declared, that they had no intention of interfering + with the tribes, or of permanently occupying any territory, the troops + might march through; whereas now they do interfere with the tribesmen, and + have established garrisons at Dargai, Malakand and Chakdara, all of which + are in the territory through which the troops passed. But it takes two to + make a bargain or a breach of faith. The tribes took no notice of the + proclamation. They did not understand it. They did not believe it. Where + there is no faith there can be no breach of faith. The border peoples + resisted the advance. That position annulled the proclamation, and proved + that it was not credited by the tribesmen. They do not think they have + been tricked. They do not regard the road as a "breach of faith." What + they do regard it as, is a menace to their independence, and a prelude to + annexation. Nor are they wrong. Looking at the road, as I have seen it, + and have tried to describe it, running broad and white across the valley; + at the soldiers moving along it; at the political officers extending their + influence in all directions; at the bridge and fort of Chakdara; and at + the growing cantonment on the Malakand Pass, it needs no education to + appreciate its significance. Nor can any sophistry obscure it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III: THE OUTBREAK + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum. + + LUCRETIUS. +</pre> + <p> + The historian of great events is always oppressed by the difficulty of + tracing the silent, subtle influences, which in all communities precede + and prepare the way for violent outbursts and uprisings. He may discover + many causes and record them duly, but he will always be sensible that + others have escaped him. The changing tides of public opinion, the + undercurrents of interest, partisanship and caprice, the whirlpools of + illogical sentiment or ignorant prejudice, exert forces so complex and + numerous, that to observe and appreciate them all, and to estimate the + effect of each in raising the storm, is a task beyond the intellect and + industry of man. The chronicler of small things lies under even greater + disabilities. He has fewer facts to guide his judgment, nor is it as easy + to read small print as capital letters. + </p> + <p> + In an attempt to state the causes of the great tribal upheaval of 1897, + these difficulties are increased by the fact that no European can gauge + the motives or assume the points of view of Asiatics. It is, however, + impossible to pass the question by, and ignoring the detail, I shall + endeavour to indicate some at least of the most important and apparent + forces, which have led to the formidable combination with which the + British power in India has been confronted. + </p> + <p> + The most marked incident in the "Forward Policy" has been the retention of + Chitral. The garrisons, the road, the tribal levies have made the + tribesmen realise the proximity and the advance of civilisation. It is + possible—even probable—that with all their love of + independence, the majority of the inhabitants of the mountains would have + been willing, until their liberties were actually curtailed, to remain in + passive submission, soothed by the increase of material prosperity. During + the two years that the British flag had floated over Chakdara and the + Malakand the trade of the Swat Valley had nearly doubled. As the sun of + civilisation rose above the hills, the fair flowers of commerce unfolded, + and the streams of supply and demand, hitherto congealed by the frost of + barbarism, were thawed. Most of the native population were content to bask + in the genial warmth and enjoy the new-found riches and comforts. For two + years reliefs had gone to and from Chitral without a shot being fired. Not + a post-bag had been stolen, not a messenger murdered. The political + officers riding about freely among the fierce hill men were invited to + settle many disputes, which would formerly have been left to armed force. + </p> + <p> + But a single class had viewed with quick intelligence and intense + hostility the approach of the British power. The priesthood of the Afghan + border instantly recognised the full meaning of the Chitral road. The + cause of their antagonism is not hard to discern. Contact with + civilisation assails the ignorance, and credulity, on which the wealth and + influence of the Mullah depend. A general combination of the religious + forces of India against that civilising, educating rule, which + unconsciously saps the strength of superstition, is one of the dangers of + the future. Here Mahommedanism was threatened and resisted. A vast, but + silent agitation was begun. Messengers passed to and fro among the tribes. + Whispers of war, a holy war, were breathed to a race intensely passionate + and fanatical. Vast and mysterious agencies, the force of which is + incomprehensible to rational minds, were employed. More astute brains than + the wild valleys of the North produce conducted the preparations. Secret + encouragement came from the South—from India itself. Actual support + and assistance was given from Cabul. + </p> + <p> + In that strange half light of ignorance and superstition, assailed by + supernatural terrors and doubts, and lured by hopes of celestial glory, + the tribes were taught to expect prodigious events. Something was coming. + A great day for their race and faith was at hand. Presently the moment + would arrive. They must watch and be ready. The mountains became as full + of explosives as a magazine. Yet the spark was lacking. + </p> + <p> + At length the time came. A strange combination of circumstances operated + to improve the opportunity. The victory of the Turks over the Greeks; the + circulation of the Amir's book on "Jehad"; his assumption of the position + of a Caliph of Islam, and much indiscreet writing in the Anglo-Indian + press, [Articles in Anglo-Indian papers on such subjects as "The + Recrudescence if Mahommedanism" produce more effect on the educated native + mind than the most seditious frothings of the vernacular press.] united to + produce a "boom" in Mahommedanism. + </p> + <p> + The moment was propitious; nor was the man wanting. What Peter the Hermit + was to the regular bishops and cardinals of the Church, the Mad Mullah was + to the ordinary priesthood of the Afghan border. A wild enthusiast, + convinced alike of his Divine mission and miraculous powers, preached a + crusade, or Jehad, against the infidel. The mine was fired. The flame ran + along the ground. The explosions burst forth in all directions. The + reverberations have not yet died away. + </p> + <p> + Great and widespread as the preparations were, they were not visible to + the watchful diplomatic agents who maintained the relations of the + Government with the tribesmen. So extraordinary is the inversion of ideas + and motives among those people that it may be said that those who know + them best, know them least, and the more logical the mind of the student + the less he is able to understand of the subject. In any case among these + able men who diligently collected information and observed the state of + feeling, there were none who realised the latent forces that were being + accumulated on all sides. The strange treachery at Maizar in June was a + flash in the pan. Still no one saw the danger. It was not until the early + days of July that it was noticed that there was a fanatical movement in + Upper Swat. Even then its significance was disregarded and its importance + underrated. That a Mad Fakir had arrived was known. His power was still a + secret. It did not long remain so. + </p> + <p> + It is, thank heaven, difficult if not impossible for the modern European + to fully appreciate the force which fanaticism exercises among an + ignorant, warlike and Oriental population. Several generations have + elapsed since the nations of the West have drawn the sword in religious + controversy, and the evil memories of the gloomy past have soon faded in + the strong, clear light of Rationalism and human sympathy. Indeed it is + evident that Christianity, however degraded and distorted by cruelty and + intolerance, must always exert a modifying influence on men's passions, + and protect them from the more violent forms of fanatical fever, as we are + protected from smallpox by vaccination. But the Mahommedan religion + increases, instead of lessening, the fury of intolerance. It was + originally propagated by the sword, and ever since, its votaries have been + subject, above the people of all other creeds, to this form of madness. In + a moment the fruits of patient toil, the prospects of material prosperity, + the fear of death itself, are flung aside. The more emotional Pathans are + powerless to resist. All rational considerations are forgotten. Seizing + their weapons, they become Ghazis—as dangerous and as sensible as + mad dogs: fit only to be treated as such. While the more generous spirits + among the tribesmen become convulsed in an ecstasy of religious + bloodthirstiness, poorer and more material souls derive additional + impulses from the influence of others, the hopes of plunder and the joy of + fighting. Thus whole nations are roused to arms. Thus the Turks repel + their enemies, the Arabs of the Soudan break the British squares, and the + rising on the Indian frontier spreads far and wide. In each case + civilisation is confronted with militant Mahommedanism. The forces of + progress clash with those of reaction. The religion of blood and war is + face to face with that of peace. Luckily the religion of peace is usually + the better armed. + </p> + <p> + The extraordinary credulity of the people is hardly conceivable. Had the + Mad Mullah called on them to follow him to attack Malakand and Chakdara + they would have refused. Instead he worked miracles. He sat at his house, + and all who came to visit him, brought him a small offering of food or + money, in return for which he gave them a little rice. As his stores were + continually replenished, he might claim to have fed thousands. He asserted + that he was invisible at night. Looking into his room, they saw no one. At + these things they marvelled. Finally he declared he would destroy the + infidel. He wanted no help. No one should share the honours. The heavens + would open and an army would descend. The more he protested he did not + want them, the more exceedingly they came. Incidentally he mentioned that + they would be invulnerable; other agents added arguments. I was shown a + captured scroll, upon which the tomb of the Ghazi—he who has killed + an infidel—is depicted in heaven, no fewer than seven degrees above + the Caaba itself. Even after the fighting—when the tribesmen reeled + back from the terrible army they had assailed, leaving a quarter of their + number on the field—the faith of the survivors was unshaken. Only + those who had doubted had perished, said the Mullah, and displayed a + bruise which was, he informed them, the sole effect of a twelve-pound + shrapnel shell on his sacred person. + </p> + <p> + I pass with relief from the tossing sea of Cause and Theory to the firm + ground of Result and Fact. The rumours and reports which reached the + Malakand of the agitation in Upper Swat and among the surrounding tribes + were fully appreciated by the Pathan Sepoys of the garrison. As July + advanced, several commanding officers were warned by their men, that great + events were impending. Major Deane, the political agent, watched with + great anxiety the daily progress of the fanatical movement. No one desires + to be thought an alarmist, least of all on the frontier where there is + always danger. At length, however, he felt compelled to officially report + the disquieting signs. Warnings were then issued to the officers in charge + of the various posts, and the troops were practised in taking up alarm + stations. By the 23rd of July all had been informed that the aspect of + affairs was threatening, and ordered to observe every precaution. But to + the last everybody doubted that there would be a rising, nor did any one + imagine that even should one occur, it would lead to more than a skirmish. + The natives were friendly and respectful. The valley smiled in fertile + prosperity. It was not strange, that none could foresee the changes a week + would bring, or guess that in a few days they would be fighting for their + lives; that they would carry fire and sword through the peaceful + landscape; that the polo ground would be the scene of a cavalry charge, or + that the cheery barbarians among whom they had lived quietly for so many + months would become maddened and ferocious savages. Never was + transformation of scene more complete, or more rapid. + </p> + <p> + And all the while the rumours of coming war grew stronger and stronger. + The bazaars of India, like the London coffee-houses of the last century, + are always full of marvellous tales—the invention of fertile brains. + A single unimportant fact is exaggerated, and distorted, till it becomes + unrecognisable. From it, a thousand wild, illogical, and fantastic + conclusions are drawn. These again are circulated as facts. So the game + goes on. But amid all this falsehood, and idle report, there often lies + important information. The bazaar stories not only indicate the state of + native opinion, but not infrequently contain the germ of truth. In Eastern + lands, news travels by strange channels, and often with unaccountable + rapidity. As July advanced the bazaar at Malakand became full of tales of + the Mad Fakir. His miracles passed from mouth to mouth, with suitable + additions. + </p> + <p> + A great day for Islam was at hand. A mighty man had arisen to lead them. + The English would be swept away. By the time of the new moon, not one + would remain. The Great Fakir had mighty armies concealed among the + mountains. When the moment came these would sally forth—horse, foot + and artillery—and destroy the infidel. It was even stated that the + Mullah had ordered that no one should go near a certain hill, lest the + heavenly hosts should be prematurely revealed. So ran the talk. But among + all these frothy fabrications there lay a solemn warning. + </p> + <p> + Though the British military and political officers were compelled to take + official notice of the reports received with reference to the tribal + gathering, and to make arrangements for the safety of their posts, they + privately scouted the idea that any serious events were impending. + </p> + <p> + On the afternoon of the 26th July the subalterns and younger officers of + the Malakand garrison proceeded to Khar to play polo. Thither also came + Lieutenant Rattray, riding over from Chakdara fort. The game was a good + one, and the tribesmen of the neighbouring village watched it as usual in + little groups, with a keen interest. Nothing in their demeanour betrayed + their thoughts or intentions. The young soldiers saw nothing, knew + nothing, and had they known would have cared less. There would be no + rising. If there was, so much the better. They were ready for it. The game + ended and the officers cantered back to their camps and posts. + </p> + <p> + It was then that a strange incident occurred—an incident eminently + characteristic of the frontier tribes. As the syces were putting the rugs + and clothing on the polo ponies, and loitering about the ground after the + game, the watching natives drew near and advised them to be off home at + once, for that there was going to be a fight. They knew, these Pathans, + what was coming. The wave of fanaticism was sweeping down the valley. It + would carry them away. They were powerless to resist. Like one who feels a + fit coming on, they waited. Nor did they care very much. When the Mad + Fakir arrived, they would fight and kill the infidels. In the meantime + there was no necessity to deprive them of their ponies. And so with + motives, partly callous, partly sportsmanlike, and not without some faint + suspicion of chivalry, they warned the native grooms, and these taking the + hint reached the camp in safety. + </p> + <p> + Late on this same afternoon Major Deane reported to Brigadier-General + Meiklejohn, who commanded the Malakand garrison, that matters had assumed + a very grave aspect; that a great armed gathering had collected around the + Mad Mullah's standard, and that an attack was probable. He advised that + the Guides should be called up to reinforce the brigade. A telegram was + immediately despatched to Mardan ordering them to march without delay. At + 8.30 Lieutenant P. Eliott-Lockhart, who was the senior officer then with + the regiment, received the order. At 1.30 A.M. they began their now famous + march. + </p> + <p> + After sending for the Guides, the brigadier, at about seven o'clock, + interviewed his different commanding officers, and instructed them to be + prepared to turn out at any moment. Major Deane now reported that the Mad + Mullah and his gathering were advancing down the valley, and recommended + that the Amandara Pass, four miles away, should be held. General + Meiklejohn accordingly issued orders for a movable column, to be formed as + follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 45th Sikhs. + 2 Cos. 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 2 Guns No. 8 Mountain Battery. + 1 Squadron 11th Bengal Lancers. +</pre> + <p> + This force, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel McRae, 45th Sikhs, was to + start at midnight and would be supported by the rest of the troops under + command of the brigadier at 3 A.M. + </p> + <p> + All preparations were swiftly made. At 9.45 a telegram from Chakdara—which + got through just before the wire was cut—reported that large forces + of Pathans were rapidly moving towards the camps. A quarter of an hour + later a Jemadar of the Levies galloped in with the news that, to quote the + official despatch: "The Fakir had passed Khar and was advancing on + Malakand, that neither Levies nor people would act against him, and that + the hills to the east of the camp were covered with Pathans." + </p> + <p> + As soon as the officers had returned from polo, they found plenty of work + waiting for them. Bandsmen and boys incapable of carrying arms had to be + hurried up to the fort. Indents had to be made out for transport, rations + and ammunition. There was much to do, and little time to do it in. At + length all was finished, and the troops were in readiness for their early + morning start. At 9.30 the officers sat down to dinner, still in their + polo kit, which there had been no time to change. At 10 o'clock they were + discussing the prospects of the approaching march, and eagerly weighing + the chances of a skirmish. The more sanguine asserted that there would be + a fight—a small one, it was true—but still a skirmish. Many of + those who had never been in action before congratulated themselves on the + unlooked-for opportunity. The older and more experienced regarded the + matter in the light of a riot. They might have to fire on the tribesmen, + but Swatis were such cowards that they would never stand up to the troops. + Still it was a chance. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly in the stillness of the night a bugle-call sounded on the parade + ground of the "crater" camp. Everyone sprang up. It was the "Assembly." + For a moment there was silence while the officers seized their swords and + belts and hurriedly fastened them on. Several, thinking that it was merely + the warning for the movable column to fall in, waited to light their + cigarettes. Then from many quarters the loud explosion of musketry burst + forth, a sound which for six days and nights was to know no intermission. + </p> + <p> + The attack on the Malakand and the great frontier war had begun. + </p> + <p> + The noise of firing echoed among the hills. Its echoes are ringing still. + One valley caught the waves of sound and passed them to the next, till the + whole wide mountain region rocked with the confusion of the tumult. + Slender wires and long-drawn cables carried the vibrations to the far-off + countries of the West. Distant populations on the Continent of Europe + thought that in them they detected the dull, discordant tones of decline + and fall. Families in English homes feared that the detonations marked the + death of those they loved—sons, brothers or husbands. Diplomatists + looked wise, economists anxious, stupid people mysterious and + knowledgeable. All turned to have the noise stopped. But that was a task + which could not be accomplished until thousands of lives had been + sacrificed and millions of money spent. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV: THE ATTACK ON THE MALAKAND + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Cry "Havoc" and let slip the dogs of war. + + "JULIUS CAESAR," Act iii., Sc.i. +</pre> + <p> + It has long been recognised by soldiers of every nation that, to resist a + vigorous onslaught by night, is almost the hardest task that troops can be + called upon to perform. Panics, against which few brave men are proof, + arise in a moment from such situations. Many a gallant soldier has lost + his head. Many an experienced officer has been borne down unheeded by a + crowd of fugitives. Regiments that have marched unflinchingly to almost + certain death on the battlefield, become in an instant terrified and + useless. + </p> + <p> + In the attack on the Malakand camp, all the elements of danger and + disorder were displayed. The surprise, the darkness, the confused and + broken nature of the ground; the unknown numbers of the enemy; their + merciless ferocity; every appalling circumstance was present. But there + were men who were equal to the occasion. As soon as the alarm sounded + Lieutenant-Colonel McRae of the 45th Sikhs, a holder of the Gold Medal of + the Royal Humane Society and of long experience in Afghanistan and on the + Indian frontier, ran to the Quarter Guard, and collecting seven or eight + men, sent them under command of Major Taylor, of the same regiment, down + the Buddhist road to try and check the enemy's advance. Hurriedly + assembling another dozen men, and leaving the Adjutant, Lieutenant Barff, + with directions to bring on more, he ran with his little party after + Taylor in the direction of the entrance gorge of the Kotal camp. Two roads + give access to the Malakand camp, from the plain of Khar. At one point the + Buddhist road, the higher of the two, passes through a narrow defile then + turns a sharp corner. Here, if anywhere, the enemy might be held or at + least delayed until the troops got under arms. Overtaking Major Taylor, + Colonel McRae led the party, which then amounted to perhaps twenty men, + swiftly down the road, It was a race on which the lives of hundreds + depended. If the enemy could turn the corner, nothing could check their + rush, and the few men who tried to oppose them would be cut to pieces. The + Sikhs arrived first, but by a very little. As they turned the corner they + met the mass of the enemy, nearly a thousand strong, armed chiefly with + swords and knives, creeping silently and stealthily up the gorge, in the + hope and assurance of rushing the camp and massacring every soul in it. + The whole road was crowded with the wild figures. McRae opened fire at + once. Volley after volley was poured into the dense mass, at deadly range. + At length the Sikhs fired independently. This checked the enemy, who + shouted and yelled in fury at being thus stopped. The small party of + soldiers then fell back, pace by pace, firing incessantly, and took up a + position in a cutting about fifty yards behind the corner. Their flanks + were protected on the left by high rocks, and on the right by boulders and + rough ground, over which in the darkness it was impossible to move. The + road was about five yards wide. As fast as the tribesmen turned the corner + they were shot down. It was a strong position. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In that strait path a thousand + Might well be stopped by three +</pre> + <p> + Being thus effectively checked in their direct advance, the tribesmen + began climbing up the hill to the left and throwing down rocks and stones + on those who barred their path. They also fired their rifles round the + corner, but as they were unable to see the soldiers without exposing + themselves, most of their bullets went to the right. + </p> + <p> + The band of Sikhs were closely packed in the cutting, the front rank + kneeling to fire. Nearly all were struck by stones and rocks. Major + Taylor, displaying great gallantry, was mortally wounded. Several of the + Sepoys were killed. Colonel McRae himself was accidentally stabbed in the + neck by a bayonet and became covered with blood. But he called upon the + men to maintain the good name of "Rattray's Sikhs," and to hold their + position till death or till the regiment came up. And the soldiers replied + by loudly shouting the Sikh warcry, and defying the enemy to advance. + </p> + <p> + After twenty minutes of desperate fighting, Lieutenant Barff arrived with + thirty more men. He was only just in time. The enemy had already worked + round Colonel McRae's right, and the destruction of the few soldiers left + alive could not long have been delayed. The reinforcement, climbing up the + hillside, drove the enemy back and protected the flank. But the remainder + of the regiment was now at hand. Colonel McRae then fell back to a more + extended position along a ridge about fifty yards further up the road, and + reinforcing Lieutenant Barff's party, repulsed all attacks during the + night. About 2 A.M. the tribesmen, finding they could make no progress, + drew off, leaving many dead. + </p> + <p> + The presence of mind, tactical knowledge and bravery displayed in this + affair are thus noticed in the official despatches by General Meiklejohn:— + </p> + <p> + "There is no doubt that the gallant resistance made by this small body in + the gorge, against vastly superior numbers, till the arrival of the rest + of the regiment, saved the camp from being rushed on that side, and I + cannot speak too highly of the behaviour of Lieutenant-Colonel McRae and + Major Taylor on this occasion." + </p> + <p> + While these things were passing on the right, the other attacks of the + enemy had met with more success. The camp was assaulted simultaneously on + the three sides. The glow of the star shells showed that the north camp + was also engaged. The enemy had been checked on the Buddhist road, by + Colonel McRae and the 45th Sikhs, but another great mass of men forced + their way along the Graded road in the centre of the position. On the + first sound of firing the inlying picket of the 24th Punjaub Infantry + doubled out to reinforce the pickets on the road, and in the water-gorge. + They only arrived in time to find these being driven in by overpowering + numbers of the enemy. Hundreds of fierce swordsmen swarmed unto the bazaar + and into the serai, a small enclosure which adjoined. Sharpshooters + scrambled up the surrounding hills, and particularly from one ragged, + rock-strewn peak called Gibraltar, kept up a tremendous fire. + </p> + <p> + The defence of the left and centre or the camp was confided to the 24th + Punjaub Infantry. One company of this regiment under Lieutenant Climo, + charging across the football ground, cleared the bazaar at the point of + the bayonet. The scene at this moment was vivid and terrible. The bazaar + was crowded with tribesmen. The soldiers rushing forward amid loud cheers, + plunged their bayonets into their furious adversaries. The sound of the + hacking of swords, the screams of the unfortunate shopkeepers, the yells + of the Ghazis were plainly heard above the ceaseless roll of musketry. The + enemy now tried to force their way back into the bazaar, but the entrance + was guarded by the troops and held against all assaults till about 10.45. + The left flank of the company was then turned, and the pressure became so + severe that they were withdrawn to a more interior line of defence, and + took up a position along the edge of the "Sappers' and Miners' enclosure." + Another company held the approaches from the north camp. The remainder of + the regiment and No.5 company Sappers and Miners, were kept in readiness + to reinforce any part of the line. + </p> + <p> + It is necessary to record the actual movements of the troops in detail, + but I am anxious above all things to give the reader a general idea. The + enemy had attacked in tremendous strength along the two roads that gave + access on the eastern side to the great cup of the Malakand. On the right + road, they were checked by the brilliant movement of Colonel McRae and the + courage of his regiment. Pouring in overwhelming force along the left + road, they had burst into the camp itself, bearing down all opposition. + The defenders, unable to hold the extended line of the rim, had been + driven to take up a central position in the bottom of the cup. This + central position comprised the "Sappers' and Miners' enclosure," the + commissariat lines and the Field Engineer Park. It was commanded on every + side by the fire from the rim. But the defenders stood at bay, determined + at all costs to hold their ground, bad though it was. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the enemy rushed to the attack with wild courage and reckless + fury. Careless of life, they charged the slender line of defence. Twice + they broke through and penetrated the enclosure. They were met by men as + bold as they. The fighting became desperate. The general himself hurried + from point to point, animating the soldiers and joining in the defence + with sword and revolver. As soon as the enemy broke into the commissariat + lines they rushed into the huts and sheds eager for plunder and victims. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant Manley, the Brigade Commissariat Officer, stuck stubbornly to + his post, and with Sergeant Harrington endeavoured to hold the hut in + which he lived. The savage tribesmen burst in the door and crowded into + the room. What followed reads like a romance. + </p> + <p> + The officer opened fire at once with his revolver. He was instantly cut + down and hacked to pieces. In the struggle the lamp was smashed. The room + became pitch dark. The sergeant, knocking down his assailants, got free + for a moment and stood against the wall motionless. Having killed Manley, + the tribesmen now began to search for the sergeant, feeling with their + hands along the wall and groping in the darkness. At last, finding no one, + they concluded he had escaped, and hurried out to look for others. + Sergeant Harrington remained in the hut till it was retaken some hours + later, and so saved his life. + </p> + <p> + Another vigorous attack was made upon the Quarter Guard. Lieutenant + Watling, who met it with his company of sappers, transfixed a Ghazi with + his sword, but such was the fury of the fanatic that as he fell dead he + cut at the officer and wounded him severely. The company were driven back. + The Quarter Guard was captured, and with it the reserve ammunition of the + sappers. Lieutenant Watling was carried in by his men, and, as soon as he + reached the dressing station, reported the loss of this important post. + </p> + <p> + Brigadier-General Meiklejohn at once ordered a party of the 24th to retake + it from the enemy. Few men could be spared from the line of defence. At + length a small but devoted band collected. It consisted of Captain + Holland, Lieutenant Climo, Lieutenant Manley, R.E., the general's orderly, + a Sepoy of the 45th Sikhs, two or three sappers and three men of the 24th; + in all about a dozen. + </p> + <p> + The general placed himself at their head. The officers drew their + revolvers. The men were instructed to use the bayonet only. Then they + advanced. The ground is by nature broken and confused to an extraordinary + degree. Great rocks, undulations and trees rendered all movements + difficult. Frequent tents, sheds and other buildings increased the + intricacies. Amidst such surroundings were the enemy, numerous and well + armed. The twelve men charged. The tribesmen advanced to meet them. The + officers shot down man after man with their pistols. The soldiers + bayoneted others. The enemy drew off discomfited, but half the party were + killed or wounded. The orderly was shot dead. A sapper and a havildar of + the 24th were severely wounded. The general himself was struck by a sword + on the neck. Luckily the weapon turned in his assailant's hand, and only + caused a bruise. Captain Holland was shot through the back at close + quarters by a man concealed in a tent. The bullet, which caused four + wounds, grazed his spine. The party were now too few to effect anything. + The survivors halted. Lieutenant Climo took the wounded officer back, and + collecting a dozen more men of the 24th, returned to the attack. The + second attempt to regain the Quarter Guard was also unsuccessful, and the + soldiers recoiled with further loss; but with that undaunted spirit which + refuses to admit defeat they continued their efforts, and at the third + charge dashed across the open space, bowling over and crushing back the + enemy, and the post was recovered. All the ammunition had, however, been + carried off by the enemy, and as the expenditure of that night had already + been enormous, it was a serious loss. The commissariat lines were at + length cleared of the tribesmen, and such of the garrison as could be + spared were employed in putting up a hasty defence across the south + entrance of the enclosure, and clearing away the cook-houses and other + shelters, which might be seized by the enemy. + </p> + <p> + The next morning no fewer than twenty-nine corpses of tribesmen were found + round the cookhouse, and in the open space over which the three charges + had taken place. This, when it is remembered that perhaps twice as many + had been wounded and had crawled away, enables an estimate to be formed of + the desperate nature of the fight for the Quarter Guard. + </p> + <p> + All this time the fire from rim into the cup had been causing severe and + continual losses. The enemy surrounding the enclosure on three sides, + brought a cross fire to bear on its defenders, and made frequent charges + right up to the breastwork. Bullets were flying in all directions, and + there was no question of shelter. Major Herbert, D.A.A.G., was hit early + in the night. Later on Lieutenant-Colonel Lamb received the dangerous + wound in his thigh which caused his death a few days afterwards. Many + Sepoys were also killed and wounded. The command of the 24th Punjaub + Infantry devolved upon a subaltern officer, Lieutenant Climo. The + regiment, however, will never be in better hands. + </p> + <p> + At about one o'clock, during a lull in the firing, the company which was + lining the east face of the enclosure heard feeble cries of help. A + wounded havildar of the 24th was lying near the bazaar. He had fallen in + the first attack, shot in the shoulder. The tribesmen, giving him two or + three deep sword cuts to finish him, had left him for dead. He now + appealed for help. The football ground on which he lay was swept by the + fire of the troops, and overrun by the enemy's swordsmen, yet the cry for + help did not pass unheeded. Taking two Sepoys with him, Lieutenant E.W. + Costello, 24th Punjaub Infantry, ran out into the deadly space, and, in + spite of the heavy fire, brought the wounded soldier in safety. For this + heroic action he has since received the Victoria Cross. + </p> + <p> + As the night wore on, the attack of the enemy became so vigorous, that the + brigadier decided to call for a reinforcement of a hundred men from the + garrison of the fort. This work stood high on a hill, and was impregnable + to an enemy unprovided with field guns. Lieutenant Rawlins volunteered to + try and reach it with the order. Accompanied by three orderlies, he + started. He had to make his way through much broken ground infested by the + enemy. One man sprang at him and struck him on the wrist with a sword, but + the subaltern, firing his revolver, shot him dead, reached the fort in + safety, and brought back the sorely-needed reinforcement. + </p> + <p> + It was thought that the enemy would make a final effort to capture the + enclosure before dawn, that being the hour which Afghan tribesmen usually + select. But they had lost heavily, and at about 3.30 A.M. began to carry + away their dead and wounded. The firing did not, however, lessen until + 4.15 A.M., when the sharpshooters withdrew to the heights, and the + fusillade dwindled to "sniping" at long range. + </p> + <p> + The first night of the defence of the Malakand camp was over. The enemy, + with all the advantages of surprise, position and great numbers, had + failed to overcome the slender garrison. Everywhere they had been repulsed + with slaughter. But the British losses had been severe. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed—Hon. Lieutenant L. Manley, Commissariat Department. + Wounded dangerously—Major W.W. Taylor, 45th Sikhs. + Wounded severely—Lieut.-Colonel J. Lamb, 24th P.I. + " " Major L. Herbert, D.A.A.G. + " " Captain H.F. Holland, 24th P.I. + " " Lieutenant F.W. Watling, Q.O. Sappers and + Miners. + + Of these Lieut.-Colonel Lamb and Major Taylor died of their wounds. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed...... 21 + Wounded..... 31 +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the first light of morning began to grow in the valley, two + companies of the 24th advanced and cleared the bazaar of such of the enemy + as had remained behind to plunder. The whole place had been thoroughly + ransacked, and everything of value destroyed or carried off. The native + manager had had a strange experience, and one which few men would envy. He + had remained hidden in the back of a tent during the whole night in equal + danger and terror of the bullets of the soldiers and the swords of the + enemy. Hearing the friendly voices, he emerged uninjured from his retreat. + </p> + <p> + Desultory firing was maintained by the tribesmen all day. + </p> + <p> + While the close and desperate fighting, which has been described, was + raging in the south camp, the north camp had not been seriously involved, + and had spent a quiet, though anxious night. On the sound of the firing on + the Kotal being heard, four guns of No.8 Mountain Battery were moved over + to the south-east side of the camp, and several star shells were fired. No + large body of the enemy was however discovered. Twice during the night the + camp was approached by the tribesmen, but a few rounds of shrapnel were + sufficient to drive these away. + </p> + <p> + When General Meiklejohn found that the garrison of the north camp had not + been severely engaged, he ordered a force consisting of two guns and the + 31st Punjaub Infantry, under Major Gibbs, covered by forty sowars of the + 11th Bengal Lancers, and supported by a wing of the 24th, to move out, + reconnoitre the valley and clear it, as much as possible, of the enemy. + The column advanced in pursuit as far as Bedford Hill. Here they came upon + a large gathering of tribesmen, and as it was now evident that a great + tribal rising had broken out, Major Gibbs was ordered to return and to + bring his stores and troops into the Kotal camp without delay. The + infantry and guns thereupon retired and fell back on the camp, covered by + the 24th Punjaub Infantry. + </p> + <p> + As this regiment was being withdrawn, a sudden attack was made from the + high ground above the Buddhist road, and directed against the left flank + of the troops. A front was immediately shown, and the 24th advanced to + meet their assailants. Lieutenant Climo, who commanded, detached a company + to the right, and by this turning movement drove them off, inflicting some + loss and capturing a standard. This officer's skill and conduct in this + retirement was again the subject of commendation in despatches. The troops + reached their respective camps at about 11 o'clock. Meanwhile the cavalry + had been ordered to push on, if possible, to Chakdara and reinforce the + garrison at that post. The task was one of considerable danger, but by + crossing and recrossing the Swat River, the squadron managed to cut their + way through the tribesmen and reached the fort with slight loss. This + brilliant ride will receive a fuller description in a later chapter. + </p> + <p> + The evacuation of the north camp proceeded very slowly. The troops packed + up their kits with great deliberation, and applications were made for + transport. None was, however, available. All the camels were at Dargai, on + the Indian side of the mountains. Repeated orders to hurry were sent from + the Kotal. All hated leaving their belongings behind, having no confidence + in the liberality of a paternal Government. As the afternoon passed, the + aspect of the enemy became very threatening and formidable. Great numbers + drew near to the camp, and the guns were compelled to fire a good many + rounds. At length, at 4 o'clock, imperative orders were sent that the + north camp was to be at once abandoned, that the force there was to march + to the Kotal, and that all baggage and stores, not yet removed, were to be + left where they were. + </p> + <p> + All the tents were struck, but nothing else could be done, and to the deep + disgust of all—officers and men—their property was left to the + mercies of the enemy. During the night it was all looted and burnt. Many + of the officers thus lost every stitch of clothing they possessed. The + flames rising from the scene of destruction were visible far and wide, and + the tribesmen in the most distant valleys were encouraged to hurry to + complete the slaughter of the accursed infidels. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be doubted, however, that the concentration of the troops was a + wise and judicious step. The garrison of the Kotal and south camp was + insufficient, and, whatever happened, it was better for the troops to + stand or fall together. The situation was also aggravated by the + appearance of large numbers of tribesmen from the Utman Khel country, who + crowded the hills to the west of the camp, and thus compelled the + defenders to hold a greatly extended line. The abandonment of the north + camp was carried out none too soon, for the enemy pressed the withdrawal + of the troops, and they reached the south camp under cover of the fire of + the 24th Punjaub Infantry, and the Guides Cavalry. These latter had + arrived in camp at 8.30 that morning after marching all night. They found + plenty of employment. + </p> + <p> + The telegraph had carried the news of the events of the night to all parts + of the world. In England those returning from Goodwood Races read the + first details of the fighting on the posters of the evening papers. At + Simla, the Government of India awoke to find themselves confronted with + another heavy task. Other messages recalled all officers to their + regiments, and summoned reinforcements to the scene by road and rail. In + the small hours of the 27th, the officers of the 11th Bengal Lancers at + Nowshera were aroused by a frantic telegraph operator, who was astounded + by the news his machine was clicking out. This man in his shirt sleeves, + with a wild eye, and holding an unloaded revolver by the muzzle, ran round + waking everyone. The whole country was up. The Malakand garrison was being + overwhelmed by thousands of tribesmen. All the troops were to march at + once. He brandished copies of the wires he had received. In a few moments + official instructions arrived. The 11th Bengal Lancers, the 38th Dogras + and the 35th Sikhs started at dawn. No.1 and No.7 British Mountain + Batteries were also ordered up. The Guides Cavalry had already arrived. + Their infantry under Lieutenant Lockhart reached the Kotal at 7.30 P.M. on + the 27th, having, in spite of the intense heat and choking dust, covered + thirty-two miles in seventeen and a half hours. This wonderful feat was + accomplished without impairing the efficiency of the soldiers, who were + sent into the picket line, and became engaged as soon as they arrived. An + officer who commanded the Dargai post told me, that, as they passed the + guard there, they shouldered arms with parade precision, as if to show + that twenty-six miles under the hottest sun in the world would not take + the polish off the Corps of Guides. Then they breasted the long ascent to + the top of the pass, encouraged by the sound of the firing, which grew + louder at every step. + </p> + <p> + Help in plenty was thus approaching as fast as eager men could march, but + meanwhile the garrison had to face the danger as best they could alone. As + the 31st Punjaub Infantry, who had been the last to leave the north camp, + were arriving at the Kotal, about 1000 tribesmen descended in broad + daylight and with the greatest boldness, and threatened their left flank. + They drove in two pickets of the 24th, and pressed forward vigorously. + Lieutenant Climo with two companies advanced up the hill to meet them, + supported by the fire of two guns of the Mountain Battery. A bayonet + charge was completely successful. The officers were close enough to make + effective use of their revolvers. Nine bodies of the enemy were left on + the ground, and a standard was captured. The tribesmen then drew off, and + the garrison prepared for the attack, which they knew would come with the + dark. + </p> + <p> + As the evening drew on the enemy were observed assembling in + ever-increasing numbers. Great crowds of them could be seen streaming + along the Chakdara road, and thickly dotting the hills with spots of + white. They all wore white as yet. The news had not reached Buner, and the + sombre-clad warriors of Ambeyla were still absent. The glare of the flames + from the north camp was soon to summon them to the attack of their ancient + enemies. The spectacle as night fell was strange, ominous, but not + unpicturesque. Gay banners of every colour, shape and device, waved from + the surrounding hills. The sunset caught the flashing of swordblades + behind the spurs and ridges. The numerous figures of the enemy moved + busily about preparing for the attack. A dropping fire from the + sharpshooters added an appropriate accompaniment. In the middle, at the + bottom of the cup, was the "crater" camp and the main enclosure with the + smoke of the evening meal rising in the air. The troops moved to their + stations, and, as the shadows grew, the firing swelled into a loud, + incessant roar. + </p> + <p> + The disposition of the troops on the night of the 27th was as follows:— + </p> + <p> + 1. On the right Colonel McRae, with 45th Sikhs and two guns supported by + 100 men of the Guides Infantry, held almost the same position astride the + Buddhist road as before. + </p> + <p> + 2. In the centre the enclosure and Graded road were defended by— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + No.5 Company Q.O. Sappers and Miners. + The Guides. + Two Guns. +</pre> + <p> + 3. On the left the 24th Punjaub Infantry, with the two remaining guns + under Lieutenant Climo, held the approaches from the abandoned north camp + and the fort. + </p> + <p> + Most of this extended line, which occupied a great part of the rim, was + formed by a chain of pickets, detached from one another, and fortified by + stone breastworks, with supports in rear. But in the centre the old line + of the "Sappers' and Miners' enclosure" was adhered to. The bazaar was + left to the enemy, but the serai, about a hundred yards in front of the + main entrenchment, was held by a picket of twenty-four men of the 31st + Punjaub Infantry, under Subadar Syed Ahmed Shah. Here it was that the + tragedy of the night occurred. + </p> + <p> + At eight o'clock, the tribesmen attacked in tremendous force all along the + line. The firing at once became intense and continuous. The expenditure of + ammunition by the troops was very great, and many thousands of rounds were + discharged. On the right Colonel McRae and his Sikhs were repeatedly + charged by the swordsmen, many of whom succeeded in forcing their way into + the pickets and perished by the bayonet. Others reached the two guns and + were cut down while attacking the gunners. All assaults were however + beaten off. The tribesmen suffered terrible losses. The casualties among + the Sikhs were also severe. In the morning Colonel McRae advanced from his + defences, and, covered by the fire of his two guns, cleared the ground in + his front of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + The centre was again the scene of severe fighting. The tribesmen poured + into the bazaar and attacked the serai on all sides. This post was a + mud-walled enclosure about fifty yards square. It was loopholed for + musketry, but had no flank defences. The enemy made determined efforts to + capture the place for several hours. Meanwhile, so tremendous was the fire + of the troops in the main enclosure, that the attack upon the serai was + hardly noticed. For six hours the picket there held out against all + assaults, but the absence of flank defences enabled the enemy to come + close up to the walls. They then began to make holes through them, and to + burrow underneath. The little garrison rushed from place to place + repelling these attacks. But it was like caulking a sieve. At length the + tribesmen burst in from several quarters, and the sheds inside caught + fire. When all the defenders except four were killed or wounded, the + Subadar, himself struck by a bullet, ordered the place to be evacuated, + and the survivors escaped by a ladder over the back wall, carrying their + wounded with them. The bodies of the killed were found next morning, + extraordinarily mutilated. + </p> + <p> + The defence of this post to the bitter end must be regarded as a fine feat + of arms. Subadar Syed Ahmed Shah was originally promoted to a commission + for an act of conspicuous bravery, and his gallant conduct on this + occasion is the subject of a special paragraph in despatches. [The Subadar + and the surviving Sepoys have since received the "Order of Merit."] + </p> + <p> + On the left, the 24th Punjaub Infantry were also hotly engaged, and + Lieutenant Costello received his first severe wound from a bullet, which + passed through his back and arm. Towards morning the enemy began to press + severely. Whereupon Lieutenant Climo, always inclined to bold and vigorous + action, advanced from the breastworks to meet them with two companies. The + tribesmen held their ground and maintained a continual fire from + Martini-Henry rifles. They also rolled down great stones upon the + companies. The 24th continued to advance, and drove the enemy from point + to point, and position to position, pursuing them for a distance of two + miles. "Gallows Tree" hill, against which the first charge of the counter + attack was delivered, was held by nearly 1000 tribesmen. On such crowded + masses, the fire of the troops was deadly. The enemy left forty dead in + the path of Lieutenant Climo's counter attack, and were observed carrying + off many wounded. As they retreated, many took refuge in the village of + Jalalkot. The guns were hurried up, and ten shells were thrown into their + midst, causing great slaughter. The result of this bold stroke was, that + the enemy during the rest of the fighting invariably evacuated the hills + before daylight enabled the troops to assume the offensive. + </p> + <p> + Thus the onslaught of the tribesmen had again been successfully repelled + by the Malakand garrison. Many had been killed and wounded, but all the + tribes for a hundred miles around were hurrying to the attack, and their + number momentarily increased. The following casualties occurred on the + night of the 27th:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICER. + Wounded—Lieutenant E.W. Costello. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed...... 12 + Wounded..... 29 +</pre> + <p> + During the day the enemy retired to the plain of Khar to refresh + themselves. Great numbers of Bunerwals now joined the gathering. The + garrison were able to distinguish these new-comers from the Swatis, Utman + Khels, Mamunds, Salarzais and others, by the black or dark-blue clothes + they wore. The troops were employed in strengthening the defences, and + improving the shelters. The tribesmen kept up a harassing and annoying + long-range fire, killing several horses of the Guides Cavalry. Towards + evening they advanced to renew the attack, carrying hundreds of standards. + </p> + <p> + As darkness fell, heavy firing recommenced along the whole front. The + enemy had apparently plenty of ammunition, and replied with effect to the + heavy fire of the troops. The arrangement of the regiments was the same as + on the previous night. On the right, Colonel McRae once more held his own + against all attacks. In the centre, severe fighting ensued. The enemy + charged again and again up to the breastwork of the enclosure. They did + not succeed in penetrating. Three officers and several men were however + wounded by the fire. Lieutenant Maclean, of the Guides Cavalry, who was + attached temporarily to the 31st Punjaub Infantry, had a wonderful escape. + A bullet entered his mouth and passed through his cheek without injuring + the bone in any way. He continued on duty, and these pages will record his + tragic but glorious death a few weeks later at Landakai. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant Ford was dangerously wounded in the shoulder. The bullet cut + the artery, and he was bleeding to death when Surgeon-Lieutenant J.H. Hugo + came to his aid. The fire was too hot to allow of lights being used. There + was no cover of any sort. It was at the bottom of the cup. Nevertheless + the surgeon struck a match at the peril of his life and examined the + wound. The match went out amid a splutter of bullets, which kicked up the + dust all around, but by its uncertain light he saw the nature of the + injury. The officer had already fainted from the loss of blood. The doctor + seized the artery, and, as no other ligature was forthcoming, he remained + under fire for three hours holding a man's life, between his finger and + thumb. When at length it seemed that the enemy had broken into the camp he + picked up the still unconscious officer in his arms, and, without relaxing + his hold, bore him to a place of safety. His arm was for many hours + paralysed with cramp from the effects of the exertion of compressing the + artery. + </p> + <p> + I think there are few, whatever may be their views or interests, who will + not applaud this splendid act of devotion. The profession of medicine, and + surgery, must always rank as the most noble that men can adopt. The + spectacle of a doctor in action among soldiers, in equal danger and with + equal courage, saving life where all others are taking it, allaying pain + where all others are causing it, is one which must always seem glorious, + whether to God or man. It is impossible to imagine any situation from + which a human being might better leave this world, and embark on the + hazards of the Unknown. + </p> + <p> + All through the night, the enemy continued their attacks. They often + succeeded in reaching the breastworks—only to die on the bayonets of + the defenders. The guns fired case shot, with terrible effect, and when + morning dawned the position was still held by the Imperial Forces. The + casualties of the night were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely—Lieutenant H.B. Ford, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " H.L.S. Maclean, the Guides. + Wounded slightly—Lieutenant G. Swinley, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed....... 2 + Wounded...... 13 +</pre> + <p> + On the morning of the 29th signalling communication with Chakdara was for + a few moments re-established. The garrison of that post announced their + safety, and that all attacks had been repulsed with heavy loss, but they + reported that ammunition and food were both running short. During the day + the enemy again retired to the plain to rest, and prepare for the great + attack, which they intended making that night. The hour would be + propitious. It was Jumarat, on which day the prophet watches with especial + care over the interests of those who die for the faith. Besides, the moon + was full, and had not the Great Fakir declared that this should be the + moment of victory? The Mullah exhorted them all to the greatest efforts, + and declared that he would himself lead the assault. To-night the infidels + would be utterly destroyed. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the troops were busily employed, in spite of their terrible + fatigues, in strengthening the defences. The bazaar and the serai were + levelled. Trees were blown up, and a clear field of fire was obtained in + front of the central enclosure. Great bonfires were also prepared on the + approaches, to enable the soldiers to take good aim at their assailants, + while they were silhouetted against the light. In such occupations the day + passed. + </p> + <p> + The tribesmen continued to fire at long range and shot several horses and + mules. These sharpshooters enjoyed themselves immensely. After the relief + of Chakdara, it was found that many of them had made most comfortable and + effective shelters among the rocks. One man, in particular, had ensconced + himself behind an enormous boulder, and had built a little wall of stone, + conveniently loopholed, to protect himself when firing. The overhanging + rock sheltered him from the heat of the sun. By his side were his food and + a large box of cartridges. Here for the whole week he had lived, steadily + dropping bullets unto the camp and firing at what an officer described as + all "objects of interest." What could be more attractive? + </p> + <p> + At four o'clock in the afternoon Major Stuart Beatsen, commanding the 11th + Bengal Lancers, arrived with his leading squadron. He brought a small + supply of ammunition, which the garrison was in sore need of, the + expenditure each night being tremendous, some regiments firing as much as + 30,000 rounds. The 35th Sikhs and 38th Dogras under Colonel Reid arrived + at Dargai, at the foot of the pass, in the evening. They had marched all + day in the most intense heat. How terrible that march must have been, may + be judged from the fact, that in the 35th Sikhs twenty-one men actually + died on the road of heat apoplexy. The fact that these men marched till + they dropped dead, is another proof of the soldierly eagerness displayed + by all ranks to get to the front. Brigadier-General Meiklejohn, feeling + confidence in his ability to hold his own with the troops he had, ordered + them to remain halted at Dargai, and rest the next day. + </p> + <p> + The attack came with the night, but the defences in the centre had been + much improved, and the tribesmen were utterly unable to cross the cleared + glacis, which now stretched in front of the enclosure. They, however, + assailed both flanks with determination, and the firing everywhere became + heavy. At 2 A.M. the great attack was delivered. Along the whole front and + from every side enormous numbers swarmed to the assault. On the right and + left, hand-to-hand fighting took place. Colonel McRae again held his + position, but many of the tribesmen died under the very muzzles of the + rifles. The 24th Punjaub Infantry on the left were the most severely + engaged. The enemy succeeded in breaking into the breastworks, and close + fighting ensued, in which Lieutenant Costello was again severely wounded. + But the fire of the troops was too hot for anything to live in their + front. At 2.30 the Mad Mullah being wounded, another Mullah killed and + several hundreds of tribesmen slain, the whole attack collapsed. Nor was + it renewed again with vigor. The enemy recognised that their chance of + taking the Malakand had passed. + </p> + <p> + The casualties were as follows on the night of the 29th:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely—Lieutenant E.W. Costello, 24th P.I., who had + already been severely wounded, but continued + to do duty. + " " Lieutenant F.A. Wynter, R.A. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed...... 1 + Wounded..... 17 +</pre> + <p> + All the next day the enemy could be seen dragging the dead away, and + carrying the wounded over the hills to their villages. Reinforcements, + however, joined them, and they renewed their attack, but without much + spirit, at 9.30 P.M. They were again repulsed with loss. Once, during a + thunderstorm that broke over the camp, they charged the 45th Sikhs' + position, and were driven off with the bayonet. Only two men were wounded + during the night. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the 38th Dogras and 35th Sikhs marched into the camp. The + enemy continued firing into the entrenchments at long range, but without + effect. They had evidently realised that the Malakand was too strong to be + taken. The troops had a quiet night, and the weary, worn-out men got a + little needed sleep. Thus the long and persistent attack on the British + frontier station of Malakand languished and ceased. The tribesmen, sick of + the slaughter at this point, concentrated their energies on Chakdara, + which they believed must fall into their hands. To relieve this + hard-pressed post now became the duty of the garrison of Malakand. + </p> + <p> + The chapter, which may now appropriately end, has described in detail, + and, necessarily, at length, the defence of an outpost of our Empire. A + surprise, followed by a sustained attack, has been resisted. The enemy, + repulsed at every point, have abandoned the attempt, but surround and + closely watch the defences. The troops will now assume the offensive, and + the hour of reprisals will commence. + </p> + <p> + The casualties sustained by the Malakand garrison between 26th July and + 1st August were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS KILLED AND DIED OF WOUNDS—3. + Lieutenant-Colonel J. Lamb, 24th Punjaub Infantry. + Major W.W. Taylor, 45th Sikhs. + Lieutenant L. Manley, Commissariat. + + WOUNDED—10. + Major L. Herbert, D.A.A.G. + Captain G. Baldwin, D.S.O., Guides Cavalry. + Captain H.F. Holland, 24th Punjaub Infantry. + Lieutenant F.A. Wynter, R.A. + " F.W. Watling, R.E. + " E.W. Costello, 24th Punjaub Infantry. + " H.B. Ford, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " H.L.S. Maclean, Guides Cavalry. + 2nd Lieutenant G. Swinley, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " C.V. Keyes, Guides Cavalry. + + NATIVE OFFICERS WOUNDED—7. + + TOTAL OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED—20. + + BRITISH NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER KILLED. + Sergeant F. Byrne, R.E. + + NATIVE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRIVATES. + Killed. Wounded. + No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery . . 0 5 + 11th Bengal Lancers . . . 0 3 + No.5 Company Q.O. Sappers and Miners. 3 18 + 24th Punjaub Infantry . . . 3 14 + 31st " " . . . . 12 32 + 38th Dogras . . . . . 0 1 + 45th Sikhs . . . . . 4 28 + Q.O. Corps of Guides. . . . 3 27 + + TOTAL NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED—153. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V: THE RELIEF OF CHAKDARA + </h2> + <p> + While the events described in the last chapter had been watched with + interest and attention in all parts of the world, they were the subject of + anxious consultation in the Council of the Governor-General. It was only + natural that the Viceroy, himself, should view with abhorrence the + prospect of military operations on a large scale, which must inevitably + lead to closer and more involved relations with the tribes of the Afghan + border. He belonged to that party in the State which has clung + passionately, vainly, and often unwisely to a policy of peace and + retrenchment. He was supported in his reluctance to embark on warlike + enterprises by the whole force of the economic situation. No moment could + have been less fitting: no man more disinclined. That Lord Elgin's + Viceroyalty and the Famine year should have been marked by the greatest + Frontier War in the history of the British Empire in India, vividly + displays how little an individual, however earnest his motives, however + great his authority, can really control the course of public affairs. + </p> + <p> + The Council were called upon to decide on matters, which at once raised + the widest and most intricate questions of frontier policy; which might + involve great expense; which might well influence the development and + progress of the great populations committed to their charge. It would be + desirable to consider such matters from the most lofty and commanding + standpoints; to reduce detail to its just proportions; to examine the + past, and to peer into the future. And yet, those who sought to look thus + on the whole situation, were immediately confronted with the picture of + the rock of Chakdara, fringed and dotted with the white smoke of musketry, + encircled by thousands of fierce assailants, its garrison fighting for + their lives, but confident they would not be deserted. It was impossible + to see further than this. All Governments, all Rulers, meet the same + difficulties. Wide considerations of principle, of policy, of consequences + or of economics are brushed aside by an impetuous emergency. They have to + decide off-hand. The statesman has to deal with events. The historian, who + has merely to record them, may amuse his leisure by constructing policies, + to explain instances of successful opportunism. + </p> + <p> + On the 30th of July the following order was officially published: "The + Governor-General in Council sanctions the despatch of a force, to be + styled the Malakand Field Force, for the purpose of holding the Malakand, + and the adjacent posts, and of operating against the neighbouring tribes + as may be required." + </p> + <p> + The force was composed as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1st Brigade. + Commanding—Colonel W.H. Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., with the local + rank of Brigadier-General. + 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs. + Sections A and B of No.1 British Field Hospital. + No.38 Native Field Hospital. + Sections A and B of No.50 Native Field Hospital. + + 2nd Brigade. + Commanding—Brigadier-General P.D. Jeffreys, C.B. + 1st Battalion East Kent Regiment (the Buffs). + 35th Sikhs. + 38th Dogras. + Guides Infantry. + Sections C and D of No.1 British Field Hospital. + No.37 Native Field Hospital. + Sections C and D of No.50 Native Field Hospital. + + Divisional Troops. + 4 Squadrons 11th Bengal Lancers. + 1 " 10th " " + 2 " Guides Cavalry. + 22nd Punjaub Infantry. + 2 Companies 21st Punjaub Infantry. + 10th Field Battery. + 6 Guns No.1 British Mountain Battery. + 6 " No.7 " " " + 6 " No.8 Bengal " " + No.5 Company Madras Sappers and Miners. + No.3 " Bombay " " " + Section B of No.13 British Field Hospital. + Sections A and B of No.35 Native Field Hospital. + + Line of Communications. + No.34 Native Field Hospital. + Section B of No.1 Native Field Hospital. +</pre> + <p> + [This complete division amounted to a total available field strength of + 6800 bayonets, 700 lances or sabres, with 24 guns.] + </p> + <p> + The command of this powerful force was entrusted to Brigadier-General Sir + Bindon Blood, K.C.B., who was granted the local rank of Major-General. + </p> + <p> + As this officer is the principal character in the tale I have to tell, a + digression is necessary to introduce him to the reader. Born of an old + Irish family, a clan that has been settled in the west of Ireland for 300 + years, and of which he is now the head, Sir Bindon Blood was educated + privately, and at the Indian Military College at Addiscombe, and obtained + a commission in the Royal Engineers in December, 1860. For the first + eleven years he was stationed in England, and it was not until 1871 that + he proceeded to India, where he first saw active service in the Jawaki + Afridi Expedition (medal with clasp). In 1878 he returned home, but the + next year was ordered to the Zulu War. On the conclusion of hostilities, + for which he received a second medal and clasp, he again sailed for India + and served throughout the Afghan war of 1880, being for some time with the + troops at Cabul. In 1882 he accompanied the Army to Egypt, and was with + the Highland Brigade, which was the most severely engaged at Tel-el-Kebir. + He received the medal and clasp, Khedive's star and the 3rd class of the + Medjidie. After the campaign he went home for two years, and in 1885 made + another voyage to the East, over which the Russian war-cloud was then + hanging. Since then the general has served in India, at first with the + Sappers and Miners, with whose reorganisation he was closely associated, + and latterly in command of the Agra District. In 1895 he was appointed + Chief of the Staff to Sir Robert Low in the Chitral Expedition, and was + present at all the actions, including the storming of the Malakand Pass. + For his services he received a degree of knighthood of the Military Order + of the Bath and the Chitral medal and clasp. He was now marked as a man + for high command on the frontier at the first opportunity. That + opportunity the great rising of 1897 has presented. + </p> + <p> + Thirty-seven years of soldering, of war in many lands, of sport of every + kind, have steeled alike muscle and nerve. Sir Bindon Blood, himself, till + warned by the march of time, a keen polo player, is one of those few + officers of high rank in the army, who recognise the advantages to + soldiers of that splendid game. He has pursued all kinds of wild animals + in varied jungles, has killed many pig with the spear and shot every + species of Indian game, including thirty tigers to his own rifle. + </p> + <p> + It would not be fitting for me, a subaltern of horse, to offer any + criticism, though eulogistic, on the commander under whom I have had the + honour to serve in the field. I shall content myself with saying, that the + general is one of that type of soldiers and administrators, which the + responsibilities and dangers of an Empire produce, a type, which has not + been, perhaps, possessed by any nation except the British, since the days + when the Senate and the Roman people sent their proconsuls to all parts of + the world. + </p> + <p> + Sir Bindon Blood was at Agra, when, on the evening of the 28th of July, he + received the telegram from the Adjutant-General in India, appointing him + to the command of the Malakand Field Force, and instructing him to proceed + at once to assume it. He started immediately, and on the 31st formally + took command at Nowshera. At Mardan he halted to make arrangements for the + onward march of the troops. Here, at 3 A.M. on the 1st of August, he + received a telegram from Army Headquarters informing him, that Chakdara + Fort was hard pressed, and directing him to hurry on to Malakand, and + attempt its relief at all costs. The great numbers of the enemy, and the + shortness of ammunition and supplies from which the garrison were + suffering, made the task difficult and the urgency great. Indeed I have + been told, that at Simla on the 1st of August it was feared, that Chakdara + was doomed, and that sufficient troops to fight their way to its relief + could not be concentrated in time. The greatest anxiety prevailed. Sir + Bindon Blood replied telegraphically that "knowing the ground" as he did, + he "felt serenely confident." He hurried on at once, and, in spite of the + disturbed state of the country, reached the Malakand about noon on the 1st + of August. + </p> + <p> + The desperate position of the garrison of Chaldara was fully appreciated + by their comrades at the Malakand. As the night of the 31st had been + comparatively quiet, Brigadier-General Meiklejohn determined to attempt to + force his way to their relief the next day. He accordingly formed a column + as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 45th Sikhs. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + No.5 Company Sappers and Miners. + 4 Guns of No.8 Mountain Battery. +</pre> + <p> + At 11 A.M. he sent the cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Adams of the + Guides, to make a dash for the Amandara Pass, and if it were unoccupied to + seize it. The three squadrons started by the short road to the north camp. + As soon as the enemy saw what was going on, they assembled in great + numbers to oppose the advance. The ground was most unsuitable for cavalry. + Great boulders strewed the surface. Frequent nullahs intersected the + plain, and cramped the action of the horsemen. The squadrons soon became + hotly engaged. The Guides made several charges. The broken nature of the + ground favoured the enemy. Many of them were, however, speared or cut + down. In one of these charges Lieutenant Keyes was wounded. While he was + attacking one tribesman, another came up from behind, and struck him a + heavy blow on the shoulder with a sword. Though these Swatis keep their + swords at razor edge, and though the blow was sufficiently severe to + render the officer's arm useless for some days, it raised only a thin + weal, as if from a cut of a whip. It was a strange and almost an + inexplicable escape. + </p> + <p> + The enemy in increasing numbers pressed upon the cavalry, who began to get + seriously involved. The tribesmen displayed the greatest boldness and + determination. At length Lieut.-Colonel Adams had to order a retirement. + It was none too soon. The tribesmen were already working round the left + flank and thus threatening the only line of retreat. The squadrons fell + back, covering each other by dismounted fire. The 24th Punjaub Infantry + protected their flank as they reached the camp. The cavalry losses were as + follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely—Captain G.M. Baldwin, the Guides. + " slightly—Lieutenant C.V. Keyes, the Guides. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed Wounded + 11th Bengal Lancers.... 0 3 + Horses........ 1 4 + Guides Cavalry...... 1 10 + Horses........ 3 18 + + Total casualties—16 men and 26 horses. +</pre> + <p> + The vigorous resistance which the cavalry had encountered, and the great + numbers and confidence that the enemy had displayed, effectually put an + end to any idea of relieving Chakdara that day. The tribesmen were much + elated by their temporary success, and the garrison, worn and wearied by + the incessant strain, both mental and physical, were proportionately cast + down. Every one anticipated tremendous fighting on the next day. Make the + attempt, they must at all hazards. But there were not wanting those who + spoke of "forlorn hopes" and "last chances." Want of sleep and rest had + told on all ranks. For a week they had grappled with a savage foe. They + were the victors, but they were out of breath. + </p> + <p> + It was at this moment, that Sir Bindon Blood arrived and assumed the + command. He found General Meiklejohn busily engaged in organising a force + of all arms, which was to move to the relief of Chakdara on the following + day. As it was dangerous to denude the Malakand position of troops, this + force could not exceed 1000 rifles, the available cavalry and four guns. + Of these arrangements Sir Bindon Blood approved. He relieved + Brigadier-General Meiklejohn of the charge of the Malakand position, and + gave him the command of the relieving column. Colonel Reid was then placed + in command of Malakand, and instructed to strengthen the pickets at Castle + Rock, as far as possible, and to be ready with a force taken from them, to + clear the high ground on the right of the Graded road. The relieving + column was composed as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 400 Rifles 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 400 " 45th Sikhs. + 200 " Guides Infantry. + 2 Squadrons 11th Bengal Lancers (under Lieut.-Col. R.B. Adams.) + 2 " Guides Cavalry " " " + 4 Guns No.8 Mountain Battery. + 50 Sappers of No.5 Company. + Hospital details. +</pre> + <p> + Sir Bindon Blood ordered General Meiklejohn to assemble this force before + dark near the centre of the camp at a grove of trees called "Gretna + Green," to bivouac there for the night, and to be ready to start with the + first light of morning. During the afternoon the enemy, encouraged by + their success with the cavalry in the morning, advanced boldly to the + pickets and the firing was continuous. So heavy indeed did it become + between eleven and twelve o'clock at night, that the force at "Gretna + Green" got under arms. But towards morning the tribesmen retired. + </p> + <p> + The reader may, perhaps, have in his mind the description of the Malakand + as a great cup with jagged clefts in the rim. Much of this rim was still + held by the enemy. It was necessary for any force trying to get out of the + cup, to fight their way along the narrow roads through the clefts, which + were commanded by the heights on either side. For a considerable distance + it was impossible to deploy. Therein lay the difficulty of the operation, + which the General had now to perform. The relieving column was exposed to + the danger of being stopped, just as Colonel McRae had stopped the first + attack of the tribesmen along the Buddhist road. On the 1st of August the + cavalry had avoided these difficulties by going down the road to the North + camp, and making a considerable detour. But they thus became involved in + bad ground and had to retire. The "Graded" road, if any, was the road by + which Chakdara was to be relieved. Looking at the tangled, rugged nature + of the country, it seems extraordinary to an untrained eye, that among so + many peaks and points, one should be of more importance than another. Yet + it is so. On the high ground, in front of the position that Colonel McRae + and the 45th Sikhs had held so well, was a prominent spur. This was the + key which would unlock the gate and set free the troops, who were cramped + up within. Every one realised afterwards how obvious this was and wondered + they had not thought of it before. Sir Bindon Blood selected the point as + the object of his first attack, and it was against this that he directed + Colonel Goldney with a force of about 300 men to move, as soon as he + should give the signal to advance. + </p> + <p> + At half-past four in the morning of the 2nd of August he proceeded to + "Gretna Green" and found the relieving column fallen in, and ready to + march at daybreak. All expected a severe action. Oppressed with fatigue + and sleeplessness, there were many who doubted that it would be + successful. But though tired, they were determined, and braced themselves + for a desperate struggle. The General-in-chief was, as he had said, + confident and serene. He summoned the different commanding officers, + explained his plans, and shook hands all round. It was a moment of stern + and high resolve. Slowly the first faint light of dawn grew in the eastern + sky. The brightness of the stars began to pale. Behind the mountains was + the promise of the sun. Then the word was given to advance. Immediately + the relieving column set off, four deep, down the "Graded" road. Colonel + Goldney simultaneously advanced to the attack of the spur, which now bears + his name, with 250 men of the 35th Sikhs and 50 of the 38th Dogras. He + moved silently towards the stone shelters, that the tribesmen had erected + on the crest. He got to within a hundred yards unperceived. The enemy, + surprised, opened an irregular and ineffective fire. The Sikhs shouted and + dashed forward. The ridge was captured without loss of any kind. The enemy + fled in disorder, leaving seven dead and one prisoner on the ground. + </p> + <p> + Then the full significance of the movement was apparent alike to friend + and foe. The point now gained, commanded the whole of the "Graded" road, + right down to its junction with the road to the North camp. The relieving + column, moving down the road, were enabled to deploy without loss or + delay. The door was open. The enemy, utterly surprised and dumfoundered by + this manoeuvre, were seen running to and fro in the greatest confusion: in + the graphic words of Sir Bindon Blood's despatch, "like ants in a + disturbed ant-hill." At length they seemed to realise the situation, and, + descending from the high ground, took up a position near Bedford Hill in + General Meiklejohn's front, and opened a heavy fire at close range. But + the troops were now deployed and able to bring their numbers to bear. + Without wasting time in firing, they advanced with the bayonet. The + leading company of the Guides stormed the hill in their front with a loss + of two killed and six wounded. The rest of the troops charged with even + less loss. The enemy, thoroughly panic-stricken, began to fly, literally + by thousands, along the heights to the right. They left seventy dead + behind them. The troops, maddened by the remembrance of their fatigues and + sufferings, and inspired by the impulse of victory, pursued them with a + merciless vigour. + </p> + <p> + Sir Bindon Blood had with his staff ascended the Castle Rock, to + superintend the operations generally. From this position the whole field + was visible. On every side, and from every rock, the white figures of the + enemy could be seen in full flight. The way was open. The passage was + forced. Chakdara was saved. A great and brilliant success had been + obtained. A thrill of exultation convulsed every one. In that moment the + general, who watched the triumphant issue of his plans, must have + experienced as fine an emotion as is given to man on earth. In that + moment, we may imagine that the weary years of routine, the long ascent of + the lower grades of the service, the frequent subordination to + incompetence, the fatigues and dangers of five campaigns, received their + compensation. Perhaps, such is the contrariness of circumstances, there + was no time for the enjoyment of these reflections. The victory had been + gained. It remained to profit by it. The enemy would be compelled to + retire across the plain. There at last was the chance of the cavalry. The + four squadrons were hurried to the scene. + </p> + <p> + The 11th Bengal Lancers, forming line across the plain, began a merciless + pursuit up the valley. The Guides pushed on to seize the Amandara Pass and + relieve Chakdara. All among the rice fields and the rocks, the strong + horsemen hunted the flying enemy. No quarter was asked or given, and every + tribesman caught, was speared or cut down at once. Their bodies lay + thickly strewn about the fields, spotting with black and green patches, + the bright green of the rice crop. It was a terrible lesson, and one which + the inhabitants of Swat and Bajaur will never forget. Since then their + terror of Lancers has been extraordinary. A few sowars have frequently + been sufficient to drive a hundred of these valiant savages in disorder to + the hills, or prevent them descending into the plain for hours. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the infantry had been advancing swiftly. The 45th Sikhs stormed + the fortified village of Batkhela near the Amandara Pass, which the enemy + held desperately. Lieut.-Colonel McRae, who had been relieved from the + command of the regiment by the arrival of Colonel Sawyer, was the first + man to enter the village. Eighty of the enemy were bayoneted in Batkheka + alone. It was a terrible reckoning. + </p> + <p> + I am anxious to finish with this scene of carnage. The spectator, who may + gaze unmoved on the bloodshed of the battle, must avert his eyes from the + horrors of the pursuit, unless, indeed, joining in it himself, he flings + all scruples to the winds, and, carried away by the impetus of the moment, + indulges to the full those deep-seated instincts of savagery, over which + civilisation has but cast a veil of doubtful thickness. + </p> + <p> + The casualties in the relief of Chakdara were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 11th Bengal Lancers—killed and died from wounds, 3; wounded,3. + Killed. Wounded. + Guides Infantry....... 2 7 + 35th Sikhs......... 2 3 + 45th Sikhs......... 0 7 + 24th Punjaub Infantry..... 0 5 + No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery... 0 1 + Total Casualties—33 +</pre> + <p> + The news of the relief of Chakdara was received with feelings of profound + thankfulness throughout India. And in England, in the House of Commons, + when the Secretary of State read out the telegram, there were few among + the members who did not join in the cheers. Nor need we pay much attention + to those few. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI: THE DEFENCE OF CHAKDARA + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ... That tower of strength + Which stood four-square to all the winds that blew. + + TENNYSON. +</pre> + <p> + The episode with which this chapter is concerned is one that has often + occurred on the out-post line of civilisation, and which is peculiarly + frequent in the history of a people whose widespread Empire is fringed + with savage tribes. A small band of soldiers or settlers, armed with the + resources of science, and strengthened by the cohesion of mutual trust, + are assailed in some isolated post, by thousands of warlike and merciless + enemies. Usually the courage and equipment of the garrison enable them to + hold out until a relieving force arrives, as at Rorke's Drift, Fort + Chitral, Chakdara or Gulistan. But sometimes the defenders are + overwhelmed, and, as at Saraghari or Khartoum, none are left to tell the + tale. There is something strangely terrible in the spectacle of men, who + fight—not for political or patriotic reasons, not for the sake of + duty or glory—but for dear life itself; not because they want to, + but because they have to. They hold the dykes of social progress against a + rising deluge of barbarism, which threatens every moment to overflow the + banks and drown them all. The situation is one which will make a coward + valorous, and affords to brave men opportunities for the most sublime + forms of heroism and devotion. + </p> + <p> + Chakdara holds the passage of the Swat River—a rapid, broad, and at + most seasons of the year an unfordable torrent. It is built on a rocky + knoll that rises abruptly from the plain about a hundred yards from the + mountains. Sketches and photographs usually show only the knoll and + buildings on it, and any one looking at them will be struck by the + picturesque and impregnable aspect of the little fort, without observing + that its proportions are dwarfed, and its defences commanded, by the + frowning cliffs, under which it stands. In its construction the principles + of defilade have been completely ignored. Standing on the mountain ridge, + occupied by the signal tower, it is possible to look or fire right into + the fort. Every open space is commanded. Every parapet is exposed. Against + an enemy unprovided with artillery, however, it could be held + indefinitely; but the fact that all interior communications are open to + fire, makes its defence painful to the garrison, and might, by gradually + weakening their numbers, lead to its capture. + </p> + <p> + The narrow, swinging, wire bridge across the Swat is nearly 500 yards + long. At the southern end it is closed by a massive iron door, loopholed + for musketry, and flanked by two stone towers, in one of which a Maxim gun + is mounted. On the further side is the fort itself, which consists of the + fortified knoll, a strong stone horn-work, an enclosure for horses, + protected by a loopholed wall and much tangled barbed wire, and the signal + tower, a detached post 200 yards up the cliff. + </p> + <p> + The garrison of the place consisted at the time of the outbreak of twenty + sowars of the 11th Bengal Lancers and two strong companies of the 45th + Sikhs, in all about 200 men, under the command of Lieutenant H.B. Rattray. + [The actual strength was as follows: 11th Bengal Lancers, 20 sabres; 45th + Sikhs, 180 rifles; 2 British telegraphists; 1 Hospital Havildar; 1 Provost + Naick (24th Punjaub Infantry); 1 Jemadar (Dir Levies). British officers—45th + Sikhs, Lieutenants Rattray and Wheatley; Surgeon-Captain V. Hugo; + Political Agent, Lieutenant Minchin.] As the rumours of an impending + rising grew stronger and stronger, and the end of July approached, this + officer practised his men in taking stations in the event of an alarm, and + made such preparations as he thought necessary for eventualities. On the + 23rd he received an official warning from the D.A.A.G. + [Deputy-Assistant-Adjutant-General. Surely this astounding title, with + that of the Deputy-Assistant-Quarter-Master-General, might be replaced + with advantage by the more sensible and appropriate terms "Brigade + Adjutant" and "Brigade Quartermaster"!], Major Herbert, that a tribal + rising was "possible but not probable." Every precaution was henceforth + taken in the fort. On the 26th, a Sepoy, who was out sketching, hurried in + with the news that a large body of tribesmen were advancing down the + valley, and that he himself had been robbed of his compass, his + field-glasses and some money. + </p> + <p> + But, in spite of the disturbed and threatening situation, the British + officers of the Malakand garrison, though they took all military + precautions for the defence of their posts, did not abandon their practice + of riding freely about the valley, armed only with revolvers. Nor did they + cease from their amusements. On the evening of the 26th, Lieutenant + Rattray went over to Khar as usual to play polo. Just as the game was + ended, he received a letter, brought in haste by two sowars, from + Lieutenant Wheatley, the other subaltern at Chakdara, warning him that a + great number of Pathans with flags were advancing on the fort. He at once + galloped back at full speed, passing close to one large gathering of + tribesmen, who for some reason of their own took no notice of him, and so + reached the fort in safety, and just in time. Formidable masses of men + were then closing in on it. He telegraphed to the staff officer at the + Malakand reporting the impending attack. Immediately afterwards the wire + was cut by the enemy and the little garrison got under arms. + </p> + <p> + A havildar of the Khan of Dir's Levies had promised the political agent to + give warning of any actual assault, by lighting a fire on the opposite + hills. At 10.15 a solitary flame shot up. It was the signal. The alarm was + sounded. The garrison went to their posts. For a space there was silence, + and then out of the darkness began a fusillade, which did not stop until + the 2nd of August. Immediately the figures of the tribesmen, as they + advanced to the attack on the western face of the fort, became visible. + The defenders opened fire with effect. The enemy pressed on vigorously. + Their losses were severe. At length they retreated repulsed. + </p> + <p> + A second attack was immediately delivered against the north-east corner + and again beaten off by the garrison. At 4 A.M. a third assault was made + upon the cavalry enclosure. The tribesmen, carrying scaling ladders, + advanced with great determination. They were received with a deadly fire. + They then drew off, and the first night of the siege was terminated by + desultory firing. The garrison remained at their posts all night, and when + it became day the enemy were seen to have retired, to the hills to the + north-west, whence they maintained a ceaseless fire. Although the + defenders were protected by their stone walls, many had strange escapes + from the bullets, which fell incessantly into the interior. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, in spite of the vigorous attack that was being made on the + Malakand, it had been decided to send some assistance to the little band + at Chakdara. Captain Wright and forty sowars of the 11th Bengal Lancers + with Captain Baker of the 2nd Bombay Grenadiers and transport officer at + the Malakand, started at dawn on the 27th, by the road from the north + camp. Before they had gone very far they came under the fire of the enemy + on the hills. These did not dare to venture into the plain, but availed + themselves of the broken nature of the country. As the squadron reached + the road leading to the polo ground, Captain Wright received information + that the enemy were collected on the plain and immediately the pace was + quickened in the hopes of a charge being possible. But the tribesmen ran + to the hills at the sight of the Lancers, and maintained a constant, + though luckily, an ill-aimed fire. At length the village of Batkhela was + reached, and beyond it the Amandara Pass came in sight. This is a gap in a + long spur, which runs from the southern side of the valley to the rapid + river in the middle. As the river was then in full flood and unfordable, + the only road to Chakdara lay over or through the spur. But the pass was + held by the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Captain Wright had by this time realised, what probably no one at the + Malakand then knew, that the enemy's numbers were enormous. The whole way + from Malakand to Amandara—every ridge and hill was crowned with + their banners. Wherever the ground protected them from the horsemen they + gathered thickly. Cemeteries [Cemeteries are frequent and prominent + features of Frontier landscapes. Some of them are of great extent: all of + remarkable sanctity.], nullahs and villages swarmed with men. Their + figures could be seen in all directions. Far beyond the Amandara Pass + bands of tribesmen, of varying strengths, could be observed hurrying with + their standards to the attack. But these formidable signs, far from + deterring the cavalry soldier, only added, by displaying how great was the + need of Chakdara, to his determination to force his way through at all + costs. + </p> + <p> + Under a dropping fire from the cemetery on the right of the road, a brief + consultation was held. The Amandara defile was occupied on both sides by + the enemy. With the loss of perhaps a dozen men the squadron might gallop + through. But this meant leaving all who fell, to perish miserably, by + torture and mutilation. To attempt to pick up the wounded, would lead to + the annihilation of the squadron. Any alternative was preferable, though + if there were no other way, the dash would have to be made, and the + wounded left. A Sowar now said there was a path round the rock by the bank + of the river. Captain Wright determined to take it. + </p> + <p> + The path was bad. After about half the spur had been passed, it ended + abruptly in a steep white rock. It was, in fact, a path leading to a point + where the natives were in the habit of floating across the river upon + "mussucks" (inflated skins). To go back now was to fail. Without + hesitation, the horsemen turned to the right up the hill and among the + rocks, trusting to get through somehow. After passing over ground which + would be difficult to move across on foot, they saw a gorge to their left + which appeared as if it would lead to the open plain, on the other side of + the ridge. Down this gorge forty horses huddled together, with no room to + pick their way, were scrambling and jumping from rock to rock, apparently + as conscious as their riders that their lives depended on their cleverness—when, + suddenly, the enemy appeared. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the tribesmen, who were holding the pass, saw the squadron trot + off to their right towards the river, they realised that they intended to + make a desperate effort to get through to Chakdara. They knew what the + ground was like, and confident they would kill them all, if they could get + there soon enough, ran swiftly along the spur. It was a race. The leading + tribesmen arrived in time to fire on the cavalry, while they were in the + gorge. So close were they, that the officers used their revolvers. But the + Pathans were out of breath and shot badly. Several horses were hit, + including Captain Wright's, but though the large thigh bone was + penetrated, the gallant beast held on, and carried his rider to Chakdara + safely. + </p> + <p> + By the extraordinary activity of the horses the rocks were cleared before + the enemy could collect in any strength. But, to the dismay of all, the + gorge was found to lead, not to the plain, but to a branch of the river. A + broad, swift channel of water of unknown depth confronted the cavalry. To + go back was now, however, out of the question. They plunged in. The 11th + Bengal Lancers are perhaps better mounted than any native cavalry regiment + in India. Their strong horses just held their own against the current. + Several were nearly swept away. Captain Wright was the last to cross. All + this time the enemy were firing and approaching. At length the passage was + made and the squadron collected on an island of flooded rice fields, in + which the horses sank up to their hocks. Beyond this ran another arm of + the river about fifty yards wide, and apparently almost as deep as the + first. The bullets of the enemy made "watery flashes" on all sides. After + passing this second torrent the squadron found themselves again on the + same bank of the river as the enemy. They were in swampy ground. Captain + Wright dismounted his men and returned the fire. Then he turned back + himself, and riding into the stream again, rescued the hospital assistant, + whose pony, smaller than the other horses, was being carried off its legs + by the force of the water. After this the march was resumed. The squadron + kept in the heavy ground, struggling along painfully. The enemy, running + along the edge of the rice fields, maintained a continual fire, kneeling + down to take good aim. A sowar threw up his hands and fell, shot through + the back. Several more horses were hit. Then another man reeled in his + saddle and collapsed on the ground. A halt was made. Dismounted fire was + opened upon the enemy. The wounded were picked up, and by slow degrees + Chakdara was approached, when the Bridgehead Maxim gun compelled the + tribesmen to draw off. [For the particulars of this affair I am indebted + to Captain Baker, 2nd Bombay Grenadiers, who shared its perils.] + </p> + <p> + Thus the garrison of the fort received a needed reinforcement. I have + given a somewhat long description of this gallant ride, because it shows + that there are few obstacles that can stop brave men and good horses. + Captain Wright now assumed command of Chakdara, but the direction of the + defense he still confided to Lieutenant Rattray, as fighting behind walls + is a phase of warfare with which the cavalry soldier is little acquainted. + </p> + <p> + At 11.30, in the heat of the day the tribesmen attacked again. They + surrounded the north and east sides of the fort, and made strenuous + efforts to get in. They suffered heavy losses from the musketry of the + defence, and their dead lay scattered thickly on the approaches. Nor were + they removed till nightfall. Many Ghazis, mad with fanaticism, pressed on + carrying standards, heedless of the fire, until they fell riddled with + bullets under the very walls. + </p> + <p> + To communicate with the Malakand was now almost impossible. To heliograph, + it was necessary that the operator should be exposed to a terrible fire. + In the evening the signal tower was surrounded by men in stone sungars, + who kept up an incessant fusillade, and made all exposure, even for an + instant, perilous. + </p> + <p> + At midday, after the repulse of the main attack, the guard of the signal + tower was reinforced by six men, and food and water were also sent up. + This difficult operation was protected by the fire of both the Maxims, and + of all the garrison who could be spared from other points. Until the 1st + of August, water was sent up daily to the signal tower in this way. The + distance was long and the road steep. The enemy's fire was persistent. + Looking at the ground it seems wonderful that supplies could have been got + through at all. + </p> + <p> + As night approached, the defenders prepared to meet a fresh attack. + Lieutenant Wheatley, observing the points behind which the enemy usually + assembled, trained the fort Maxim and the 9-pounder gun on them, while + daylight lasted. At 11 P.M. the tribesmen advanced with shouts, yells and + the beating of drums. The gun and the Maxims were fired, and it is said + that no fewer than seventy men perished by the single discharge. At any + rate the assault was delayed for an hour and a half. All day long the + garrison had remained at their posts. It was hoped they would now get a + little rest. But at 1 o'clock the attack was renewed on the north-east + corner. Again the enemy brought up scaling ladders and charged with + desperate ferocity. They were shot down. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile every spare moment was devoted to improving the cover of the + garrison. Captain Baker applied himself to this task, and used every + expedient. Logs, sand bags, stones, boxes filled with earth were piled + upon the walls. It is due to these precautions that the loss of life was + no larger. + </p> + <p> + Continuous firing occupied the 28th, and at 5.30 P.M. the enemy again + assaulted. As in previous attacks, they at first advanced by twos and + threes, making little dashes over the open ground, for bits of natural + cover, and for the stone sungars they had built all round the fort under + cover of darkness. Some of these were within 200 yards of the wall. As + they advanced the fire became intense. Then the main rush was delivered. + In a great semi-circle round the face of the fort held by the cavalry, and + displaying nearly 200 standards whose gay colours were representative of + every tribe on the border, they charged right up to the walls. Some of + them actually got across the tangled barbed wire and were destroyed in the + enclosure. But all efforts were defeated by the garrison, and towards + morning the attack melted away, and only the usual sharpshooters remained. + Some of these displayed a singular recklessness. One man climbed up into + the barbed wire and fired three shots at the defenders at close quarters + before he was killed. + </p> + <p> + Thursday morning dawned on similar scenes. The garrison employed such + intervals as occurred in strengthening their defences and improving their + cover, particularly in the approaches to the Maxim and field gun + platforms. At 3 P.M. the enemy came out of Chakdara village, and, carrying + ladders to scale the walls, and bundles of grass to throw on the barbed + wire, made a formidable effort. They directed the attack mainly against + the signal station. This building is a strong, square, stone tower. Its + entrance is above six feet from the ground. All around the top runs a + machiconlis gallery, a kind of narrow balcony, with holes in the floor to + fire through. It is well provided with loopholes. At 4 o'clock it was + closely assailed. The garrison of the fort aided the tower guard by their + fire. So bold were the enemy in their efforts, that they rushed in under + the musketry of the defence, and lighted a great heap of grass about three + yards from the doorway. The flames sprang up. A howl of ferocious delight + arose. But the tribesmen relapsed into silence, when they saw that no real + harm was done. At sunset the fore sight of the fort Maxim was shot away, + and the defenders were temporarily deprived of the service of that + powerful weapon. They soon managed, however, to rig up a makeshift, which + answered all practical purposes. At 8 P.M. the enemy wearied of the + struggle, and the firing died away to desultory skirmishing. They toiled + all night carrying away their dead, but next morning over fifty bodies + were still lying around the signal tower. Their losses had been enormous. + </p> + <p> + The morning of the 30th brought no cessation of the fighting, but the + enemy, disheartened by their losses of the previous night, did not attack + until 7 P.M. At that hour they advanced and made a fresh effort. They were + again repulsed. Perhaps the reader is tired of the long recital of the + monotonous succession of assaults and repulses. What must the garrison + have been by the reality? Until this day—when they snatched a few + hours' sleep—they had been continually fighting and watching for + ninety-six hours. Like men in a leaking ship, who toil at the pumps + ceaselessly and find their fatigues increasing and the ship sinking hour + by hour, they cast anxious, weary eyes in the direction whence help might + be expected. But none came. And there are worse deaths than by drowning. + </p> + <p> + Men fell asleep at the loopholes and at the service of the field gun. Even + during the progress of the attacks, insulted nature asserted itself, and + the soldiers drifted away from the roar of the musketry, and the savage + figures of the enemy, to the peaceful unconsciousness of utter exhaustion. + The officers, haggard but tireless, aroused them frequently. + </p> + <p> + At other times the brave Sepoys would despair. The fort was ringed with + the enemy. The Malakand, too, was assailed. Perhaps it was the same + elsewhere. The whole British Raj seemed passing away in a single + cataclysm. The officers encouraged them. The Government of the + Queen-Empress would never desert them. If they could hold out, they would + be relieved. If not, they would be avenged. Trust in the young white men + who led them, and perhaps some dim half-idolatrous faith in a mysterious + Sovereign across the seas, whose soldiers they were, and who would surely + protect them, restored their fainting strength. The fighting continued. + </p> + <p> + During the whole time of the siege the difficulty of maintaining + signalling communication with the Malakand was extreme. But for the + heroism of the signallers, it would have been insuperable. One man in + particular, Sepoy Prem Singh, used every day at the risk of his life to + come out through a porthole of the tower, establish his heliograph, and, + under a terrible fire from short range, flash urgent messages to the main + force. The extreme danger, the delicacy of the operation of obtaining + connection with a helio, the time consumed, the composure required, these + things combined to make the action as brave as any which these or other + pages record. [A proposal has recently been made, to give the Victoria + Cross to native soldiers who shall deserve it. It would seem that the + value of such a decoration must be enhanced by making it open to all + British subjects. The keener the competition, the greater the honor of + success. In sport, in courage, and in the sight of heaven, all men meet on + equal terms.] Early on Saturday morning a supply of water was sent to the + guard of the signal tower. It was the last they got until 4.30 on Monday + afternoon. + </p> + <p> + When the attack on the fort began, the enemy numbered perhaps 1500 men. + Since then they had been increasing every day, until on the 1st and 2nd, + they are estimated to have been between 12,000 and 14,000 strong. Matters + now began to assume a still graver aspect. At 5 o'clock on the evening of + the 31st a renewed attack was made in tremendous force on the east side of + the fort. But it was beaten back with great loss by the Maxims and the + field gun. All night long the firing continued, and Sunday morning + displayed the enemy in far larger numbers than hitherto. They now captured + the Civil Hospital, a detached building, the walls of which they + loopholed, and from which they maintained a galling fire. They also + occupied the ridge, leading to the signal tower, thus cutting off all + communication with its guard. No water reached those unfortunate men that + day. The weather was intensely hot. The fire from the ridge made all + interior communication difficult and dangerous. The enemy appeared armed + to a great extent with Martini-Henry rifles and Sniders, and their + musketry was most harassing. The party in the tower kept sending by signal + pressing requests for water, which could not be supplied. The situation + became critical. I quote the simple words of Lieutenant Rattray's official + report:— + </p> + <p> + "Matters now looked so serious that we decided to send an urgent appeal + for help, but owing to the difficulty and danger of signalling we could + not send a long message, and made it as short as possible, merely sending + the two words, 'Help us.'" + </p> + <p> + Still the garrison displayed a determined aspect, and though the tribesmen + occupied the ridge, the Civil Hospital and an adjoining nullah, none set + foot within the defences. + </p> + <p> + At length the last day of the struggle came. At daybreak the enemy in + tremendous numbers came on to the assault, as if resolute to take the + place at any cost. They carried scaling ladders and bundles of grass. The + firing became intense. In spite of the cover of the garrison several men + were killed and wounded by the hail of bullets which was directed against + the fort, and which splashed and scarred the walls in every direction. + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly, as matters were approaching a crisis, the cavalry of the + relieving column appeared over the Amandara ridge. The strong horsemen + mercilessly pursued and cut down all who opposed them. When they reached + the Bridgehead on the side of the river remote from the fort, the enemy + began to turn and run. The garrison had held out stubbornly and + desperately throughout the siege. Now that relief was at hand, Lieutenant + Rattray flung open the gate, and followed by half a dozen men charged the + Civil Hospital. Captain Baker and Lieutenant Wheatley followed with a few + more. The hospital was recaptured. The enemy occupying it, some thirty in + number, were bayoneted. It was a finish in style. Returning, the sallying + party found the cavalry—the 11th Bengal Lancers—checked by a + sungar full of tribesmen. This they charged in flank, killing most of its + occupants, and driving the rest after their comrades in rout and ruin. The + last man to leave the sungar shot Lieutenant Rattray in the neck, but that + officer, as distinguished for physical prowess as for military conduct, + cut him down. This ended the fighting. It is not possible to think of a + more fitting conclusion. + </p> + <p> + The casualties in the siege were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Killed Wounded + 11th B.L...... 1 1 + 45th Sikhs..... 4 10 + Dir Levies..... 1 0 + Followers..... 1 2 + Total, all ranks—20 +</pre> + <p> + This was the loss; but every man in the fort had held death at arm's + length, for seven nights, and seven days. + </p> + <p> + It is a significant fact, that, though the cavalry horses were exposed to + the enemy's fire the whole time, hardly any were killed or wounded. The + tribesmen, feeling sure that the place was theirs, and hoping that these + fine beasts would fall unto their hands alive, had abstained from shooting + them. + </p> + <p> + As far as could be ascertained by careful official inquiries the enemy + lost over 2000 men in the attack upon Chakdara. + </p> + <p> + [The following statistics as to the expenditure of ammunition may be of + interest:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Rounds. + 28th July. Maxim...... 843 + " Martini-Henry... 7170 + 29th July. Maxim...... 667 + " Martini-Henry... 4020 + 30th July. Maxim...... 1200 + " Martini-Henry... 5530 + 31st July. Maxim...... 180 + " Martini-Henry... 2700 +</pre> + <p> + This is approximately twenty rounds per man per diem. The fire control + must have been excellent.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII: THE GATE OF SWAT + </h2> + <p> + The Malakand Pass gives access to the valley of the Swat, a long and wide + trough running east and west, among the mountains. Six miles further to + the east, at Chakdara, the valley bifurcates. One branch runs northward + towards Uch, and, turning again to the west, ultimately leads to the + Panjkora River and beyond to the great valley of Nawagai. For some + distance along this branch lies the road to Chitral, and along it the + Malakand Field Force will presently advance against the Mohmands. The + other branch prolongs the valley to the eastward. A few miles beyond + Chakdara a long spur, jutting from the southern mountains, blocks the + valley. Round its base the river has cut a channel. The road passes along + a narrow stone causeway between the river and the spur. Here is the + Landakai position, or as the tribesmen have for centuries called it, the + "Gate of Swat." Beyond this gate is Upper Swat, the ancient, beautiful and + mysterious "Udyana." This chapter will describe the forcing of the gate + and the expedition to the head of the valley. + </p> + <p> + The severe fighting at the Malakand and Chakdara had shown how formidable + was the combination, which had been raised against the British among the + hill tribes. The most distant and solitary valleys, the most remote + villages, had sent their armed men to join in the destruction of the + infidels. All the Banjaur tribes had been well represented in the enemy's + ranks. The Bunerwals and the Utman Khels had risen to a man. All Swat had + been involved. Instead of the two or three thousand men that had been + estimated as the extreme number, who would follow the Mad Fakir, it was + now known that over 12,000 were in arms. In consequence of the serious + aspect which the military and political situation had assumed, it was + decided to mobilise a 3rd and Reserve Brigade composed as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 3rd Brigade. + Commanding—Brigadier-General J.H. Wodehouse, C.B., C.M.G. + 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry. + 1st " Gordon Highlanders. + 21st Punjaub Infantry. + 2nd Battalion 1st Gurkhas. + No. 3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners. + " 14 British Field Hospital. + " 45 Native " " + " 1 Field Medical Depot. +</pre> + <p> + The fighting of the preceding fortnight had left significant and terrible + marks on the once smiling landscape. The rice crops were trampled down in + all directions. The ruins of the villages which had been burned looked + from a distance like blots of ink. The fearful losses which the enemy had + sustained, had made an appreciable diminution, not of an army, but of a + population. In the attacks upon the Malakand position, about 700 tribesmen + had perished. In the siege of Chakdara, where the open ground had afforded + opportunity to the modern weapons and Maxim guns, over 2000 had been + killed and wounded. Many others had fallen in the relief of Chakdara and + in the cavalry pursuit. For days their bodies lay scattered about the + country. In the standing crops, in the ruins of villages, and among the + rocks, festering bodies lay in the blazing sun, filling the valley with a + dreadful smell. To devour these great numbers of vultures quickly + assembled and disputed the abundant prey with the odious lizards, which I + have mentioned in an earlier chapter, and which emerged from holes and + corners to attack the corpses. Although every consideration of decency and + health stimulated the energy of the victors in interring the bodies of + their enemies, it was some days before this task could be accomplished, + and even then, in out-of-the-way places, there remained a good many that + had escaped the burying parties. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the punishment that the tribesmen of the Swat Valley had + received, and their heavy losses, had broken the spirit of many, and + several deputations came to make their submission. The Lower Swatis + surrendered unconditionally, and were allowed to return to their villages. + Of this permission they at once availed themselves, and their figures + could be seen moving about their ruined homes and endeavouring to repair + the damage. Others sat by the roadside and watched in sullen despair the + steady accumulation of troops in their valley, which had been the only + result of their appeal to arms. + </p> + <p> + It is no exaggeration to say, that perhaps half the tribesmen who attacked + the Malakand, had thought that the soldiers there, were the only troops + that the Sirkar [The Government] possessed. "Kill these," they said, "and + all is done." What did they know of the distant regiments which the + telegraph wires were drawing, from far down in the south of India? Little + did they realise they had set the world humming; that military officers + were hurrying 7000 miles by sea and land from England, to the camps among + the mountains; that long trains were carrying ammunition, material and + supplies from distant depots to the front; that astute financiers were + considering in what degree their action had affected the ratio between + silver and gold, or that sharp politicians were wondering how the outbreak + in Swat might be made to influence the impending bye-elections. These + ignorant tribesmen had no conception of the sensitiveness of modern + civilisation, which thrills and quivers in every part of its vast and + complex system at the slightest touch. + </p> + <p> + They only saw the forts and camps on the Malakand Pass and the swinging + bridge across the river. + </p> + <p> + While the people of Lower Swat, deserted by the Mad Mullah, and confronted + with the two brigades, were completely humbled and subdued, the Upper + Swatis, encouraged by their priests, and, as they believed, safe behind + their "gate," assumed a much more independent air. They sent to inquire + what terms the Government would offer, and said they would consider the + matter. Their contumacious attitude, induced the political officers to + recommend the movement of troops through their country, to impress them + with the determination and power of the Sirkar. + </p> + <p> + The expedition into the Upper Swat Valley was accordingly sanctioned, and + Sir Bindon Blood began making the necessary preparations for the advance. + The prospects of further fighting were eagerly welcomed by the troops, and + especially by those who had arrived too late for the relief of Chakdara, + and had had thus far, only long and dusty marches to perform. There was + much speculation and excitement as to what units would be selected, every + one asserting that his regiment was sure to go; that it was their turn; + and that if they were not taken it would be a great shame. + </p> + <p> + Sir Bindon Blood had however already decided. He had concentrated a + considerable force at Amandara in view of a possible advance, and as soon + as the movement was sanctioned organised the column as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1st Brigade. + Commanding—Brigadier-General Meiklejohn. + Royal West Kent Regiment. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 31st " " + 45th Sikhs + + With the following divisional troops:— + 10th Field Battery. + No.7 British Mountain Battery. + " 8 Bengal " " + " 5 Company Madras Sappers and Miners. + 2 Squadrons Guides Cavalry. + 4 " 11th Bengal Lancers. +</pre> + <p> + This force amounted to an available fighting strength of 3500 rifles and + sabres, with eighteen guns. Supplies for twelve days were carried, and the + troops proceeded on "the 80 lb. scale" of baggage, which means, that they + did not take tents, and a few other comforts and conveniences. + </p> + <p> + Before the force started, a sad event occurred. On the 12th of August, + Lieut.-Colonel J. Lamb, who had been wounded on the night of the 26th of + July, died. An early amputation might have saved his life; but this was + postponed in the expectation that the Rontgen Rays would enable the bullet + to be extracted. The Rays arrived from India after some delay. When they + reached Malakand, the experiment was at once made. It was found, however, + that the apparatus had been damaged in coming up, and no result was + obtained. Meanwhile mortification had set in, and the gallant soldier died + on the Sunday, from the effects of an amputation which he was then too + weak to stand. His thigh bone had been completely shattered by the bullet. + He had seen service in Afghanistan and the Zhob Valley and had been twice + mentioned in despatches. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th Sir Bindon Blood joined the special force, and moved it on the + 16th to Thana, a few miles further up the valley. At the same time he + ordered Brigadier-General Wodehouse to detach a small column in the + direction of the southern passes of Buner. The Highland Light Infantry, + No.3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners, and one squadron of the 10th + Bengal Lancers accordingly marched from Mardan, where the 3rd Brigade then + was, to Rustum. By this move they threatened the Bunerwals and distracted + their attention from the Upper Swat Valley. Having thus weakened the + enemy, Sir Bindon Blood proceeded to force the "Gate of Swat." + </p> + <p> + On the evening of the 16th, a reconnaissance by the 11th Bengal Lancers, + under Major Beatson, revealed the fact, that the Landakai position was + strongly held by the enemy. Many standards were displayed, and on the + approach of the cavalry, shots were fired all along the line. The squadron + retired at once, and reported the state of affairs. The general decided to + attack at day-break. + </p> + <p> + At 6.30 A.M. on the 17th, the cavalry moved off, and soon came in contact + with the tribesmen in some Buddhist ruins near a village, called Jalala. A + skirmish ensued. Meanwhile the infantry were approaching. The main + position of the enemy was displayed. All along the crest of the spur of + Landakai could be seen a fringe of standards, dark against the sky. + Beneath them the sword blades of the tribesmen glinted in the sunlight. A + long line of stone sungars crowned the ridge, and behind the enemy + clustered thickly. It is estimated that over 5000 were present. + </p> + <p> + It is not difficult to realise what a strong position this was. On the + left of the troops was an unfordable river. On their right the mountains + rose steeply. In front was the long ridge held by the enemy. The only road + up the valley was along the causeway, between the ridge and the river. To + advance further, it was necessary to dislodge the enemy from the ridge. + Sir Bindon Blood rode forward, reconnoitered the ground, and made his + dispositions. + </p> + <p> + To capture the position by a frontal attack would involve heavy loss. The + enemy were strongly posted, and the troops would be exposed to a heavy + fire in advancing. On the other hand, if the ridge could once be captured, + the destruction of the tribesmen was assured. Their position was good, + only as long as they held it. The moment of defeat would be the moment of + ruin. The reason was this. The ground behind the ridge was occupied by + swampy rice fields, and the enemy could only retire very slowly over it. + Their safe line of retreat lay up the spur, and on to the main line of + hills. They were thus formed with their line of retreat in prolongation of + their front. This is, of course, tactically one of the worst situations + that people can get into. + </p> + <p> + Sir Bindon Blood, who knew what the ground behind the ridge was like, + perceived at once how matters stood, and made his plans accordingly. He + determined to strike at the enemy's left, thus not only turning their + flank, but cutting off their proper line of retreat. If once his troops + held the point, where the long ridge ran into the main hills, all the + tribesmen who had remained on the ridge would be caught. He accordingly + issued orders as follows:— + </p> + <p> + The Royal West Kent were to mask the front and occupy the attention of the + enemy. The rest of the infantry, viz., 24th and 31st Punjaub Infantry and + the 45th Sikhs, were to ascend the hills to the right, and deliver a flank + attack on the head of the ridge. The cavalry were to be held in readiness + to dash forward along the causeway—to repair which a company of + sappers was posted—as soon as the enemy were driven off the ridge + which commanded it, and pursue them across the rice fields into the open + country beyond. The whole of the powerful artillery was to come into + action at once. + </p> + <p> + The troops then advanced. The Royal West Kent Regiment began the fight, by + driving some of the enemy from the Buddhist ruins on a small spur in + advance of the main position. The 10th Field Battery had been left in rear + in case the guns might stick in the narrow roads near Thana village. It + had, however, arrived safely, and now trotted up, and at 8.50 A.M. opened + fire on the enemy's position and at a stone fort, which they occupied + strongly. A few minutes later No.7 Mountain Battery came into action from + the spur, which the Royal West Kent had taken. A heavy artillery fire thus + prepared the way for the attack. The great shells of the Field Artillery + astounded the tribesmen, who had never before witnessed the explosion of a + twelve-pound projectile. The two mountain batteries added to their + discomfiture. Many fled during the first quarter of an hour of the + bombardment. All the rest took cover on the reverse slope and behind their + sungars. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the flank attack was developing. General Meiklejohn and his + infantry were climbing up the steep hillside, and moving steadily towards + the junction of the ridge with the main hill. At length the tribesmen on + the spur perceived the danger that was threatening them. They felt the + grip on their line of retreat. They had imagined that the white troops + would try and force their path along the causeway, and had massed + considerable reserves at the lower end of the ridge. All these now + realised that they were in great danger of being cut off. They were on a + peninsula, as it were, while the soldiers were securing the isthmus. They + accordingly began streaming along the ridge towards the left, at first + with an idea of meeting the flank attack, but afterwards, as the shell + fire grew hotter, and the musketry increased, only in the hope of retreat. + Owing to the great speed with which the mountaineers move about the hills, + most of them were able to escape before the flank attack could cut them + off. Many however, were shot down as they fled, or were killed by the + artillery fire. A few brave men charged the 31st Punjaub Infantry, but + were all destroyed. + </p> + <p> + Seeing the enemy in full flight, Sir Bindon Blood ordered the Royal West + Kent to advance against the front of the now almost deserted ridge. The + British infantry hurrying forward climbed the steep hill and captured the + stone sungars. From this position they established touch with the flank + attack, and the whole force pursued the flying tribesmen with long-range + fire. + </p> + <p> + The "Gate of Swat" had been forced. It was now possible for troops to + advance along the causeway. This had, however, been broken in various + places by the enemy. The sappers and miners hastened forward to repair it. + While this was being done, the cavalry had to wait in mad impatience, + knowing that their chance lay in the plains beyond. As soon as the road + was sufficiently repaired to allow them to pass in single file, they began + struggling along it, and emerged at the other end of the causeway in twos + and threes. + </p> + <p> + An incident now ensued, which, though it afforded an opportunity for a + splendid act of courage, yet involved an unnecessary loss of life, and + must be called disastrous. As the cavalry got clear of the broken ground, + the leading horsemen saw the tribesmen swiftly running towards the hills, + about a mile distant. Carried away by the excitement of the pursuit, and + despising the enemy for their slight resistance, they dashed impetuously + forward in the hope of catching them before they could reach the hills. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, on entering the plain, saw at once that if he + could seize a small clump of trees near a cemetery, he would be able to + bring effective dismounted fire to bear on the retreating tribesmen. He + therefore collected as many men as possible, and with Lieutenant Maclean, + and Lord Fincastle, the Times correspondent, rode in the direction of + these points. Meanwhile Captain Palmer, who commanded the leading + squadron, and Lieutenant Greaves of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who was + acting war correspondent of the Times of India, galloped across the rice + fields after the enemy. The squadron, unable to keep up, straggled out in + a long string, in the swampy ground. + </p> + <p> + At the foot of the hills the ground was firmer, and reaching this, the two + officers recklessly dashed in among the enemy. It is the spirit that loses + the Empire many lives, but has gained it many battles. But the tribesmen, + who had been outmanoeuvred rather than outfought, turned savagely on their + pursuers. The whole scene was witnessed by the troops on the ridge. + Captain Palmer cut down a standard-bearer. Another man attacked him. + Raising his arm for a fresh stroke, his wrist was smashed by a bullet. + Another killed his horse. Lieutenant Greaves, shot through the body, fell + at the same moment to the ground. The enemy closed around and began + hacking him, as he lay, with their swords. Captain Palmer tried to draw + his revolver. At this moment two sowars got clear of the swampy rice + fields, and at once galloped, shouting, to the rescue, cutting and + slashing at the tribesmen. All would have been cut to pieces or shot down. + The hillside was covered with the enemy. The wounded officers lay at the + foot. They were surrounded. Seeing this Lieutenant-Colonel Adams and Lord + Fincastle, with Lieutenant Maclean and two or three sowars, dashed to + their assistance. At their charge the tribesmen fell back a little way and + opened a heavy fire. Lord Fincastle's horse was immediately shot and he + fell to the ground. Rising, he endeavoured to lift the wounded Greaves on + to Colonel Adams' saddle, but at this instant a second bullet struck that + unfortunate officer, killing him instantly. Colonel Adams was slightly, + and Lieutenant Maclean mortally, wounded while giving assistance, and all + the horses but two were shot. In spite of the terrible fire, the body of + Lieutenant Greaves and the other two wounded officers were rescued and + carried to the little clump of trees. + </p> + <p> + For this gallant feat of arms both the surviving officers, Colonel Adams + and Lord Fincastle, were recommended for, and have since received, the + Victoria Cross. It was also officially announced, that Lieutenant Maclean + would have received it, had he not been killed. There are many, especially + on the frontier, where he was known as a fine soldier and a good + sportsman, who think that the accident of death should not have been + allowed to interfere with the reward of valour. + </p> + <p> + The extremes of fortune, which befell Lord Fincastle and Lieutenant + Greaves, may well claim a moment's consideration. Neither officer was + employed officially with the force. Both had travelled up at their own + expense, evading and overcoming all obstacles in an endeavour to see + something of war. Knights of the sword and pen, they had nothing to offer + but their lives, no troops to lead, no duties to perform, no watchful + commanding officer to report their conduct. They played for high stakes, + and Fortune never so capricious as on the field of battle, dealt to the + one the greatest honour that a soldier can hope for, as some think, the + greatest in the gift of the Crown, and to the other Death. + </p> + <p> + The flight of the enemy terminated the action of Landakai. Thus in a few + hours and with hardly any loss, the "Gate of Swat," which the tribesmen + had regarded as impregnable, had been forced. One squadron of the Guides + cavalry, under Captain Brasier Creagh, pursuing the enemy had a successful + skirmish near the village of Abueh, and returned to camp about 6.30 in the + evening. [This officer was mentioned in despatches for his skill and + judgment in this affair; but he is better known on the frontier for his + brilliant reconnaissance towards Mamani, a month later, in which in spite + of heavy loss he succeeded in carrying out General Hammond's orders and + obtained most valuable information.] During the fight about 1000 tribesmen + had threatened the baggage column, but these were but poor-spirited + fellows, for they retired after a short skirmish with two squadrons of the + 11th Bengal Lancers, with a loss of twenty killed and wounded. The total + casualties of the day were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed—Lieutenant R.T. Greaves, Lancs. Fusiliers. + " " H.L.S. Maclean, Guides. + Wounded severely—Captain M.E. Palmer, Guides. + Wounded slightly—Lieutenant-Colonel R.B. Adams, Guides. + NATIVE RANKS—Wounded—5. + FOLLOWERS—Wounded—2. + Total Casualties—11. +</pre> + <p> + It must be remembered, that but for the incident which resulted in the + deaths of the officers, and which Sir Bindon Blood described in his + official despatch as an "unfortunate contretemps," the total casualties + would have only been seven wounded. That so strong a position should have + been captured with so little loss, is due, firstly, to the dispositions of + the general; and secondly, to the power of the artillery which he had + concentrated. The account of the first attempt to storm the Dargai + position on the 20th of October, before it had been shaken by artillery + fire, when the Dorsetshire Regiment suffered severe loss, roused many + reflections among those who had witnessed the action of Landakai. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, the 18th, the force continued their march up the valley + of the Upper Swat. The natives, thoroughly cowed, offered no further + opposition and sued for peace. Their losses at Landakai were ascertained + to have exceeded 500, and they realised that they had no chance against + the regular troops, when these were enabled to use their powerful weapons. + </p> + <p> + As the troops advanced up the fertile and beautiful valley, all were + struck by the numerous ruins of the ancient Buddhists. Here in former + times were thriving cities, and civilised men. Here, we learn from + Fa-hien, [Record Of Buddhistic Kingdoms. Translated by James Legge, M.A., + LL.D.] were "in all 500 Sangharamas," or monasteries. At these monasteries + the law of hospitality was thus carried out: "When stranger bhikshus + (begging monks) arrive at one of them, their wants are supplied for three + days, after which they are told to find a resting-place for themselves." + All this is changed by time. The cities are but ruins. Savages have + replaced the civilised, bland-looking Buddhists, and the traveller who + should apply for hospitality, would be speedily shown "a resting-place," + which would relieve his hosts from further trouble concerning him. + </p> + <p> + "There is a tradition," continues the intrepid monk, who travelled through + some of the wildest countries of the earth in the darkest ages of its + history, "that when Buddha came to North India, he came to this country, + and that he left a print of his foot, which is long or short according to + the ideas of the beholder." Although the learned Fa-hien asserts that "it + exists, and the same thing is true about it at the present day," the + various cavalry reconnaissances failed to discover it, and we must + regretfully conclude that it has also been obliterated by the tides of + time. Here too, says this Buddhistic Baedeker, is still to be seen the + rock on which "He dried his clothes; and the place where He converted the + wicked dragon (Naga)." "The rock is fourteen cubits high and more than + twenty broad, with one side of it smooth." This may well be believed; but + there are so many rocks of all dimensions that the soldiers were unable to + make certain which was the scene of the dragon's repentance, and Buddha's + desiccation. + </p> + <p> + His companions went on ahead towards Jellalabad, or some city in that + locality, but Fa-hien, charmed with the green and fertile beauties of "the + park," remained in the pleasant valley and "kept the summer retreat." Then + he descended into the land of So-hoo-to, which is perhaps Buner. + </p> + <p> + Even in these busy, practical, matter-of-fact, modern times, where nothing + is desirable unless economically sound, it is not unprofitable for a + moment to raise the veil of the past, and take a glimpse of the world as + it was in other days. The fifth century of the Christian era was one of + the most gloomy and dismal periods in the history of mankind. The Great + Roman Empire was collapsing before the strokes of such as Alaric the Goth, + Attila the Hun, and Genseric the Vandal. The art and valour of a classical + age had sunk in that deluge of barbarism which submerged Europe. The + Church was convulsed by the Arian controversy. That pure religion, which + it should have guarded, was defiled with the blood of persecution and + degraded by the fears of superstition. Yet, while all these things + afflicted the nations of the West, and seemed to foreshadow the decline or + destruction of the human species, the wild mountains of Northern India, + now overrun by savages more fierce than those who sacked Rome, were + occupied by a placid people, thriving, industrious, and intelligent; + devoting their lives to the attainment of that serene annihilation which + the word nirvana expresses. When we reflect on the revolutions which time + effects, and observe how the home of learning and progress changes as the + years pass by, it is impossible to avoid the conclusion, perhaps a + mournful one, that the sun of civilisation can never shine all over the + world at once. + </p> + <p> + On the 19th, the force reached Mingaora, and here for five days they + waited in an agreeable camp, to enable Major Deane to receive the + submission of the tribes. These appeared much humbled by their defeats, + and sought to propitiate the troops by bringing in supplies of grain and + forage. Over 800 arms of different descriptions were surrendered during + the halt. A few shots were fired into the camp on the night of the arrival + at Mingaora, but the villagers, fearing lest they should suffer, turned + out and drove the "snipers" away. On the 21st a reconnaissance as far as + the Kotke Pass afforded much valuable information as to the nature of the + country. All were struck with the beauty of the scenery, and when on the + 24th the force marched back to Barikot, they carried away with them the + memory of a beautiful valley, where the green of the rice fields was + separated from the blue of the sky by the glittering snow peaks of the + Himalayas. + </p> + <p> + While the troops rested at Barikot, Sir Bindon Blood personally + reconnoitred the Karakar Pass, which leads from the Swat Valley into the + country of the Bunerwals. The Bunerwals belong to the Yusaf section, of + the Yusafzai tribe. They are a warlike and turbulent people. To their + valley, after the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, many of the Sepoys and + native officers who had been in revolt fled for refuge. Here, partly by + force and partly by persuasion, they established themselves. They married + women of the country and made a settlement. In 1863 the Bunerwals came + into collision with the British Government and much severe fighting + ensued, known to history as the Ambeyla Campaign. The refugees from India + renewed their quarrel with the white troops with eagerness, and by their + extraordinary courage and ferocity gained the name of the "Hindustani + Fanatics." At the cost of thirty-six officers and eight hundred men Buner + was subdued. The "Crag Picket" was taken for the last time by the 101st + Fusiliers, and held till the end of the operations. Elephants, brought at + great expense from India, trampled the crops. Most of the "Hindustani + Fanatics" perished in the fighting. The Bunerwals accepted the Government + terms, and the troops retired. Since then, in 1868, in 1877 and again in + 1884 they raided border villages, but on the threat of an expedition paid + a fine and made good the damage. The reputation they have enjoyed since + their stout resistance in 1863, has enabled them to take a leading + position among the frontier tribes; and they have availed themselves of + this to foment and aggravate several outbreaks against the British. Their + black and dark-blue clothes had distinguished them from the other + assailants of Malakand and Chakdara. They had now withdrawn to their + valley and thence defied the Government and refused all terms. + </p> + <p> + As Sir Bindon Blood and his escort approached the top of the pass, a few + shots were fired by the watchers there, but there was no opposition. All + the Bunerwals had hurried over to defend the southern entrances to their + country, which they conceived were in danger of attack from + Brigadier-General Wodehouse's force at Rustum. The general reached the + Kotal, and saw the whole valley beneath him. Great villages dotted the + plains and the aspect was fertile and prosperous. + </p> + <p> + The unguarded Karakar Pass was practicable for troops, and if the + Government would give their consent, Buner might be reduced in a fortnight + without difficulty, almost without fighting. + </p> + <p> + Telegrams were despatched to India on the subject, and after much delay + and hesitation the Viceroy decided against the recommendation of his + victorious general. Though the desirability of settling with the Bunerwals + was fully admitted, the Government shrank from the risk. The Malakand + Field Force thus remained idle for nearly a fortnight. The news, that the + Sirkar had feared to attack Buner, spread like wildfire along the + frontier, and revived the spirits of the tribes. They fancied they + detected a sign of weakness. Nor were they altogether wrong. But the + weakness was moral rather than physical. + </p> + <p> + It is now asserted, that the punishment of Buner is only postponed, and + that a few months may see its consummation. [Written in 1897.] The + opportunity of entering the country without having to force the passes may + not, however, recur. + </p> + <p> + On the 26th of August the force returned to Thana, and the expedition into + Upper Swat terminated. + </p> + <p> + [The following is the most trustworthy estimate obtainable of loss of life + among the tribesmen in the fighting in the Swat Valley from 26th July to + 17th August. The figures include wounded, who have since died, and are + more than double those killed outright in the actions:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1. Lower Swat Pathans... 700 Buried in the graveyards. + 2. Upper " " ... 600 " " " " + 3. Buner proper . ... 500 " " " " + 4. Utman Khel . ... 80 + 5. Yusafzai. . ... 50 + 6. Other tribes . ... 150 + Total—2080. + + 1, 2 and 3 are the result of recent inquiry on the spot. + 4, 5 and 6 are estimates based on native information. +</pre> + <p> + The proportion of killed and died of wounds to wounded would be very high, + as the tribes have little surgical or medical knowledge and refused all + offers of aid. Assuming that only an equal number were wounded and + recovered, the total loss would be approximately 4000. A check is obtained + by comparing these figures with the separate estimates for each action:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Malakand.... 700 + Siege of Chakdara.. 2000 + Relief " " .. 500 + Action of Landakai.. 500 + Total—3700. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII: THE ADVANCE AGAINST THE MOHMANDS + </h2> + <p> + The beginning of this chapter must mark a change in the standpoint from + which the story is told. Hitherto the course of events has been recorded + in the impersonal style of history. But henceforward I am able to rely on + my own memory as well as on other people's evidence. [I do not desire to + bore the reader or depreciate the story by the introduction of personal + matters. It will be sufficient if, in the interests of coherency, I + explain my connection with the Malakand Field Force. Having realised, that + if a British cavalry officer waits till he is ordered on active service, + he is likely to wait a considerable time, I obtained six weeks' leave of + absence from my regiment, and on the 2nd of September arrived at Malakand + as press correspondent of the PIONEER and DAILY TELEGRAPH, and in the hope + of being sooner or later attached to the force in a military capacity.] It + may be doubtful whether an historical record gains or loses value when + described by an eye-witness. From the personal point of view, all things + appear in a gradual perspective, according to the degree in which they + affect the individual; and we are so prone to exaggerate the relative + importance of incidents, which we see, over those we hear about, that what + the narrative gains in accuracy of detail, it may lose in justness of + proportion. In so nice a question I shall not pronounce. I remember that + the original object with which this book was undertaken, was to present a + picture of the war on the North-West Frontier to the Englishmen at home; a + picture which should not only exist, but be looked at; and I am inclined + to think, that this end will be more easily attained by the adoption of a + style of personal narrative. Many facts, too local, too specialised, too + insignificant, for an historical record, and yet which may help the reader + to form a true impression of the scene and situation, are thus brought + within the compass of these pages. The account becomes more graphic if + less imposing, more vivid if less judicial. As long as each step down from + the "dignity of history" is accompanied by a corresponding increase in + interest, we may pursue without compunction that pleasant, if descending, + path. + </p> + <p> + The ninth chapter also introduces a new phase of the operations of the + force. The Mohmands now become the enemy and the scene is changed from + Swat to Bajaur. Before marching into their country, it will be desirable + to consider briefly those causes and events which induced the Government + of India to despatch an expedition against this powerful and warlike + tribe. + </p> + <p> + The tidal wave of fanaticism, which had swept the frontier, had influenced + the Mohmands, as all other border peoples. Their situation was, however, + in several important respects, different from that of the natives of the + Swat Valley. These Mohmands had neither been irritated nor interfered with + in any way. No military road ran through their territory. No fortified + posts stirred their animosity or threatened their independence. Had they + respected in others the isolation which they themselves have so long + enjoyed, they might have remained for an indefinite period in that state + of degraded barbarism which seems to appeal so strongly to certain people + in England. They became, however, the aggressors. + </p> + <p> + In the heart of the wild and dismal mountain region, in which these fierce + tribesmen dwell, are the temple and village of Jarobi: the one a + consecrated hovel, the other a fortified slum. This obscure and + undisturbed retreat was the residence of a priest of great age and of + peculiar holiness, known to fame as the Hadda Mullah. His name is + Najb-ud-din, but as respect has prevented it being mentioned by the + tribesmen for nearly fifty years, it is only preserved in infidel memories + and records. The Government of India have, however, had this man's + personality brought vividly before them on several occasions. About + thirteen years ago he quarrelled with the Amir and raised the Mohmands + against him. The Amir replied by summoning his rebellious subject—for + Hadda, the Mullah's home and birthplace, is a village of Afghanistan—to + answer for his conduct at Cabul. But the crafty priest, who was well + acquainted with Afghan legal procedure, declined the invitation, and + retired to the independent Mohmand territory, where he has lived ever + since. + </p> + <p> + Content with thus inflicting the punishment of exile, the Amir was + disposed to forget the offence. In a letter to his Commander-in-Chief, the + "Sipah Salar," a great friend of the Mullah, he described him as a "light + of Islam." So powerful a light, indeed, he did not desire to have in his + own dominions; but across the border it was fitting that respect should be + shown to so holy a man. He therefore directed his officials to cherish and + honour him. Thus he retained a powerful weapon—to be used when + desirable. Whether by instigation or from personal motives, the Hadda + Mullah has long been a bitter foe to the British power. In 1895 he sent + the fighting men of the Mohmands to resist the Chitral Relief Force. Since + then he has been actively engaged, by preaching and by correspondence with + other Mullahs, in raising a great combination against the advancing + civilisation. + </p> + <p> + In 1896 he terminated a long religious controversy with the Manki Mullah + of Nowshera and Spinkhara—a comparatively tame Mullah, who now + supports the Indian Government—by publishing a book setting forth + his views, and demolishing those of his antagonist. This work was printed + in Delhi and had an extensive sale among Mahommedans all over India. + Complimentary copies were sent to the "Sipah Salar" and other Afghan + notabilities, and the fame of the Hadda Mullah was known throughout the + land. Besides increasing his influence, his literary success stimulated + his efforts. + </p> + <p> + While the Mad Fakir was rousing Swat and Buner, this powerful priest + incited the Mohmands. Though he was known to be a physical coward, his + sanctity and the fact that he was their own particular holy man, not less + than his eloquence, powerfully moved this savage tribe. A Jehad was + proclaimed. How long should Islam be insulted? How long should its + followers lurk in the barren lands of the North? He urged them to rise and + join in the destruction of the white invaders. Those who fell should + become saints; those who lived would be rich, for these Kafirs had money + and many other things besides, for which a true believer might find a use. + </p> + <p> + The combined allurements of plunder and paradise proved irresistible. On + the 8th of August a great gathering, nearly 6000 strong, crossed the + frontier line, invaded British territory, burned the village of + Shankargarh, and attacked the fort of Shabkadr. This place is an advanced + post in the defensive system of the frontier, and is situated some + nineteen miles to the north-west of Peshawar. Its ordinary garrison + consists of about fifty Border Police. It is strongly built, and is + intended to attract the attention and delay the advance of a + raiding-party, until the Peshawar garrison has had time to take the field. + Both of these objects it admirably fulfilled in this case. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the news of the incursion of the Mohmands was received in + Peshawar, a flying column was mobilised and proceeded under the command of + Lieut.-Colonel J.B. Woon, 20th Punjaub Infantry, in the direction of the + fort. At dawn on the 9th of August they found the tribesmen in force in a + strong position near Shabdakr. The force at Colonel Woon's disposal was + small. It consisted of:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 4 Guns 51st Field Battery. + 2 squadrons 13th Bengal Lancers..... 151 lances. + 2 Companies Somersetshire Light Infantry.. 186 rifles. + 20th Punjaub Infantry ...... 400 " +</pre> + <p> + A total of about 750 men. The enemy numbered 6000. Nevertheless it was + decided to attack at once. + </p> + <p> + As the action which followed is but remotely connected with the fortunes + of the Malakand Field Force, I do not intend to describe it in detail. The + infantry in advancing could only attack on a front of 600 yards. The + enemy's line, being much longer, quickly turned both flanks. The fire + became severe. Numerous casualties occurred. A retirement was ordered. As + is usual in Asiatic warfare, it was considerably pressed. The situation at + about nine o'clock appeared critical. At this point Brigadier-General + Ellis, commanding the Peshawar District, arrived on the field. He + immediately ordered the two squadrons of the 13th Bengal Lancers to move + well to the right flank, to charge across the front and check the enemy's + advance. The "cease fire" sounded as on a field day. Then there was a + pause. The movements of the cavalry were concealed from most of the + troops, but suddenly all noticed the slackening of the enemy's fire. Then + the tribesmen were seen to be in retreat and disorder. The power of + cavalry had been strikingly displayed. The two squadrons, ably led, had + executed a fine charge over what theorists would call impossible ground + for a distance of one and a half miles along the bed of a great nullah, + and among rocks and stones that reduced the pace to a trot. The enemy were + driven from the field. Sixty were actually speared by the Lancers, and the + rest retreated in gloom and disorder to their hills across the frontier. + </p> + <p> + The casualties were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + British Officers. + Wounded severely—Major A. Lumb, Somersetshire Light Infantry. + " " Captain S.W. Blacker, R.A. + " " 2nd Lieut. E Drummond, Somersetshire Light Infantry. + Wounded slightly—Lieut. A.V. Cheyne, 13th Bengal Lancers. + + British N.C.O.'s and Soldiers. + Killed. Wounded. + 51st Field Battery, R.A..... 0 2 + Somersetshire Light Infantry... 3 9 + + Native Ranks. + + 13th Bengal Lancers ..... 1 12 + 20th Punjaub Infantry..... 5 35 + Followers ....... 0 1 + + Total Casualties, all ranks—72. +</pre> + <p> + That such an outrage, as the deliberate violation of British territory by + these savages, should remain unpunished, "Forward Policy" or no "Forward + Policy," was of course impossible. Yet the vacillation and hesitancy which + the Government of India had displayed in the matter of the Bunerwals, and + the shocking and disgraceful desertion of the forts in the Khyber Pass, + were so fresh in all men's minds, that the order to advance against the + Mohmands was received with feelings of the greatest relief throughout the + forces. The general plan of the operations as arranged by the + Commander-in-Chief was as follows:— + </p> + <p> + 1. Sir Bindon Blood with two brigades of the Malakand Field Force and due + proportions of cavalry and guns was to move through South Bajaur to + Nawagai, and on the 15th of September invade the Mohmand country from that + place. + </p> + <p> + 2. On the same date Major-General Elles with an equal force would leave + Shabkadr, and entering the mountains march northeast to effect a junction. + </p> + <p> + 3. This having been done, the combined forces under the supreme command of + Sir Bindon Blood would be brought back through the Mohmands' territories + to Shabkadr. Incidentally they would deal with the Hadda Mullah's village + of Jarobi, and inflict such punishment on the tribesmen as might be + necessary to ensure their submission. The troops would then be available + for the Tirah Expedition, which it had by this time been decided to + organise. + </p> + <p> + The fact that after leaving Nawagai, nothing was known of the + configuration of the country, of which no maps existed; nor of the + supplies of food, forage and water available by the way, made the + preparations for, and the execution of, these operations somewhat + difficult. Wide margins had to be allowed in the matter of rations, and in + order to be prepared for all contingencies and obstructions of ground, Sir + Bindon Blood equipped his 2nd Brigade entirely with mule transport. The + 3rd Brigade with camels would follow if the road was passable. + </p> + <p> + The following was the composition of the forces employed:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. MALAKAND FIELD FORCE. + + Commanding—Major-General Sir Bindon Blood. + + 2nd Brigade. + + Brigadier-General Jeffries, C.B. + The Buffs. + 35th Sikhs. + 38th Dogras. + Guides Infantry. + No.4 Company (Bengal) Sappers and Miners. + No.7 Mountain Battery. + + 3rd Brigade. + + Brigadier-General Wodehouse. + The Queen's Regiment.[This regiment had replaced the Gordon + Highlanders in the 3rd Brigade.] + 22nd Punjaub Infantry. + 39th Punjaub Infantry. + No.3 Company (Bombay) Sappers and Miners. + No.1 Mountain Battery, R.A. + + Cavalry—11th Bengal Lancers. + + Line of Communications. 1st Brigade. + + Brigadier-General Meiklejohn. + Royal West Kent. + Highland Light Infantry. + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 45th Sikhs. + No.7 British Mountain Battery. + And the following additional troops:— + 1 Squadron 10th Bengal Lancers. + 2 Squadrons Guides Cavalry. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + II.THE MOHMAND FIELD FORCE. + + 1st Brigade. + + 1st Battalion Somersetshire Light Infantry. + Maxim Gun Detachment, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment. + 20th Punjaub Infantry. + 2nd Battalion 1st Gurkhas. + Sections A and B No.5 British Field Hospital. + Three Sections No.31 Native " " + Section A No.45 " " " + + 2nd Brigade. + + 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry. + 9th Gurkha Rifles. + 37th Dogras. + Sections C and D No.5 British Field Hospital. + No.44 Native Field Hospital. + + Divisional Troops. + + 13th Bengal Lancers. + No.3 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery. + No.5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery. + No.5 Company (Bengal) Sappers and Miners. + 28th Bombay Pioneers. + 1st Patiala Infantry. + Sections C and D No.63 Native Field Hospital. +</pre> + <p> + To record the actual movements of troops in a campaign, is among the most + important duties of one who undertakes to tell its tale. For the sake of + clearness, of brevity, and that the reader who is not interested may find + convenience in skipping, I shall at once describe the whole of the marches + and manoeuvres, by which Sir Bindon Blood moved his brigades across the + Panjkora River, and after the Malakand Field Force is safely camped at + Ghosam, the reader will be invited to return to examine the scenery, and + remark the incidents of the way. + </p> + <p> + During the end of August, the 2nd Brigade, equipped with mule transport, + was at Khar in the Swat Valley. The 3rd Brigade was at Uch. On the 2nd of + September, definite orders to advance were received from Simla. In + pursuance of these instructions, Sir Bindon Blood ordered + Brigadier-General Wodehouse with the 3rd Brigade, which in anticipation + had been moved from Uch a few days previously, to take over the bridge + across the Panjkora from the Khan of Dir's Levies, and secure the passage. + On the 6th, the 3rd Brigade marched from Sarai to Panjkora, and obtained + possession of the bridge just in time to prevent it falling into the hands + of the enemy, who had already gathered to seize it. The 12-pounder guns of + the 10th Field Battery were placed in a strong position commanding the + passage, and the brigade camped on the left bank. On the same day, + Brigadier-General Jeffries with headquarters marched from Khar to + Chakdara. On the 7th he proceeded to Sarai, and on the 8th effected the + passage of the Panjkora, and camped on the further bank at Kotkai. On the + 10th, both brigades marched to Ghosam, where they concentrated. On the + line of communications to the Malakand, stages were established at + Chakdara and Sarai, with accommodation for sick and wounded. An advanced + depot was formed behind the Panjkora, to guard which and to hold the + passage, an additional force was moved from the Swat Valley. + </p> + <p> + This concentration at Ghosam, of which the details had worked out so + mechanically, had been necessitated by the attitude of the tribesmen of + Bajaur and the adjoining valleys. Great gatherings had collected, and up + to the 7th of September there had been every sign of determined + opposition. So formidable did the combination appear, that Sir Bindon + Blood arranged to have at his disposal a force of six squadrons, nine + battalions and three batteries, in the expectation of an action at or near + Ghosam, which would perhaps have been on a larger scale than any British + engagement since Tel-el-Kebir. [As so many misconceptions exist as to the + British casualties in this victory, it is necessary to state that in the + twenty minutes' fighting 11 officers and 43 men were killed and 22 + officers and 320 men were wounded.] + </p> + <p> + These anticipations were however doomed to disappointment. The methodical, + remorseless advance of powerful forces filled the tribesmen with alarm. + They made a half-hearted attempt to capture the Panjkora bridge, and + finding themselves forestalled, fell again to discussing terms. In this + scene of indecision the political officers employed all their arts. And + then suddenly the whole huge combination, which had been raised in our + path, collapsed as an iceberg, when southern waters have melted its base. + </p> + <p> + Whatever the philanthropist may say, it would appear to have been better + policy to have encouraged the tribesmen to oppose the advance in the open, + on some well-defined position. Had they done so, there can be no doubt + that the two fine brigades, backed by a powerful artillery, and under a + victorious commander, who knew and had fought over every inch of the + ground, would have defeated them with severe loss. Bajaur would have been + settled at a single blow and probably at a far less cost in lives than was + afterwards incurred. Instead of this, it was the aim of our diplomacy to + dissipate the opposition. The inflammation, which should have been brought + to a head and then operated on, was now dispersed throughout the whole + system, with what results future chapters will show. + </p> + <p> + Having thus brought the brigades peacefully to Gosham, I ask the reader to + return to the Malakand and ride thence with the Headquarters Staff along + the line of march. On the 5th of September, Sir Bindon Blood and his + staff, which I had the pleasure to accompany, started from the Kotal Camp + and proceeded across the plain of Khar to Chakdara. Here we halted for the + night, and as the scenery and situation of this picturesque fort have + already been described, the march may be continued without delay next + morning. From Chakdara to Sarai is a stage of twelve miles. The road runs + steadily up the valley until the summit of the Catgalla Pass is reached. + "Catgalla" means "Cut-throat," and, indeed, it is not hard to believe that + this gloomy defile has been the scene of dark and horrid deeds. Thence a + descent of two miles leads to Sarai. On the way, we fell in with the 2nd + Brigade, and had to leave the road to avoid the long lines of mules and + marching men who toiled along it. + </p> + <p> + The valley at Sarai is about two miles wide, and the mountains rise + steeply from it. On every ridge it is possible to distinguish the red + brick ruins which were the dwellings of the ancient Buddhists. These + relics of an early civilisation, long since overthrown and forgotten, + cannot fail to excite interest and awaken reflection. They carry the mind + back to the times "when the smoke of sacrifice rose from the Pantheon, and + when camelopards and tigers bounded in the Flavian amphitheatre." And they + also lead us to speculations of the future, till we wonder whether the + traveller shall some day inspect, with unconcerned composure, the few + scraps of stone and iron which may indicate the British occupation of + India. Few, indeed, the remains would be—for we build for immediate + use, not future ostentation in these days, and if we should ever cease to + be a force in the world, all traces of us would soon be obliterated by + time. Yet, perhaps, if that unborn critic of remote posterity would + remember that "in the days of the old British," the rice crop had been + more abundant, the number of acres under cultivation greater, the + population larger and the death rate lower, than at any period in the + history of India—we should not be without a monument more glorious + than the pyramids. + </p> + <p> + We camped with the 2nd Brigade on the night of the 6th, and next morning, + while the stars were still shining, resumed the march. Five miles from + Sarai the road dwindles to a mule track, and henceforward is not fit for + wheeled traffic. In spite of this, the 10th Field Battery had succeeded in + getting their guns along it, and had brought them safely to Panjkora. But + soldiers will accomplish a good deal to get nearer the enemy. The scenery + before the gorge of the river is reached is gloomy, but grand. Great + cliffs tower up precipitously on the further bank and the path is cut in + the face of the rock. The river, which flows swiftly by, plunges into a + narrow cleft about a mile below the bridge, and disappears among the + mountains. It abounds in fish, but is rapid and dangerous, and while the + troops were encamped near it, two gunners lost their lives by falling in, + and being carried down. Indeed, watching the dead bodies of several camels + being swept along, swirled around, and buffeted against the rocks, it was + not hard to understand these accidents. + </p> + <p> + At length, the bridge is reached. It is a frail structure, supported on + wire ropes. At each end are gates, flanked by little mud towers. The + battery was established on a knoll to the right, and the long muzzles of + the guns peered through stone embrasures at the opposite hills. It was + round the bases of these hills that much hard fighting took place in the + Chitral campaign. About half a mile beyond the bridge, I was shown the + place where the Guides had been so hard pressed, and for a whole night had + had to stand at bay, their colonel killed, the bridge broken, and the + river in flood, against the tribesmen in overwhelming numbers. + </p> + <p> + The field telegraph stopped at the bridge-head, and a small tent with a + half-dozen military operators marked the breaking of the slender thread + that connected us, across thousands of miles of sea and land, with London. + Henceforward a line of signal stations with their flickering helios would + be the only links. We were at the end of the wire. I have often stood at + the other and watched the tape machine click off the news as it arrives; + the movements of the troops; the prospects of action; the fighting; the + casualties. How different are the scenes. The club on an autumn evening—its + members grouped anxiously around, discussing, wondering, asserting; the + noise of the traffic outside; the cigarette smoke and electric lights + within. And, only an hour away along the wire, the field, with the bright + sunlight shining on the swirling muddy waters; the black forbidding rocks; + the white tents of the brigade a mile up the valley; the long streak of + vivid green rice crop by the river; and in the foreground the brown-clad + armed men. I can never doubt which is the right end to be at. It is better + to be making the news than taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic. + </p> + <p> + To cross the bridge, it was necessary to dismount and lead the horses over + in single file. Even then the swinging of the whole structure made it + difficult to walk. The passage of the transport under such conditions + occupied all the day, and the unfortunate officers in charge of the mule + trains were working incessantly. The staff passed quickly, however, and + riding on about a mile forded the tributary stream of the Jandol, and + reached the camp at Kotkai about noon. Thence we proceeded on the + following day to Ghosam, but as the road is uninteresting, and I am + beginning to think the reader will readily excuse further description, we + need not toil along it in the dust and the heat. The narration of the + daily movements of troops, unmarked by variety of incident, is dull and + wearying. Yet he who would obtain a true idea of the soldier's life on + service, must mentally share the fatigues of the march and the monotony of + the camp. The fine deeds, the thrilling moments of war, are but the high + lights in a picture, of which the background is routine, hard work, and + discomfort. + </p> + <p> + At Ghosam the 2nd Brigade remained until joined by the 3rd and pending + negotiations between the political officers and the tribal Jirgahs. + </p> + <p> + The use of purely local terms in all writing is to be deprecated. Perhaps + the reason that no popular history of India exists, is to be found in the + outlandish names of the characters, and the other expressions with which + the pages are sprinkled. In this account I have zealously tried to avoid + the ugly jargon of a degraded language, and to minimise the use of native + names. The term just employed has, however, been so freely used in the + newspapers recently, that it is perhaps as well to explain its meaning. A + Jirgah is a deputation of tribesmen. It does not necessarily represent the + tribe. It may present—and very often does—a minority report. + Occasionally it expresses the opinion only of its own members. What has + been settled one day is therefore very often overruled the next. The + Jirgah may accept terms of peace in the morning, and the camp may be + rushed that night. These were, however, genuine, and spoke in the name and + with the authority of the tribes. All day they kept arriving and squatting + in rows before Major Deane's tent, to hear the Government terms. The chief + condition imposed, was the surrender of rifles. A fixed number, based on + calculation of wealth and population, was demanded from each clan. This + method of punishment is peculiarly galling to people whose life is so full + of war. No other course was, however, open but submission, and, promising + that the terms should be complied with, the deputations departed. To + stimulate their efforts and zeal in collecting their arms, the combined + movements were delayed for three days, and the forces remained encamped at + Ghosam, near Manda. + </p> + <p> + I avail myself of this halt to touch, albeit with no little trepidation, + the tangled and obscure subject of tribal politics in Dir and Bajaur. All + the people, incited by their priests, are bitterly hostile to the British + Government, except those benefited by the subsidies paid. They were now + anxious to fight, and were only restrained by a fear which fury or + fanaticism might at any moment overcome. Four principal khans exercise an + authority which varies locally, from absolute dominion to a shadowy + suzerainty, over the whole region. The Khan of Dir, the most important, is + a Government nominee. He is supported by the British influence, and is, as + I have already noticed, entrusted with the raising of Levies to protect + and keep in repair the Chitral road. For these services he receives pay, + and a certain allowance of arms and ammunition. His own subjects are + strongly opposed to his rule from dislike of his British sympathies, and + he only maintains himself by the assistance which the Government gives him + in arms and money. In other words he is a puppet. + </p> + <p> + The Khan of Nawagai is constrained by fear to display a friendly attitude + towards the Sirkar. His subjects resent this and his position is insecure. + He receives some moral support from the British agents, and as his people + are uncertain how far the Government would go to uphold him, and also as + they partly realise his difficult position, they have hitherto submitted + sullenly to his rule. + </p> + <p> + The position and attitude of the Khan of Jar are similar, but he is a less + influential chief. The fourth potentate, the Khan of Khar, is perhaps the + most honest and trustworthy. He will appear in a later chapter, and the + reader will have the opportunity of judging of his character from his + conduct. Thus in these valleys, while the people are all hostile, their + rulers find it expedient to preserve a friendly demeanour to the British, + and for this they are hated by their subjects. + </p> + <p> + At this stage, the leader of the popular party claims attention. As is + usual, he is out of office. After the Chitral expedition of 1895, Umra + Khan was expelled from his territories, and escaped to Cabul. There he has + remained. The Amir is under an obligation to the British Government to + prevent his raising trouble in Bajaur. If the Amir desired war he would + send Umra Khan back. This would create a strong faction throughout the + whole country—but particularly in the Jandol, Salarzai and Mamund + Valleys—hostile to the British and the friendly khans. The Amir + hinted at this in a recent letter to the Government of India; and such a + step would probably precede his declaration of war, or follow ours. The + Afghan sovereign is, however, well aware that he has at present nothing to + gain, and many things to lose, by provoking a war with the great power + which gave him his throne and has since increased his revenue by + subsidies. In the meanwhile, anxious to preserve his influence with the + border tribes, and to impress the Indian Government with the fact that he + could be a powerful foe, he keeps Umra Khan as a trump card, to be played + when the occasion arises. That he may maintain his authority in Bajaur, + the exiled khan is well supplied with funds, with which to arm and pay his + retainers. + </p> + <p> + The situation I have thus briefly described has been little altered by the + operations with which future chapters are concerned. The friendly khans + have been fortified in their allegiance and position by the military + demonstration and by the severe punishment inflicted on those tribes who + resisted. On the other hand, the hostility of the people has been not + unnaturally increased by war, and one tribe in particular has gained a + reputation for courage, which will give them the power to cause trouble in + the future. I shall not, however, anticipate the tale. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX: RECONNAISSANCE + </h2> + <p> + While the infantry of both brigades remained halted at Ghosam, near Manda, + the cavalry made daily reconnaissances in all directions. Sometimes the + object in view was topographical, sometimes military, and at others + diplomatic, or to use the Indian application of the term, "political." + </p> + <p> + On the 10th, Major Deane visited the various chiefs in the Jandul Valley. + I asked and obtained permission to accompany him. A change from the hot + and dusty camp was agreeable to all who could be spared, and quite a party + was formed, among whom were some whose names have occurred previously in + these pages—Major Beatson, Major Hobday, and Lord Fincastle. A + squadron of the 11th Bengal Lancers acted as escort. + </p> + <p> + The valley of the Jandul is about eight miles long and perhaps half as + broad. It opens out of the main valley, which extends from the Panjkora to + Nawagai, and is on all other sides surrounded by high and precipitous + mountains. The bed of the river, although at the time of our visit + occupied only by a small stream, is nearly half a mile broad and bordered + by rice fields, to which the water is conducted by many artfully contrived + dykes and conduits. The plain itself is arid and sandy, but at the winter + season yields a moderate crop. The presence of water below the surface is + attested by numerous groves of chenar trees. + </p> + <p> + This valley may, in natural and political features, be taken as typical of + the Afghan valleys. Seven separate castles formed the strongholds of seven + separate khans. Some of these potentates had been implicated in the attack + on the Malakand, and our visit to their fastnesses was not wholly of an + amicable nature. They had all four days before been bound by the most + sacred oaths to fight to the death. The great tribal combination had, + however, broken up, and at the last moment they had decided upon peace. + But the Pathan does nothing by halves. No black looks, no sullen reserve, + marred the geniality of their welcome. As we approached the first + fortified village the sovereign and his army rode out to meet us, and with + many protestations of fidelity, expressed his joy at our safe arrival. He + was a fine-looking man and sat well on a stamping roan stallion. His dress + was imposing. A waistcoat of gorgeous crimson, thickly covered with gold + lace, displayed flowing sleeves of white linen, buttoned at the wrist. + Long, loose, baggy, linen trousers, also fastened above the ankle, and + curiously pointed shoes clothed his nether limbs. This striking costume + was completed by a small skull-cap, richly embroidered, and an ornamental + sabre. + </p> + <p> + He sprang from his horse with grace and agility, to offer his sword to + Major Deane, who bade him mount and ride with him. The army, four or five + rascally-looking men on shaggy ponies, and armed with rifles of widely + different patterns, followed at a distance. The fort was an enclosure + about a hundred yards square. Its walls were perhaps twenty feet high and + built of rough stones plastered together with mud and interspersed with + courses of timber. All along the top was a row of loopholes. At each + corner a tall flanking tower enfiladed the approaches. At the gate of this + warlike residence some twenty or thirty tribesmen were gathered, headed by + the khan's own cousin, an elderly man dressed in long white robes. All + saluted us gravely. The escort closed up. A troop trotted off to the right + out of the line fire of the fort. The advance scouts, passing round the + walls, formed on the farther side. These matters of detail complied with, + conversation began. It was conducted in Pushtu, and was naturally + unintelligible to every one of our party except the two political + officers. Apparently Major Deane reproached the two chiefs for their + conduct. He accused them of having seized the bridge across the Panjkora + and delivered the passage to the fanatic crowds that had gathered to + attack the Malakand. This they admitted readily enough. "Well, why not?" + said they; "there was a good fair fight." Now they would make peace. They + bore no malice, why should the Sirkar? + </p> + <p> + It was not, however, possible to accept this sportsmanlike view of the + situation. They were asked where were the rifles they had been ordered to + surrender. At this they looked blank. There were no rifles. There never + had been any rifles. Let the soldiers search the fort and see for + themselves. The order was given; three or four sowars drew their carbines, + dismounted and entered the great and heavy gate, which had been + suspiciously opened a little way. + </p> + <p> + The gate gave access to a small courtyard, commanded on every side by an + interior defence. In front was a large low room of uncertain dimensions: a + kind of guard-house. It simply hummed with men. The outer walls were + nearly five feet thick and would have resisted the fire of mountain guns. + It was a strong place. + </p> + <p> + The Lancers, accustomed to the operation of hunting for arms, hurriedly + searched the likely and usual places, but without success. One thing, + however, they noticed, which they immediately reported. There were no + women and children in the fort. This had a sinister aspect. Our visit was + unexpected and had taken them by surprise, but they were prepared for all + emergencies. They had hidden their rifles and cleared for action. + </p> + <p> + The two chiefs smiled in superior virtue. Of course there were no rifles. + But matters took, for them, an unexpected turn. They had no rifles—said + Major Deane—very well, they should come themselves. He turned to an + officer of the Lancers; a section rode forward and surrounded both men. + Resistance was useless. Flight was impossible. They were prisoners. Yet + they behaved with Oriental composure and calmly accepted the inevitable. + They ordered their ponies and, mounting, rode behind us under escort. + </p> + <p> + We pursued our way up the valley. As we approached each fort, a khan and + his retainers advanced and greeted us. Against these there was no definite + charge, and the relations throughout were amicable. At the head of the + valley is Barwa, the home of the most powerful of these princelets. This + fort had belonged to Umra Khan, and attested, by superiority of + construction, the intellectual development of that remarkable man. After + the Chitral expedition it had been given by the Government to its present + owner, who, bitterly hated by the other chieftains of the valley, his near + relatives mostly, had no choice but loyalty to the British. He received us + with courtesy and invited us to enter and see the fort. This, after taking + all precautions and posting sentries, we did. It was the best specimen of + Afghan architecture I have seen. In this very fort Lieutenants Fowler and + Edwards were confined in 1895, when the prisoners of Umra Khan. The new + chief showed their room which opened on a balcony, whence a fine view of + the whole valley could be obtained. There are many worse places of + durance. The fort is carefully defended and completely commands the + various approaches. Judicious arrangements of loopholes and towers cover + all dead ground. Inside the walls galleries of brushwood enabled the + defenders to fire without exposing themselves. In the middle is the keep, + which, if Fortune were adverse, would be the last stronghold of the + garrison. + </p> + <p> + What a strange system of society is disclosed by all this! Here was this + man, his back against the mountains, maintaining himself against the rest + of the valley, against all his kin, with the fear of death and the chances + of war ever in his mind, and holding his own, partly by force of arms, + partly by the support of the British agents, and partly through the + incessant feuds of his adversaries. + </p> + <p> + It is "all against all," in these valleys. The two khans who had been + arrested would have fled to the hills. They knew they were to be punished. + Still they dared not leave their stronghold. A neighbour, a relation, a + brother perhaps, would step into the unguarded keep and hold it for his + own. Every stone of these forts is blood-stained with treachery; each acre + of ground the scene of a murder. In Barwa itself, Umra Khan slew his + brother, not in hot anger or open war, but coldly and deliberately from + behind. Thus he obtained power, and the moralist might observe with a + shudder, that but for the "Forward Policy" he would probably be in full + enjoyment to-day. This Umra Khan was a man of much talent, a man + intellectually a head and shoulders above his countrymen. He was a great + man, which on the frontier means that he was a great murderer, and might + have accomplished much with the quick-firing guns he was negotiating for, + and the troops he was drilling "on the European model." The career of this + Afghan Napoleon was cut short, however, by the intervention of Providence + in the guise or disguise of the Indian Government. He might have been made + use of. People who know the frontier well, say that a strong man who has + felt the grip of the British power is the best tool to work with, and that + if Umra Khan, humbled and overawed, had been reinstated, he might have + done much to maintain law and order. As long as they fight, these Afghans + do not mind much on which side they fight. There are worse men and worse + allies helping us to-day. The unpractical may wonder why we, a people who + fill some considerable place in the world, should mix in the petty + intrigues of these border chieftains, or soil our hands by using such + tools at all. Is it fitting that Great Britain should play off one brutal + khan against his neighbours, or balance one barbarous tribe against + another? It is as much below our Imperial dignity, as it would be for a + millionaire to count the lumps in the sugar-basin. If it be necessary for + the safety of our possessions that these territories should be occupied, + it would be more agreeable to our self-respect that we should take them + with a strong hand. It would be more dignified, but nothing costs more to + keep up than dignity, and it is perhaps because we have always been guided + by sound commercial principles in this respect that we have attained our + present proud position. + </p> + <p> + After looking round the fortress and admiring the skill and knowledge with + which it was built, we were conducted by the khan to the shade of some + beautiful chenar trees, which grew near a little spring not far from the + walls of the fort. Here were a number of charpoys, or native bedsteads, + very comfortable, but usually full of bugs, and on these we sat. + </p> + <p> + Remembering Maizar, and many other incidents of frontier hospitality, + sentries were posted on all the approaches and a sufficient guard kept + under arms. Then we had breakfast—a most excellent breakfast. + </p> + <p> + The arrangements for the comfort and convenience of the troops of the + Frontier Force are unequalled. They live more pleasantly and with less + discomfort on active service than does a British regiment at the Aldershot + manoeuvres. Whether the march be long or short, peaceful or opposed, + whether the action be successful or the reverse, their commissariat never + fails. In fact it is only just to say that they have always lances and + bullets for an enemy, and sandwiches and "pegs" for a friend. + </p> + <p> + On this occasion, our provisions were supplemented by the hospitality of + the khan. A long row of men appeared, each laden with food. Some carried + fruit,—pears or apples; others piles of chupatties, or dishes of + pillau. + </p> + <p> + Nor were our troopers forgotten. The Mahommedans among them eagerly + accepted the proffered food. But the Sikhs maintained a remorseful silence + and declined it. They could not eat what had been prepared by Mussulman + hands, and so they sat gazing wistfully at the appetising dishes, and + contented themselves with a little fruit. + </p> + <p> + Very austere and admirable they looked, almost painfully conscious of + their superior virtue. But I could not help thinking that had we not been + spectators the chenar trees might have witnessed the triumph of reason + over religious prejudice. + </p> + <p> + During the heat of the day we rested in this pleasant grove, and with + sleep and conversation passed the hours away, while the sentries pacing to + and fro alone disturbed the illusion that this was some picnic party in a + more propitious land. Then, as the shadows lengthened, we started upon our + return to camp. + </p> + <p> + On arriving, the political officers were pleased, and the soldiers + disappointed, to find that the tribesmen were determined to accept the + Government terms. A hundred rifles from the Utman Khels had already been + surrendered, and now lay outside Major Deane's tent, surrounded by a crowd + of officers, who were busily engaged in examining them. + </p> + <p> + Opinion is divided, and practice has followed opinion as to whether, in a + tale of travel or of war, it is preferable to intersperse the narrative + with conclusions and discussions, or to collect them all in a final + chapter. I shall unhesitatingly embrace the former method. The story shall + be told as it happened, and the reader's attention will be directed to + such considerations and reflections as arise by the way. It will therefore + be convenient to make a digression into the question of the supply of arms + to the frontier tribes, while a hundred rifles, probably a representative + hundred, are piled in the main street of the camp at Ghosam. + </p> + <p> + The perpetual state of intestine war, in which the border peoples live, + naturally creates a keen demand for deadly weapons. A good Martini-Henry + rifle will always command a price in these parts of Rs.400 or about 25 + British pounds. As the actual value of such a rifle does not exceed Rs.50, + it is evident that a very large margin of profit accrues to the + enterprising trader. All along the frontier, and from far down into India, + rifles are stolen by expert and cunning thieves. One tribe, the Ut Khels, + who live in the Laghman Valley, have made the traffic in arms their + especial business. Their thieves are the most daring and their agents the + most cunning. Some of their methods are highly ingenious. One story is + worth repeating. A coffin was presented for railway transport. The + relatives of the deceased accompanied it. The dead man, they said, had + desired to be buried across the frontier. The smell proclaimed the corpse + to be in an advanced state of decomposition. The railway officials + afforded every facility for the passage of so unpleasant an object. No one + checked its progress. It was unapproachable. It was only when coffin and + mourners were safe across the frontier that the police were informed that + a dozen rifles had been concealed in the coffin, and that the corpse was + represented by a quarter of "well hung" beef! + </p> + <p> + I regret to have to state, that theft is not the only means by which the + frontier tribes obtain weapons. Of a hundred rifles, which the Utman Khels + had surrendered, nearly a third were condemned Government Martinis, and + displayed the Government stamp. Now no such rifles are supposed to exist. + As soon as they are condemned, the arsenal authorities are responsible + that they are destroyed, and this is in every case carried out under + European supervision. The fact, that such rifles are not destroyed and are + found in the possession of trans-frontier tribesmen, points to a very + grave instance of dishonest and illegal traffic being carried on by some + person connected with the arsenal. It need hardly be said that a searching + inquiry was instituted. + </p> + <p> + Another point connected with these rifles is that even when they have been + officially destroyed, by cutting them in three pieces, the fractions have + a marketable value. Several were shown me which had been rejoined by the + tribesmen. These were, of course, very dangerous weapons indeed. The rest + of the hundred had strange tales to tell. Two or three were Russian + military rifles, stolen probably from the distant posts in Central Asia. + One was a Snider, taken at Maiwand, and bearing the number of the + ill-fated regiment to which it had belonged. Some had come from Europe, + perhaps overland through Arabia and Persia; others from the arms factory + at Cabul. It was a strange instance of the tireless efforts of Supply to + meet Demand. + </p> + <p> + The importance of the arms question cannot be exaggerated. The long-range + rifle fire, which has characterised the great frontier war, is a new + feature. Hitherto our troops have had to face bold sword charges but + comparatively little firing. Against the former, modern weapons are + effective. But no discipline and no efficiency can stop bullets hitting + men. This is a small part of the question. In the matter of fighting, what + is good enough for the tribesmen should be good enough for the soldier. A + more serious consideration is raised than that of casualties, which are + after all only the inseparable concomitant of glory. Transport in + mountainous countries depends entirely on mules and camels. A great number + are needed even to supply one brigade. At night these animals have to be + packed closely in an entrenched camp. It is not possible to find camping + grounds in the valleys which are not commanded by some hill or assailable + from some nullah. It is dangerous to put out pickets, as they may be + "rushed" or, in the event of a severe attack, shot down, by the fire of + their main body. [This applies to Swat and Bajaur, where the sword charge + is still to be apprehended.] The result is that the transport animals must + be exposed to long-range fire at night. The reader will observe, as the + account proceeds, that on two occasions a large number of transport mules + were killed in this way. When a certain number are killed, a brigade is as + helpless as a locomotive without coal. It cannot move. Unless it be + assisted it must starve. Every year the tribesmen will become better + marksmen, more completely armed with better rifles. If they recognise the + policy of continually firing at our animals, they may bring all operations + to a standstill. And so by this road I reach the conclusion that whatever + is to be done on the frontier, should be done as quickly as possible. But + to return to the story. + </p> + <p> + The next day, the 11th of September, the troops remained halted at Ghosam, + and another squadron was ordered to escort the Intelligence Officer, + Captain H.E. Stanton, D.S.O., while making a topographical reconnaissance + of the passes into the Utman Khel country. The opportunity of making fresh + maps and of adding to and correcting the detail of existing maps only + occurs when troops are passing through the country, and must not be + neglected. The route lay up the main valley which leads to Nawagei. We + started early, but the way was long and the sun high before we reached the + entrance of the pass. The landscape was one of the strangest I shall ever + see. On the opposite bank of the river were the dwellings of the Utman + Khels, and in an area seven miles by three, I counted forty-six separate + castles, complete with moats, towers and turrets. The impression produced + was extraordinary. It suggested Grimm's fairy tales. It almost seemed as + if we had left the natural earth and strayed into some strange domain of + fancy, the resort of giants or ogres. + </p> + <p> + To reach the pass, we were compelled to traverse a large village, and as + the situation in the narrow, winding streets was about as awkward for + cavalry as could be imagined, every possible precaution was taken to guard + against attack. At length the squadron passed safely through and formed up + on the farther side. The steep ascent to the passes became visible. As + there were two routes to be reconnoitered, the party was divided, and + after a hasty breakfast we commenced the climb. For a considerable + distance it was possible to ride. At every difficult turn of the track + sowars were posted to secure the retreat, if it should be necessary to + come back in a hurry. The head man of the village furnished a guide, a + cheery and amusing fellow, who professed much solicitude for our safety. + But no reliance could be placed on these people, and on the opposite side + of the valley numerous figures could be seen moving along and keeping pace + with our advancing party. At length the horses and the greater part of the + escort had to be abandoned. I accompanied Captain Stanton, and Captain + Cole, who commanded the squadron and was also Reuter's correspondent, with + a couple of troopers to the top of the pass. The day was intensely hot, + and the arduous climb excited a thirst which there was nothing to allay. + At length we gained the summit, and stood on the Kotal. + </p> + <p> + Far below us was a valley, into which perhaps no white man had looked + since Alexander crossed the mountains on his march to India. Numerous + villages lay dotted about in its depths, while others nestled against the + hills. Isolated forts were distinguishable, while large trees showed there + was no lack of water. It was a view that repaid the exertions of the + climb, even if it did not quench the thirst they had excited. + </p> + <p> + While Captain Stanton was making his sketch,—one of those useful + view-sketches, now taking the place of all others, in rapid cavalry + reconnaissance, we amused our fancy by naming the drinks we should order, + were a nice, clean European waiter at hand to get them. I forget what my + selection was, but it was something very long and very cold. Alas! how far + imagination lags behind reality. The vivid impressions which we conjured + up—the deep glasses, and the clinking ice—did little to + dissipate the feelings of discomfort. + </p> + <p> + Our guide meanwhile squatted on the ground and pronounced the names of all + the villages, as each one was pointed at. To make sure there was no + mistake, the series of questions was repeated. This time he gave to each + an entirely different name with an appearance of great confidence and + pride. However, one unpronounceable name is as good as another, and the + villages of the valley will go down to official history, christened at the + caprice of a peasant. But perhaps many records, now accepted as beyond + dispute, are derived from such a slender authority. + </p> + <p> + The sketch finished, we commenced the descent and reached our horses + without incident. The squadron concentrated near the village, and we heard + that the other sketching party had met with more adventures than had + fallen to our lot. + </p> + <p> + It was commanded by Lieutenant Hesketh, a young officer, who was severely + wounded at the storming of the Malakand Pass in 1895, and who, having + again volunteered for active service, was attached to the 11th Bengal + Lancers. At the foot of the pass he dismounted his troop and, taking a few + men with him, began the climb. The pass was occupied by tribesmen, who + threatened to fire on the party if they advanced farther. The subaltern + replied, that he only wished to see the country on the other side and did + not intend to harm any one. At the same time he pursued his way and the + tribesmen, not wishing to bring matters to a crisis, fell back slowly, + repeatedly taking aim, but never daring to fire. He reached the top of the + pass and Captain Walters, the Assistant Intelligence Officer, was able to + make a most valuable sketch of the country beyond. It was a bold act and + succeeded more through its boldness than from any other cause; for, had + the tribesmen once opened fire, very few of the party could have got down + alive. Making a detour to avoid the village, which it was undesirable to + traverse a second time, the squadron returned and arrived at the camp at + Ghosam as the sun was setting. + </p> + <p> + The service camp of an Anglo-Indian brigade is arranged on regular + principles. The infantry and guns are extended in the form of a square. + The animals and cavalry are placed inside. In the middle is the camp of + the Headquarters staff, with the tent of the brigadier facing that of the + general commanding the division. All around the perimeter a parapet is + built, varying in height according to the proximity and activity of the + enemy. This parapet not only affords cover from random shots, but also + makes a line for the men to form on in case of a sudden attack. Behind it + the infantry lie down to sleep, a section of each company, as an inlying + picket, dressed and accoutred. Their rifles are often laid along the low + wall with the bayonets ready fixed. If cavalry have to be used in holding + part of the defences, their lances can be arranged in the same way. + Sentries every twenty-five yards surround the camp with a line of + watchers. + </p> + <p> + To view the scene by moonlight is alone an experience which would repay + much travelling. The fires have sunk to red, glowing specks. The bayonets + glisten in a regular line of blue-white points. The silence of weariness + is broken by the incessant and uneasy shuffling of the animals and the + occasional neighing of the horses. All the valley is plunged in gloom and + the mountains rise high and black around. Far up their sides, the + twinkling watch-fires of the tribesmen can be seen. Overhead is the starry + sky, bathed in the pale radiance of the moon. It is a spectacle that may + inspire the philosopher no less than the artist. The camp is full of + subdued noises. Here is no place for reflection, for quiet or solemn + thought. The day may have been an exciting one. The morrow may bring an + action. Some may be killed, but in war-time life is only lived in the + present. It is sufficient to be tired and to have time to rest, and the + camp, if all the various items that compose it can be said to have a + personality, shrugs its shoulders and, regarding the past without regret, + contemplates the future without alarm. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X: THE MARCH TO NAWAGAI + </h2> + <p> + After considering such maps and information as to the nature of the + country as were available, Sir Bindon Blood decided to enter the + territories of the Mohmands by two routes. (1) The 3rd Brigade through the + pass of Nawagai. (2) The 2nd Brigade over the Rambat Pass. This would + sweep the country more thoroughly, and afford increased facilities for + drawing supplies. As the 3rd Brigade had a greater distance to cover, it + passed in front of the 2nd, and on the 12th of September, by a march of + twelve miles, reached Shumshuk. The 2nd Brigade, which had hitherto been + leading, moved by an easy stage of seven miles to Jar, and there camped + within supporting distance. + </p> + <p> + The Headquarters staff was now transferred to the 3rd Brigade and marched + with them. The road lay for the first five or six miles over the ground, + which the cavalry had reconnoitered the day before. Again all were struck + by the great array of castles on the Utman Khel side of the valley. Many + eager spirits would have liked to stop and blow up some of these fine + places. But the Government terms had been complied with and the columns + moved slowly by, eyeing the forts, which were covered with the white and + blue clad figures of their defenders, with a sour disdain. + </p> + <p> + After riding for a couple of hours, the staff halted for breakfast under a + shady tree by the banks of a clear and rapid stream. + </p> + <p> + Two hundred yards away we observed a large flight of teal sitting tamely + on the water. Every one became interested. Rifles there were in plenty; + but where could a gun be found? Rigorous and hasty search was made. The + political officer of the force, Mr. Davis, being consulted, eventually + produced a friendly khan, who was the owner of a shot gun. After further + delay this weapon was brought. The teal still floated unconcernedly on the + water. A gun awakened no sense of danger. Shots in plenty they had heard + in the valley, but they were not usually fired at birds. The exciting + moment now arrived. Who should shoot? The responsibility was great. Many + refused. At length Veterinary-Captain Mann, who was wounded a few days + later at Nawagai, volunteered. He took the gun and began a painful stalk. + He crawled along cautiously. We watched with suppressed emotion. Suddenly + two shots rang out. They were to be the first of many. The men in the + marching column 200 yards away became wide awake. The teal rose hurriedly + and flew away, but four remained behind, killed or wounded. These birds we + picked up with a satisfaction which was fully justified by their + excellence that night at dinner. + </p> + <p> + Another mile or so brought us to the Watelai River, a stream about thirty + yards broad, which flows into the Jandul, and thence into the Panjkora. + Crossing this and climbing the opposite bank, the troops debouched on to + the wide level plateau of Khar, perhaps ten miles across and sixteen in + length. Standing on the high ground, the great dimensions of the valley + were displayed. Looking westward it was possible to see the hills behind + the Panjkora, the sites of the former camps, and the entrance of the + subsidiary valley of the Jandul. In front, at the further end, an opening + in the mountain range showed the pass of Nawagai. Towering on the left was + the great mass of the Koh-i-mohr, or "Mountain of Peacocks"—a + splendid peak, some 8000 feet high, the top of which is visible from both + Peshawar and Malakand. Its name is possibly a corruption. Arrian calls it + Mount Meros. At its base the city of Nysa stood in former times, and among + many others fell before the arms of Alexander. Its inhabitants, in begging + for peace, boasted that they conducted their government "with + constitutional order," and that "ivy, which did not grow in the rest of + India, grew among them." City, ivy, and constitutional order have alike + disappeared. The mountain alone remains. A little to the northward the + Ramlat Pass was distinguishable. On the right the smooth plain appeared to + flow into the hill country, and a wide bay in the mountains, roughly + circular in shape and nearly twelve miles across, opened out of the + valley. The prominent spurs which ran from the hills formed many dark + ravines and deep hollows, as it were gulfs and inlets of the sea. The + entrance was perhaps a mile broad. I remember that, when I first looked + into the valley, the black clouds of a passing storm hung gloomily over + all, and filled it with a hazy half-light that contrasted with the + brilliant sunshine outside. It was the Watelai, or as we got to call it + later—the Mamund Valley. + </p> + <p> + The Khan of Khar met the general on the farther bank of the river. He was + a tall, fine-looking man with bright eyes, bushy black whiskers and white + teeth, which his frequent smiles displayed. He was richly dressed, + attended by a dozen horsemen and mounted on a handsome, though vicious dun + horse. He saluted Sir Bindon Blood with great respect and ceremony. Some + conversation took place, conducted, as the khan only spoke Pushtu, through + the political officer. The khan asserted his loyalty and that of his + neighbour the Khan of Jar. He would, he said, do his utmost to secure the + peaceful passage of the troops. Such supplies as they might need, he would + provide, as far as his resources would go. He looked with some alarm at + the long lines of marching men and animals. The general reassured him. If + the forces were not interfered with or opposed, if the camps were not + fired into at night, if stragglers were not cut off and cut up by his + people, payment in cash would be made for all the grain and wood it was + necessary to requisition. + </p> + <p> + The khan accepted this promise with gratitude and relief, and henceforth + during the operations which took place at Nawagai and in the Mamund + Valley, he preserved a loyal and honourable behaviour. To the best of his + power he restrained his young bloods. As much as he was able, he used his + influence to discourage the other tribes from joining the revolt. Every + night his pickets watched our camps, and much good sleep was obtained by + weary men in consequence. At the end of the fighting he was the + intermediary between the Government and the Mamund tribesmen. And on one + occasion he rendered a signal service, though one which should hardly have + been entrusted to him, by escorting with his own retainers an ammunition + convoy to the 2nd Brigade, when troops and cartridges were alike few and + sorely needed. Had he proved treacherous in this instance the consequences + might have been most grave. Throughout, however, he kept his word with the + general, and that in the face of opposition from his own people, and + threats of vengeance from his neighbours. + </p> + <p> + He on his part will not complain of British good faith. Although the + fighting was continued in the district for nearly a month, not one of his + villages was burnt, while all damage done to his crops was liberally + compensated. He was guaranteed against reprisals, and at the end of the + operations the gift of a considerable sum of money proved to him that the + Sirkar could reward its friends, as well as punish its enemies. + </p> + <p> + The camel transport of the 3rd Brigade lagged on the road, and the troops, + tired after their long march, had to wait in the blazing sun for a couple + of hours without shelter until the baggage came up. At length it arrived, + and we proceeded to camp as far as is possible without tents. Shelters + were improvised from blankets, from waterproof sheets supported on sticks, + or from the green boughs of some adjacent trees. Beneath these scanty + coverings the soldiers lay, and waited for the evening. + </p> + <p> + Every one has read of the sufferings of the British troops in having to + campaign in the hot weather during the Indian Mutiny. September in these + valleys is as hot as it is easy to imagine or elegant to describe, and the + exposure to the sun tells severely on the British battalions, as the + hospital returns show. Of course, since Mutiny days, many salutary changes + have been made in the dress and equipment of the soldier. The small cap + with its insufficient puggaree is replaced by the pith helmet, the shade + of which is increased by a long quilted covering. The high stock and + thick, tight uniforms are gone, and a cool and comfortable khaki kit has + been substituted. A spine protector covers the back, and in other ways + rational improvements have been effected. But the sun remains unchanged, + and all precautions only minimise, without preventing the evils. + </p> + <p> + Slowly the hours pass away. The heat is intense. The air glitters over the + scorched plain, as over the funnel of an engine. The wind blows with a + fierce warmth, and instead of bringing relief, raises only whirling dust + devils, which scatter the shelters and half-choke their occupants. The + water is tepid, and fails to quench the thirst. At last the shadows begin + to lengthen, as the sun sinks towards the western mountains. Every one + revives. Even the animals seem to share the general feeling of relief. The + camp turns out to see the sunset and enjoy the twilight. The feelings of + savage hatred against the orb of day fade from our minds, and we strive to + forget that he will be ready at five o'clock next morning to begin the + torment over again. + </p> + <p> + As there were still several days to spare before the Malakand Field Force + was due to enter the Mohmand country, Sir Bindon Blood ordered both + brigades to remain halted on the 13th: the 3rd Brigade at Shumshuk; the + 2nd at Jar. Meanwhile two reconnaissances were to be sent, one to the + summit of the Rambat Pass, and the other up the Watelai Valley. + </p> + <p> + The night of the 12th was the first occasion of "sniping," since the + advance against the Mohmands had begun. About half a dozen shots were + fired into camp, without other result than to disturb light sleepers. + Still it marked a beginning. + </p> + <p> + The reconnaissances started next morning. The general accompanied the one + to the Rambat pass, to satisfy himself as to the nature of the unexplored + country on the other side. Two companies of infantry were ordered to clear + the way, and two others remained in support half-way up the pass. Sir + Bindon Blood started at six o'clock accompanied by his escort, whose gay + pennons combined, with the Union Jack of the Headquarters staff, to add a + dash of colour to the scene. After riding for a couple of miles we caught + up the infantry and had to halt, to let them get on ahead and work through + the broken ground and scrub. A mile further it was necessary to dismount + and proceed on foot. No opposition was encountered, though the attitude + and demeanour of the natives was most unfriendly. The younger ones retired + to the hills. The elder stayed to scowl at, and even curse us. The village + cemetery was full of property of all kinds, beds, pitchers, and bags of + grain, which the inhabitants had deposited there under the double + delusion, that we wanted to plunder, and that in so sacred a spot it would + be safe—were such our intention. In spite of their black looks, they + were eventually all made to stand up and salute respectfully. + </p> + <p> + The climb was a stiff one and took at least an hour. But the track was + everywhere passable, or capable of easily being made passable for mules. + The general, trained and hardened by years of shooting of all kinds in the + jungles, arrived at the top first, followed by Brigadier-General + Wodehouse, and a panting staff. A fine view of the Ambasar Valley was + displayed. It was of arid aspect. Villages in plenty could be seen, but no + sign of water. This was serious, as information as to wells was + unreliable, and it was desirable to see some tanks and streams, before + allowing a column to plunge into the unknown dangers of the valley. After + some consideration Sir Bindon Blood decided to modify the original plan + and send only two battalions of the 2nd Brigade with one squadron over the + pass, while the rest were to march to join him at Nawagai. We then + returned, reaching camp in time for luncheon. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the reconnaissance up the Watelai or Mamund Valley had been of a + more interesting nature. Two squadrons of the 11th Bengal Lancers, under + Major Beatson, and with Mr. Davis, the political officer, were sent to put + some pressure on the Mamunds, to make them carry out the terms agreed + upon. They had promised to surrender fifty rifles. This they now showed no + intention of doing. They had realised, that the brigades were only + marching through the country, and that they had no time to stop, and they + were determined to keep their arms as long as possible. + </p> + <p> + As the cavalry approached the first village, about 300 men gathered and, + displaying standards, called on the Lancers to stop. An altercation + ensued. They were given half an hour to remove their women and children. + Then the squadrons advanced. The tribesmen, still menacing, retired slowly + towards the hills. Then a small party came up and informed Major Beatson, + that in the next village was a troop-horse, which had been captured in the + fighting in the Swat Valley. This admission, that the Mamunds had been + implicated in the attack on the Malakand, was sufficiently naive. The + cavalry rode on to the village. The horse was not to be found, but the + officious informers from the first village eagerly pointed out where it + had been stabled. In consequence of this information, and to stimulate the + tribesmen to carry out the original terms, Mr. Davis decided to make an + example and authorised Major Beatson to destroy the house of the owner of + the stolen property. This was accordingly done. As soon as the smoke began + to rise, the tribesmen, who had waited, half a mile away, opened a + dropping fire from Martini-Henry rifles on the cavalry. These, not wishing + to engage, retired at a trot. They were followed up, but though the fire + was well directed, the range was too great for accurate shooting and the + bullets whizzed harmlessly overhead. + </p> + <p> + As the Lancers left the valley, an incident occurred which illustrates + what has been said in an earlier chapter, and is characteristic of the + daily life of the natives. The people of the first village had directed + the attention of the cavalry to the second. Part of the second had been in + consequence burnt. The inhabitants of both turned out to discuss the + matter with rifles and, when last seen that night, were engaged in a + lively skirmish. Apparently, however, they soon forgot their differences. + </p> + <p> + The rumour that the cavalry had been fired on preceded them to camp, and + the prospects of some opposition were everywhere hailed with satisfaction. + Many had begun to think that the Mohmand expedition was going to be a mere + parade, and that the tribesmen were overawed by the powerful forces + employed. They were soon to be undeceived. I watched the squadrons return. + Behind them the Mamund Valley was already dark with the shadows of the + evening and the heavy clouds that had hung over it all day. They were + vastly pleased with themselves. Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to + be shot at without result. The sowars sat their horses with conscious + pride. Some of the younger officers still showed the flush of excitement + on their cheeks. But they pretended excellently well to have forgotten all + about the matter. They believed a few fellows had "sniped" at them; that + was all. + </p> + <p> + But it was by no means all. Whatever is the Afhgan equivalent of the + "Fiery Cross" was circulated among the tribes. There was no time for them + to gather to attack that night, and the situation of the camp in the open + was unsuited to night firing. The other brigade was coming. They would + wait. They therefore contented themselves with firing occasional shots, + beginning while we were at dinner, and continuing at intervals until + daylight. No one was hurt, but we may imagine that the tribesmen, who + spent the night prowling about the nullahs, and firing from time to time, + returned to their countrymen next morning boasting of what they had done. + "Alone, while ye all slumbered and slept, in the night, in the darkness, + I, even I, have attacked the camp of the accursed ones and have slain a + Sahib. Is it not so, my brothers?" Whereupon the brothers, hoping he would + some day corroborate a lie for them, replied, that it was undoubtedly so, + and that he had deserved well of the tribe. Such is the reward of the + "sniper." + </p> + <p> + Early next morning the 3rd Brigade and three squadrons of the 11th Bengal + Lancers moved on to Nawagai and crossed the pass without opposition. The + general and Headquarters staff accompanied them, and we found ourselves in + a wide and extensive valley, on the far side of which the Bedmanai Pass + could be plainly seen. Here, at last, we got definite information of the + Mohmands' intentions. The Hadda Mullah with 1000 tribesmen had gathered to + oppose the further advance. After all there would be a fight. In the + evening Sir Bindon Blood, taking a squadron of cavalry, rode out to + reconnoitre the approaches to the pass and the general configuration of + the ground. On his return he sent a despatch to the Government of India, + that he would force it on the 18th. The soldiers, especially the British + troops, who had not yet been engaged, eagerly looked forward to the + approaching action. But events were destined to a different course. + </p> + <p> + It was already dusk when we returned from the reconnaissance. The evening + was pleasant and we dined in the open air. Still the valley was very dark. + The mountains showed a velvet black. Presently the moon rose. I repress + the inclination to try to describe the beauty of the scene, as the valley + was swiftly flooded with that mysterious light. All the suitable words + have probably been employed many times by numerous writers and skipped by + countless readers. Indeed I am inclined to think, that these elaborate + descriptions convey little to those who have not seen, and are unnecessary + to those who have. Nature will not be admired by proxy. In times of war, + however, especially of frontier war, the importance of the moon is brought + home to everybody. "What time does it rise to-night?" is the question that + recurs; for other things—attacks, "sniping," rushes,—besides + the tides are influenced by its movements. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, as at Nawagai, at a peaceful camp and a quiet dinner we watched + the "silvery maiden" swiftly appear over the eastern mountains. She was + gazing on a different scene eleven miles away, in the valley we had left. + </p> + <p> + The 2nd Brigade had marched that morning from Jar to the foot of the + Rambat Pass, which it was intended to cross the next day. + Brigadier-General Jefferys, in anticipation of this movement, sent the + Buffs up to hold the Kotal, and camped at the foot with the rest of his + force. The situation of the camp, which had been adopted with a view to + the advance at daybreak, favored the approach of an enemy. The ground was + broken and intersected by numerous small and tortuous nullahs, and strewn + with rocks. Any other site would, however, have necessitated a long march + the next day, and no attack was thought likely. + </p> + <p> + At 8.15, as the officers were finishing dinner, three shots rang out in + the silence. They were a signal. Instantly brisk firing broke out from the + nullahs on the face of the square occupied by the Guides Infantry. Bullets + whistled all about the camp, ripping through the tents and killing and + wounding the animals. + </p> + <p> + The Guides returned the fire with steadiness, and, as the shelter trench + they had dug in front of their section of the line was higher than at + other parts, no officers or men were hit. At ten o'clock a bugler among + the enemy sounded the "Retire," and the fire dwindled to a few dropping + shots. All were congratulating themselves on a termination of the event, + when at 10.30 the attack was renewed with vigour on the opposite side of + the camp, occupied by the 38th Dogras. The enemy, who were largely armed + with Martini-Henry rifles, crept up to within 100 yards of the trenches. + These were only about eighteen inches high, but afforded sufficient cover + to the soldiers. The officers, with a splendid disregard of the danger, + exposed themselves freely. Walking coolly up and down in the brilliant + moonlight they were excellent targets. The brigadier proceeded himself to + the threatened side of the camp, to control the firing and prevent the + waste of ammunition. A good many thousand rounds were, however, fired away + without much result. Several star shells were also fired by the battery. + The ground was so broken that they revealed very little, but the tribesmen + were alarmed by the smell they made, thinking it a poisonous gas. The + officers were directed to take cover, but the necessity of sending + messages and regulating the fire involved a great deal of exposure. And to + all who showed above the trench the danger was great. Captain Tomkins of + the 38th Dogras was shot through the heart, and a few minutes later the + adjutant of the regiment, Lieutenant Bailey, was also killed. In assisting + to take these officers to the hospital, where a rough shelter of boxes had + been improvised, Lieutenant Harington, an officer attached to the Dogras, + received a bullet in the back of the head, which penetrated his brain and + inflicted injuries from which he died subsequently. All tents were struck + and as much cover as could be made from grain-bags and biscuit-boxes was + arranged. At 2.15 the firing ceased and the enemy drew off, taking their + killed and wounded with them. They had no mind to be surprised by + daylight, away from their hills. But they had already remained a little + too long. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the light allowed, the cavalry squadron under Captain Cole + started in pursuit. After a long gallop down the valley, he caught one + party making for the mountains. Charging immediately, he succeeded in + spearing twenty-one of these before they could reach the rocks. The + squadron then dismounted and opened fire with their carbines. But the + tribesmen turned at once and made a dash in the direction of the led + horses. A sowar was wounded and a couple of horses killed. The cavalrymen, + threatened in a vital point, ran hurriedly back, and just got into their + saddles in time. In the haste of mounting four horses got loose and + galloped away, leaving six dismounted men. Captain Cole placed one of them + before him on the saddle, and the troopers followed his example. The + squadron thus encumbered, retired, and after getting out of range, + succeeded in catching their loose horses again. The enemy, seeing the + cavalry mounted once more, took refuge on the hills. But it was evident, + they were eager for fighting. + </p> + <p> + The casualties in the night attack of Markhanai were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed—Capt. W.E. Tomkins, 38th Dogras. + " Lieut. A.W. Bailey, 38th Dogras. + Died of wounds—Lieut. H.A. Harington, attd. 38th Dogras. + + NATIVE OFFICER. + Wounded......... 1 + + NATIVE SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + No.8 Mountain Battery.... 1 1 + 35th Sikhs....... 1 3 + 38th Dogras....... 1 0 + Guides Infantry...... 0 1 + Followers....... 2 2 + Total Casualties, 16; and 98 horses and mules. +</pre> + <p> + Meanwhile, the 3rd Brigade had passed a tranquil night at Nawagai. Next + morning, however, at about six o'clock, a message was heliographed from + the Buffs on the Rambat Pass, to the effect that an attack had been made + on General Jeffreys' camp; that heavy firing had continued all night, and + that several officers were among the casualties. This news set every one + agog. While we were breakfasting, a native officer and ten sowars of the + 11th Bengal Lancers arrived at speed with full details: six hours' + fighting with the Mamunds: three officers killed or mortally wounded; and + nearly a hundred animals hit. In consequence of this information, Sir + Bindon Blood cancelled the orders for the passage of the Rambat Pass and + instructed General Jeffreys to enter the Mamund Valley and thoroughly + chastise the tribesmen. + </p> + <p> + I was allowed to go back with the native officer's escort to the 2nd + Brigade, in order to witness the operations which had been ordered. + Judiciously selecting a few things, which could be carried on the saddle, + of which the most important were a cloak, some chocolate and a + tooth-brush, I hurried after the escort, who had already started, and + overtook them just as they had got through the pass of Nawagai. + </p> + <p> + For the first six miles the road lay through a network of deep ravines, + through which the troopers picked their way very carefully. It would have + been a bad place for a small party to have been attacked in, but + fortunately, though several armed tribesmen were seen, they did not fire + at us. At one point the route lay through a deep nullah, along which some + of the assailants of the night before had retired. These were probably + from the Charmanga Valley. They had evidently suffered losses. Several + native beds on which wounded men had been carried lay scattered about. At + this place they had probably found some oxen, to which they had + transferred their bodies. At length we got clear of the difficult ground, + and entering the smooth plain of Nawagai looked out eagerly for the + brigade. Seven miles away across the valley was a long brown streak. It + was the troops marching from Markhanai to the entrance of the Mamund + Valley. The smoke of five burning villages rose in a tall column into the + air—blue against the mountains, brown against the sky. An hour's + riding brought us to the brigade. Every one was full of the events of the + night, and all looked worn from having had no sleep. "You were very lucky + to be out of it," they said. "There's plenty more coming." + </p> + <p> + The cavalry soon returned from their pursuit. The points of their lances + were covered with dark smears. A sowar displayed his weapon proudly to + some Sikhs, who grinned in appreciation. "How many?" was the question + asked on all sides. "Twenty-one," replied the officer. "But they're full + of fight." + </p> + <p> + Orders were now issued for the brigade to camp on the open ground near + Inayat Kila, which, translated, means Fort Grant, and is the name of a + considerable stone stronghold belonging to the Khan of Khar. Although the + troops were very tired from their march, and the fighting of the preceding + night, they began entrenching with alacrity. Besides making an outer wall + to the camp, about three and a half feet high, everybody scratched a + little hole for himself. In these occupations the afternoon passed. + </p> + <p> + The Buffs came in at sunset, having marched from the top of the Rambat + Pass. They had heard the firing of the night and were disappointed at + having been absent. It was "just their luck," they said. During the + Chitral campaign of 1895, they had had the ill-fortune to miss every + engagement. It would be the same now. All tried to reassure them. As soon + as it was dark an attack was probable. + </p> + <p> + A dropping fire began after dinner from the great nullah to the north of + the camp, and all lights were put out and the tents struck. Every one + retired to the soup-plate he had scooped in the earth. But no attack was + made. The enemy had informed the political officer through the friendlies, + that they were weary and would rest that night. They sent a few "snipers" + to fire into the camp, and these kept up a desultory fusillade until about + two o'clock, when they drew off. + </p> + <p> + Those who had been deprived of their rest the night before soon dropped + off to sleep, in spite of the firing. Others, not overpowered by + weariness, found no occupation but to lie in their holes and contemplate + the stars—those impartial stars which shine as calmly on Piccadilly + Circus as on Inayat Kila. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI: THE ACTION OF THE MAMUND VALLEY, 16TH SEPTEMBER + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Sound as of bugle in camp, how it rings through the chill air of + morning, + Bidding the soldier arise, he must wake and be armed ere the + light. + Firm be your faith and your feet, when the sun's burning rays shall + be o'er you. + When the rifles are ranging in line, and the clear note of battle is + blown. + + "A Sermon in Lower Bengal," SIR A. LYALL. +</pre> + <p> + The story has now reached a point which I cannot help regarding as its + climax. The action of the Mamund Valley is recalled to me by so many vivid + incidents and enduring memories, that it assumes an importance which is + perhaps beyond its true historic proportions. Throughout the reader must + make allowances for what I have called the personal perspective. + Throughout he must remember, how small is the scale of operations. The + panorama is not filled with masses of troops. He will not hear the thunder + of a hundred guns. No cavalry brigades whirl by with flashing swords. No + infantry divisions are applied at critical points. The looker-on will see + only the hillside, and may, if he watches with care, distinguish a few + brown clad men moving slowly about it, dwarfed almost to invisibility by + the size of the landscape. I hope to take him close enough, to see what + these men are doing and suffering; what their conduct is and what their + fortunes are. But I would ask him to observe that, in what is written, I + rigidly adhere to my role of a spectator. If by any phrase or sentence I + am found to depart from this, I shall submit to whatever evil things the + ingenuity of malice may suggest. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the 16th, in pursuance of Sir Bindon Blood's orders, + Brigadier-General Jeffreys moved out of his entrenched camp at Inayat + Kila, and entered the Mamund Valley. His intentions were, to chastise the + tribesmen by burning and blowing up all defensible villages within reach + of the troops. It was hoped, that this might be accomplished in a single + day, and that the brigade, having asserted its strength, would be able to + march on the 17th to Nawagai and take part in the attack on the Bedmanai + Pass, which had been fixed for the 18th. Events proved this hope to be + vain, but it must be remembered, that up to this time no serious + opposition had been offered by the tribesmen to the columns, and that no + news of any gathering had been reported to the general. The valley + appeared deserted. The villages looked insignificant and defenceless. It + was everywhere asserted that the enemy would not stand. + </p> + <p> + Reveille sounded at half-past five, and at six o'clock the brigade marched + out. In order to deal with the whole valley at once, the force was divided + into three columns, to which were assigned the following tasks:— + </p> + <p> + I. The right column, under Lieut.-Col. Vivian, consisting of the 38th + Dogras and some sappers, was ordered to attack the village of Domodoloh. + II. The centre column, under Colonel Goldney, consisting of six companies + Buffs, six companies 35th Sikhs, a half-company sappers, four guns of No.8 + Mountain Battery and the squadron of the 11th Bengal Lancers, was ordered + to proceed to the head of the valley, and destroy the villages of Badelai + and Shahi-Tangi (pronounced Shytungy). III. The left column, under Major + Campbell, consisting of five companies of the Guides Infantry, and some + sappers, was directed against several villages at the western end of the + valley. + </p> + <p> + Two guns and two companies from each battalion were left to protect the + camp, and a third company of the Guides was detached to protect the survey + party. This reduced the strength of the infantry in the field to + twenty-three companies, or slightly over 1200 men. Deducting the 300 men + of the 38th Dogras who were not engaged, the total force employed in the + action was about 1000 men of all arms. + </p> + <p> + It will be convenient to deal with the fortunes of the right column first. + Lieut.-Colonel Vivian, after a march of six miles, arrived before the + village of Domodoloh at about 9 A.M. He found it strongly held by the + enemy, whose aspect was so formidable, that he did not consider himself + strong enough to attack without artillery and supports, and with prudence + returned to camp, which he reached about 4 P.M. Two men were wounded by + long-range fire. + </p> + <p> + The centre column advanced covered by Captain Cole's squadron of Lancers, + to which I attached myself. At about seven o'clock we observed the enemy + on a conical hill on the northern slopes of the valley. Through the + telescope, an instrument often far more useful to cavalry than + field-glasses, it was possible to distinguish their figures. Long lines of + men clad in blue or white, each with his weapon upright beside him, were + squatting on the terraces. Information was immediately sent back to + Colonel Goldney. The infantry, eager for action, hurried their march. The + cavalry advanced to within 1000 yards of the hills. For some time the + tribesmen sat and watched the gradual deployment of the troops, which was + developing in the plain below them. Then, as the guns and infantry + approached, they turned and began slowly to climb the face of the + mountain. + </p> + <p> + In hopes of delaying them or inducing them to fight, the cavalry now + trotted to within closer range, and dismounting, opened fire at 7.30 + precisely. It was immediately returned. From high up the hillside, from + the cornfields at the base, and from the towers of the villages, little + puffs of smoke darted. The skirmish continued for an hour without much + damage to either side, as the enemy were well covered by the broken ground + and the soldiers by the gravestones and trees of a cemetery. Then the + infantry began to arrive. The Buffs had been detached from Colonel + Goldney's column and were moving against the village of Badelai. The 35th + Sikhs proceeded towards the long ridge, round the corner of which + Shahi-Tangi stands. As they crossed our front slowly—and rather + wearily, for they were fatigued by the rapid marching—the cavalry + mounted and rode off in quest of more congenial work with the cavalryman's + weapon—the lance. I followed the fortunes of the Sikhs. Very little + opposition was encountered. A few daring sharpshooters fired at the + leading companies from the high corn. Others fired long-range shots from + the mountains. Neither caused any loss. Colonel Goldney now ordered one + and a half companies, under Captain Ryder, to clear the conical hill, and + protect the right of the regiment from the fire—from the mountains. + These men, about seventy-five in number, began climbing the steep slope; + nor did I see them again till much later in the day. The remaining four + and a half companies continued to advance. The line lay through high crops + on terraces, rising one above the other. The troops toiled up these, + clearing the enemy out of a few towers they tried to hold. Half a company + was left with the dressing station near the cemetery, and two more were + posted as supports at the bottom of the hills. The other two commenced the + ascent of the long spur which leads to Shahi-Tangi. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to realise without seeing, how very slowly troops move on + hillsides. It was eleven o'clock before the village was reached. The enemy + fell back "sniping," and doing hardly any damage. Everybody condemned + their pusillanimity in making off without a fight. Part of the village and + some stacks of bhoosa, a kind of chopped straw, were set on fire, and the + two companies prepared to return to camp. + </p> + <p> + But at about eight the cavalry patrols had reported the enemy in great + strength at the northwest end of the valley. In consequence of this + Brigadier-General Jeffreys ordered the Guides Infantry to join the main + column. [Copy of message showing the time:—"To Officer, Commanding + Guides Infantry.—Despatched 8.15 A.M. Received 8.57 A.M. Enemy + collecting at Kanra; come up at once on Colonel Goldney's left. C. Powell, + Major, D.A.Q.M.G."] Major Campbell at once collected his men, who were + engaged in foraging, and hurried towards Colonel Goldney's force. After a + march of five miles, he came in contact with the enemy in strength on his + left front, and firing at once became heavy. At the sound of the musketry + the Buffs were recalled from the village of Badelai and also marched to + support the 35th Sikhs. + </p> + <p> + While both these regiments were hurrying to the scene, the sound of loud + firing first made us realise that our position at the head of the spur + near Shahi-Tangi was one of increasing danger. The pressure on the left + threatened the line of retreat, and no supports were available within a + mile. A retirement was at once ordered. Up to this moment hardly any of + the tribesmen had been seen. It appeared as if the retirement of the two + companies was the signal for their attack. I am inclined to think, + however, that this was part of the general advance of the enemy, and that + even had no retirement been ordered the advanced companies would have been + assailed. In any case the aspect of affairs immediately changed. From far + up the hillsides men came running swiftly down, dropping from ledge to + ledge, and dodging from rock to rock. The firing increased on every hand. + Half a company was left to cover the withdrawal. The Sikhs made excellent + practice on the advancing enemy, who approached by twos and threes, making + little rushes from one patch of cover to another. At length a considerable + number had accumulated behind some rocks about a hundred yards away. The + firing now became heavy and the half-company, finding its flank + threatened, fell back to the next position. + </p> + <p> + A digression is necessary to explain the peculiar configuration of the + ground. + </p> + <p> + The spur, at the top of which the village stands, consists of three rocky + knolls, each one higher than the other, as the main hill is approached. + These are connected by open necks of ground, which are commanded by fire + from both flanks. In section the ground resembles a switchback railway. + </p> + <p> + The first of these knolls was evacuated without loss, and the open space + to the next quickly traversed. I think a couple of men fell here, and were + safely carried away. The second knoll was commanded by the first, on to + which the enemy climbed, and from which they began firing. Again the + companies retired. Lieutenant Cassells remained behind with about eight + men, to hold the knoll until the rest had crossed the open space. As soon + as they were clear they shouted to him to retire. He gave the order. + </p> + <p> + Till this time the skirmishing of the morning might have afforded pleasure + to the neuropath, experience to the soldier, "copy" to the journalist. Now + suddenly black tragedy burst upon the scene, and all excitement died out + amid a multitude of vivid trifles. As Lieutenant Cassells rose to leave + the knoll, he turned sharply and fell on the ground. Two Sepoys + immediately caught hold of him. One fell shot through the leg. A soldier + who had continued firing sprang into the air, and, falling, began to bleed + with strange and terrible rapidity from his mouth and chest. Another + turned on his back kicking and twisting. A fourth lay quite still. Thus in + the time it takes to write half the little party were killed or wounded. + The enemy had worked round both flanks and had also the command. Their + fire was accurate. + </p> + <p> + Two officers, the subadar major, by name Mangol Singh, and three or four + Sepoys ran forward from the second knoll, to help in carrying the wounded + off. Before they reached the spot, two more men were hit. The subadar + major seized Lieutenant Cassells, who was covered with blood and unable to + stand, but anxious to remain in the firing line. The others caught hold of + the injured and began dragging them roughly over the sharp rocks in spite + of their screams and groans. Before we had gone thirty yards from the + knoll, the enemy rushed on to it, and began firing. Lieutenant Hughes, the + adjutant of the regiment, and one of the most popular officers on the + frontier, was killed. The bullets passed in the air with a curious sucking + noise, like that produced by drawing the air between the lips. Several men + also fell. Lieut.-Colonel Bradshaw ordered two Sepoys to carry the + officer's body away. This they began to do. Suddenly a scattered crowd of + tribesmen rushed over the crest of the hill and charged sword in hand, + hurling great stones. It became impossible to remain an impassive + spectator. Several of the wounded were dropped. The subadar major stuck to + Lieutenant Cassells, and it is to him the lieutenant owes his life. The + men carrying the other officer, dropped him and fled. The body sprawled + upon the ground. A tall man in dirty white linen pounced down upon it with + a curved sword. It was a horrible sight. + </p> + <p> + Had the swordsmen charged home, they would have cut everybody down. But + they did not. These wild men of the mountains were afraid of closing. The + retirement continued. Five or six times the two companies, now + concentrated, endeavoured to stand. Each time the tribesmen pressed round + both flanks. They had the whole advantage of ground, and commanded, as + well as out-flanked the Sikhs. At length the bottom of the spur was + reached, and the remainder of the two companies turned to bay in the + nullah with fixed bayonets. The tribesmen came on impetuously, but stopped + thirty yards away, howling, firing and waving their swords. + </p> + <p> + No other troops were in sight, except our cavalry, who could be seen + retiring in loose squadron column—probably after their charge. They + could give no assistance. The Buffs were nearly a mile away. Things looked + grave. Colonel Goldney himself tried to re-form the men. The Sikhs, who + now numbered perhaps sixty, were hard pressed, and fired without effect. + Then some one—who it was is uncertain—ordered the bugler to + sound the "charge." The shrill notes rang out not once but a dozen times. + Every one began to shout. The officers waved their swords frantically. + Then the Sikhs commenced to move slowly forward towards the enemy, + cheering. It was a supreme moment. The tribesmen turned, and began to + retreat. Instantly the soldiers opened a steady fire, shooting down their + late persecutors with savage energy. + </p> + <p> + Then for the first time, I perceived that the repulse was general along + the whole front. What I have described was only an incident. But the + reader may learn from the account the explanation of many of our losses in + the frontier war. The troops, brave and well-armed, but encumbered with + wounded, exhausted by climbing and overpowered by superior force, had been + ordered to retire. This is an operation too difficult for a weak force to + accomplish. Unless supports are at hand, they must be punished severely, + and the small covering parties, who remain to check the enemy, will very + often be cut to pieces, or shot down. Afterwards in the Mamund Valley + whole battalions were employed to do what these two Sikh companies had + attempted. But Sikhs need no one to bear witness to their courage. + </p> + <p> + During the retirement down the spur, I was unable to observe the general + aspect of the action, and now in describing it, I have dealt only with the + misadventures of one insignificant unit. It is due to the personal + perspective. While the two advanced companies were being driven down the + hill, a general attack was made along the whole left front of the brigade, + by at least 2000 tribesmen, most of whom were armed with rifles. To resist + this attack there were the cavalry, the two supporting companies of the + 35th Sikhs and five of the Guides Infantry, who were arriving. All became + engaged. Displaying their standards, the enemy advanced with great courage + in the face of a heavy fire. Many were killed and wounded, but they + continued to advance, in a long skirmish line, on the troops. One company + of the 35th became seriously involved. Seeing this, Captain Cole moved his + squadron forward, and though the ground was broken, charged. The enemy + took refuge in the nullah, tumbling into it standards and all, and opened + a sharp fire on the cavalry at close range, hitting several horses and + men. The squadron fell back. But the moral effect of their advance had + been tremendous. The whole attack came to a standstill. The infantry fire + continued. Then the tribesmen began to retire, and they were finally + repulsed at about twelve o'clock. + </p> + <p> + An opportunity was now presented of breaking off the action. The brigade + had started from camp divided, and in expectation that no serious + resistance would be offered. It had advanced incautiously. The leading + troops had been roughly handled. The enemy had delivered a vigorous + counter attack. That attack had been repulsed with slaughter, and the + brigade was concentrated. Considering the fatigues to which the infantry + had been exposed, it would perhaps have been more prudent to return to + camp and begin again next morning. But Brigadier-General Jeffries was + determined to complete the destruction of Shahi-Tangi, and to recover the + body of Lieutenant Hughes, which remained in the hands of the enemy. It + was a bold course. But it was approved by every officer in the force. + </p> + <p> + A second attack was ordered. The Guides were to hold the enemy in check on + the left. The Buffs, supported by the 35th Sikhs, were to take the + village. Orders were signalled back to camp for all the available troops + to reinforce the column in the field, and six fresh companies consequently + started. At one o'clock the advance recommenced, the guns came into action + on a ridge on the right of the brigade, and shelled the village + continuously. + </p> + <p> + Again the enemy fell back "sniping," and very few of them were to be seen. + But to climb the hill alone took two hours. The village was occupied at + three o'clock, and completely destroyed by the Buffs. At 3.30 orders + reached them to return to camp, and the second withdrawal began. Again the + enemy pressed with vigour, but this time there were ten companies on the + spur instead of two, and the Buffs, who became rear-guard, held everything + at a distance with their Lee-Metford rifles. At a quarter to five the + troops were clear of the hills and we looked about us. + </p> + <p> + While this second attack was being carried out, the afternoon had slipped + away. At about two o'clock Major Campbell and Captain Cole, both officers + of great experience on the frontier, had realised the fact, that the + debate with the tribesmen could not be carried to a conclusion that day. + At their suggestion a message was heliographed up to the General's staff + officer on the spur near the guns, as follows: "It is now 2.30. Remember + we shall have to fight our way home." But the brigadier had already + foreseen this possibility, and had, as described, issued orders for the + return march. These orders did not reach Captain Ryder's company on the + extreme right until they had become hard pressed by the increasing attack + of the enemy. Their wounded delayed their retirement. They had pushed far + up the mountain side, apparently with the idea they were to crown the + heights, and we now saw them two miles away on the sky line hotly engaged. + </p> + <p> + While I was taking advantage of a temporary halt, to feed and water my + pony, Lieutenant MacNaghten of the 16th Lancers pointed them out to me, + and we watched them through our glasses. It was a strange sight. Little + figures running about confusedly, tiny puffs of smoke, a miniature officer + silhouetted against the sky waving his sword. It seemed impossible to + believe that they were fighting for their lives, or indeed in any danger. + It all looked so small and unreal. They were, however, hard pressed, and + had signalled that they were running out of cartridges. It was then five + o'clock, and the approach of darkness was accelerated by the heavy + thunderclouds which were gathering over the northern mountains. + </p> + <p> + At about 3.30 the brigadier had ordered the Guides to proceed to Ryder's + assistance and endeavour to extricate his company. He directed Major + Campbell to use his own discretion. It was a difficult problem, but the + Guides and their leader were equal to it. They had begun the day on the + extreme left. They had hurried to the centre. Now they were ordered to the + extreme right. They had already marched sixteen miles, but they were still + fresh. We watched them defiling across the front, with admiration. + Meanwhile, the retirement of the brigade was delayed. It was necessary + that all units should support each other, and the troops had to wait till + the Guides had succeeded in extricating Ryder. The enemy now came on in + great strength from the north-western end of the valley, which had been + swarming with them all day, so that for the first time the action + presented a fine spectacle. + </p> + <p> + Across the broad plain the whole of the brigade was in echelon. On the + extreme right Ryder's company and the Guides Infantry were both severely + engaged. Half a mile away to the left rear the battery, the sappers and + two companies of the 35th Sikhs were slowly retiring. Still farther to the + left were the remainder of the 35th, and, at an interval of half a mile, + the Buffs. The cavalry protected the extreme left flank. This long line of + troops, who were visible to each other but divided by the deep broad + nullahs which intersected the whole plain, fell back slowly, halting + frequently to keep touch. Seven hundred yards away were the enemy, coming + on in a great half-moon nearly three miles long and firing continually. + Their fire was effective, and among other casualties at this time + Lieutenant Crawford, R.A., was killed. Their figures showed in rows of + little white dots. The darkness fell swiftly. The smoke puffs became fire + flashes. Great black clouds overspread the valley and thunder began to + roll. The daylight died away. The picture became obscured, and presently + it was pitch dark. All communication, all mutual support, all general + control now ceased. Each body of troops closed up and made the best of + their way to the camp, which was about seven miles off. A severe + thunderstorm broke overhead. The vivid lightning displayed the marching + columns and enabled the enemy to aim. Individual tribesmen ran up, + shouting insults, to within fifty yards of the Buffs and discharged their + rifles. They were answered with such taunts as the limited Pushtu of the + British soldier allows and careful volleys. The troops displayed the + greatest steadiness. The men were determined, the officers cheery, the + shooting accurate. At half-past eight the enemy ceased to worry us. We + thought we had driven them off, but they had found a better quarry. + </p> + <p> + The last two miles to camp were painful. After the cessation of the firing + the fatigue of the soldiers asserted itself. The Buffs had been marching + and fighting continuously for thirteen hours. They had had no food, except + their early morning biscuit, since the preceding night. The older and more + seasoned amongst them laughed at their troubles, declaring they would have + breakfast, dinner and tea together when they got home. The younger ones + collapsed in all directions. + </p> + <p> + The officers carried their rifles. Such ponies and mules as were available + were laden with exhausted soldiers. Nor was this all. Other troops had + passed before us, and more than a dozen Sepoys of different regiments were + lying senseless by the roadside. All these were eventually carried in by + the rear-guard, and the Buffs reached camp at nine o'clock. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the Guides had performed a brilliant feat of arms, and had + rescued the remnants of the isolated company from the clutches of the + enemy. After a hurried march they arrived at the foot of the hill down + which Ryder's men were retiring. The Sikhs, utterly exhausted by the + exertions of the day, were in disorder, and in many cases unable from + extreme fatigue even to use their weapons. The tribesmen hung in a crowd + on the flanks and rear of the struggling company, firing incessantly and + even dashing in and cutting down individual soldiers. Both officers were + wounded. Lieutenant Gunning staggered down the hill unaided, struck in + three places by bullets and with two deep sword cuts besides. Weary, + outnumbered, surrounded on three sides, without unwounded officers or + cartridges, the end was only a matter of moments. All must have been cut + to pieces. But help was now at hand. + </p> + <p> + The Guides formed line, fixed bayonets and advanced at the double towards + the hill. At a short distance from its foot they halted and opened a + terrible and crushing fire upon the exulting enemy. The loud detonations + of their company volleys were heard and the smoke seen all over the field, + and on the left we wondered what was happening. The tribesmen, sharply + checked, wavered. The company continued its retreat. Many brave deeds were + done as the night closed in. Havildar Ali Gul, of the Afridi Company of + the Guides, seized a canvas cartridge carrier, a sort of loose jacket with + large pockets, filled it with ammunition from his men's pouches, and + rushing across the fire-swept space, which separated the regiment from the + Sikhs, distributed the precious packets to the struggling men. Returning + he carried a wounded native officer on his back. Seeing this several + Afridis in the Guides ran forward, shouting and cheering, to the rescue, + and other wounded Sikhs were saved by their gallantry from a fearful fate. + At last Ryder's company reached the bottom of the hill and the survivors + re-formed under cover of the Guides. + </p> + <p> + These, thrown on their own resources, separated from the rest of the + brigade by darkness and distance and assailed on three sides by the enemy, + calmly proceeded to fight their way back to camp. Though encumbered with + many wounded and amid broken ground, they repulsed every attack, and bore + down all the efforts which the tribesmen made to intercept their line of + retreat. They reached camp at 9.30 in safety, and not without honour. The + skill and experience of their officers, the endurance and spirit of the + men, had enabled them to accomplish a task which many had believed + impossible, and their conduct in the action of the Mamund Valley fills a + brilliant page in the history of the finest and most famous frontier + regiment. [The gallantry of the two officers, Captain Hodson and Lieut. + Codrington, who commanded the two most exposed companies, was the subject + of a special mention in despatches, and the whole regiment were afterwards + complimented by Brigadier-General Jeffreys on their fine performance.] + </p> + <p> + As the Buffs reached the camp the rain which had hitherto held off came + down. It poured. The darkness was intense. The camp became a sea of mud. + In expectation that the enemy would attack it, General Jeffreys had + signalled in an order to reduce the perimeter. The camp was therefore + closed up to half its original size. + </p> + <p> + Most of the tents had been struck and lay with the baggage piled in + confused heaps on the ground. Many of the transport animals were loose and + wandering about the crowded space. Dinner or shelter there was none. The + soldiers, thoroughly exhausted, lay down supperless in the slush. The + condition of the wounded was particularly painful. Among the tents which + had been struck were several of the field hospitals. In the darkness and + rain it was impossible to do more for the poor fellows than to improve the + preliminary dressings and give morphia injections, nor was it till four + o'clock on the next afternoon that the last were taken out of the doolies. + </p> + <p> + After about an hour the rain stopped, and while the officers were bustling + about making their men get some food before they went to sleep, it was + realised that all the troops were not in camp. The general, the battery, + the sappers and four companies of infantry were still in the valley. + Presently we heard the firing of guns. They were being attacked,—overwhelmed + perhaps. To send them assistance was to risk more troops being cut off. + The Buffs who were dead beat, the Sikhs who had suffered most severe + losses, and the Guides who had been marching and fighting all day, were + not to be thought of. The 38th Dogras were, however, tolerably fresh, and + Colonel Goldney, who commanded in the absence of the General, at once + ordered four companies to parade and march to the relief. Captain Cole + volunteered to accompany them with a dozen sowars. The horses were + saddled. But the order was countermanded, and no troops left the camp that + night. + </p> + <p> + Whether this decision was justified or not the reader shall decide. In the + darkness and the broken ground it was probable the relief would never have + found the general. It was possible that getting involved among the nullahs + they would have been destroyed. The defenders of the camp itself were none + too many. The numbers of the enemy were unknown. These were weighty + reasons. On the other hand it seemed unsoldierly to lie down to sleep + while at intervals the booming of the guns reminded us, that comrades were + fighting for their lives a few miles away in the valley. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII: AT INAYAT KILA + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Two thousand pounds of education + Drops to a ten-rupee jezail. + . . . . . . + Strike hard who cares. Shoot straight who can. + The odds are on the cheaper man." + + RUDYARD KIPLING. +</pre> + <p> + Half an hour before dawn on the 17th, the cavalry were mounted, and as + soon as the light was strong enough to find a way through the broken + ground, the squadron started in search of the missing troops. We had heard + no more of their guns since about two o'clock. We therefore concluded they + had beaten off the enemy. There might, of course, be another reason for + their silence. As we drew near Bilot, it was possible to distinguish the + figures of men moving about the walls and houses. The advanced files rode + cautiously forward. Suddenly they cantered up to the wall and we knew some + at least were alive. Captain Cole, turning to his squadron, lifted his + hand. The sowars, actuated by a common impulse, rose in their stirrups and + began to cheer. But there was no response. Nor was this strange. The + village was a shambles. In an angle of the outside wall, protected on the + third side by a shallow trench, were the survivors of the fight. All + around lay the corpses of men and mules. The bodies of five or six native + soldiers were being buried in a hurriedly dug grave. It was thought that, + as they were Mahommedans, their resting-place would be respected by the + tribesmen. [These bodies were afterwards dug up and mutilated by the + natives: a foul act which excited the fury and indignation of soldiers of + every creed in the force. I draw the reader's attention to this unpleasant + subject, only to justify what I have said in an earlier chapter of the + degradation of mind in which the savages of the mountains are sunk.] + Eighteen wounded men lay side by side in a roofless hut. Their faces, + drawn by pain and anxiety, looked ghastly in the pale light of the early + morning. Two officers, one with his left hand smashed, the other shot + through both legs, were patiently waiting for the moment when the + improvised tourniquets could be removed and some relief afforded to their + sufferings. The brigadier, his khaki coat stained with the blood from a + wound on his head, was talking to his only staff-officer, whose helmet + displayed a bullet-hole. The most ardent lover of realism would have been + satisfied. Food, doolies, and doctors soon arrived. The wounded were + brought to the field hospitals to be attended to. The unwounded hurried + back to camp to get breakfast and a bath. In half an hour, the ill-omened + spot was occupied only by the few sowars engaged in shooting the wounded + mules, and by the vultures who watched the proceedings with an expectant + interest. + </p> + <p> + Gradually we learnt the story of the night. The battery, about thirty + sappers and half the 35th Sikhs, were returning to camp. At about seven + o'clock an order was sent for them to halt and remain out all night, to + assist the Guides Infantry, whose firing could be heard and for whose + safety the brigadier was above all things anxious. This order reached the + battery, and with the sappers as an escort they turned back, recrossed a + nullah and met the general with two companies of Sikhs outside the village + of Bilot. The half-battalion of the 35th did not apparently receive the + order, for they continued their march. Lieutenant Wynter, R.A., was sent + back to look for them. He did not find them, but fell in with four fresh + companies, two of the Guides and two of the 35th, who, under Major + Worlledge, had been sent from camp in response to the general's demand for + reinforcements. Lieutenant Wynter brought these back, as an escort to the + guns. On arrival at the village, the brigadier at once sent them to the + assistance of the Guides. He counted on his own two companies of Sikhs. + But when Worlledge had moved off and had already vanished in the night, it + was found that these two companies had disappeared. They had lost touch in + the darkness, and, not perceiving that the general had halted, had gone on + towards camp. Thus the battery was left with no other escort than thirty + sappers. + </p> + <p> + A party of twelve men of the Buffs now arrived, and the circumstances + which led them to the guns are worth recording. When the Buffs were + retiring through the villages, they held a Mahommedan cemetery for a + little while, in order to check the enemy's advance. Whilst there, + Lieutenant Byron, Orderly Officer to General Jeffreys, rode up and told + Major Moody, who commanded the rear companies, that a wounded officer was + lying in a dooly a hundred yards up the road, without any escort. He asked + for a few men. Moody issued an order, and a dozen soldiers under a + corporal started to look for the dooly. They missed it, but while + searching, found the general and the battery outside the village. The + presence of these twelve brave men—for they fully maintained the + honour of their regiment—with their magazine rifles, just turned the + scale. Had not the luck of the British army led them to the village, it + can hardly be doubted, and certainly was not doubted by any who were + there, that the guns would have been captured and the general killed. + Fortune, especially in war, uses tiny fulcra for her powerful lever. + </p> + <p> + The general now ordered the battery and sappers to go into the village, + but it was so full of burning bhoosa, that this was found to be + impossible, and they set to work to entrench themselves outside. The + village was soon full of the enemy. From the walls and houses, which on + two sides commanded the space occupied by the battery, they began to fire + at about thirty yards' range. The troops were as much exposed as if they + had been in a racket court, of which the enemy held the walls. They could + not move, because they would have had to desert either the guns or the + wounded. Fortunately, not many of the tribesmen at this point were armed + with rifles. The others threw stones and burning bhoosa into the midst of + the little garrison. By its light they took good aim. Everybody got under + such cover as was available. There was not much. Gunner Nihala, a gallant + native soldier, repeatedly extinguished the burning bhoosa with his cloak + at the imminent peril of his life. Lieutenants Watson and Colvin, with + their sappers and the twelve men of the Buffs, forced their way into the + village, and tried to expel the enemy with the bayonet. The village was + too large for so small a party to clear. The tribesmen moved from one part + to another, repeatedly firing. They killed and wounded several of the + soldiers, and a bullet smashed Lieutenant Watson's hand. He however + continued his efforts and did not cease until again shot, this time so + severely as to be unable to stand. His men carried him from the village, + and it was felt that it would be useless to try again. + </p> + <p> + The attention of the reader is directed to the bravery of this officer. + After a long day of marching, and fighting, in the dark, without food and + with small numbers, the man who will go on, unshaken and unflinching, + after he has received a severe and painful wound, has in respect of + personal courage few equals and no superior in the world. It is perhaps as + high a form of valour to endure as to dare. The combination of both is + sublime. [Both officers have received the Victoria Cross for their conduct + on this occasion.] + </p> + <p> + At nine o'clock the rain stopped the firing, as the tribesmen were afraid + of wetting their powder, but at about ten they opened again. They now made + a great hole in the wall of the village, through which about a dozen men + fired with terrible effect. Others began loopholing the walls. The guns + fired case shot at twenty yards' range at these fierce pioneers, smashing + the walls to pieces and killing many. The enemy replied with bullets, + burning bhoosa and showers of stones. + </p> + <p> + So the hours dragged away. The general and Captain Birch were both + wounded, early in the night. Lieutenant Wynter, while behaving with + distinguished gallantry, was shot through both legs at about 11.30. He was + thus twice severely wounded within forty-five days. He now continued to + command his guns, until he fainted from loss of blood. A native gunner + then shielded him with his body, until he also was hit. The whole scene, + the close, desperate fighting, the carcasses of the mules, the officers + and men crouching behind them, the flaming stacks of bhoosa, the flashes + of the rifles, and over all and around all, the darkness of the night—is + worthy of the pencil of De Neuville. + </p> + <p> + At length, at about midnight, help arrived. Worlledge's two companies had + gone in search of the Guides, but had not found them. They now returned + and, hearing the firing at Bilot, sent an orderly of the 11th Bengal + Lancers to ask if the general wanted assistance. This plucky boy—he + was only a young recruit—rode coolly up to the village although the + enemy were all around, and he stood an almost equal chance of being shot + by our own men. He soon brought the two companies to the rescue, and the + enemy, balked of their prey, presently drew off in the gloom. How much + longer the battery and its defenders could have held out is uncertain. + They were losing men steadily, and their numbers were so small that they + might have been rushed at any moment. Such was the tale. + </p> + <p> + No operations took place on the 17th. The soldiers rested, casualties were + counted, wounds were dressed, confidence was restored. The funerals of the + British officers and men, killed the day before, took place at noon. Every + one who could, attended; but all the pomp of military obsequies was + omitted, and there were no Union Jacks to cover the bodies, nor were + volleys fired over the graves, lest the wounded should be disturbed. + Somewhere in the camp—exactly where, is now purposely forgotten—the + remains of those who had lost, in fighting for their country, all that men + can be sure of, were silently interred. No monument marked the spot. The + only assurance that it should be undisturbed is, that it remains unknown. + Nevertheless, the funerals were impressive. To some the game of war brings + prizes, honour, advancement, or experience; to some the consciousness of + duty well discharged; and to others—spectators, perhaps—the + pleasure of the play and the knowledge of men and things. But here were + those who had drawn the evil numbers—who had lost their all, to gain + only a soldier's grave. Looking at these shapeless forms, coffined in a + regulation blanket, the pride of race, the pomp of empire, the glory of + war appeared but the faint and unsubstantial fabric of a dream; and I + could not help realising with Burke: "What shadows we are and what shadows + we pursue." + </p> + <p> + The actual casualties were, in proportion to the numbers engaged, greater + than in any action of the British army in India for many years. Out of a + force which at no time exceeded 1000 men, nine British officers, four + native officers, and 136 soldiers were either killed or wounded. The + following is the full return:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed—Lieutenant and Adjutant V. Hughes, 35th Sikhs. + " " A.T. Crawford, R.A. + Wounded severely—Captain W.I. Ryder, attd. 35th Sikhs. + " " Lieutenant O.G. Gunning, 35th Sikhs. + " " " O.R. Cassells, 35th Sikhs. + " " " T.C. Watson, R.E. + " " " F.A. Wynter, R.A. + Wounded slightly—Brigadier-General Jeffreys, Commanding 2nd Bde. + M.F.F. + " " Captain Birch, R.A. + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + The Buffs . . . . 2 9 + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed. Wounded. + 11th Bengal Lancers . . 0 2 + No.8 Mountain Battery. . 6 21 + Guides Infantry. . . 2 10 + 35th Sikhs. . . . 22 45 + 38th Dogras. . . . 0 2 + Sappers.. . . . 4 15 + Total Casualties, 149; with 48 horses and mules. +</pre> + <p> + The action of the 16th September is considered by some to have been a + reverse. I do not think this view is justified by the facts. The troops + accomplished every task they were set. They burned the village of + Shahi-Tangi most completely, in spite of all opposition, and they + inflicted on the tribesmen a loss of over 200 men. The enemy, though + elated by the capture of twenty-two rifles from the bodies of the killed, + were impressed by the bravery of the troops. "If," they are reported to + have said, "they fight like this when they are divided, we can do + nothing." Our losses were undoubtedly heavy and out of all proportion to + the advantages gained. They were due to an ignorance, shared by all in the + force, of the numbers and fighting power of the Mamunds. No one knew, + though there were many who were wise after the event, that these tribesmen + were as well armed as the troops, or that they were the brave and + formidable adversaries they proved themselves. "Never despise your enemy" + is an old lesson, but it has to be learnt afresh, year after year, by + every nation that is warlike and brave. Our losses were also due to the + isolation of Captain Ryder's company, to extricate which the whole force + had to wait till overtaken by darkness. It has been said that war cannot + be made without running risks, nor can operations be carried out in the + face of an enemy armed with breech-loaders without loss. No tactics can + altogether shield men from bullets. Those serene critics who note the + errors, and forget the difficulties, who judge in safety of what was done + in danger, and from the security of peace, pronounce upon the conduct of + war, should remember that the spectacle of a General, wounded, his horse + shot, remaining on the field with the last unit, anxious only for the + safety of his soldiers, is a spectacle not unworthy of the pages of our + military history. + </p> + <p> + The depression, caused by the loss of amiable and gallant comrades, was + dispelled by the prospects of immediate action. Sir Bindon Blood, whose + position at Nawagai was now one of danger, sent the brigadier, instead of + reinforcements, orders to vigorously prosecute the operations against the + tribesmen, and on the morning of the 18th the force moved to attack the + village of Domodoloh, which the 38th Dogras had found so strongly occupied + on the 16th. Again the enemy were numerous. Again they adopted their + effective tactics; but this time no chances were given them. The whole + brigade marched concentrated to the attack, and formed up on the level + ground just out of shot. The general and his staff rode forward and + reconnoitered. + </p> + <p> + The village lay in a re-entrant of the hills, from which two long spurs + projected like the piers of a harbour. Behind, the mountains rose abruptly + to a height of 5000 feet. The ground, embraced by the spurs, was filled + with crops of maize and barley. A fort and watch-tower guarded the + entrance. At 8.30 the advance was ordered. The enemy did not attempt to + hold the fort, and it was promptly seized and blown up. The explosion was + a strange, though, during the fighting in the Mamund Valley, not an + uncommon sight. A great cloud of thick brown-red dust sprang suddenly into + the air, bulging out in all directions. The tower broke in half and + toppled over. A series of muffled bangs followed. The dust-cloud cleared + away, and nothing but a few ruins remained. + </p> + <p> + The enemy now opened fire from the spurs, both of which became crowned + with little circles of white smoke. The 35th Sikhs advancing cleared the + right ridge: the 38th Dogras the left. The Guides moved on the village, + and up the main re-entrant itself. The Buffs were in reserve. The battery + came into action on the left, and began shelling the crests of the + opposite hills. Taking the range with their instruments, they fired two + shots in rapid succession, each time at slightly different ranges. The + little guns exploded with a loud report. Then, far up the mountain side, + two balls of smoke appeared, one above the other, and after a few seconds + the noise of the bursting shells came faintly back. Usually one would be a + little short of—and the other a little over—the point aimed + at. The next shot, by dividing the error, would go home, and the dust of + the splinters and bullets would show on the peak, from which the tribesmen + were firing, and it would become silent and deserted—the scene of an + unregarded tragedy. Gradually the spurs were cleared of the enemy and the + Guides, passing through the village, climbed up the face of the mountain + and established themselves among the great rocks of the steep + water-course. Isolated sharpshooters maintained a dropping fire. The + company whose operations I watched,—Lieutenant Lockhart's,—killed + one of these with a volley, and we found him sitting by a little pool, + propped against a stone. He had been an ugly man originally, but now that + the bones of his jaw and face were broken in pieces by the bullet, he was + hideous to look upon. His only garment was a ragged blue linen cloak + fastened at the waist. There he sat—a typical tribesman, ignorant, + degraded, and squalid, yet brave and warlike; his only property, his + weapon, and that his countrymen had carried off. I could not help + contrasting his intrinsic value as a social organism, with that of the + officers who had been killed during the week, and those lines of Kipling + which appear at the beginning of this chapter were recalled to mind with a + strange significance. Indeed I often heard them quoted in the Watelai + Valley. + </p> + <p> + The sappers had now entered the village, and were engaged in preparing the + hovels of which it consisted for destruction. Their flat roofs are covered + with earth, and will not burn properly, unless a hole is made first in + each. This took time. Meanwhile the troops held on to the positions they + had seized, and maintained a desultory fire with the enemy. At about noon + the place was lighted up, and a dense cloud of smoke rose in a high column + into the still air. Then the withdrawal of the troops was ordered. + Immediately the enemy began their counter attack. But the Guides were + handled with much skill. The retirement of each company was covered by the + fire of others, judiciously posted farther down the hill. No opportunity + was offered to the enemy. By one o'clock all the troops were clear of the + broken ground. The Buffs assumed the duty of rear-guard, and were + delighted to have a brisk little skirmish—fortunately unattended + with loss of life—with the tribesmen, who soon reoccupied the + burning village. This continued for, perhaps, half an hour, and meanwhile + the rest of the brigade returned to camp. + </p> + <p> + The casualties in this highly successful affair were small. It was the + first of six such enterprises, by which Brigadier-General Jeffreys, with + stubborn perseverance, broke the spirit of the Mamund tribesmen. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Killed. Wounded. + 35th Sikhs....... 2 3 + Guides Infantry...... 0 1 + 38th Dogras....... 0 2 + Total casualties, 8. +</pre> + <p> + The enemy's losses were considerable, but no reliable details could be + obtained. + </p> + <p> + On the 19th the troops rested, and only foraging parties left the camp. On + the 20th, fighting was renewed. From the position at the entrance to the + valley it was possible to see all the villages that lay in the hollows of + the hills, and to distinguish not only the scenes of past but also of + future actions. The particular village which was selected for chastisement + was never mentioned by name, and it was not until the brigade had marched + some miles from the camp, that the objective became evident. The tribesmen + therefore continued in a state of "glorious uncertainty," and were unable + to gather in really large numbers. At 5.30 A.M. the brigade started, and, + preceded by the cavalry, marched up the valley—a long brown stream + of men. Arrived nearly at the centre, the troops closed up into a more + compact formation. Then suddenly the head wheeled to the left, and began + marching on the village of Zagai. Immediately from high up on the face of + the mountain a long column of smoke shot into the air. It was a signal + fire. Other hills answered it. The affair now became a question of time. + If the village could be captured and destroyed before the clans had time + to gather, then there would be little fighting. But if the force were + delayed or became involved, it was impossible to say on what scale the + action would be. + </p> + <p> + The village of Zagai stands in a similar situation to that of Domodoloh. + On either side long spurs advance into the valley, and the houses are + built in terraces on the sides of the hollow so formed. Great chenar + trees, growing in all their luxuriant beauty out of the rocky ground by + the water-course, mark the hillside with a patch of green in contrast to + the background of sombre brown. As the troops approached in fine array, + the sound of incessant drumming was faintly heard, varied from time to + time by the notes of a bugle. The cavalry reconnoitered and trotted off to + watch the flank, after reporting the place strongly occupied. The enemy + displayed standards on the crests of the spurs. The advance continued: the + Guides on the left, the 38th Dogras in the centre, the Buffs on the right, + and the 35th Sikhs in reserve. Firing began on the left at about nine + o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later the guns came into action near the + centre. The Guides and Buffs now climbed the ridges to the right and left. + The enemy fell back according to their custom, "sniping." Then the 38th + pushed forward and occupied the village, which was handed over to the + sappers to destroy. This they did most thoroughly, and at eleven o'clock a + dense white smoke was rising from the houses and the stacks of bhoosa. + Then the troops were ordered to withdraw. "Facilis ascensus Averni + sed...;" without allowing the quotation to lead me into difficulties, I + will explain that while it is usually easy to advance against an Asiatic, + all retirements are matters of danger. While the village was being + destroyed the enemy had been collecting. Their figures could be + distinguished on the top of the mountain—a numerous line of dark + dots against the sky; others had tried to come, from the adjoining valleys + on the left and right. Those on the right succeeded, and the Buffs were + soon sharply engaged. On the left the cavalry again demonstrated the power + of their arm. A large force of tribesmen, numbering at least 600 men, + endeavoured to reach the scene of action. To get there, however, they had + to cross the open ground, and this, in face of the Lancers, they would not + do. Many of these same tribesmen had joined in the attack on the Malakand, + and had been chased all across the plain of Khar by the fierce Indian + horsemen. They were not ambitious to repeat the experience. Every time + they tried to cross the space, which separated them from their friends, + Captain Cole trotted forward with his squadron, which was only about fifty + strong, and the tribesmen immediately scurried back to the hills. For a + long time they were delayed, and contented themselves by howling out to + the sowars, that they would soon "make mincemeat of them," to which the + latter replied that they were welcome to try. At length, realising that + they could not escape the cavalry, if they left the hills, they made a + long circuit and arrived about half an hour after the village was + destroyed and the troops had departed. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, as soon as the retirement was seen to be in progress, a + general attack was made all along the line. On the left, the Guides were + threatened by a force of about 500 men, who advanced displaying standards, + and waving swords. They dispersed these and drove them away by a steady + long-range fire, killing and wounding a large number. On the right, the + Buffs were harassed by being commanded by another spur. Lieutenant + Hasler's company, which I accompanied, was protected from this flanking + fire by the ground. A great many bullets, however, hummed overhead, and + being anxious to see whence these were coming, the lieutenant walked + across the crest to the far side. The half-company here was briskly + engaged. From a point high up the mountain an accurate fire was directed + upon them. We tried to get the range of this point with the Lee-Metford + rifles. It was, as nearly as could be determined, 1400 yards. The + tribesmen were only armed with Martini-Henrys. They nevertheless made + excellent practice. Lieutenant R.E. Power was shot through the arm and, + almost immediately afterwards, Lieutenant Keene was severely wounded in + the body. Luckily, the bullet struck his sword-hilt first or he would have + been killed. Two or three men were also wounded here. Those who know the + range and power of the Martini-Henry rifle will appreciate the skill and + marksmanship which can inflict loss even at so great a range. + </p> + <p> + As the retirement proceeded, the tribesmen came to closer quarters. The + Buffs, however, used their formidable weapon with great effect. I + witnessed one striking demonstration of its power. Lieutenant F.S. Reeves + remained behind with a dozen men to cover the withdrawal of his company, + and in hopes of bringing effective fire to bear on the enemy, who at this + time were pressing forward boldly. Three hundred yards away was a nullah, + and along this they began running, in hopes of cutting off the small + party. At one point, however, the line of their advance was commanded by + our fire. Presently a man ran into the open. The section fired + immediately. The great advantage of the rifle was that there was no + difficulty about guessing the exact range, as the fixed sight could be + used. The man dropped—a spot of white. Four others rushed forward. + Again there was a volley. All four fell and remained motionless. After + this we made good our retreat almost unmolested. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the troops were clear of the hills, the enemy occupied the + rocks and ridges, and fired at the retreating soldiers. The Buffs' line of + retirement lay over smooth, open ground. For ten minutes the fire was hot. + Another officer and seven or eight men dropped. The ground was wet and + deep, and the bullets cutting into the soft mud, made strange and curious + noises. As soon as the troops got out of range, the firing ceased, as the + tribesmen did not dare follow into the open. + </p> + <p> + On the extreme left, considerable bodies of the enemy appeared, and for a + moment it seemed that they would leave the hills and come into the plain. + The cavalry, however, trotted forward, and they ran back in confusion, + bunching together as they did so. The battery immediately exploded two + shrapnel shells in their midst with great effect. This ended the affair, + and the troops returned to camp. The casualties were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely—2nd Lieutenant G.N.S. Keene. + " slightly—Captain L.I.B. Hulke. + " " —Lieutenant R.E. Power. + + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + Buffs. . . . . 1 10 + (Died of wounds). + + Native Ranks. + Wounded. + 38th Dogras . . .. 2 + Total casualties, 16. +</pre> + <p> + I shall make the reader no apology for having described at such length, + what was after all only a skirmish. The picture of the war on the frontier + is essentially one of detail, and it is by the study of the details alone + that a true impression can be obtained. + </p> + <p> + On the 22nd and 23rd the villages of Dag and Tangi were respectively + captured and destroyed, but as the resistance was slight and the + operations were unmarked by any new features, I shall not weary the reader + by further description. The casualties were:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICER. + Wounded—Major S. Moody, the Buffs. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed. Wounded. + Guides Infantry. . . 1 2 + 38th Dogras. . . . 0 2 +</pre> + <p> + By these operations the tribesmen of the Mamund Valley had been severely + punished. Any exultation which they might have felt over the action of the + 16th was completely effaced. The brigade had demonstrated its power to + take and burn any village that might be selected, and had inflicted severe + loss on all who attempted to impede its action. The tribesmen were now + thoroughly disheartened, and on the 21st began to sue for peace. + </p> + <p> + The situation was, however, complicated by the proximity of the Afghan + frontier. The western side of the Mamund Valley is bounded by the + mountains of the Hindu Raj range, along the summits of which is the Durand + line of demarcation with the Amir. On the farther side of this range + Gholam Hyder, the Afghan commander-in-chief, lay with a powerful force, + which, at the time of the actions I have described, amounted to nine + battalions, six squadrons and fourteen mountain guns. During the attack + upon Zagai, numerous figures in khaki uniform had been observed on the + higher slopes of the hills, and it was alleged that one particular group + appeared to be directing the movements of the tribesmen. At any rate, I + cannot doubt, nor did any one who was present during the fighting in the + Mamund Valley, that the natives were aided by regular soldiers from the + Afghan army, and to a greater extent by Afghan tribesmen, not only by the + supply of arms and ammunition but by actual intervention. + </p> + <p> + I am not in possession of sufficient evidence to pronounce on the question + of the Amir's complicity in the frontier risings. It is certain, that for + many years the Afghan policy has consistently been to collect and preserve + agents, who might be used in raising a revolt among the Pathan tribes. But + the advantages which the Amir would derive from a quarrel with the British + are not apparent. It would seem more probable, that he has only tried + throughout to make his friendship a matter of more importance to the + Indian Government, with a view to the continuance or perhaps the increase + of his subsidy. It is possible, that he has this year tested and displayed + his power; and that he has desired to show us what a dangerous foe he + might be, were he not so useful an ally. The question is a delicate and + difficult one. Most of the evidence is contained in Secret State Papers. + The inquiry would be profitless; the result possibly unwelcome. Patriotic + discretion is a virtue which should at all times be zealously cultivated. + </p> + <p> + I do not see that the facts I have stated diminish or increase the + probability of the Amir's complicity. As the American filibusters + sympathise with the Cuban insurgents; as the Jameson raiders supported the + outlanders of the Transvaal, so also the soldiers and tribesmen of + Afghanistan sympathised with and aided their countrymen and coreligionists + across the border. Probably the Afghan Colonial Office would have been + vindicated by any inquiry. + </p> + <p> + It is no disparagement but rather to the honour of men, that they should + be prepared to back with their lives causes which claim their sympathy. It + is indeed to such men that human advancement has been due. I do not allude + to this matter, to raise hostile feelings against the Afghan tribesmen or + their ruler, but only to explain the difficulties encountered in the + Mamund Valley by the 2nd Brigade of the Malakand Field Force: to explain + how it was that defenders of obscure villages were numbered by thousands, + and why the weapons of poverty-stricken agriculturists were excellent + Martini-Henry rifles. + </p> + <p> + The Mamunds themselves were now genuinely anxious for peace. Their valley + was in our hands; their villages and crops were at our mercy; but their + allies, who suffered none of these things, were eager to continue the + struggle. They had captured most of the rifles of the dead soldiers on the + 16th, and they had no intention of giving them up. On the other hand, it + was obvious that the British Raj could not afford to be defied in this + matter. We had insisted on the rifles being surrendered, and that + expensive factor, Imperial prestige, demanded that we should prosecute + operations till we got them, no matter what the cost might be. The rifles + were worth little. The men and officers we lost were worth a great deal. + It was unsound economics, but Imperialism and economics clash as often as + honesty and self-interest. We were therefore committed to the policy of + throwing good money after bad in order to keep up our credit; as a man who + cannot pay his tradesmen, sends them fresh orders in lieu of settlement. + Under these unsatisfactory conditions, the negotiations opened. They did + not, however, interfere with the military situation, and the troops + continued to forage daily in the valley, and the tribesmen to fire nightly + into the camp. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the week a message from the Queen, expressing sympathy with + the sufferings of the wounded, and satisfaction at the conduct of the + troops, was published in Brigade orders. It caused the most lively + pleasure to all, but particularly to the native soldiers, who heard with + pride and exultation that their deeds and dangers were not unnoticed by + that august Sovereign before whom they know all their princes bow, and to + whom the Sirkar itself is but a servant. The cynic and the socialist may + sneer after their kind; yet the patriot, who examines with anxious care + those forces which tend to the cohesion or disruption of great + communities, will observe how much the influence of a loyal sentiment + promotes the solidarity of the Empire. + </p> + <p> + The reader must now accompany me to the camp of the 3rd Brigade, twelve + miles away, at Nawagai. We shall return to the Mamund Valley and have a + further opportunity of studying its people and natural features. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII: NAWAGAI + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "When the wild Bajaur mountain men lay choking with their blood, + And the Kafirs held their footing..." + + "A Sermon in Lower Bengal," SIR A. LYALL. +</pre> + <p> + Few spectacles in nature are so mournful and so sinister as the implacable + cruelty with which a wounded animal is pursued by its fellows. Perhaps it + is due to a cold and bracing climate, perhaps to a Christian civilisation, + that the Western peoples of the world have to a great extent risen above + this low original instinct. Among Europeans power provokes antagonism, and + weakness excites pity. All is different in the East. Beyond Suez the bent + of men's minds is such, that safety lies only in success, and peace in + prosperity. All desert the falling. All turn upon the fallen. + </p> + <p> + The reader may have been struck, in the account of the fighting in the + Mamund Valley, with the vigour with which the tribesmen follow up a + retreating enemy and press an isolated party. In war this is sound, + practical policy. But the hillmen adopt it rather from a natural + propensity, than from military knowledge. Their tactics are the outcome of + their natures. All their actions, moral, political, strategic, are guided + by the same principle. The powerful tribes, who had watched the passage of + the troops in sullen fear, only waited for a sign of weakness to rise + behind them. As long as the brigades dominated the country, and appeared + confident and successful, their communications would be respected, and the + risings localised; but a check, a reverse, a retreat would raise + tremendous combinations on every side. + </p> + <p> + If the reader will bear this in mind, it will enable him to appreciate the + position with which this chapter deals, and may explain many other matters + which are beyond the scope of these pages. For it might be well also to + remember, that the great drama of frontier war is played before a vast, + silent but attentive audience, who fill a theatre, that reaches from + Peshawar to Colombo, and from Kurrachee to Rangoon. + </p> + <p> + The strategic and political situation, with which Sir Bindon Blood was + confronted at Nawagai on the 17th of September, was one of difficulty and + danger. He had advanced into a hostile country. In his front the Mohmands + had gathered at the Hadda Mullah's call to oppose his further progress. + The single brigade he had with him was not strong enough to force the + Bedmanai Pass, which the enemy held. The 2nd Brigade, on which he had + counted, was fully employed twelve miles away in the Mamund Valley. The + 1st Brigade, nearly four marches distant on the Panjkora River, had not + sufficient transport to move. Meanwhile General Elles's division was + toiling painfully through the difficult country north-east of Shabkadr, + and could not arrive for several days. He was therefore isolated, and + behind him was the "network of ravines," through which a retirement would + be a matter of the greatest danger and difficulty. + </p> + <p> + Besides this, his line of communications, stretching away through sixty + miles of hostile country, or country that at any moment might become + hostile, was seriously threatened by the unexpected outbreak in the Mamund + Valley. He was between two fires. Nor was this all. The Khan of Nawagai, a + chief of great power and influence, was only kept loyal by the presence of + Sir Bindon Blood's brigade. Had that brigade marched, as was advocated by + the Government of India, back to join Brigadier-General Jeffreys in the + Mamund Valley, this powerful chief would have thrown his whole weight + against the British. The flame in the Mamund Valley, joining the flame in + the Bedmanai Pass, would have produced a mighty conflagration, and have + spread far and wide among the inflammable tribesmen. Bajaur would have + risen to a man. Swat, in spite of its recent punishment, would have + stirred ominously. Dir would have repudiated its ruler and joined the + combination. The whole mountain region would have been ablaze. Every + valley would have poured forth armed men. General Elles, arriving at + Lakarai, would have found, instead of a supporting brigade, a hostile + gathering, and might even have had to return to Shabkadr without + accomplishing anything. + </p> + <p> + Sir Bindon Blood decided to remain at Nawagai; to cut the Hadda Mullah's + gathering from the tribesmen in the Mamund Valley; to hold out a hand to + General Elles; to keep the pass open and the khan loyal. Nawagai was the + key of the situation. But that key could not be held without much danger. + It was a bold course to take, but it succeeded, as bold courses, soundly + conceived, usually do. He therefore sent orders to Jeffreys to press + operations against the Mamund tribesmen; assured the Khan of Nawagai of + the confidence of the Government, and of their determination to "protect" + him from all enemies; heliographed to General Elles that he would meet him + at Nawagai; entrenched his camp and waited. + </p> + <p> + He did not wait long in peace. The tribesmen, whose tactical instincts + have been evolved by centuries of ceaseless war, were not slow to realise + that the presence of the 3rd Brigade at Nawagai was fatal to their hopes. + They accordingly resolved to attack it. The Suffi and Hadda Mullahs + exerted the whole of their influence upon their credulous followers. The + former appealed to the hopes of future happiness. Every Ghazi who fell + fighting should sit above the Caaba at the very footstool of the throne, + and in that exalted situation and august presence should be solaced for + his sufferings by the charms of a double allowance of celestial beauty. + Mullah Hadda used even more concrete inducements. The muzzles of the guns + should be stopped for those who charged home. No bullet should harm them. + They should be invulnerable. They should not go to Paradise yet. They + should continue to live honoured and respected upon earth. This promise + appears to have carried more weight, as the Hadda Mullah's followers had + three times as many killed and wounded as the candidates for the pleasures + of the world to come. It would almost seem, that in the undeveloped minds + of these wild and superstitious sons of the mountains, there lie the + embryonic germs of economics and practical philosophy, pledges of latent + possibilities of progress. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Some for the pleasures of this world, and some + Sigh for the prophet's paradise to come. + Ah! take the cash and let the credit go, + Nor heed the rumble of a distant drum. + + OMAR KHAYYAM +</pre> + <p> + It is the practice of wise commanders in all warfare, to push their + cavalry out every evening along the lines of possible attack, to make sure + that no enemy has concentrated near the camp in the hopes of attacking at + nightfall. On the 18th, Captain Delamain's squadron of the 11th Bengal + Lancers came in contact with scattered parties of the enemy coming from + the direction of the Bedmanai Pass. Desultory skirmishing ensued, and the + cavalry retired to camp. Some firing took place that night, and a soldier + of the Queen's Regiment who strayed about fifty yards from his picket, was + pulled down and murdered by the savage enemies, who were lurking all + around. The next evening the cavalry reconnoitered as usual. The squadron + pushed forward protected by its line of advanced scouts across the plain + towards the Bedmanai Pass. Suddenly from a nullah a long line of tribesmen + rose and fired a volley. A horse was shot. The squadron wheeled about and + cantered off, having succeeded in what is technically called "establishing + contact." + </p> + <p> + A great gathering of the enemy, some 3000 strong, now appeared in the + plain. For about half an hour before sunset they danced, shouted and + discharged their rifles. The mountain battery fired a few shells, but the + distance was too great to do much good, or shall I say harm? Then it + became dark. The whole brigade remained that night in the expectation of + an attack, but only a very half-hearted attempt was made. This was easily + repulsed, one man in the Queen's Regiment being killed among the troops. + </p> + <p> + On the 20th, however, definite information was received from the Khan of + Nawagai, that a determined assault would be made on the camp that night. + The cavalry reconnaissance again came in touch with the enemy at + nightfall. The officers had dinner an hour earlier, and had just finished, + when, at about 8.30, firing began. The position of the camp was commanded, + though at long ranges, by the surrounding heights. From these a searching + rifle fire was now opened. All the tents were struck. The officers and men + not employed in the trenches were directed to lie down. The majority of + the bullets, clearing the parapets of the entrenchment on one side, + whizzed across without doing any harm to the prostrate figures; but all + walking about was perilous, and besides this the plunging fire from the + heights was galling to every one. + </p> + <p> + Determined and vigorous sword charges were now delivered on all sides of + the camp. The enemy, who numbered about 4000, displayed the greatest + valour. They rushed right up to the trenches and fell dead and dying, + under the very bayonets of the troops. The brunt of the attack fell upon + the British Infantry Regiment, the Queen's. This was fortunate, as many + who were in camp that night say, that such was the determination of the + enemy in their charges, that had they not been confronted with magazine + rifles, they might have got into the entrenchments. + </p> + <p> + The fire of the British was, however, crushing. Their discipline was + admirable, and the terrible weapon with which they were armed, with its + more terrible bullet, stopped every rush. The soldiers, confident in their + power, were under perfect control. When the enemy charged, the order to + employ magazine fire was passed along the ranks. The guns fired star + shell. These great rockets, bursting into stars in the air, slowly fell to + the ground shedding a pale and ghastly light on the swarming figures of + the tribesmen as they ran swiftly forward. Then the popping of the + musketry became one intense roar as the ten cartridges, which the magazine + of the rifle holds, were discharged almost instantaneously. Nothing could + live in front of such a fire. Valour, ferocity, fanaticism, availed + nothing. All were swept away. The whistles sounded. The independent firing + stopped, with machine-like precision, and the steady section volleys were + resumed. This happened not once, but a dozen times during the six hours + that the attack was maintained. The 20th Punjaub Infantry, and the cavalry + also, sustained and repulsed the attacks delivered against their fronts + with steadiness. At length the tribesmen sickened of the slaughter, and + retired to their hills in gloom and disorder. + </p> + <p> + The experience of all in the camp that night was most unpleasant. Those + who were in the trenches were the best off. The others, with nothing to do + and nothing to look at, remained for six hours lying down wondering + whether the next bullet would hit them or not. Some idea of the severity + of the fire may be obtained from the fact that a single tent showed + sixteen bullet holes. + </p> + <p> + Brigadier-General Wodehouse was wounded at about eleven o'clock. He had + walked round the trenches and conferred with his commanding officers as to + the progress of the attack and the expenditure of ammunition, and had just + left Sir Bindon Blood's side, after reporting, when a bullet struck him in + the leg, inflicting a severe and painful, though fortunately not a + dangerous, wound. + </p> + <p> + Considering the great number of bullets that had fallen in the camp, the + British loss was surprisingly small. The full return is as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely—Brigadier-General Wodehouse. + " slightly—Veterinary-Captain Mann. + + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + Queen's Regiment... 1 3 + NATIVE RANKS—Wounded, 20. + FOLLOWERS— " 6. + Total, 32 of all ranks. +</pre> + <p> + The casualties among the cavalry horses and transport animals were most + severe. Over 120 were killed and wounded. + </p> + <p> + The enemy drew off, carrying their dead with them, for the most part, but + numerous bodies lying outside the shelter trench attested the valour and + vigour of their attack. One man was found the next morning, whose head had + been half blown off, by a discharge of case shot from one of the mountain + guns. He lay within a yard of the muzzle, the muzzle he had believed would + be stopped, a victim to that blind credulity and fanaticism, now happily + passing away from the earth, under the combined influences of Rationalism + and machine guns. + </p> + <p> + It was of course very difficult to obtain any accurate estimate of the + enemy's losses. It was proved, however, that 200 corpses were buried on + the following day in the neighbourhood, and large numbers of wounded men + were reported to have been carried through the various villages. A rough + estimate should place their loss at about 700. + </p> + <p> + The situation was now cleared. The back of the Hadda Mullah's gathering + was broken, and it dispersed rapidly. The Khan of Nawagai feverishly + protested his unswerving loyalty to the Government. The Mamunds were + disheartened. The next day General Elles's leading brigade appeared in the + valley. Sir Bindon Blood rode out with his cavalry. The two generals met + at Lakarai. It was decided that General Elles should be reinforced by the + 3rd Brigade of the Malakand Field Force, and should clear the Bedmanai + Pass and complete the discomfiture of the Hadda Mullah. Sir Bindon Blood + with the cavalry would join Jeffreys' force in the Mamund Valley, and deal + with the situation there. The original plan of taking two brigades from + the Malakand to Peshawar was thus discarded; and such troops of Sir Bindon + Blood's force as were required for the Tirah expedition would, with the + exception of the 3rd Brigade, reach their points of concentration via + Nowshera. As will be seen, this plan was still further modified to meet + the progress of events. + </p> + <p> + I had rejoined the 3rd Brigade on the morning of the 21st, and in the + evening availed myself of an escort, which was proceeding across the + valley, to ride over and see General Elles's brigade. The mobilisation of + the Mohmand Field Force was marked by the employment, for the first time, + of the Imperial Service Troops. The Maharaja of Patiala, and Sir Pertab + Singh, were both with the force. The latter was sitting outside his tent, + ill with fever, but cheery and brave as ever. The spectacle of this + splendid Indian prince, whose magnificent uniform in the Jubilee + procession had attracted the attention of all beholders, now clothed in + business-like khaki, and on service at the head of his regiment, aroused + the most pleasing reflections. With all its cost in men and money, and all + its military and political mistakes, the great Frontier War of 1897 has at + least shown on what foundations the British rule in India rests, and made + clear who are our friends and who our enemies. + </p> + <p> + I could not help thinking, that polo has had a good deal to do with + strengthening the good relations of the Indian princes and the British + officers. It may seem strange to speak of polo as an Imperial factor, but + it would not be the first time in history that national games have played + a part in high politics. Polo has been the common ground on which English + and Indian gentlemen have met on equal terms, and it is to that meeting + that much mutual esteem and respect is due. Besides this, polo has been + the salvation of the subaltern in India, and the young officer no longer, + as heretofore, has a "centre piece" of brandy on his table night and day. + The pony and polo stick have drawn him from his bungalow and mess-room, to + play a game which must improve his nerve, his judgment and his temper. The + author of the Indian Polity asserts that the day will come when British + and native officers will serve together in ordinary seniority, and on the + same footing. From what I know of the British officer, I do not myself + believe that this is possible; but if it should ever came to pass, the way + will have been prepared on the polo ground. + </p> + <p> + The camp of the 3rd Brigade was not attacked again. The tribesmen had + learnt a bitter lesson from their experiences of the night before. The + trenches were, however, lined at dark, and as small parties of the enemy + were said to be moving about across the front, occupied by the Queen's, + there was some very excellent volley firing at intervals throughout the + night. A few dropping shots came back out of the darkness, but no one was + the worse, and the majority of the force made up for the sleep they had + lost the night before. + </p> + <p> + The next morning Sir Bindon Blood, his staff and three squadrons of the + 11th Bengal Lancers, rode back through the pass of Nawagai, and joined + General Jeffreys at Inayat Kila. The 3rd Brigade now left the Malakand + Field Force, and passed under the command of General Elles and beyond the + proper limits of this chronicle; but for the sake of completeness, and as + the reader may be anxious to hear more of the fine regiment, whose + astonishing fire relieved the strategic situation at Nawagai, and + inflicted such terrible losses on the Hadda Mullah's adherents, I shall + briefly trace their further fortunes. + </p> + <p> + After General Wodehouse was wounded the command of the 3rd Brigade + devolved upon Colonel Graves. They were present at the forcing of the + Bedmanai Pass on the 29th of September, and on the two following days they + were employed in destroying the fortified villages in the Mitai and Suran + valleys; but as these operations were unattended by much loss of life, the + whole brigade reached Shabkadr with only three casualties. Thence the + Queen's were despatched to Peshawar to take part in the Tirah expedition, + in which they have added to the high reputation they had acquired in the + Malakand and Mohmand Field Forces. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV: BACK TO THE MAMUND VALLEY + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Again I revisit the hills where we sported, + The streams where we swam, and the fields where we fought." + + "On a Distant View of Harrow," BYRON. +</pre> + <p> + It is with a vague and undefined feeling of satisfaction that I conduct + the reader back to the entrenched camp of Inayat Kila at the entrance of + the Mamund Valley, where so much happened, and with which so many memories + and experiences are associated. Now that the troops are gone, the scene of + life and activity has become solitary and silent. The graves of the + officers and men who fell there are lost in the level of the plain. Yet + the name is still remembered in not a few English homes, nor will the + tribesmen, looking at the deserted entrenchment, easily forget the visit + of the 2nd Brigade. + </p> + <p> + When, on the afternoon of the 15th, the camp had first been pitched, only + a small and hasty shelter-trench surrounded it. But as the weeks passed, + the parapets grew higher, the ditches deeper, and the pits more numerous, + until the whole place became a redoubt. Traverses were built along the + perimeter to protect the defenders from flanking fire. Great walls of + earth and stone sheltered the horses and mules. Fifty yards out, round the + whole camp, a wire trip was carefully laid, to break a rush, and the paths + and tracks leading to the entrances had become beaten, level roads. The + aspect of permanency was comforting. + </p> + <p> + Since the action of the 16th September, the 2nd Brigade had been unable to + move. Transport—the life and soul of an army—is an even more + vital factor here than in less undeveloped countries. The mobility of a + brigade depends entirely on its pack animals. On the 14th many mules were + killed. On the 16th the field hospitals were filled with wounded. It now + became impossible for the camp to move, because the wounded could not be + carried. It was impossible to leave them behind, because, deducting an + adequate guard, the rest of the brigade would have been too few for + fighting. The 2nd Brigade was therefore a fixture. Its striking power was + limited to out and home marches. The first step taken by Sir Bindon Blood + was to restore its mobility by getting the wounded sent down to the base. + Some changes in the constitution of the force were also made. The 11th + Bengal Lancers, who now joined the Mohmand Field Force, were succeeded by + the Guides Cavalry. The 35th Sikhs, who had suffered such severe losses, + were replaced by the 31st Punjaub Infantry from Panjkora. The Buffs, who + were full of fever, were exchanged for the Royal West Kent from the + Malakand. No.7 British Mountain Battery took the place of No.8, which was + now reduced to four guns, having lost in the week's fighting half its + officers, a third of its mules, and a quarter of its men. + </p> + <p> + Camels to carry the wounded were sent up from Panjkora. The Buffs escorted + the long convoy down the line of communications. Every one in camp was + sorry to see the last of them. In the fighting of the week they had made + it clear that the British Infantry battalion is the backbone of every + mixed brigade, and they shared with the Guides Infantry one of those + enviable reputations for steadiness which are so hard to gain and so easy + to lose on active service. + </p> + <p> + On the 24th of September Sir Bindon Blood received despatches appointing + him to the command of the First Division of the Tirah Expeditionary Force, + and as the negotiations with the Mamund Jirgahs were then in progress, and + it seemed that a settlement might be reached, he proceeded with his staff + to Panjkora. Here he was on the telegraph wire, and could communicate + easily and quickly with India, and at the same time watch the progress of + events at Inayat Kila. Mr. Davis conducted the diplomatic relations with + the Mamunds. On the 26th a Jirgah from the tribe came into camp. They + deposited 4000 rupees as a token of submission, and brought in fifty + firearms. These, however, were of the oldest and most antiquated types, + and were obviously not the weapons with which so many soldiers had been + killed and wounded. This was pointed out to the tribal representatives. + They protested that they had no others. They were poor men, they said, and + their property was at the mercy of the Government. But they had no other + arms. + </p> + <p> + The political officer was firm, and his terms were explicit. Either they + must give up the twenty-two rifles captured from the 35th Sikhs, on the + 16th, or their villages would be destroyed. No other terms would he + accept. To this they replied, that they had not got the rifles. They had + all been taken, they said, and I think with truth, by the Afghan tribesmen + from the Kunar Valley. These would not give them up. Besides—this + also with truth—they had been taken in "fair war." + </p> + <p> + One man, who had lived some years in Calcutta, was especially eloquent on + the subject, and argued the case with much skill. He was however, crushed + by Mr. Davies asking whether there were "no greybeards in the tribe," and + why they were "led by a babu" [a native clerk—the Oriental + embodiment of Red Tape]. The discussion was extended to the whole question + of their quarrel with the British power. They admitted having sent their + young men to attack the Malakand and Chakdara. "All the world was going + ghaza," they said. They could not stay behind. They also owned to having + gone five miles from their valley to attack the camp at Markhanai. Why had + the Sirkar burnt their village? they asked. They had only tried to get + even—for the sake of their honour. All this showed a most + unsatisfactory spirit from the Government point of view, and it was + evident that the brigade could not leave the valley until the tribesmen + adopted a more submissive attitude. The matter reverted to the crucial + point. Would they give up their rifles or not? To this they replied + evasively, that they would consult their fellow-tribesmen and return an + answer on the next day. This practically amounted to a refusal, and as no + reply was received on the 27th, the negotiations ceased. + </p> + <p> + In consequence of this and of the threatening attitude of the tribesmen + throughout Dir and Bajaur, Sir Bindon Blood telegraphed to the Government + of India and recommended the retention of a large force in these + territories. By so doing he virtually resigned the command which awaited + him in the Tirah expedition. This disinterested decision caused the + liveliest satisfaction throughout the force. The Government accepted the + advice of their general. The Tirah force was reconstituted, and + Major-General W.P. Symons received the command of its first division. A + force of eleven battalions, seven squadrons and three batteries was placed + at Sir Bindon Blood's disposal, and he was directed to deal with the local + situation as he should see fit. He immediately ordered General Jeffreys to + resume the punitive operations against the Mamunds. + </p> + <p> + In pursuance of these orders, the 2nd Brigade, on the 29th, destroyed all + the villages in the centre of the valley, some twelve or fourteen in + number, and blew up with dynamite upwards of thirty towers and forts. The + whole valley was filled with the smoke, which curled upwards in dense and + numerous columns, and hung like a cloud over the scene of destruction. The + continued explosions of the demolitions resembled a bombardment. The + tribesmen, unable to contend with the troops in the open, remained + sullenly on the hillsides, and contented themselves with firing from long + range at the cavalry patrols. + </p> + <p> + I feel that this is a fitting moment to discuss the questions which + village-burning raises. I have described with independent impartiality the + progress of the quarrel between the British and the tribesmen. In a + similar spirit I approach the examination of the methods of offence + employed. Many misconceptions, some of which are caused by an + extraordinary ignorance, exist on this subject in England. One member of + the House of Commons asked the Secretary of State whether, in the + punishment of villages, care was taken that only the houses of the guilty + parties should be destroyed. He was gravely told that great care was + taken. The spectacle of troops, who have perhaps carried a village with + the bayonet and are holding it against a vigorous counter-attack, when + every moment means loss of life and increase of danger, going round and + carefully discriminating which houses are occupied by "guilty parties," + and which by unoffending people, is sufficiently ridiculous. Another + member asked, "Whether the villages were destroyed or only the + fortifications." "Only the fortifications," replied the minister + guilelessly. What is the actual fact? All along the Afghan border every + man's house is his castle. The villages are the fortifications, the + fortifications are the villages. Every house is loopholed, and whether it + has a tower or not depends only on its owner's wealth. A third legislator, + in the columns of his amusing weekly journal, discussed the question at + some length, and commented on the barbarity of such tactics. They were not + only barbarous, he affirmed, but senseless. Where did the inhabitants of + the villages go? To the enemy of course! This reveals, perhaps, the most + remarkable misconception of the actual facts. The writer seemed to imagine + that the tribesmen consisted of a regular army, who fought, and a + peaceful, law-abiding population, who remained at their business, and + perhaps protested against the excessive military expenditure from time to + time. Whereas in reality, throughout these regions, every inhabitant is a + soldier from the first day he is old enough to hurl a stone, till the last + day he has strength to pull a trigger, after which he is probably murdered + as an encumbrance to the community. + </p> + <p> + Equipped with these corrected facts, I invite the reader to examine the + question of the legitimacy of village-burning for himself. A camp of a + British brigade, moving at the order of the Indian Government and under + the acquiescence of the people of the United Kingdom, is attacked at + night. Several valuable and expensive officers, soldiers and transport + animals are killed and wounded. The assailants retire to the hills. + Thither it is impossible to follow them. They cannot be caught. They + cannot be punished. Only one remedy remains—their property must be + destroyed. [It may be of interest, to consider for a moment the contrast + between the effects of village-burning on the Indian Frontier and in Cuba. + In Cuba a small section of the population are in revolt; the remainder are + sympathisers. To screw these lukewarm partisans up to the fighting-point, + the insurgents destroy their villages and burn the sugar-came. This, by + placing the alternative of "fight or starve" before the inhabitants, has + the effect of driving them to take up arms against the Spaniards, whom + they all hate, and join the rebels in the field. Thus in Cuba it is the + endeavour of the Government to protect property, and of the rebels to + destroy it. It was with the aim of keeping the wavering population loyal, + that General Weyler collected them all into the towns, with such painful + results. His policy was cruel but sound, and, had it been accompanied by + vigorous military operations, might have been successful.] Their villages + are made hostages for their good behavior. They are fully aware of this, + and when they make an attack on a camp or convoy, they do it because they + have considered the cost and think it worth while. Of course, it is cruel + and barbarous, as is everything else in war, but it is only an + unphilosophic mind that will hold it legitimate to take a man's life, and + illegitimate to destroy his property. The burning of mud hovels cannot at + any rate be condemned by nations whose customs of war justify the + bombardment of the dwelling-houses of a city like Paris, to induce the + garrison to surrender by the sufferings of the non-combatants. + </p> + <p> + In official parlance the burning of villages is usually expressed + euphemistically as "So many villages were visited and punished," or, + again, "The fortifications were demolished." I do not believe in all this + circumlocution. The lack of confidence in the good sense of the British + democracy, which the Indian Government displays, is one of its least + admirable characteristics. Exeter Hall is not all England; and the people + of our islands only require to have the matter put fairly before them to + arrive at sound, practical conclusions. If this were not so, we should not + occupy our present position in the world. + </p> + <p> + To return to the Mamund Valley. The difference between villages in the + plains and those in the hills was forcibly demonstrated. On the 29th over + a dozen villages in the plains were destroyed without the loss of a single + life. On the 30th the tale ran somewhat differently. The village of Agrah + adjoins the village of Zagai, the capture of which has already been + recorded. It stood in a broad re-entrant of the mountains, and amid ground + so tangled and broken, that to move over it is difficult, and to describe + it impossible. On the steep face of the mountain great rocks, sometimes + thirty feet high, lay tossed about: interspersed with these were huts or + narrow terraces, covered with crops, and rising one above the other by + great steps of ten or twelve feet each. The attack on such a place was + further complicated by the fact that the same re-entrant contained another + village called Gat, which had to be occupied at the same time. This + compelled the brigade to attack on a broader front than their numbers + allowed. It was evident, as the Guides Cavalry approached the hills, that + resistance was contemplated. Several red standards were visible to the + naked eye, and the field-glasses disclosed numerous figures lining the + ridges and spurs. The squadrons, advancing as far as the scrub would allow + them, soon drew the fire of isolated skirmishers. Several troops + dismounted, and returned the salute with their carbines, and at 8.45 a + dropping fire began. The brigade now came into action in the following + formation. The cavalry, on the extreme left, covered the head of a + considerable valley, from which the flank was threatened; the Guides + Infantry and the Royal West Kent Regiment prolonged the line to the centre + of the attack; the 31st Punjaub Infantry moved against the spurs to the + right of the village, and the 38th Dogras were in reserve. The action was + begun by the Guides Infantry storming the ridges to the left of the + enemy's position. These were strongly held and fortified by sungars, + behind which the defenders were sheltered. The Guides advanced at a brisk + pace, and without much firing, across the open ground to the foot of the + hills. The tribesmen, shooting from excellent cover, maintained a hot + fire. The bullets kicked up the dust in all directions, or whistled + viciously through the air; but the distance was short, and it was soon + apparent that the enemy did not mean to abide the assault. When the troops + got within 100 yards and fixed bayonets, a dozen determined men were still + firing from the sungars. The Afridi and Pathan companies of the Guides, + uttering shrill cries of exultation, culminating in an extraordinary yell, + dashed forward, climbed the hill as only hillmen can climb, and cleared + the crest. On the side of the next hill the figures of the retreating + tribesmen were visible, and many were shot down before they could find + shelter. + </p> + <p> + It was a strange thing, to watch these conspicuous forms toiling up the + hillside, dodging this way and that way, as the bullets cut into the earth + around them; but with the experience of the previous ten minutes fresh in + the memory, pity was not one of the emotions it aroused. A good many fell, + subsiding peacefully, and lying quite still. Their fall was greeted by + strange little yells of pleasure from the native soldiers. These Afridi + and Pathan companies of the Guides Infantry suggest nothing so much as a + well-trained pack of hounds. Their cries, their movements, and their + natures are similar. + </p> + <p> + The West Kents had now come into line on the Guides' right, and while the + latter held the long ridge they had taken, the British regiment moved upon + the village. Here the resistance became very severe. The tangled and + broken ground, rising in terraces, sometimes ten feet high, and covered + with high crops, led to fighting at close quarters with loss on both + sides. Loud and continuous grew the musketry fire. The 31st Punjaub + Infantry, who had ascended the spur on the right, soon joined hands with + the West Kents, and both regiments became hotly engaged. Meantime the + Mountain Battery, which had come into action near the centre, began to + throw its shells over the heads of the infantry on to the higher slopes, + from which the enemy were firing. It soon became evident that the troops + were too few for the work. On the left the Guides Infantry were unable to + leave the ridge they had captured, lest it should be reoccupied by the + enemy, who were showing in great strength. A gap opened in consequence, + between the Guides and Royal West Kents, and this enabled the tribesmen to + get round the left flank of the British regiment, while the 31st Punjaub + Infantry, on the right, were also turned by the enveloping enemy. It is to + these circumstances that most of the losses were due. + </p> + <p> + The British regiment forced its way through the village, and encountered + the enemy strongly posted in sungars among the rocks above it. Here they + were sharply checked. The leading company had stormed one of these + fortifications, and the enemy at once retired higher up the hill. About + fifteen men were inside the work, and perhaps thirty more just below it. + The whole place was commanded by the higher ground. The enemy's fire was + accurate and intense. + </p> + <p> + Of those inside, four or five were instantly killed or wounded. The sungar + was a regular trap, and the company were ordered to retire. Lieutenant + Browne-Clayton remained till the last, to watch the withdrawal, and in so + doing was shot dead, the bullet severing the blood-vessels near the heart. + The two or three men who remained were handing down his body over the rock + wall, when they were charged by about thirty Ghazis and driven down the + hill. A hundred and fifty yards away, Major Western had three companies of + the West Kents in support. He immediately ordered Captain Styles to retake + the sungar, and recover the body. The company charged. Captain Styles was + the first to reach the stone wall, and with Lieutenant Jackson cleared it + of such of the enemy as remained. Five or six men were wounded in the + charge, and others fell in the sungar. The advanced position of this + company was soon seen to be untenable, and they were ordered to fall back + to the edge of the village, where the whole regiment was hotly engaged. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the 31st Punjaub Infantry, who had advanced under Colonel + O'Bryen on the right, were exposed to a severe fire from a rocky ridge on + their flank. Their attack was directed against a great mass of boulders, + some of them of enormous size, which were tenaciously held by the enemy. + The fighting soon became close. The two advanced companies were engaged at + a distance of under 100 yards. Besides this the cross fire from their + right flank added to their difficulties. In such a position the presence + of Colonel O'Bryen was invaluable. Moving swiftly from point to point, he + directed the fire and animated the spirit of the men, who were devoted to + him. It was not long before the enemy's marksmen began to take aim at this + prominent figure. But for a considerable period, although bullets struck + the ground everywhere around him, he remained unhurt. At last, however, he + was shot through the body, and carried mortally wounded from the action. + </p> + <p> + I pause to consider for a moment the conditions, and circumstances, by + which the pursuit of a military career differs from all others. In + political life, in art, in engineering, the man with talents who behaves + with wisdom may steadily improve his position in the world. If he makes no + mistakes he will probably achieve success. But the soldier is more + dependent upon external influences. The only way he can hope to rise above + the others, is by risking his life in frequent campaigns. All his + fortunes, whatever they may be, all his position and weight in the world, + all his accumulated capital, as it were, must be staked afresh each time + he goes into action. He may have seen twenty engagements, and be covered + with decorations and medals. He may be marked as a rising soldier. And yet + each time he comes under fire his chances of being killed are as great as, + and perhaps greater than, those of the youngest subaltern, whose luck is + fresh. The statesman, who has put his power to the test, and made a great + miscalculation, may yet retrieve his fortunes. But the indiscriminating + bullet settles everything. As the poet somewhat grimly has it:— + </p> + <p> + Stone-dead hath no better. + </p> + <p> + Colonel O'Bryen had been specially selected, while still a young man, for + the command of a battalion. He had made several campaigns. Already he had + passed through the drudgery of the lower ranks of the service, and all the + bigger prizes of the military profession appeared in view: and though the + death in action of a colonel at the head of his regiment is as fine an end + as a soldier can desire, it is mournful to record the abrupt termination + of an honourable career at a point when it might have been of much value + to the State. + </p> + <p> + The pressure now became so strong along the whole line that the brigadier, + fearing that the troops might get seriously involved, ordered the + withdrawal to commence. The village was however burning, and the enemy, + who had also suffered severely from the close fighting, did not follow up + with their usual vigour. The battery advanced to within 600 yards of the + enemy's line, and opened a rapid fire of shrapnel to clear those spurs + that commanded the line of retirement. The shells screamed over the heads + of the West Kent Regiment, who were now clear of the hills and in front of + the guns, and burst in little white puffs of smoke along the crest of the + ridge, tearing up the ground into a thick cloud of dust by the hundreds of + bullets they contained. + </p> + <p> + A continuous stream of doolies and stretchers commenced to flow from the + fighting line. Soon all available conveyances were exhausted, and the + bodies of the wounded had to be carried over the rough ground in the arms + of their comrades—a very painful process, which extorted many a + groan from the suffering men. At length the withdrawal was completed, and + the brigade returned to camp. The presence of the cavalry, who covered the + rear, deterred the enemy from leaving the hills. + </p> + <p> + Riding back, I observed a gruesome sight. At the head of the column of + doolies and stretchers were the bodies of the killed, each tied with cords + upon a mule. Their heads dangled on one side and their legs on the other. + The long black hair of the Sikhs, which streamed down to the ground, and + was draggled with dust and blood, imparted a hideous aspect to these + figures. There was no other way, however, and it was better than leaving + their remains to be insulted and defiled by the savages with whom we were + fighting. At the entrance to the camp a large group of surgeons—their + sleeves rolled up—awaited the wounded. Two operating tables, made of + medical boxes, and covered with water-proof sheets, were also prepared. + There is a side to warfare browner than khaki. + </p> + <p> + The casualties in the attack upon Agrah were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed—Lieut.-Col. J.L. O'Bryen, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " 2nd Lieut. W.C. Brown-Clayton, Royal West Kent. + Wounded severely—Lieutenant H. Isacke, Royal West Kent. + " " " E.B. Peacock, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + Wounded slightly—Major W.G.B. Western, Royal West Kent. + " " Captain R.C. Styles, Royal West Kent. + " " " N.H.S. Lowe, Royal West Kent. + " " 2nd Lieut. F.A. Jackson, Royal West Kent. + + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + Royal West Kent... 3 20 + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed. Wounded. + Guides Cavalry... 0 4 + 31st Punjaub Infantry . 7 15 + 38th Dogras ... 0 4 + Total casualties, 61. +</pre> + <p> + As soon as Sir Bindon Blood, at his camp on the Panjkora, received the + news of the sharp fighting of the 30th, [After the action of the 30th of + September, Lieut.-Colonel McRae, of the 45th Sikhs, was sent up to command + the 31st Punjaub Infantry in the place of Lieut.-Colonel O'Bryen, and I + was myself attached as a temporary measure to fill another of the + vacancies. This is, I believe, the first time a British Cavalry officer + has been attached to a native infantry regiment. After the kindness and + courtesy with which I was treated, I can only hope it will not be the + last.] he decided to proceed himself to Inayat Kila with reinforcements. + He arrived on the 2nd October, bringing No.8 Mountain Battery; a wing of + the 24th Punjaub Infantry; and two troops of the Guides Cavalry; and + having also sent orders for the Highland Light Infantry and four guns of + the 10th Field Battery to follow him at once. He was determined to make a + fresh attack on Agrah, and burn the village of Gat, which had only been + partially destroyed. And this attack was fixed for the 5th. By that date + the big 12-pounder guns of the Field Battery were to have arrived, and the + fire of fourteen pieces would have been concentrated on the enemy's + position. Every one was anxious to carry matters to a conclusion with the + tribesmen at all costs. + </p> + <p> + On the 3rd, the force was ordered to take and burn the village of Badelai, + against which, it may be remembered, the Buffs had advanced on the 16th, + and from which they had been recalled in a hurry to support the 35th + Sikhs. The attack and destruction of the village presented no new + features; the tribesmen offered little resistance, and retired before the + troops. But as soon as the brigade began its homeward march, they appeared + in much larger numbers than had hitherto been seen. As the cavalry could + not work among the nullahs and the broken ground, the enemy advanced + boldly into the plain. In a great crescent, nearly four miles long, they + followed the retiring troops. A brisk skirmish began at about 800 yards. + Both batteries came into action, each firing about 90 shells. The Royal + West Kent Regiment made good shooting with their Lee-Metford rifles. All + the battalions of the brigade were engaged. The enemy, whose strength was + estimated to be over 3000, lost heavily, and drew off at 2.30, when the + force returned to camp. Sir Bindon Blood and his staff watched the + operations and reconnoitered the valley. The casualties were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Royal West Kent—dangerously wounded, 1. + Guides Cavalry—wounded, 2. + 31st Punjaub Infantry—killed, 1; wounded, 5. + Guides Infantry—wounded, 3. + 38th Dogras—killed, 1; wounded, 3. + Total casualties, 16. +</pre> + <p> + The next day the Highland Light Infantry and the field guns arrived. The + former marched in over 700 strong, and made a fine appearance. They were + nearly equal in numbers to any two battalions in the brigade. Sickness and + war soon reduce the fighting strength. The guns had accomplished a great + feat in getting over the difficult and roadless country. They had had to + make their own track, and in many places the guns had been drawn by hand. + The 10th Field Battery had thus gone sixty miles further into the hill + country than any other wheeled traffic. They had quite a reception when + they arrived. The whole camp turned out to look with satisfaction on the + long polished tubes, which could throw twelve pounds a thousand yards + further than the mountain guns could throw seven. They were, however, not + destined to display their power. The Mamunds had again sued for peace. + They were weary of the struggle. Their valley was desolate. The season of + sowing the autumn crops approached. The arrival of reinforcements + convinced them that the Government were determined to get their terms. + Major Deane came up himself to conduct the negotiations. Meanwhile all + important operations were suspended, though the foraging and "sniping" + continued as usual. + </p> + <p> + The force was now large enough for two brigades to be formed, and on the + arrival of Brigadier-General Meiklejohn it was reconstituted as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1st Brigade. + Commanding—Brigadier-General Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G. + Highland Light Infantry. + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 4 Cos. 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 10th Field Battery. + No.7 British Mountain Battery. + + 2nd Brigade. + Commanding—Brigadier-General Jeffries, C.B. + The Royal West Kent. + 38th Dogras. + Guides Infantry. + No.8 Mountain Battery. + The Guides Cavalry. +</pre> + <p> + The camp was greatly extended and covered a large area of ground. In the + evenings, the main street presented an animated appearance. Before the sun + went down, the officers of the different regiments, distinguished by their + brightly-coloured field caps, would assemble to listen to the pipes of the + Scottish Infantry, or stroll up and down discussing the events of the day + and speculating on the chances of the morrow. As the clear atmosphere of + the valley became darkened by the shadows of the night, and the colours of + the hills faded into an uniform black, the groups would gather round the + various mess tents, and with vermuth, cigarettes and conversation pass + away the pleasant half-hour before dinner and "sniping" began. + </p> + <p> + I would that it were in my power to convey to the reader, who has not had + the fortune to live with troops on service, some just appreciation of the + compensations of war. The healthy, open-air life, the vivid incidents, the + excitement, not only of realisation, but of anticipation, the generous and + cheery friendships, the chances of distinction which are open to all, + invest life with keener interests and rarer pleasures. The uncertainty and + importance of the present, reduce the past and future to comparative + insignificance, and clear the mind of minor worries. And when all is over, + memories remain, which few men do not hold precious. As to the hardships, + these though severe may be endured. Ascetics and recluses have in their + endeavours to look beyond the grave suffered worse things. Nor will the + soldier in the pursuit of fame and the enjoyment of the pleasures of war, + be exposed to greater discomforts than Diogenes in his tub, or the + Trappists in their monastery. Besides all this, his chances of learning + about the next world are infinitely greater. And yet, when all has been + said, we are confronted with a mournful but stubborn fact. In this + contrary life, so prosaic is the mind of man, so material his soul, so + poor his spirit, that there is no one who has been six months on active + duty who is not delighted to get safe home again, to the comfortable + monotonies of peace. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV: THE WORK OF THE CAVALRY + </h2> + <p> + The negotiations of the Mamunds had this time opened under more propitious + circumstances. The tribesmen were convinced by the arrival of the large + reinforcements that the Government were in earnest. The return of "the big + general," as they called Sir Bindon Blood, to distinguish him from the + brigadiers, impressed them with the fact that the operations would be at + once renewed, if they continued recalcitrant. They had still a few + villages unburned, and these they were anxious to save. Besides, they + disliked the look of the long topes, or field guns, of whose powers they + were uncertain. They therefore displayed a much more humble spirit. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, every one in the force had realised that there were + "more kicks than ha'pence" to be got out of the Mamund Valley. All the + villages in the plain had been destroyed. Only a few of those in the + hollows of the hills remained. To these the enemy had retired. In Arrian's + History of Alexander's Conquests we read the following passage: "The men + in Bazira [Bazira is the same as Bajaur], despairing of their own affairs, + abandoned the city... and fled to the rock, as the other barbarians were + doing. For all the inhabitants deserted the cities, and began to fly to + the rock which is in their land." Then it was that Alexander's + difficulties began. Nor need we wonder, when the historian gravely asserts + that "so stupendous is the rock in this land... that it was found + impregnable even by Heracles, the son of Zeus." Thus history repeats + itself, and the people of Bajaur their tactics. There was, however, no + doubt as to the ability of the brigades to take and burn any village they + might select. At the same time it was certain that they would encounter + relays of Afghan tribesmen, and regular soldiers from the Amir's army, and + that they would lose officers and men in the operation. The matter had to + be carried to a conclusion at whatever cost, but the sooner the end was + reached, the better. + </p> + <p> + But in spite of the auguries of peace, the foraging parties were usually + fired upon, and this furnished several opportunities for the display of + the value of the cavalry. I shall avail myself of the occasion to review + the performances of the mounted arm during the operations. As soon as the + brigades entered Bajaur, the 11th Bengal Lancers were employed more and + more in that legitimate duty of cavalry—reconnaissance. Major + Beatson made daily expeditions towards the various valleys and passes + about which information was needed. This use of cavalry is an entirely new + one on the frontier—it having been thought that it was dangerous to + employ them in this way. Though horsemen need good ground to fight on to + advantage, they can easily move over any country, however broken, and + where they are boldly used, can collect as much information as is + necessary. + </p> + <p> + Reconnaissance is by no means the only opportunity for cavalry employment + on the frontier. They are as formidable in offensive tactics as they are + useful in collecting intelligence. + </p> + <p> + The task which is usually confided to them in these mountain actions is to + protect one of the flanks. The ground hardly ever admits of charging in + any formation, and it is necessary for the men to use their carbines. On + 30th September the cavalry were so employed. On the left of the hostile + position was a wide valley full of scrubby trees, and stone walls, and + occupied by large numbers of the enemy. Had these tribesmen been able to + debouch from this valley, they would have fallen on the flank of the + brigade, and the situation would have become one of danger. For five hours + two weak squadrons of the Guides Cavalry were sufficient to hold them in + check. + </p> + <p> + The methods they employed are worth noticing. Little groups of six or + seven men were dismounted, and these with their carbines replied to the + enemy's fire. Other little groups of mounted men remained concealed in + nullahs or hollows, or behind obstacles. Whenever the enemy tried to rush + one of the dismounted parties, and to do so advanced from the bad ground, + the mounted patrols galloped forward and chased them back to cover. The + terror that these tribesmen have of cavalry contrasts with their general + character. It was a beautiful display of cavalry tactics in this kind of + warfare, and, considering the enormous numbers of the enemy, who were thus + kept from participating in the main action, it demonstrated the power and + value of the mounted arm with convincing force. + </p> + <p> + On the 6th of October, I witnessed some very similar work, though on a + smaller scale. A squadron was engaged in covering the operations of a + foraging party. A line of patrols, moving rapidly about, presented + difficult targets to the enemy's sharpshooters. I found the remainder of + the squadron dismounted in rear of a large bank of stones. Twenty sowars + with their carbines were engaged in firing at the enemy, who had occupied + a morcha—a small stone fort—some 300 yards away. Desultory + skirmishing continued for some time, shots being fired from the hills, + half a mile away, as well as from the morcha. Bullets kept falling near + the bank, but the cover it afforded was good and no one was hurt. At + length word was brought that the foraging was finished and that the + squadron was to retire under cover of the infantry. Now came a moment of + some excitement. The officer in command knew well that the instant his men + were mounted they would be fired at from every point which the enemy held. + He ordered the first troop to mount, and the second to cover the + retirement. The men scrambled into their saddles, and spreading out into + an extended line cantered away towards a hollow about 300 yards distant. + Immediately there was an outburst of firing. The dust rose in spurts near + the horsemen, and the bullets whistled about their ears. No one was + however hit. Meanwhile, the remaining troop had been keeping up a rapid + fire on the enemy to cover their retirement. It now became their turn to + go. Firing a parting volley the men ran to their horses, mounted, and + followed the first troop at a hand-gallop, extending into a long line as + they did so. Again the enemy opened fire, and again the dusty ground + showed that the bullets were well directed. Again, however, nobody was + hurt, and the sowars reached the hollow, laughing and talking in high + glee. The morning's skirmish had, nevertheless, cost the squadron a man + and a horse, both severely wounded. + </p> + <p> + Such affairs as these were of almost daily occurrence during the time that + the 2nd Brigade occupied the camp at Inayat Kila. They were of the + greatest value in training the soldiers. The Guides Cavalry know all there + is to know of frontier war, but there are many other regiments who would + be made infinitely more powerful fighting organisations if they were + afforded the opportunity for such experience. + </p> + <p> + The great feature which the war of 1897 on the Indian Frontier has + displayed is the extraordinary value of cavalry. At Shabkadr a charge of + the 13th Bengal Lancers was more than successful. In the Swat Valley, + during the relief of Chakdara, the Guides Cavalry and 11th Bengal Lancers + inflicted the most terrible loss on the enemy. To quote the words of Sir + Bindon Blood's official report to the Adjutant-General, these regiments, + "eager for vengeance, pursued, cut up and speared them in every direction, + leaving their bodies thickly strewn over the fields." Again, after the + action of Landakai, the cavalry made a most vigorous pursuit and killed + large numbers of the enemy. While I was with the Malakand Field Force, I + was a witness of the constant employment of the cavalry, and was several + times informed by general officers that they would gladly have a larger + number at their disposal. The reader may recall some of the numerous + instances which these pages have recorded of cavalry work. On the morning + of the 15th September, it was the cavalry who were able to catch up the + enemy before they could reach the hills, and take some revenge for the + losses of the night. In the action of the 16th, the charge of Captain + Cole's squadron brought the whole attack of the enemy to a standstill, and + enabled the infantry by their fire to convert the hesitation of the + tribesmen into a retreat. Indeed, in every fight in the Mamund Valley, the + cavalry were the first in, and the last out. In the official despatches + Sir Bindon Blood thus alludes to the work of the cavalry:—"I would + now wish to invite attention to the invaluable nature of the services + rendered by the cavalry. At Nawagai, three squadrons of the 11th Bengal + Lancers swept the country everywhere that cavalry could go, carrying out + reconnaissances, protecting signalling parties and watching every movement + of the enemy. In the Mamund Valley a squadron of the same regiment, under + Captain E.H. Cole, took part in every engagement that occurred while they + were there, establishing such a reputation that the enemy, even when in + greatly superior numbers, never dared to face them in the open. + Afterwards, when Captain Cole and his men left the Mamund Valley, the + Guides Cavalry, under Lieut.-Col. Adams, being in greater strength, acted + still more effectually in the same manner, showing tactical skill of a + high order, combined with conspicuous gallantry."—Official + Despatches. From Gazette of India, 3rd December, 1897. + </p> + <p> + There has been a boom in cavalry. But one section, and that the most + important, has been deprived of its share in the good fortune. The + authorities have steadily refused to allow any British cavalry to cross + the frontier. Of course this is defended on the ground of expense. + "British cavalry costs so much," it is said, "and natives do the work just + as well." "Better," say some. But it is a poor kind of economy thus to + discourage a most expensive and important branch of the service. The + ambition that a young officer entering the army ought to set before him, + is to lead his own men in action. This ought to inspire his life, and + animate his effort. "Stables" will no longer be dull, when he realises + that on the fitness of his horses, his life and honour may one day depend. + If he thinks that his men may soon be asked to stand beside him at a + pinch, he will no longer be bored by their interests and affairs. But when + he realises that all is empty display, and that his regiment is a sword + too costly to be drawn, he naturally loses keenness and betakes himself to + polo as a consolation. It is a good one. + </p> + <p> + It was my fortune to meet many young men in frontier regiments, both + cavalry and infantry, who had already served in three, and even four, + campaigns. Daring, intelligent and capable, they are proofs of the value + of their training, and are fit to lead their men under any conditions, and + in any country. Subalterns in British cavalry regiments do occasionally + manage to see a little active service as transport officers, signalling + officers, war correspondents, or on the staff; but to lead in the field + the men they have trained in peace, is a possibility which is never worth + contemplating. To the young man who wants to enjoy himself, to spend a few + years agreeably in a military companionship, to have an occupation—the + British cavalry will be suited. But to the youth who means to make himself + a professional soldier, an expert in war, a specialist in practical + tactics, who desires a hard life of adventure and a true comradeship in + arms, I would recommend the choice of some regiment on the frontier, like + those fine ones I have seen, the Guides and the 11th Bengal Lancers. + </p> + <p> + I am aware that those who criticise an existing state of things ought to + be prepared with some constructive legislation which would remedy the + evils they denounce. Though it is unlikely that the Government of India + will take my advice, either wholly or in good part, I hereby exhort them + to quit the folly of a "penny wise" policy, and to adhere consistently to + the principles of employing British and native troops in India in a + regular proportion. That is to say, that when two native cavalry regiments + have been sent on service across the frontier, the third cavalry regiment + so sent shall be British. + </p> + <p> + Besides this, in order to give cavalry officers as many opportunities of + seeing active service as possible, subalterns should be allowed to + volunteer for emergency employment with native cavalry. I have talked to + several officers who command native cavalry regiments, and they tell me + that such an arrangement would work excellently, and that, as they are + always short of officers, it would supply a want. I would suggest that + subalterns should, with the approval of their colonels, be attached to the + native regiment, and after passing in Hindustani and being reported as + qualified to serve with the native troops, be considered available for + employment as described. I shall be told there are financial difficulties. + I do not believe this. There are plenty of cavalry subalterns whose + eagerness to see service is so strong, that they would submit to any + arrangement that the rapacity of Government might impose. Indeed there is + no reason that an actual economy should not be effected. The sums of money + that the Indian Government offer, as rewards for officers who can speak + Hindustani, have not hitherto tempted many cavalry officers to make a + study of the language. Here is an incentive, more powerful and costing + nothing. + </p> + <p> + To be technical is, I am aware, a serious offence, and I realise that if + this book ever obtained so evil a reputation it would be shunned, as the + House of Commons is shunned on a Service night. I have strayed far away + from the Malakand Field Force into the tangled paths of military + controversy, and I must beg the reader to forgive, as he will surely + forget, what has been written. + </p> + <p> + The fighting described in the last chapter, and the continual drain of + disease, had again filled the field hospitals, and in order to preserve + the mobility of the force, it was decided to send all sick and wounded + down to the base at once. The journey—over 100 miles by road—would + take nearly a fortnight, and the jolting and heat made such an experience + a painful and weary one to injured men. But the stern necessities of war + render these things inevitable, and the desire of the men to get nearer + home soothes much of their suffering. The convoy of sick and wounded was + to be escorted as far as the Panjkora River by the Royal West Kent, who + were themselves in need of some recuperation. To campaign in India without + tents is always a trial to a British regiment; and when it is moved to the + front from some unhealthy station like Peshawar, Delhi, or Mian Mir, and + the men are saturated with fever and weakened by the summer heats, the + sick list becomes long and serious. Typhoid from drinking surface water, + and the other various kinds of fever which follow exposure to the heats of + the day or the chills of the night, soon take a hundred men from the + fighting strength, and the general of an Indian frontier force has to + watch with equal care the movements of the enemy and the fluctuations of + the hospital returns. As soon, therefore, as Sir Bindon Blood saw that the + Mamunds were desirous of peace, and that no further operations against + them were probable, he sent one of his British regiments to their tents + near the Panjkora. + </p> + <p> + About sixty wounded men from the actions of 30th September and 3rd + October, and the same number of sick, formed the bulk of the convoy. The + slight cases are carried on camels, in cradles made by cutting a native + bedstead in two, and called "Kajawas." The more serious cases are carried + in doolies or litters, protected from the sun by white curtains, and borne + by four natives. Those who are well enough ride on mules. The infantry + escort is disposed along the line with every precaution that can be + suggested, but the danger of an attack upon the long straggling string of + doolies and animals in difficult and broken ground is a very real and + terrible one. + </p> + <p> + The cheeriness and patience of the wounded men exceeds belief. Perhaps it + is due to a realisation of the proximity in which they have stood to + death; perhaps partly to that feeling of relief with which a man turns for + a spell from war to peace. In any case it is remarkable. A poor fellow—a + private in the Buffs—was hit at Zagai, and had his arm amputated at + the shoulder. I expressed my sympathy, and he replied, philosophically: + "You can't make omelettes without breaking eggs," and after a pause added, + with much satisfaction, "The regiment did well that day." He came of a + fighting stock, but I could not help speculating on the possible future + which awaited him. Discharge from the service as medically unfit, some + miserable pension insufficient to command any pleasures but those of + drink, a loafer's life, and a pauper's grave. Perhaps the regiment—the + officers, that is to say—would succeed in getting him work, and + would from their own resources supplement his pension. But what a wretched + and discreditable system is that, by which the richest nation in the world + neglects the soldiers who have served it well, and which leaves to + newspaper philanthropy, to local institutions, and to private charity, a + burden which ought to be proudly borne by the State. + </p> + <p> + Starting at six, the column reached Jar, a march of eight miles, at about + ten o'clock. Here we were joined by a wing of the 24th Punjaub Infantry, + who were coming up to relieve the Royal West Kents. The camp at Jar has + the disadvantage of being commanded by a hill to the north, and the + Salarzais, another pestilent tribe, whose name alone is an infliction, + delight to show their valour by firing at the troops during the night. Of + course this could be prevented by moving the camp out of range of this + hill. But then, unfortunately, it would be commanded by another hill to + the south, from which the Shamozai section of the Utman Khels—to + whom my former remarks also apply—would be able to amuse themselves. + The inconvenience of the situation had therefore to be faced. + </p> + <p> + We had not been long in camp before the eldest son of the Khan of Jar, who + had been comparatively loyal during the operations, came to inform the + colonel in command that there would be "sniping" that night. Certain evil + men, he said, had declared their intention of destroying the force, but + he, the heir-apparent to the Khanate of Jar, and the ally of the Empress, + would protect us. Four pickets of his own regular army should watch the + camp, that our slumbers might not be disturbed, and when challenged by the + sentries, they would reply, "chokidar" (watchman). This all seemed very + satisfactory, but we entrenched ourselves as usual, not, as we explained, + because we doubted our protector's powers or inclinations, buy merely as a + matter of form. + </p> + <p> + At midnight precisely, the camp was awakened by a dozen shots in rapid + succession. The khan's pickets could be heard expostulating with the + enemy, who replied by jeers and bitter remarks. + </p> + <p> + The firing continued for an hour, when the "snipers," having satisfied + their honour, relieved their feelings and expended their cartridges, went + away rejoicing. The troops throughout remained silent, and vouchsafed no + reply. + </p> + <p> + It may seem difficult to believe that fifty bullets could fall in a camp, + only 100 yards square—crowded with animals and men—without any + other result than to hit a single mule in the tail. Such was, however, the + fact. This shows of what value, a little active service is to the soldier. + The first time he is under fire, he imagines himself to be in great + danger. He thinks that every bullet is going to hit him, and that every + shot is aimed at him. Assuredly he will be killed in a moment. If he goes + through this ordeal once or twice, he begins to get some idea of the odds + in his favour. He has heard lots of bullets and they have not hurt him. He + will get home safely to his tea this evening, just as he did the last + time. He becomes a very much more effective fighting machine. + </p> + <p> + From a military point of view, the perpetual frontier wars in one corner + or other of the Empire are of the greatest value. This fact may one day be + proved, should our soldiers ever be brought into contact with some + peace-trained, conscript army, in anything like equal numbers. + </p> + <p> + Though the firing produced very little effect on the troops—most of + whom had been through the experience several times before—it was a + severe trial to the wounded, whose nerves, shattered by pain and weakness, + were unable to bear the strain. The surgeon in charge—Major Tyrell—told + me that the poor fellows quivered at every shot as if in anticipation of a + blow. A bullet in the leg will made a brave man a coward. A blow on the + head will make a wise man a fool. Indeed I have read that a sufficiency of + absinthe can make a good man a knave. The triumph of mind over matter does + not seem to be quite complete as yet. + </p> + <p> + I saw a strange thing happen, while the firing was going on, which may + amuse those who take an interest in the habits and development of animals. + Just in front of my tent, which was open, was a clear space, occupied by a + flock of goats and sheep. The brilliant moonlight made everything plainly + visible. Every time a bullet whistled over them or struck the ground near, + they ducked and bobbed in evident terror. An officer, who also noticed + this, told me it was the first time they had been under fire; and I have + been wondering ever since, whether this explains their fear, or makes it + more inexplicable. + </p> + <p> + I have devoted a good deal in this chapter to the account of the "sniping" + at Jar on the night of the 9th of October, and, perhaps, a critic may + inquire, why so much should be written about so common an incident. It is, + however, because this night firing is so common a feature, that I feel no + picture of the war on the Indian frontier would be complete without some + account of it. + </p> + <p> + The next day we crossed the Panjkora River, and I started to ride down the + line of communications to the base at Nowshera. At each stage some of the + comforts of civilisation and peace reappeared. At Panjkora we touched the + telegraph wire; at Sarai were fresh potatoes; ice was to be had at + Chakdara; a comfortable bed at the Malakand; and at length, at Nowshera, + the railway. But how little these things matter after all. When they are + at hand, they seem indispensable, but when they cannot be obtained, they + are hardly missed. A little plain food, and a philosophic temperament, are + the only necessities of life. + </p> + <p> + I shall not take the reader farther from the scene of action. He is free + and his imagination may lead him back to the highland valleys, where he + may continue for a space among camps and men, and observe the conclusion + of the drama. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI: SUBMISSION + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Their eyes were sunken and weary + With a sort of listless woe, + And they looked from their desolate eyrie + Over the plains below. + + "Two had wounds from a sabre, + And one from an Enfield Ball." + + "Rajpoot Rebels," LYALL. +</pre> + <p> + At last the negotiations with the Mamunds began to reach a conclusion. The + tribe were really desirous of peace, and prepared to make any sacrifices + to induce the brigades to leave the valley. The Khan of Khar now proved of + valuable assistance. He consistently urged them to make peace with the + Sirkar, and assured them that the troops would not go away until they had + their rifles back. Finally the Mamunds said they would get the rifles. But + the path of repentance was a stony one. On the very night that the + tribesmen decided for peace at any price, a thousand warlike Afghans, + spoiling for a fight, arrived from the Kunar Valley, on the other side of + the mountains, and announced their intention of attacking the camp at + once. The Mamunds expostulated with them. The retainers of the Khan of + Khar implored them not to be so rash. In the end these unwelcome allies + were persuaded to depart. But that night the camp was warned that an + attack was probable. The inlying pickets were accordingly doubled, and + every man slept in his clothes, so as to be ready. The pathos of the + situation was provided by the fact, that the Mamunds were guarding us from + our enemies. The wretched tribe, rather than face a renewal of + hostilities, had posted pickets all round the camp to drive away "snipers" + and other assailants. Their sincerity was beyond suspicion. + </p> + <p> + The next day the first instalment of rifles was surrendered. Fifteen + Martini-Henrys taken on the 16th from the 35th Sikhs were brought into + camp, by the Khan of Khar's men, and deposited in front of the general's + tent. Nearly all were hacked and marked by sword cuts, showing that their + owners, the Sikhs, had perished fighting to the last. Perhaps, these + firearms had cost more in blood and treasure than any others ever made. + The remainder of the twenty-one were promised later, and have since all + been surrendered. But the rifles as they lay on the ground were a bitter + comment on the economic aspect of the "Forward Policy." These tribes have + nothing to surrender but their arms. To extort these few, had taken a + month, had cost many lives, and thousands of pounds. It had been as bad a + bargain as was ever made. People talk glibly of "the total disarmament of + the frontier tribes" as being the obvious policy. No doubt such a result + would be most desirable. But to obtain it would be as painful and as + tedious an undertaking, as to extract the stings of a swarm of hornets, + with naked fingers. + </p> + <p> + After the surrender of the rifles, the discussion of terms proceeded with + smoothness. Full jirgahs were sent to the camp from the tribe, and + gradually a definite understanding was reached. The tribesmen bewailed the + losses they had sustained. Why, they asked, had the Sirkar visited them so + heavily? Why, replied Major Deane, had they broken the peace and attacked + the camp? The elders of the tribe, following the practice of all + communities, threw the blame on their "young men." These had done the + evil, they declared. All had paid the penalty. At length definite terms + were agreed to, and a full durbar was arranged for the 11th of the month + for their ratification. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly on that date, at about one o'clock in the afternoon, a large + and representative jirgah of Mamunds, accompanied by the Khans of Khar, + Jar and Nawagai, arrived at the village of Nawa Kila, about half a mile + from the camp. At three o'clock Sir Bindon Blood, with Major Deane, Chief + Political Officer; Mr. Davis, Assistant Political Officer; most of the + Headquarters staff, and a few other officers, started, escorted by a troop + of the Guides Cavalry, for the durbar. The general on arrival shook hands + with the friendly khans, much to their satisfaction, and took a seat which + had been provided. The tribesmen formed three sides of a square. The + friendly khans were on the left with their retainers. The Mamund jirgahs + filled two other sides. Sir Bindon Blood, with Major Deane on his left and + his officers around him, occupied the fourth side. + </p> + <p> + Then the Mamunds solemnly tendered their submission. They expressed their + deep regret at their action, and deplored the disasters that had befallen + them. They declared, they had only fought because they feared annexation. + They agreed to expel the followers of Umra Khan from the valley. They gave + security for the rifles that had not yet been surrendered. They were then + informed that as they had suffered severe punishment and had submitted, + the Sirkar would exact no fine or further penalty from them. At this they + showed signs of gratification. The durbar, which had lasted fifteen + minutes, was ended by the whole of the tribesmen swearing with uplifted + hands to adhere to the terms and keep the peace. They were then dismissed. + </p> + <p> + The losses sustained by the Mamunds in the fighting were ascertained to be + 350 killed, besides the wounded, with whom the hill villages were all + crowded, and who probably amounted to 700 or 800. This estimate takes no + account of the casualties among the transfrontier tribesmen, which were + presumably considerable, but regarding which no reliable information could + be obtained. Sir Bindon Blood offered them medical aid for their wounded, + but this they declined. They could not understand the motive, and feared a + stratagem. What the sufferings of these wretched men must have been, + without antiseptics or anaesthetics, is terrible to think of. Perhaps, + however, vigorous constitutions and the keen air of the mountains were + Nature's substitutes. + </p> + <p> + Thus the episode of the Mamund Valley came to an end. On the morning of + the 12th, the troops moved out of the camp at Inayat Kila for the last + time, and the long line of men, guns and transport animals, trailed slowly + away across the plain of Khar. The tribesmen gathered on the hills to + watch the departure of their enemies, but whatever feelings of + satisfaction they may have felt at the spectacle, were dissipated when + they turned their eyes towards their valley. Not a tower, not a fort was + to be seen. The villages were destroyed. The crops had been trampled down. + They had lost heavily in killed and wounded, and the winter was at hand. + No defiant shots pursued the retiring column. The ferocious Mamunds were + weary of war. + </p> + <p> + And as the soldiers marched away, their reflections could not have been + wholly triumphant. For a month they had held Inayat Kila, and during that + month they had been constantly fighting. The Mamunds were crushed. The + Imperial power had been asserted, but the cost was heavy. Thirty-one + officers and 251 men had been killed and wounded out of a fighting force + that had on no occasion exceeded 1200 men. + </p> + <p> + The casualties of General Jeffrey's brigade in the Mamund Valley were as + follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + British Officers.... Killed or died of wounds 7 + " " .... Wounded.... 17 + " Soldiers.... Killed .... 7 + " " .... Wounded.... 41 + Native Officers .... Killed .... 0 + " " .... Wounded.... 7 + " Soldiers .... Killed .... 48 + " " .... Wounded.... 147 + Followers ...... ..... 8 + —— + Total..... 282 + + Horses and mules..... ..... 150 +</pre> + <p> + The main cause of this long list of casualties was, as I have already + written, the proximity of the Afghan border. But it would be unjust and + ungenerous to deny to the people of the Mamund Valley that reputation for + courage, tactical skill and marksmanship, which they have so well + deserved. During an indefinite period they had brawled and fought in the + unpenetrated gloom of barbarism. At length they struck a blow at + civilisation, and civilisation, though compelled to record the odious + vices that the fierce light of scientific war exposed, will yet + ungrudgingly admit that they are a brave and warlike race. Their name will + live in the minds of men for some years, even in this busy century, and + there are families in England who will never forget it. But perhaps the + tribesmen, sitting sullenly on the hillsides and contemplating the ruin of + their habitations, did not realise all this, or if they did, still felt + regret at having tried conclusions with the British Raj. Their fame had + cost them dear. Indeed, as we have been told, "nothing is so expensive as + glory." + </p> + <p> + The troops camped on the night of the 12th at Jar, and on the following + day moved up the Salarzai Valley to Matashah. Here they remained for + nearly a week. This tribe, terrified by the punishment of the Mamunds, + made no regular opposition, though the camp was fired into regularly every + night by a few hot-blooded "snipers." Several horses and mules were hit, + and a sowar in the Guides Cavalry was wounded. The reconnaissances in + force, which were sent out daily to the farther end of the valley, were + not resisted in any way, and the tribal jirgahs used every effort to + collect the rifles which they had been ordered to surrender. By the 19th + all were given up, and on the 20th the troops moved back to Jar. There Sir + Bindon Blood received the submission of the Utman Khels, who brought in + the weapons demanded from them, and paid a fine as an indemnity for + attacking the Malakand and Chakdara. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers, who were still in a fighting mood, watched with impatience + the political negotiations which produced so peaceful a triumph. + </p> + <p> + All Indian military commanders, from Lord Clive and Lord Clive's times + downwards, have inveighed against the practice of attaching civil officers + to field forces. It has been said, frequently with truth, that they hamper + the military operations, and by interfering with the generals, infuse a + spirit of vacillation into the plans. Although the political officers of + the Malakand Field Force were always personally popular with their + military comrades, there were many who criticised their official actions, + and disapproved of their presence. The duties of the civil officers, in a + campaign, are twofold: firstly, to negotiate, and secondly, to collect + information. It would seem that for the first of these duties they are + indispensable. The difficult language and peculiar characters of the + tribesmen are the study of a lifetime. A knowledge of the local + conditions, of the power and influence of the khans, or other rulers of + the people; of the general history and traditions of the country, is a + task which must be entirely specialised. Rough and ready methods are + excellent while the tribes resist, but something more is required when + they are anxious to submit. Men are needed who understand the whole + question, and all the details of the quarrel, between the natives and the + Government, and who can in some measure appreciate both points of view. I + do not believe that such are to be found in the army. The military + profession is alone sufficient to engross the attention of the most able + and accomplished man. + </p> + <p> + Besides this I cannot forget how many quiet nights the 2nd Brigade enjoyed + at Inayat Kila when the "snipers" were driven away by the friendly + pickets; how many fresh eggs and water melons were procured, and how + easily letters and messages were carried about the country [As + correspondent of the Pioneer, I invariably availed myself of this method + of sending the press telegrams to the telegraph office at Panjkora, and + though the route lay through twenty miles of the enemy's country, these + messages not only never miscarried, but on several occasions arrived + before the official despatches or any heliographed news. By similar agency + the bodies of Lieutenant-Colonel O'Bryen and Lieutenant Browne-Clayton, + killed in the attack upon Agrah on the 30th of September, were safely and + swiftly conveyed to Malakand for burial.] through the relations which the + political officers, Mr. Davis and Mr. Gunter, maintained, under very + difficult circumstances, with these tribesmen, who were not actually + fighting us. + </p> + <p> + Respecting the second duty, it is difficult to believe that the collection + of information as to the numbers and intentions of the enemy would not be + better and more appropriately carried out by the Intelligence Department + and the cavalry. Civil officers should not be expected to understand what + kind of military information a general requires. It is not their business. + I am aware that Mr. Davis procured the most correct intelligence about the + great night attack at Nawagai, and thus gave ample warning to Sir Bindon + Blood. But on the other hand the scanty information available about the + Mamunds, previous to the action of the 16th, was the main cause of the + severe loss sustained on that day. Besides, the incessant rumours of a + night attack on Inayat Kila, kept the whole force in their boots about + three nights each week. Civil officers should discharge diplomatic duties, + and military officers the conduct of war. And the collection of + information is one of the most important of military duties. Our Pathan + Sepoys, the Intelligence Branch, and an enterprising cavalry, should + obtain all the facts that a general requires to use in his plans. At least + the responsibility can thus be definitely assigned. + </p> + <p> + On one point, however, I have no doubts. The political officers must be + under the control of the General directing the operations. There must be + no "Imperium in imperio." In a Field Force one man only can command—and + all in it must be under his authority. Differences, creating difficulties + and leading to disasters, will arise whenever the political officers are + empowered to make arrangements with the tribesmen, without consulting and + sometimes without even informing the man on whose decisions the success of + the war and the lives of the soldiers directly depend. + </p> + <p> + The subject is a difficult one to discuss, without wounding the feelings + of those gallant men, who take all the risks of war, while the campaign + lasts, and, when it is over, live in equal peril of their lives among the + savage populations, whose dispositions they study, and whose tempers they + watch. I am glad to have done with it. + </p> + <p> + During the stay of the brigades in Bajaur, there had been several cases of + desertion among the Afridi Sepoys. On one occasion five men of the 24th + Punjaub Infantry, who were out on picket, departed in a body, and taking + their arms with them set off towards Tirah and the Khyber Pass. As I have + recorded several instances of gallantry and conduct among the Afridis and + Pathans in our ranks, it is only fitting that the reverse of the medal + should be shown. The reader, who may be interested in the characters of + the subject races of the Empire, and of the native soldiers, on whom so + much depends, will perhaps pardon a somewhat long digression on the + subject of Pathans and Sikhs. + </p> + <p> + It should not be forgotten by those who make wholesale assertions of + treachery and untrustworthiness against the Afridi and Pathan soldiers, + that these men are placed in a very strange and false position. They are + asked to fight against their countrymen and co-religionists. On the one + side are accumulated all the forces of fanaticism, patriotism and natural + ties. On the other military associations stand alone. It is no doubt a + grievous thing to be false to an oath of allegiance, but there are other + obligations not less sacred. To respect an oath is a duty which the + individual owes to society. Yet, who would by his evidence send a brother + to the gallows? The ties of nature are older and take precedence of all + other human laws. When the Pathan is invited to suppress his + fellow-countrymen, or even to remain a spectator of their suppression, he + finds himself in a situation at which, in the words of Burke, "Morality is + perplexed, reason staggered, and from which affrighted nature recoils." + </p> + <p> + There are many on the frontier who realise these things, and who + sympathise with the Afridi soldier in his dilemma. An officer of the + Guides Infantry, of long experience and considerable distinction, who + commands both Sikhs and Afridis, and has led both many times in action, + writes as follows: "Personally, I don't blame any Afridis who desert to go + and defend their own country, now that we have invaded it, and I think it + is only natural and proper that they should want to do so." + </p> + <p> + Such an opinion may be taken as typical of the views of a great number of + officers, who have some title to speak on the subject, as it is one on + which their lives might at any moment depend. + </p> + <p> + The Sikh is the guardian of the Marches. He was originally invented to + combat the Pathan. His religion was designed to be diametrically opposed + to Mahommedanism. It was a shrewd act of policy. Fanaticism was met by + fanaticism. Religious abhorrence was added to racial hatred. The Pathan + invaders were rolled back to the mountains, and the Sikhs established + themselves at Lahore and Peshawar. The strong contrast, and much of the + animosity, remain to-day. The Sikh wears his hair down to his waist; the + Pathan shaves his head. The Sikh drinks what he will; the Pathan is an + abstainer. The Sikh is burnt after death; the Pathan would be thus + deprived of Paradise. As a soldier the Pathan is a finer shot, a hardier + man, a better marcher, especially on the hillside, and possibly an even + more brilliant fighter. He relies more on instinct than education: war is + in his blood; he is a born marksman, but he is dirty, lazy and a + spendthrift. + </p> + <p> + In the Sikh the more civilised man appears. He does not shoot naturally, + but he learns by patient practice. He is not so tough as the Pathan, but + he delights in feats of strength—wrestling, running, or swimming. He + is a much cleaner soldier and more careful. He is frequently parsimonious, + and always thrifty, and does not generally feed himself as well as the + Pathan. [Indeed in some regiments the pay of very thin Sikhs is given them + in the form of food, and they have to be carefully watched by their + officers till they get fat and strong.] + </p> + <p> + There are some who say that the Sikh will go on under circumstances which + will dishearten and discourage his rival, and that if the latter has more + dash he has less stamina. The assertion is not supported by facts. In + 1895, when Lieut.-Colonel Battye was killed near the Panjkora River and + the Guides were hard pressed, the subadar of the Afridi company, turning + to his countrymen, shouted: "Now, then, Afridi folk of the Corps of + Guides, the Commanding Officer's killed, now's the time to charge!" and + the British officers had the greatest difficulty in restraining these + impetuous soldiers from leaving their position, and rushing to certain + death. The story recalls the speech of the famous cavalry colonel at the + action of Tamai, when the squares were seen to be broken, and an excited + and demoralised correspondent galloped wildly up to the squadrons, + declaring that all was lost. "How do you mean, 'all's lost'? Don't you see + the 10th Hussars are here?" There are men in the world who derive as stern + an exultation from the proximity of disaster and ruin as others from + success, and who are more magnificent in defeat than others are in + victory. Such spirits are undoubtedly to be found among the Afridis and + Pathans. + </p> + <p> + I will quote, in concluding this discussion, the opinion of an old Gurkha + subadar who had seen much fighting. He said that he liked the Sikhs + better, but would sooner have Afridis with him at a pinch than any other + breed of men in India. It is comfortable to reflect, that both are among + the soldiers of the Queen. + </p> + <p> + Although there were no Gurkhas in the Malakand Field Force, it is + impossible to consider Indian fighting races without alluding to these + wicked little men. In appearance they resemble a bronze Japanese. Small, + active and fierce, ever with a cheery grin on their broad faces, they + combine the dash of the Pathan with the discipline of the Sikh. They spend + all their money on food, and, unhampered by religion, drink, smoke and + swear like the British soldier, in whose eyes they find more favour than + any other—as he regards them—breed of "niggers." They are pure + mercenaries, and, while they welcome the dangers, they dislike the + prolongation of a campaign, being equally eager to get back to their wives + and to the big meat meals of peace time. + </p> + <p> + After the Utman Khels had been induced to comply with the terms, the + brigades recrossed the Panjkora River, and then marching by easy stages + down the line of communications, returned to the Malakand. The Guides, + moving back to Mardan, went into cantonments again, and turned in a moment + from war to peace. The Buffs, bitterly disappointed at having lost their + chance of joining in the Tirah expedition, remained at Malakand in + garrison. A considerable force was retained near Jalala, to await the + issue of the operations against the Afridis, and to be ready to move + against the Bunerwals, should an expedition be necessary. + </p> + <p> + Here we leave the Malakand Field Force. It may be that there is yet + another chapter of its history which remains to be written, and that the + fine regiments of which it is composed will, under their trusted + commander, have other opportunities of playing the great game of war. If + that be so, the reader shall decide whether the account shall prolong the + tale I have told, or whether the task shall fall to another hand. [It is + an excellent instance of the capricious and haphazard manner in which + honours and rewards are bestowed in the army, that the operations in the + Mamund Valley and throughout Bajaur are commemorated by no distinctive + clasp. The losses sustained by the Brigade were indisputably most severe. + The result was successful. The conduct of the troops has been officially + commended. Yet the soldiers who were engaged in all the rough fighting I + have described in the last eight chapters have been excluded from any of + the special clasps which have been struck. They share the general clasp + with every man who crossed the frontier and with some thousands who never + saw a shot fired.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII: MILITARY OBSERVATIONS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "... And thou hast talk'd + Of sallies and retires, of trenches, tents, + Of palisadoes, frontiers, parapets, + Of basilisks, of cannon, culverin." + + "Henry IV.," Part I., Act ii., Sc.3. +</pre> + <p> + It may at first seem that a chapter wholly devoted to military + considerations is inappropriate to a book which, if it is to enjoy any + measure of success, must be read by many unconnected with the army. But I + remember that in these days it is necessary for every one, who means to be + well informed, to have a superficial knowledge of every one else's + business. Encouraged also by what Mr. Gladstone has called "the growing + militarism of the times," I hope that, avoiding technicalities, it may be + of some general interest to glance for a moment at the frontier war from a + purely professional point of view. My observations must be taken as + applying to the theatre of the war I have described, but I do not doubt + that many of them will be applicable to the whole frontier. + </p> + <p> + The first and most important consideration is transport. Nobody who has + not seen for himself can realise what a great matter this is. I well + recall my amazement, when watching a camel convoy more than a mile and a + half long, escorted by half a battalion of infantry. I was informed that + it contained only two days' supplies for one brigade. People talk lightly + of moving columns hither and thither, as if they were mobile groups of + men, who had only to march about the country and fight the enemy wherever + found, and very few understand that an army is a ponderous mass which + drags painfully after it a long chain of advanced depots, stages, rest + camps, and communications, by which it is securely fastened to a + stationary base. In these valleys, where wheeled traffic is impossible, + the difficulties and cost of moving supplies are enormous; and as none, or + very few, are to be obtained within the country, the consideration is + paramount. Mule transport is for many reasons superior to camel transport. + The mule moves faster and can traverse more difficult ground. He is also + more hardy and keeps in better condition. When Sir Bindon Blood began his + advance against the Mohmands he equipped his 2nd Brigade entirely with + mules. It was thus far more mobile, and was available for any rapid + movement that might become necessary. To mix the two—camels and + mules—appears to combine the disadvantages of both, and destroy the + superiority of either. + </p> + <p> + I have already described the Indian service camp and the "sniping" without + which no night across the frontier could be complete. I shall therefore + only notice two points, which were previously omitted, as they looked + suspiciously technical. As the night firing is sometimes varied by more + serious attacks, and even actual assaults and sword rushes, it is thought + advisable to have the ditch of the entrenchment towards the enemy. Modern + weapons notwithstanding, the ultimate appeal is to the bayonet, and the + advantage of being on the higher ground is then considerable. + </p> + <p> + When a battery forms part of the line round a camp, infantry soldiers + should be placed between the guns. Artillery officers do not like this; + but, though they are very good fellows, there are some things in which it + is not well to give way to them. Every one is prone to over-estimate the + power of his arm. + </p> + <p> + In the Mamund Valley all the fighting occurred in capturing villages, + which lay in rocky and broken ground in the hollows of the mountains, and + were defended by a swarm of active riflemen. Against the quickly moving + figures of the enemy it proved almost useless to fire volleys. The + tribesmen would dart from rock to rock, exposing themselves only for an + instant, and before the attention of a section could be directed to them + and the rifles aimed, the chance and the target would have vanished + together. Better results were obtained by picking out good shots and + giving them permission to fire when they saw their opportunity, without + waiting for the word of command. But speaking generally, infantry should + push on to the attack with the bayonet without wasting much time in + firing, which can only result in their being delayed under the fire of a + well-posted enemy. + </p> + <p> + After the capture and destruction of the village, the troops had always to + return to camp, and a retirement became necessary. The difficulty of + executing such an operation in the face of an active and numerous enemy, + armed with modern rifles, was great. I had the opportunity of witnessing + six of these retirements from the rear companies. Five were fortunate and + one was disastrous, but all were attended with loss, and as experienced + officers have informed me, with danger. As long as no one is hit + everything is successful, but as soon as a few men are wounded, the + difficulties begin. No sooner has a point been left—a knoll, a patch + of corn, some rocks, or any other incident of ground—than it is + seized by the enemy. With their excellent rifles, they kill or wound two + or three of the retiring company, whose somewhat close formation makes + them a good mark. Now, in civilised war these wounded would be left on the + ground, and matters arranged next day by parley. But on the frontier, + where no quarter is asked or given, to carry away the wounded is a sacred + duty. It is also the strenuous endeavour of every regiment to carry away + their dead. The vile and horrid mutilations which the tribesmen inflict on + all bodies that fall into their hands, and the insults to which they + expose them, add, to unphilosophic minds, another terror to death. Now, it + takes at least four men, and very often more, to carry away a body. + Observe the result. Every man hit, means five rifles withdrawn from the + firing line. Ten men hit, puts a company out of action, as far as fighting + power is concerned. The watchful enemy press. The groups of men bearing + the injured are excellent targets. Presently the rear-guard is encumbered + with wounded. Then a vigorous charge with swords is pushed home. Thus, a + disaster occurs. + </p> + <p> + Watching the progress of events, sometimes from one regiment, sometimes + from another, I observed several ways by which these difficulties could be + avoided. The Guides, long skilled in frontier war, were the most valuable + instructors. As the enemy seize every point as soon as it is left, all + retirements should be masked by leaving two or three men behind from each + company. These keep up a brisk fire, and after the whole company have + taken up a new position, or have nearly done so, they run back and join + them. Besides this, the fire of one company in retiring should always be + arranged to cover another, and at no moment in a withdrawal should the + firing ever cease. The covering company should be actually in position + before the rear company begins to move, and should open fire at once. I + was particularly struck on 18th September by the retirement of the Guides + Infantry. These principles were carried out with such skill and + thoroughness that, though the enemy pressed severely, only one man was + wounded. The way in which Major Campbell, the commanding officer, availed + himself of the advantages of retiring down two spurs and bringing a cross + fire to bear to cover the alternate retirements, resembled some intricate + chess problem, rather than a military evolution. + </p> + <p> + The power of the new Lee-Metford rifle with the new Dum-Dum bullet—it + is now called, though not officially, the "ek-dum" [Hindustani for "at + once."] bullet—is tremendous. The soldiers who have used it have the + utmost confidence in their weapon. Up to 500 yards there is no difficulty + about judging the range, as it shoots quite straight, or, technically + speaking, has a flat trajectory. This is of the greatest value. Of the + bullet it may be said, that its stopping power is all that could be + desired. The Dum-Dum bullet, though not explosive, is expansive. The + original Lee-Metford bullet was a pellet of lead covered by a nickel case + with an opening at the base. In the improved bullet this outer case has + been drawn backward, making the hole in the base a little smaller and + leaving the lead at the tip exposed. The result is a wonderful and from + the technical point of view a beautiful machine. On striking a bone this + causes the bullet to "set up" or spread out, and it then tears and + splinters everything before it, causing wounds which in the body must be + generally mortal and in any limb necessitate amputation. Continental + critics have asked whether such a bullet is not a violation of the Geneva + or St. Petersburg Conventions; but no clause of these international + agreements forbids expansive bullets, and the only provision on the + subject is that shells less than a certain size shall not be employed. I + would observe that bullets are primarily intended to kill, and that these + bullets do their duty most effectually, without causing any more pain to + those struck by them, than the ordinary lead variety. As the enemy + obtained some Lee-Metford rifles and Dum-Dum ammunition during the + progress of the fighting, information on this latter point is forthcoming. + The sensation is described as similar to that produced by any bullet—a + violent numbing blow, followed by a sense of injury and weakness, but + little actual pain at the time. Indeed, now-a-days, very few people are so + unfortunate as to suffer much pain from wounds, except during the period + of recovery. A man is hit. In a quarter of an hour, that is to say, before + the shock has passed away and the pain begins, he is usually at the + dressing station. Here he is given morphia injections, which reduce all + sensations to a uniform dullness. In this state he remains until he is + placed under chloroform and operated on. + </p> + <p> + The necessity for having the officers in the same dress as the men, was + apparent to all who watched the operations. The conspicuous figure which a + British officer in his helmet presented in contrast to the native soldiers + in their turbans, drew a well-aimed fire in his direction. Of course, in + British regiments, the difference is not nearly so marked. Nevertheless, + at close quarters the keen-eyed tribesmen always made an especial mark of + the officers, distinguishing them chiefly, I think, by the fact that they + do not carry rifles. The following story may show how evident this was:— + </p> + <p> + When the Buffs were marching down to Panjkora, they passed the Royal West + Kent coming up to relieve them at Inayat Kila. A private in the up-going + regiment asked a friend in the Buffs what it was like at the front. "Oh," + replied the latter, "you'll be all right so long as you don't go near no + officers, nor no white stones." Whether the advice was taken is not + recorded, but it was certainly sound, for three days later—on 30th + September—in those companies of the Royal West Kent regiment that + were engaged in the village of Agrah, eight out of eleven officers were + hit or grazed by bullets. + </p> + <p> + The fatigues experienced by troops in mountain warfare are so great, that + every effort has to be made to lighten the soldier's load. At the same + time the more ammunition he carries on his person the better. Mules laden + with cartridge-boxes are very likely to be shot, and fall into the hands + of the enemy. In this manner over 6000 rounds were lost on the 16th of + September by the two companies of Sikhs whose retirement I have described. + </p> + <p> + The thick leather belts, pouches, and valise equipment of British infantry + are unnecessarily heavy. I have heard many officers suggest having them + made of web. The argument against this is that the web wears out. That + objection could be met by having a large supply of these equipments at the + base and issuing fresh ones as soon as the old were unfit for use. It is + cheaper to wear out belts than soldiers. + </p> + <p> + Great efforts should be made to give the soldier a piece of chocolate, a + small sausage, or something portable and nutritious to carry with him to + the field. In a war of long marches, of uncertain fortunes, of retirements + often delayed and always pressed, there have been many occasions when + regiments and companies have unexpectedly had to stop out all night + without food. It is well to remember that the stomach governs the world. + </p> + <p> + The principle of concentrating artillery has long been admitted in Europe. + Sir Bindon Blood is the first general who has applied it to mountain + warfare in India. It had formerly been the custom to use the guns by twos + and threes. As we have seen, at the action of Landakai, the Malakand Field + Force had eighteen guns in action, of which twelve were in one line. The + fire of this artillery drove the enemy, who were in great strength and an + excellent position, from the ground. The infantry attack was accomplished + with hardly any loss, and a success was obtained at a cost of a dozen + lives which would have been cheap at a hundred. + </p> + <p> + After this, it may seem strange if I say that the artillery fire in the + Mamund Valley did very little execution. It is nevertheless a fact. The + Mamunds are a puny tribe, but they build their houses in the rocks; and + against sharpshooters in broken ground, guns can do little. Through + field-glasses it was possible to see the enemy dodging behind their rocks, + whenever the puffs of smoke from the guns told them that a shell was on + its way. Perhaps smokeless powder would have put a stop to this. But in + any case, the targets presented to the artillery were extremely bad. + </p> + <p> + Where they really were of great service, was not so much in killing the + enemy, but in keeping them from occupying certain spurs and knolls. On + 30th September, when the Royal West Kent and the 31st Punjaub Infantry + were retiring under considerable pressure, the British Mountain Battery + moved to within 700 yards of the enemy, and opened a rapid fire of + shrapnel on the high ground which commanded the line of retreat, killing + such of the tribesmen as were there, and absolutely forbidding the hill to + their companions. + </p> + <p> + In all rearguard actions among the mountains the employment of artillery + is imperative. Even two guns may materially assist the extrication of the + infantry from the peaks and crags of the hillside, and prevent by timely + shells the tribesmen from seizing each point as soon as it is evacuated. + But there is no reason why the artillery should be stinted, and at least + two batteries, if available, should accompany a brigade to the attack. + </p> + <p> + Signalling by heliograph was throughout the operations of the greatest + value. I had always realised the advantages of a semi-permanent line of + signal stations along the communications to the telegraph, but I had + doubted the practicability of using such complicated arrangements in + action. In this torrid country, where the sun is always shining, the + heliograph is always useful. As soon as any hill was taken, communication + was established with the brigadier, and no difficulty seemed to be met + with, even while the attack was in progress, in sending messages quickly + and clearly. In a country intersected by frequent ravines, over which a + horse can move but slowly and painfully, it is the surest, the quickest, + and indeed the only means of intercommunication. I am delighted to testify + to these things, because I had formerly been a scoffer. + </p> + <p> + I have touched on infantry and artillery, and, though a previous chapter + has been almost wholly devoted to the cavalry, I cannot resist the desire + to get back to the horses and the lances again. The question of sword or + lance as the cavalryman's weapon has long been argued, and it may be of + interest to consider what are the views of those whose experience is the + most recent. Though I have had no opportunity of witnessing the use of the + lance, I have heard the opinions of many officers both of the Guides and + the 11th Bengal Lancers. All admit or assert that the lance is in this + warfare the better weapon. It kills with more certainty and convenience, + and there is less danger of the horseman being cut down. As to length, the + general opinion seems to be in favour of a shorter spear. This, with a + counter poise at the butt, gives as good a reach and is much more useful + for close quarters. Major Beatson, one of the most distinguished cavalry + officers on the frontier, is a strong advocate of this. Either the pennon + should be knotted, or a boss of some sort affixed about eighteen inches + below the point. Unless this be done there is a danger of the lance + penetrating too far, when it either gets broken or allows the enemy to + wriggle up and strike the lancer. This last actually happened on several + occasions. + </p> + <p> + Now, in considering the question to what extent a squadron should be armed + with lances, the system adopted by the Guides may be of interest. In this + warfare it is very often necessary for the cavalryman to dismount and use + his carbine. The lance then gets in the way and has to be tied to the + saddle. This takes time, and there is usually not much time to spare in + cavalry skirmishing. The Guides compromise matters by giving one man in + every four a lance. This man, when the others dismount, stays in the + saddle and holds their horses. They also give the outer sections of each + squadron lances, and these, too, remain mounted, as the drill-book + enjoins. But I become too technical. + </p> + <p> + I pass for a moment to combined tactics. In frontier warfare Providence is + on the side of the good band-o-bust [arrangements]. There are no scenic + effects or great opportunities, and the Brigadier who leaves the mountains + with as good a reputation as he entered them has proved himself an able, + sensible man. The general who avoids all "dash," who never starts in the + morning looking for a fight and without any definite intention, who does + not attempt heroic achievements, and who keeps his eye on his watch, will + have few casualties and little glory. For the enemy do not become + formidable until a mistake has been made. The public who do not believe in + military operations without bloodshed may be unattentive. His subordinate + officers may complain that they have had no fighting. But in the + consciousness of duty skillfully performed and of human life preserved he + will find a high reward. + </p> + <p> + A general review of the frontier war will, I think, show the great + disadvantages to which regular troops are exposed in fighting an active + enterprising enemy that can move faster and shoot better, who knows the + country and who knows the ranges. The terrible losses inflicted on the + tribesmen in the Swat Valley show how easily disciplined troops can brush + away the bravest savages in the open. But on the hillside all is changed, + and the observer will be struck by the weakness rather than the strength + of modern weapons. Daring riflemen, individually superior to the soldiers, + and able to support the greatest fatigues, can always inflict loss, + although they cannot bar their path. + </p> + <p> + The military problem with which the Spaniards are confronted in Cuba is in + many points similar to that presented in the Afghan valleys; a roadless, + broken and undeveloped country; an absence of any strategic points; a + well-armed enemy with great mobility and modern rifles, who adopts + guerilla tactics. The results in either case are, that the troops can + march anywhere, and do anything, except catch the enemy; and that all + their movements must be attended with loss. + </p> + <p> + If the question of subduing the tribes be regarded from a purely military + standpoint, if time were no object, and there was no danger of a lengthy + operation being interrupted by a change of policy at home, it would appear + that the efforts of commanders should be, to induce the tribesmen to + assume the offensive. On this point I must limit my remarks to the + flat-bottomed valleys of Swat and Bajaur. To coerce a tribe like the + Mamunds, a mixed brigade might camp at the entrance to the valley, and as + at Inayat Kila, entrench itself very strongly. The squadron of cavalry + could patrol the valley daily in complete security, as the tribesmen would + not dare to leave the hills. All sowing of crops and agricultural work + would be stopped. The natives would retaliate by firing into the camp at + night. This would cause loss; but if every one were to dig a good hole to + sleep in, and if the officers were made to have dinner before sundown, and + forbidden to walk about except on duty after dark, there is no reason why + the loss should be severe. At length the tribesmen, infuriated by the + occupation of their valley, and perhaps rendered desperate by the approach + of famine and winter, would make a tremendous attempt to storm the camp. + With a strong entrenchment, a wire trip to break a rush, and modern + rifles, they would be driven off with great slaughter, and once severely + punished would probably beg for terms. If not, the process would be + continued until they did so. + </p> + <p> + Such a military policy would cost about the same in money as the vigorous + methods I have described, as though smaller numbers of troops might be + employed, they would have to remain mobilised and in the field for a + longer period. But the loss in personnel would be much less. As good an + example of the success of this method as can be found, is provided by Sir + Bindon Blood's tactics at Nawagai, when, being too weak to attack the + enemy himself, he encouraged them to attack him, and then beat them off + with great loss. + </p> + <p> + From the point which we have now reached, it is possible, and perhaps not + undesirable, to take a rapid yet sweeping glance of the larger military + problems of the day. We have for some years adopted the "short service" + system. It is a continental system. It has many disadvantages. Troops + raised under it suffer from youth, want of training and lack of regimental + associations. But on the Continent it has this one, paramount + recommendation: it provides enormous numbers. The active army is merely a + machine for manufacturing soldiers quickly, and passing them into the + reserves, to be stored until they are wanted. European nations deal with + soldiers only in masses. Great armies of men, not necessarily of a high + standard of courage and training, but armed with deadly weapons, are + directed against one another, under varying strategical conditions. Before + they can rebound, thousands are slaughtered and a great battle has been + won or lost. The average courage of the two nations may perhaps have been + decided. The essence of the continental system is its gigantic scale. + </p> + <p> + We have adopted this system in all respects but one, and that the vital + one. We have got the poor quality, without the great quantity. We have, by + the short service system, increased our numbers a little, and decreased + our standard a good deal. The reason that this system, which is so well + adapted to continental requirements, confers no advantages upon us is + obvious. Our army is recruited by a voluntary system. Short service and + conscription are inseparable. For this reason, several stern soldiers + advocate conscription. But many words will have to be spoken, many votes + voted, and perhaps many blows struck before the British people would + submit to such an abridgment of their liberties, or such a drag upon their + commerce. It will be time to make such sacrifices when the English Channel + runs dry. + </p> + <p> + Without conscription we cannot have great numbers. It should therefore be + our endeavour to have those we possess of the best quality; and our + situation and needs enforce this view. Our soldiers are not required to + operate in great masses, but very often to fight hand to hand. Their + campaigns are not fought in temperate climates and civilised countries. + They are sent beyond the seas to Africa or the Indian frontier, and there, + under a hot sun and in a pestilential land, they are engaged in individual + combat with athletic savages. They are not old enough for the work. + </p> + <p> + Young as they are, their superior weapons and the prestige of the dominant + race enable them to maintain their superiority over the native troops. But + in the present war several incidents have occurred, unimportant, + insignificant, it is true, but which, in the interests of Imperial + expediency, are better forgotten. The native regiments are ten years older + than the British regiments. Many of their men have seen service and have + been under fire. Some of them have several medals. All, of course, are + habituated to the natural conditions. It is evident how many advantages + they enjoy. It is also apparent how very serious the consequences would be + if they imagined they possessed any superiority. That such an assumption + should even be possible is a menace to our very existence in India. + Intrinsic merit is the only title of a dominant race to its possessions. + If we fail in this it is not because our spirit is old and grown weak, but + because our soldiers are young, and not yet grown strong. + </p> + <p> + Boys of twenty-one and twenty-two are expected to compete on equal terms + with Sikhs and Gurkhas of thirty, fully developed and in the prime of + life. It is an unfair test. That they should have held their own is a + splendid tribute to the vigour of our race. The experiment is dangerous, + and it is also expensive. We continue to make it because the idea is still + cherished that British armies will one day again play a part in + continental war. When the people of the United Kingdom are foolish enough + to allow their little army to be ground to fragments between continental + myriads, they will deserve all the misfortunes that will inevitably come + upon them. + </p> + <p> + I am aware that these arguments are neither original nor new. I have + merely arranged them. I am also aware that there are able, brilliant men + who have spent their lives in the service of the State, who do not take + the views I have quoted. The question has been regarded from an Indian + point of view. There is probably no colonel in India, who commands a + British regiment, who would not like to see his men five years older. It + may be that the Indian opinion on the subject is based only on partial + information, and warped by local circumstances. Still I have thought it + right to submit it to the consideration of the public, at a time when the + army has been filling such a prominent position, not only in the Jubilee + procession and the frontier war, but also in the estimates presented to + the House of Commons. + </p> + <p> + Passing from the concrete to the abstract, it may not be unfitting that + these pages, which have recorded so many valiant deeds, should contain + some brief inquiry into the nature of those motives which induce men to + expose themselves to great hazards, and to remain in situations of danger. + The circumstances of war contain every element that can shake the nerves. + The whizzing of the projectiles; the shouts and yells of a numerous and + savage enemy; the piteous aspect of the wounded, covered with blood and + sometimes crying out in pain; the spurts of dust which on all sides show + where Fate is stepping—these are the sights and sounds which assail + soldiers, whose development and education enable them to fully appreciate + their significance. And yet the courage of the soldier is the commonest of + virtues. Thousands of men, drawn at random from the population, are found + to control the instinct of self-preservation. Nor is this courage peculiar + to any particular nation. Courage is not only common, but cosmopolitan. + But such are the apparent contradictions of life, that this virtue, which + so many seem to possess, all hold the highest. There is probably no man, + however miserable, who would not writhe at being exposed a coward. Why + should the common be precious? What is the explanation? + </p> + <p> + It appears to be this. The courage of the soldier is not really contempt + for physical evils and indifference to danger. It is a more or less + successful attempt to simulate these habits of mind. Most men aspire to be + good actors in the play. There are a few who are so perfect that they do + not seem to be actors at all. This is the ideal after which the rest are + striving. It is one very rarely attained. + </p> + <p> + Three principal influences combine to assist men in their attempts: + preparation, vanity and sentiment. The first includes all the force of + discipline and training. The soldier has for years contemplated the + possibility of being under fire. He has wondered vaguely what kind of an + experience it would be. He has seen many who have gone through it and + returned safely. His curiosity is excited. Presently comes the occasion. + By road and railway he approaches daily nearer to the scene. His mind + becomes familiar with the prospect. His comrades are in the same + situation. Habit, behind which force of circumstances is concealed, makes + him conform. At length the hour arrives. He observes the darting puffs of + smoke in the distance. He listens to the sounds that are in the air. + Perhaps he hears something strike with a thud and sees a soldier near him + collapse like a shot pheasant. He realises that it may be his turn next. + Fear grips him by the throat. + </p> + <p> + Then vanity, the vice which promotes so many virtues, asserts itself. He + looks at his comrades and they at him. So far he has shown no sign of + weakness. He thinks, they are thinking him brave. The dearly longed-for + reputation glitters before his eyes. He executes the orders he receives. + </p> + <p> + But something else is needed to made a hero. Some other influence must + help him through the harder trials and more severe ordeals which may + befall him. It is sentiment which makes the difference in the end. Those + who doubt should stroll to the camp fire one night and listen to the + soldiers' songs. Every one clings to something that he thinks is high and + noble, or that raises him above the rest of the world in the hour of need. + Perhaps he remembers that he is sprung from an ancient stock, and of a + race that has always known how to die; or more probably it is something + smaller and more intimate; the regiment, whatever it is called—"The + Gordons," "The Buffs," "The Queen's,"—and so nursing the name—only + the unofficial name of an infantry battalion after all—he + accomplishes great things and maintains the honour and the Empire of the + British people. + </p> + <p> + It may be worth while, in the matter of names, to observe the advantages + to a regiment of a monosyllabic appellation. Every one will remember + Lieut.-Colonel Mathias' speech to the Gordons. Imagine for a moment that + speech addressed to some regiment saddled with a fantastic title on the + territorial system, as, for instance, Mr. Kipling's famous regiment, "The + Princess Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen-Anspach's Merthyr Tydvilshire Own Royal + Loyal Light Infantry." With the old numbers all started on equal terms. + </p> + <p> + This has been perhaps a cold-blooded chapter. We have considered men as + targets; tribesmen, fighting for their homes and hills, have been regarded + only as the objective of an attack; killed and wounded human beings, + merely as the waste of war. We have even attempted to analyse the high and + noble virtue of courage, in the hopes of learning how it may be + manufactured. + </p> + <p> + The philosopher may observe with pity, and the philanthropist deplore with + pain, that the attention of so many minds should be directed to the + scientific destruction of the human species; but practical people in a + business-like age will remember that they live in a world of men—not + angels—and regulate their conduct accordingly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. AND LAST.: THE RIDDLE OF THE FRONTIER + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Myself when young did eagerly frequent + Doctor and saint, and heard great argument + About it and about, but evermore + Came out by the same door wherein I went." + + OMAR KHAYYAM. +</pre> + <p> + These pages, which have chronicled a variety of small incidents, have + hitherto concerned themselves little with the great matters out of which + those incidents have arisen. As an opening chapter should lead the reader + to expect the considerations that the book contains, so the conclusion + should express the opinion he might form from the perusal. When, at an + earlier period, I refrained from discussing the question of frontier + policy, I declared that its consideration was only postponed until a more + propitious moment. That moment now presents itself. There will not be + wanting those who will remind me, that in this matter my opinion is not + supported by age or experience. To such I shall reply, that if what is + written is false or foolish, neither age nor experience should fortify it; + and if it is true, it needs no such support. The propositions of Euclid + would be no less indisputable were they propounded by an infant or an + idiot. + </p> + <p> + The inquirer sees the vast question unfold itself with feelings like those + with which the fisherman in the old story watched the genius he had + unwittingly released, rise from the bottle in clouds of smoke, which + overspread the whole sky. Every moment the subject appears not only wider + but deeper. When I reflect on the great number of diverse and often + conflicting facts which may be assembled under every head—military, + economic, political or moral—and consider the accumulations of + specialised and technical knowledge necessary for their proper + appreciation, I am convinced that to compass the whole is beyond the mind + and memory of man. Of such a question it is difficult to take broad views, + and dangerous to generalise. Still less is it possible, as many people + appear to imagine, to settle it with a phrase or an epigram. A point is + reached where all relation between detail and proportion is lost. It is a + picture of such great size that to see it all, it is necessary to stand so + far off that neither colours nor figures are distinguishable. By + constantly changing the point of view, some true perspective is possible, + and even then the conception must be twisted and distorted, by the + imperfections of the mental mirror. + </p> + <p> + Sensible of the magnitude of the task, and conscious of my own weakness, I + propose to examine in a spirit of cautious inquiry and of tolerance the + present "Forward Policy," and thence to approach the main question, to the + answer of which that policy is only a guess. + </p> + <p> + I must revert to a period when the British power, having conquered the + plains of India and subdued its sovereigns, paused at the foot of the + Himalayas and turned its tireless energy to internal progress and + development. The "line of the mountains" formed a frontier as plain and + intelligible as that which defines the limits of the sea. To the south lay + the British Empire in India; to the north were warlike tribes, barbarous, + unapproachable, irreclaimable; and far beyond these, lay the other great + Power of Asia. + </p> + <p> + It was long the wisdom of Anglo-Indian statesmen to preserve a situation + which contained so many elements of finality, and so many guarantees of + peace. When the northern savages, impelled by fanaticism or allured by + plunder, descended from the mountains and invaded the plains, they were + met by equal courage and superior discipline, and driven in disorder to + their confines. But this was found to be an inadequate deterrent, and the + purely defensive principle had to be modified in favor of that system of + punitive expeditions which has been derided as the policy of "Butcher and + Bolt." + </p> + <p> + Gradually, as the circumstances altered, the methods of dealing with them + changed. The punitive expeditions had awakened an intense hostility among + the tribesmen. The intrigues of Russia had for some time been watched with + alarm by the Indian Government. As long as the border could remain a + "No-man's land"—as it were a "great gulf fixed"—all was well; + but if any power was to be supreme, that power must neither be Russia nor + Afghanistan. ["We shall consider it from the first incumbent upon the + Government of India to prevent, at any cost, the establishment within this + outlying country of the political preponderance of any other power."—Letter + from Government of India to the Secretary of State, No.49, 28th February, + 1879.] The predominance of Russian influence in these territories would + give them the power to invade India at their discretion, with what chances + of success need not be here discussed. The predominance of Afghan + influence would make the Amir master of the situation, and enable him to + blackmail the Indian Government indefinitely. A change of policy, a + departure from the old frontier line, presented itself with increasing + force to responsible men. To-day we see the evils that have resulted from + that change. The dangers that inspired it have been modified. + </p> + <p> + For some years the opinion in favour of an advance grew steadily among + those in power in India. In 1876 a decisive step was taken. Roused by the + efforts of the Amir to obtain the suzerainty of the Pathan tribes, Lord + Lytton's Government stretched a hand through Cashmere towards Chitral, and + the Mehtar of that State became the vassal, nominally of the Maharaja of + Cashmere, but practically of the Imperial Government. The avowed object + was to ultimately secure the effectual command of the passes of the Hindu + Kush. [Despatch No.17, 11th June, 1877.] The British Ministry, the famous + ministry of Lord Beaconsfield, approved the action and endorsed the + policy. Again, in 1879, the Vice-regal Government, in an official + despatch, declared their intention of acquiring, "through the ruler of + Cashmere, the power of making such political and military arrangements as + will effectually command the passes of the Hindu Kush." [Despatch No.49, + 28th February, 1879.] "If," so runs the despatch, "we *extend and by + degrees consolidate our influence* [The italics are mine] over this + country, and if we resolve that no foreign interference can be permitted + on this side of the mountains or within the drainage system of the Indus, + we shall have laid down a natural line of frontier, which is distinct, + intelligible and likely to be respected." [Despatch No.49, 28th February, + 1879.] + </p> + <p> + No declaration of policy or intention could have been more explicit. The + words to "extend and consolidate our influence" can, when applied to + barbarous peoples, have no other meaning than ultimate annexation. Thus + the scheme of an advance from the plains of India into the mountain + region, which had long been maturing in men's minds and which was shaped + and outlined by many small emergencies and expedients, was clearly + proclaimed. The forward movement had begun. A fresh and powerful impulse + was imparted after the termination of Lord Ripon's viceroyalty. The open + aggression which characterised the Russian frontier policy of '84 and '85 + had been met by a supine apathy and indifference to the interests of the + State, which deserved, and which, had the issues been less important, + might have received actual punishment. It was natural that his immediate + successors should strive to dissociate themselves from the follies and the + blunders of those years. The spirit of reaction led to the final + abandonment of the venerable policy of non-intervention. Instead of the + "line of the mountains," it was now maintained that the passes through + them must be held. This is the so-called "Forward Policy." It is a policy + which aims at obtaining the frontier—Gilgit, Chitral, Jelalabad, + Kandahar. + </p> + <p> + In pursuance of that policy we have been led to build many frontier forts, + to construct roads, to annex territories, and to enter upon more intimate + relations with the border tribes. The most marked incident in that policy + has been the retention of Chitral. This act was regarded by the tribesmen + as a menace to their independence, and by the priesthood as the prelude to + a general annexation. Nor were they wrong, for such is the avowed aim of + the "Forward Policy." The result of the retention of Chitral has been, as + I have already described, that the priesthood, knowing that their + authority would be weakened by civilisation, have used their religious + influence on the people to foment a general rising. + </p> + <p> + It is useless to discuss the Chitral question independently. If the + "Forward Policy" be justified, then the annexation of Chitral, its logical + outcome, is also justified. The bye and the main plots stand or fall + together. + </p> + <p> + So far then we have advanced and have been resisted. The "Forward Policy" + has brought an increase of territory, a nearer approach to what is + presumably a better frontier line and—war. All this was to have been + expected. It may be said of the present system that it precludes the + possibility of peace. Isolated posts have been formed in the midst of + races notoriously passionate, reckless and warlike. They are challenges. + When they are assailed by the tribesmen, relieving and punitive + expeditions become necessary. All this is the outcome of a recognised + policy, and was doubtless foreseen by those who initiated it. What may be + called strange is that the forts should be badly constructed—cramped, + as the Malakand positions; commanded, like Chakdara; without flank + defences, as at Saraghari; without proper garrisons, as in the Khyber. + This is a side issue and accidental. The rest of the situation has been + deliberately created. + </p> + <p> + The possibility of a great combination among the border tribes was indeed + not contemplated. Separated by distance, and divided by faction, it was + anticipated they could be dealt with in detail. On this point we have been + undeceived. + </p> + <p> + That period of war and disturbance which was the inevitable first + consequence of the "Forward Policy" must in any case have been disturbed + and expensive. Regarded from an economic standpoint, the trade of the + frontier valleys will never pay a shilling in the pound on the military + expenditure necessary to preserve order. Morally, it is unfortunate for + the tribesmen that our spheres of influence clash with their spheres of + existence. Even on the military question, a purely technical question, as + to whether an advanced frontier line is desirable or not, opinion is + divided. Lord Roberts says one thing; Mr. Morley another. + </p> + <p> + There is no lack of arguments against the "Forward Policy." There are many + who opposed its initiation. There are many who oppose it now; who think + that nothing should have lured the Government of India beyond their + natural frontier line, and who maintain that it would have been both + practical and philosophic had they said: "Over all the plains of India + will we cast our rule. There we will place our governors and magistrates; + our words shall be respected and our laws obeyed. But that region, where + the land rises like the waves of a sea, shall serve us as a channel of + stormy waters to divide us from our foes and rivals." + </p> + <p> + But it is futile to engage in the controversies of the past. There are + sufficient in the present, and it is with the present we are concerned. + </p> + <p> + We have crossed the Rubicon. In the opinion of all those who know most + about the case, the forward movement is now beyond recall. Indeed, when + the intense hostility of the Border tribes, the uncertain attitude of the + Amir, the possibilities of further Russian aggression and the state of + feeling in India are considered, it is difficult to dispute this judgment. + Successive Indian Administrations have urged, successive English Cabinets + have admitted, the necessity of finding a definite and a defensible + frontier. The old line has been left, and between that line and an + advanced line continuous with Afghan territory, and south of which all + shall be reduced to law and order, there does not appear to be any + prospect of a peaceful and permanent settlement. + </p> + <p> + The responsibility of placing us in this position rests with those who + first forsook the old frontier policy of holding the "line of the + mountains." The historian of the future, with impartial pen and a more + complete knowledge, must pronounce on the wisdom of their act. In the + meantime it should be remembered of these great men, that they left their + public offices amid the applause and admiration of their contemporaries, + and, "in the full tide of successful experiment." Nor can so much be said + of all those who have assailed them. Those who decided, have accepted the + responsibility, and have defended their action. But I am inclined to think + that the rulers of India, ten years ago or a hundred years ago, were as + much the sport of circumstances as their successors are to-day. + </p> + <p> + Let us return to the present and our own affairs. We have embarked on + stormy and perilous waters. The strong current of events forbids return. + The sooner the farther shore is reached, the sooner will the dangers and + discomforts of the voyage be over. All are anxious to make the land. The + suggestions as to the course are numerous. There are some, bad and nervous + sailors perhaps, who insist upon returning, although they are told it is + impossible, and who would sink the ship sooner than go on, were they not + outnumbered by their shipmates. While they are delaying, the current bears + us towards more disturbed waters and more rocky landing places. + </p> + <p> + There are others who call out for "Full steam ahead," and would accomplish + the passage at once, whatever the risks. But alas! The ship is run out of + coal and can only spread its sails to the varying breezes, take advantage + of favorable tides, and must needs lie to when the waves are high. + </p> + <p> + But the sensible passenger may, though he knows the difficulties of the + voyage and the dangers of the sea, fairly ask the man at the wheel to keep + a true and constant course. He may with reason and justice insist that, + whatever the delays which the storms or accidents may cause, the head of + the vessel shall be consistently pointed towards the distant port, and + that come what will she shall not be allowed to drift aimlessly hither and + thither on the chance of fetching up somewhere some day. + </p> + <p> + The "Full steam ahead" method would be undoubtedly the most desirable. + This is the military view. Mobilise, it is urged, a nice field force, and + operate at leisure in the frontier valleys, until they are as safe and + civilised as Hyde Park. Nor need this course necessarily involve the + extermination of the inhabitants. Military rule is the rule best suited to + the character and comprehension of the tribesmen. They will soon recognise + the futility of resistance, and will gradually welcome the increase of + wealth and comfort that will follow a stable government. Besides this, we + shall obtain a definite frontier almost immediately. Only one real + objection has been advanced against this plan. But it is a crushing one, + and it constitutes the most serious argument against the whole "Forward + Policy." It is this: we have neither the troops nor the money to carry it + out. + </p> + <p> + The inevitable alternative is the present system, a system which the war + has interrupted, but to which we must return at its close; a system of + gradual advance, of political intrigue among the tribes, of subsidies and + small expeditions. + </p> + <p> + Though this policy is slow, painful and somewhat undignified, there is no + reason that it should not be sure and strong. But it must be consistently + pursued. Dynamite in the hands of a child is not more dangerous than a + strong policy weakly carried out. The reproach which may be justly laid + upon the rulers of India, whether at home or abroad, is that while they + recognise the facts, they shrink from the legitimate conclusions. + </p> + <p> + They know they cannot turn back. They fully intend to go on. Yet they fear + to admit the situation, to frankly lay their case before the country, and + trust to the good sense and courage of an ancient democracy. The result + is, that they tie their hands by ridiculous and unnecessary proclamations, + such as that which preceded the Chitral expedition of 1895. The political + officers who watch the frontier tribes are expected to obtain authority by + force of personal character, yet strictly according to regulations, and to + combine individuality with uniformity. And sometimes this timidity leads + to such dismal acts of folly as the desertion of the Khyber forts. + </p> + <p> + But in spite of all obstacles and errors there is a steady advance, which + may be accelerated, and made easier, by many small reforms. These + questions of detail approach so near the province of the specialist, that + I shall not attempt to enumerate or discuss them. It is suggested among + other things that wider powers should be given to the political officers, + in their ordinary duties of peace. Others advocate occasional + demonstrations of troops, to impress the tribesmen with the fact that + those they see are not the full strength of the Sirkar. Bolder minds have + hinted at transplanting young Pathans, and educating them in India after + the custom of the Romans. But this last appears to be suitable to a + classic rather than a Christian age. + </p> + <p> + From a general survey of the people and the country, it would seem that + silver makes a better weapon than steel. A system of subsidies must tend + to improve our relations with the tribes, enlist their interests on the + side of law and order, and by increasing their wealth, lessen their + barbarism. In the matter of the supply of arms the Government would find + it cheaper to enter the market as a purchaser, and have agents to outbid + the tribesmen, rather than to employ soldiers. As water finds its own + level, so the laws of economics will infallibly bring commodities to the + highest bidder. Doubtless there are many other lessons which the present + war will have taught. These may lighten a task which, though long and + heavy, is not beyond the powers or pluck of the British people. + </p> + <p> + We are at present in a transition stage, nor is the manner nor occasion of + the end in sight. Still this is no time to despair. I have often noticed + in these Afghan valleys, that they seem to be entirely surrounded by the + hills, and to have no exit. But as the column has advanced, a gap + gradually becomes visible and a pass appears. Sometimes it is steep and + difficult, sometimes it is held by the enemy and must be forced, but I + have never seen a valley that had not a way out. That way we shall + ultimately find, if we march with the firm but prudent step of men who + know the dangers; but, conscious of their skill and discipline, do not + doubt their ability to deal with them as they shall arise. In such a + spirit I would leave the subject, with one farewell glance. + </p> + <p> + Looking on the story of the great frontier war; at all that has been told, + and all that others may tell, there must be many who to-day will only + deplore the losses of brave soldiers and hard-earned money. But those who + from some future age shall, by steady light of history, dispassionately + review the whole situation, its causes, results and occasion, may find + other reflections, as serious perhaps, but less mournful. The year 1897, + in the annals of the British people, was marked by a declaration to the + whole world of their faith in the higher destinies of their race. If a + strong man, when the wine sparkles at the feast and the lights are bright, + boasts of his prowess, it is well he should have an opportunity of showing + in the cold and grey of the morning that he is no idle braggart. And + unborn arbiters, with a wider knowledge, and more developed brains, may + trace in recent events the influence of that mysterious Power which, + directing the progress of our species, and regulating the rise and fall of + Empires, has afforded that opportunity to a people, of whom at least it + may be said, that they have added to the happiness, the learning and the + liberties of mankind. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + APPENDIX. + + EXTRACTS FROM OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE ATTACK ON THE MALAKAND. + 26th July — 1st August, 1897. + + FROM THE DESPATCH OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL W.H. MEIKLEJOHN, C.B., C.M.G. + + FORWARDED TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL IN INDIA BY SIR BINDON BLOOD. +</pre> + <p> + 43. All have done well, but I should like to bring before His Excellency + for favorable consideration the following names of officers and men:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 24th Punjaub Infantry. +</pre> + <p> + Lieut.-Colonel J. Lamb, who, on the first alarm being sounded on the night + of the 26th July, had taken prompt action in reinforcing the outpost line + held by his regiment, and later was of great assistance in directing the + defence of the central enclosure, till he was severely wounded. + </p> + <p> + Captain H.F. Holland showed great courage in assisting to drive a number + of the enemy out of the central enclosure, and was severely wounded in + doing so. + </p> + <p> + I would especially wish to mention Lieutenant S.H. Climo, who commanded + the 24th Punjaub Infantry after Lieut.-Colonel Lamb and Captain Holland + had been wounded. This officer has shown soldierly qualities and ability + of the highest order. He has commanded the regiment with dash and + enterprise, and shown a spirit and example which has been followed by all + ranks. I trust His Excellency will be pleased to favourably notice + Lieutenant Climo, who has proved himself an officer who will do well in + any position, and is well worthy of promotion. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant A.K. Rawlins has behaved well all through. I would recommend + him to His Excellency for the plucky way in which he went to the fort on + the 26th July to bring reinforcements, and again for the dash he showed in + leading his men on the 27th and 28th, of which Lieutenant Climo speaks + most highly. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant E.W. Costello, 22nd Punjaub Infantry, temporarily attached to + the 24th Punjaub Infantry, has behaved exceedingly well, and is the + subject of a separate recommendation. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 31st Punjaub Infantry. +</pre> + <p> + Major M.I. Gibbs, who commanded the regiment in the absence of Major + O'Bryen, with skill and in every way to my satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant H.B. Ford, Acting-Adjutant, 31st Punjaub Infantry, rendered + valuable assistance in helping to bring in a wounded Sepoy during the + withdrawal from north camp. He also behaved with courage in resisting an + attack of the enemy on the night of the 28th, when he was severely + wounded. + </p> + <p> + Surgeon-Lieutenant J.H. Hugo, attached to 31st Punjaub Infantry, rendered + valuable service on the night of the 28th in saving Lieutenant H.B. Ford + from bleeding to death. Lieutenant Ford was wounded and a branch of an + artery was cut. There were no means of securing the artery, and + Surgeon-Lieutenant Hugo for two hours stopped the bleeding by compressing + the artery with his fingers. Had he not had the strength to do so, + Lieutenant Ford must have died. Early in the morning, thinking that the + enemy had effected an entrance into camp, Surgeon-Lieutenant Hugo picked + up Lieutenant Ford with one arm, and, still holding the artery with the + fingers of the other hand, carried him to a place of safety. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs. +</pre> + <p> + Colonel H.A. Sawyer was away on leave when hostilities broke out, but he + returned on the 29th and took over command of the regiment from + Lieut.-Colonel McRae, and from that time rendered me every assistance. + </p> + <p> + I would specially bring to the notice of His Excellency the + Commander-in-chief the name of Lieut.-Colonel H.N. McRae, who commanded + the regiment on the 26th, 27th and 28th. His prompt action in seizing the + gorge at the top of the Buddhist road on the night of the 26th, and the + gallant way in which he held it, undoubtedly saved the camp from being + rushed on that side. For this, and for the able way in which he commanded + the regiment during the first three days of the fighting, I would commend + him to His Excellency's favorable consideration. + </p> + <p> + Also Lieutenant R.M. Barff, Officiating-Adjutant of the regiment, who, + Lieut.-Colonel McRae reports, behaved with great courage and rendered him + valuable assistance. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Guides. +</pre> + <p> + I also wish to bring the name of Lieut.-Colonel R.B. Adams of the Guides + to His Excellency's notice. The prompt way in which the corps mobilised, + and their grand march, reflect great credit on him and the corps. Since + arrival at the Malakand on the 27th July and till the morning of the 1st + August, Lieut.-Colonel Adams was in command of the lower camp, i.e., that + occupied by central and left position, and in the execution of this + command, and the arrangements he made for improving the defenses, he gave + me every satisfaction. I have also to express my appreciation of the way + in which he conducted the cavalry reconnaissance on the 1st August, on + which occasion his horse was shot under him. + </p> + <p> + Great credit is due to Lieutenant P.C. Eliott-Lockhart, who was in command + of the Guides Infantry, for bringing up the regiment from Mardan to + Malakand in such good condition after their trying march. + </p> + <p> + Captain G.M. Baldwin, D.S.O., behaved with great courage and coolness + during the reconnaissance of the 1st August, and though severely wounded + by a sword cut on the head, he remained on the ground and continued to + lead his men. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant H.L.S. Maclean also behaved with courage, and displayed an + excellent example on the night of the 28th July, when he was severely + wounded. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 11th Bengal Lancers. +</pre> + <p> + Major S. Beatson commanded the squadron, 11th Bengal Lancers, which + arrived at Malakand on the 29th, and led them with great skill and dash on + the occasion of the reconnaissance on the 1st August. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery. +</pre> + <p> + Lieutenant F.A. Wynter was the only officer with No.8 Bengal Mountain + Battery from the 26th till the 30th July, and he commanded it during that + time, when all the severest of the fighting was going on, with great + ability, and has proved himself a good soldier. I should like especially + to mention him for His Excellency's consideration. The battery did + excellent work all through. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + No.5 Company Queen's Own Madras Sappers and Miners. +</pre> + <p> + Lieutenant A.R. Winsloe, R.E., commanded the company from the 27th July + till the 1st August to my entire satisfaction. His services in + strengthening the defences were invaluable. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant F.W. Watling, R.E., was in command of the company in the + absence of Captain Johnson on the 26th, and commanded it well until he was + wounded in gallantly trying to resist a charge of the enemy. After + Lieutenant Watling was wounded the command of the company for the + remainder of the night of the 26th, and till Lieutenant Winsloe returned + on the 27th, devolved on Lieutenant E.N. Manley, R.E. He performed his + duties with great credit, and afterwards was of great assistance, by his + zeal and his exertions, to Lieutenant Winsloe. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Medical Staff. +</pre> + <p> + Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel F.A. Smyth was most zealous, and performed + his duties to my satisfaction. He volunteered to perform the duties of + Provost Marshal, and did so for a short time during the illness of + Lieutenant H.E. Cotterill. + </p> + <p> + The arrangements made by Surgeon-Major S. Hassand, Senior Medical Officer, + 38th Native Field Hospital, and the indefatigable attention and care with + which he devoted himself to the wounded, deserve great praise. The list of + casualties is large, and Surgeon-Major Hassand has been untiring in his + exertions for their relief. I hope His Excellency will think fit to + consider his services favourably. + </p> + <p> + Surgeon-Captain T.A.O. Langston, 38th Native Field Hospital, rendered + valuable assistance in attending to the wounded under a heavy fire on the + night of the 26th and each following night, and behaved with courage and + devotion in carrying out his duties under very exceptional circumstances. + Surgeon-Lieutenant W. Carr has worked night and day in the hospitals, in + trying to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded, and has most ably and + efficiently aided Surgeon-Major Hassand. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Brigade Staff. +</pre> + <p> + Major L. Herbert, my Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, + was of the greatest assistance to me by the zeal and energy with which he + performed his duties from the moment the news of the approach of the enemy + was received till he was severely wounded while standing next to me in the + enclosure of the Sappers and Miners' camp on the night of the 26th. Since + being wounded, he has carried on all his office duties on his bed. I would + wish to commend his gallant conduct for the favorable consideration of the + Commander-in-Chief. + </p> + <p> + Although Major H.A. Deane is in no way under my authority, I feel I am + under a great obligation to him for the valuable assistance he rendered me + with his advice and for volunteering to put himself at my disposal with + the object of carrying on the active duties of Deputy Assistant + Adjutant-General, when Major Herbert was wounded. He was indefatigable in + assisting me in every way he could, and I am anxious to put on record my + grateful appreciation of the services he rendered me. + </p> + <p> + 44. The above list of names may appear to be somewhat long; but I would + point out that the fighting was almost constant for a week, and was of + such a close nature as to demand incessant exertion from every officer in + the force, and to elicit constant acts of courage and gallant example + which cannot be overlooked. + </p> + <p> + 45. I would not like to close this despatch without paying a tribute to + the memory of a fine soldier, and charming companion whose death the whole + force deplores. + </p> + <p> + Major W.W. Taylor had behaved with the greatest gallantry and dash in + meeting the enemy's first charge with Lieut.-Colonel McRae, and, had he + lived, he would undoubtedly distinguished himself in his career. His loss + in a heavy one to his regiment, and to the Service, and there is no one in + the brigade who does not mourn him as a friend. + </p> + <p> + I have also to deplore the death of Honorary-Lieutenant L. Manley, who as + my Commissariat Officer had rendered me great assistance, and who died + fighting manfully. His loss is a very serious one to the brigade. + </p> + <p> + 46. I attach separately, for favorable consideration, a list of native + officers, non-commissioned officers and men, who have done especially good + service; some of whom I have therein recommended for the order of merit. + </p> + <p> + I trust these recommendations will meet with the favorable consideration + of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE RELIEF OF CHAKDARA + 2ND AUGUST, 1897 + + FROM THE DESPATCH OF MAJOR-GENERAL + SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. +</pre> + <p> + 19. I have the honour to invite the special attention of His Excellency + the Commander-in-Chief in India to the good services of the following + officers during the operations described above, namely:— + </p> + <p> + Brigadier-General W.H. Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., carried out his duties in + command of the force which relieved Chakdara Fort with great gallantry and + judgment. + </p> + <p> + Colonel A.J.F. Reid, Officiating Colonel on the Staff, Malakand Brigade, + afforded me valuable assistance by carrying out the rearrangement of the + defensive posts at the Malakand on the 1st August, after the Relieving + Force had been drawn from them, and in making the preparations for Colonel + T.H. Goldney's attack on the 2nd. + </p> + <p> + Colonel T.H. Goldney, 35th Sikhs, disposed and led the troops on the + morning of the 2nd in the successful attack on the hill, since named after + him, in a most judicious and satisfactory manner. + </p> + <p> + Major E.A.P. Hobday, R.A., was most energetic and indefatigable in + assisting Colonel A.J.F. Reid and me in carrying out the multifarious work + which had to be done at the Malakand, and in the Swat Valley on the 1st, + 2nd and 3rd. + </p> + <p> + Brigadier-General Meiklejohn reports favourably on the following officers + who were under his command during the operations above detailed, viz:— + </p> + <p> + Captain G.F.H. Dillon, 40th Pathans, who acted as Staff Officer to the + Relieving Force, showed great readiness and resource, and his assistance + was of the utmost value. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenants C.R. Gaunt, 4th Dragoon Guards, Orderly Officer, and E. + Christian, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Signalling Officer, carried out their + duties most satisfactorily. + </p> + <p> + Lieut.-Colonel R.B. Adams, Queen's Own Corps of Guides, commanded the + cavalry (four squadrons) with the Relieving Force in the most gallant and + judicious manner. + </p> + <p> + The following officers commanding units and detachments of the Reliving + Force are stated by Brigidier-General Meiklejohn to have carried out their + duties in a thoroughly capable and satisfactory manner, viz.:— + </p> + <p> + Colonel H.A. Sawyer, 45th Sikhs. + </p> + <p> + Major Stuart Beatson, 11th Bengal Lancers. + </p> + <p> + Captain A.H.C. Birch, R.A. (8th Bengal Mountain Battery). + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant G. de H. Smith, 2nd Regiment, Central India Horse, attached to + Queen's Own Corps of Guides (cavalry). + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant A.R. Winsloe, R.E. (No.5 Company Queen's Own Sapper's and + Miners). + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant P.C. Eliott-Lockhart, Queen's Own Corps of Guides (infantry). + </p> + <p> + Surgeon-General H.F. Whitchurch, V.C., attended to the wounded under fire + throughout the fighting. + </p> + <p> + The following officers under Colonel T.H. Goldney's command led their + detachments under my own observation with gallantry and judgment, viz.:— + </p> + <p> + Lieut.-Colonel L.J.E. Bradshaw, 35th Sikhs. + </p> + <p> + Captain L.C.H. Stainforth, 38th Dogras. + </p> + <p> + Jemader Nawab, who commanded two guns of No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery in + support of Colonel Goldney's attack, attracted my favorable notice by his + smartness, quickness and thorough knowledge of his work. + </p> + <p> + I would also wish to bring to His Excellency's notice the good work done + by Major H. Burney, Gordon Highlanders, Assistant Adjutant-General; Major + H. Burney, Gordon Highlanders, Assistant Adjutant-General; Major H. + Wharry, D.S.O., Chief Commissariat Officer, and Captain A.B. Dunsterville, + 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment, my Aide-de-Camp; the only officers of + the Divisional Staff of my force who had arrived at the Malakand on the + 2nd August. These officers worked very hard and were of great use to me. + </p> + <p> + 20. Major H.A. Deane, C.S.I., Political Agent, Dir and Swat, was not in + any way under my orders during the operations above described, but + notwithstanding, I hope I may be permitted to express the obligations + under which I lie to him for valuable information and general assistance + which he gave me. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE DEFENCE OF CHAKDARA. + 26TH JULY—2ND AUGUST, 1897. + + FROM THE DESPATCH OF MAJOR-GENERAL + SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. +</pre> + <p> + 15. During the fighting above described, the conduct of the whole of the + garrison, whether fighting men, departmental details, or followers, is + reported to have been most gallant. Not the least marked display of + courage and constancy was that made by the small detachment in the signal + tower, who were without water for the last eighteen hours of the siege. + The signallers, under No.2729, Lance-Naik Vir Singh, 45th Sikhs, who set a + brilliant example, behaved throughout in a most courageous manner; one of + them, No.2829, Sepoy Prem Singh, climbing several times out of a window in + the tower with a heliograph, and signaling outside to the Malakand under a + hot fire from sungars in every direction. + </p> + <p> + 16. I would beg to recommend all the British and native officers who took + part in the defence I have described for the favorable consideration of + His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief as under, viz.:— + </p> + <p> + Captain H. Wright, 11th Bengal Lancers, who, with his detachment of forty + sabres of his regiment, made the gallant ride through the enemy from the + Malakand to Chakdara Fort, on the morning of the 27th July, and commanded + the garrison from that morning till its relief on the 2nd August. + </p> + <p> + Captain D. Baker, 2nd Bombay Infantry, who rode to Chakdara Fort with + Captain Wright, and made himself most useful. Lieutenant H.B. Rattray, + 45th Sikhs, who commanded the garrison from the commencement of the attack + on the 26th July till the arrival of Captain Wright the next day, and is + reported by that officer to have been the life and soul of the defence. + 2nd Lieutenant J.L. Wheatley, 45th Sikhs, had charge of the gun and Maxim + detachments, and it was largely owing to his care and judgment that these + weapons were so effective in the defence. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant A.B. Minchin, 25th Punjaub Infantry, Assistant Political Agent, + was in the fort throughout the siege, and was most useful. + </p> + <p> + Ressaidar Tilok Singh, 11th Bengal Lancers, accompanied Captain Wright in + his ride of the 27th July, and is very favorably mentioned by that + officer. + </p> + <p> + Jemadar Sudama commanded the detachment of the 21st Bengal Lancers who + were at Chakdara Fort on the 26th July, and was present throughout the + siege, and is also very favorably reported on. + </p> + <p> + Subadar Jwala Singh, 45th Sikhs, was present throughout the siege, and + showed great intelligence and readiness of resource, as well as courage + and coolness, under fire. + </p> + <p> + Jemadar Ala Singh, 45th Sikhs, had command of the sections on the parapet + of the river fort, and showed conspicuous courage and coolness under heavy + fire. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant Rattray reports that No.522 Hospital Assistant Piara Singh, + 11th Bengal Lancers, rendered valuable assistance, not only in the sortie + on the 2nd, and at other times in bringing up ammunition, etc., to the men + on the parapets under fire. + </p> + <p> + 17. I shall further have the honor, in a separate communication, to + submit, for the favorable consideration of His Excellency the + Commander-in-Chief, the names of several non-commissioned officers and men + who distinguished themselves during the siege of Chakdara Fort, in view of + their being granted the order of merit, should His Excellency think them + deserving of that distinction. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + From Major-General Sir B. Blood, K.C.B., Commanding the Malakand + Field Force, to the Adjutant-General in India,—No.5, "Despatches, + Malakand Field Force,"—Dated 27th October, 1897. +</pre> + <p> + I regret to find that in my report, "Despatches, Malakand Field Force," + No.3, of the 20th August, 1897, I omitted to include the name of + Surgeon-Captain E.V. Hugo, Indian Medical Service, amongst those of the + officers recommended to the favorable consideration of His Excellency the + Commander-in-Chief for their services during the recent defence of + Chakdara Fort. I now have great pleasure in stating that Surgeon-General + Hugo served with distinction throughout the defence in question, and in + recommending him for favorable consideration accordingly. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ACTION OF LANDAKAI AND EXPEDITION + INTO UPPER SWAT. + AUGUST, 1987. + + FROM THE DESPATCHES OF MAJOR-GENERAL + SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. +</pre> + <p> + 32. In concluding this part of my report, I would wish to express my + admiration of the fine soldierly qualities exhibited by all ranks of the + special force which I led into Upper Swat. They fought the action at + Landakai in a brilliant manner, working over high hills, under a burning + sun, with the greatest alacrity, and showing everywhere the greatest + keenness to close with the enemy. They carried out admirably the trying + duties necessitated by marching in hot weather with a transport train of + more than 2000 mules, and they endured with perfect cheerfulness the + discomforts of several nights' bivouac in heavy rain. The officers of the + Divisional Staff and of by personal staff who were with me, [Major H.H. + Burney, Assistant Adjutant-General (Gordon Highlanders); Lieut.-Colonel A. + Masters, Assistant Quartermaster-General (2nd Regiment Central India + Horse); Captain H.E. Stanton, Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General, + Intelligence Branch (Royal Artillery); Colonel W. Aitken, Colonel on the + Staff, Royal Artillery; Captain H.D. Grier, Adjutant, R.A.; Major E. + Blunt, Senior Officer of Royal Engineers; Captain E.W.M. Norie, + Superintendent, Army Signalling (Middlesex Regiment); Captain C.G.F. + Edwards, Provost Marshal (5th Punjaub Cavalry); Captain A.B. Dunsterville, + A.D.C. (1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment); Captain A.R. Dick, Orderly + Officer. BRIGADE STAFF.—Major E.A.P. Hobday, Deputy Assistant + Adjutant-General (Royal Artillery); Captain G.F.H. Dillon, Deputy + Assistant Quartermaster-General (40th Bengal Infantry); Captain C.H. + Beville, Commissariat Transport Department; Captain J.M. Camilleri, in + charge of Transport (13th Bengal Infantry); Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel J.T.B. + Bookey, I.M.S.; Lieutenant C.R. Gaunt, Orderly officer, 4th Dragoon + Guards. COMMANDING OFFICERS OF DIVISIONAL TROOPS.—Lieut.-Colonel + R.B. Adams, Queen's Own Corps of Guides; Major C.A. Anderson, 10th Field + Battery, Royal Artillery; Major M.F. Fegan, No.7 Mountain Battery, Royal + Artillery; Captain A.H.C. Birch, No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery; Captain + E.P. Johnson, No.5 Company Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.] + Brigadier-General W.H. Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., and his staff, and the + several heads of departments and commanding officers of Divisional Troops, + all carried out their duties in an entirely satisfactory manner. + </p> + <p> + Major H.A. Deane, Political Agent, and his assistant, Lieutenant A.B. + Minchin, gave valuable assistance in collecting intelligence and supplies. + </p> + <p> + 33. While the operations above described were in progress, a diversion was + made towards the southern border of the Buner country from Mardan by the + 1st Reserve Brigade, which, on its headquarters leaving Mardan, came under + my command as the 3rd Brigade, Malakand Field Force. + </p> + <p> + 34. A force [1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, under Lieut.-Colonel + R.D.B. Rutherford; 39th Garhwal Rifles, under Lieut.-Colonel B.C. Greaves; + No.3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners, under Captain C.E. Baddeley, R.E.; + one squadron 10th Bengal Lancers, under Captain W.L. Maxwell; two guns + No.1 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, under Lieutenant H.L.N. Beynon, + R.A.] under Brigadier-General J. Wodehouse, C.B., C.M.G., was concentrated + on the 17th August at Rustum, eighteen miles north-east of Mardan, and + about four miles from the Buner border, with the object of acting as a + containing force, and so preventing the sections of the Bunerwhals who had + not already committed themselves against us from joining in opposition to + our advance into Upper Swat. + </p> + <p> + 35. The presence of this force had the desired effect, and + Brigadier-General Wodehouse and his staff made good use of the time they + spent at Rustum in acquiring valuable information about several of the + passes in the neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + 36. Brigadier-General Wodehouse states that throughout the operations of + his force, which involved considerable fatigue and exposure to heat and + rain, the spirit of his troops left nothing to be desired. He makes + special mention of the work of No.3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners, + under Captain C.E. Baddeley, R.E. He also reports very favourably on the + assistance given him by Lieutenant C.P. Down, Assistant Commissioner, and + has expressed to me a high opinion of that officer's abilities and + acquirements, particularly of his proficiency in the local vernacular. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE ACTION OF 16TH SEPTEMBER. + + FROM SIR BINDON BLOOD'S DESPATCH + CONTAINING THE SUMMARY OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL JEFFREY'S + REPORT OF THE ACTION +</pre> + <p> + 27. The behavior of the troops throughout this trying day was very good. + The steadiness and discipline shown by the 1st Battalion of the Buffs, + under Lieu.-Colonel Ommnanney, were admirable, while Brigadier-General + Jeffreys has specially commended the gallantry with which the Guides + Infantry, under Major Campbell, brought off Captain Ryder's detachment of + the 35th Sikhs, carrying the wounded on their backs under a heavy fire. He + has further strongly endorsed Major Campbell's favourable mention of the + courage and judgment shown by Captain G.B. Hodson, and Lieutenant H.W. + Codrington, of the Guides, who commanded the companies of the battalion + which were chiefly in contact with the enemy; the gallantry of + Surgeon-Captain J. Fisher, Indian Medical Service, who made a most + determined, though unsuccessful, attempt to take medical aid to the + wounded of Captain Ryder's detachment through a hot fire; of + Surgeon-Lieutenant E.L. Perry, Indian Medical Service; of Jemadar Sikander + Khan of the Guides, and of several non-commissioned officers and Sepoys of + the same corps, regarding whom I have had the honour to make a separate + communication. + </p> + <p> + 28. Brigadier-General Jeffreys has also described in very favorable terms + the gallant and valuable work done on this day by Captain Cole and his + squadron of the 11th Bengal Lancers. He has commended the conduct of + Captain W.I. Ryder and Lieutenant O.G. Gunning, 35th Sikhs, who were both + wounded, and of Jemadar Narayan Singh, Havildar Ram Singh and Sepoy Karram + Singh [This man's case has formed the subject of a separate + communication.] of the same regiment. He has also brought to notice a + gallant act of Captain A.H.C. Birch, R.A., commanding No.8 Bengal Mountain + Battery, and his trumpeter, Jiwan, in rescuing a wounded Sepoy of the 35th + Sikhs, as well as the distinguished gallantry of Jemadars Nawab and Ishar + Singh and several non-commissioned officers and men of the same battery, + in regard to which I have made separate communications to you. + </p> + <p> + 29. Brigadier-General Jeffreys further refers in the strongest terms of + commendation to the gallant conduct of Lieutenants T.C. Watson [twice + wounded in attempting to clear the village] and J.M.C. Colvin, R.E., and + of the handful of men of the Buffs and No.4 Company Bengal Sappers and + Miners, who spent the night of the 16th-17th with him in the village of + Bilot. The conduct of these officers and men [of whom six were killed and + eighteen wounded on this occasion, out of a total of fifty-four] in + entering the village several times in the dark in face of a heavy fire + directed upon them at close quarters, seems deserving of the highest + recognition, and I have consequently made a special communication to you + on the subject. Brigadier-General Jeffreys has also commended the gallant + conduct of his Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General, [The remainder of + Brigadier-General Jeffrey's staff was with the main body when it got + separated from them.] Major E.O.F. Hamilton, 1st Battalion the Queen's + Royal West Surrey Regiment; and finally, he has praised the courage and + resolution of Lieutenant W.L.S. Churchill, 4th Hussars, the correspondent + of the Pioneer Newspaper with the force, who made himself useful at a + critical moment. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + OPERATIONS OF THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE + + FROM THE CONCLUDING DESPATCH OF + MAJOR-GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. +</pre> + <p> + 58. The commissariat arrangements under Major H. Wharry, D.S.O., were most + successful. The rations were always abundant, and of uniformly good + quality; and I may here observe that in five previous campaigns I have + never seen the supply of bread anything like so continuously good, as it + has been throughout the operations of the Malakand Field Force. No doubt + the excellence of the commissariat arrangements has had a great deal to do + with the good state of health of the troops, which I have remarked upon. + </p> + <p> + 59. The transport was most efficient throughout the operations under + reference, and its management, under the direction of Captain C.G.R. + Thackwell, Divisional Transport Officer, who was most ably and + energetically assisted by Veterinary-Captain H.T.W. Mann, Senior + Veterinary Officer, was most successful. In proof of this I will cite a + report just made to me by Brigadier-General Jeffreys, commanding the 2nd + Brigade of my force, that this morning, on inspecting 1265 mules attached + his brigade, which have just returned from seven weeks in the field, he + found fourteen sore backs, and four animals otherwise unfit for work, or a + total of only eighteen disabled animals in all. + </p> + <p> + 60. The medical service was carried out in a very satisfactory manner. + Some difficulties arose on the transfer of officers and material to the + Tirah Expeditionary Force on its formation, especially as large convoys of + sick and wounded were on the line of this force at the time, but these + difficulties were successfully overcome by Colonel A.J.F. Reid, commanding + the Malakand Brigade, who was in charge of the Line, and matters were + ultimately restored to smooth working on the arrival of Surgeon-Colonel + J.C.G. Carmichael, Indian Medical Service, who is now Principal Medical + Officer of the Force. + </p> + <p> + 61. The telegraph arrangements were well carried out by Lieutenant W. + Robertson, R.E., under the direction of Mr. C.E. Pitman, C.I.E. The postal + service under Mr. H.C. Sheridan was also satisfactory. + </p> + <p> + 62. The working of the several departments of the Headquarters' staff was + most satisfactory and successful. The heads of departments were:— + </p> + <p> + Major H.H. Burney, Gordon Highlanders, Assistant Adjutant-General. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant-Colonel A. Masters, 2nd Regiment Central India Horse, Assistant + Quartermaster-General. + </p> + <p> + Captain H.E. Stanton, D.S.O., R.A., Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General + (Intelligence). + </p> + <p> + Captain E.W.M. Norie, Middlesex Regiment, Superintendent, Army Signalling. + </p> + <p> + Surgeon-Colonel J.C.G. Carmichael, Indian Medical Service, Principal + Medical Officer. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant-Colonel W. Aitken, C.B., R.A., Commanding Royal Artillery. + </p> + <p> + Colonel J.E. Broadbent, R.E., Commanding Royal Engineers—relieved + early in October by Lieutenant-Colonel W. Peacocke, C.M.G., R.E. + </p> + <p> + Captain W.E. Banbury, 25th Madras Infantry, Field Treasure Chest Officer. + </p> + <p> + Captain W.W. Cookson, R.A., Ordnance Officer. + </p> + <p> + Major H. Wharry, D.S.O., Staff Corps, Chief Commissariat Officer. + </p> + <p> + Veterinary-Captain H.T.W. Mann, [Wounded in action, 20th September, 1897.] + Army Veterinary Department, Senior Veterinary Officer. + </p> + <p> + Captain C.L. Robertson, R.E., Survey officer. + </p> + <p> + Captain C.G.F. Edwards, 5th Punjaub Cavalry, Provost Marshal. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. L. Klogh, Chaplain. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant W. Robertson, R.E., in charge of Telegraphs. + </p> + <p> + 63. I am under great obligations to my personal staff—Captain A.B. + Dunsterville, 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment, Aide-de-Camp; Captain + A.R. Dick, 2nd Punjaub Cavalry, and Lieutenant Viscount Fincastle, 16th + (The Queen's) Lancers. + </p> + <p> + 64. It will have been gathered from the foregoing narrative that the three + brigades of the force were ably commanded by Brigadier-Generals W.H. + Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., 1st Brigade; P.D. Jeffreys, [Wounded in action, + 16th September, 1897.] C.B., 2nd Brigade, and J.H. Wodehouse, C.B., + C.M.G., [Wounded in action, 20th September, 1897.] 3rd Brigade, who were + efficiently seconded by their staffs. The Line of Communications and the + Base were also most efficiently managed by Colonel A.J.F. Reid, Commanding + the Malakand Brigade, and by Lieut.-Colonel A.V. Schalch, 11th Bengal + Infantry, the Base Commandant, and their respective staffs. + </p> + <p> + 65. In my final report on the conclusion of the operations of the force, I + shall have the honour to bring the services of the officers above briefly + referred to more fully to the notice of His Excellency the + Commander-in-Chief. + </p> + <p> + 66. Major H.A. Deane, C.S.I., Political Agent, Dur, Chitral and Swat, was + in separate and independent charge of the political arrangements connected + with the operations I have described, as far as Nawagai. He accompanied my + headquarters to Ghosam, where I left him on the 12th September, and + rejoined me at Inayat Kila on the 4th October. He gave much assistance in + arranging for the collection of local supplies. + </p> + <p> + 67. Mr. W.S. Davis was my political officer throughout the operations + beyond Nawagai, and in the Mamund Valley prior to Major Deane's return to + my headquarters on the 4th October. He carried out his duties to my + complete satisfaction. His native assistant, Khan Bahadur Ibrahim Kham, + also made himself very useful. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + END OF TEXT +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Malakand Field Force, by +Sir Winston S. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Story of the Malakand Field Force + +Author: Sir Winston S. Churchill + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9404] +Posting Date: July 27, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE *** + + +Text File produced by Ronald J. Goodden in memory of Royal G. Goodden + + + + +THE STORY OF THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE + +AN EPISODE OF FRONTIER WAR + + +By Sir Winston S. Churchill + + + + + "They (Frontier Wars) are but the surf that marks the edge + and the advance of the wave of civilisation." + + LORD SALISBURY, Guildhall, 1892 + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + + Preface + Chapter I: The Theatre of War + Chapter II: The Malakand Camps + Chapter III: The Outbreak + Chapter IV: The Attack on the Malakand + Chapter V: The Relief of Chakdara + Chapter VI: The Defence of Chakdara + Chapter VII: The Gate of Swat + Chapter VIII: The Advance Against the Mohmands + Chapter IX: Reconnaissance + Chapter X: The March to Nawagai + Chapter XI: The Action of the Mamund Valley, 16th September + Chapter XII: At Inayat Kila + Chapter XIII: Nawagai + Chapter XIV: Back to the Mamund Valley + Chapter XV: The Work of the Cavalry + Chapter XVI: Submission + Chapter XVII: Military Observations + Chapter XVIII: The Riddle of the Frontier + Appendix + + + + THIS BOOK + IS INSCRIBED TO + MAJOR-GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + UNDER WHOSE COMMAND THE OPERATIONS THEREIN + RECORDED WERE CARRIED OUT; BY WHOSE GENERALSHIP + THEY WERE BROUGHT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION; + AND TO WHOSE KINDNESS THE AUTHOR IS INDEBTED + FOR THE MOST VALUABLE AND FASCINATING EXPERIENCE + OF HIS LIFE. + + + + + + +PREFACE + + + "According to the fair play of the world, + Let me have an audience." + + "King John," Act v., Sc. 2. + + + +On general grounds I deprecate prefaces. I have always thought that if +an author cannot make friends with the reader, and explain his objects, +in two or three hundred pages, he is not likely to do so in fifty lines. +And yet the temptation of speaking a few words behind the scenes, as it +were, is so strong that few writers are able to resist it. I shall not +try. + +While I was attached to the Malakand Field Force I wrote a series of +letters for the London Daily Telegraph. The favourable manner in which +these letters were received, encouraged me to attempt a more substantial +work. This volume is the result. + +The original letters have been broken up, and I have freely availed +myself of all passages, phrases, and facts, that seemed appropriate. The +views they contained have not been altered, though several opinions and +expressions, which seemed mild in the invigorating atmosphere of a camp, +have been modified, to suit the more temperate climate of peace. + +I have to thank many gallant officers for the assistance they have given +me in the collection of material. They have all asked me not to mention +their names, but to accede to this request would be to rob the story of +the Malakand Field Force of all its bravest deeds and finest characters. + +The book does not pretend to deal with the complications of the frontier +question, nor to present a complete summary of its phases and features. +In the opening chapter I have tried to describe the general character +of the numerous and powerful tribes of the Indian Frontier. In the last +chapter I have attempted to apply the intelligence of a plain man to the +vast mass of expert evidence, which on this subject is so great that it +baffles memory and exhausts patience. The rest is narrative, and in it I +have only desired to show the reader what it looked like. + +As I have not been able to describe in the text all the instances of +conduct and courage which occurred, I have included in an appendix the +official despatches. + +The impartial critic will at least admit that I have not insulted the +British public by writing a party pamphlet on a great Imperial question. +I have recorded the facts as they occurred, and the impressions as +they arose, without attempting to make a case against any person or any +policy. Indeed, I fear that assailing none, I may have offended all. +Neutrality may degenerate into an ignominious isolation. An honest and +unprejudiced attempt to discern the truth is my sole defence, as the +good opinion of the reader has been throughout my chief aspiration, and +can be in the end my only support. + + + Winston S. Churchill + + Cavalry Barracks, + Bangalore, 30th December, 1897 + + + + + + +CHAPTER I: THE THEATRE OF WAR + + + The Ghilzaie chief wrote answer: "Our paths are narrow and + steep. + The sun burns fierce in the valleys, and the snow-fed streams run + deep; + . . . . . . . . . . + + So a stranger needs safe escort, and the oath of a valiant friend." + + "The Amir's Message," SIR A. LYALL. + + + +All along the north and north-west frontiers of India lie the Himalayas, +the greatest disturbance of the earth's surface that the convulsions of +chaotic periods have produced. Nearly four hundred miles in breadth and +more than sixteen hundred in length, this mountainous region divides +the great plains of the south from those of Central Asia, and parts as +a channel separates opposing shores, the Eastern Empire of Great Britain +from that of Russia. The western end of this tumult of ground is formed +by the peaks of the Hindu Kush, to the south of which is the scene of +the story these pages contain. The Himalayas are not a line, but a great +country of mountains. By one who stands on some lofty pass or commanding +point in Dir, Swat or Bajaur, range after range is seen as the long +surges of an Atlantic swell, and in the distance some glittering +snow peak suggests a white-crested roller, higher than the rest. The +drenching rains which fall each year have washed the soil from the sides +of the hills until they have become strangely grooved by numberless +water-courses, and the black primeval rock is everywhere exposed. The +silt and sediment have filled the valleys which lie between, and made +their surface sandy, level and broad. Again the rain has cut wide, +deep and constantly-changing channels through this soft deposit; great +gutters, which are sometimes seventy feet deep and two or three hundred +yards across. These are the nullahs. Usually the smaller ones are dry, +and the larger occupied only by streams; but in the season of the rains, +abundant water pours down all, and in a few hours the brook has become +an impassable torrent, and the river swelled into a rolling flood which +caves the banks round which it swirls, and cuts the channel deeper year +by year. + +From the level plain of the valleys the hills rise abruptly. Their steep +and rugged slopes are thickly strewn with great rocks, and covered with +coarse, rank grass. Scattered pines grow on the higher ridges. In the +water-courses the chenar, the beautiful eastern variety of the plane +tree of the London squares and Paris boulevards, is occasionally found, +and when found, is, for its pleasant shade, regarded with grateful +respect. Reaching far up the sides of the hills are tiers of narrow +terraces, chiefly the work of long-forgotten peoples, which catch the +soil that the rain brings down, and support crops of barley and maize. +The rice fields along both banks of the stream display a broad, winding +strip of vivid green, which gives the eye its only relief from the +sombre colours of the mountains. + +In the spring, indeed, the valleys are brightened by many flowers--wild +tulips, peonies, crocuses and several kinds of polyanthus; and among the +fruits the water melon, some small grapes and mulberries are excellent, +although in their production, nature is unaided by culture. But during +the campaign, which these pages describe, the hot sun of the summer had +burnt up all the flowers, and only a few splendid butterflies, whose +wings of blue and green change colour in the light, like shot silk, +contrasted with the sternness of the landscape. + +The valleys are nevertheless by no means barren. The soil is fertile, +the rains plentiful, and a considerable proportion of ground is occupied +by cultivation, and amply supplies the wants of the inhabitants. + +The streams are full of fish, both trout and mahseer. By the banks teal, +widgeon and wild duck, and in some places, snipe, are plentiful. Chikor, +a variety of partridge, and several sorts of pheasants, are to be +obtained on the hills. + +Among the wild animals of the region the hunter may pursue the black +or brown mountain bear, an occasional leopard, markhor, and several +varieties of wild goat, sheep and antelope. The smaller quadrupeds +include hares and red foxes, not unlike the British breed, only with +much brighter coats, and several kinds of rats, some of which are very +curious and rare. Destitute of beauty but not without use, the scaly +ant-eater is frequently seen; but the most common of all the beasts +is an odious species of large lizard, nearly three feet long, which +resembles a flabby-skinned crocodile and feeds on carrion. Domestic +fowls, goats, sheep and oxen, with the inevitable vulture, and an +occasional eagle, complete the fauna. + +Over all is a bright blue sky and powerful sun. Such is the scenery of +the theatre of war. + +The inhabitants of these wild but wealthy valleys are of many tribes, +but of similar character and condition. The abundant crops which a warm +sun and copious rains raise from a fertile soil, support a numerous +population in a state of warlike leisure. Except at the times of sowing +and of harvest, a continual state of feud and strife prevails throughout +the land. Tribe wars with tribe. The people of one valley fight with +those of the next. To the quarrels of communities are added the combats +of individuals. Khan assails khan, each supported by his retainers. +Every tribesman has a blood feud with his neighbor. Every man's hand is +against the other, and all against the stranger. + +Nor are these struggles conducted with the weapons which usually belong +to the races of such development. To the ferocity of the Zulu are added +the craft of the Redskin and the marksmanship of the Boer. The world +is presented with that grim spectacle, "the strength of civilisation +without its mercy." At a thousand yards the traveller falls wounded +by the well-aimed bullet of a breech-loading rifle. His assailant, +approaching, hacks him to death with the ferocity of a South-Sea +Islander. The weapons of the nineteenth century are in the hands of the +savages of the Stone Age. + +Every influence, every motive, that provokes the spirit of murder among +men, impels these mountaineers to deeds of treachery and violence. The +strong aboriginal propensity to kill, inherit in all human beings, has +in these valleys been preserved in unexampled strength and vigour. +That religion, which above all others was founded and propagated by the +sword--the tenets and principles of which are instinct with incentives +to slaughter and which in three continents has produced fighting breeds +of men--stimulates a wild and merciless fanaticism. The love of plunder, +always a characteristic of hill tribes, is fostered by the spectacle of +opulence and luxury which, to their eyes, the cities and plains of the +south display. A code of honour not less punctilious than that of old +Spain, is supported by vendettas as implacable as those of Corsica. + +In such a state of society, all property is held directly by main force. +Every man is a soldier. Either he is the retainer of some khan--the +man-at-arms of some feudal baron as it were--or he is a unit in the +armed force of his village--the burgher of mediaeval history. In such +surroundings we may without difficulty trace the rise and fall of +an ambitious Pathan. At first he toils with zeal and thrift as an +agriculturist on that plot of ground which his family have held since +they expelled some former owner. He accumulates in secret a sum of +money. With this he buys a rifle from some daring thief, who has risked +his life to snatch it from a frontier guard-house. He becomes a man to +be feared. Then he builds a tower to his house and overawes those around +him in the village. Gradually they submit to his authority. He might now +rule the village; but he aspires still higher. He persuades or compels +his neighbors to join him in an attack on the castle of a local khan. +The attack succeeds. The khan flies or is killed; the castle captured. +The retainers make terms with the conqueror. The land tenure is feudal. +In return for their acres they follow their new chief to war. Were he to +treat them worse than the other khans treated their servants, they would +sell their strong arms elsewhere. He treats them well. Others resort to +him. He buys more rifles. He conquers two or three neighboring khans. He +has now become a power. + +Many, perhaps all, states have been founded in a similar way, and it is +by such steps that civilisation painfully stumbles through her earlier +stages. But in these valleys the warlike nature of the people and their +hatred of control, arrest the further progress of development. We +have watched a man, able, thrifty, brave, fighting his way to power, +absorbing, amalgamating, laying the foundations of a more complex +and interdependent state of society. He has so far succeeded. But +his success is now his ruin. A combination is formed against him. The +surrounding chiefs and their adherents are assisted by the village +populations. The ambitious Pathan, oppressed by numbers, is destroyed. +The victors quarrel over the spoil, and the story closes, as it began, +in bloodshed and strife. + +The conditions of existence, that have been thus indicated, have +naturally led to the dwelling-places of these tribes being fortified. If +they are in the valley, they are protected by towers and walls loopholed +for musketry. If in the hollows of the hills, they are strong by their +natural position. In either case they are guarded by a hardy and martial +people, well armed, brave, and trained by constant war. + +This state of continual tumult has produced a habit of mind which recks +little of injuries, holds life cheap and embarks on war with careless +levity, and the tribesmen of the Afghan border afford the spectacle of a +people, who fight without passion, and kill one another without loss of +temper. Such a disposition, combined with an absolute lack of reverence +for all forms of law and authority, and a complete assurance of +equality, is the cause of their frequent quarrels with the British +power. A trifle rouses their animosity. They make a sudden attack on +some frontier post. They are repulsed. From their point of view the +incident is closed. There has been a fair fight in which they have had +the worst fortune. What puzzles them is that "the Sirkar" should regard +so small an affair in a serious light. Thus the Mohmands cross the +frontier and the action of Shabkadr is fought. They are surprised and +aggrieved that the Government are not content with the victory, but must +needs invade their territories, and impose punishment. Or again, the +Mamunds, because a village has been burnt, assail the camp of the Second +Brigade by night. It is a drawn game. They are astounded that the troops +do not take it in good part. + +They, when they fight among themselves, bear little malice, and the +combatants not infrequently make friends over the corpses of their +comrades or suspend operations for a festival or a horse race. At the +end of the contest cordial relations are at once re-established. And yet +so full of contradictions is their character, that all this is without +prejudice to what has been written of their family vendettas and +private blood feuds. Their system of ethics, which regards treachery and +violence as virtues rather than vices, has produced a code of honour so +strange and inconsistent, that it is incomprehensible to a logical mind. +I have been told that if a white man could grasp it fully, and were to +understand their mental impulses--if he knew, when it was their honour +to stand by him, and when it was their honour to betray him; when they +were bound to protect and when to kill him--he might, by judging his +times and opportunities, pass safely from one end of the mountains to +the other. But a civilised European is as little able to accomplish +this, as to appreciate the feelings of those strange creatures, which, +when a drop of water is examined under a microscope, are revealed +amiably gobbling each other up, and being themselves complacently +devoured. + +I remark with pleasure, as an agreeable trait in the character of the +Pathans, the immunity, dictated by a rude spirit of chivalry, which in +their ceaseless brawling, their women enjoy. Many forts are built at +some distance from any pool or spring. When these are besieged, the +women are allowed by the assailants to carry water to the foot of the +walls by night. In the morning the defenders come out and fetch it--of +course under fire--and are enabled to continue their resistance. But +passing from the military to the social aspect of their lives, the +picture assumes an even darker shade, and is unrelieved by any redeeming +virtue. We see them in their squalid, loopholed hovels, amid dirt and +ignorance, as degraded a race as any on the fringe of humanity: fierce +as the tiger, but less cleanly; as dangerous, not so graceful. Those +simple family virtues, which idealists usually ascribe to primitive +peoples, are conspicuously absent. Their wives and their womenkind +generally, have no position but that of animals. They are freely bought +and sold, and are not infrequently bartered for rifles. Truth is unknown +among them. A single typical incident displays the standpoint from +which they regard an oath. In any dispute about a field boundary, it is +customary for both claimants to walk round the boundary he claims, with +a Koran in his hand, swearing that all the time he is walking on his own +land. To meet the difficulty of a false oath, while he is walking over +his neighbor's land, he puts a little dust from his own field into his +shoes. As both sides are acquainted with the trick, the dismal farce of +swearing is usually soon abandoned, in favor of an appeal to force. + +All are held in the grip of miserable superstition. The power of the +ziarat, or sacred tomb, is wonderful. Sick children are carried on the +backs of buffaloes, sometimes sixty or seventy miles, to be deposited +in front of such a shrine, after which they are carried back--if they +survive the journey--in the same way. It is painful even to think of +what the wretched child suffers in being thus jolted over the cattle +tracks. But the tribesmen consider the treatment much more efficacious +than any infidel prescription. To go to a ziarat and put a stick in +the ground is sufficient to ensure the fulfillment of a wish. To sit +swinging a stone or coloured glass ball, suspended by a string from a +tree, and tied there by some fakir, is a sure method of securing a fine +male heir. To make a cow give good milk, a little should be plastered +on some favorite stone near the tomb of a holy man. These are but a few +instances; but they may suffice to reveal a state of mental development +at which civilisation hardly knows whether to laugh or weep. + +Their superstition exposes them to the rapacity and tyranny of +a numerous priesthood--"Mullahs," "Sahibzadas," "Akhundzadas," +"Fakirs,"--and a host of wandering Talib-ul-ilms, who correspond with +the theological students in Turkey, and live free at the expense of the +people. More than this, they enjoy a sort of "droit du seigneur," and no +man's wife or daughter is safe from them. Of some of their manners and +morals it is impossible to write. As Macaulay has said of Wycherley's +plays, "they are protected against the critics as a skunk is protected +against the hunters." They are "safe, because they are too filthy to +handle, and too noisome even to approach." + +Yet the life even of these barbarous people is not without moments +when the lover of the picturesque might sympathise with their hopes +and fears. In the cool of the evening, when the sun has sunk behind the +mountains of Afghanistan, and the valleys are filled with a delicious +twilight, the elders of the village lead the way to the chenar trees by +the water's side, and there, while the men are cleaning their rifles, +or smoking their hookas, and the women are making rude ornaments from +beads, and cloves, and nuts, the Mullah drones the evening prayer. Few +white men have seen, and returned to tell the tale. But we may imagine +the conversation passing from the prices of arms and cattle, the +prospects of the harvest, or the village gossip, to the great Power, +that lies to the southward, and comes nearer year by year. Perhaps some +former Sepoy, of Beluchis or Pathans, will recount his adventures in the +bazaars of Peshawar, or tell of the white officers he has followed and +fought for in the past. He will speak of their careless bravery and +their strange sports; of the far-reaching power of the Government, that +never forgets to send his pension regularly as the months pass by; and +he may even predict to the listening circle the day when their valleys +will be involved in the comprehensive grasp of that great machine, and +judges, collectors and commissioners shall ride to sessions at Ambeyla, +or value the land tax on the soil of Nawagai. Then the Mullah will raise +his voice and remind them of other days when the sons of the prophet +drove the infidel from the plains of India, and ruled at Delhi, as +wide an Empire as the Kafir holds to-day: when the true religion strode +proudly through the earth and scorned to lie hidden and neglected among +the hills: when mighty princes ruled in Bagdad, and all men knew that +there was one God, and Mahomet was His prophet. And the young men +hearing these things will grip their Martinis, and pray to Allah, that +one day He will bring some Sahib--best prize of all--across their line +of sight at seven hundred yards so that, at least, they may strike a +blow for insulted and threatened Islam. + +The general aspect of the country and character of its inhabitants +have thus been briefly described. At this stage it is not necessary or +desirable to descend to detail. As the account proceeds the reader may +derive a more lively impression of the sombre mountains, and of the +peoples who dwell beneath their shadow. + +The tale that I have to tell is one of frontier war. Neither the +importance of the issues, nor the numbers of the combatants, are on an +European scale. The fate of empires does not hang on the result. Yet the +narrative may not be without interest, or material for reflection. In +the quarrels of civilised nations, great armies, many thousands strong, +collide. Brigades and battalions are hurried forward, and come perhaps +within some fire zone, swept by concentrated batteries, or massed +musketry. Hundreds or thousands fall killed and wounded. The survivors +struggle on blindly, dazed and dumfoundered, to the nearest cover. Fresh +troops are continuously poured on from behind. At length one side or +the other gives way. In all this tumult, this wholesale slaughter, the +individual and his feelings are utterly lost. Only the army has a tale +to tell. With events on such a scale, the hopes and fears, the strength +and weakness, of man are alike indistinguishable. Amid the din and dust +little but destruction can be discerned. But on the frontier, in the +clear light of morning, when the mountain side is dotted with smoke +puffs, and every ridge sparkles with bright sword blades, the spectator +may observe and accurately appreciate all grades of human courage--the +wild fanaticism of the Ghazi, the composed fatalism of the Sikh, the +stubbornness of the British soldier, and the jaunty daring of his +officers. He may remark occasions of devotion and self-sacrifice, of +cool cynicism and stern resolve. He may participate in moments of wild +enthusiasm, or of savage anger and dismay. The skill of the general, the +quality of the troops, the eternal principles of the art of war, will +be as clearly displayed as on historic fields. Only the scale of the +statistics is reduced. + +A single glass of champagne imparts a feeling of exhilaration. The +nerves are braced, the imagination is agreeably stirred, the wits +become more nimble. A bottle produces a contrary effect. Excess causes +a comatose insensibility. So it is with war, and the quality of both is +best discovered by sipping. + +I propose to chronicle the military operations of the Malakand Field +Force, to trace their political results, and to give, if possible, some +picture of the scenery and people of the Indian Highlands. These pages +may serve to record the actions of brave and skilful men. They may throw +a sidelight on the great drama of frontier war. They may describe an +episode in that ceaseless struggle for Empire which seems to be the +perpetual inheritance of our race. They may amuse an idle hour. But the +ambition I shall associate with them is, that in some measure, however +small, they may stimulate that growing interest which the Imperial +Democracy of England is beginning to take, in their great estates that +lie beyond the seas. + + + + + +CHAPTER II: THE MALAKAND CAMPS + + + Ibam forte via sacra.--HORACE. + + + +The town and cantonment of Nowshera was the base from which all the +operations of the Malakand Field Force were conducted. It is situated +on the India side of the Cabul River and is six hours by rail from Rawal +Pindi. In times of peace its garrison consists of one native cavalry +regiment, one British, and one native infantry battalion. During the +war these troops were employed at the front. The barracks became great +hospitals. The whole place was crowded with transport and military +stores; and only a slender force remained under the orders of Colonel +Schalch, the Base Commandant. + +The road from Nowshera to the Malakand Pass and camps is forty-seven +miles long, and divided into four stages. Usually there is an excellent +tonga service, and the distance is covered in about six hours; but +while the Field Force was mobilised so much traffic and so many officers +passed up and down the line, that the tonga ponies were soon reduced to +a terrible condition of sores and emaciation, and could hardly drag the +journey out in nine, ten, or even twelve hours. After leaving Nowshera, +and crossing the Cabul River, a stage of fifteen miles brings the +traveller to Mardan. This place--pronounced "Merdane"--is the permanent +station of the Corps of Guides. It is shady and agreeable, though +terribly hot in the summer months. It boasts an excellent polo ground +and a comfortable rest-house. The passer-by should pause to see the +Guides' cemetery, perhaps the only regimental cemetery in the world. To +this last resting-place under the palm trees, close to the fields where +they have played, and the barracks in which they lived, have been borne +the bodies of successive generations of these wardens of the marches, +killed in action across the frontier line. It is a green and pleasant +spot. Nor is there any place in the world where a soldier might lie in +braver company. + +After Mardan the road becomes more dusty, and the surrounding country +barren and arid. [This description applies to the autumn season. In the +winter and spring the country for a time is green and the air cold.] +The mountains are approached, and as the tonga advances their shapes and +colours are more distinctly seen. A few knolls and ridges rising +from the level plain, mark the outposts of that great array of hills. +Crossing a shallow stream--a tributary of the Cabul River, Jalala, the +second stage is reached. In peace time a small mud fort is the +only indication, but this is expanded by the proximity of war to a +considerable camp, with an entrenchment around it. Stopping only to +change ponies, for it is a forsaken spot, the journey is resumed. The +avenue of trees on either side has ceased. The road is seen simply as +a white streak stretching towards the mountains. It is traversed in a +sweltering heat and choking dust. All around the country is red, sterile +and burnt up. In front the great wall of hills rises dark and ominous. +At length Dargai at the foot of the pass is reached. It is another +mud fort, swelled during the operations into an entrenched camp, and +surrounded by a network of barbed wire entanglement. The Malakand Pass +can now be seen--a great cleft in the line of mountains--and far up the +gorge, the outline of the fort that guards it, is distinguishable. + +The graded road winds up, with many a turn, the long ascent from Dargai +to the top of the pass. The driver flogs the wretched, sore-backed +ponies tirelessly. At length the summit is neared. The view is one worth +stopping to look at. Behind and below, under the haze of the heat, is +the wide expanse of open country--smooth, level, stretching away to the +dim horizon. The tonga turns the corner and enters a new world. A +cooler breeze is blowing. A single step has led from peace to war; from +civilisation to savagery; from India to the mountains. On all sides the +landscape is wild and rugged. Ridge succeeds ridge. Valley opens into +valley. As far as the eye can reach in every direction are ragged peaks +and spurs. The country of the plains is left, and we have entered a +strange land, as tangled as the maze at Hampton Court, with mountains +instead of hedges. So broken and so confused is the ground, that I +despair of conveying a clear impression of it. + +The Malakand is like a great cup, of which the rim is broken into +numerous clefts and jagged points. At the bottom of this cup is the +"crater" camp. The deepest cleft is the Malakand Pass. The highest of +the jagged points is Guides Hill, on a spur of which the fort stands. +It needs no technical knowledge to see, that to defend such a place, the +rim of the cup must be held. But in the Malakand, the bottom of the cup +is too small to contain the necessary garrison. The whole position is +therefore, from the military point of view, bad and indefensible. In the +revised and improved scheme of defence, arrangements have been made, +to command the available approaches, and to block such as cannot be +commanded with barbed wire entanglements and other obstructions; and by +a judicious system of works much of the rim is now held. But even now +I am told by competent judges that the place is a bad one for defence; +that the pass could be held by the fort alone, and that the brigade +stationed there would be safer and equally useful, if withdrawn to +Dargai. At the time this story opens the Malakand South Camp was an +impossible place to put troops in. It was easy of access. It was cramped +and commanded by neighbouring heights. [Under the arrangements which +have been made since the war, the Malakand position and the works at +Chakdara and Dargai will be held by two battalions and some details. +These will be supported by a flying column, the exact location and +composition of which are as yet undetermined.] + +The small area of the camp on the Kotal necessitated the formation of a +second encampment in the plain of Khar. This was close under the +north outer edge of the cup. It was called for political reasons North +Malakand. As a military position it, also, was radically bad. It was +everywhere commanded, and surrounded by ravines and nullahs, which made +it easy for an enemy to get in, and difficult for troops to get out. +It was, of course, of no strategic value, and was merely used as a +habitation for the troops intended to hold Malakand, for whom there was +no room in the crater and fort. The north camp has now been definitely +abandoned. + +Nobody, however--least of all those who selected the site--would seem +to have contemplated the possibility of an attack. Indeed the whole +situation was regarded as purely temporary. The vacillation, caused +by the change of parties and policies in England, led to the Malakand +garrison remaining for two years in a position which could not be well +defended either on paper or in reality. At first, after the Chitral +campaign of 1895, it was thought that the retention of the brigade in +this advanced post, was only a matter of a few weeks. But as the months +passed by the camp began, in spite of the uncertainty, to assume an +appearance of permanency. The officers built themselves huts and mess +rooms. A good polo ground was discovered near Khar, and under careful +management rapidly improved. A race-course was projected. Many officers +who were married brought their wives and families to the camp among +the mountains, and the whole place was rapidly becoming a regular +cantonment. No cases of Ghazi outrage broke the tranquillity. The +revolvers, which all persons leaving camp were by regulations obliged +to take, were either unloaded or carried by a native groom. Shooting +parties were organised to the hills. A well-contested polo tournament +was held in Christmas week. Distinguished travellers--even a member of +Parliament--visited this outpost of empire, and observed with interest +the swiftness and ease with which the Anglo-Saxon adapts every situation +to his sports and habits. + +At the same time the station of the Malakand Brigade was far from being +a comfortable one. For two years they lived under canvas or in rude +huts. They were exposed to extremes of climate. They were without +punkahs or ice in the hot weather. They were nearly fifty miles from +the railway, and in respect of companionship and amusements were thrown +entirely on their own resources. When the British cavalry officer +succeeds, in spite of official opposition, expense and discouragement, +in getting on service across the frontier, he is apt to look with +envious eyes at the officers of the Frontier Force, who are taken as a +matter of course and compelled to do by command, what he would solicit +as a favour. But he must remember that this is their compensation for +long months of discomfort and monotony in lonely and out-of-the-way +stations, and for undergoing hardships which, though honourable and +welcome in the face of the enemy, become obnoxious in times of peace. + +After crossing the Malakand Pass the first turning to the right leads +to the Swat Valley. The traveller is now within the mountains. In every +direction the view is restricted or terminated by walls of rock. The +valley itself is broad, level and fertile. The river flows swiftly +through the middle. On either side of it, is a broad strip of rice +fields. Other crops occupy the drier ground. Numerous villages, some of +which contain large populations, are scattered about. It is a beautiful +scene. The cool breezes of the mountains temper the heat of the sun. The +abundant rains preserve the verdure of the earth. + +In ancient times this region was the seat of a Buddhistic kingdom, +and was known as Woo-Chang or "Udyana," which means "the Park," and +proclaims the appreciation which its former possessors had of their +pleasant valley. "The people," says the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien, who +visited the country in the fifth century, "all use the language of +Central India, 'Central India' being what we should call the 'Middle +Kingdom.' The food and clothes of the common people are the same as +in that Central Kingdom. The law of Buddha is very flourishing in +Woo-Chang." "The Park," which includes all the country on both banks of +the Swat River--then called the Subhavastu--but which perhaps applies +more particularly to the upper end of the valley, was famous for its +forests, flowers and fruit. But though the valley retains much of its +beauty, its forests have been destroyed by the improvidence, and its +flowers and fruit have declined through the ignorance, of the fierce +conquerors into whose hands it fell. + +The reputation which its present inhabitants enjoy is evil. Their +treacherous character has distinguished them even among peoples +notoriously faithless and cruel. Among Pathans it is a common saying: +"Swat is heaven, but the Swatis are hell-fiends." For many years they +had lain under the stigma of cowardice, and were despised as well as +distrusted by the tribes of the border; but their conduct in the recent +fighting has cleared them at least from this imputation. + +Several minor chieftains now divide authority in the Swat Valley, but +till 1870 it was governed by a single ruler. The Ahkund of Swat was by +origin a cowherd, an office considered most honourable in India. The +cow is a sacred beast. His service is acceptable to the Gods and men. +Princes glory in the name--though they do not usually carry their +enthusiasm further. "Guicowar" translated literally means "cowherd." +From such employment the future Ahkund received his inspiration. He sat +for many years by the banks of the Indus, and meditated. Thus he became +a saint. The longer his riparian reflections were continued, the greater +his sanctity became. The fame of his holiness spread throughout all the +region. The Swatis besought him to come and live in their valley. After +dignified and diplomatic reluctance, he consented to exchange the banks +of the Indus for those of the Swat. For some years, he lived in the +green valley, and enjoyed the reverence of its people. At the time of +the great mutiny, Said Akbar, the King of Swat, died, and the saint +succeeded to the temporal as well as the spiritual authority. In 1863 +he preached the Jehad against the British, and headed the Swatis +and Bunerwals in the Ambeyla campaign. The power which the Sirkar so +extravagantly displayed to bring the war to an end, evidently impressed +the old man, for at its close he made friends with the Government and +received from them many tokens of respect. + +Before he died in 1870, he summoned his people around him and declared +to them that one day their valley would be the scene of a struggle +between the Russians and the British. When that came to pass he charged +them to fight on our side. The saying is firmly fixed in the hearts of +the tribesmen, and is associated with the memory of their famous priest, +known to English minds chiefly through the medium of the "Bab Ballads." + +His two sons are dead, but his two grandsons, [the Mianguls of Swat] +both quite young, live on in the valley, and are the owners of the +Ahkund's freeholds, which are in every section of the Swat country. They +have very little political influence; but their persons and property +are respected by the people and by the British for the sake of their +grandfather, who sleeps in an odour of sanctity at Saidu, near Mingaora. + +From the Malakand the signal tower of Chakdara can be seen eight miles +away to the eastward. Thither the broad graded road runs like a ribbon +across the plain. Seven miles from the Kotal Camp, it crosses the +Amandara Pass, a gap in a considerable underfeature, which juts from the +southern mountains. After this it turns more to the north and leads to +the fortified bridge across the river. I invite the reader to remark +this road, for it is historic. It is not only the route by which the +Malakand Field Force was able to advance, but it is the very reason of +their existence. Without this road there would have been no Malakand +Camps, no fighting, no Malakand Field Force, no story. It is the road to +Chitral. + +Here then, at once, the whole vast question of frontier policy is +raised. We hold the Malakand Pass to keep the Chitral road open. We +keep the Chitral road open because we have retained Chitral. We retain +Chitral in accordance with the "Forward Policy." I am thus confronted at +the very outset of this book, which was intended to be devoted chiefly +to the narration of military events and small incidents, with that wide +political question, on which the keenest intellects in England are in +doubt, and the most valuable expert evidence in India is divided. +The reader must not think me pusillanimous or weak if I postpone the +discussion of so great and controversial a matter till a later chapter, +when I may perhaps enjoy a larger measure of his sympathy and agreement. +After the story has been told, it may not be inappropriate to point the +moral. + +Prudence encourages procrastination. But while the consideration of the +advisability of the retention of Chitral may be deferred, a description +of the means is convenient, if not necessary, to the present chapter. + +Nowshera is the railway base of the road. Thence we have followed it +to Mardan and across the frontier. Here the new and disputed portion +begins. Passing at first through the Lower Ranizai country, it climbs +the Malakand Pass, descends into the valley beyond and runs thence +through Upper Ranizai territory and Lower Swat to Chakdara. Here it +crosses the Swat River by the fine suspension bridge which the fort +guards. The three spans of this bridge are together nearly 1500 feet +long. It was constructed in 1895, during the operations, in about six +weeks, and is a very remarkable piece of military engineering. Beyond +the Swat the road runs through the territories of the Khan of Dir, north +and east to Sadu, an obscure village thirty-five miles from Malakand. +This marks the end of the first section, and further than this wheeled +traffic cannot go. The road, now become a camel track, winds along the +left bank of the Panjkora River to within five miles of Dir, where +it crosses to the right bank by another suspension bridge. Thence it +continues to the junction of the Dir stream, along which it finds its +way to Dir itself, some fifty miles from Sadu. Beyond Dir camels cannot +proceed, and here begins the third section--a path practicable only for +mules, and about sixty miles long. From Dir the road is a triumph of +engineering. In many places it is carried on wooden galleries perched on +the faces of steep and tremendous cliffs, and at others it works round +spurs by astounding zig-zags, or is scarped from the mountain side. At +the end of the road is Fort Chitral with a garrison of two battalions, +one company of sappers, and two mountain guns. + +The road is maintained and protected by the tribes through whose +territories it passes; but the two principal points where it might be +closed are held by Imperial garrisons. The Malakand Fort guards the +passage of the mountains. Chakdara holds the bridge across the river. +The rest is left to the tribal levies. The Ranizai tribe receive an +annual subsidy from the Indian Government of 30,000 rupees, out of which +they maintain 200 irregulars armed with Sniders, and irreverently +called by the British officers, "Catch-'em-alive-Os." These drive away +marauders and discourage outrage and murder. The Khan of Dir, through +whose territory the road runs for seventy-three miles, also receives a +subsidy from Government of 60,000 rupees, in consideration of which he +provides 400 irregulars for its service. + +Until the great rising these arrangements worked admirably. The +tribesmen interested in the maintenance of the route, were most +reluctant to engage in hostilities against the Government. The Lower +Ranizais, south of Malakand, abstained altogether. The elders of the +tribe collected all the arms of their hot-headed youths, and forbade +them to attack the troops. The Upper Ranizais were nearer the scene of +the disturbance, and were induced by superstition and fear to join +the Mullah; but very half-heartedly. The Swatis were carried away +by fanaticism. The Khan of Dir throughout behaved loyally, as he is +entirely dependent on British support, and his people realise the +advantages of the subsidy. + +If the road is interesting its story is more so, and a summary of the +events and causes which have led to its construction, may also throw +some light on the political history and methods of the border tribes. + +The uncertainty and insecurity of their power, has always led petty +chiefs to seek the support of some powerful suzerain. In 1876 the Mehtar +of Chitral, Aman-ul-Mulk, was encouraged to seek the protection, and +become the vassal of our vassal, the Maharaja of Cashmere. In accordance +with the general scheme of advance, then already adopted by the Indian +Government, a British agency was at once established at Gilgit on the +Chitral-Cashmere frontier. Aman-ul-Mulk was presented with a certain +supply of arms and ammunition, and an annual subsidy of 6000 rupees, +afterwards raised to 12,000 rupees. The British thus obtained an +interest in Chitral, and a point of observation on its borders. In 1881 +the agency was withdrawn, but the influence remained, and in 1889 it was +re-established with a much larger garrison. Meanwhile Aman-ul-Mulk ruled +in Chitral, showing great respect to the wishes of the Government, and +in the enjoyment of his subsidy and comparative peace. But in 1892 +he died, leaving many sons, all equally ferocious, ambitious and +unscrupulous. One of these, Afzal by name, though not the eldest or +acknowledged heir, had the good fortune to be on the spot. He seized the +reins of power, and having murdered as many if his brothers as he could +catch, proclaimed himself Mehtar, and invited the recognition of the +Indian Government. He was acknowledged chief, as he seemed to be "a +man of courage and determination," and his rule afforded a prospect of +settled government. Surviving brothers fled to neighbouring states. + +Nizam, the eldest, came to Gilgit and appealed to the British. He got +no help. The blessing had already been bestowed. But in November, 1892, +Sher Afzul, a brother of the late Aman, returned by stealth to Chitral, +whence fraternal affection had driven him, and killed the new Mehtar and +another brother, both of whom were his nephews. The "wicked uncle" then +ascended the throne, or its equivalent. He was, however, opposed. The +Indian Government refused to recognise him. Nizam, at Gilgit, urged his +claims, and was finally allowed to go and try to regain his inheritance. +The moral support of 250 Cashmere rifles brought him many adherents. He +was joined by the people. It was the landing of William of Orange on a +reduced scale, and with Cashmere troops instead of Dutch Guards. Twelve +hundred men sent by Sher Afzul to oppose him, deserted to his side. The +avuncular usurper, realising that it might be dangerous to wait longer, +fled to Afghanistan, as James II had fled to France, was received by the +ruler with hospitality, and carefully preserved as an element of future +disorder. + +Nizam now became Mehtar according to his desire. But he did not greatly +enjoy his power, and may have evolved some trite reflections on the +vanity of earthly ambition. From the first he was poor and unpopular. +With the support of the Government of India, however, he managed to +maintain a weak, squalid rule for a space. To give him countenance, +and in accordance with the Policy, Captain Younghusband was sent to the +country with a hundred bayonets. The Gilgit garrison was increased by +a battalion, and several posts were established between that place and +Mastuj. + +Thus the Imperial forces had entered Chitral. Their position was soon to +become one of danger. They were separated from Gilgit by many miles of +bad road, and warlike tribesmen. To move troops from Gilgit would always +be slow and difficult. Another route was however possible, the route I +have described--a route northwards from Peshawar through Dir--shorter +and easier, starting from British territory and the railway. Towards +this line of communication the Indian Government now looked. If British +troops or agents were to be retained in Chitral, if in other words their +recognised policy was to be continued, this route must be opened up. +They sounded the Home Government. Lord Kimberley replied, deprecating +increase of responsibilities, of territory and expenditure, and +declining to pledge himself to support such a scheme. At the same time +he sanctioned the temporary retention of the troops, and the agent, in +the hopes of strengthening Nizam. [Despatch from Secretary of State, +No.34, 1st Sept., 1893.] + +At this point Umra Khan must enter the story. The Gilgit agency report, +dated 28th April, 1890, speaks of this chief, who was the Khan of +Jandul, but whose influence pervaded the whole of Bajaur as "the most +important man between Chitral and Pashawar." To this powerful ruler, +another of the sons of Aman, named Amir, had fled from the family +massacre which followed his father's death. Umra Khan protected him +and determined to turn him to his own advantage. In May, 1894, this +youth--he was about twenty years of age--returned to Chitral, professing +to have escaped from the hands of Umra Khan. He was kindly received by +Nizam, who seems to have been much hampered throughout his career by his +virtue. On 1st January, 1895, Amir availed himself of his welcome, to +murder his brother, and the principal members of the Chitral Cabinet. +He proclaimed himself Mentar and asked for recognition. The Imperial +officers, though used to frontier politics, refused to commit themselves +to any arrangement with such a villain, until the matter had been +considered in India. + +Umra Khan now advanced with a large force to the head of the Chitral +Valley, nominally to assist his dear friend and ally, Amir, to +consolidate his rule, really in the hopes of extending his own +territories. But Amir, knowing Umra well, and having won his kingdom, +did not desire to share it. Fighting ensued. The Chitrals were beaten. +As he could not make any use of Amir, Umra Khan invited the wicked uncle +to return. Sher Afzul accepted. A bargain was struck. Sher Afzul claimed +to be made Mehtar, Umra supported his claims. Both threatened force in +the event of opposition. + +But the Imperial Government rose in wrath, refused to have anything +to do with the new claimant, informed him that his language was +impertinent, and warned Umra Khan to leave Chitral territory forthwith +or take the consequences. The answer was war. The scanty garrisons and +scattered parties of British troops were attacked. A company of the +14th Sikhs was cut to pieces. Lieutenants Fowler and Edwards were taken +prisoners. Fort Chitral, into which the rest of the Chitral mission and +their escort had thrown themselves, was closely and fiercely besieged. +To rescue them was imperative. The 1st Division of the Field Army was +mobilised. A force of nearly 16,000 men crossed the frontier on the 1st +April, from Mardan, to advance to the relief by the shortest route--the +route through Swat and Dir--the line of the present Chitral road. The +command of the expedition was confided to Sir Robert Low. Sir Bindon +Blood was Chief of the Staff. + +So far the tale has been of the steady increase of British influence, in +accordance with an avowed and consistent policy--primarily in Chitral, +and ultimately throughout the border tribes. One movement has been +followed by another. All have been aimed at a common end. Now suddenly +we are confronted with an act by which the Government of India with open +eyes placed an obstacle in the path, which they had so long pursued, to +follow which they had made so many efforts themselves and demanded +so many sacrifices from their subjects. Perhaps from compunction, but +probably to soothe the Liberal Government, by appearing to localise the +disturbances, and disclaiming any further acquisition of territory, +they issued a proclamation to "all the people of Swat and the people +of Bajaur, who do not side with Umra Khan," in which they declared that +they had "no intention of permanently occupying any territory through +which Umra Khan's misconduct" might "force them to pass, or of +interfering with the independence of the tribes." [Proclamation, 14th +March, 1895.] + +If this proclamation was intended for political purposes in England, +it, from one point of view, succeeded most admirably, for there has been +nearly as much written about it as about all the soldiers who have +been killed and wounded in the war. It had, however, no effect upon the +tribesmen, who were infuriated by the sight if the troops and paid no +attention to the protestations of the Government. Had they watched +with care the long, steady, deliberate advance, which I have so briefly +summarised; had they read the avowed and recorded determination of the +Indian Administration "to extend and, by degrees, to consolidate their +influence" [Letter from Government of India, No.407, 28th February, +1879.] in the whole drainage system of the Indus, they might have +even doubted their sincerity. Instead, and being unable to make fine +distinctions, they saw only invasion in the military movements. + +They gathered accordingly, to oppose the advance of the troops. To the +number of 12,000 they occupied the Malakand Pass--a tremendous position. +From this they were driven with great slaughter on the 3rd of April, by +the two leading brigades of Sir Robert Low's force. Further operations +resulted in the passage of the Swat and Panjkora Rivers being effected. +The road to Chitral was open. The besiegers of the fort fled, and a +small relieving force was able to push through from Gilgit under Colonel +Kelly. Umra Khan fled to Afghanistan, and the question of future policy +came before the Government of India. + +Two alternatives presented themselves: either they must "abandon the +attempt to keep up any effective control" over Chitral, or they must put +a sufficient garrison there. In pursuance of their recognised policy, +the Council decided unanimously that to maintain British influence in +Chitral was "a matter of first importance." In a despatch [Despatch of +Government of India, No.240, 8th May, 1895.] to the Home Government they +set forth all their reasons, and at the same time declared that it +was impossible to garrison Chitral without keeping up the road from +Peshawar, by which the Relief force had advanced. + +On the 13th of June Lord Rosebery's Cabinet replied decisively, with +courage if not with wisdom, that "no military force or European agent +should be kept at Chitral, that Chitral should not be fortified, and +that no road should be made between Peshawar and Chitral." By this they +definitely and finally repudiated the policy which had been consistently +followed since 1876. They left Chitral to stew in its own juice. They +over-ruled the Government of India. It was a bold and desperate attempt +to return to the old frontier line. The Indian Government replied: "We +deeply regret but loyally accept decision," and began to gather up the +severed strings of their policy and weave another web. + +But in the nick of time the Liberal Administration fell, and Lord +Salisbury's Cabinet reversed their decision. It is interesting, in +reading the Blue Books on Indian questions, to watch the emotions +of party principles, stirring beneath the uniform mask of official +responsibility--which the most reckless of men are compelled to wear as +soon as they become ministers. The language, the style, the tone of the +correspondence is the same. It is always a great people addressing and +instructing their pro-consuls and administrators. But the influence +inclines backwards and forwards as the pendulum of politics swings. And +as the swing in 1895 was a very great one, a proportionate impulse was +given to the policy of advance. "It seemed" to the new ministry "that +the policy... continuously pursued by successive Governments ought +not to be lightly abandoned unless its maintenance had become clearly +impossible." [Despatch, Secretary of State, No.30, 16th Aug., 1895.] +Thus the retention of Chitral was sanctioned, and the road which that +retention necessitated was completed. + +I approach with nervousness so great a matter as the "Breach of Faith" +question. In a book devoted chiefly to the deeds of soldiers it seems +almost presumptuous to discuss an affair which involves the political +honour of statesmen. In their unnecessary and gratuitous proclamation +the Government of India declared, that they had no intention of +interfering with the tribes, or of permanently occupying any territory, +the troops might march through; whereas now they do interfere with +the tribesmen, and have established garrisons at Dargai, Malakand and +Chakdara, all of which are in the territory through which the troops +passed. But it takes two to make a bargain or a breach of faith. The +tribes took no notice of the proclamation. They did not understand it. +They did not believe it. Where there is no faith there can be no +breach of faith. The border peoples resisted the advance. That position +annulled the proclamation, and proved that it was not credited by the +tribesmen. They do not think they have been tricked. They do not regard +the road as a "breach of faith." What they do regard it as, is a menace +to their independence, and a prelude to annexation. Nor are they wrong. +Looking at the road, as I have seen it, and have tried to describe it, +running broad and white across the valley; at the soldiers moving +along it; at the political officers extending their influence in all +directions; at the bridge and fort of Chakdara; and at the growing +cantonment on the Malakand Pass, it needs no education to appreciate its +significance. Nor can any sophistry obscure it. + + + + + +CHAPTER III: THE OUTBREAK + + + Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum. + + LUCRETIUS. + + + +The historian of great events is always oppressed by the difficulty of +tracing the silent, subtle influences, which in all communities precede +and prepare the way for violent outbursts and uprisings. He may discover +many causes and record them duly, but he will always be sensible that +others have escaped him. The changing tides of public opinion, the +undercurrents of interest, partisanship and caprice, the whirlpools of +illogical sentiment or ignorant prejudice, exert forces so complex and +numerous, that to observe and appreciate them all, and to estimate the +effect of each in raising the storm, is a task beyond the intellect and +industry of man. The chronicler of small things lies under even greater +disabilities. He has fewer facts to guide his judgment, nor is it as +easy to read small print as capital letters. + +In an attempt to state the causes of the great tribal upheaval of 1897, +these difficulties are increased by the fact that no European can gauge +the motives or assume the points of view of Asiatics. It is, however, +impossible to pass the question by, and ignoring the detail, I shall +endeavour to indicate some at least of the most important and apparent +forces, which have led to the formidable combination with which the +British power in India has been confronted. + +The most marked incident in the "Forward Policy" has been the retention +of Chitral. The garrisons, the road, the tribal levies have made the +tribesmen realise the proximity and the advance of civilisation. It is +possible--even probable--that with all their love of independence, the +majority of the inhabitants of the mountains would have been willing, +until their liberties were actually curtailed, to remain in passive +submission, soothed by the increase of material prosperity. During +the two years that the British flag had floated over Chakdara and the +Malakand the trade of the Swat Valley had nearly doubled. As the sun +of civilisation rose above the hills, the fair flowers of commerce +unfolded, and the streams of supply and demand, hitherto congealed by +the frost of barbarism, were thawed. Most of the native population were +content to bask in the genial warmth and enjoy the new-found riches and +comforts. For two years reliefs had gone to and from Chitral without +a shot being fired. Not a post-bag had been stolen, not a messenger +murdered. The political officers riding about freely among the fierce +hill men were invited to settle many disputes, which would formerly have +been left to armed force. + +But a single class had viewed with quick intelligence and intense +hostility the approach of the British power. The priesthood of the +Afghan border instantly recognised the full meaning of the Chitral +road. The cause of their antagonism is not hard to discern. Contact with +civilisation assails the ignorance, and credulity, on which the wealth +and influence of the Mullah depend. A general combination of the +religious forces of India against that civilising, educating rule, which +unconsciously saps the strength of superstition, is one of the dangers +of the future. Here Mahommedanism was threatened and resisted. A vast, +but silent agitation was begun. Messengers passed to and fro among the +tribes. Whispers of war, a holy war, were breathed to a race intensely +passionate and fanatical. Vast and mysterious agencies, the force of +which is incomprehensible to rational minds, were employed. More +astute brains than the wild valleys of the North produce conducted +the preparations. Secret encouragement came from the South--from India +itself. Actual support and assistance was given from Cabul. + +In that strange half light of ignorance and superstition, assailed by +supernatural terrors and doubts, and lured by hopes of celestial glory, +the tribes were taught to expect prodigious events. Something was +coming. A great day for their race and faith was at hand. Presently the +moment would arrive. They must watch and be ready. The mountains became +as full of explosives as a magazine. Yet the spark was lacking. + +At length the time came. A strange combination of circumstances operated +to improve the opportunity. The victory of the Turks over the Greeks; +the circulation of the Amir's book on "Jehad"; his assumption of the +position of a Caliph of Islam, and much indiscreet writing in the +Anglo-Indian press, [Articles in Anglo-Indian papers on such subjects as +"The Recrudescence if Mahommedanism" produce more effect on the educated +native mind than the most seditious frothings of the vernacular press.] +united to produce a "boom" in Mahommedanism. + +The moment was propitious; nor was the man wanting. What Peter the +Hermit was to the regular bishops and cardinals of the Church, the +Mad Mullah was to the ordinary priesthood of the Afghan border. A wild +enthusiast, convinced alike of his Divine mission and miraculous powers, +preached a crusade, or Jehad, against the infidel. The mine was fired. +The flame ran along the ground. The explosions burst forth in all +directions. The reverberations have not yet died away. + +Great and widespread as the preparations were, they were not visible +to the watchful diplomatic agents who maintained the relations of the +Government with the tribesmen. So extraordinary is the inversion of +ideas and motives among those people that it may be said that those who +know them best, know them least, and the more logical the mind of the +student the less he is able to understand of the subject. In any case +among these able men who diligently collected information and observed +the state of feeling, there were none who realised the latent forces +that were being accumulated on all sides. The strange treachery at +Maizar in June was a flash in the pan. Still no one saw the danger. It +was not until the early days of July that it was noticed that there +was a fanatical movement in Upper Swat. Even then its significance was +disregarded and its importance underrated. That a Mad Fakir had arrived +was known. His power was still a secret. It did not long remain so. + +It is, thank heaven, difficult if not impossible for the modern European +to fully appreciate the force which fanaticism exercises among an +ignorant, warlike and Oriental population. Several generations have +elapsed since the nations of the West have drawn the sword in religious +controversy, and the evil memories of the gloomy past have soon faded in +the strong, clear light of Rationalism and human sympathy. Indeed it is +evident that Christianity, however degraded and distorted by cruelty and +intolerance, must always exert a modifying influence on men's passions, +and protect them from the more violent forms of fanatical fever, as we +are protected from smallpox by vaccination. But the Mahommedan religion +increases, instead of lessening, the fury of intolerance. It was +originally propagated by the sword, and ever since, its votaries have +been subject, above the people of all other creeds, to this form of +madness. In a moment the fruits of patient toil, the prospects of +material prosperity, the fear of death itself, are flung aside. The more +emotional Pathans are powerless to resist. All rational considerations +are forgotten. Seizing their weapons, they become Ghazis--as dangerous +and as sensible as mad dogs: fit only to be treated as such. While the +more generous spirits among the tribesmen become convulsed in an ecstasy +of religious bloodthirstiness, poorer and more material souls derive +additional impulses from the influence of others, the hopes of plunder +and the joy of fighting. Thus whole nations are roused to arms. Thus +the Turks repel their enemies, the Arabs of the Soudan break the British +squares, and the rising on the Indian frontier spreads far and wide. In +each case civilisation is confronted with militant Mahommedanism. The +forces of progress clash with those of reaction. The religion of blood +and war is face to face with that of peace. Luckily the religion of +peace is usually the better armed. + +The extraordinary credulity of the people is hardly conceivable. Had the +Mad Mullah called on them to follow him to attack Malakand and Chakdara +they would have refused. Instead he worked miracles. He sat at his +house, and all who came to visit him, brought him a small offering of +food or money, in return for which he gave them a little rice. As +his stores were continually replenished, he might claim to have fed +thousands. He asserted that he was invisible at night. Looking into +his room, they saw no one. At these things they marvelled. Finally he +declared he would destroy the infidel. He wanted no help. No one should +share the honours. The heavens would open and an army would descend. The +more he protested he did not want them, the more exceedingly they came. +Incidentally he mentioned that they would be invulnerable; other agents +added arguments. I was shown a captured scroll, upon which the tomb of +the Ghazi--he who has killed an infidel--is depicted in heaven, no fewer +than seven degrees above the Caaba itself. Even after the fighting--when +the tribesmen reeled back from the terrible army they had assailed, +leaving a quarter of their number on the field--the faith of the +survivors was unshaken. Only those who had doubted had perished, said +the Mullah, and displayed a bruise which was, he informed them, the sole +effect of a twelve-pound shrapnel shell on his sacred person. + +I pass with relief from the tossing sea of Cause and Theory to the firm +ground of Result and Fact. The rumours and reports which reached the +Malakand of the agitation in Upper Swat and among the surrounding tribes +were fully appreciated by the Pathan Sepoys of the garrison. As July +advanced, several commanding officers were warned by their men, that +great events were impending. Major Deane, the political agent, watched +with great anxiety the daily progress of the fanatical movement. No one +desires to be thought an alarmist, least of all on the frontier where +there is always danger. At length, however, he felt compelled to +officially report the disquieting signs. Warnings were then issued +to the officers in charge of the various posts, and the troops were +practised in taking up alarm stations. By the 23rd of July all had been +informed that the aspect of affairs was threatening, and ordered to +observe every precaution. But to the last everybody doubted that there +would be a rising, nor did any one imagine that even should one occur, +it would lead to more than a skirmish. The natives were friendly and +respectful. The valley smiled in fertile prosperity. It was not strange, +that none could foresee the changes a week would bring, or guess that in +a few days they would be fighting for their lives; that they would carry +fire and sword through the peaceful landscape; that the polo ground +would be the scene of a cavalry charge, or that the cheery barbarians +among whom they had lived quietly for so many months would become +maddened and ferocious savages. Never was transformation of scene more +complete, or more rapid. + +And all the while the rumours of coming war grew stronger and stronger. +The bazaars of India, like the London coffee-houses of the last century, +are always full of marvellous tales--the invention of fertile brains. A +single unimportant fact is exaggerated, and distorted, till it becomes +unrecognisable. From it, a thousand wild, illogical, and fantastic +conclusions are drawn. These again are circulated as facts. So the game +goes on. But amid all this falsehood, and idle report, there often lies +important information. The bazaar stories not only indicate the state +of native opinion, but not infrequently contain the germ of truth. +In Eastern lands, news travels by strange channels, and often with +unaccountable rapidity. As July advanced the bazaar at Malakand became +full of tales of the Mad Fakir. His miracles passed from mouth to mouth, +with suitable additions. + +A great day for Islam was at hand. A mighty man had arisen to lead them. +The English would be swept away. By the time of the new moon, not one +would remain. The Great Fakir had mighty armies concealed among the +mountains. When the moment came these would sally forth--horse, foot and +artillery--and destroy the infidel. It was even stated that the Mullah +had ordered that no one should go near a certain hill, lest the heavenly +hosts should be prematurely revealed. So ran the talk. But among all +these frothy fabrications there lay a solemn warning. + +Though the British military and political officers were compelled to +take official notice of the reports received with reference to the +tribal gathering, and to make arrangements for the safety of their +posts, they privately scouted the idea that any serious events were +impending. + +On the afternoon of the 26th July the subalterns and younger officers of +the Malakand garrison proceeded to Khar to play polo. Thither also came +Lieutenant Rattray, riding over from Chakdara fort. The game was a good +one, and the tribesmen of the neighbouring village watched it as usual +in little groups, with a keen interest. Nothing in their demeanour +betrayed their thoughts or intentions. The young soldiers saw nothing, +knew nothing, and had they known would have cared less. There would be +no rising. If there was, so much the better. They were ready for it. The +game ended and the officers cantered back to their camps and posts. + +It was then that a strange incident occurred--an incident eminently +characteristic of the frontier tribes. As the syces were putting the +rugs and clothing on the polo ponies, and loitering about the ground +after the game, the watching natives drew near and advised them to be +off home at once, for that there was going to be a fight. They knew, +these Pathans, what was coming. The wave of fanaticism was sweeping down +the valley. It would carry them away. They were powerless to resist. +Like one who feels a fit coming on, they waited. Nor did they care +very much. When the Mad Fakir arrived, they would fight and kill the +infidels. In the meantime there was no necessity to deprive them of +their ponies. And so with motives, partly callous, partly sportsmanlike, +and not without some faint suspicion of chivalry, they warned the native +grooms, and these taking the hint reached the camp in safety. + +Late on this same afternoon Major Deane reported to Brigadier-General +Meiklejohn, who commanded the Malakand garrison, that matters had +assumed a very grave aspect; that a great armed gathering had collected +around the Mad Mullah's standard, and that an attack was probable. He +advised that the Guides should be called up to reinforce the brigade. +A telegram was immediately despatched to Mardan ordering them to march +without delay. At 8.30 Lieutenant P. Eliott-Lockhart, who was the senior +officer then with the regiment, received the order. At 1.30 A.M. they +began their now famous march. + +After sending for the Guides, the brigadier, at about seven o'clock, +interviewed his different commanding officers, and instructed them to +be prepared to turn out at any moment. Major Deane now reported that +the Mad Mullah and his gathering were advancing down the valley, and +recommended that the Amandara Pass, four miles away, should be held. +General Meiklejohn accordingly issued orders for a movable column, to be +formed as follows:-- + + 45th Sikhs. + 2 Cos. 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 2 Guns No. 8 Mountain Battery. + 1 Squadron 11th Bengal Lancers. + +This force, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel McRae, 45th Sikhs, was +to start at midnight and would be supported by the rest of the troops +under command of the brigadier at 3 A.M. + +All preparations were swiftly made. At 9.45 a telegram from +Chakdara--which got through just before the wire was cut--reported that +large forces of Pathans were rapidly moving towards the camps. A quarter +of an hour later a Jemadar of the Levies galloped in with the news +that, to quote the official despatch: "The Fakir had passed Khar and was +advancing on Malakand, that neither Levies nor people would act against +him, and that the hills to the east of the camp were covered with +Pathans." + +As soon as the officers had returned from polo, they found plenty of +work waiting for them. Bandsmen and boys incapable of carrying arms had +to be hurried up to the fort. Indents had to be made out for transport, +rations and ammunition. There was much to do, and little time to do it +in. At length all was finished, and the troops were in readiness for +their early morning start. At 9.30 the officers sat down to dinner, +still in their polo kit, which there had been no time to change. At 10 +o'clock they were discussing the prospects of the approaching march, and +eagerly weighing the chances of a skirmish. The more sanguine asserted +that there would be a fight--a small one, it was true--but still +a skirmish. Many of those who had never been in action before +congratulated themselves on the unlooked-for opportunity. The older and +more experienced regarded the matter in the light of a riot. They might +have to fire on the tribesmen, but Swatis were such cowards that they +would never stand up to the troops. Still it was a chance. + +Suddenly in the stillness of the night a bugle-call sounded on the +parade ground of the "crater" camp. Everyone sprang up. It was the +"Assembly." For a moment there was silence while the officers seized +their swords and belts and hurriedly fastened them on. Several, thinking +that it was merely the warning for the movable column to fall in, waited +to light their cigarettes. Then from many quarters the loud explosion of +musketry burst forth, a sound which for six days and nights was to know +no intermission. + +The attack on the Malakand and the great frontier war had begun. + +The noise of firing echoed among the hills. Its echoes are ringing +still. One valley caught the waves of sound and passed them to the next, +till the whole wide mountain region rocked with the confusion of the +tumult. Slender wires and long-drawn cables carried the vibrations to +the far-off countries of the West. Distant populations on the Continent +of Europe thought that in them they detected the dull, discordant +tones of decline and fall. Families in English homes feared that the +detonations marked the death of those they loved--sons, brothers or +husbands. Diplomatists looked wise, economists anxious, stupid people +mysterious and knowledgeable. All turned to have the noise stopped. But +that was a task which could not be accomplished until thousands of lives +had been sacrificed and millions of money spent. + + + + + +CHAPTER IV: THE ATTACK ON THE MALAKAND + + + Cry "Havoc" and let slip the dogs of war. + + "JULIUS CAESAR," Act iii., Sc.i. + + + +It has long been recognised by soldiers of every nation that, to resist +a vigorous onslaught by night, is almost the hardest task that troops +can be called upon to perform. Panics, against which few brave men are +proof, arise in a moment from such situations. Many a gallant soldier +has lost his head. Many an experienced officer has been borne +down unheeded by a crowd of fugitives. Regiments that have marched +unflinchingly to almost certain death on the battlefield, become in an +instant terrified and useless. + +In the attack on the Malakand camp, all the elements of danger and +disorder were displayed. The surprise, the darkness, the confused and +broken nature of the ground; the unknown numbers of the enemy; their +merciless ferocity; every appalling circumstance was present. But there +were men who were equal to the occasion. As soon as the alarm sounded +Lieutenant-Colonel McRae of the 45th Sikhs, a holder of the Gold Medal +of the Royal Humane Society and of long experience in Afghanistan and on +the Indian frontier, ran to the Quarter Guard, and collecting seven +or eight men, sent them under command of Major Taylor, of the same +regiment, down the Buddhist road to try and check the enemy's advance. +Hurriedly assembling another dozen men, and leaving the Adjutant, +Lieutenant Barff, with directions to bring on more, he ran with his +little party after Taylor in the direction of the entrance gorge of the +Kotal camp. Two roads give access to the Malakand camp, from the plain +of Khar. At one point the Buddhist road, the higher of the two, passes +through a narrow defile then turns a sharp corner. Here, if anywhere, +the enemy might be held or at least delayed until the troops got under +arms. Overtaking Major Taylor, Colonel McRae led the party, which then +amounted to perhaps twenty men, swiftly down the road, It was a race +on which the lives of hundreds depended. If the enemy could turn the +corner, nothing could check their rush, and the few men who tried to +oppose them would be cut to pieces. The Sikhs arrived first, but by a +very little. As they turned the corner they met the mass of the enemy, +nearly a thousand strong, armed chiefly with swords and knives, creeping +silently and stealthily up the gorge, in the hope and assurance of +rushing the camp and massacring every soul in it. The whole road was +crowded with the wild figures. McRae opened fire at once. Volley after +volley was poured into the dense mass, at deadly range. At length the +Sikhs fired independently. This checked the enemy, who shouted and +yelled in fury at being thus stopped. The small party of soldiers then +fell back, pace by pace, firing incessantly, and took up a position in a +cutting about fifty yards behind the corner. Their flanks were protected +on the left by high rocks, and on the right by boulders and rough +ground, over which in the darkness it was impossible to move. The road +was about five yards wide. As fast as the tribesmen turned the corner +they were shot down. It was a strong position. + + In that strait path a thousand + Might well be stopped by three + +Being thus effectively checked in their direct advance, the tribesmen +began climbing up the hill to the left and throwing down rocks and +stones on those who barred their path. They also fired their rifles +round the corner, but as they were unable to see the soldiers without +exposing themselves, most of their bullets went to the right. + +The band of Sikhs were closely packed in the cutting, the front rank +kneeling to fire. Nearly all were struck by stones and rocks. Major +Taylor, displaying great gallantry, was mortally wounded. Several of the +Sepoys were killed. Colonel McRae himself was accidentally stabbed in +the neck by a bayonet and became covered with blood. But he called upon +the men to maintain the good name of "Rattray's Sikhs," and to hold +their position till death or till the regiment came up. And the soldiers +replied by loudly shouting the Sikh warcry, and defying the enemy to +advance. + +After twenty minutes of desperate fighting, Lieutenant Barff arrived +with thirty more men. He was only just in time. The enemy had already +worked round Colonel McRae's right, and the destruction of the few +soldiers left alive could not long have been delayed. The reinforcement, +climbing up the hillside, drove the enemy back and protected the flank. +But the remainder of the regiment was now at hand. Colonel McRae then +fell back to a more extended position along a ridge about fifty yards +further up the road, and reinforcing Lieutenant Barff's party, repulsed +all attacks during the night. About 2 A.M. the tribesmen, finding they +could make no progress, drew off, leaving many dead. + +The presence of mind, tactical knowledge and bravery displayed in +this affair are thus noticed in the official despatches by General +Meiklejohn:-- + +"There is no doubt that the gallant resistance made by this small body +in the gorge, against vastly superior numbers, till the arrival of the +rest of the regiment, saved the camp from being rushed on that side, and +I cannot speak too highly of the behaviour of Lieutenant-Colonel McRae +and Major Taylor on this occasion." + +While these things were passing on the right, the other attacks of the +enemy had met with more success. The camp was assaulted simultaneously +on the three sides. The glow of the star shells showed that the north +camp was also engaged. The enemy had been checked on the Buddhist road, +by Colonel McRae and the 45th Sikhs, but another great mass of men +forced their way along the Graded road in the centre of the position. +On the first sound of firing the inlying picket of the 24th Punjaub +Infantry doubled out to reinforce the pickets on the road, and in the +water-gorge. They only arrived in time to find these being driven in by +overpowering numbers of the enemy. Hundreds of fierce swordsmen swarmed +unto the bazaar and into the serai, a small enclosure which adjoined. +Sharpshooters scrambled up the surrounding hills, and particularly from +one ragged, rock-strewn peak called Gibraltar, kept up a tremendous +fire. + +The defence of the left and centre or the camp was confided to the 24th +Punjaub Infantry. One company of this regiment under Lieutenant Climo, +charging across the football ground, cleared the bazaar at the point of +the bayonet. The scene at this moment was vivid and terrible. The bazaar +was crowded with tribesmen. The soldiers rushing forward amid loud +cheers, plunged their bayonets into their furious adversaries. The sound +of the hacking of swords, the screams of the unfortunate shopkeepers, +the yells of the Ghazis were plainly heard above the ceaseless roll of +musketry. The enemy now tried to force their way back into the bazaar, +but the entrance was guarded by the troops and held against all assaults +till about 10.45. The left flank of the company was then turned, and the +pressure became so severe that they were withdrawn to a more interior +line of defence, and took up a position along the edge of the "Sappers' +and Miners' enclosure." Another company held the approaches from the +north camp. The remainder of the regiment and No.5 company Sappers and +Miners, were kept in readiness to reinforce any part of the line. + +It is necessary to record the actual movements of the troops in detail, +but I am anxious above all things to give the reader a general idea. The +enemy had attacked in tremendous strength along the two roads that gave +access on the eastern side to the great cup of the Malakand. On the +right road, they were checked by the brilliant movement of Colonel McRae +and the courage of his regiment. Pouring in overwhelming force along +the left road, they had burst into the camp itself, bearing down all +opposition. The defenders, unable to hold the extended line of the rim, +had been driven to take up a central position in the bottom of the cup. +This central position comprised the "Sappers' and Miners' enclosure," +the commissariat lines and the Field Engineer Park. It was commanded +on every side by the fire from the rim. But the defenders stood at bay, +determined at all costs to hold their ground, bad though it was. + +Meanwhile the enemy rushed to the attack with wild courage and reckless +fury. Careless of life, they charged the slender line of defence. Twice +they broke through and penetrated the enclosure. They were met by men as +bold as they. The fighting became desperate. The general himself hurried +from point to point, animating the soldiers and joining in the +defence with sword and revolver. As soon as the enemy broke into the +commissariat lines they rushed into the huts and sheds eager for plunder +and victims. + +Lieutenant Manley, the Brigade Commissariat Officer, stuck stubbornly +to his post, and with Sergeant Harrington endeavoured to hold the hut in +which he lived. The savage tribesmen burst in the door and crowded into +the room. What followed reads like a romance. + +The officer opened fire at once with his revolver. He was instantly cut +down and hacked to pieces. In the struggle the lamp was smashed. The +room became pitch dark. The sergeant, knocking down his assailants, got +free for a moment and stood against the wall motionless. Having killed +Manley, the tribesmen now began to search for the sergeant, feeling with +their hands along the wall and groping in the darkness. At last, finding +no one, they concluded he had escaped, and hurried out to look for +others. Sergeant Harrington remained in the hut till it was retaken some +hours later, and so saved his life. + +Another vigorous attack was made upon the Quarter Guard. Lieutenant +Watling, who met it with his company of sappers, transfixed a Ghazi with +his sword, but such was the fury of the fanatic that as he fell dead +he cut at the officer and wounded him severely. The company were driven +back. The Quarter Guard was captured, and with it the reserve ammunition +of the sappers. Lieutenant Watling was carried in by his men, and, +as soon as he reached the dressing station, reported the loss of this +important post. + +Brigadier-General Meiklejohn at once ordered a party of the 24th to +retake it from the enemy. Few men could be spared from the line of +defence. At length a small but devoted band collected. It consisted +of Captain Holland, Lieutenant Climo, Lieutenant Manley, R.E., the +general's orderly, a Sepoy of the 45th Sikhs, two or three sappers and +three men of the 24th; in all about a dozen. + +The general placed himself at their head. The officers drew their +revolvers. The men were instructed to use the bayonet only. Then +they advanced. The ground is by nature broken and confused to an +extraordinary degree. Great rocks, undulations and trees rendered all +movements difficult. Frequent tents, sheds and other buildings increased +the intricacies. Amidst such surroundings were the enemy, numerous and +well armed. The twelve men charged. The tribesmen advanced to meet them. +The officers shot down man after man with their pistols. The soldiers +bayoneted others. The enemy drew off discomfited, but half the party +were killed or wounded. The orderly was shot dead. A sapper and a +havildar of the 24th were severely wounded. The general himself +was struck by a sword on the neck. Luckily the weapon turned in his +assailant's hand, and only caused a bruise. Captain Holland was shot +through the back at close quarters by a man concealed in a tent. The +bullet, which caused four wounds, grazed his spine. The party were now +too few to effect anything. The survivors halted. Lieutenant Climo took +the wounded officer back, and collecting a dozen more men of the 24th, +returned to the attack. The second attempt to regain the Quarter Guard +was also unsuccessful, and the soldiers recoiled with further loss; but +with that undaunted spirit which refuses to admit defeat they continued +their efforts, and at the third charge dashed across the open space, +bowling over and crushing back the enemy, and the post was recovered. +All the ammunition had, however, been carried off by the enemy, and +as the expenditure of that night had already been enormous, it was +a serious loss. The commissariat lines were at length cleared of the +tribesmen, and such of the garrison as could be spared were employed in +putting up a hasty defence across the south entrance of the enclosure, +and clearing away the cook-houses and other shelters, which might be +seized by the enemy. + +The next morning no fewer than twenty-nine corpses of tribesmen were +found round the cookhouse, and in the open space over which the three +charges had taken place. This, when it is remembered that perhaps twice +as many had been wounded and had crawled away, enables an estimate to be +formed of the desperate nature of the fight for the Quarter Guard. + +All this time the fire from rim into the cup had been causing severe and +continual losses. The enemy surrounding the enclosure on three sides, +brought a cross fire to bear on its defenders, and made frequent charges +right up to the breastwork. Bullets were flying in all directions, and +there was no question of shelter. Major Herbert, D.A.A.G., was hit early +in the night. Later on Lieutenant-Colonel Lamb received the dangerous +wound in his thigh which caused his death a few days afterwards. Many +Sepoys were also killed and wounded. The command of the 24th Punjaub +Infantry devolved upon a subaltern officer, Lieutenant Climo. The +regiment, however, will never be in better hands. + +At about one o'clock, during a lull in the firing, the company which +was lining the east face of the enclosure heard feeble cries of help. A +wounded havildar of the 24th was lying near the bazaar. He had fallen in +the first attack, shot in the shoulder. The tribesmen, giving him two +or three deep sword cuts to finish him, had left him for dead. He now +appealed for help. The football ground on which he lay was swept by the +fire of the troops, and overrun by the enemy's swordsmen, yet the cry +for help did not pass unheeded. Taking two Sepoys with him, Lieutenant +E.W. Costello, 24th Punjaub Infantry, ran out into the deadly space, +and, in spite of the heavy fire, brought the wounded soldier in safety. +For this heroic action he has since received the Victoria Cross. + +As the night wore on, the attack of the enemy became so vigorous, that +the brigadier decided to call for a reinforcement of a hundred men +from the garrison of the fort. This work stood high on a hill, and was +impregnable to an enemy unprovided with field guns. Lieutenant Rawlins +volunteered to try and reach it with the order. Accompanied by three +orderlies, he started. He had to make his way through much broken ground +infested by the enemy. One man sprang at him and struck him on the wrist +with a sword, but the subaltern, firing his revolver, shot him +dead, reached the fort in safety, and brought back the sorely-needed +reinforcement. + +It was thought that the enemy would make a final effort to capture +the enclosure before dawn, that being the hour which Afghan tribesmen +usually select. But they had lost heavily, and at about 3.30 A.M. began +to carry away their dead and wounded. The firing did not, however, +lessen until 4.15 A.M., when the sharpshooters withdrew to the heights, +and the fusillade dwindled to "sniping" at long range. + +The first night of the defence of the Malakand camp was over. The enemy, +with all the advantages of surprise, position and great numbers, had +failed to overcome the slender garrison. Everywhere they had been +repulsed with slaughter. But the British losses had been severe. + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Hon. Lieutenant L. Manley, Commissariat Department. + Wounded dangerously--Major W.W. Taylor, 45th Sikhs. + Wounded severely--Lieut.-Colonel J. Lamb, 24th P.I. + " " Major L. Herbert, D.A.A.G. + " " Captain H.F. Holland, 24th P.I. + " " Lieutenant F.W. Watling, Q.O. Sappers and + Miners. + + Of these Lieut.-Colonel Lamb and Major Taylor died of their wounds. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed...... 21 + Wounded..... 31 + + +As soon as the first light of morning began to grow in the valley, two +companies of the 24th advanced and cleared the bazaar of such of the +enemy as had remained behind to plunder. The whole place had been +thoroughly ransacked, and everything of value destroyed or carried off. +The native manager had had a strange experience, and one which few men +would envy. He had remained hidden in the back of a tent during the +whole night in equal danger and terror of the bullets of the soldiers +and the swords of the enemy. Hearing the friendly voices, he emerged +uninjured from his retreat. + +Desultory firing was maintained by the tribesmen all day. + +While the close and desperate fighting, which has been described, +was raging in the south camp, the north camp had not been seriously +involved, and had spent a quiet, though anxious night. On the sound of +the firing on the Kotal being heard, four guns of No.8 Mountain Battery +were moved over to the south-east side of the camp, and several star +shells were fired. No large body of the enemy was however discovered. +Twice during the night the camp was approached by the tribesmen, but a +few rounds of shrapnel were sufficient to drive these away. + +When General Meiklejohn found that the garrison of the north camp had +not been severely engaged, he ordered a force consisting of two guns and +the 31st Punjaub Infantry, under Major Gibbs, covered by forty sowars +of the 11th Bengal Lancers, and supported by a wing of the 24th, to move +out, reconnoitre the valley and clear it, as much as possible, of the +enemy. The column advanced in pursuit as far as Bedford Hill. Here they +came upon a large gathering of tribesmen, and as it was now evident that +a great tribal rising had broken out, Major Gibbs was ordered to return +and to bring his stores and troops into the Kotal camp without delay. +The infantry and guns thereupon retired and fell back on the camp, +covered by the 24th Punjaub Infantry. + +As this regiment was being withdrawn, a sudden attack was made from the +high ground above the Buddhist road, and directed against the left flank +of the troops. A front was immediately shown, and the 24th advanced +to meet their assailants. Lieutenant Climo, who commanded, detached +a company to the right, and by this turning movement drove them off, +inflicting some loss and capturing a standard. This officer's skill +and conduct in this retirement was again the subject of commendation +in despatches. The troops reached their respective camps at about 11 +o'clock. Meanwhile the cavalry had been ordered to push on, if possible, +to Chakdara and reinforce the garrison at that post. The task was one of +considerable danger, but by crossing and recrossing the Swat River, the +squadron managed to cut their way through the tribesmen and reached +the fort with slight loss. This brilliant ride will receive a fuller +description in a later chapter. + +The evacuation of the north camp proceeded very slowly. The troops +packed up their kits with great deliberation, and applications were +made for transport. None was, however, available. All the camels were +at Dargai, on the Indian side of the mountains. Repeated orders to hurry +were sent from the Kotal. All hated leaving their belongings behind, +having no confidence in the liberality of a paternal Government. As the +afternoon passed, the aspect of the enemy became very threatening and +formidable. Great numbers drew near to the camp, and the guns were +compelled to fire a good many rounds. At length, at 4 o'clock, +imperative orders were sent that the north camp was to be at once +abandoned, that the force there was to march to the Kotal, and that all +baggage and stores, not yet removed, were to be left where they were. + +All the tents were struck, but nothing else could be done, and to the +deep disgust of all--officers and men--their property was left to the +mercies of the enemy. During the night it was all looted and burnt. Many +of the officers thus lost every stitch of clothing they possessed. The +flames rising from the scene of destruction were visible far and wide, +and the tribesmen in the most distant valleys were encouraged to hurry +to complete the slaughter of the accursed infidels. + +It cannot be doubted, however, that the concentration of the troops was +a wise and judicious step. The garrison of the Kotal and south camp was +insufficient, and, whatever happened, it was better for the troops +to stand or fall together. The situation was also aggravated by the +appearance of large numbers of tribesmen from the Utman Khel country, +who crowded the hills to the west of the camp, and thus compelled the +defenders to hold a greatly extended line. The abandonment of the north +camp was carried out none too soon, for the enemy pressed the withdrawal +of the troops, and they reached the south camp under cover of the fire +of the 24th Punjaub Infantry, and the Guides Cavalry. These latter had +arrived in camp at 8.30 that morning after marching all night. They +found plenty of employment. + +The telegraph had carried the news of the events of the night to all +parts of the world. In England those returning from Goodwood Races read +the first details of the fighting on the posters of the evening papers. +At Simla, the Government of India awoke to find themselves confronted +with another heavy task. Other messages recalled all officers to their +regiments, and summoned reinforcements to the scene by road and rail. In +the small hours of the 27th, the officers of the 11th Bengal Lancers at +Nowshera were aroused by a frantic telegraph operator, who was astounded +by the news his machine was clicking out. This man in his shirt sleeves, +with a wild eye, and holding an unloaded revolver by the muzzle, ran +round waking everyone. The whole country was up. The Malakand garrison +was being overwhelmed by thousands of tribesmen. All the troops were to +march at once. He brandished copies of the wires he had received. In a +few moments official instructions arrived. The 11th Bengal Lancers, the +38th Dogras and the 35th Sikhs started at dawn. No.1 and No.7 British +Mountain Batteries were also ordered up. The Guides Cavalry had already +arrived. Their infantry under Lieutenant Lockhart reached the Kotal at +7.30 P.M. on the 27th, having, in spite of the intense heat and choking +dust, covered thirty-two miles in seventeen and a half hours. This +wonderful feat was accomplished without impairing the efficiency of the +soldiers, who were sent into the picket line, and became engaged as soon +as they arrived. An officer who commanded the Dargai post told me, +that, as they passed the guard there, they shouldered arms with parade +precision, as if to show that twenty-six miles under the hottest sun in +the world would not take the polish off the Corps of Guides. Then they +breasted the long ascent to the top of the pass, encouraged by the sound +of the firing, which grew louder at every step. + +Help in plenty was thus approaching as fast as eager men could march, +but meanwhile the garrison had to face the danger as best they could +alone. As the 31st Punjaub Infantry, who had been the last to leave the +north camp, were arriving at the Kotal, about 1000 tribesmen descended +in broad daylight and with the greatest boldness, and threatened their +left flank. They drove in two pickets of the 24th, and pressed forward +vigorously. Lieutenant Climo with two companies advanced up the hill to +meet them, supported by the fire of two guns of the Mountain Battery. A +bayonet charge was completely successful. The officers were close enough +to make effective use of their revolvers. Nine bodies of the enemy were +left on the ground, and a standard was captured. The tribesmen then drew +off, and the garrison prepared for the attack, which they knew would +come with the dark. + +As the evening drew on the enemy were observed assembling in +ever-increasing numbers. Great crowds of them could be seen streaming +along the Chakdara road, and thickly dotting the hills with spots of +white. They all wore white as yet. The news had not reached Buner, and +the sombre-clad warriors of Ambeyla were still absent. The glare of +the flames from the north camp was soon to summon them to the attack of +their ancient enemies. The spectacle as night fell was strange, ominous, +but not unpicturesque. Gay banners of every colour, shape and device, +waved from the surrounding hills. The sunset caught the flashing of +swordblades behind the spurs and ridges. The numerous figures of the +enemy moved busily about preparing for the attack. A dropping fire from +the sharpshooters added an appropriate accompaniment. In the middle, at +the bottom of the cup, was the "crater" camp and the main enclosure with +the smoke of the evening meal rising in the air. The troops moved to +their stations, and, as the shadows grew, the firing swelled into a +loud, incessant roar. + +The disposition of the troops on the night of the 27th was as follows:-- + +1. On the right Colonel McRae, with 45th Sikhs and two guns supported +by 100 men of the Guides Infantry, held almost the same position astride +the Buddhist road as before. + +2. In the centre the enclosure and Graded road were defended by-- + + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + No.5 Company Q.O. Sappers and Miners. + The Guides. + Two Guns. + +3. On the left the 24th Punjaub Infantry, with the two remaining guns +under Lieutenant Climo, held the approaches from the abandoned north +camp and the fort. + +Most of this extended line, which occupied a great part of the rim, was +formed by a chain of pickets, detached from one another, and fortified +by stone breastworks, with supports in rear. But in the centre the old +line of the "Sappers' and Miners' enclosure" was adhered to. The bazaar +was left to the enemy, but the serai, about a hundred yards in front of +the main entrenchment, was held by a picket of twenty-four men of the +31st Punjaub Infantry, under Subadar Syed Ahmed Shah. Here it was that +the tragedy of the night occurred. + +At eight o'clock, the tribesmen attacked in tremendous force all +along the line. The firing at once became intense and continuous. +The expenditure of ammunition by the troops was very great, and many +thousands of rounds were discharged. On the right Colonel McRae and his +Sikhs were repeatedly charged by the swordsmen, many of whom succeeded +in forcing their way into the pickets and perished by the bayonet. +Others reached the two guns and were cut down while attacking the +gunners. All assaults were however beaten off. The tribesmen suffered +terrible losses. The casualties among the Sikhs were also severe. In the +morning Colonel McRae advanced from his defences, and, covered by the +fire of his two guns, cleared the ground in his front of the enemy. + +The centre was again the scene of severe fighting. The tribesmen poured +into the bazaar and attacked the serai on all sides. This post was a +mud-walled enclosure about fifty yards square. It was loopholed for +musketry, but had no flank defences. The enemy made determined efforts +to capture the place for several hours. Meanwhile, so tremendous was the +fire of the troops in the main enclosure, that the attack upon the serai +was hardly noticed. For six hours the picket there held out against all +assaults, but the absence of flank defences enabled the enemy to come +close up to the walls. They then began to make holes through them, and +to burrow underneath. The little garrison rushed from place to place +repelling these attacks. But it was like caulking a sieve. At length the +tribesmen burst in from several quarters, and the sheds inside caught +fire. When all the defenders except four were killed or wounded, the +Subadar, himself struck by a bullet, ordered the place to be evacuated, +and the survivors escaped by a ladder over the back wall, carrying their +wounded with them. The bodies of the killed were found next morning, +extraordinarily mutilated. + +The defence of this post to the bitter end must be regarded as a fine +feat of arms. Subadar Syed Ahmed Shah was originally promoted to a +commission for an act of conspicuous bravery, and his gallant conduct on +this occasion is the subject of a special paragraph in despatches. +[The Subadar and the surviving Sepoys have since received the "Order of +Merit."] + +On the left, the 24th Punjaub Infantry were also hotly engaged, and +Lieutenant Costello received his first severe wound from a bullet, which +passed through his back and arm. Towards morning the enemy began to +press severely. Whereupon Lieutenant Climo, always inclined to bold and +vigorous action, advanced from the breastworks to meet them with two +companies. The tribesmen held their ground and maintained a continual +fire from Martini-Henry rifles. They also rolled down great stones upon +the companies. The 24th continued to advance, and drove the enemy from +point to point, and position to position, pursuing them for a distance +of two miles. "Gallows Tree" hill, against which the first charge of the +counter attack was delivered, was held by nearly 1000 tribesmen. On such +crowded masses, the fire of the troops was deadly. The enemy left forty +dead in the path of Lieutenant Climo's counter attack, and were observed +carrying off many wounded. As they retreated, many took refuge in the +village of Jalalkot. The guns were hurried up, and ten shells were +thrown into their midst, causing great slaughter. The result of +this bold stroke was, that the enemy during the rest of the fighting +invariably evacuated the hills before daylight enabled the troops to +assume the offensive. + +Thus the onslaught of the tribesmen had again been successfully repelled +by the Malakand garrison. Many had been killed and wounded, but all the +tribes for a hundred miles around were hurrying to the attack, and their +number momentarily increased. The following casualties occurred on the +night of the 27th:-- + + BRITISH OFFICER. + Wounded--Lieutenant E.W. Costello. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed...... 12 + Wounded..... 29 + + +During the day the enemy retired to the plain of Khar to refresh +themselves. Great numbers of Bunerwals now joined the gathering. The +garrison were able to distinguish these new-comers from the Swatis, +Utman Khels, Mamunds, Salarzais and others, by the black or dark-blue +clothes they wore. The troops were employed in strengthening the +defences, and improving the shelters. The tribesmen kept up a harassing +and annoying long-range fire, killing several horses of the Guides +Cavalry. Towards evening they advanced to renew the attack, carrying +hundreds of standards. + +As darkness fell, heavy firing recommenced along the whole front. The +enemy had apparently plenty of ammunition, and replied with effect to +the heavy fire of the troops. The arrangement of the regiments was the +same as on the previous night. On the right, Colonel McRae once more +held his own against all attacks. In the centre, severe fighting ensued. +The enemy charged again and again up to the breastwork of the enclosure. +They did not succeed in penetrating. Three officers and several men were +however wounded by the fire. Lieutenant Maclean, of the Guides Cavalry, +who was attached temporarily to the 31st Punjaub Infantry, had a +wonderful escape. A bullet entered his mouth and passed through his +cheek without injuring the bone in any way. He continued on duty, and +these pages will record his tragic but glorious death a few weeks later +at Landakai. + +Lieutenant Ford was dangerously wounded in the shoulder. The bullet cut +the artery, and he was bleeding to death when Surgeon-Lieutenant J.H. +Hugo came to his aid. The fire was too hot to allow of lights being +used. There was no cover of any sort. It was at the bottom of the cup. +Nevertheless the surgeon struck a match at the peril of his life and +examined the wound. The match went out amid a splutter of bullets, which +kicked up the dust all around, but by its uncertain light he saw the +nature of the injury. The officer had already fainted from the loss +of blood. The doctor seized the artery, and, as no other ligature was +forthcoming, he remained under fire for three hours holding a man's +life, between his finger and thumb. When at length it seemed that +the enemy had broken into the camp he picked up the still unconscious +officer in his arms, and, without relaxing his hold, bore him to a place +of safety. His arm was for many hours paralysed with cramp from the +effects of the exertion of compressing the artery. + +I think there are few, whatever may be their views or interests, who +will not applaud this splendid act of devotion. The profession of +medicine, and surgery, must always rank as the most noble that men can +adopt. The spectacle of a doctor in action among soldiers, in equal +danger and with equal courage, saving life where all others are taking +it, allaying pain where all others are causing it, is one which must +always seem glorious, whether to God or man. It is impossible to imagine +any situation from which a human being might better leave this world, +and embark on the hazards of the Unknown. + +All through the night, the enemy continued their attacks. They often +succeeded in reaching the breastworks--only to die on the bayonets of +the defenders. The guns fired case shot, with terrible effect, and when +morning dawned the position was still held by the Imperial Forces. The +casualties of the night were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--Lieutenant H.B. Ford, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " H.L.S. Maclean, the Guides. + Wounded slightly--Lieutenant G. Swinley, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed....... 2 + Wounded...... 13 + + +On the morning of the 29th signalling communication with Chakdara was +for a few moments re-established. The garrison of that post announced +their safety, and that all attacks had been repulsed with heavy loss, +but they reported that ammunition and food were both running short. +During the day the enemy again retired to the plain to rest, and prepare +for the great attack, which they intended making that night. The hour +would be propitious. It was Jumarat, on which day the prophet watches +with especial care over the interests of those who die for the faith. +Besides, the moon was full, and had not the Great Fakir declared that +this should be the moment of victory? The Mullah exhorted them all +to the greatest efforts, and declared that he would himself lead the +assault. To-night the infidels would be utterly destroyed. + +Meanwhile the troops were busily employed, in spite of their terrible +fatigues, in strengthening the defences. The bazaar and the serai were +levelled. Trees were blown up, and a clear field of fire was obtained in +front of the central enclosure. Great bonfires were also prepared on the +approaches, to enable the soldiers to take good aim at their assailants, +while they were silhouetted against the light. In such occupations the +day passed. + +The tribesmen continued to fire at long range and shot several horses +and mules. These sharpshooters enjoyed themselves immensely. After +the relief of Chakdara, it was found that many of them had made +most comfortable and effective shelters among the rocks. One man, in +particular, had ensconced himself behind an enormous boulder, and had +built a little wall of stone, conveniently loopholed, to protect himself +when firing. The overhanging rock sheltered him from the heat of the +sun. By his side were his food and a large box of cartridges. Here for +the whole week he had lived, steadily dropping bullets unto the camp and +firing at what an officer described as all "objects of interest." What +could be more attractive? + +At four o'clock in the afternoon Major Stuart Beatsen, commanding the +11th Bengal Lancers, arrived with his leading squadron. He brought a +small supply of ammunition, which the garrison was in sore need of, the +expenditure each night being tremendous, some regiments firing as much +as 30,000 rounds. The 35th Sikhs and 38th Dogras under Colonel Reid +arrived at Dargai, at the foot of the pass, in the evening. They had +marched all day in the most intense heat. How terrible that march +must have been, may be judged from the fact, that in the 35th Sikhs +twenty-one men actually died on the road of heat apoplexy. The fact +that these men marched till they dropped dead, is another proof of +the soldierly eagerness displayed by all ranks to get to the front. +Brigadier-General Meiklejohn, feeling confidence in his ability to hold +his own with the troops he had, ordered them to remain halted at Dargai, +and rest the next day. + +The attack came with the night, but the defences in the centre had +been much improved, and the tribesmen were utterly unable to cross the +cleared glacis, which now stretched in front of the enclosure. They, +however, assailed both flanks with determination, and the firing +everywhere became heavy. At 2 A.M. the great attack was delivered. Along +the whole front and from every side enormous numbers swarmed to the +assault. On the right and left, hand-to-hand fighting took place. +Colonel McRae again held his position, but many of the tribesmen died +under the very muzzles of the rifles. The 24th Punjaub Infantry on the +left were the most severely engaged. The enemy succeeded in breaking +into the breastworks, and close fighting ensued, in which Lieutenant +Costello was again severely wounded. But the fire of the troops was too +hot for anything to live in their front. At 2.30 the Mad Mullah being +wounded, another Mullah killed and several hundreds of tribesmen slain, +the whole attack collapsed. Nor was it renewed again with vigor. The +enemy recognised that their chance of taking the Malakand had passed. + +The casualties were as follows on the night of the 29th:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--Lieutenant E.W. Costello, 24th P.I., who had + already been severely wounded, but continued + to do duty. + " " Lieutenant F.A. Wynter, R.A. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed...... 1 + Wounded..... 17 + + +All the next day the enemy could be seen dragging the dead away, and +carrying the wounded over the hills to their villages. Reinforcements, +however, joined them, and they renewed their attack, but without much +spirit, at 9.30 P.M. They were again repulsed with loss. Once, during +a thunderstorm that broke over the camp, they charged the 45th Sikhs' +position, and were driven off with the bayonet. Only two men were +wounded during the night. + +In the morning the 38th Dogras and 35th Sikhs marched into the camp. The +enemy continued firing into the entrenchments at long range, but without +effect. They had evidently realised that the Malakand was too strong to +be taken. The troops had a quiet night, and the weary, worn-out men +got a little needed sleep. Thus the long and persistent attack on +the British frontier station of Malakand languished and ceased. The +tribesmen, sick of the slaughter at this point, concentrated their +energies on Chakdara, which they believed must fall into their hands. +To relieve this hard-pressed post now became the duty of the garrison of +Malakand. + +The chapter, which may now appropriately end, has described in detail, +and, necessarily, at length, the defence of an outpost of our Empire. A +surprise, followed by a sustained attack, has been resisted. The enemy, +repulsed at every point, have abandoned the attempt, but surround and +closely watch the defences. The troops will now assume the offensive, +and the hour of reprisals will commence. + +The casualties sustained by the Malakand garrison between 26th July and +1st August were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS KILLED AND DIED OF WOUNDS--3. + Lieutenant-Colonel J. Lamb, 24th Punjaub Infantry. + Major W.W. Taylor, 45th Sikhs. + Lieutenant L. Manley, Commissariat. + + WOUNDED--10. + Major L. Herbert, D.A.A.G. + Captain G. Baldwin, D.S.O., Guides Cavalry. + Captain H.F. Holland, 24th Punjaub Infantry. + Lieutenant F.A. Wynter, R.A. + " F.W. Watling, R.E. + " E.W. Costello, 24th Punjaub Infantry. + " H.B. Ford, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " H.L.S. Maclean, Guides Cavalry. + 2nd Lieutenant G. Swinley, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " C.V. Keyes, Guides Cavalry. + + NATIVE OFFICERS WOUNDED--7. + + TOTAL OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED--20. + + BRITISH NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER KILLED. + Sergeant F. Byrne, R.E. + + NATIVE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRIVATES. + Killed. Wounded. + No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery . . 0 5 + 11th Bengal Lancers . . . 0 3 + No.5 Company Q.O. Sappers and Miners. 3 18 + 24th Punjaub Infantry . . . 3 14 + 31st " " . . . . 12 32 + 38th Dogras . . . . . 0 1 + 45th Sikhs . . . . . 4 28 + Q.O. Corps of Guides. . . . 3 27 + + TOTAL NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED--153. + + + + + +CHAPTER V: THE RELIEF OF CHAKDARA + + + +While the events described in the last chapter had been watched with +interest and attention in all parts of the world, they were the subject +of anxious consultation in the Council of the Governor-General. It was +only natural that the Viceroy, himself, should view with abhorrence the +prospect of military operations on a large scale, which must inevitably +lead to closer and more involved relations with the tribes of the +Afghan border. He belonged to that party in the State which has clung +passionately, vainly, and often unwisely to a policy of peace and +retrenchment. He was supported in his reluctance to embark on warlike +enterprises by the whole force of the economic situation. No moment +could have been less fitting: no man more disinclined. That Lord Elgin's +Viceroyalty and the Famine year should have been marked by the greatest +Frontier War in the history of the British Empire in India, vividly +displays how little an individual, however earnest his motives, however +great his authority, can really control the course of public affairs. + +The Council were called upon to decide on matters, which at once raised +the widest and most intricate questions of frontier policy; which might +involve great expense; which might well influence the development and +progress of the great populations committed to their charge. It would +be desirable to consider such matters from the most lofty and commanding +standpoints; to reduce detail to its just proportions; to examine the +past, and to peer into the future. And yet, those who sought to look +thus on the whole situation, were immediately confronted with the +picture of the rock of Chakdara, fringed and dotted with the white smoke +of musketry, encircled by thousands of fierce assailants, its garrison +fighting for their lives, but confident they would not be deserted. It +was impossible to see further than this. All Governments, all Rulers, +meet the same difficulties. Wide considerations of principle, of policy, +of consequences or of economics are brushed aside by an impetuous +emergency. They have to decide off-hand. The statesman has to deal with +events. The historian, who has merely to record them, may amuse his +leisure by constructing policies, to explain instances of successful +opportunism. + +On the 30th of July the following order was officially published: "The +Governor-General in Council sanctions the despatch of a force, to +be styled the Malakand Field Force, for the purpose of holding +the Malakand, and the adjacent posts, and of operating against the +neighbouring tribes as may be required." + +The force was composed as follows:-- + + 1st Brigade. + Commanding--Colonel W.H. Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., with the local + rank of Brigadier-General. + 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs. + Sections A and B of No.1 British Field Hospital. + No.38 Native Field Hospital. + Sections A and B of No.50 Native Field Hospital. + + 2nd Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General P.D. Jeffreys, C.B. + 1st Battalion East Kent Regiment (the Buffs). + 35th Sikhs. + 38th Dogras. + Guides Infantry. + Sections C and D of No.1 British Field Hospital. + No.37 Native Field Hospital. + Sections C and D of No.50 Native Field Hospital. + + Divisional Troops. + 4 Squadrons 11th Bengal Lancers. + 1 " 10th " " + 2 " Guides Cavalry. + 22nd Punjaub Infantry. + 2 Companies 21st Punjaub Infantry. + 10th Field Battery. + 6 Guns No.1 British Mountain Battery. + 6 " No.7 " " " + 6 " No.8 Bengal " " + No.5 Company Madras Sappers and Miners. + No.3 " Bombay " " " + Section B of No.13 British Field Hospital. + Sections A and B of No.35 Native Field Hospital. + + Line of Communications. + No.34 Native Field Hospital. + Section B of No.1 Native Field Hospital. + + +[This complete division amounted to a total available field strength of +6800 bayonets, 700 lances or sabres, with 24 guns.] + +The command of this powerful force was entrusted to Brigadier-General +Sir Bindon Blood, K.C.B., who was granted the local rank of +Major-General. + +As this officer is the principal character in the tale I have to tell, +a digression is necessary to introduce him to the reader. Born of an old +Irish family, a clan that has been settled in the west of Ireland +for 300 years, and of which he is now the head, Sir Bindon Blood was +educated privately, and at the Indian Military College at Addiscombe, +and obtained a commission in the Royal Engineers in December, 1860. For +the first eleven years he was stationed in England, and it was not until +1871 that he proceeded to India, where he first saw active service in +the Jawaki Afridi Expedition (medal with clasp). In 1878 he returned +home, but the next year was ordered to the Zulu War. On the conclusion +of hostilities, for which he received a second medal and clasp, he again +sailed for India and served throughout the Afghan war of 1880, being for +some time with the troops at Cabul. In 1882 he accompanied the Army to +Egypt, and was with the Highland Brigade, which was the most severely +engaged at Tel-el-Kebir. He received the medal and clasp, Khedive's star +and the 3rd class of the Medjidie. After the campaign he went home for +two years, and in 1885 made another voyage to the East, over which the +Russian war-cloud was then hanging. Since then the general has served in +India, at first with the Sappers and Miners, with whose reorganisation +he was closely associated, and latterly in command of the Agra District. +In 1895 he was appointed Chief of the Staff to Sir Robert Low in the +Chitral Expedition, and was present at all the actions, including the +storming of the Malakand Pass. For his services he received a degree of +knighthood of the Military Order of the Bath and the Chitral medal and +clasp. He was now marked as a man for high command on the frontier at +the first opportunity. That opportunity the great rising of 1897 has +presented. + +Thirty-seven years of soldering, of war in many lands, of sport of every +kind, have steeled alike muscle and nerve. Sir Bindon Blood, himself, +till warned by the march of time, a keen polo player, is one of those +few officers of high rank in the army, who recognise the advantages to +soldiers of that splendid game. He has pursued all kinds of wild animals +in varied jungles, has killed many pig with the spear and shot every +species of Indian game, including thirty tigers to his own rifle. + +It would not be fitting for me, a subaltern of horse, to offer any +criticism, though eulogistic, on the commander under whom I have had the +honour to serve in the field. I shall content myself with saying, that +the general is one of that type of soldiers and administrators, which +the responsibilities and dangers of an Empire produce, a type, which has +not been, perhaps, possessed by any nation except the British, since the +days when the Senate and the Roman people sent their proconsuls to all +parts of the world. + +Sir Bindon Blood was at Agra, when, on the evening of the 28th of July, +he received the telegram from the Adjutant-General in India, appointing +him to the command of the Malakand Field Force, and instructing him to +proceed at once to assume it. He started immediately, and on the +31st formally took command at Nowshera. At Mardan he halted to make +arrangements for the onward march of the troops. Here, at 3 A.M. on the +1st of August, he received a telegram from Army Headquarters informing +him, that Chakdara Fort was hard pressed, and directing him to hurry on +to Malakand, and attempt its relief at all costs. The great numbers of +the enemy, and the shortness of ammunition and supplies from which the +garrison were suffering, made the task difficult and the urgency great. +Indeed I have been told, that at Simla on the 1st of August it was +feared, that Chakdara was doomed, and that sufficient troops to fight +their way to its relief could not be concentrated in time. The greatest +anxiety prevailed. Sir Bindon Blood replied telegraphically that +"knowing the ground" as he did, he "felt serenely confident." He hurried +on at once, and, in spite of the disturbed state of the country, reached +the Malakand about noon on the 1st of August. + +The desperate position of the garrison of Chaldara was fully appreciated +by their comrades at the Malakand. As the night of the 31st had been +comparatively quiet, Brigadier-General Meiklejohn determined to attempt +to force his way to their relief the next day. He accordingly formed a +column as follows:-- + + 45th Sikhs. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + No.5 Company Sappers and Miners. + 4 Guns of No.8 Mountain Battery. + +At 11 A.M. he sent the cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Adams of the +Guides, to make a dash for the Amandara Pass, and if it were unoccupied +to seize it. The three squadrons started by the short road to the north +camp. As soon as the enemy saw what was going on, they assembled in +great numbers to oppose the advance. The ground was most unsuitable +for cavalry. Great boulders strewed the surface. Frequent nullahs +intersected the plain, and cramped the action of the horsemen. The +squadrons soon became hotly engaged. The Guides made several charges. +The broken nature of the ground favoured the enemy. Many of them were, +however, speared or cut down. In one of these charges Lieutenant Keyes +was wounded. While he was attacking one tribesman, another came up from +behind, and struck him a heavy blow on the shoulder with a sword. Though +these Swatis keep their swords at razor edge, and though the blow was +sufficiently severe to render the officer's arm useless for some days, +it raised only a thin weal, as if from a cut of a whip. It was a strange +and almost an inexplicable escape. + +The enemy in increasing numbers pressed upon the cavalry, who began to +get seriously involved. The tribesmen displayed the greatest boldness +and determination. At length Lieut.-Colonel Adams had to order a +retirement. It was none too soon. The tribesmen were already working +round the left flank and thus threatening the only line of retreat. The +squadrons fell back, covering each other by dismounted fire. The 24th +Punjaub Infantry protected their flank as they reached the camp. The +cavalry losses were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--Captain G.M. Baldwin, the Guides. + " slightly--Lieutenant C.V. Keyes, the Guides. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed Wounded + 11th Bengal Lancers.... 0 3 + Horses........ 1 4 + Guides Cavalry...... 1 10 + Horses........ 3 18 + + Total casualties--16 men and 26 horses. + +The vigorous resistance which the cavalry had encountered, and the great +numbers and confidence that the enemy had displayed, effectually put an +end to any idea of relieving Chakdara that day. The tribesmen were much +elated by their temporary success, and the garrison, worn and wearied +by the incessant strain, both mental and physical, were proportionately +cast down. Every one anticipated tremendous fighting on the next day. +Make the attempt, they must at all hazards. But there were not wanting +those who spoke of "forlorn hopes" and "last chances." Want of sleep and +rest had told on all ranks. For a week they had grappled with a savage +foe. They were the victors, but they were out of breath. + +It was at this moment, that Sir Bindon Blood arrived and assumed the +command. He found General Meiklejohn busily engaged in organising a +force of all arms, which was to move to the relief of Chakdara on the +following day. As it was dangerous to denude the Malakand position of +troops, this force could not exceed 1000 rifles, the available cavalry +and four guns. Of these arrangements Sir Bindon Blood approved. He +relieved Brigadier-General Meiklejohn of the charge of the Malakand +position, and gave him the command of the relieving column. Colonel Reid +was then placed in command of Malakand, and instructed to strengthen the +pickets at Castle Rock, as far as possible, and to be ready with a force +taken from them, to clear the high ground on the right of the Graded +road. The relieving column was composed as follows:-- + + 400 Rifles 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 400 " 45th Sikhs. + 200 " Guides Infantry. + 2 Squadrons 11th Bengal Lancers (under Lieut.-Col. R.B. Adams.) + 2 " Guides Cavalry " " " + 4 Guns No.8 Mountain Battery. + 50 Sappers of No.5 Company. + Hospital details. + +Sir Bindon Blood ordered General Meiklejohn to assemble this force +before dark near the centre of the camp at a grove of trees called +"Gretna Green," to bivouac there for the night, and to be ready to +start with the first light of morning. During the afternoon the enemy, +encouraged by their success with the cavalry in the morning, advanced +boldly to the pickets and the firing was continuous. So heavy indeed did +it become between eleven and twelve o'clock at night, that the force +at "Gretna Green" got under arms. But towards morning the tribesmen +retired. + +The reader may, perhaps, have in his mind the description of the +Malakand as a great cup with jagged clefts in the rim. Much of this rim +was still held by the enemy. It was necessary for any force trying to +get out of the cup, to fight their way along the narrow roads through +the clefts, which were commanded by the heights on either side. For +a considerable distance it was impossible to deploy. Therein lay the +difficulty of the operation, which the General had now to perform. The +relieving column was exposed to the danger of being stopped, just as +Colonel McRae had stopped the first attack of the tribesmen along +the Buddhist road. On the 1st of August the cavalry had avoided these +difficulties by going down the road to the North camp, and making a +considerable detour. But they thus became involved in bad ground and had +to retire. The "Graded" road, if any, was the road by which Chakdara was +to be relieved. Looking at the tangled, rugged nature of the country, +it seems extraordinary to an untrained eye, that among so many peaks and +points, one should be of more importance than another. Yet it is so. +On the high ground, in front of the position that Colonel McRae and +the 45th Sikhs had held so well, was a prominent spur. This was the key +which would unlock the gate and set free the troops, who were cramped up +within. Every one realised afterwards how obvious this was and wondered +they had not thought of it before. Sir Bindon Blood selected the point +as the object of his first attack, and it was against this that he +directed Colonel Goldney with a force of about 300 men to move, as soon +as he should give the signal to advance. + +At half-past four in the morning of the 2nd of August he proceeded to +"Gretna Green" and found the relieving column fallen in, and ready to +march at daybreak. All expected a severe action. Oppressed with +fatigue and sleeplessness, there were many who doubted that it would +be successful. But though tired, they were determined, and braced +themselves for a desperate struggle. The General-in-chief was, as he +had said, confident and serene. He summoned the different commanding +officers, explained his plans, and shook hands all round. It was a +moment of stern and high resolve. Slowly the first faint light of dawn +grew in the eastern sky. The brightness of the stars began to pale. +Behind the mountains was the promise of the sun. Then the word was given +to advance. Immediately the relieving column set off, four deep, down +the "Graded" road. Colonel Goldney simultaneously advanced to the attack +of the spur, which now bears his name, with 250 men of the 35th Sikhs +and 50 of the 38th Dogras. He moved silently towards the stone shelters, +that the tribesmen had erected on the crest. He got to within a hundred +yards unperceived. The enemy, surprised, opened an irregular and +ineffective fire. The Sikhs shouted and dashed forward. The ridge was +captured without loss of any kind. The enemy fled in disorder, leaving +seven dead and one prisoner on the ground. + +Then the full significance of the movement was apparent alike to friend +and foe. The point now gained, commanded the whole of the "Graded" +road, right down to its junction with the road to the North camp. The +relieving column, moving down the road, were enabled to deploy without +loss or delay. The door was open. The enemy, utterly surprised and +dumfoundered by this manoeuvre, were seen running to and fro in the +greatest confusion: in the graphic words of Sir Bindon Blood's despatch, +"like ants in a disturbed ant-hill." At length they seemed to realise +the situation, and, descending from the high ground, took up a position +near Bedford Hill in General Meiklejohn's front, and opened a heavy fire +at close range. But the troops were now deployed and able to bring their +numbers to bear. Without wasting time in firing, they advanced with the +bayonet. The leading company of the Guides stormed the hill in their +front with a loss of two killed and six wounded. The rest of the troops +charged with even less loss. The enemy, thoroughly panic-stricken, began +to fly, literally by thousands, along the heights to the right. They +left seventy dead behind them. The troops, maddened by the remembrance +of their fatigues and sufferings, and inspired by the impulse of +victory, pursued them with a merciless vigour. + +Sir Bindon Blood had with his staff ascended the Castle Rock, to +superintend the operations generally. From this position the whole field +was visible. On every side, and from every rock, the white figures of +the enemy could be seen in full flight. The way was open. The passage +was forced. Chakdara was saved. A great and brilliant success had been +obtained. A thrill of exultation convulsed every one. In that moment +the general, who watched the triumphant issue of his plans, must have +experienced as fine an emotion as is given to man on earth. In that +moment, we may imagine that the weary years of routine, the long ascent +of the lower grades of the service, the frequent subordination to +incompetence, the fatigues and dangers of five campaigns, received their +compensation. Perhaps, such is the contrariness of circumstances, there +was no time for the enjoyment of these reflections. The victory had been +gained. It remained to profit by it. The enemy would be compelled to +retire across the plain. There at last was the chance of the cavalry. +The four squadrons were hurried to the scene. + +The 11th Bengal Lancers, forming line across the plain, began a +merciless pursuit up the valley. The Guides pushed on to seize the +Amandara Pass and relieve Chakdara. All among the rice fields and the +rocks, the strong horsemen hunted the flying enemy. No quarter was asked +or given, and every tribesman caught, was speared or cut down at once. +Their bodies lay thickly strewn about the fields, spotting with black +and green patches, the bright green of the rice crop. It was a terrible +lesson, and one which the inhabitants of Swat and Bajaur will never +forget. Since then their terror of Lancers has been extraordinary. A +few sowars have frequently been sufficient to drive a hundred of these +valiant savages in disorder to the hills, or prevent them descending +into the plain for hours. + +Meanwhile the infantry had been advancing swiftly. The 45th Sikhs +stormed the fortified village of Batkhela near the Amandara Pass, which +the enemy held desperately. Lieut.-Colonel McRae, who had been relieved +from the command of the regiment by the arrival of Colonel Sawyer, was +the first man to enter the village. Eighty of the enemy were bayoneted +in Batkheka alone. It was a terrible reckoning. + +I am anxious to finish with this scene of carnage. The spectator, who +may gaze unmoved on the bloodshed of the battle, must avert his eyes +from the horrors of the pursuit, unless, indeed, joining in it himself, +he flings all scruples to the winds, and, carried away by the impetus +of the moment, indulges to the full those deep-seated instincts of +savagery, over which civilisation has but cast a veil of doubtful +thickness. + +The casualties in the relief of Chakdara were as follows:-- + + 11th Bengal Lancers--killed and died from wounds, 3; wounded,3. + Killed. Wounded. + Guides Infantry....... 2 7 + 35th Sikhs......... 2 3 + 45th Sikhs......... 0 7 + 24th Punjaub Infantry..... 0 5 + No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery... 0 1 + Total Casualties--33 + +The news of the relief of Chakdara was received with feelings of +profound thankfulness throughout India. And in England, in the House of +Commons, when the Secretary of State read out the telegram, there were +few among the members who did not join in the cheers. Nor need we pay +much attention to those few. + + + + + +CHAPTER VI: THE DEFENCE OF CHAKDARA + + + ... That tower of strength + Which stood four-square to all the winds that blew. + + TENNYSON. + + + +The episode with which this chapter is concerned is one that has often +occurred on the out-post line of civilisation, and which is peculiarly +frequent in the history of a people whose widespread Empire is fringed +with savage tribes. A small band of soldiers or settlers, armed with the +resources of science, and strengthened by the cohesion of mutual +trust, are assailed in some isolated post, by thousands of warlike and +merciless enemies. Usually the courage and equipment of the garrison +enable them to hold out until a relieving force arrives, as at Rorke's +Drift, Fort Chitral, Chakdara or Gulistan. But sometimes the defenders +are overwhelmed, and, as at Saraghari or Khartoum, none are left to tell +the tale. There is something strangely terrible in the spectacle of men, +who fight--not for political or patriotic reasons, not for the sake of +duty or glory--but for dear life itself; not because they want to, but +because they have to. They hold the dykes of social progress against a +rising deluge of barbarism, which threatens every moment to overflow the +banks and drown them all. The situation is one which will make a coward +valorous, and affords to brave men opportunities for the most sublime +forms of heroism and devotion. + +Chakdara holds the passage of the Swat River--a rapid, broad, and at +most seasons of the year an unfordable torrent. It is built on a rocky +knoll that rises abruptly from the plain about a hundred yards from +the mountains. Sketches and photographs usually show only the knoll +and buildings on it, and any one looking at them will be struck by the +picturesque and impregnable aspect of the little fort, without observing +that its proportions are dwarfed, and its defences commanded, by +the frowning cliffs, under which it stands. In its construction the +principles of defilade have been completely ignored. Standing on the +mountain ridge, occupied by the signal tower, it is possible to look or +fire right into the fort. Every open space is commanded. Every parapet +is exposed. Against an enemy unprovided with artillery, however, +it could be held indefinitely; but the fact that all interior +communications are open to fire, makes its defence painful to the +garrison, and might, by gradually weakening their numbers, lead to its +capture. + +The narrow, swinging, wire bridge across the Swat is nearly 500 yards +long. At the southern end it is closed by a massive iron door, loopholed +for musketry, and flanked by two stone towers, in one of which a Maxim +gun is mounted. On the further side is the fort itself, which consists +of the fortified knoll, a strong stone horn-work, an enclosure for +horses, protected by a loopholed wall and much tangled barbed wire, and +the signal tower, a detached post 200 yards up the cliff. + +The garrison of the place consisted at the time of the outbreak of +twenty sowars of the 11th Bengal Lancers and two strong companies of the +45th Sikhs, in all about 200 men, under the command of Lieutenant H.B. +Rattray. [The actual strength was as follows: 11th Bengal Lancers, 20 +sabres; 45th Sikhs, 180 rifles; 2 British telegraphists; 1 Hospital +Havildar; 1 Provost Naick (24th Punjaub Infantry); 1 Jemadar (Dir +Levies). British officers--45th Sikhs, Lieutenants Rattray and Wheatley; +Surgeon-Captain V. Hugo; Political Agent, Lieutenant Minchin.] As the +rumours of an impending rising grew stronger and stronger, and the end +of July approached, this officer practised his men in taking stations +in the event of an alarm, and made such preparations as he thought +necessary for eventualities. On the 23rd he received an official warning +from the D.A.A.G. [Deputy-Assistant-Adjutant-General. Surely +this astounding title, with that of the +Deputy-Assistant-Quarter-Master-General, might be replaced with +advantage by the more sensible and appropriate terms "Brigade Adjutant" +and "Brigade Quartermaster"!], Major Herbert, that a tribal rising was +"possible but not probable." Every precaution was henceforth taken in +the fort. On the 26th, a Sepoy, who was out sketching, hurried in with +the news that a large body of tribesmen were advancing down the valley, +and that he himself had been robbed of his compass, his field-glasses +and some money. + +But, in spite of the disturbed and threatening situation, the British +officers of the Malakand garrison, though they took all military +precautions for the defence of their posts, did not abandon their +practice of riding freely about the valley, armed only with revolvers. +Nor did they cease from their amusements. On the evening of the 26th, +Lieutenant Rattray went over to Khar as usual to play polo. Just as the +game was ended, he received a letter, brought in haste by two sowars, +from Lieutenant Wheatley, the other subaltern at Chakdara, warning him +that a great number of Pathans with flags were advancing on the fort. +He at once galloped back at full speed, passing close to one large +gathering of tribesmen, who for some reason of their own took no notice +of him, and so reached the fort in safety, and just in time. Formidable +masses of men were then closing in on it. He telegraphed to the staff +officer at the Malakand reporting the impending attack. Immediately +afterwards the wire was cut by the enemy and the little garrison got +under arms. + +A havildar of the Khan of Dir's Levies had promised the political +agent to give warning of any actual assault, by lighting a fire on the +opposite hills. At 10.15 a solitary flame shot up. It was the signal. +The alarm was sounded. The garrison went to their posts. For a space +there was silence, and then out of the darkness began a fusillade, which +did not stop until the 2nd of August. Immediately the figures of the +tribesmen, as they advanced to the attack on the western face of the +fort, became visible. The defenders opened fire with effect. The +enemy pressed on vigorously. Their losses were severe. At length they +retreated repulsed. + +A second attack was immediately delivered against the north-east corner +and again beaten off by the garrison. At 4 A.M. a third assault was made +upon the cavalry enclosure. The tribesmen, carrying scaling ladders, +advanced with great determination. They were received with a deadly +fire. They then drew off, and the first night of the siege was +terminated by desultory firing. The garrison remained at their posts all +night, and when it became day the enemy were seen to have retired, to +the hills to the north-west, whence they maintained a ceaseless fire. +Although the defenders were protected by their stone walls, many had +strange escapes from the bullets, which fell incessantly into the +interior. + +Meanwhile, in spite of the vigorous attack that was being made on the +Malakand, it had been decided to send some assistance to the little band +at Chakdara. Captain Wright and forty sowars of the 11th Bengal Lancers +with Captain Baker of the 2nd Bombay Grenadiers and transport officer +at the Malakand, started at dawn on the 27th, by the road from the north +camp. Before they had gone very far they came under the fire of the +enemy on the hills. These did not dare to venture into the plain, but +availed themselves of the broken nature of the country. As the squadron +reached the road leading to the polo ground, Captain Wright received +information that the enemy were collected on the plain and immediately +the pace was quickened in the hopes of a charge being possible. But the +tribesmen ran to the hills at the sight of the Lancers, and maintained +a constant, though luckily, an ill-aimed fire. At length the village +of Batkhela was reached, and beyond it the Amandara Pass came in sight. +This is a gap in a long spur, which runs from the southern side of the +valley to the rapid river in the middle. As the river was then in full +flood and unfordable, the only road to Chakdara lay over or through the +spur. But the pass was held by the enemy. + +Captain Wright had by this time realised, what probably no one at the +Malakand then knew, that the enemy's numbers were enormous. The whole +way from Malakand to Amandara--every ridge and hill was crowned with +their banners. Wherever the ground protected them from the horsemen +they gathered thickly. Cemeteries [Cemeteries are frequent and prominent +features of Frontier landscapes. Some of them are of great extent: all +of remarkable sanctity.], nullahs and villages swarmed with men. Their +figures could be seen in all directions. Far beyond the Amandara Pass +bands of tribesmen, of varying strengths, could be observed hurrying +with their standards to the attack. But these formidable signs, far from +deterring the cavalry soldier, only added, by displaying how great was +the need of Chakdara, to his determination to force his way through at +all costs. + +Under a dropping fire from the cemetery on the right of the road, a +brief consultation was held. The Amandara defile was occupied on both +sides by the enemy. With the loss of perhaps a dozen men the squadron +might gallop through. But this meant leaving all who fell, to perish +miserably, by torture and mutilation. To attempt to pick up the wounded, +would lead to the annihilation of the squadron. Any alternative was +preferable, though if there were no other way, the dash would have to be +made, and the wounded left. A Sowar now said there was a path round the +rock by the bank of the river. Captain Wright determined to take it. + +The path was bad. After about half the spur had been passed, it ended +abruptly in a steep white rock. It was, in fact, a path leading to a +point where the natives were in the habit of floating across the river +upon "mussucks" (inflated skins). To go back now was to fail. Without +hesitation, the horsemen turned to the right up the hill and among the +rocks, trusting to get through somehow. After passing over ground which +would be difficult to move across on foot, they saw a gorge to their +left which appeared as if it would lead to the open plain, on the other +side of the ridge. Down this gorge forty horses huddled together, with +no room to pick their way, were scrambling and jumping from rock to +rock, apparently as conscious as their riders that their lives depended +on their cleverness--when, suddenly, the enemy appeared. + +As soon as the tribesmen, who were holding the pass, saw the squadron +trot off to their right towards the river, they realised that they +intended to make a desperate effort to get through to Chakdara. They +knew what the ground was like, and confident they would kill them all, +if they could get there soon enough, ran swiftly along the spur. It was +a race. The leading tribesmen arrived in time to fire on the cavalry, +while they were in the gorge. So close were they, that the officers +used their revolvers. But the Pathans were out of breath and shot badly. +Several horses were hit, including Captain Wright's, but though the +large thigh bone was penetrated, the gallant beast held on, and carried +his rider to Chakdara safely. + +By the extraordinary activity of the horses the rocks were cleared +before the enemy could collect in any strength. But, to the dismay of +all, the gorge was found to lead, not to the plain, but to a branch of +the river. A broad, swift channel of water of unknown depth confronted +the cavalry. To go back was now, however, out of the question. They +plunged in. The 11th Bengal Lancers are perhaps better mounted than any +native cavalry regiment in India. Their strong horses just held their +own against the current. Several were nearly swept away. Captain +Wright was the last to cross. All this time the enemy were firing and +approaching. At length the passage was made and the squadron collected +on an island of flooded rice fields, in which the horses sank up to +their hocks. Beyond this ran another arm of the river about fifty yards +wide, and apparently almost as deep as the first. The bullets of the +enemy made "watery flashes" on all sides. After passing this second +torrent the squadron found themselves again on the same bank of +the river as the enemy. They were in swampy ground. Captain Wright +dismounted his men and returned the fire. Then he turned back himself, +and riding into the stream again, rescued the hospital assistant, whose +pony, smaller than the other horses, was being carried off its legs by +the force of the water. After this the march was resumed. The squadron +kept in the heavy ground, struggling along painfully. The enemy, running +along the edge of the rice fields, maintained a continual fire, kneeling +down to take good aim. A sowar threw up his hands and fell, shot through +the back. Several more horses were hit. Then another man reeled in his +saddle and collapsed on the ground. A halt was made. Dismounted fire was +opened upon the enemy. The wounded were picked up, and by slow degrees +Chakdara was approached, when the Bridgehead Maxim gun compelled the +tribesmen to draw off. [For the particulars of this affair I am indebted +to Captain Baker, 2nd Bombay Grenadiers, who shared its perils.] + +Thus the garrison of the fort received a needed reinforcement. I have +given a somewhat long description of this gallant ride, because it shows +that there are few obstacles that can stop brave men and good horses. +Captain Wright now assumed command of Chakdara, but the direction of +the defense he still confided to Lieutenant Rattray, as fighting behind +walls is a phase of warfare with which the cavalry soldier is little +acquainted. + +At 11.30, in the heat of the day the tribesmen attacked again. They +surrounded the north and east sides of the fort, and made strenuous +efforts to get in. They suffered heavy losses from the musketry of the +defence, and their dead lay scattered thickly on the approaches. Nor +were they removed till nightfall. Many Ghazis, mad with fanaticism, +pressed on carrying standards, heedless of the fire, until they fell +riddled with bullets under the very walls. + +To communicate with the Malakand was now almost impossible. To +heliograph, it was necessary that the operator should be exposed to a +terrible fire. In the evening the signal tower was surrounded by men +in stone sungars, who kept up an incessant fusillade, and made all +exposure, even for an instant, perilous. + +At midday, after the repulse of the main attack, the guard of the signal +tower was reinforced by six men, and food and water were also sent up. +This difficult operation was protected by the fire of both the Maxims, +and of all the garrison who could be spared from other points. Until the +1st of August, water was sent up daily to the signal tower in this +way. The distance was long and the road steep. The enemy's fire was +persistent. Looking at the ground it seems wonderful that supplies could +have been got through at all. + +As night approached, the defenders prepared to meet a fresh attack. +Lieutenant Wheatley, observing the points behind which the enemy usually +assembled, trained the fort Maxim and the 9-pounder gun on them, while +daylight lasted. At 11 P.M. the tribesmen advanced with shouts, yells +and the beating of drums. The gun and the Maxims were fired, and it is +said that no fewer than seventy men perished by the single discharge. +At any rate the assault was delayed for an hour and a half. All day long +the garrison had remained at their posts. It was hoped they would +now get a little rest. But at 1 o'clock the attack was renewed on +the north-east corner. Again the enemy brought up scaling ladders and +charged with desperate ferocity. They were shot down. + +Meanwhile every spare moment was devoted to improving the cover of the +garrison. Captain Baker applied himself to this task, and used every +expedient. Logs, sand bags, stones, boxes filled with earth were piled +upon the walls. It is due to these precautions that the loss of life was +no larger. + +Continuous firing occupied the 28th, and at 5.30 P.M. the enemy again +assaulted. As in previous attacks, they at first advanced by twos and +threes, making little dashes over the open ground, for bits of natural +cover, and for the stone sungars they had built all round the fort under +cover of darkness. Some of these were within 200 yards of the wall. As +they advanced the fire became intense. Then the main rush was delivered. +In a great semi-circle round the face of the fort held by the +cavalry, and displaying nearly 200 standards whose gay colours were +representative of every tribe on the border, they charged right up to +the walls. Some of them actually got across the tangled barbed wire and +were destroyed in the enclosure. But all efforts were defeated by the +garrison, and towards morning the attack melted away, and only the usual +sharpshooters remained. Some of these displayed a singular recklessness. +One man climbed up into the barbed wire and fired three shots at the +defenders at close quarters before he was killed. + +Thursday morning dawned on similar scenes. The garrison employed such +intervals as occurred in strengthening their defences and improving +their cover, particularly in the approaches to the Maxim and field +gun platforms. At 3 P.M. the enemy came out of Chakdara village, and, +carrying ladders to scale the walls, and bundles of grass to throw on +the barbed wire, made a formidable effort. They directed the attack +mainly against the signal station. This building is a strong, square, +stone tower. Its entrance is above six feet from the ground. All around +the top runs a machiconlis gallery, a kind of narrow balcony, with holes +in the floor to fire through. It is well provided with loopholes. At +4 o'clock it was closely assailed. The garrison of the fort aided the +tower guard by their fire. So bold were the enemy in their efforts, that +they rushed in under the musketry of the defence, and lighted a great +heap of grass about three yards from the doorway. The flames sprang +up. A howl of ferocious delight arose. But the tribesmen relapsed into +silence, when they saw that no real harm was done. At sunset the +fore sight of the fort Maxim was shot away, and the defenders were +temporarily deprived of the service of that powerful weapon. They soon +managed, however, to rig up a makeshift, which answered all practical +purposes. At 8 P.M. the enemy wearied of the struggle, and the firing +died away to desultory skirmishing. They toiled all night carrying away +their dead, but next morning over fifty bodies were still lying around +the signal tower. Their losses had been enormous. + +The morning of the 30th brought no cessation of the fighting, but the +enemy, disheartened by their losses of the previous night, did not +attack until 7 P.M. At that hour they advanced and made a fresh effort. +They were again repulsed. Perhaps the reader is tired of the long +recital of the monotonous succession of assaults and repulses. What +must the garrison have been by the reality? Until this day--when they +snatched a few hours' sleep--they had been continually fighting and +watching for ninety-six hours. Like men in a leaking ship, who toil at +the pumps ceaselessly and find their fatigues increasing and the ship +sinking hour by hour, they cast anxious, weary eyes in the direction +whence help might be expected. But none came. And there are worse deaths +than by drowning. + +Men fell asleep at the loopholes and at the service of the field gun. +Even during the progress of the attacks, insulted nature asserted +itself, and the soldiers drifted away from the roar of the musketry, +and the savage figures of the enemy, to the peaceful unconsciousness +of utter exhaustion. The officers, haggard but tireless, aroused them +frequently. + +At other times the brave Sepoys would despair. The fort was ringed with +the enemy. The Malakand, too, was assailed. Perhaps it was the same +elsewhere. The whole British Raj seemed passing away in a single +cataclysm. The officers encouraged them. The Government of the +Queen-Empress would never desert them. If they could hold out, they +would be relieved. If not, they would be avenged. Trust in the young +white men who led them, and perhaps some dim half-idolatrous faith in a +mysterious Sovereign across the seas, whose soldiers they were, and +who would surely protect them, restored their fainting strength. The +fighting continued. + +During the whole time of the siege the difficulty of maintaining +signalling communication with the Malakand was extreme. But for the +heroism of the signallers, it would have been insuperable. One man in +particular, Sepoy Prem Singh, used every day at the risk of his life to +come out through a porthole of the tower, establish his heliograph, and, +under a terrible fire from short range, flash urgent messages to +the main force. The extreme danger, the delicacy of the operation of +obtaining connection with a helio, the time consumed, the composure +required, these things combined to make the action as brave as any which +these or other pages record. [A proposal has recently been made, to give +the Victoria Cross to native soldiers who shall deserve it. It would +seem that the value of such a decoration must be enhanced by making it +open to all British subjects. The keener the competition, the greater +the honor of success. In sport, in courage, and in the sight of heaven, +all men meet on equal terms.] Early on Saturday morning a supply of +water was sent to the guard of the signal tower. It was the last they +got until 4.30 on Monday afternoon. + +When the attack on the fort began, the enemy numbered perhaps 1500 men. +Since then they had been increasing every day, until on the 1st and +2nd, they are estimated to have been between 12,000 and 14,000 strong. +Matters now began to assume a still graver aspect. At 5 o'clock on the +evening of the 31st a renewed attack was made in tremendous force on +the east side of the fort. But it was beaten back with great loss by +the Maxims and the field gun. All night long the firing continued, and +Sunday morning displayed the enemy in far larger numbers than hitherto. +They now captured the Civil Hospital, a detached building, the walls +of which they loopholed, and from which they maintained a galling fire. +They also occupied the ridge, leading to the signal tower, thus cutting +off all communication with its guard. No water reached those unfortunate +men that day. The weather was intensely hot. The fire from the ridge +made all interior communication difficult and dangerous. The enemy +appeared armed to a great extent with Martini-Henry rifles and Sniders, +and their musketry was most harassing. The party in the tower kept +sending by signal pressing requests for water, which could not be +supplied. The situation became critical. I quote the simple words of +Lieutenant Rattray's official report:-- + +"Matters now looked so serious that we decided to send an urgent appeal +for help, but owing to the difficulty and danger of signalling we +could not send a long message, and made it as short as possible, merely +sending the two words, 'Help us.'" + +Still the garrison displayed a determined aspect, and though the +tribesmen occupied the ridge, the Civil Hospital and an adjoining +nullah, none set foot within the defences. + +At length the last day of the struggle came. At daybreak the enemy in +tremendous numbers came on to the assault, as if resolute to take the +place at any cost. They carried scaling ladders and bundles of grass. +The firing became intense. In spite of the cover of the garrison several +men were killed and wounded by the hail of bullets which was directed +against the fort, and which splashed and scarred the walls in every +direction. + +Then suddenly, as matters were approaching a crisis, the cavalry of the +relieving column appeared over the Amandara ridge. The strong horsemen +mercilessly pursued and cut down all who opposed them. When they reached +the Bridgehead on the side of the river remote from the fort, the +enemy began to turn and run. The garrison had held out stubbornly +and desperately throughout the siege. Now that relief was at hand, +Lieutenant Rattray flung open the gate, and followed by half a dozen +men charged the Civil Hospital. Captain Baker and Lieutenant Wheatley +followed with a few more. The hospital was recaptured. The enemy +occupying it, some thirty in number, were bayoneted. It was a finish in +style. Returning, the sallying party found the cavalry--the 11th Bengal +Lancers--checked by a sungar full of tribesmen. This they charged in +flank, killing most of its occupants, and driving the rest after +their comrades in rout and ruin. The last man to leave the sungar shot +Lieutenant Rattray in the neck, but that officer, as distinguished for +physical prowess as for military conduct, cut him down. This ended the +fighting. It is not possible to think of a more fitting conclusion. + +The casualties in the siege were as follows:-- + + Killed Wounded + 11th B.L...... 1 1 + 45th Sikhs..... 4 10 + Dir Levies..... 1 0 + Followers..... 1 2 + Total, all ranks--20 + + +This was the loss; but every man in the fort had held death at arm's +length, for seven nights, and seven days. + +It is a significant fact, that, though the cavalry horses were exposed +to the enemy's fire the whole time, hardly any were killed or wounded. +The tribesmen, feeling sure that the place was theirs, and hoping that +these fine beasts would fall unto their hands alive, had abstained from +shooting them. + +As far as could be ascertained by careful official inquiries the enemy +lost over 2000 men in the attack upon Chakdara. + +[The following statistics as to the expenditure of ammunition may be of +interest:-- + + Rounds. + 28th July. Maxim...... 843 + " Martini-Henry... 7170 + 29th July. Maxim...... 667 + " Martini-Henry... 4020 + 30th July. Maxim...... 1200 + " Martini-Henry... 5530 + 31st July. Maxim...... 180 + " Martini-Henry... 2700 + +This is approximately twenty rounds per man per diem. The fire control +must have been excellent.] + + + + + +CHAPTER VII: THE GATE OF SWAT + + + +The Malakand Pass gives access to the valley of the Swat, a long and +wide trough running east and west, among the mountains. Six miles +further to the east, at Chakdara, the valley bifurcates. One branch runs +northward towards Uch, and, turning again to the west, ultimately leads +to the Panjkora River and beyond to the great valley of Nawagai. For +some distance along this branch lies the road to Chitral, and along it +the Malakand Field Force will presently advance against the Mohmands. +The other branch prolongs the valley to the eastward. A few miles beyond +Chakdara a long spur, jutting from the southern mountains, blocks the +valley. Round its base the river has cut a channel. The road passes +along a narrow stone causeway between the river and the spur. Here is +the Landakai position, or as the tribesmen have for centuries called +it, the "Gate of Swat." Beyond this gate is Upper Swat, the ancient, +beautiful and mysterious "Udyana." This chapter will describe the +forcing of the gate and the expedition to the head of the valley. + +The severe fighting at the Malakand and Chakdara had shown how +formidable was the combination, which had been raised against the +British among the hill tribes. The most distant and solitary valleys, +the most remote villages, had sent their armed men to join in the +destruction of the infidels. All the Banjaur tribes had been well +represented in the enemy's ranks. The Bunerwals and the Utman Khels had +risen to a man. All Swat had been involved. Instead of the two or three +thousand men that had been estimated as the extreme number, who would +follow the Mad Fakir, it was now known that over 12,000 were in arms. +In consequence of the serious aspect which the military and political +situation had assumed, it was decided to mobilise a 3rd and Reserve +Brigade composed as follows:-- + + 3rd Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General J.H. Wodehouse, C.B., C.M.G. + 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry. + 1st " Gordon Highlanders. + 21st Punjaub Infantry. + 2nd Battalion 1st Gurkhas. + No. 3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners. + " 14 British Field Hospital. + " 45 Native " " + " 1 Field Medical Depot. + +The fighting of the preceding fortnight had left significant and +terrible marks on the once smiling landscape. The rice crops were +trampled down in all directions. The ruins of the villages which had +been burned looked from a distance like blots of ink. The fearful losses +which the enemy had sustained, had made an appreciable diminution, +not of an army, but of a population. In the attacks upon the Malakand +position, about 700 tribesmen had perished. In the siege of Chakdara, +where the open ground had afforded opportunity to the modern weapons +and Maxim guns, over 2000 had been killed and wounded. Many others had +fallen in the relief of Chakdara and in the cavalry pursuit. For days +their bodies lay scattered about the country. In the standing crops, in +the ruins of villages, and among the rocks, festering bodies lay in the +blazing sun, filling the valley with a dreadful smell. To devour these +great numbers of vultures quickly assembled and disputed the abundant +prey with the odious lizards, which I have mentioned in an earlier +chapter, and which emerged from holes and corners to attack the corpses. +Although every consideration of decency and health stimulated the energy +of the victors in interring the bodies of their enemies, it was +some days before this task could be accomplished, and even then, in +out-of-the-way places, there remained a good many that had escaped the +burying parties. + +Meanwhile the punishment that the tribesmen of the Swat Valley had +received, and their heavy losses, had broken the spirit of many, and +several deputations came to make their submission. The Lower Swatis +surrendered unconditionally, and were allowed to return to their +villages. Of this permission they at once availed themselves, and their +figures could be seen moving about their ruined homes and endeavouring +to repair the damage. Others sat by the roadside and watched in sullen +despair the steady accumulation of troops in their valley, which had +been the only result of their appeal to arms. + +It is no exaggeration to say, that perhaps half the tribesmen who +attacked the Malakand, had thought that the soldiers there, were the +only troops that the Sirkar [The Government] possessed. "Kill these," +they said, "and all is done." What did they know of the distant +regiments which the telegraph wires were drawing, from far down in the +south of India? Little did they realise they had set the world humming; +that military officers were hurrying 7000 miles by sea and land from +England, to the camps among the mountains; that long trains were +carrying ammunition, material and supplies from distant depots to the +front; that astute financiers were considering in what degree their +action had affected the ratio between silver and gold, or that sharp +politicians were wondering how the outbreak in Swat might be made to +influence the impending bye-elections. These ignorant tribesmen had no +conception of the sensitiveness of modern civilisation, which thrills +and quivers in every part of its vast and complex system at the +slightest touch. + +They only saw the forts and camps on the Malakand Pass and the swinging +bridge across the river. + +While the people of Lower Swat, deserted by the Mad Mullah, and +confronted with the two brigades, were completely humbled and subdued, +the Upper Swatis, encouraged by their priests, and, as they believed, +safe behind their "gate," assumed a much more independent air. They sent +to inquire what terms the Government would offer, and said they would +consider the matter. Their contumacious attitude, induced the political +officers to recommend the movement of troops through their country, to +impress them with the determination and power of the Sirkar. + +The expedition into the Upper Swat Valley was accordingly sanctioned, +and Sir Bindon Blood began making the necessary preparations for the +advance. The prospects of further fighting were eagerly welcomed by the +troops, and especially by those who had arrived too late for the relief +of Chakdara, and had had thus far, only long and dusty marches to +perform. There was much speculation and excitement as to what units +would be selected, every one asserting that his regiment was sure to go; +that it was their turn; and that if they were not taken it would be a +great shame. + +Sir Bindon Blood had however already decided. He had concentrated a +considerable force at Amandara in view of a possible advance, and as +soon as the movement was sanctioned organised the column as follows:-- + + 1st Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General Meiklejohn. + Royal West Kent Regiment. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 31st " " + 45th Sikhs + + With the following divisional troops:-- + 10th Field Battery. + No.7 British Mountain Battery. + " 8 Bengal " " + " 5 Company Madras Sappers and Miners. + 2 Squadrons Guides Cavalry. + 4 " 11th Bengal Lancers. + +This force amounted to an available fighting strength of 3500 rifles and +sabres, with eighteen guns. Supplies for twelve days were carried, and +the troops proceeded on "the 80 lb. scale" of baggage, which means, that +they did not take tents, and a few other comforts and conveniences. + +Before the force started, a sad event occurred. On the 12th of August, +Lieut.-Colonel J. Lamb, who had been wounded on the night of the 26th of +July, died. An early amputation might have saved his life; but this +was postponed in the expectation that the Rontgen Rays would enable the +bullet to be extracted. The Rays arrived from India after some delay. +When they reached Malakand, the experiment was at once made. It was +found, however, that the apparatus had been damaged in coming up, and no +result was obtained. Meanwhile mortification had set in, and the gallant +soldier died on the Sunday, from the effects of an amputation which he +was then too weak to stand. His thigh bone had been completely shattered +by the bullet. He had seen service in Afghanistan and the Zhob Valley +and had been twice mentioned in despatches. + +On the 14th Sir Bindon Blood joined the special force, and moved it on +the 16th to Thana, a few miles further up the valley. At the same time +he ordered Brigadier-General Wodehouse to detach a small column in the +direction of the southern passes of Buner. The Highland Light Infantry, +No.3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners, and one squadron of the 10th +Bengal Lancers accordingly marched from Mardan, where the 3rd Brigade +then was, to Rustum. By this move they threatened the Bunerwals and +distracted their attention from the Upper Swat Valley. Having thus +weakened the enemy, Sir Bindon Blood proceeded to force the "Gate of +Swat." + +On the evening of the 16th, a reconnaissance by the 11th Bengal Lancers, +under Major Beatson, revealed the fact, that the Landakai position was +strongly held by the enemy. Many standards were displayed, and on +the approach of the cavalry, shots were fired all along the line. The +squadron retired at once, and reported the state of affairs. The general +decided to attack at day-break. + +At 6.30 A.M. on the 17th, the cavalry moved off, and soon came in +contact with the tribesmen in some Buddhist ruins near a village, called +Jalala. A skirmish ensued. Meanwhile the infantry were approaching. The +main position of the enemy was displayed. All along the crest of the +spur of Landakai could be seen a fringe of standards, dark against +the sky. Beneath them the sword blades of the tribesmen glinted in the +sunlight. A long line of stone sungars crowned the ridge, and behind the +enemy clustered thickly. It is estimated that over 5000 were present. + +It is not difficult to realise what a strong position this was. On the +left of the troops was an unfordable river. On their right the mountains +rose steeply. In front was the long ridge held by the enemy. The only +road up the valley was along the causeway, between the ridge and the +river. To advance further, it was necessary to dislodge the enemy from +the ridge. Sir Bindon Blood rode forward, reconnoitered the ground, and +made his dispositions. + +To capture the position by a frontal attack would involve heavy loss. +The enemy were strongly posted, and the troops would be exposed to a +heavy fire in advancing. On the other hand, if the ridge could once be +captured, the destruction of the tribesmen was assured. Their position +was good, only as long as they held it. The moment of defeat would be +the moment of ruin. The reason was this. The ground behind the ridge +was occupied by swampy rice fields, and the enemy could only retire very +slowly over it. Their safe line of retreat lay up the spur, and on to +the main line of hills. They were thus formed with their line of retreat +in prolongation of their front. This is, of course, tactically one of +the worst situations that people can get into. + +Sir Bindon Blood, who knew what the ground behind the ridge was like, +perceived at once how matters stood, and made his plans accordingly. He +determined to strike at the enemy's left, thus not only turning their +flank, but cutting off their proper line of retreat. If once his troops +held the point, where the long ridge ran into the main hills, all the +tribesmen who had remained on the ridge would be caught. He accordingly +issued orders as follows:-- + +The Royal West Kent were to mask the front and occupy the attention +of the enemy. The rest of the infantry, viz., 24th and 31st Punjaub +Infantry and the 45th Sikhs, were to ascend the hills to the right, and +deliver a flank attack on the head of the ridge. The cavalry were to be +held in readiness to dash forward along the causeway--to repair which a +company of sappers was posted--as soon as the enemy were driven off the +ridge which commanded it, and pursue them across the rice fields into +the open country beyond. The whole of the powerful artillery was to come +into action at once. + +The troops then advanced. The Royal West Kent Regiment began the fight, +by driving some of the enemy from the Buddhist ruins on a small spur in +advance of the main position. The 10th Field Battery had been left +in rear in case the guns might stick in the narrow roads near Thana +village. It had, however, arrived safely, and now trotted up, and at +8.50 A.M. opened fire on the enemy's position and at a stone fort, which +they occupied strongly. A few minutes later No.7 Mountain Battery came +into action from the spur, which the Royal West Kent had taken. A heavy +artillery fire thus prepared the way for the attack. The great shells +of the Field Artillery astounded the tribesmen, who had never before +witnessed the explosion of a twelve-pound projectile. The two mountain +batteries added to their discomfiture. Many fled during the first +quarter of an hour of the bombardment. All the rest took cover on the +reverse slope and behind their sungars. + +Meanwhile the flank attack was developing. General Meiklejohn and +his infantry were climbing up the steep hillside, and moving steadily +towards the junction of the ridge with the main hill. At length the +tribesmen on the spur perceived the danger that was threatening them. +They felt the grip on their line of retreat. They had imagined that the +white troops would try and force their path along the causeway, and had +massed considerable reserves at the lower end of the ridge. All these +now realised that they were in great danger of being cut off. They +were on a peninsula, as it were, while the soldiers were securing the +isthmus. They accordingly began streaming along the ridge towards the +left, at first with an idea of meeting the flank attack, but afterwards, +as the shell fire grew hotter, and the musketry increased, only in the +hope of retreat. Owing to the great speed with which the mountaineers +move about the hills, most of them were able to escape before the flank +attack could cut them off. Many however, were shot down as they fled, +or were killed by the artillery fire. A few brave men charged the 31st +Punjaub Infantry, but were all destroyed. + +Seeing the enemy in full flight, Sir Bindon Blood ordered the Royal West +Kent to advance against the front of the now almost deserted ridge. The +British infantry hurrying forward climbed the steep hill and captured +the stone sungars. From this position they established touch with the +flank attack, and the whole force pursued the flying tribesmen with +long-range fire. + +The "Gate of Swat" had been forced. It was now possible for troops to +advance along the causeway. This had, however, been broken in various +places by the enemy. The sappers and miners hastened forward to +repair it. While this was being done, the cavalry had to wait in mad +impatience, knowing that their chance lay in the plains beyond. As soon +as the road was sufficiently repaired to allow them to pass in single +file, they began struggling along it, and emerged at the other end of +the causeway in twos and threes. + +An incident now ensued, which, though it afforded an opportunity for a +splendid act of courage, yet involved an unnecessary loss of life, +and must be called disastrous. As the cavalry got clear of the broken +ground, the leading horsemen saw the tribesmen swiftly running towards +the hills, about a mile distant. Carried away by the excitement of +the pursuit, and despising the enemy for their slight resistance, they +dashed impetuously forward in the hope of catching them before they +could reach the hills. + +Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, on entering the plain, saw at once that if he +could seize a small clump of trees near a cemetery, he would be able to +bring effective dismounted fire to bear on the retreating tribesmen. +He therefore collected as many men as possible, and with Lieutenant +Maclean, and Lord Fincastle, the Times correspondent, rode in the +direction of these points. Meanwhile Captain Palmer, who commanded the +leading squadron, and Lieutenant Greaves of the Lancashire Fusiliers, +who was acting war correspondent of the Times of India, galloped across +the rice fields after the enemy. The squadron, unable to keep up, +straggled out in a long string, in the swampy ground. + +At the foot of the hills the ground was firmer, and reaching this, the +two officers recklessly dashed in among the enemy. It is the spirit that +loses the Empire many lives, but has gained it many battles. But the +tribesmen, who had been outmanoeuvred rather than outfought, turned +savagely on their pursuers. The whole scene was witnessed by the troops +on the ridge. Captain Palmer cut down a standard-bearer. Another man +attacked him. Raising his arm for a fresh stroke, his wrist was smashed +by a bullet. Another killed his horse. Lieutenant Greaves, shot through +the body, fell at the same moment to the ground. The enemy closed around +and began hacking him, as he lay, with their swords. Captain Palmer +tried to draw his revolver. At this moment two sowars got clear of +the swampy rice fields, and at once galloped, shouting, to the rescue, +cutting and slashing at the tribesmen. All would have been cut to pieces +or shot down. The hillside was covered with the enemy. The wounded +officers lay at the foot. They were surrounded. Seeing this +Lieutenant-Colonel Adams and Lord Fincastle, with Lieutenant Maclean +and two or three sowars, dashed to their assistance. At their charge +the tribesmen fell back a little way and opened a heavy fire. Lord +Fincastle's horse was immediately shot and he fell to the ground. +Rising, he endeavoured to lift the wounded Greaves on to Colonel Adams' +saddle, but at this instant a second bullet struck that unfortunate +officer, killing him instantly. Colonel Adams was slightly, and +Lieutenant Maclean mortally, wounded while giving assistance, and all +the horses but two were shot. In spite of the terrible fire, the body of +Lieutenant Greaves and the other two wounded officers were rescued and +carried to the little clump of trees. + +For this gallant feat of arms both the surviving officers, Colonel Adams +and Lord Fincastle, were recommended for, and have since received, +the Victoria Cross. It was also officially announced, that Lieutenant +Maclean would have received it, had he not been killed. There are many, +especially on the frontier, where he was known as a fine soldier and +a good sportsman, who think that the accident of death should not have +been allowed to interfere with the reward of valour. + +The extremes of fortune, which befell Lord Fincastle and Lieutenant +Greaves, may well claim a moment's consideration. Neither officer was +employed officially with the force. Both had travelled up at their own +expense, evading and overcoming all obstacles in an endeavour to see +something of war. Knights of the sword and pen, they had nothing to +offer but their lives, no troops to lead, no duties to perform, no +watchful commanding officer to report their conduct. They played for +high stakes, and Fortune never so capricious as on the field of battle, +dealt to the one the greatest honour that a soldier can hope for, as +some think, the greatest in the gift of the Crown, and to the other +Death. + +The flight of the enemy terminated the action of Landakai. Thus in a few +hours and with hardly any loss, the "Gate of Swat," which the tribesmen +had regarded as impregnable, had been forced. One squadron of the +Guides cavalry, under Captain Brasier Creagh, pursuing the enemy had +a successful skirmish near the village of Abueh, and returned to camp +about 6.30 in the evening. [This officer was mentioned in despatches +for his skill and judgment in this affair; but he is better known on the +frontier for his brilliant reconnaissance towards Mamani, a month later, +in which in spite of heavy loss he succeeded in carrying out General +Hammond's orders and obtained most valuable information.] During the +fight about 1000 tribesmen had threatened the baggage column, but these +were but poor-spirited fellows, for they retired after a short skirmish +with two squadrons of the 11th Bengal Lancers, with a loss of twenty +killed and wounded. The total casualties of the day were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Lieutenant R.T. Greaves, Lancs. Fusiliers. + " " H.L.S. Maclean, Guides. + Wounded severely--Captain M.E. Palmer, Guides. + Wounded slightly--Lieutenant-Colonel R.B. Adams, Guides. + NATIVE RANKS--Wounded--5. + FOLLOWERS--Wounded--2. + Total Casualties--11. + + +It must be remembered, that but for the incident which resulted in the +deaths of the officers, and which Sir Bindon Blood described in his +official despatch as an "unfortunate contretemps," the total casualties +would have only been seven wounded. That so strong a position should +have been captured with so little loss, is due, firstly, to the +dispositions of the general; and secondly, to the power of the artillery +which he had concentrated. The account of the first attempt to storm +the Dargai position on the 20th of October, before it had been shaken +by artillery fire, when the Dorsetshire Regiment suffered severe loss, +roused many reflections among those who had witnessed the action of +Landakai. + +The next morning, the 18th, the force continued their march up the +valley of the Upper Swat. The natives, thoroughly cowed, offered no +further opposition and sued for peace. Their losses at Landakai were +ascertained to have exceeded 500, and they realised that they had no +chance against the regular troops, when these were enabled to use their +powerful weapons. + +As the troops advanced up the fertile and beautiful valley, all were +struck by the numerous ruins of the ancient Buddhists. Here in former +times were thriving cities, and civilised men. Here, we learn from +Fa-hien, [Record Of Buddhistic Kingdoms. Translated by James Legge, +M.A., LL.D.] were "in all 500 Sangharamas," or monasteries. At these +monasteries the law of hospitality was thus carried out: "When stranger +bhikshus (begging monks) arrive at one of them, their wants are supplied +for three days, after which they are told to find a resting-place for +themselves." All this is changed by time. The cities are but ruins. +Savages have replaced the civilised, bland-looking Buddhists, and the +traveller who should apply for hospitality, would be speedily shown +"a resting-place," which would relieve his hosts from further trouble +concerning him. + +"There is a tradition," continues the intrepid monk, who travelled +through some of the wildest countries of the earth in the darkest ages +of its history, "that when Buddha came to North India, he came to this +country, and that he left a print of his foot, which is long or short +according to the ideas of the beholder." Although the learned Fa-hien +asserts that "it exists, and the same thing is true about it at the +present day," the various cavalry reconnaissances failed to discover it, +and we must regretfully conclude that it has also been obliterated by +the tides of time. Here too, says this Buddhistic Baedeker, is still to +be seen the rock on which "He dried his clothes; and the place where He +converted the wicked dragon (Naga)." "The rock is fourteen cubits high +and more than twenty broad, with one side of it smooth." This may well +be believed; but there are so many rocks of all dimensions that the +soldiers were unable to make certain which was the scene of the dragon's +repentance, and Buddha's desiccation. + +His companions went on ahead towards Jellalabad, or some city in that +locality, but Fa-hien, charmed with the green and fertile beauties +of "the park," remained in the pleasant valley and "kept the summer +retreat." Then he descended into the land of So-hoo-to, which is perhaps +Buner. + +Even in these busy, practical, matter-of-fact, modern times, where +nothing is desirable unless economically sound, it is not unprofitable +for a moment to raise the veil of the past, and take a glimpse of the +world as it was in other days. The fifth century of the Christian era +was one of the most gloomy and dismal periods in the history of mankind. +The Great Roman Empire was collapsing before the strokes of such as +Alaric the Goth, Attila the Hun, and Genseric the Vandal. The art and +valour of a classical age had sunk in that deluge of barbarism which +submerged Europe. The Church was convulsed by the Arian controversy. +That pure religion, which it should have guarded, was defiled with the +blood of persecution and degraded by the fears of superstition. Yet, +while all these things afflicted the nations of the West, and seemed +to foreshadow the decline or destruction of the human species, the wild +mountains of Northern India, now overrun by savages more fierce than +those who sacked Rome, were occupied by a placid people, thriving, +industrious, and intelligent; devoting their lives to the attainment +of that serene annihilation which the word nirvana expresses. When we +reflect on the revolutions which time effects, and observe how the home +of learning and progress changes as the years pass by, it is impossible +to avoid the conclusion, perhaps a mournful one, that the sun of +civilisation can never shine all over the world at once. + +On the 19th, the force reached Mingaora, and here for five days they +waited in an agreeable camp, to enable Major Deane to receive the +submission of the tribes. These appeared much humbled by their defeats, +and sought to propitiate the troops by bringing in supplies of grain and +forage. Over 800 arms of different descriptions were surrendered during +the halt. A few shots were fired into the camp on the night of the +arrival at Mingaora, but the villagers, fearing lest they should suffer, +turned out and drove the "snipers" away. On the 21st a reconnaissance +as far as the Kotke Pass afforded much valuable information as to the +nature of the country. All were struck with the beauty of the scenery, +and when on the 24th the force marched back to Barikot, they carried +away with them the memory of a beautiful valley, where the green of the +rice fields was separated from the blue of the sky by the glittering +snow peaks of the Himalayas. + +While the troops rested at Barikot, Sir Bindon Blood personally +reconnoitred the Karakar Pass, which leads from the Swat Valley into the +country of the Bunerwals. The Bunerwals belong to the Yusaf section, of +the Yusafzai tribe. They are a warlike and turbulent people. To their +valley, after the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, many of the Sepoys +and native officers who had been in revolt fled for refuge. Here, partly +by force and partly by persuasion, they established themselves. +They married women of the country and made a settlement. In 1863 the +Bunerwals came into collision with the British Government and much +severe fighting ensued, known to history as the Ambeyla Campaign. The +refugees from India renewed their quarrel with the white troops with +eagerness, and by their extraordinary courage and ferocity gained the +name of the "Hindustani Fanatics." At the cost of thirty-six officers +and eight hundred men Buner was subdued. The "Crag Picket" was taken +for the last time by the 101st Fusiliers, and held till the end of the +operations. Elephants, brought at great expense from India, trampled the +crops. Most of the "Hindustani Fanatics" perished in the fighting. The +Bunerwals accepted the Government terms, and the troops retired. Since +then, in 1868, in 1877 and again in 1884 they raided border villages, +but on the threat of an expedition paid a fine and made good the damage. +The reputation they have enjoyed since their stout resistance in 1863, +has enabled them to take a leading position among the frontier tribes; +and they have availed themselves of this to foment and aggravate several +outbreaks against the British. Their black and dark-blue clothes had +distinguished them from the other assailants of Malakand and Chakdara. +They had now withdrawn to their valley and thence defied the Government +and refused all terms. + +As Sir Bindon Blood and his escort approached the top of the pass, a few +shots were fired by the watchers there, but there was no opposition. All +the Bunerwals had hurried over to defend the southern entrances to +their country, which they conceived were in danger of attack from +Brigadier-General Wodehouse's force at Rustum. The general reached the +Kotal, and saw the whole valley beneath him. Great villages dotted the +plains and the aspect was fertile and prosperous. + +The unguarded Karakar Pass was practicable for troops, and if the +Government would give their consent, Buner might be reduced in a +fortnight without difficulty, almost without fighting. + +Telegrams were despatched to India on the subject, and after much delay +and hesitation the Viceroy decided against the recommendation of +his victorious general. Though the desirability of settling with the +Bunerwals was fully admitted, the Government shrank from the risk. The +Malakand Field Force thus remained idle for nearly a fortnight. The +news, that the Sirkar had feared to attack Buner, spread like wildfire +along the frontier, and revived the spirits of the tribes. They fancied +they detected a sign of weakness. Nor were they altogether wrong. But +the weakness was moral rather than physical. + +It is now asserted, that the punishment of Buner is only postponed, +and that a few months may see its consummation. [Written in 1897.] The +opportunity of entering the country without having to force the passes +may not, however, recur. + +On the 26th of August the force returned to Thana, and the expedition +into Upper Swat terminated. + +[The following is the most trustworthy estimate obtainable of loss of +life among the tribesmen in the fighting in the Swat Valley from 26th +July to 17th August. The figures include wounded, who have since died, +and are more than double those killed outright in the actions:-- + + 1. Lower Swat Pathans... 700 Buried in the graveyards. + 2. Upper " " ... 600 " " " " + 3. Buner proper . ... 500 " " " " + 4. Utman Khel . ... 80 + 5. Yusafzai. . ... 50 + 6. Other tribes . ... 150 + Total--2080. + + 1, 2 and 3 are the result of recent inquiry on the spot. + 4, 5 and 6 are estimates based on native information. + +The proportion of killed and died of wounds to wounded would be very +high, as the tribes have little surgical or medical knowledge and +refused all offers of aid. Assuming that only an equal number were +wounded and recovered, the total loss would be approximately 4000. A +check is obtained by comparing these figures with the separate estimates +for each action:-- + + Malakand.... 700 + Siege of Chakdara.. 2000 + Relief " " .. 500 + Action of Landakai.. 500 + Total--3700. + + + + + +CHAPTER VIII: THE ADVANCE AGAINST THE MOHMANDS + + + +The beginning of this chapter must mark a change in the standpoint from +which the story is told. Hitherto the course of events has been recorded +in the impersonal style of history. But henceforward I am able to rely +on my own memory as well as on other people's evidence. [I do not +desire to bore the reader or depreciate the story by the introduction +of personal matters. It will be sufficient if, in the interests of +coherency, I explain my connection with the Malakand Field Force. Having +realised, that if a British cavalry officer waits till he is ordered on +active service, he is likely to wait a considerable time, I obtained six +weeks' leave of absence from my regiment, and on the 2nd of September +arrived at Malakand as press correspondent of the PIONEER and DAILY +TELEGRAPH, and in the hope of being sooner or later attached to the +force in a military capacity.] It may be doubtful whether an historical +record gains or loses value when described by an eye-witness. From the +personal point of view, all things appear in a gradual perspective, +according to the degree in which they affect the individual; and we are +so prone to exaggerate the relative importance of incidents, which we +see, over those we hear about, that what the narrative gains in accuracy +of detail, it may lose in justness of proportion. In so nice a question +I shall not pronounce. I remember that the original object with which +this book was undertaken, was to present a picture of the war on the +North-West Frontier to the Englishmen at home; a picture which should +not only exist, but be looked at; and I am inclined to think, that this +end will be more easily attained by the adoption of a style of personal +narrative. Many facts, too local, too specialised, too insignificant, +for an historical record, and yet which may help the reader to form a +true impression of the scene and situation, are thus brought within +the compass of these pages. The account becomes more graphic if less +imposing, more vivid if less judicial. As long as each step down from +the "dignity of history" is accompanied by a corresponding increase +in interest, we may pursue without compunction that pleasant, if +descending, path. + +The ninth chapter also introduces a new phase of the operations of the +force. The Mohmands now become the enemy and the scene is changed from +Swat to Bajaur. Before marching into their country, it will be desirable +to consider briefly those causes and events which induced the Government +of India to despatch an expedition against this powerful and warlike +tribe. + + +The tidal wave of fanaticism, which had swept the frontier, had +influenced the Mohmands, as all other border peoples. Their situation +was, however, in several important respects, different from that of the +natives of the Swat Valley. These Mohmands had neither been irritated +nor interfered with in any way. No military road ran through their +territory. No fortified posts stirred their animosity or threatened +their independence. Had they respected in others the isolation which +they themselves have so long enjoyed, they might have remained for an +indefinite period in that state of degraded barbarism which seems to +appeal so strongly to certain people in England. They became, however, +the aggressors. + +In the heart of the wild and dismal mountain region, in which these +fierce tribesmen dwell, are the temple and village of Jarobi: the one +a consecrated hovel, the other a fortified slum. This obscure and +undisturbed retreat was the residence of a priest of great age and +of peculiar holiness, known to fame as the Hadda Mullah. His name is +Najb-ud-din, but as respect has prevented it being mentioned by the +tribesmen for nearly fifty years, it is only preserved in infidel +memories and records. The Government of India have, however, had this +man's personality brought vividly before them on several occasions. +About thirteen years ago he quarrelled with the Amir and raised the +Mohmands against him. The Amir replied by summoning his rebellious +subject--for Hadda, the Mullah's home and birthplace, is a village of +Afghanistan--to answer for his conduct at Cabul. But the crafty priest, +who was well acquainted with Afghan legal procedure, declined the +invitation, and retired to the independent Mohmand territory, where he +has lived ever since. + +Content with thus inflicting the punishment of exile, the Amir was +disposed to forget the offence. In a letter to his Commander-in-Chief, +the "Sipah Salar," a great friend of the Mullah, he described him as a +"light of Islam." So powerful a light, indeed, he did not desire to have +in his own dominions; but across the border it was fitting that respect +should be shown to so holy a man. He therefore directed his officials to +cherish and honour him. Thus he retained a powerful weapon--to be used +when desirable. Whether by instigation or from personal motives, the +Hadda Mullah has long been a bitter foe to the British power. In 1895 +he sent the fighting men of the Mohmands to resist the Chitral Relief +Force. Since then he has been actively engaged, by preaching and by +correspondence with other Mullahs, in raising a great combination +against the advancing civilisation. + +In 1896 he terminated a long religious controversy with the Manki Mullah +of Nowshera and Spinkhara--a comparatively tame Mullah, who now supports +the Indian Government--by publishing a book setting forth his views, and +demolishing those of his antagonist. This work was printed in Delhi and +had an extensive sale among Mahommedans all over India. Complimentary +copies were sent to the "Sipah Salar" and other Afghan notabilities, +and the fame of the Hadda Mullah was known throughout the land. Besides +increasing his influence, his literary success stimulated his efforts. + +While the Mad Fakir was rousing Swat and Buner, this powerful priest +incited the Mohmands. Though he was known to be a physical coward, his +sanctity and the fact that he was their own particular holy man, not +less than his eloquence, powerfully moved this savage tribe. A Jehad +was proclaimed. How long should Islam be insulted? How long should its +followers lurk in the barren lands of the North? He urged them to rise +and join in the destruction of the white invaders. Those who fell should +become saints; those who lived would be rich, for these Kafirs had money +and many other things besides, for which a true believer might find a +use. + +The combined allurements of plunder and paradise proved irresistible. +On the 8th of August a great gathering, nearly 6000 strong, crossed +the frontier line, invaded British territory, burned the village +of Shankargarh, and attacked the fort of Shabkadr. This place is an +advanced post in the defensive system of the frontier, and is situated +some nineteen miles to the north-west of Peshawar. Its ordinary garrison +consists of about fifty Border Police. It is strongly built, and +is intended to attract the attention and delay the advance of a +raiding-party, until the Peshawar garrison has had time to take the +field. Both of these objects it admirably fulfilled in this case. + +As soon as the news of the incursion of the Mohmands was received in +Peshawar, a flying column was mobilised and proceeded under the command +of Lieut.-Colonel J.B. Woon, 20th Punjaub Infantry, in the direction of +the fort. At dawn on the 9th of August they found the tribesmen in force +in a strong position near Shabdakr. The force at Colonel Woon's disposal +was small. It consisted of:-- + + 4 Guns 51st Field Battery. + 2 squadrons 13th Bengal Lancers..... 151 lances. + 2 Companies Somersetshire Light Infantry.. 186 rifles. + 20th Punjaub Infantry ...... 400 " + +A total of about 750 men. The enemy numbered 6000. Nevertheless it was +decided to attack at once. + + +As the action which followed is but remotely connected with the fortunes +of the Malakand Field Force, I do not intend to describe it in detail. +The infantry in advancing could only attack on a front of 600 yards. The +enemy's line, being much longer, quickly turned both flanks. The fire +became severe. Numerous casualties occurred. A retirement was ordered. +As is usual in Asiatic warfare, it was considerably pressed. The +situation at about nine o'clock appeared critical. At this point +Brigadier-General Ellis, commanding the Peshawar District, arrived on +the field. He immediately ordered the two squadrons of the 13th Bengal +Lancers to move well to the right flank, to charge across the front and +check the enemy's advance. The "cease fire" sounded as on a field day. +Then there was a pause. The movements of the cavalry were concealed +from most of the troops, but suddenly all noticed the slackening of +the enemy's fire. Then the tribesmen were seen to be in retreat and +disorder. The power of cavalry had been strikingly displayed. The two +squadrons, ably led, had executed a fine charge over what theorists +would call impossible ground for a distance of one and a half miles +along the bed of a great nullah, and among rocks and stones that reduced +the pace to a trot. The enemy were driven from the field. Sixty were +actually speared by the Lancers, and the rest retreated in gloom and +disorder to their hills across the frontier. + +The casualties were as follows:-- + + British Officers. + Wounded severely--Major A. Lumb, Somersetshire Light Infantry. + " " Captain S.W. Blacker, R.A. + " " 2nd Lieut. E Drummond, Somersetshire Light Infantry. + Wounded slightly--Lieut. A.V. Cheyne, 13th Bengal Lancers. + + British N.C.O.'s and Soldiers. + Killed. Wounded. + 51st Field Battery, R.A..... 0 2 + Somersetshire Light Infantry... 3 9 + + Native Ranks. + + 13th Bengal Lancers ..... 1 12 + 20th Punjaub Infantry..... 5 35 + Followers ....... 0 1 + + Total Casualties, all ranks--72. + + +That such an outrage, as the deliberate violation of British territory +by these savages, should remain unpunished, "Forward Policy" or no +"Forward Policy," was of course impossible. Yet the vacillation and +hesitancy which the Government of India had displayed in the matter of +the Bunerwals, and the shocking and disgraceful desertion of the forts +in the Khyber Pass, were so fresh in all men's minds, that the order to +advance against the Mohmands was received with feelings of the greatest +relief throughout the forces. The general plan of the operations as +arranged by the Commander-in-Chief was as follows:-- + +1. Sir Bindon Blood with two brigades of the Malakand Field Force and +due proportions of cavalry and guns was to move through South Bajaur to +Nawagai, and on the 15th of September invade the Mohmand country from +that place. + +2. On the same date Major-General Elles with an equal force would +leave Shabkadr, and entering the mountains march northeast to effect a +junction. + +3. This having been done, the combined forces under the supreme +command of Sir Bindon Blood would be brought back through the Mohmands' +territories to Shabkadr. Incidentally they would deal with the Hadda +Mullah's village of Jarobi, and inflict such punishment on the tribesmen +as might be necessary to ensure their submission. The troops would then +be available for the Tirah Expedition, which it had by this time been +decided to organise. + +The fact that after leaving Nawagai, nothing was known of the +configuration of the country, of which no maps existed; nor of the +supplies of food, forage and water available by the way, made the +preparations for, and the execution of, these operations somewhat +difficult. Wide margins had to be allowed in the matter of rations, +and in order to be prepared for all contingencies and obstructions of +ground, Sir Bindon Blood equipped his 2nd Brigade entirely with mule +transport. The 3rd Brigade with camels would follow if the road was +passable. + +The following was the composition of the forces employed:-- + + I. MALAKAND FIELD FORCE. + + Commanding--Major-General Sir Bindon Blood. + + 2nd Brigade. + + Brigadier-General Jeffries, C.B. + The Buffs. + 35th Sikhs. + 38th Dogras. + Guides Infantry. + No.4 Company (Bengal) Sappers and Miners. + No.7 Mountain Battery. + + 3rd Brigade. + + Brigadier-General Wodehouse. + The Queen's Regiment.[This regiment had replaced the Gordon + Highlanders in the 3rd Brigade.] + 22nd Punjaub Infantry. + 39th Punjaub Infantry. + No.3 Company (Bombay) Sappers and Miners. + No.1 Mountain Battery, R.A. + + Cavalry--11th Bengal Lancers. + + Line of Communications. 1st Brigade. + + Brigadier-General Meiklejohn. + Royal West Kent. + Highland Light Infantry. + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 45th Sikhs. + No.7 British Mountain Battery. + And the following additional troops:-- + 1 Squadron 10th Bengal Lancers. + 2 Squadrons Guides Cavalry. + + + II.THE MOHMAND FIELD FORCE. + + 1st Brigade. + + 1st Battalion Somersetshire Light Infantry. + Maxim Gun Detachment, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment. + 20th Punjaub Infantry. + 2nd Battalion 1st Gurkhas. + Sections A and B No.5 British Field Hospital. + Three Sections No.31 Native " " + Section A No.45 " " " + + 2nd Brigade. + + 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry. + 9th Gurkha Rifles. + 37th Dogras. + Sections C and D No.5 British Field Hospital. + No.44 Native Field Hospital. + + Divisional Troops. + + 13th Bengal Lancers. + No.3 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery. + No.5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery. + No.5 Company (Bengal) Sappers and Miners. + 28th Bombay Pioneers. + 1st Patiala Infantry. + Sections C and D No.63 Native Field Hospital. + + +To record the actual movements of troops in a campaign, is among the +most important duties of one who undertakes to tell its tale. For the +sake of clearness, of brevity, and that the reader who is not interested +may find convenience in skipping, I shall at once describe the whole of +the marches and manoeuvres, by which Sir Bindon Blood moved his brigades +across the Panjkora River, and after the Malakand Field Force is safely +camped at Ghosam, the reader will be invited to return to examine the +scenery, and remark the incidents of the way. + +During the end of August, the 2nd Brigade, equipped with mule transport, +was at Khar in the Swat Valley. The 3rd Brigade was at Uch. On the 2nd +of September, definite orders to advance were received from Simla. +In pursuance of these instructions, Sir Bindon Blood ordered +Brigadier-General Wodehouse with the 3rd Brigade, which in anticipation +had been moved from Uch a few days previously, to take over the bridge +across the Panjkora from the Khan of Dir's Levies, and secure the +passage. On the 6th, the 3rd Brigade marched from Sarai to Panjkora, +and obtained possession of the bridge just in time to prevent it falling +into the hands of the enemy, who had already gathered to seize it. +The 12-pounder guns of the 10th Field Battery were placed in a strong +position commanding the passage, and the brigade camped on the left +bank. On the same day, Brigadier-General Jeffries with headquarters +marched from Khar to Chakdara. On the 7th he proceeded to Sarai, and on +the 8th effected the passage of the Panjkora, and camped on the further +bank at Kotkai. On the 10th, both brigades marched to Ghosam, where they +concentrated. On the line of communications to the Malakand, stages +were established at Chakdara and Sarai, with accommodation for sick +and wounded. An advanced depot was formed behind the Panjkora, to guard +which and to hold the passage, an additional force was moved from the +Swat Valley. + +This concentration at Ghosam, of which the details had worked out so +mechanically, had been necessitated by the attitude of the tribesmen of +Bajaur and the adjoining valleys. Great gatherings had collected, and +up to the 7th of September there had been every sign of determined +opposition. So formidable did the combination appear, that Sir Bindon +Blood arranged to have at his disposal a force of six squadrons, nine +battalions and three batteries, in the expectation of an action at or +near Ghosam, which would perhaps have been on a larger scale than any +British engagement since Tel-el-Kebir. [As so many misconceptions exist +as to the British casualties in this victory, it is necessary to state +that in the twenty minutes' fighting 11 officers and 43 men were killed +and 22 officers and 320 men were wounded.] + +These anticipations were however doomed to disappointment. The +methodical, remorseless advance of powerful forces filled the tribesmen +with alarm. They made a half-hearted attempt to capture the Panjkora +bridge, and finding themselves forestalled, fell again to discussing +terms. In this scene of indecision the political officers employed all +their arts. And then suddenly the whole huge combination, which had been +raised in our path, collapsed as an iceberg, when southern waters have +melted its base. + +Whatever the philanthropist may say, it would appear to have been better +policy to have encouraged the tribesmen to oppose the advance in the +open, on some well-defined position. Had they done so, there can be no +doubt that the two fine brigades, backed by a powerful artillery, and +under a victorious commander, who knew and had fought over every inch of +the ground, would have defeated them with severe loss. Bajaur would have +been settled at a single blow and probably at a far less cost in lives +than was afterwards incurred. Instead of this, it was the aim of our +diplomacy to dissipate the opposition. The inflammation, which should +have been brought to a head and then operated on, was now dispersed +throughout the whole system, with what results future chapters will +show. + +Having thus brought the brigades peacefully to Gosham, I ask the reader +to return to the Malakand and ride thence with the Headquarters Staff +along the line of march. On the 5th of September, Sir Bindon Blood and +his staff, which I had the pleasure to accompany, started from the Kotal +Camp and proceeded across the plain of Khar to Chakdara. Here we halted +for the night, and as the scenery and situation of this picturesque fort +have already been described, the march may be continued without delay +next morning. From Chakdara to Sarai is a stage of twelve miles. The +road runs steadily up the valley until the summit of the Catgalla Pass +is reached. "Catgalla" means "Cut-throat," and, indeed, it is not hard +to believe that this gloomy defile has been the scene of dark and horrid +deeds. Thence a descent of two miles leads to Sarai. On the way, we fell +in with the 2nd Brigade, and had to leave the road to avoid the long +lines of mules and marching men who toiled along it. + +The valley at Sarai is about two miles wide, and the mountains rise +steeply from it. On every ridge it is possible to distinguish the red +brick ruins which were the dwellings of the ancient Buddhists. These +relics of an early civilisation, long since overthrown and forgotten, +cannot fail to excite interest and awaken reflection. They carry the +mind back to the times "when the smoke of sacrifice rose from the +Pantheon, and when camelopards and tigers bounded in the Flavian +amphitheatre." And they also lead us to speculations of the future, till +we wonder whether the traveller shall some day inspect, with unconcerned +composure, the few scraps of stone and iron which may indicate the +British occupation of India. Few, indeed, the remains would be--for we +build for immediate use, not future ostentation in these days, and if +we should ever cease to be a force in the world, all traces of us would +soon be obliterated by time. Yet, perhaps, if that unborn critic of +remote posterity would remember that "in the days of the old British," +the rice crop had been more abundant, the number of acres under +cultivation greater, the population larger and the death rate lower, +than at any period in the history of India--we should not be without a +monument more glorious than the pyramids. + +We camped with the 2nd Brigade on the night of the 6th, and next +morning, while the stars were still shining, resumed the march. Five +miles from Sarai the road dwindles to a mule track, and henceforward is +not fit for wheeled traffic. In spite of this, the 10th Field Battery +had succeeded in getting their guns along it, and had brought them +safely to Panjkora. But soldiers will accomplish a good deal to get +nearer the enemy. The scenery before the gorge of the river is reached +is gloomy, but grand. Great cliffs tower up precipitously on the further +bank and the path is cut in the face of the rock. The river, which flows +swiftly by, plunges into a narrow cleft about a mile below the bridge, +and disappears among the mountains. It abounds in fish, but is rapid and +dangerous, and while the troops were encamped near it, two gunners lost +their lives by falling in, and being carried down. Indeed, watching the +dead bodies of several camels being swept along, swirled around, +and buffeted against the rocks, it was not hard to understand these +accidents. + +At length, the bridge is reached. It is a frail structure, supported +on wire ropes. At each end are gates, flanked by little mud towers. The +battery was established on a knoll to the right, and the long muzzles of +the guns peered through stone embrasures at the opposite hills. It was +round the bases of these hills that much hard fighting took place in the +Chitral campaign. About half a mile beyond the bridge, I was shown the +place where the Guides had been so hard pressed, and for a whole night +had had to stand at bay, their colonel killed, the bridge broken, and +the river in flood, against the tribesmen in overwhelming numbers. + +The field telegraph stopped at the bridge-head, and a small tent with a +half-dozen military operators marked the breaking of the slender thread +that connected us, across thousands of miles of sea and land, with +London. Henceforward a line of signal stations with their flickering +helios would be the only links. We were at the end of the wire. I have +often stood at the other and watched the tape machine click off the news +as it arrives; the movements of the troops; the prospects of action; the +fighting; the casualties. How different are the scenes. The club on +an autumn evening--its members grouped anxiously around, discussing, +wondering, asserting; the noise of the traffic outside; the cigarette +smoke and electric lights within. And, only an hour away along the +wire, the field, with the bright sunlight shining on the swirling muddy +waters; the black forbidding rocks; the white tents of the brigade a +mile up the valley; the long streak of vivid green rice crop by the +river; and in the foreground the brown-clad armed men. I can never doubt +which is the right end to be at. It is better to be making the news than +taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic. + +To cross the bridge, it was necessary to dismount and lead the horses +over in single file. Even then the swinging of the whole structure made +it difficult to walk. The passage of the transport under such conditions +occupied all the day, and the unfortunate officers in charge of the mule +trains were working incessantly. The staff passed quickly, however, and +riding on about a mile forded the tributary stream of the Jandol, +and reached the camp at Kotkai about noon. Thence we proceeded on the +following day to Ghosam, but as the road is uninteresting, and I am +beginning to think the reader will readily excuse further description, +we need not toil along it in the dust and the heat. The narration of the +daily movements of troops, unmarked by variety of incident, is dull and +wearying. Yet he who would obtain a true idea of the soldier's life on +service, must mentally share the fatigues of the march and the monotony +of the camp. The fine deeds, the thrilling moments of war, are but the +high lights in a picture, of which the background is routine, hard work, +and discomfort. + +At Ghosam the 2nd Brigade remained until joined by the 3rd and pending +negotiations between the political officers and the tribal Jirgahs. + +The use of purely local terms in all writing is to be deprecated. +Perhaps the reason that no popular history of India exists, is to +be found in the outlandish names of the characters, and the other +expressions with which the pages are sprinkled. In this account I have +zealously tried to avoid the ugly jargon of a degraded language, and to +minimise the use of native names. The term just employed has, however, +been so freely used in the newspapers recently, that it is perhaps as +well to explain its meaning. A Jirgah is a deputation of tribesmen. It +does not necessarily represent the tribe. It may present--and very often +does--a minority report. Occasionally it expresses the opinion only of +its own members. What has been settled one day is therefore very often +overruled the next. The Jirgah may accept terms of peace in the morning, +and the camp may be rushed that night. These were, however, genuine, +and spoke in the name and with the authority of the tribes. All day they +kept arriving and squatting in rows before Major Deane's tent, to hear +the Government terms. The chief condition imposed, was the surrender of +rifles. A fixed number, based on calculation of wealth and population, +was demanded from each clan. This method of punishment is peculiarly +galling to people whose life is so full of war. No other course was, +however, open but submission, and, promising that the terms should be +complied with, the deputations departed. To stimulate their efforts and +zeal in collecting their arms, the combined movements were delayed for +three days, and the forces remained encamped at Ghosam, near Manda. + +I avail myself of this halt to touch, albeit with no little trepidation, +the tangled and obscure subject of tribal politics in Dir and Bajaur. +All the people, incited by their priests, are bitterly hostile to the +British Government, except those benefited by the subsidies paid. They +were now anxious to fight, and were only restrained by a fear which +fury or fanaticism might at any moment overcome. Four principal khans +exercise an authority which varies locally, from absolute dominion to +a shadowy suzerainty, over the whole region. The Khan of Dir, the most +important, is a Government nominee. He is supported by the British +influence, and is, as I have already noticed, entrusted with the raising +of Levies to protect and keep in repair the Chitral road. For +these services he receives pay, and a certain allowance of arms and +ammunition. His own subjects are strongly opposed to his rule from +dislike of his British sympathies, and he only maintains himself by the +assistance which the Government gives him in arms and money. In other +words he is a puppet. + +The Khan of Nawagai is constrained by fear to display a friendly +attitude towards the Sirkar. His subjects resent this and his position +is insecure. He receives some moral support from the British agents, and +as his people are uncertain how far the Government would go to uphold +him, and also as they partly realise his difficult position, they have +hitherto submitted sullenly to his rule. + +The position and attitude of the Khan of Jar are similar, but he is +a less influential chief. The fourth potentate, the Khan of Khar, is +perhaps the most honest and trustworthy. He will appear in a later +chapter, and the reader will have the opportunity of judging of his +character from his conduct. Thus in these valleys, while the people +are all hostile, their rulers find it expedient to preserve a friendly +demeanour to the British, and for this they are hated by their subjects. + +At this stage, the leader of the popular party claims attention. As is +usual, he is out of office. After the Chitral expedition of 1895, Umra +Khan was expelled from his territories, and escaped to Cabul. There he +has remained. The Amir is under an obligation to the British Government +to prevent his raising trouble in Bajaur. If the Amir desired war he +would send Umra Khan back. This would create a strong faction throughout +the whole country--but particularly in the Jandol, Salarzai and Mamund +Valleys--hostile to the British and the friendly khans. The Amir hinted +at this in a recent letter to the Government of India; and such a step +would probably precede his declaration of war, or follow ours. The +Afghan sovereign is, however, well aware that he has at present nothing +to gain, and many things to lose, by provoking a war with the great +power which gave him his throne and has since increased his revenue by +subsidies. In the meanwhile, anxious to preserve his influence with the +border tribes, and to impress the Indian Government with the fact that +he could be a powerful foe, he keeps Umra Khan as a trump card, to be +played when the occasion arises. That he may maintain his authority in +Bajaur, the exiled khan is well supplied with funds, with which to arm +and pay his retainers. + +The situation I have thus briefly described has been little altered by +the operations with which future chapters are concerned. The friendly +khans have been fortified in their allegiance and position by the +military demonstration and by the severe punishment inflicted on those +tribes who resisted. On the other hand, the hostility of the people has +been not unnaturally increased by war, and one tribe in particular has +gained a reputation for courage, which will give them the power to cause +trouble in the future. I shall not, however, anticipate the tale. + + + + + +CHAPTER IX: RECONNAISSANCE + + + +While the infantry of both brigades remained halted at Ghosam, near +Manda, the cavalry made daily reconnaissances in all directions. +Sometimes the object in view was topographical, sometimes military, +and at others diplomatic, or to use the Indian application of the term, +"political." + +On the 10th, Major Deane visited the various chiefs in the Jandul +Valley. I asked and obtained permission to accompany him. A change from +the hot and dusty camp was agreeable to all who could be spared, and +quite a party was formed, among whom were some whose names have occurred +previously in these pages--Major Beatson, Major Hobday, and Lord +Fincastle. A squadron of the 11th Bengal Lancers acted as escort. + +The valley of the Jandul is about eight miles long and perhaps half as +broad. It opens out of the main valley, which extends from the Panjkora +to Nawagai, and is on all other sides surrounded by high and precipitous +mountains. The bed of the river, although at the time of our visit +occupied only by a small stream, is nearly half a mile broad and +bordered by rice fields, to which the water is conducted by many +artfully contrived dykes and conduits. The plain itself is arid and +sandy, but at the winter season yields a moderate crop. The presence of +water below the surface is attested by numerous groves of chenar trees. + +This valley may, in natural and political features, be taken as typical +of the Afghan valleys. Seven separate castles formed the strongholds of +seven separate khans. Some of these potentates had been implicated in +the attack on the Malakand, and our visit to their fastnesses was not +wholly of an amicable nature. They had all four days before been +bound by the most sacred oaths to fight to the death. The great tribal +combination had, however, broken up, and at the last moment they had +decided upon peace. But the Pathan does nothing by halves. No black +looks, no sullen reserve, marred the geniality of their welcome. As we +approached the first fortified village the sovereign and his army rode +out to meet us, and with many protestations of fidelity, expressed his +joy at our safe arrival. He was a fine-looking man and sat well on a +stamping roan stallion. His dress was imposing. A waistcoat of gorgeous +crimson, thickly covered with gold lace, displayed flowing sleeves of +white linen, buttoned at the wrist. Long, loose, baggy, linen trousers, +also fastened above the ankle, and curiously pointed shoes clothed his +nether limbs. This striking costume was completed by a small skull-cap, +richly embroidered, and an ornamental sabre. + +He sprang from his horse with grace and agility, to offer his sword to +Major Deane, who bade him mount and ride with him. The army, four or +five rascally-looking men on shaggy ponies, and armed with rifles of +widely different patterns, followed at a distance. The fort was an +enclosure about a hundred yards square. Its walls were perhaps twenty +feet high and built of rough stones plastered together with mud and +interspersed with courses of timber. All along the top was a row +of loopholes. At each corner a tall flanking tower enfiladed the +approaches. At the gate of this warlike residence some twenty or thirty +tribesmen were gathered, headed by the khan's own cousin, an elderly man +dressed in long white robes. All saluted us gravely. The escort closed +up. A troop trotted off to the right out of the line fire of the fort. +The advance scouts, passing round the walls, formed on the farther +side. These matters of detail complied with, conversation began. It was +conducted in Pushtu, and was naturally unintelligible to every one of +our party except the two political officers. Apparently Major Deane +reproached the two chiefs for their conduct. He accused them of having +seized the bridge across the Panjkora and delivered the passage to +the fanatic crowds that had gathered to attack the Malakand. This they +admitted readily enough. "Well, why not?" said they; "there was a good +fair fight." Now they would make peace. They bore no malice, why should +the Sirkar? + +It was not, however, possible to accept this sportsmanlike view of the +situation. They were asked where were the rifles they had been ordered +to surrender. At this they looked blank. There were no rifles. There +never had been any rifles. Let the soldiers search the fort and see +for themselves. The order was given; three or four sowars drew their +carbines, dismounted and entered the great and heavy gate, which had +been suspiciously opened a little way. + +The gate gave access to a small courtyard, commanded on every side by an +interior defence. In front was a large low room of uncertain dimensions: +a kind of guard-house. It simply hummed with men. The outer walls were +nearly five feet thick and would have resisted the fire of mountain +guns. It was a strong place. + +The Lancers, accustomed to the operation of hunting for arms, hurriedly +searched the likely and usual places, but without success. One thing, +however, they noticed, which they immediately reported. There were no +women and children in the fort. This had a sinister aspect. Our visit +was unexpected and had taken them by surprise, but they were prepared +for all emergencies. They had hidden their rifles and cleared for +action. + +The two chiefs smiled in superior virtue. Of course there were no +rifles. But matters took, for them, an unexpected turn. They had no +rifles--said Major Deane--very well, they should come themselves. +He turned to an officer of the Lancers; a section rode forward and +surrounded both men. Resistance was useless. Flight was impossible. +They were prisoners. Yet they behaved with Oriental composure and calmly +accepted the inevitable. They ordered their ponies and, mounting, rode +behind us under escort. + +We pursued our way up the valley. As we approached each fort, a khan +and his retainers advanced and greeted us. Against these there was no +definite charge, and the relations throughout were amicable. At the +head of the valley is Barwa, the home of the most powerful of these +princelets. This fort had belonged to Umra Khan, and attested, by +superiority of construction, the intellectual development of that +remarkable man. After the Chitral expedition it had been given by +the Government to its present owner, who, bitterly hated by the other +chieftains of the valley, his near relatives mostly, had no choice but +loyalty to the British. He received us with courtesy and invited us to +enter and see the fort. This, after taking all precautions and posting +sentries, we did. It was the best specimen of Afghan architecture I have +seen. In this very fort Lieutenants Fowler and Edwards were confined in +1895, when the prisoners of Umra Khan. The new chief showed their room +which opened on a balcony, whence a fine view of the whole valley +could be obtained. There are many worse places of durance. The fort +is carefully defended and completely commands the various approaches. +Judicious arrangements of loopholes and towers cover all dead ground. +Inside the walls galleries of brushwood enabled the defenders to fire +without exposing themselves. In the middle is the keep, which, if +Fortune were adverse, would be the last stronghold of the garrison. + +What a strange system of society is disclosed by all this! Here was this +man, his back against the mountains, maintaining himself against the +rest of the valley, against all his kin, with the fear of death and the +chances of war ever in his mind, and holding his own, partly by force +of arms, partly by the support of the British agents, and partly through +the incessant feuds of his adversaries. + +It is "all against all," in these valleys. The two khans who had +been arrested would have fled to the hills. They knew they were to be +punished. Still they dared not leave their stronghold. A neighbour, a +relation, a brother perhaps, would step into the unguarded keep and +hold it for his own. Every stone of these forts is blood-stained with +treachery; each acre of ground the scene of a murder. In Barwa itself, +Umra Khan slew his brother, not in hot anger or open war, but coldly and +deliberately from behind. Thus he obtained power, and the moralist +might observe with a shudder, that but for the "Forward Policy" he would +probably be in full enjoyment to-day. This Umra Khan was a man of much +talent, a man intellectually a head and shoulders above his countrymen. +He was a great man, which on the frontier means that he was a great +murderer, and might have accomplished much with the quick-firing guns +he was negotiating for, and the troops he was drilling "on the European +model." The career of this Afghan Napoleon was cut short, however, by +the intervention of Providence in the guise or disguise of the Indian +Government. He might have been made use of. People who know the frontier +well, say that a strong man who has felt the grip of the British power +is the best tool to work with, and that if Umra Khan, humbled and +overawed, had been reinstated, he might have done much to maintain law +and order. As long as they fight, these Afghans do not mind much on +which side they fight. There are worse men and worse allies helping +us to-day. The unpractical may wonder why we, a people who fill some +considerable place in the world, should mix in the petty intrigues of +these border chieftains, or soil our hands by using such tools at all. +Is it fitting that Great Britain should play off one brutal khan against +his neighbours, or balance one barbarous tribe against another? It is +as much below our Imperial dignity, as it would be for a millionaire to +count the lumps in the sugar-basin. If it be necessary for the safety of +our possessions that these territories should be occupied, it would +be more agreeable to our self-respect that we should take them with a +strong hand. It would be more dignified, but nothing costs more to keep +up than dignity, and it is perhaps because we have always been guided +by sound commercial principles in this respect that we have attained our +present proud position. + +After looking round the fortress and admiring the skill and knowledge +with which it was built, we were conducted by the khan to the shade of +some beautiful chenar trees, which grew near a little spring not far +from the walls of the fort. Here were a number of charpoys, or native +bedsteads, very comfortable, but usually full of bugs, and on these we +sat. + +Remembering Maizar, and many other incidents of frontier hospitality, +sentries were posted on all the approaches and a sufficient guard kept +under arms. Then we had breakfast--a most excellent breakfast. + +The arrangements for the comfort and convenience of the troops of the +Frontier Force are unequalled. They live more pleasantly and with +less discomfort on active service than does a British regiment at the +Aldershot manoeuvres. Whether the march be long or short, peaceful +or opposed, whether the action be successful or the reverse, their +commissariat never fails. In fact it is only just to say that they have +always lances and bullets for an enemy, and sandwiches and "pegs" for a +friend. + +On this occasion, our provisions were supplemented by the hospitality of +the khan. A long row of men appeared, each laden with food. Some carried +fruit,--pears or apples; others piles of chupatties, or dishes of +pillau. + +Nor were our troopers forgotten. The Mahommedans among them eagerly +accepted the proffered food. But the Sikhs maintained a remorseful +silence and declined it. They could not eat what had been prepared by +Mussulman hands, and so they sat gazing wistfully at the appetising +dishes, and contented themselves with a little fruit. + +Very austere and admirable they looked, almost painfully conscious of +their superior virtue. But I could not help thinking that had we not +been spectators the chenar trees might have witnessed the triumph of +reason over religious prejudice. + +During the heat of the day we rested in this pleasant grove, and with +sleep and conversation passed the hours away, while the sentries pacing +to and fro alone disturbed the illusion that this was some picnic party +in a more propitious land. Then, as the shadows lengthened, we started +upon our return to camp. + +On arriving, the political officers were pleased, and the soldiers +disappointed, to find that the tribesmen were determined to accept the +Government terms. A hundred rifles from the Utman Khels had already been +surrendered, and now lay outside Major Deane's tent, surrounded by a +crowd of officers, who were busily engaged in examining them. + +Opinion is divided, and practice has followed opinion as to whether, +in a tale of travel or of war, it is preferable to intersperse the +narrative with conclusions and discussions, or to collect them all in +a final chapter. I shall unhesitatingly embrace the former method. The +story shall be told as it happened, and the reader's attention will be +directed to such considerations and reflections as arise by the way. It +will therefore be convenient to make a digression into the question +of the supply of arms to the frontier tribes, while a hundred rifles, +probably a representative hundred, are piled in the main street of the +camp at Ghosam. + +The perpetual state of intestine war, in which the border peoples live, +naturally creates a keen demand for deadly weapons. A good Martini-Henry +rifle will always command a price in these parts of Rs.400 or about +25 British pounds. As the actual value of such a rifle does not exceed +Rs.50, it is evident that a very large margin of profit accrues to the +enterprising trader. All along the frontier, and from far down into +India, rifles are stolen by expert and cunning thieves. One tribe, the +Ut Khels, who live in the Laghman Valley, have made the traffic in arms +their especial business. Their thieves are the most daring and their +agents the most cunning. Some of their methods are highly ingenious. One +story is worth repeating. A coffin was presented for railway transport. +The relatives of the deceased accompanied it. The dead man, they said, +had desired to be buried across the frontier. The smell proclaimed +the corpse to be in an advanced state of decomposition. The railway +officials afforded every facility for the passage of so unpleasant an +object. No one checked its progress. It was unapproachable. It was only +when coffin and mourners were safe across the frontier that the police +were informed that a dozen rifles had been concealed in the coffin, and +that the corpse was represented by a quarter of "well hung" beef! + +I regret to have to state, that theft is not the only means by which +the frontier tribes obtain weapons. Of a hundred rifles, which the +Utman Khels had surrendered, nearly a third were condemned Government +Martinis, and displayed the Government stamp. Now no such rifles +are supposed to exist. As soon as they are condemned, the arsenal +authorities are responsible that they are destroyed, and this is in +every case carried out under European supervision. The fact, that +such rifles are not destroyed and are found in the possession of +trans-frontier tribesmen, points to a very grave instance of dishonest +and illegal traffic being carried on by some person connected with the +arsenal. It need hardly be said that a searching inquiry was instituted. + +Another point connected with these rifles is that even when they +have been officially destroyed, by cutting them in three pieces, the +fractions have a marketable value. Several were shown me which had been +rejoined by the tribesmen. These were, of course, very dangerous weapons +indeed. The rest of the hundred had strange tales to tell. Two or three +were Russian military rifles, stolen probably from the distant posts in +Central Asia. One was a Snider, taken at Maiwand, and bearing the number +of the ill-fated regiment to which it had belonged. Some had come from +Europe, perhaps overland through Arabia and Persia; others from the arms +factory at Cabul. It was a strange instance of the tireless efforts of +Supply to meet Demand. + +The importance of the arms question cannot be exaggerated. The +long-range rifle fire, which has characterised the great frontier +war, is a new feature. Hitherto our troops have had to face bold sword +charges but comparatively little firing. Against the former, modern +weapons are effective. But no discipline and no efficiency can stop +bullets hitting men. This is a small part of the question. In the matter +of fighting, what is good enough for the tribesmen should be good enough +for the soldier. A more serious consideration is raised than that of +casualties, which are after all only the inseparable concomitant of +glory. Transport in mountainous countries depends entirely on mules and +camels. A great number are needed even to supply one brigade. At night +these animals have to be packed closely in an entrenched camp. It is not +possible to find camping grounds in the valleys which are not commanded +by some hill or assailable from some nullah. It is dangerous to put out +pickets, as they may be "rushed" or, in the event of a severe attack, +shot down, by the fire of their main body. [This applies to Swat and +Bajaur, where the sword charge is still to be apprehended.] The result +is that the transport animals must be exposed to long-range fire at +night. The reader will observe, as the account proceeds, that on two +occasions a large number of transport mules were killed in this +way. When a certain number are killed, a brigade is as helpless as a +locomotive without coal. It cannot move. Unless it be assisted it must +starve. Every year the tribesmen will become better marksmen, more +completely armed with better rifles. If they recognise the policy of +continually firing at our animals, they may bring all operations to a +standstill. And so by this road I reach the conclusion that whatever is +to be done on the frontier, should be done as quickly as possible. But +to return to the story. + +The next day, the 11th of September, the troops remained halted at +Ghosam, and another squadron was ordered to escort the Intelligence +Officer, Captain H.E. Stanton, D.S.O., while making a topographical +reconnaissance of the passes into the Utman Khel country. The +opportunity of making fresh maps and of adding to and correcting the +detail of existing maps only occurs when troops are passing through the +country, and must not be neglected. The route lay up the main valley +which leads to Nawagei. We started early, but the way was long and the +sun high before we reached the entrance of the pass. The landscape was +one of the strangest I shall ever see. On the opposite bank of the river +were the dwellings of the Utman Khels, and in an area seven miles by +three, I counted forty-six separate castles, complete with moats, towers +and turrets. The impression produced was extraordinary. It suggested +Grimm's fairy tales. It almost seemed as if we had left the natural +earth and strayed into some strange domain of fancy, the resort of +giants or ogres. + +To reach the pass, we were compelled to traverse a large village, and +as the situation in the narrow, winding streets was about as awkward +for cavalry as could be imagined, every possible precaution was taken to +guard against attack. At length the squadron passed safely through and +formed up on the farther side. The steep ascent to the passes became +visible. As there were two routes to be reconnoitered, the party was +divided, and after a hasty breakfast we commenced the climb. For a +considerable distance it was possible to ride. At every difficult turn +of the track sowars were posted to secure the retreat, if it should be +necessary to come back in a hurry. The head man of the village furnished +a guide, a cheery and amusing fellow, who professed much solicitude for +our safety. But no reliance could be placed on these people, and on the +opposite side of the valley numerous figures could be seen moving along +and keeping pace with our advancing party. At length the horses and the +greater part of the escort had to be abandoned. I accompanied Captain +Stanton, and Captain Cole, who commanded the squadron and was also +Reuter's correspondent, with a couple of troopers to the top of the +pass. The day was intensely hot, and the arduous climb excited a thirst +which there was nothing to allay. At length we gained the summit, and +stood on the Kotal. + +Far below us was a valley, into which perhaps no white man had looked +since Alexander crossed the mountains on his march to India. Numerous +villages lay dotted about in its depths, while others nestled against +the hills. Isolated forts were distinguishable, while large trees showed +there was no lack of water. It was a view that repaid the exertions of +the climb, even if it did not quench the thirst they had excited. + +While Captain Stanton was making his sketch,--one of those useful +view-sketches, now taking the place of all others, in rapid cavalry +reconnaissance, we amused our fancy by naming the drinks we should +order, were a nice, clean European waiter at hand to get them. I forget +what my selection was, but it was something very long and very cold. +Alas! how far imagination lags behind reality. The vivid impressions +which we conjured up--the deep glasses, and the clinking ice--did little +to dissipate the feelings of discomfort. + +Our guide meanwhile squatted on the ground and pronounced the names of +all the villages, as each one was pointed at. To make sure there was no +mistake, the series of questions was repeated. This time he gave to each +an entirely different name with an appearance of great confidence and +pride. However, one unpronounceable name is as good as another, and the +villages of the valley will go down to official history, christened +at the caprice of a peasant. But perhaps many records, now accepted as +beyond dispute, are derived from such a slender authority. + +The sketch finished, we commenced the descent and reached our horses +without incident. The squadron concentrated near the village, and we +heard that the other sketching party had met with more adventures than +had fallen to our lot. + +It was commanded by Lieutenant Hesketh, a young officer, who was +severely wounded at the storming of the Malakand Pass in 1895, and who, +having again volunteered for active service, was attached to the 11th +Bengal Lancers. At the foot of the pass he dismounted his troop and, +taking a few men with him, began the climb. The pass was occupied by +tribesmen, who threatened to fire on the party if they advanced farther. +The subaltern replied, that he only wished to see the country on the +other side and did not intend to harm any one. At the same time he +pursued his way and the tribesmen, not wishing to bring matters to a +crisis, fell back slowly, repeatedly taking aim, but never daring to +fire. He reached the top of the pass and Captain Walters, the Assistant +Intelligence Officer, was able to make a most valuable sketch of +the country beyond. It was a bold act and succeeded more through its +boldness than from any other cause; for, had the tribesmen once opened +fire, very few of the party could have got down alive. Making a detour +to avoid the village, which it was undesirable to traverse a second +time, the squadron returned and arrived at the camp at Ghosam as the sun +was setting. + +The service camp of an Anglo-Indian brigade is arranged on regular +principles. The infantry and guns are extended in the form of a square. +The animals and cavalry are placed inside. In the middle is the camp of +the Headquarters staff, with the tent of the brigadier facing that of +the general commanding the division. All around the perimeter a parapet +is built, varying in height according to the proximity and activity of +the enemy. This parapet not only affords cover from random shots, but +also makes a line for the men to form on in case of a sudden attack. +Behind it the infantry lie down to sleep, a section of each company, as +an inlying picket, dressed and accoutred. Their rifles are often laid +along the low wall with the bayonets ready fixed. If cavalry have to be +used in holding part of the defences, their lances can be arranged in +the same way. Sentries every twenty-five yards surround the camp with a +line of watchers. + +To view the scene by moonlight is alone an experience which would +repay much travelling. The fires have sunk to red, glowing specks. The +bayonets glisten in a regular line of blue-white points. The silence of +weariness is broken by the incessant and uneasy shuffling of the animals +and the occasional neighing of the horses. All the valley is plunged in +gloom and the mountains rise high and black around. Far up their sides, +the twinkling watch-fires of the tribesmen can be seen. Overhead is the +starry sky, bathed in the pale radiance of the moon. It is a spectacle +that may inspire the philosopher no less than the artist. The camp is +full of subdued noises. Here is no place for reflection, for quiet or +solemn thought. The day may have been an exciting one. The morrow may +bring an action. Some may be killed, but in war-time life is only lived +in the present. It is sufficient to be tired and to have time to rest, +and the camp, if all the various items that compose it can be said to +have a personality, shrugs its shoulders and, regarding the past without +regret, contemplates the future without alarm. + + + + + +CHAPTER X: THE MARCH TO NAWAGAI + + + +After considering such maps and information as to the nature of the +country as were available, Sir Bindon Blood decided to enter the +territories of the Mohmands by two routes. (1) The 3rd Brigade through +the pass of Nawagai. (2) The 2nd Brigade over the Rambat Pass. This +would sweep the country more thoroughly, and afford increased facilities +for drawing supplies. As the 3rd Brigade had a greater distance to +cover, it passed in front of the 2nd, and on the 12th of September, by +a march of twelve miles, reached Shumshuk. The 2nd Brigade, which had +hitherto been leading, moved by an easy stage of seven miles to Jar, and +there camped within supporting distance. + +The Headquarters staff was now transferred to the 3rd Brigade and +marched with them. The road lay for the first five or six miles over the +ground, which the cavalry had reconnoitered the day before. Again all +were struck by the great array of castles on the Utman Khel side of the +valley. Many eager spirits would have liked to stop and blow up some of +these fine places. But the Government terms had been complied with and +the columns moved slowly by, eyeing the forts, which were covered with +the white and blue clad figures of their defenders, with a sour disdain. + +After riding for a couple of hours, the staff halted for breakfast under +a shady tree by the banks of a clear and rapid stream. + +Two hundred yards away we observed a large flight of teal sitting tamely +on the water. Every one became interested. Rifles there were in plenty; +but where could a gun be found? Rigorous and hasty search was made. The +political officer of the force, Mr. Davis, being consulted, eventually +produced a friendly khan, who was the owner of a shot gun. After further +delay this weapon was brought. The teal still floated unconcernedly on +the water. A gun awakened no sense of danger. Shots in plenty they +had heard in the valley, but they were not usually fired at birds. The +exciting moment now arrived. Who should shoot? The responsibility was +great. Many refused. At length Veterinary-Captain Mann, who was wounded +a few days later at Nawagai, volunteered. He took the gun and began a +painful stalk. He crawled along cautiously. We watched with suppressed +emotion. Suddenly two shots rang out. They were to be the first of many. +The men in the marching column 200 yards away became wide awake. The +teal rose hurriedly and flew away, but four remained behind, killed or +wounded. These birds we picked up with a satisfaction which was fully +justified by their excellence that night at dinner. + +Another mile or so brought us to the Watelai River, a stream about +thirty yards broad, which flows into the Jandul, and thence into the +Panjkora. Crossing this and climbing the opposite bank, the troops +debouched on to the wide level plateau of Khar, perhaps ten miles across +and sixteen in length. Standing on the high ground, the great dimensions +of the valley were displayed. Looking westward it was possible to see +the hills behind the Panjkora, the sites of the former camps, and +the entrance of the subsidiary valley of the Jandul. In front, at +the further end, an opening in the mountain range showed the pass of +Nawagai. Towering on the left was the great mass of the Koh-i-mohr, or +"Mountain of Peacocks"--a splendid peak, some 8000 feet high, the top of +which is visible from both Peshawar and Malakand. Its name is possibly +a corruption. Arrian calls it Mount Meros. At its base the city of Nysa +stood in former times, and among many others fell before the arms of +Alexander. Its inhabitants, in begging for peace, boasted that they +conducted their government "with constitutional order," and that "ivy, +which did not grow in the rest of India, grew among them." City, ivy, +and constitutional order have alike disappeared. The mountain alone +remains. A little to the northward the Ramlat Pass was distinguishable. +On the right the smooth plain appeared to flow into the hill country, +and a wide bay in the mountains, roughly circular in shape and nearly +twelve miles across, opened out of the valley. The prominent spurs which +ran from the hills formed many dark ravines and deep hollows, as it were +gulfs and inlets of the sea. The entrance was perhaps a mile broad. I +remember that, when I first looked into the valley, the black clouds +of a passing storm hung gloomily over all, and filled it with a hazy +half-light that contrasted with the brilliant sunshine outside. It was +the Watelai, or as we got to call it later--the Mamund Valley. + +The Khan of Khar met the general on the farther bank of the river. He +was a tall, fine-looking man with bright eyes, bushy black whiskers and +white teeth, which his frequent smiles displayed. He was richly dressed, +attended by a dozen horsemen and mounted on a handsome, though vicious +dun horse. He saluted Sir Bindon Blood with great respect and ceremony. +Some conversation took place, conducted, as the khan only spoke Pushtu, +through the political officer. The khan asserted his loyalty and that +of his neighbour the Khan of Jar. He would, he said, do his utmost to +secure the peaceful passage of the troops. Such supplies as they might +need, he would provide, as far as his resources would go. He looked with +some alarm at the long lines of marching men and animals. The general +reassured him. If the forces were not interfered with or opposed, if the +camps were not fired into at night, if stragglers were not cut off and +cut up by his people, payment in cash would be made for all the grain +and wood it was necessary to requisition. + +The khan accepted this promise with gratitude and relief, and henceforth +during the operations which took place at Nawagai and in the Mamund +Valley, he preserved a loyal and honourable behaviour. To the best of +his power he restrained his young bloods. As much as he was able, he +used his influence to discourage the other tribes from joining the +revolt. Every night his pickets watched our camps, and much good sleep +was obtained by weary men in consequence. At the end of the fighting he +was the intermediary between the Government and the Mamund tribesmen. +And on one occasion he rendered a signal service, though one which +should hardly have been entrusted to him, by escorting with his own +retainers an ammunition convoy to the 2nd Brigade, when troops and +cartridges were alike few and sorely needed. Had he proved treacherous +in this instance the consequences might have been most grave. +Throughout, however, he kept his word with the general, and that in the +face of opposition from his own people, and threats of vengeance from +his neighbours. + +He on his part will not complain of British good faith. Although the +fighting was continued in the district for nearly a month, not one of +his villages was burnt, while all damage done to his crops was liberally +compensated. He was guaranteed against reprisals, and at the end of the +operations the gift of a considerable sum of money proved to him that +the Sirkar could reward its friends, as well as punish its enemies. + +The camel transport of the 3rd Brigade lagged on the road, and the +troops, tired after their long march, had to wait in the blazing sun for +a couple of hours without shelter until the baggage came up. At length +it arrived, and we proceeded to camp as far as is possible without +tents. Shelters were improvised from blankets, from waterproof sheets +supported on sticks, or from the green boughs of some adjacent trees. +Beneath these scanty coverings the soldiers lay, and waited for the +evening. + +Every one has read of the sufferings of the British troops in having to +campaign in the hot weather during the Indian Mutiny. September in these +valleys is as hot as it is easy to imagine or elegant to describe, and +the exposure to the sun tells severely on the British battalions, as +the hospital returns show. Of course, since Mutiny days, many salutary +changes have been made in the dress and equipment of the soldier. The +small cap with its insufficient puggaree is replaced by the pith helmet, +the shade of which is increased by a long quilted covering. The high +stock and thick, tight uniforms are gone, and a cool and comfortable +khaki kit has been substituted. A spine protector covers the back, and +in other ways rational improvements have been effected. But the sun +remains unchanged, and all precautions only minimise, without preventing +the evils. + +Slowly the hours pass away. The heat is intense. The air glitters over +the scorched plain, as over the funnel of an engine. The wind blows with +a fierce warmth, and instead of bringing relief, raises only whirling +dust devils, which scatter the shelters and half-choke their occupants. +The water is tepid, and fails to quench the thirst. At last the shadows +begin to lengthen, as the sun sinks towards the western mountains. +Every one revives. Even the animals seem to share the general feeling of +relief. The camp turns out to see the sunset and enjoy the twilight. The +feelings of savage hatred against the orb of day fade from our minds, +and we strive to forget that he will be ready at five o'clock next +morning to begin the torment over again. + +As there were still several days to spare before the Malakand Field +Force was due to enter the Mohmand country, Sir Bindon Blood ordered +both brigades to remain halted on the 13th: the 3rd Brigade at Shumshuk; +the 2nd at Jar. Meanwhile two reconnaissances were to be sent, one to +the summit of the Rambat Pass, and the other up the Watelai Valley. + +The night of the 12th was the first occasion of "sniping," since the +advance against the Mohmands had begun. About half a dozen shots were +fired into camp, without other result than to disturb light sleepers. +Still it marked a beginning. + +The reconnaissances started next morning. The general accompanied the +one to the Rambat pass, to satisfy himself as to the nature of the +unexplored country on the other side. Two companies of infantry were +ordered to clear the way, and two others remained in support half-way +up the pass. Sir Bindon Blood started at six o'clock accompanied by +his escort, whose gay pennons combined, with the Union Jack of the +Headquarters staff, to add a dash of colour to the scene. After riding +for a couple of miles we caught up the infantry and had to halt, to let +them get on ahead and work through the broken ground and scrub. A mile +further it was necessary to dismount and proceed on foot. No opposition +was encountered, though the attitude and demeanour of the natives was +most unfriendly. The younger ones retired to the hills. The elder +stayed to scowl at, and even curse us. The village cemetery was full +of property of all kinds, beds, pitchers, and bags of grain, which +the inhabitants had deposited there under the double delusion, that we +wanted to plunder, and that in so sacred a spot it would be safe--were +such our intention. In spite of their black looks, they were eventually +all made to stand up and salute respectfully. + +The climb was a stiff one and took at least an hour. But the track was +everywhere passable, or capable of easily being made passable for mules. +The general, trained and hardened by years of shooting of all kinds in +the jungles, arrived at the top first, followed by Brigadier-General +Wodehouse, and a panting staff. A fine view of the Ambasar Valley was +displayed. It was of arid aspect. Villages in plenty could be seen, +but no sign of water. This was serious, as information as to wells was +unreliable, and it was desirable to see some tanks and streams, before +allowing a column to plunge into the unknown dangers of the valley. +After some consideration Sir Bindon Blood decided to modify the original +plan and send only two battalions of the 2nd Brigade with one squadron +over the pass, while the rest were to march to join him at Nawagai. We +then returned, reaching camp in time for luncheon. + +Meanwhile the reconnaissance up the Watelai or Mamund Valley had been +of a more interesting nature. Two squadrons of the 11th Bengal Lancers, +under Major Beatson, and with Mr. Davis, the political officer, were +sent to put some pressure on the Mamunds, to make them carry out the +terms agreed upon. They had promised to surrender fifty rifles. This +they now showed no intention of doing. They had realised, that the +brigades were only marching through the country, and that they had no +time to stop, and they were determined to keep their arms as long as +possible. + +As the cavalry approached the first village, about 300 men gathered +and, displaying standards, called on the Lancers to stop. An altercation +ensued. They were given half an hour to remove their women and children. +Then the squadrons advanced. The tribesmen, still menacing, retired +slowly towards the hills. Then a small party came up and informed Major +Beatson, that in the next village was a troop-horse, which had been +captured in the fighting in the Swat Valley. This admission, that +the Mamunds had been implicated in the attack on the Malakand, was +sufficiently naive. The cavalry rode on to the village. The horse was +not to be found, but the officious informers from the first village +eagerly pointed out where it had been stabled. In consequence of this +information, and to stimulate the tribesmen to carry out the original +terms, Mr. Davis decided to make an example and authorised Major Beatson +to destroy the house of the owner of the stolen property. This was +accordingly done. As soon as the smoke began to rise, the tribesmen, who +had waited, half a mile away, opened a dropping fire from Martini-Henry +rifles on the cavalry. These, not wishing to engage, retired at a trot. +They were followed up, but though the fire was well directed, the range +was too great for accurate shooting and the bullets whizzed harmlessly +overhead. + +As the Lancers left the valley, an incident occurred which illustrates +what has been said in an earlier chapter, and is characteristic of the +daily life of the natives. The people of the first village had directed +the attention of the cavalry to the second. Part of the second had been +in consequence burnt. The inhabitants of both turned out to discuss the +matter with rifles and, when last seen that night, were engaged in +a lively skirmish. Apparently, however, they soon forgot their +differences. + +The rumour that the cavalry had been fired on preceded them to camp, +and the prospects of some opposition were everywhere hailed with +satisfaction. Many had begun to think that the Mohmand expedition was +going to be a mere parade, and that the tribesmen were overawed by the +powerful forces employed. They were soon to be undeceived. I watched the +squadrons return. Behind them the Mamund Valley was already dark with +the shadows of the evening and the heavy clouds that had hung over it +all day. They were vastly pleased with themselves. Nothing in life is +so exhilarating as to be shot at without result. The sowars sat their +horses with conscious pride. Some of the younger officers still showed +the flush of excitement on their cheeks. But they pretended excellently +well to have forgotten all about the matter. They believed a few fellows +had "sniped" at them; that was all. + +But it was by no means all. Whatever is the Afhgan equivalent of the +"Fiery Cross" was circulated among the tribes. There was no time for +them to gather to attack that night, and the situation of the camp in +the open was unsuited to night firing. The other brigade was coming. +They would wait. They therefore contented themselves with firing +occasional shots, beginning while we were at dinner, and continuing at +intervals until daylight. No one was hurt, but we may imagine that the +tribesmen, who spent the night prowling about the nullahs, and firing +from time to time, returned to their countrymen next morning boasting +of what they had done. "Alone, while ye all slumbered and slept, in +the night, in the darkness, I, even I, have attacked the camp of the +accursed ones and have slain a Sahib. Is it not so, my brothers?" +Whereupon the brothers, hoping he would some day corroborate a lie for +them, replied, that it was undoubtedly so, and that he had deserved well +of the tribe. Such is the reward of the "sniper." + +Early next morning the 3rd Brigade and three squadrons of the 11th +Bengal Lancers moved on to Nawagai and crossed the pass without +opposition. The general and Headquarters staff accompanied them, and we +found ourselves in a wide and extensive valley, on the far side of which +the Bedmanai Pass could be plainly seen. Here, at last, we got definite +information of the Mohmands' intentions. The Hadda Mullah with 1000 +tribesmen had gathered to oppose the further advance. After all there +would be a fight. In the evening Sir Bindon Blood, taking a squadron +of cavalry, rode out to reconnoitre the approaches to the pass and the +general configuration of the ground. On his return he sent a despatch +to the Government of India, that he would force it on the 18th. The +soldiers, especially the British troops, who had not yet been engaged, +eagerly looked forward to the approaching action. But events were +destined to a different course. + +It was already dusk when we returned from the reconnaissance. The +evening was pleasant and we dined in the open air. Still the valley was +very dark. The mountains showed a velvet black. Presently the moon rose. +I repress the inclination to try to describe the beauty of the scene, +as the valley was swiftly flooded with that mysterious light. All +the suitable words have probably been employed many times by numerous +writers and skipped by countless readers. Indeed I am inclined to think, +that these elaborate descriptions convey little to those who have not +seen, and are unnecessary to those who have. Nature will not be admired +by proxy. In times of war, however, especially of frontier war, the +importance of the moon is brought home to everybody. "What time does it +rise to-night?" is the question that recurs; for other things--attacks, +"sniping," rushes,--besides the tides are influenced by its movements. + +Meanwhile, as at Nawagai, at a peaceful camp and a quiet dinner we +watched the "silvery maiden" swiftly appear over the eastern mountains. +She was gazing on a different scene eleven miles away, in the valley we +had left. + +The 2nd Brigade had marched that morning from Jar to the foot of +the Rambat Pass, which it was intended to cross the next day. +Brigadier-General Jefferys, in anticipation of this movement, sent the +Buffs up to hold the Kotal, and camped at the foot with the rest of his +force. The situation of the camp, which had been adopted with a view to +the advance at daybreak, favored the approach of an enemy. The ground +was broken and intersected by numerous small and tortuous nullahs, and +strewn with rocks. Any other site would, however, have necessitated a +long march the next day, and no attack was thought likely. + +At 8.15, as the officers were finishing dinner, three shots rang out in +the silence. They were a signal. Instantly brisk firing broke out from +the nullahs on the face of the square occupied by the Guides Infantry. +Bullets whistled all about the camp, ripping through the tents and +killing and wounding the animals. + +The Guides returned the fire with steadiness, and, as the shelter trench +they had dug in front of their section of the line was higher than at +other parts, no officers or men were hit. At ten o'clock a bugler among +the enemy sounded the "Retire," and the fire dwindled to a few dropping +shots. All were congratulating themselves on a termination of the event, +when at 10.30 the attack was renewed with vigour on the opposite side of +the camp, occupied by the 38th Dogras. The enemy, who were largely armed +with Martini-Henry rifles, crept up to within 100 yards of the trenches. +These were only about eighteen inches high, but afforded sufficient +cover to the soldiers. The officers, with a splendid disregard of the +danger, exposed themselves freely. Walking coolly up and down in the +brilliant moonlight they were excellent targets. The brigadier proceeded +himself to the threatened side of the camp, to control the firing and +prevent the waste of ammunition. A good many thousand rounds were, +however, fired away without much result. Several star shells were also +fired by the battery. The ground was so broken that they revealed very +little, but the tribesmen were alarmed by the smell they made, thinking +it a poisonous gas. The officers were directed to take cover, but the +necessity of sending messages and regulating the fire involved a great +deal of exposure. And to all who showed above the trench the danger was +great. Captain Tomkins of the 38th Dogras was shot through the heart, +and a few minutes later the adjutant of the regiment, Lieutenant Bailey, +was also killed. In assisting to take these officers to the hospital, +where a rough shelter of boxes had been improvised, Lieutenant +Harington, an officer attached to the Dogras, received a bullet in the +back of the head, which penetrated his brain and inflicted injuries from +which he died subsequently. All tents were struck and as much cover as +could be made from grain-bags and biscuit-boxes was arranged. At 2.15 +the firing ceased and the enemy drew off, taking their killed and +wounded with them. They had no mind to be surprised by daylight, away +from their hills. But they had already remained a little too long. + +As soon as the light allowed, the cavalry squadron under Captain Cole +started in pursuit. After a long gallop down the valley, he caught one +party making for the mountains. Charging immediately, he succeeded in +spearing twenty-one of these before they could reach the rocks. The +squadron then dismounted and opened fire with their carbines. But the +tribesmen turned at once and made a dash in the direction of the +led horses. A sowar was wounded and a couple of horses killed. The +cavalrymen, threatened in a vital point, ran hurriedly back, and just +got into their saddles in time. In the haste of mounting four horses got +loose and galloped away, leaving six dismounted men. Captain Cole placed +one of them before him on the saddle, and the troopers followed his +example. The squadron thus encumbered, retired, and after getting out of +range, succeeded in catching their loose horses again. The enemy, seeing +the cavalry mounted once more, took refuge on the hills. But it was +evident, they were eager for fighting. + +The casualties in the night attack of Markhanai were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Capt. W.E. Tomkins, 38th Dogras. + " Lieut. A.W. Bailey, 38th Dogras. + Died of wounds--Lieut. H.A. Harington, attd. 38th Dogras. + + NATIVE OFFICER. + Wounded......... 1 + + NATIVE SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + No.8 Mountain Battery.... 1 1 + 35th Sikhs....... 1 3 + 38th Dogras....... 1 0 + Guides Infantry...... 0 1 + Followers....... 2 2 + Total Casualties, 16; and 98 horses and mules. + + +Meanwhile, the 3rd Brigade had passed a tranquil night at Nawagai. Next +morning, however, at about six o'clock, a message was heliographed from +the Buffs on the Rambat Pass, to the effect that an attack had been made +on General Jeffreys' camp; that heavy firing had continued all night, +and that several officers were among the casualties. This news set every +one agog. While we were breakfasting, a native officer and ten sowars of +the 11th Bengal Lancers arrived at speed with full details: six hours' +fighting with the Mamunds: three officers killed or mortally wounded; +and nearly a hundred animals hit. In consequence of this information, +Sir Bindon Blood cancelled the orders for the passage of the Rambat +Pass and instructed General Jeffreys to enter the Mamund Valley and +thoroughly chastise the tribesmen. + +I was allowed to go back with the native officer's escort to the 2nd +Brigade, in order to witness the operations which had been ordered. +Judiciously selecting a few things, which could be carried on the +saddle, of which the most important were a cloak, some chocolate and a +tooth-brush, I hurried after the escort, who had already started, and +overtook them just as they had got through the pass of Nawagai. + +For the first six miles the road lay through a network of deep ravines, +through which the troopers picked their way very carefully. It would +have been a bad place for a small party to have been attacked in, but +fortunately, though several armed tribesmen were seen, they did not fire +at us. At one point the route lay through a deep nullah, along which +some of the assailants of the night before had retired. These were +probably from the Charmanga Valley. They had evidently suffered losses. +Several native beds on which wounded men had been carried lay scattered +about. At this place they had probably found some oxen, to which they +had transferred their bodies. At length we got clear of the difficult +ground, and entering the smooth plain of Nawagai looked out eagerly for +the brigade. Seven miles away across the valley was a long brown streak. +It was the troops marching from Markhanai to the entrance of the Mamund +Valley. The smoke of five burning villages rose in a tall column into +the air--blue against the mountains, brown against the sky. An hour's +riding brought us to the brigade. Every one was full of the events of +the night, and all looked worn from having had no sleep. "You were very +lucky to be out of it," they said. "There's plenty more coming." + +The cavalry soon returned from their pursuit. The points of their lances +were covered with dark smears. A sowar displayed his weapon proudly to +some Sikhs, who grinned in appreciation. "How many?" was the question +asked on all sides. "Twenty-one," replied the officer. "But they're full +of fight." + +Orders were now issued for the brigade to camp on the open ground near +Inayat Kila, which, translated, means Fort Grant, and is the name of a +considerable stone stronghold belonging to the Khan of Khar. Although +the troops were very tired from their march, and the fighting of the +preceding night, they began entrenching with alacrity. Besides making +an outer wall to the camp, about three and a half feet high, everybody +scratched a little hole for himself. In these occupations the afternoon +passed. + +The Buffs came in at sunset, having marched from the top of the Rambat +Pass. They had heard the firing of the night and were disappointed at +having been absent. It was "just their luck," they said. During the +Chitral campaign of 1895, they had had the ill-fortune to miss every +engagement. It would be the same now. All tried to reassure them. As +soon as it was dark an attack was probable. + +A dropping fire began after dinner from the great nullah to the north +of the camp, and all lights were put out and the tents struck. Every one +retired to the soup-plate he had scooped in the earth. But no attack +was made. The enemy had informed the political officer through the +friendlies, that they were weary and would rest that night. They sent +a few "snipers" to fire into the camp, and these kept up a desultory +fusillade until about two o'clock, when they drew off. + +Those who had been deprived of their rest the night before soon dropped +off to sleep, in spite of the firing. Others, not overpowered by +weariness, found no occupation but to lie in their holes and contemplate +the stars--those impartial stars which shine as calmly on Piccadilly +Circus as on Inayat Kila. + + + + + +CHAPTER XI: THE ACTION OF THE MAMUND VALLEY, 16TH SEPTEMBER + + + Sound as of bugle in camp, how it rings through the chill air of + morning, + Bidding the soldier arise, he must wake and be armed ere the + light. + Firm be your faith and your feet, when the sun's burning rays shall + be o'er you. + When the rifles are ranging in line, and the clear note of battle is + blown. + + "A Sermon in Lower Bengal," SIR A. LYALL. + + + +The story has now reached a point which I cannot help regarding as its +climax. The action of the Mamund Valley is recalled to me by so many +vivid incidents and enduring memories, that it assumes an importance +which is perhaps beyond its true historic proportions. Throughout +the reader must make allowances for what I have called the personal +perspective. Throughout he must remember, how small is the scale of +operations. The panorama is not filled with masses of troops. He will +not hear the thunder of a hundred guns. No cavalry brigades whirl by +with flashing swords. No infantry divisions are applied at critical +points. The looker-on will see only the hillside, and may, if he watches +with care, distinguish a few brown clad men moving slowly about it, +dwarfed almost to invisibility by the size of the landscape. I hope to +take him close enough, to see what these men are doing and suffering; +what their conduct is and what their fortunes are. But I would ask him +to observe that, in what is written, I rigidly adhere to my role of a +spectator. If by any phrase or sentence I am found to depart from this, +I shall submit to whatever evil things the ingenuity of malice may +suggest. + +On the morning of the 16th, in pursuance of Sir Bindon Blood's orders, +Brigadier-General Jeffreys moved out of his entrenched camp at Inayat +Kila, and entered the Mamund Valley. His intentions were, to chastise +the tribesmen by burning and blowing up all defensible villages within +reach of the troops. It was hoped, that this might be accomplished in a +single day, and that the brigade, having asserted its strength, would be +able to march on the 17th to Nawagai and take part in the attack on the +Bedmanai Pass, which had been fixed for the 18th. Events proved this +hope to be vain, but it must be remembered, that up to this time no +serious opposition had been offered by the tribesmen to the columns, +and that no news of any gathering had been reported to the general. +The valley appeared deserted. The villages looked insignificant and +defenceless. It was everywhere asserted that the enemy would not stand. + +Reveille sounded at half-past five, and at six o'clock the brigade +marched out. In order to deal with the whole valley at once, the force +was divided into three columns, to which were assigned the following +tasks:-- + +I. The right column, under Lieut.-Col. Vivian, consisting of the 38th +Dogras and some sappers, was ordered to attack the village of Domodoloh. +II. The centre column, under Colonel Goldney, consisting of six +companies Buffs, six companies 35th Sikhs, a half-company sappers, +four guns of No.8 Mountain Battery and the squadron of the 11th Bengal +Lancers, was ordered to proceed to the head of the valley, and destroy +the villages of Badelai and Shahi-Tangi (pronounced Shytungy). III. The +left column, under Major Campbell, consisting of five companies of the +Guides Infantry, and some sappers, was directed against several villages +at the western end of the valley. + +Two guns and two companies from each battalion were left to protect +the camp, and a third company of the Guides was detached to protect the +survey party. This reduced the strength of the infantry in the field to +twenty-three companies, or slightly over 1200 men. Deducting the 300 men +of the 38th Dogras who were not engaged, the total force employed in the +action was about 1000 men of all arms. + +It will be convenient to deal with the fortunes of the right column +first. Lieut.-Colonel Vivian, after a march of six miles, arrived before +the village of Domodoloh at about 9 A.M. He found it strongly held by +the enemy, whose aspect was so formidable, that he did not consider +himself strong enough to attack without artillery and supports, and with +prudence returned to camp, which he reached about 4 P.M. Two men were +wounded by long-range fire. + +The centre column advanced covered by Captain Cole's squadron of +Lancers, to which I attached myself. At about seven o'clock we observed +the enemy on a conical hill on the northern slopes of the valley. +Through the telescope, an instrument often far more useful to cavalry +than field-glasses, it was possible to distinguish their figures. Long +lines of men clad in blue or white, each with his weapon upright beside +him, were squatting on the terraces. Information was immediately sent +back to Colonel Goldney. The infantry, eager for action, hurried their +march. The cavalry advanced to within 1000 yards of the hills. For some +time the tribesmen sat and watched the gradual deployment of the troops, +which was developing in the plain below them. Then, as the guns and +infantry approached, they turned and began slowly to climb the face of +the mountain. + +In hopes of delaying them or inducing them to fight, the cavalry now +trotted to within closer range, and dismounting, opened fire at 7.30 +precisely. It was immediately returned. From high up the hillside, from +the cornfields at the base, and from the towers of the villages, little +puffs of smoke darted. The skirmish continued for an hour without much +damage to either side, as the enemy were well covered by the broken +ground and the soldiers by the gravestones and trees of a cemetery. Then +the infantry began to arrive. The Buffs had been detached from Colonel +Goldney's column and were moving against the village of Badelai. The +35th Sikhs proceeded towards the long ridge, round the corner of +which Shahi-Tangi stands. As they crossed our front slowly--and rather +wearily, for they were fatigued by the rapid marching--the cavalry +mounted and rode off in quest of more congenial work with the +cavalryman's weapon--the lance. I followed the fortunes of the Sikhs. +Very little opposition was encountered. A few daring sharpshooters fired +at the leading companies from the high corn. Others fired long-range +shots from the mountains. Neither caused any loss. Colonel Goldney now +ordered one and a half companies, under Captain Ryder, to clear the +conical hill, and protect the right of the regiment from the fire--from +the mountains. These men, about seventy-five in number, began climbing +the steep slope; nor did I see them again till much later in the day. +The remaining four and a half companies continued to advance. The line +lay through high crops on terraces, rising one above the other. The +troops toiled up these, clearing the enemy out of a few towers they +tried to hold. Half a company was left with the dressing station near +the cemetery, and two more were posted as supports at the bottom of the +hills. The other two commenced the ascent of the long spur which leads +to Shahi-Tangi. + +It is impossible to realise without seeing, how very slowly troops move +on hillsides. It was eleven o'clock before the village was reached. +The enemy fell back "sniping," and doing hardly any damage. Everybody +condemned their pusillanimity in making off without a fight. Part of the +village and some stacks of bhoosa, a kind of chopped straw, were set on +fire, and the two companies prepared to return to camp. + +But at about eight the cavalry patrols had reported the enemy in great +strength at the northwest end of the valley. In consequence of this +Brigadier-General Jeffreys ordered the Guides Infantry to join the main +column. [Copy of message showing the time:--"To Officer, Commanding +Guides Infantry.--Despatched 8.15 A.M. Received 8.57 A.M. Enemy +collecting at Kanra; come up at once on Colonel Goldney's left. C. +Powell, Major, D.A.Q.M.G."] Major Campbell at once collected his men, +who were engaged in foraging, and hurried towards Colonel Goldney's +force. After a march of five miles, he came in contact with the enemy +in strength on his left front, and firing at once became heavy. At +the sound of the musketry the Buffs were recalled from the village of +Badelai and also marched to support the 35th Sikhs. + +While both these regiments were hurrying to the scene, the sound of loud +firing first made us realise that our position at the head of the spur +near Shahi-Tangi was one of increasing danger. The pressure on the left +threatened the line of retreat, and no supports were available within a +mile. A retirement was at once ordered. Up to this moment hardly any of +the tribesmen had been seen. It appeared as if the retirement of the +two companies was the signal for their attack. I am inclined to think, +however, that this was part of the general advance of the enemy, and +that even had no retirement been ordered the advanced companies would +have been assailed. In any case the aspect of affairs immediately +changed. From far up the hillsides men came running swiftly down, +dropping from ledge to ledge, and dodging from rock to rock. The +firing increased on every hand. Half a company was left to cover the +withdrawal. The Sikhs made excellent practice on the advancing enemy, +who approached by twos and threes, making little rushes from one patch +of cover to another. At length a considerable number had accumulated +behind some rocks about a hundred yards away. The firing now became +heavy and the half-company, finding its flank threatened, fell back to +the next position. + +A digression is necessary to explain the peculiar configuration of the +ground. + +The spur, at the top of which the village stands, consists of three +rocky knolls, each one higher than the other, as the main hill is +approached. These are connected by open necks of ground, which are +commanded by fire from both flanks. In section the ground resembles a +switchback railway. + +The first of these knolls was evacuated without loss, and the open space +to the next quickly traversed. I think a couple of men fell here, and +were safely carried away. The second knoll was commanded by the first, +on to which the enemy climbed, and from which they began firing. Again +the companies retired. Lieutenant Cassells remained behind with about +eight men, to hold the knoll until the rest had crossed the open space. +As soon as they were clear they shouted to him to retire. He gave the +order. + +Till this time the skirmishing of the morning might have afforded +pleasure to the neuropath, experience to the soldier, "copy" to the +journalist. Now suddenly black tragedy burst upon the scene, and all +excitement died out amid a multitude of vivid trifles. As Lieutenant +Cassells rose to leave the knoll, he turned sharply and fell on the +ground. Two Sepoys immediately caught hold of him. One fell shot through +the leg. A soldier who had continued firing sprang into the air, and, +falling, began to bleed with strange and terrible rapidity from his +mouth and chest. Another turned on his back kicking and twisting. A +fourth lay quite still. Thus in the time it takes to write half the +little party were killed or wounded. The enemy had worked round both +flanks and had also the command. Their fire was accurate. + +Two officers, the subadar major, by name Mangol Singh, and three or +four Sepoys ran forward from the second knoll, to help in carrying the +wounded off. Before they reached the spot, two more men were hit. The +subadar major seized Lieutenant Cassells, who was covered with blood and +unable to stand, but anxious to remain in the firing line. The others +caught hold of the injured and began dragging them roughly over the +sharp rocks in spite of their screams and groans. Before we had gone +thirty yards from the knoll, the enemy rushed on to it, and began +firing. Lieutenant Hughes, the adjutant of the regiment, and one of the +most popular officers on the frontier, was killed. The bullets passed in +the air with a curious sucking noise, like that produced by drawing the +air between the lips. Several men also fell. Lieut.-Colonel Bradshaw +ordered two Sepoys to carry the officer's body away. This they began to +do. Suddenly a scattered crowd of tribesmen rushed over the crest of +the hill and charged sword in hand, hurling great stones. It became +impossible to remain an impassive spectator. Several of the wounded were +dropped. The subadar major stuck to Lieutenant Cassells, and it is to +him the lieutenant owes his life. The men carrying the other officer, +dropped him and fled. The body sprawled upon the ground. A tall man in +dirty white linen pounced down upon it with a curved sword. It was a +horrible sight. + +Had the swordsmen charged home, they would have cut everybody down. But +they did not. These wild men of the mountains were afraid of closing. +The retirement continued. Five or six times the two companies, now +concentrated, endeavoured to stand. Each time the tribesmen pressed +round both flanks. They had the whole advantage of ground, and +commanded, as well as out-flanked the Sikhs. At length the bottom of the +spur was reached, and the remainder of the two companies turned to bay +in the nullah with fixed bayonets. The tribesmen came on impetuously, +but stopped thirty yards away, howling, firing and waving their swords. + +No other troops were in sight, except our cavalry, who could be seen +retiring in loose squadron column--probably after their charge. They +could give no assistance. The Buffs were nearly a mile away. Things +looked grave. Colonel Goldney himself tried to re-form the men. The +Sikhs, who now numbered perhaps sixty, were hard pressed, and fired +without effect. Then some one--who it was is uncertain--ordered the +bugler to sound the "charge." The shrill notes rang out not once but a +dozen times. Every one began to shout. The officers waved their swords +frantically. Then the Sikhs commenced to move slowly forward towards +the enemy, cheering. It was a supreme moment. The tribesmen turned, and +began to retreat. Instantly the soldiers opened a steady fire, shooting +down their late persecutors with savage energy. + +Then for the first time, I perceived that the repulse was general along +the whole front. What I have described was only an incident. But the +reader may learn from the account the explanation of many of our losses +in the frontier war. The troops, brave and well-armed, but encumbered +with wounded, exhausted by climbing and overpowered by superior force, +had been ordered to retire. This is an operation too difficult for a +weak force to accomplish. Unless supports are at hand, they must be +punished severely, and the small covering parties, who remain to check +the enemy, will very often be cut to pieces, or shot down. Afterwards +in the Mamund Valley whole battalions were employed to do what these two +Sikh companies had attempted. But Sikhs need no one to bear witness to +their courage. + +During the retirement down the spur, I was unable to observe the general +aspect of the action, and now in describing it, I have dealt only with +the misadventures of one insignificant unit. It is due to the personal +perspective. While the two advanced companies were being driven down +the hill, a general attack was made along the whole left front of +the brigade, by at least 2000 tribesmen, most of whom were armed with +rifles. To resist this attack there were the cavalry, the two supporting +companies of the 35th Sikhs and five of the Guides Infantry, who were +arriving. All became engaged. Displaying their standards, the enemy +advanced with great courage in the face of a heavy fire. Many were +killed and wounded, but they continued to advance, in a long skirmish +line, on the troops. One company of the 35th became seriously involved. +Seeing this, Captain Cole moved his squadron forward, and though +the ground was broken, charged. The enemy took refuge in the nullah, +tumbling into it standards and all, and opened a sharp fire on the +cavalry at close range, hitting several horses and men. The squadron +fell back. But the moral effect of their advance had been tremendous. +The whole attack came to a standstill. The infantry fire continued. Then +the tribesmen began to retire, and they were finally repulsed at about +twelve o'clock. + +An opportunity was now presented of breaking off the action. The brigade +had started from camp divided, and in expectation that no serious +resistance would be offered. It had advanced incautiously. The leading +troops had been roughly handled. The enemy had delivered a vigorous +counter attack. That attack had been repulsed with slaughter, and the +brigade was concentrated. Considering the fatigues to which the infantry +had been exposed, it would perhaps have been more prudent to return to +camp and begin again next morning. But Brigadier-General Jeffries was +determined to complete the destruction of Shahi-Tangi, and to recover +the body of Lieutenant Hughes, which remained in the hands of the enemy. +It was a bold course. But it was approved by every officer in the force. + +A second attack was ordered. The Guides were to hold the enemy in check +on the left. The Buffs, supported by the 35th Sikhs, were to take the +village. Orders were signalled back to camp for all the available +troops to reinforce the column in the field, and six fresh companies +consequently started. At one o'clock the advance recommenced, the guns +came into action on a ridge on the right of the brigade, and shelled the +village continuously. + +Again the enemy fell back "sniping," and very few of them were to +be seen. But to climb the hill alone took two hours. The village was +occupied at three o'clock, and completely destroyed by the Buffs. At +3.30 orders reached them to return to camp, and the second withdrawal +began. Again the enemy pressed with vigour, but this time there were +ten companies on the spur instead of two, and the Buffs, who became +rear-guard, held everything at a distance with their Lee-Metford rifles. +At a quarter to five the troops were clear of the hills and we looked +about us. + +While this second attack was being carried out, the afternoon had +slipped away. At about two o'clock Major Campbell and Captain Cole, both +officers of great experience on the frontier, had realised the fact, +that the debate with the tribesmen could not be carried to a conclusion +that day. At their suggestion a message was heliographed up to the +General's staff officer on the spur near the guns, as follows: "It +is now 2.30. Remember we shall have to fight our way home." But the +brigadier had already foreseen this possibility, and had, as described, +issued orders for the return march. These orders did not reach Captain +Ryder's company on the extreme right until they had become hard pressed +by the increasing attack of the enemy. Their wounded delayed their +retirement. They had pushed far up the mountain side, apparently with +the idea they were to crown the heights, and we now saw them two miles +away on the sky line hotly engaged. + +While I was taking advantage of a temporary halt, to feed and water my +pony, Lieutenant MacNaghten of the 16th Lancers pointed them out to me, +and we watched them through our glasses. It was a strange sight. Little +figures running about confusedly, tiny puffs of smoke, a miniature +officer silhouetted against the sky waving his sword. It seemed +impossible to believe that they were fighting for their lives, or indeed +in any danger. It all looked so small and unreal. They were, however, +hard pressed, and had signalled that they were running out of +cartridges. It was then five o'clock, and the approach of darkness was +accelerated by the heavy thunderclouds which were gathering over the +northern mountains. + +At about 3.30 the brigadier had ordered the Guides to proceed to Ryder's +assistance and endeavour to extricate his company. He directed Major +Campbell to use his own discretion. It was a difficult problem, but the +Guides and their leader were equal to it. They had begun the day on the +extreme left. They had hurried to the centre. Now they were ordered to +the extreme right. They had already marched sixteen miles, but they were +still fresh. We watched them defiling across the front, with admiration. +Meanwhile, the retirement of the brigade was delayed. It was necessary +that all units should support each other, and the troops had to wait +till the Guides had succeeded in extricating Ryder. The enemy now came +on in great strength from the north-western end of the valley, which had +been swarming with them all day, so that for the first time the action +presented a fine spectacle. + +Across the broad plain the whole of the brigade was in echelon. On the +extreme right Ryder's company and the Guides Infantry were both severely +engaged. Half a mile away to the left rear the battery, the sappers and +two companies of the 35th Sikhs were slowly retiring. Still farther to +the left were the remainder of the 35th, and, at an interval of half a +mile, the Buffs. The cavalry protected the extreme left flank. This long +line of troops, who were visible to each other but divided by the deep +broad nullahs which intersected the whole plain, fell back slowly, +halting frequently to keep touch. Seven hundred yards away were the +enemy, coming on in a great half-moon nearly three miles long and firing +continually. Their fire was effective, and among other casualties at +this time Lieutenant Crawford, R.A., was killed. Their figures showed +in rows of little white dots. The darkness fell swiftly. The smoke +puffs became fire flashes. Great black clouds overspread the valley +and thunder began to roll. The daylight died away. The picture became +obscured, and presently it was pitch dark. All communication, all mutual +support, all general control now ceased. Each body of troops closed up +and made the best of their way to the camp, which was about seven miles +off. A severe thunderstorm broke overhead. The vivid lightning displayed +the marching columns and enabled the enemy to aim. Individual tribesmen +ran up, shouting insults, to within fifty yards of the Buffs and +discharged their rifles. They were answered with such taunts as the +limited Pushtu of the British soldier allows and careful volleys. The +troops displayed the greatest steadiness. The men were determined, the +officers cheery, the shooting accurate. At half-past eight the enemy +ceased to worry us. We thought we had driven them off, but they had +found a better quarry. + +The last two miles to camp were painful. After the cessation of the +firing the fatigue of the soldiers asserted itself. The Buffs had been +marching and fighting continuously for thirteen hours. They had had no +food, except their early morning biscuit, since the preceding night. +The older and more seasoned amongst them laughed at their troubles, +declaring they would have breakfast, dinner and tea together when they +got home. The younger ones collapsed in all directions. + +The officers carried their rifles. Such ponies and mules as were +available were laden with exhausted soldiers. Nor was this all. Other +troops had passed before us, and more than a dozen Sepoys of different +regiments were lying senseless by the roadside. All these were +eventually carried in by the rear-guard, and the Buffs reached camp at +nine o'clock. + +Meanwhile, the Guides had performed a brilliant feat of arms, and had +rescued the remnants of the isolated company from the clutches of the +enemy. After a hurried march they arrived at the foot of the hill down +which Ryder's men were retiring. The Sikhs, utterly exhausted by the +exertions of the day, were in disorder, and in many cases unable from +extreme fatigue even to use their weapons. The tribesmen hung in a crowd +on the flanks and rear of the struggling company, firing incessantly and +even dashing in and cutting down individual soldiers. Both officers were +wounded. Lieutenant Gunning staggered down the hill unaided, struck in +three places by bullets and with two deep sword cuts besides. Weary, +outnumbered, surrounded on three sides, without unwounded officers or +cartridges, the end was only a matter of moments. All must have been cut +to pieces. But help was now at hand. + +The Guides formed line, fixed bayonets and advanced at the double +towards the hill. At a short distance from its foot they halted and +opened a terrible and crushing fire upon the exulting enemy. The loud +detonations of their company volleys were heard and the smoke seen all +over the field, and on the left we wondered what was happening. The +tribesmen, sharply checked, wavered. The company continued its retreat. +Many brave deeds were done as the night closed in. Havildar Ali Gul, of +the Afridi Company of the Guides, seized a canvas cartridge carrier, a +sort of loose jacket with large pockets, filled it with ammunition +from his men's pouches, and rushing across the fire-swept space, which +separated the regiment from the Sikhs, distributed the precious packets +to the struggling men. Returning he carried a wounded native officer +on his back. Seeing this several Afridis in the Guides ran forward, +shouting and cheering, to the rescue, and other wounded Sikhs were saved +by their gallantry from a fearful fate. At last Ryder's company reached +the bottom of the hill and the survivors re-formed under cover of the +Guides. + +These, thrown on their own resources, separated from the rest of the +brigade by darkness and distance and assailed on three sides by +the enemy, calmly proceeded to fight their way back to camp. Though +encumbered with many wounded and amid broken ground, they repulsed +every attack, and bore down all the efforts which the tribesmen made to +intercept their line of retreat. They reached camp at 9.30 in safety, +and not without honour. The skill and experience of their officers, the +endurance and spirit of the men, had enabled them to accomplish a task +which many had believed impossible, and their conduct in the action of +the Mamund Valley fills a brilliant page in the history of the finest +and most famous frontier regiment. [The gallantry of the two officers, +Captain Hodson and Lieut. Codrington, who commanded the two most exposed +companies, was the subject of a special mention in despatches, and +the whole regiment were afterwards complimented by Brigadier-General +Jeffreys on their fine performance.] + +As the Buffs reached the camp the rain which had hitherto held off came +down. It poured. The darkness was intense. The camp became a sea of +mud. In expectation that the enemy would attack it, General Jeffreys had +signalled in an order to reduce the perimeter. The camp was therefore +closed up to half its original size. + +Most of the tents had been struck and lay with the baggage piled in +confused heaps on the ground. Many of the transport animals were loose +and wandering about the crowded space. Dinner or shelter there was none. +The soldiers, thoroughly exhausted, lay down supperless in the slush. +The condition of the wounded was particularly painful. Among the tents +which had been struck were several of the field hospitals. In the +darkness and rain it was impossible to do more for the poor fellows than +to improve the preliminary dressings and give morphia injections, nor +was it till four o'clock on the next afternoon that the last were taken +out of the doolies. + +After about an hour the rain stopped, and while the officers were +bustling about making their men get some food before they went to sleep, +it was realised that all the troops were not in camp. The general, the +battery, the sappers and four companies of infantry were still in +the valley. Presently we heard the firing of guns. They were being +attacked,--overwhelmed perhaps. To send them assistance was to risk more +troops being cut off. The Buffs who were dead beat, the Sikhs who had +suffered most severe losses, and the Guides who had been marching and +fighting all day, were not to be thought of. The 38th Dogras were, +however, tolerably fresh, and Colonel Goldney, who commanded in the +absence of the General, at once ordered four companies to parade and +march to the relief. Captain Cole volunteered to accompany them with a +dozen sowars. The horses were saddled. But the order was countermanded, +and no troops left the camp that night. + +Whether this decision was justified or not the reader shall decide. +In the darkness and the broken ground it was probable the relief would +never have found the general. It was possible that getting involved +among the nullahs they would have been destroyed. The defenders of the +camp itself were none too many. The numbers of the enemy were unknown. +These were weighty reasons. On the other hand it seemed unsoldierly to +lie down to sleep while at intervals the booming of the guns reminded +us, that comrades were fighting for their lives a few miles away in the +valley. + + + + + +CHAPTER XII: AT INAYAT KILA + + + "Two thousand pounds of education + Drops to a ten-rupee jezail. + . . . . . . + Strike hard who cares. Shoot straight who can. + The odds are on the cheaper man." + + RUDYARD KIPLING. + + + +Half an hour before dawn on the 17th, the cavalry were mounted, and as +soon as the light was strong enough to find a way through the broken +ground, the squadron started in search of the missing troops. We had +heard no more of their guns since about two o'clock. We therefore +concluded they had beaten off the enemy. There might, of course, be +another reason for their silence. As we drew near Bilot, it was possible +to distinguish the figures of men moving about the walls and houses. The +advanced files rode cautiously forward. Suddenly they cantered up to the +wall and we knew some at least were alive. Captain Cole, turning to his +squadron, lifted his hand. The sowars, actuated by a common impulse, +rose in their stirrups and began to cheer. But there was no response. +Nor was this strange. The village was a shambles. In an angle of the +outside wall, protected on the third side by a shallow trench, were the +survivors of the fight. All around lay the corpses of men and mules. The +bodies of five or six native soldiers were being buried in a hurriedly +dug grave. It was thought that, as they were Mahommedans, their +resting-place would be respected by the tribesmen. [These bodies were +afterwards dug up and mutilated by the natives: a foul act which excited +the fury and indignation of soldiers of every creed in the force. I draw +the reader's attention to this unpleasant subject, only to justify what +I have said in an earlier chapter of the degradation of mind in which +the savages of the mountains are sunk.] Eighteen wounded men lay side by +side in a roofless hut. Their faces, drawn by pain and anxiety, looked +ghastly in the pale light of the early morning. Two officers, one with +his left hand smashed, the other shot through both legs, were patiently +waiting for the moment when the improvised tourniquets could be removed +and some relief afforded to their sufferings. The brigadier, his khaki +coat stained with the blood from a wound on his head, was talking to +his only staff-officer, whose helmet displayed a bullet-hole. The most +ardent lover of realism would have been satisfied. Food, doolies, and +doctors soon arrived. The wounded were brought to the field hospitals to +be attended to. The unwounded hurried back to camp to get breakfast and +a bath. In half an hour, the ill-omened spot was occupied only by the +few sowars engaged in shooting the wounded mules, and by the vultures +who watched the proceedings with an expectant interest. + +Gradually we learnt the story of the night. The battery, about thirty +sappers and half the 35th Sikhs, were returning to camp. At about seven +o'clock an order was sent for them to halt and remain out all night, to +assist the Guides Infantry, whose firing could be heard and for whose +safety the brigadier was above all things anxious. This order reached +the battery, and with the sappers as an escort they turned back, +recrossed a nullah and met the general with two companies of Sikhs +outside the village of Bilot. The half-battalion of the 35th did not +apparently receive the order, for they continued their march. Lieutenant +Wynter, R.A., was sent back to look for them. He did not find them, +but fell in with four fresh companies, two of the Guides and two of the +35th, who, under Major Worlledge, had been sent from camp in response to +the general's demand for reinforcements. Lieutenant Wynter brought these +back, as an escort to the guns. On arrival at the village, the brigadier +at once sent them to the assistance of the Guides. He counted on his own +two companies of Sikhs. But when Worlledge had moved off and had +already vanished in the night, it was found that these two companies had +disappeared. They had lost touch in the darkness, and, not perceiving +that the general had halted, had gone on towards camp. Thus the battery +was left with no other escort than thirty sappers. + +A party of twelve men of the Buffs now arrived, and the circumstances +which led them to the guns are worth recording. When the Buffs were +retiring through the villages, they held a Mahommedan cemetery for +a little while, in order to check the enemy's advance. Whilst there, +Lieutenant Byron, Orderly Officer to General Jeffreys, rode up and told +Major Moody, who commanded the rear companies, that a wounded officer +was lying in a dooly a hundred yards up the road, without any escort. He +asked for a few men. Moody issued an order, and a dozen soldiers under +a corporal started to look for the dooly. They missed it, but while +searching, found the general and the battery outside the village. The +presence of these twelve brave men--for they fully maintained the honour +of their regiment--with their magazine rifles, just turned the scale. +Had not the luck of the British army led them to the village, it can +hardly be doubted, and certainly was not doubted by any who were there, +that the guns would have been captured and the general killed. Fortune, +especially in war, uses tiny fulcra for her powerful lever. + +The general now ordered the battery and sappers to go into the village, +but it was so full of burning bhoosa, that this was found to be +impossible, and they set to work to entrench themselves outside. The +village was soon full of the enemy. From the walls and houses, which +on two sides commanded the space occupied by the battery, they began to +fire at about thirty yards' range. The troops were as much exposed as if +they had been in a racket court, of which the enemy held the walls. They +could not move, because they would have had to desert either the guns or +the wounded. Fortunately, not many of the tribesmen at this point were +armed with rifles. The others threw stones and burning bhoosa into the +midst of the little garrison. By its light they took good aim. Everybody +got under such cover as was available. There was not much. Gunner +Nihala, a gallant native soldier, repeatedly extinguished the burning +bhoosa with his cloak at the imminent peril of his life. Lieutenants +Watson and Colvin, with their sappers and the twelve men of the Buffs, +forced their way into the village, and tried to expel the enemy with the +bayonet. The village was too large for so small a party to clear. The +tribesmen moved from one part to another, repeatedly firing. They killed +and wounded several of the soldiers, and a bullet smashed Lieutenant +Watson's hand. He however continued his efforts and did not cease until +again shot, this time so severely as to be unable to stand. His men +carried him from the village, and it was felt that it would be useless +to try again. + +The attention of the reader is directed to the bravery of this officer. +After a long day of marching, and fighting, in the dark, without +food and with small numbers, the man who will go on, unshaken and +unflinching, after he has received a severe and painful wound, has in +respect of personal courage few equals and no superior in the world. +It is perhaps as high a form of valour to endure as to dare. The +combination of both is sublime. [Both officers have received the +Victoria Cross for their conduct on this occasion.] + +At nine o'clock the rain stopped the firing, as the tribesmen were +afraid of wetting their powder, but at about ten they opened again. They +now made a great hole in the wall of the village, through which about a +dozen men fired with terrible effect. Others began loopholing the +walls. The guns fired case shot at twenty yards' range at these fierce +pioneers, smashing the walls to pieces and killing many. The enemy +replied with bullets, burning bhoosa and showers of stones. + +So the hours dragged away. The general and Captain Birch were both +wounded, early in the night. Lieutenant Wynter, while behaving with +distinguished gallantry, was shot through both legs at about 11.30. He +was thus twice severely wounded within forty-five days. He now continued +to command his guns, until he fainted from loss of blood. A native +gunner then shielded him with his body, until he also was hit. The whole +scene, the close, desperate fighting, the carcasses of the mules, the +officers and men crouching behind them, the flaming stacks of bhoosa, +the flashes of the rifles, and over all and around all, the darkness of +the night--is worthy of the pencil of De Neuville. + +At length, at about midnight, help arrived. Worlledge's two companies +had gone in search of the Guides, but had not found them. They now +returned and, hearing the firing at Bilot, sent an orderly of the 11th +Bengal Lancers to ask if the general wanted assistance. This plucky +boy--he was only a young recruit--rode coolly up to the village although +the enemy were all around, and he stood an almost equal chance of being +shot by our own men. He soon brought the two companies to the rescue, +and the enemy, balked of their prey, presently drew off in the gloom. +How much longer the battery and its defenders could have held out is +uncertain. They were losing men steadily, and their numbers were so +small that they might have been rushed at any moment. Such was the tale. + +No operations took place on the 17th. The soldiers rested, casualties +were counted, wounds were dressed, confidence was restored. The funerals +of the British officers and men, killed the day before, took place +at noon. Every one who could, attended; but all the pomp of military +obsequies was omitted, and there were no Union Jacks to cover the +bodies, nor were volleys fired over the graves, lest the wounded should +be disturbed. Somewhere in the camp--exactly where, is now purposely +forgotten--the remains of those who had lost, in fighting for their +country, all that men can be sure of, were silently interred. No +monument marked the spot. The only assurance that it should be +undisturbed is, that it remains unknown. Nevertheless, the funerals were +impressive. To some the game of war brings prizes, honour, advancement, +or experience; to some the consciousness of duty well discharged; and to +others--spectators, perhaps--the pleasure of the play and the +knowledge of men and things. But here were those who had drawn the evil +numbers--who had lost their all, to gain only a soldier's grave. Looking +at these shapeless forms, coffined in a regulation blanket, the pride +of race, the pomp of empire, the glory of war appeared but the faint +and unsubstantial fabric of a dream; and I could not help realising with +Burke: "What shadows we are and what shadows we pursue." + +The actual casualties were, in proportion to the numbers engaged, +greater than in any action of the British army in India for many +years. Out of a force which at no time exceeded 1000 men, nine British +officers, four native officers, and 136 soldiers were either killed or +wounded. The following is the full return:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Lieutenant and Adjutant V. Hughes, 35th Sikhs. + " " A.T. Crawford, R.A. + Wounded severely--Captain W.I. Ryder, attd. 35th Sikhs. + " " Lieutenant O.G. Gunning, 35th Sikhs. + " " " O.R. Cassells, 35th Sikhs. + " " " T.C. Watson, R.E. + " " " F.A. Wynter, R.A. + Wounded slightly--Brigadier-General Jeffreys, Commanding 2nd Bde. + M.F.F. + " " Captain Birch, R.A. + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + The Buffs . . . . 2 9 + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed. Wounded. + 11th Bengal Lancers . . 0 2 + No.8 Mountain Battery. . 6 21 + Guides Infantry. . . 2 10 + 35th Sikhs. . . . 22 45 + 38th Dogras. . . . 0 2 + Sappers.. . . . 4 15 + Total Casualties, 149; with 48 horses and mules. + + +The action of the 16th September is considered by some to have been a +reverse. I do not think this view is justified by the facts. The troops +accomplished every task they were set. They burned the village of +Shahi-Tangi most completely, in spite of all opposition, and they +inflicted on the tribesmen a loss of over 200 men. The enemy, though +elated by the capture of twenty-two rifles from the bodies of the +killed, were impressed by the bravery of the troops. "If," they are +reported to have said, "they fight like this when they are divided, +we can do nothing." Our losses were undoubtedly heavy and out of all +proportion to the advantages gained. They were due to an ignorance, +shared by all in the force, of the numbers and fighting power of the +Mamunds. No one knew, though there were many who were wise after the +event, that these tribesmen were as well armed as the troops, or that +they were the brave and formidable adversaries they proved themselves. +"Never despise your enemy" is an old lesson, but it has to be learnt +afresh, year after year, by every nation that is warlike and brave. Our +losses were also due to the isolation of Captain Ryder's company, to +extricate which the whole force had to wait till overtaken by darkness. +It has been said that war cannot be made without running risks, nor +can operations be carried out in the face of an enemy armed with +breech-loaders without loss. No tactics can altogether shield men +from bullets. Those serene critics who note the errors, and forget the +difficulties, who judge in safety of what was done in danger, and +from the security of peace, pronounce upon the conduct of war, should +remember that the spectacle of a General, wounded, his horse shot, +remaining on the field with the last unit, anxious only for the safety +of his soldiers, is a spectacle not unworthy of the pages of our +military history. + +The depression, caused by the loss of amiable and gallant comrades, was +dispelled by the prospects of immediate action. Sir Bindon Blood, whose +position at Nawagai was now one of danger, sent the brigadier, instead +of reinforcements, orders to vigorously prosecute the operations against +the tribesmen, and on the morning of the 18th the force moved to attack +the village of Domodoloh, which the 38th Dogras had found so strongly +occupied on the 16th. Again the enemy were numerous. Again they adopted +their effective tactics; but this time no chances were given them. The +whole brigade marched concentrated to the attack, and formed up on the +level ground just out of shot. The general and his staff rode forward +and reconnoitered. + +The village lay in a re-entrant of the hills, from which two long +spurs projected like the piers of a harbour. Behind, the mountains rose +abruptly to a height of 5000 feet. The ground, embraced by the spurs, +was filled with crops of maize and barley. A fort and watch-tower +guarded the entrance. At 8.30 the advance was ordered. The enemy did not +attempt to hold the fort, and it was promptly seized and blown up. +The explosion was a strange, though, during the fighting in the Mamund +Valley, not an uncommon sight. A great cloud of thick brown-red dust +sprang suddenly into the air, bulging out in all directions. The tower +broke in half and toppled over. A series of muffled bangs followed. The +dust-cloud cleared away, and nothing but a few ruins remained. + +The enemy now opened fire from the spurs, both of which became crowned +with little circles of white smoke. The 35th Sikhs advancing cleared the +right ridge: the 38th Dogras the left. The Guides moved on the village, +and up the main re-entrant itself. The Buffs were in reserve. The +battery came into action on the left, and began shelling the crests of +the opposite hills. Taking the range with their instruments, they fired +two shots in rapid succession, each time at slightly different ranges. +The little guns exploded with a loud report. Then, far up the mountain +side, two balls of smoke appeared, one above the other, and after a few +seconds the noise of the bursting shells came faintly back. Usually one +would be a little short of--and the other a little over--the point aimed +at. The next shot, by dividing the error, would go home, and the dust +of the splinters and bullets would show on the peak, from which the +tribesmen were firing, and it would become silent and deserted--the +scene of an unregarded tragedy. Gradually the spurs were cleared of the +enemy and the Guides, passing through the village, climbed up the face +of the mountain and established themselves among the great rocks of the +steep water-course. Isolated sharpshooters maintained a dropping fire. +The company whose operations I watched,--Lieutenant Lockhart's,--killed +one of these with a volley, and we found him sitting by a little pool, +propped against a stone. He had been an ugly man originally, but now +that the bones of his jaw and face were broken in pieces by the bullet, +he was hideous to look upon. His only garment was a ragged blue +linen cloak fastened at the waist. There he sat--a typical tribesman, +ignorant, degraded, and squalid, yet brave and warlike; his only +property, his weapon, and that his countrymen had carried off. I could +not help contrasting his intrinsic value as a social organism, with that +of the officers who had been killed during the week, and those lines of +Kipling which appear at the beginning of this chapter were recalled to +mind with a strange significance. Indeed I often heard them quoted in +the Watelai Valley. + +The sappers had now entered the village, and were engaged in preparing +the hovels of which it consisted for destruction. Their flat roofs are +covered with earth, and will not burn properly, unless a hole is made +first in each. This took time. Meanwhile the troops held on to the +positions they had seized, and maintained a desultory fire with the +enemy. At about noon the place was lighted up, and a dense cloud of +smoke rose in a high column into the still air. Then the withdrawal +of the troops was ordered. Immediately the enemy began their counter +attack. But the Guides were handled with much skill. The retirement +of each company was covered by the fire of others, judiciously posted +farther down the hill. No opportunity was offered to the enemy. By +one o'clock all the troops were clear of the broken ground. The Buffs +assumed the duty of rear-guard, and were delighted to have a brisk +little skirmish--fortunately unattended with loss of life--with the +tribesmen, who soon reoccupied the burning village. This continued for, +perhaps, half an hour, and meanwhile the rest of the brigade returned to +camp. + +The casualties in this highly successful affair were small. It was the +first of six such enterprises, by which Brigadier-General Jeffreys, with +stubborn perseverance, broke the spirit of the Mamund tribesmen. + + Killed. Wounded. + 35th Sikhs....... 2 3 + Guides Infantry...... 0 1 + 38th Dogras....... 0 2 + Total casualties, 8. + + +The enemy's losses were considerable, but no reliable details could be +obtained. + +On the 19th the troops rested, and only foraging parties left the camp. +On the 20th, fighting was renewed. From the position at the entrance +to the valley it was possible to see all the villages that lay in the +hollows of the hills, and to distinguish not only the scenes of past but +also of future actions. The particular village which was selected for +chastisement was never mentioned by name, and it was not until the +brigade had marched some miles from the camp, that the objective became +evident. The tribesmen therefore continued in a state of "glorious +uncertainty," and were unable to gather in really large numbers. At 5.30 +A.M. the brigade started, and, preceded by the cavalry, marched up the +valley--a long brown stream of men. Arrived nearly at the centre, the +troops closed up into a more compact formation. Then suddenly the +head wheeled to the left, and began marching on the village of Zagai. +Immediately from high up on the face of the mountain a long column of +smoke shot into the air. It was a signal fire. Other hills answered +it. The affair now became a question of time. If the village could be +captured and destroyed before the clans had time to gather, then there +would be little fighting. But if the force were delayed or became +involved, it was impossible to say on what scale the action would be. + +The village of Zagai stands in a similar situation to that of Domodoloh. +On either side long spurs advance into the valley, and the houses are +built in terraces on the sides of the hollow so formed. Great chenar +trees, growing in all their luxuriant beauty out of the rocky ground by +the water-course, mark the hillside with a patch of green in contrast to +the background of sombre brown. As the troops approached in fine array, +the sound of incessant drumming was faintly heard, varied from time to +time by the notes of a bugle. The cavalry reconnoitered and trotted off +to watch the flank, after reporting the place strongly occupied. The +enemy displayed standards on the crests of the spurs. The advance +continued: the Guides on the left, the 38th Dogras in the centre, the +Buffs on the right, and the 35th Sikhs in reserve. Firing began on the +left at about nine o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later the guns came +into action near the centre. The Guides and Buffs now climbed the ridges +to the right and left. The enemy fell back according to their custom, +"sniping." Then the 38th pushed forward and occupied the village, +which was handed over to the sappers to destroy. This they did most +thoroughly, and at eleven o'clock a dense white smoke was rising from +the houses and the stacks of bhoosa. Then the troops were ordered +to withdraw. "Facilis ascensus Averni sed...;" without allowing the +quotation to lead me into difficulties, I will explain that while it is +usually easy to advance against an Asiatic, all retirements are matters +of danger. While the village was being destroyed the enemy had been +collecting. Their figures could be distinguished on the top of the +mountain--a numerous line of dark dots against the sky; others had tried +to come, from the adjoining valleys on the left and right. Those on the +right succeeded, and the Buffs were soon sharply engaged. On the left +the cavalry again demonstrated the power of their arm. A large force of +tribesmen, numbering at least 600 men, endeavoured to reach the scene +of action. To get there, however, they had to cross the open ground, +and this, in face of the Lancers, they would not do. Many of these same +tribesmen had joined in the attack on the Malakand, and had been chased +all across the plain of Khar by the fierce Indian horsemen. They were +not ambitious to repeat the experience. Every time they tried to cross +the space, which separated them from their friends, Captain Cole trotted +forward with his squadron, which was only about fifty strong, and the +tribesmen immediately scurried back to the hills. For a long time they +were delayed, and contented themselves by howling out to the sowars, +that they would soon "make mincemeat of them," to which the latter +replied that they were welcome to try. At length, realising that they +could not escape the cavalry, if they left the hills, they made a long +circuit and arrived about half an hour after the village was destroyed +and the troops had departed. + +Nevertheless, as soon as the retirement was seen to be in progress, a +general attack was made all along the line. On the left, the Guides +were threatened by a force of about 500 men, who advanced displaying +standards, and waving swords. They dispersed these and drove them away +by a steady long-range fire, killing and wounding a large number. On +the right, the Buffs were harassed by being commanded by another spur. +Lieutenant Hasler's company, which I accompanied, was protected from +this flanking fire by the ground. A great many bullets, however, +hummed overhead, and being anxious to see whence these were coming, the +lieutenant walked across the crest to the far side. The half-company +here was briskly engaged. From a point high up the mountain an accurate +fire was directed upon them. We tried to get the range of this point +with the Lee-Metford rifles. It was, as nearly as could be determined, +1400 yards. The tribesmen were only armed with Martini-Henrys. They +nevertheless made excellent practice. Lieutenant R.E. Power was shot +through the arm and, almost immediately afterwards, Lieutenant Keene was +severely wounded in the body. Luckily, the bullet struck his sword-hilt +first or he would have been killed. Two or three men were also wounded +here. Those who know the range and power of the Martini-Henry rifle will +appreciate the skill and marksmanship which can inflict loss even at so +great a range. + +As the retirement proceeded, the tribesmen came to closer quarters. +The Buffs, however, used their formidable weapon with great effect. +I witnessed one striking demonstration of its power. Lieutenant F.S. +Reeves remained behind with a dozen men to cover the withdrawal of his +company, and in hopes of bringing effective fire to bear on the enemy, +who at this time were pressing forward boldly. Three hundred yards away +was a nullah, and along this they began running, in hopes of cutting off +the small party. At one point, however, the line of their advance was +commanded by our fire. Presently a man ran into the open. The section +fired immediately. The great advantage of the rifle was that there was +no difficulty about guessing the exact range, as the fixed sight could +be used. The man dropped--a spot of white. Four others rushed forward. +Again there was a volley. All four fell and remained motionless. After +this we made good our retreat almost unmolested. + +As soon as the troops were clear of the hills, the enemy occupied the +rocks and ridges, and fired at the retreating soldiers. The Buffs' line +of retirement lay over smooth, open ground. For ten minutes the fire was +hot. Another officer and seven or eight men dropped. The ground was wet +and deep, and the bullets cutting into the soft mud, made strange and +curious noises. As soon as the troops got out of range, the firing +ceased, as the tribesmen did not dare follow into the open. + +On the extreme left, considerable bodies of the enemy appeared, and for +a moment it seemed that they would leave the hills and come into the +plain. The cavalry, however, trotted forward, and they ran back in +confusion, bunching together as they did so. The battery immediately +exploded two shrapnel shells in their midst with great effect. This +ended the affair, and the troops returned to camp. The casualties were +as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--2nd Lieutenant G.N.S. Keene. + " slightly--Captain L.I.B. Hulke. + " " --Lieutenant R.E. Power. + + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + Buffs. . . . . 1 10 + (Died of wounds). + + Native Ranks. + Wounded. + 38th Dogras . . .. 2 + Total casualties, 16. + + +I shall make the reader no apology for having described at such length, +what was after all only a skirmish. The picture of the war on the +frontier is essentially one of detail, and it is by the study of the +details alone that a true impression can be obtained. + +On the 22nd and 23rd the villages of Dag and Tangi were respectively +captured and destroyed, but as the resistance was slight and the +operations were unmarked by any new features, I shall not weary the +reader by further description. The casualties were:-- + + BRITISH OFFICER. + Wounded--Major S. Moody, the Buffs. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed. Wounded. + Guides Infantry. . . 1 2 + 38th Dogras. . . . 0 2 + + +By these operations the tribesmen of the Mamund Valley had been severely +punished. Any exultation which they might have felt over the action of +the 16th was completely effaced. The brigade had demonstrated its power +to take and burn any village that might be selected, and had inflicted +severe loss on all who attempted to impede its action. The tribesmen +were now thoroughly disheartened, and on the 21st began to sue for +peace. + +The situation was, however, complicated by the proximity of the Afghan +frontier. The western side of the Mamund Valley is bounded by the +mountains of the Hindu Raj range, along the summits of which is the +Durand line of demarcation with the Amir. On the farther side of this +range Gholam Hyder, the Afghan commander-in-chief, lay with a powerful +force, which, at the time of the actions I have described, amounted to +nine battalions, six squadrons and fourteen mountain guns. During the +attack upon Zagai, numerous figures in khaki uniform had been observed +on the higher slopes of the hills, and it was alleged that one +particular group appeared to be directing the movements of the +tribesmen. At any rate, I cannot doubt, nor did any one who was present +during the fighting in the Mamund Valley, that the natives were aided by +regular soldiers from the Afghan army, and to a greater extent by Afghan +tribesmen, not only by the supply of arms and ammunition but by actual +intervention. + +I am not in possession of sufficient evidence to pronounce on the +question of the Amir's complicity in the frontier risings. It is +certain, that for many years the Afghan policy has consistently been to +collect and preserve agents, who might be used in raising a revolt among +the Pathan tribes. But the advantages which the Amir would derive from a +quarrel with the British are not apparent. It would seem more probable, +that he has only tried throughout to make his friendship a matter of +more importance to the Indian Government, with a view to the continuance +or perhaps the increase of his subsidy. It is possible, that he has this +year tested and displayed his power; and that he has desired to show +us what a dangerous foe he might be, were he not so useful an ally. +The question is a delicate and difficult one. Most of the evidence is +contained in Secret State Papers. The inquiry would be profitless; the +result possibly unwelcome. Patriotic discretion is a virtue which should +at all times be zealously cultivated. + +I do not see that the facts I have stated diminish or increase the +probability of the Amir's complicity. As the American filibusters +sympathise with the Cuban insurgents; as the Jameson raiders supported +the outlanders of the Transvaal, so also the soldiers and tribesmen +of Afghanistan sympathised with and aided their countrymen and +coreligionists across the border. Probably the Afghan Colonial Office +would have been vindicated by any inquiry. + +It is no disparagement but rather to the honour of men, that they should +be prepared to back with their lives causes which claim their sympathy. +It is indeed to such men that human advancement has been due. I do not +allude to this matter, to raise hostile feelings against the Afghan +tribesmen or their ruler, but only to explain the difficulties +encountered in the Mamund Valley by the 2nd Brigade of the Malakand +Field Force: to explain how it was that defenders of obscure villages +were numbered by thousands, and why the weapons of poverty-stricken +agriculturists were excellent Martini-Henry rifles. + +The Mamunds themselves were now genuinely anxious for peace. Their +valley was in our hands; their villages and crops were at our mercy; but +their allies, who suffered none of these things, were eager to continue +the struggle. They had captured most of the rifles of the dead soldiers +on the 16th, and they had no intention of giving them up. On the other +hand, it was obvious that the British Raj could not afford to be defied +in this matter. We had insisted on the rifles being surrendered, and +that expensive factor, Imperial prestige, demanded that we should +prosecute operations till we got them, no matter what the cost might be. +The rifles were worth little. The men and officers we lost were worth +a great deal. It was unsound economics, but Imperialism and economics +clash as often as honesty and self-interest. We were therefore committed +to the policy of throwing good money after bad in order to keep up our +credit; as a man who cannot pay his tradesmen, sends them fresh orders +in lieu of settlement. Under these unsatisfactory conditions, the +negotiations opened. They did not, however, interfere with the military +situation, and the troops continued to forage daily in the valley, and +the tribesmen to fire nightly into the camp. + +At the end of the week a message from the Queen, expressing sympathy +with the sufferings of the wounded, and satisfaction at the conduct of +the troops, was published in Brigade orders. It caused the most lively +pleasure to all, but particularly to the native soldiers, who heard with +pride and exultation that their deeds and dangers were not unnoticed by +that august Sovereign before whom they know all their princes bow, and +to whom the Sirkar itself is but a servant. The cynic and the socialist +may sneer after their kind; yet the patriot, who examines with anxious +care those forces which tend to the cohesion or disruption of great +communities, will observe how much the influence of a loyal sentiment +promotes the solidarity of the Empire. + +The reader must now accompany me to the camp of the 3rd Brigade, twelve +miles away, at Nawagai. We shall return to the Mamund Valley and have a +further opportunity of studying its people and natural features. + + + + + +CHAPTER XIII: NAWAGAI + + + "When the wild Bajaur mountain men lay choking with their blood, + And the Kafirs held their footing..." + + "A Sermon in Lower Bengal," SIR A. LYALL. + + + +Few spectacles in nature are so mournful and so sinister as the +implacable cruelty with which a wounded animal is pursued by its +fellows. Perhaps it is due to a cold and bracing climate, perhaps to a +Christian civilisation, that the Western peoples of the world have to +a great extent risen above this low original instinct. Among Europeans +power provokes antagonism, and weakness excites pity. All is different +in the East. Beyond Suez the bent of men's minds is such, that safety +lies only in success, and peace in prosperity. All desert the falling. +All turn upon the fallen. + +The reader may have been struck, in the account of the fighting in the +Mamund Valley, with the vigour with which the tribesmen follow up a +retreating enemy and press an isolated party. In war this is sound, +practical policy. But the hillmen adopt it rather from a natural +propensity, than from military knowledge. Their tactics are the outcome +of their natures. All their actions, moral, political, strategic, are +guided by the same principle. The powerful tribes, who had watched the +passage of the troops in sullen fear, only waited for a sign of weakness +to rise behind them. As long as the brigades dominated the country, +and appeared confident and successful, their communications would be +respected, and the risings localised; but a check, a reverse, a retreat +would raise tremendous combinations on every side. + +If the reader will bear this in mind, it will enable him to appreciate +the position with which this chapter deals, and may explain many other +matters which are beyond the scope of these pages. For it might be well +also to remember, that the great drama of frontier war is played before +a vast, silent but attentive audience, who fill a theatre, that reaches +from Peshawar to Colombo, and from Kurrachee to Rangoon. + +The strategic and political situation, with which Sir Bindon Blood was +confronted at Nawagai on the 17th of September, was one of difficulty +and danger. He had advanced into a hostile country. In his front the +Mohmands had gathered at the Hadda Mullah's call to oppose his further +progress. The single brigade he had with him was not strong enough to +force the Bedmanai Pass, which the enemy held. The 2nd Brigade, on +which he had counted, was fully employed twelve miles away in the Mamund +Valley. The 1st Brigade, nearly four marches distant on the Panjkora +River, had not sufficient transport to move. Meanwhile General Elles's +division was toiling painfully through the difficult country north-east +of Shabkadr, and could not arrive for several days. He was therefore +isolated, and behind him was the "network of ravines," through which a +retirement would be a matter of the greatest danger and difficulty. + +Besides this, his line of communications, stretching away through sixty +miles of hostile country, or country that at any moment might become +hostile, was seriously threatened by the unexpected outbreak in the +Mamund Valley. He was between two fires. Nor was this all. The Khan of +Nawagai, a chief of great power and influence, was only kept loyal by +the presence of Sir Bindon Blood's brigade. Had that brigade marched, as +was advocated by the Government of India, back to join Brigadier-General +Jeffreys in the Mamund Valley, this powerful chief would have thrown +his whole weight against the British. The flame in the Mamund Valley, +joining the flame in the Bedmanai Pass, would have produced a mighty +conflagration, and have spread far and wide among the inflammable +tribesmen. Bajaur would have risen to a man. Swat, in spite of its +recent punishment, would have stirred ominously. Dir would have +repudiated its ruler and joined the combination. The whole mountain +region would have been ablaze. Every valley would have poured forth +armed men. General Elles, arriving at Lakarai, would have found, instead +of a supporting brigade, a hostile gathering, and might even have had to +return to Shabkadr without accomplishing anything. + +Sir Bindon Blood decided to remain at Nawagai; to cut the Hadda Mullah's +gathering from the tribesmen in the Mamund Valley; to hold out a hand to +General Elles; to keep the pass open and the khan loyal. Nawagai was +the key of the situation. But that key could not be held without much +danger. It was a bold course to take, but it succeeded, as bold courses, +soundly conceived, usually do. He therefore sent orders to Jeffreys +to press operations against the Mamund tribesmen; assured the Khan of +Nawagai of the confidence of the Government, and of their determination +to "protect" him from all enemies; heliographed to General Elles that he +would meet him at Nawagai; entrenched his camp and waited. + +He did not wait long in peace. The tribesmen, whose tactical instincts +have been evolved by centuries of ceaseless war, were not slow to +realise that the presence of the 3rd Brigade at Nawagai was fatal to +their hopes. They accordingly resolved to attack it. The Suffi and +Hadda Mullahs exerted the whole of their influence upon their credulous +followers. The former appealed to the hopes of future happiness. Every +Ghazi who fell fighting should sit above the Caaba at the very footstool +of the throne, and in that exalted situation and august presence should +be solaced for his sufferings by the charms of a double allowance of +celestial beauty. Mullah Hadda used even more concrete inducements. The +muzzles of the guns should be stopped for those who charged home. No +bullet should harm them. They should be invulnerable. They should not +go to Paradise yet. They should continue to live honoured and respected +upon earth. This promise appears to have carried more weight, as the +Hadda Mullah's followers had three times as many killed and wounded as +the candidates for the pleasures of the world to come. It would almost +seem, that in the undeveloped minds of these wild and superstitious +sons of the mountains, there lie the embryonic germs of economics and +practical philosophy, pledges of latent possibilities of progress. + + Some for the pleasures of this world, and some + Sigh for the prophet's paradise to come. + Ah! take the cash and let the credit go, + Nor heed the rumble of a distant drum. + + OMAR KHAYYAM + + +It is the practice of wise commanders in all warfare, to push their +cavalry out every evening along the lines of possible attack, to make +sure that no enemy has concentrated near the camp in the hopes of +attacking at nightfall. On the 18th, Captain Delamain's squadron of the +11th Bengal Lancers came in contact with scattered parties of the enemy +coming from the direction of the Bedmanai Pass. Desultory skirmishing +ensued, and the cavalry retired to camp. Some firing took place that +night, and a soldier of the Queen's Regiment who strayed about fifty +yards from his picket, was pulled down and murdered by the savage +enemies, who were lurking all around. The next evening the cavalry +reconnoitered as usual. The squadron pushed forward protected by its +line of advanced scouts across the plain towards the Bedmanai Pass. +Suddenly from a nullah a long line of tribesmen rose and fired a volley. +A horse was shot. The squadron wheeled about and cantered off, having +succeeded in what is technically called "establishing contact." + +A great gathering of the enemy, some 3000 strong, now appeared in the +plain. For about half an hour before sunset they danced, shouted and +discharged their rifles. The mountain battery fired a few shells, but +the distance was too great to do much good, or shall I say harm? Then it +became dark. The whole brigade remained that night in the expectation +of an attack, but only a very half-hearted attempt was made. This was +easily repulsed, one man in the Queen's Regiment being killed among the +troops. + +On the 20th, however, definite information was received from the Khan of +Nawagai, that a determined assault would be made on the camp that +night. The cavalry reconnaissance again came in touch with the enemy +at nightfall. The officers had dinner an hour earlier, and had just +finished, when, at about 8.30, firing began. The position of the camp +was commanded, though at long ranges, by the surrounding heights. From +these a searching rifle fire was now opened. All the tents were struck. +The officers and men not employed in the trenches were directed to +lie down. The majority of the bullets, clearing the parapets of the +entrenchment on one side, whizzed across without doing any harm to the +prostrate figures; but all walking about was perilous, and besides this +the plunging fire from the heights was galling to every one. + +Determined and vigorous sword charges were now delivered on all sides +of the camp. The enemy, who numbered about 4000, displayed the greatest +valour. They rushed right up to the trenches and fell dead and dying, +under the very bayonets of the troops. The brunt of the attack fell upon +the British Infantry Regiment, the Queen's. This was fortunate, as many +who were in camp that night say, that such was the determination of the +enemy in their charges, that had they not been confronted with magazine +rifles, they might have got into the entrenchments. + +The fire of the British was, however, crushing. Their discipline was +admirable, and the terrible weapon with which they were armed, with its +more terrible bullet, stopped every rush. The soldiers, confident in +their power, were under perfect control. When the enemy charged, the +order to employ magazine fire was passed along the ranks. The guns fired +star shell. These great rockets, bursting into stars in the air, slowly +fell to the ground shedding a pale and ghastly light on the swarming +figures of the tribesmen as they ran swiftly forward. Then the popping +of the musketry became one intense roar as the ten cartridges, which +the magazine of the rifle holds, were discharged almost instantaneously. +Nothing could live in front of such a fire. Valour, ferocity, +fanaticism, availed nothing. All were swept away. The whistles sounded. +The independent firing stopped, with machine-like precision, and the +steady section volleys were resumed. This happened not once, but a dozen +times during the six hours that the attack was maintained. The 20th +Punjaub Infantry, and the cavalry also, sustained and repulsed the +attacks delivered against their fronts with steadiness. At length the +tribesmen sickened of the slaughter, and retired to their hills in gloom +and disorder. + +The experience of all in the camp that night was most unpleasant. Those +who were in the trenches were the best off. The others, with nothing to +do and nothing to look at, remained for six hours lying down wondering +whether the next bullet would hit them or not. Some idea of the severity +of the fire may be obtained from the fact that a single tent showed +sixteen bullet holes. + +Brigadier-General Wodehouse was wounded at about eleven o'clock. He had +walked round the trenches and conferred with his commanding officers as +to the progress of the attack and the expenditure of ammunition, and had +just left Sir Bindon Blood's side, after reporting, when a bullet struck +him in the leg, inflicting a severe and painful, though fortunately not +a dangerous, wound. + +Considering the great number of bullets that had fallen in the camp, the +British loss was surprisingly small. The full return is as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--Brigadier-General Wodehouse. + " slightly--Veterinary-Captain Mann. + + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + Queen's Regiment... 1 3 + NATIVE RANKS--Wounded, 20. + FOLLOWERS-- " 6. + Total, 32 of all ranks. + + +The casualties among the cavalry horses and transport animals were most +severe. Over 120 were killed and wounded. + +The enemy drew off, carrying their dead with them, for the most part, +but numerous bodies lying outside the shelter trench attested the valour +and vigour of their attack. One man was found the next morning, whose +head had been half blown off, by a discharge of case shot from one of +the mountain guns. He lay within a yard of the muzzle, the muzzle he +had believed would be stopped, a victim to that blind credulity and +fanaticism, now happily passing away from the earth, under the combined +influences of Rationalism and machine guns. + +It was of course very difficult to obtain any accurate estimate of the +enemy's losses. It was proved, however, that 200 corpses were buried on +the following day in the neighbourhood, and large numbers of wounded men +were reported to have been carried through the various villages. A rough +estimate should place their loss at about 700. + +The situation was now cleared. The back of the Hadda Mullah's gathering +was broken, and it dispersed rapidly. The Khan of Nawagai feverishly +protested his unswerving loyalty to the Government. The Mamunds were +disheartened. The next day General Elles's leading brigade appeared in +the valley. Sir Bindon Blood rode out with his cavalry. The two generals +met at Lakarai. It was decided that General Elles should be reinforced +by the 3rd Brigade of the Malakand Field Force, and should clear the +Bedmanai Pass and complete the discomfiture of the Hadda Mullah. Sir +Bindon Blood with the cavalry would join Jeffreys' force in the Mamund +Valley, and deal with the situation there. The original plan of taking +two brigades from the Malakand to Peshawar was thus discarded; and +such troops of Sir Bindon Blood's force as were required for the Tirah +expedition would, with the exception of the 3rd Brigade, reach their +points of concentration via Nowshera. As will be seen, this plan was +still further modified to meet the progress of events. + +I had rejoined the 3rd Brigade on the morning of the 21st, and in the +evening availed myself of an escort, which was proceeding across the +valley, to ride over and see General Elles's brigade. The mobilisation +of the Mohmand Field Force was marked by the employment, for the first +time, of the Imperial Service Troops. The Maharaja of Patiala, and Sir +Pertab Singh, were both with the force. The latter was sitting outside +his tent, ill with fever, but cheery and brave as ever. The spectacle +of this splendid Indian prince, whose magnificent uniform in the Jubilee +procession had attracted the attention of all beholders, now clothed in +business-like khaki, and on service at the head of his regiment, aroused +the most pleasing reflections. With all its cost in men and money, and +all its military and political mistakes, the great Frontier War of 1897 +has at least shown on what foundations the British rule in India rests, +and made clear who are our friends and who our enemies. + +I could not help thinking, that polo has had a good deal to do with +strengthening the good relations of the Indian princes and the British +officers. It may seem strange to speak of polo as an Imperial factor, +but it would not be the first time in history that national games have +played a part in high politics. Polo has been the common ground on which +English and Indian gentlemen have met on equal terms, and it is to that +meeting that much mutual esteem and respect is due. Besides this, polo +has been the salvation of the subaltern in India, and the young officer +no longer, as heretofore, has a "centre piece" of brandy on his table +night and day. The pony and polo stick have drawn him from his bungalow +and mess-room, to play a game which must improve his nerve, his judgment +and his temper. The author of the Indian Polity asserts that the day +will come when British and native officers will serve together in +ordinary seniority, and on the same footing. From what I know of the +British officer, I do not myself believe that this is possible; but if +it should ever came to pass, the way will have been prepared on the polo +ground. + +The camp of the 3rd Brigade was not attacked again. The tribesmen had +learnt a bitter lesson from their experiences of the night before. The +trenches were, however, lined at dark, and as small parties of the enemy +were said to be moving about across the front, occupied by the Queen's, +there was some very excellent volley firing at intervals throughout the +night. A few dropping shots came back out of the darkness, but no one +was the worse, and the majority of the force made up for the sleep they +had lost the night before. + +The next morning Sir Bindon Blood, his staff and three squadrons of the +11th Bengal Lancers, rode back through the pass of Nawagai, and joined +General Jeffreys at Inayat Kila. The 3rd Brigade now left the Malakand +Field Force, and passed under the command of General Elles and beyond +the proper limits of this chronicle; but for the sake of completeness, +and as the reader may be anxious to hear more of the fine regiment, +whose astonishing fire relieved the strategic situation at Nawagai, and +inflicted such terrible losses on the Hadda Mullah's adherents, I shall +briefly trace their further fortunes. + +After General Wodehouse was wounded the command of the 3rd Brigade +devolved upon Colonel Graves. They were present at the forcing of the +Bedmanai Pass on the 29th of September, and on the two following days +they were employed in destroying the fortified villages in the Mitai and +Suran valleys; but as these operations were unattended by much loss of +life, the whole brigade reached Shabkadr with only three casualties. +Thence the Queen's were despatched to Peshawar to take part in the Tirah +expedition, in which they have added to the high reputation they had +acquired in the Malakand and Mohmand Field Forces. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV: BACK TO THE MAMUND VALLEY + + + "Again I revisit the hills where we sported, + The streams where we swam, and the fields where we fought." + + "On a Distant View of Harrow," BYRON. + + + +It is with a vague and undefined feeling of satisfaction that I conduct +the reader back to the entrenched camp of Inayat Kila at the entrance +of the Mamund Valley, where so much happened, and with which so many +memories and experiences are associated. Now that the troops are gone, +the scene of life and activity has become solitary and silent. The +graves of the officers and men who fell there are lost in the level of +the plain. Yet the name is still remembered in not a few English homes, +nor will the tribesmen, looking at the deserted entrenchment, easily +forget the visit of the 2nd Brigade. + +When, on the afternoon of the 15th, the camp had first been pitched, +only a small and hasty shelter-trench surrounded it. But as the weeks +passed, the parapets grew higher, the ditches deeper, and the pits more +numerous, until the whole place became a redoubt. Traverses were built +along the perimeter to protect the defenders from flanking fire. Great +walls of earth and stone sheltered the horses and mules. Fifty yards +out, round the whole camp, a wire trip was carefully laid, to break +a rush, and the paths and tracks leading to the entrances had become +beaten, level roads. The aspect of permanency was comforting. + +Since the action of the 16th September, the 2nd Brigade had been unable +to move. Transport--the life and soul of an army--is an even more +vital factor here than in less undeveloped countries. The mobility of +a brigade depends entirely on its pack animals. On the 14th many mules +were killed. On the 16th the field hospitals were filled with wounded. +It now became impossible for the camp to move, because the wounded +could not be carried. It was impossible to leave them behind, because, +deducting an adequate guard, the rest of the brigade would have been too +few for fighting. The 2nd Brigade was therefore a fixture. Its striking +power was limited to out and home marches. The first step taken by Sir +Bindon Blood was to restore its mobility by getting the wounded sent +down to the base. Some changes in the constitution of the force were +also made. The 11th Bengal Lancers, who now joined the Mohmand Field +Force, were succeeded by the Guides Cavalry. The 35th Sikhs, who had +suffered such severe losses, were replaced by the 31st Punjaub Infantry +from Panjkora. The Buffs, who were full of fever, were exchanged for the +Royal West Kent from the Malakand. No.7 British Mountain Battery took +the place of No.8, which was now reduced to four guns, having lost +in the week's fighting half its officers, a third of its mules, and a +quarter of its men. + +Camels to carry the wounded were sent up from Panjkora. The Buffs +escorted the long convoy down the line of communications. Every one in +camp was sorry to see the last of them. In the fighting of the week they +had made it clear that the British Infantry battalion is the backbone +of every mixed brigade, and they shared with the Guides Infantry one of +those enviable reputations for steadiness which are so hard to gain and +so easy to lose on active service. + +On the 24th of September Sir Bindon Blood received despatches appointing +him to the command of the First Division of the Tirah Expeditionary +Force, and as the negotiations with the Mamund Jirgahs were then in +progress, and it seemed that a settlement might be reached, he proceeded +with his staff to Panjkora. Here he was on the telegraph wire, and could +communicate easily and quickly with India, and at the same time +watch the progress of events at Inayat Kila. Mr. Davis conducted the +diplomatic relations with the Mamunds. On the 26th a Jirgah from +the tribe came into camp. They deposited 4000 rupees as a token of +submission, and brought in fifty firearms. These, however, were of the +oldest and most antiquated types, and were obviously not the weapons +with which so many soldiers had been killed and wounded. This was +pointed out to the tribal representatives. They protested that they had +no others. They were poor men, they said, and their property was at the +mercy of the Government. But they had no other arms. + +The political officer was firm, and his terms were explicit. Either they +must give up the twenty-two rifles captured from the 35th Sikhs, on +the 16th, or their villages would be destroyed. No other terms would he +accept. To this they replied, that they had not got the rifles. They +had all been taken, they said, and I think with truth, by the Afghan +tribesmen from the Kunar Valley. These would not give them up. +Besides--this also with truth--they had been taken in "fair war." + +One man, who had lived some years in Calcutta, was especially eloquent +on the subject, and argued the case with much skill. He was however, +crushed by Mr. Davies asking whether there were "no greybeards in the +tribe," and why they were "led by a babu" [a native clerk--the Oriental +embodiment of Red Tape]. The discussion was extended to the whole +question of their quarrel with the British power. They admitted having +sent their young men to attack the Malakand and Chakdara. "All the world +was going ghaza," they said. They could not stay behind. They also +owned to having gone five miles from their valley to attack the camp at +Markhanai. Why had the Sirkar burnt their village? they asked. They had +only tried to get even--for the sake of their honour. All this showed a +most unsatisfactory spirit from the Government point of view, and it was +evident that the brigade could not leave the valley until the tribesmen +adopted a more submissive attitude. The matter reverted to the crucial +point. Would they give up their rifles or not? To this they replied +evasively, that they would consult their fellow-tribesmen and return an +answer on the next day. This practically amounted to a refusal, and as +no reply was received on the 27th, the negotiations ceased. + +In consequence of this and of the threatening attitude of the tribesmen +throughout Dir and Bajaur, Sir Bindon Blood telegraphed to the +Government of India and recommended the retention of a large force in +these territories. By so doing he virtually resigned the command which +awaited him in the Tirah expedition. This disinterested decision caused +the liveliest satisfaction throughout the force. The Government accepted +the advice of their general. The Tirah force was reconstituted, and +Major-General W.P. Symons received the command of its first division. +A force of eleven battalions, seven squadrons and three batteries was +placed at Sir Bindon Blood's disposal, and he was directed to deal with +the local situation as he should see fit. He immediately ordered General +Jeffreys to resume the punitive operations against the Mamunds. + +In pursuance of these orders, the 2nd Brigade, on the 29th, destroyed +all the villages in the centre of the valley, some twelve or fourteen +in number, and blew up with dynamite upwards of thirty towers and forts. +The whole valley was filled with the smoke, which curled upwards in +dense and numerous columns, and hung like a cloud over the scene of +destruction. The continued explosions of the demolitions resembled a +bombardment. The tribesmen, unable to contend with the troops in the +open, remained sullenly on the hillsides, and contented themselves with +firing from long range at the cavalry patrols. + +I feel that this is a fitting moment to discuss the questions which +village-burning raises. I have described with independent impartiality +the progress of the quarrel between the British and the tribesmen. In +a similar spirit I approach the examination of the methods of +offence employed. Many misconceptions, some of which are caused by an +extraordinary ignorance, exist on this subject in England. One member +of the House of Commons asked the Secretary of State whether, in the +punishment of villages, care was taken that only the houses of the +guilty parties should be destroyed. He was gravely told that great care +was taken. The spectacle of troops, who have perhaps carried a village +with the bayonet and are holding it against a vigorous counter-attack, +when every moment means loss of life and increase of danger, going +round and carefully discriminating which houses are occupied by "guilty +parties," and which by unoffending people, is sufficiently ridiculous. +Another member asked, "Whether the villages were destroyed or only +the fortifications." "Only the fortifications," replied the minister +guilelessly. What is the actual fact? All along the Afghan border every +man's house is his castle. The villages are the fortifications, the +fortifications are the villages. Every house is loopholed, and whether +it has a tower or not depends only on its owner's wealth. A third +legislator, in the columns of his amusing weekly journal, discussed the +question at some length, and commented on the barbarity of such tactics. +They were not only barbarous, he affirmed, but senseless. Where did the +inhabitants of the villages go? To the enemy of course! This reveals, +perhaps, the most remarkable misconception of the actual facts. The +writer seemed to imagine that the tribesmen consisted of a regular army, +who fought, and a peaceful, law-abiding population, who remained at +their business, and perhaps protested against the excessive military +expenditure from time to time. Whereas in reality, throughout these +regions, every inhabitant is a soldier from the first day he is old +enough to hurl a stone, till the last day he has strength to pull a +trigger, after which he is probably murdered as an encumbrance to the +community. + +Equipped with these corrected facts, I invite the reader to examine the +question of the legitimacy of village-burning for himself. A camp of a +British brigade, moving at the order of the Indian Government and under +the acquiescence of the people of the United Kingdom, is attacked at +night. Several valuable and expensive officers, soldiers and transport +animals are killed and wounded. The assailants retire to the hills. +Thither it is impossible to follow them. They cannot be caught. They +cannot be punished. Only one remedy remains--their property must be +destroyed. [It may be of interest, to consider for a moment the contrast +between the effects of village-burning on the Indian Frontier and in +Cuba. In Cuba a small section of the population are in revolt; the +remainder are sympathisers. To screw these lukewarm partisans up to +the fighting-point, the insurgents destroy their villages and burn the +sugar-came. This, by placing the alternative of "fight or starve" before +the inhabitants, has the effect of driving them to take up arms against +the Spaniards, whom they all hate, and join the rebels in the field. +Thus in Cuba it is the endeavour of the Government to protect property, +and of the rebels to destroy it. It was with the aim of keeping the +wavering population loyal, that General Weyler collected them all into +the towns, with such painful results. His policy was cruel but sound, +and, had it been accompanied by vigorous military operations, might +have been successful.] Their villages are made hostages for their good +behavior. They are fully aware of this, and when they make an attack on +a camp or convoy, they do it because they have considered the cost +and think it worth while. Of course, it is cruel and barbarous, as is +everything else in war, but it is only an unphilosophic mind that will +hold it legitimate to take a man's life, and illegitimate to destroy his +property. The burning of mud hovels cannot at any rate be condemned +by nations whose customs of war justify the bombardment of the +dwelling-houses of a city like Paris, to induce the garrison to +surrender by the sufferings of the non-combatants. + +In official parlance the burning of villages is usually expressed +euphemistically as "So many villages were visited and punished," or, +again, "The fortifications were demolished." I do not believe in all +this circumlocution. The lack of confidence in the good sense of the +British democracy, which the Indian Government displays, is one of its +least admirable characteristics. Exeter Hall is not all England; and the +people of our islands only require to have the matter put fairly before +them to arrive at sound, practical conclusions. If this were not so, we +should not occupy our present position in the world. + +To return to the Mamund Valley. The difference between villages in the +plains and those in the hills was forcibly demonstrated. On the 29th +over a dozen villages in the plains were destroyed without the loss of a +single life. On the 30th the tale ran somewhat differently. The village +of Agrah adjoins the village of Zagai, the capture of which has already +been recorded. It stood in a broad re-entrant of the mountains, and amid +ground so tangled and broken, that to move over it is difficult, and to +describe it impossible. On the steep face of the mountain great rocks, +sometimes thirty feet high, lay tossed about: interspersed with these +were huts or narrow terraces, covered with crops, and rising one above +the other by great steps of ten or twelve feet each. The attack on such +a place was further complicated by the fact that the same re-entrant +contained another village called Gat, which had to be occupied at the +same time. This compelled the brigade to attack on a broader front than +their numbers allowed. It was evident, as the Guides Cavalry approached +the hills, that resistance was contemplated. Several red standards +were visible to the naked eye, and the field-glasses disclosed numerous +figures lining the ridges and spurs. The squadrons, advancing as far as +the scrub would allow them, soon drew the fire of isolated skirmishers. +Several troops dismounted, and returned the salute with their carbines, +and at 8.45 a dropping fire began. The brigade now came into action in +the following formation. The cavalry, on the extreme left, covered the +head of a considerable valley, from which the flank was threatened; the +Guides Infantry and the Royal West Kent Regiment prolonged the line to +the centre of the attack; the 31st Punjaub Infantry moved against the +spurs to the right of the village, and the 38th Dogras were in reserve. +The action was begun by the Guides Infantry storming the ridges to the +left of the enemy's position. These were strongly held and fortified by +sungars, behind which the defenders were sheltered. The Guides advanced +at a brisk pace, and without much firing, across the open ground to +the foot of the hills. The tribesmen, shooting from excellent cover, +maintained a hot fire. The bullets kicked up the dust in all directions, +or whistled viciously through the air; but the distance was short, and +it was soon apparent that the enemy did not mean to abide the assault. +When the troops got within 100 yards and fixed bayonets, a dozen +determined men were still firing from the sungars. The Afridi and +Pathan companies of the Guides, uttering shrill cries of exultation, +culminating in an extraordinary yell, dashed forward, climbed the hill +as only hillmen can climb, and cleared the crest. On the side of the +next hill the figures of the retreating tribesmen were visible, and many +were shot down before they could find shelter. + +It was a strange thing, to watch these conspicuous forms toiling up the +hillside, dodging this way and that way, as the bullets cut into the +earth around them; but with the experience of the previous ten minutes +fresh in the memory, pity was not one of the emotions it aroused. A good +many fell, subsiding peacefully, and lying quite still. Their fall was +greeted by strange little yells of pleasure from the native soldiers. +These Afridi and Pathan companies of the Guides Infantry suggest nothing +so much as a well-trained pack of hounds. Their cries, their movements, +and their natures are similar. + +The West Kents had now come into line on the Guides' right, and while +the latter held the long ridge they had taken, the British regiment +moved upon the village. Here the resistance became very severe. The +tangled and broken ground, rising in terraces, sometimes ten feet high, +and covered with high crops, led to fighting at close quarters with +loss on both sides. Loud and continuous grew the musketry fire. The 31st +Punjaub Infantry, who had ascended the spur on the right, soon joined +hands with the West Kents, and both regiments became hotly engaged. +Meantime the Mountain Battery, which had come into action near the +centre, began to throw its shells over the heads of the infantry on +to the higher slopes, from which the enemy were firing. It soon became +evident that the troops were too few for the work. On the left the +Guides Infantry were unable to leave the ridge they had captured, +lest it should be reoccupied by the enemy, who were showing in great +strength. A gap opened in consequence, between the Guides and Royal West +Kents, and this enabled the tribesmen to get round the left flank of the +British regiment, while the 31st Punjaub Infantry, on the right, were +also turned by the enveloping enemy. It is to these circumstances that +most of the losses were due. + +The British regiment forced its way through the village, and encountered +the enemy strongly posted in sungars among the rocks above it. Here +they were sharply checked. The leading company had stormed one of these +fortifications, and the enemy at once retired higher up the hill. About +fifteen men were inside the work, and perhaps thirty more just below it. +The whole place was commanded by the higher ground. The enemy's fire was +accurate and intense. + +Of those inside, four or five were instantly killed or wounded. The +sungar was a regular trap, and the company were ordered to retire. +Lieutenant Browne-Clayton remained till the last, to watch the +withdrawal, and in so doing was shot dead, the bullet severing the +blood-vessels near the heart. The two or three men who remained were +handing down his body over the rock wall, when they were charged by +about thirty Ghazis and driven down the hill. A hundred and fifty yards +away, Major Western had three companies of the West Kents in support. He +immediately ordered Captain Styles to retake the sungar, and recover +the body. The company charged. Captain Styles was the first to reach the +stone wall, and with Lieutenant Jackson cleared it of such of the enemy +as remained. Five or six men were wounded in the charge, and others fell +in the sungar. The advanced position of this company was soon seen to +be untenable, and they were ordered to fall back to the edge of the +village, where the whole regiment was hotly engaged. + +Meanwhile the 31st Punjaub Infantry, who had advanced under Colonel +O'Bryen on the right, were exposed to a severe fire from a rocky ridge +on their flank. Their attack was directed against a great mass of +boulders, some of them of enormous size, which were tenaciously held by +the enemy. The fighting soon became close. The two advanced companies +were engaged at a distance of under 100 yards. Besides this the cross +fire from their right flank added to their difficulties. In such a +position the presence of Colonel O'Bryen was invaluable. Moving swiftly +from point to point, he directed the fire and animated the spirit of +the men, who were devoted to him. It was not long before the enemy's +marksmen began to take aim at this prominent figure. But for a +considerable period, although bullets struck the ground everywhere +around him, he remained unhurt. At last, however, he was shot through +the body, and carried mortally wounded from the action. + +I pause to consider for a moment the conditions, and circumstances, +by which the pursuit of a military career differs from all others. In +political life, in art, in engineering, the man with talents who behaves +with wisdom may steadily improve his position in the world. If he makes +no mistakes he will probably achieve success. But the soldier is more +dependent upon external influences. The only way he can hope to rise +above the others, is by risking his life in frequent campaigns. All +his fortunes, whatever they may be, all his position and weight in the +world, all his accumulated capital, as it were, must be staked afresh +each time he goes into action. He may have seen twenty engagements, and +be covered with decorations and medals. He may be marked as a rising +soldier. And yet each time he comes under fire his chances of being +killed are as great as, and perhaps greater than, those of the youngest +subaltern, whose luck is fresh. The statesman, who has put his power +to the test, and made a great miscalculation, may yet retrieve his +fortunes. But the indiscriminating bullet settles everything. As the +poet somewhat grimly has it:-- + +Stone-dead hath no better. + +Colonel O'Bryen had been specially selected, while still a young man, +for the command of a battalion. He had made several campaigns. Already +he had passed through the drudgery of the lower ranks of the service, +and all the bigger prizes of the military profession appeared in view: +and though the death in action of a colonel at the head of his regiment +is as fine an end as a soldier can desire, it is mournful to record the +abrupt termination of an honourable career at a point when it might have +been of much value to the State. + +The pressure now became so strong along the whole line that the +brigadier, fearing that the troops might get seriously involved, ordered +the withdrawal to commence. The village was however burning, and the +enemy, who had also suffered severely from the close fighting, did not +follow up with their usual vigour. The battery advanced to within 600 +yards of the enemy's line, and opened a rapid fire of shrapnel to clear +those spurs that commanded the line of retirement. The shells screamed +over the heads of the West Kent Regiment, who were now clear of the +hills and in front of the guns, and burst in little white puffs of smoke +along the crest of the ridge, tearing up the ground into a thick cloud +of dust by the hundreds of bullets they contained. + +A continuous stream of doolies and stretchers commenced to flow from the +fighting line. Soon all available conveyances were exhausted, and the +bodies of the wounded had to be carried over the rough ground in the +arms of their comrades--a very painful process, which extorted many a +groan from the suffering men. At length the withdrawal was completed, +and the brigade returned to camp. The presence of the cavalry, who +covered the rear, deterred the enemy from leaving the hills. + +Riding back, I observed a gruesome sight. At the head of the column of +doolies and stretchers were the bodies of the killed, each tied with +cords upon a mule. Their heads dangled on one side and their legs on +the other. The long black hair of the Sikhs, which streamed down to the +ground, and was draggled with dust and blood, imparted a hideous aspect +to these figures. There was no other way, however, and it was better +than leaving their remains to be insulted and defiled by the savages +with whom we were fighting. At the entrance to the camp a large group +of surgeons--their sleeves rolled up--awaited the wounded. Two operating +tables, made of medical boxes, and covered with water-proof sheets, were +also prepared. There is a side to warfare browner than khaki. + +The casualties in the attack upon Agrah were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Lieut.-Col. J.L. O'Bryen, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " 2nd Lieut. W.C. Brown-Clayton, Royal West Kent. + Wounded severely--Lieutenant H. Isacke, Royal West Kent. + " " " E.B. Peacock, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + Wounded slightly--Major W.G.B. Western, Royal West Kent. + " " Captain R.C. Styles, Royal West Kent. + " " " N.H.S. Lowe, Royal West Kent. + " " 2nd Lieut. F.A. Jackson, Royal West Kent. + + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + Royal West Kent... 3 20 + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed. Wounded. + Guides Cavalry... 0 4 + 31st Punjaub Infantry . 7 15 + 38th Dogras ... 0 4 + Total casualties, 61. + + +As soon as Sir Bindon Blood, at his camp on the Panjkora, received the +news of the sharp fighting of the 30th, [After the action of the 30th +of September, Lieut.-Colonel McRae, of the 45th Sikhs, was sent up +to command the 31st Punjaub Infantry in the place of Lieut.-Colonel +O'Bryen, and I was myself attached as a temporary measure to fill +another of the vacancies. This is, I believe, the first time a British +Cavalry officer has been attached to a native infantry regiment. After +the kindness and courtesy with which I was treated, I can only hope it +will not be the last.] he decided to proceed himself to Inayat Kila with +reinforcements. He arrived on the 2nd October, bringing No.8 Mountain +Battery; a wing of the 24th Punjaub Infantry; and two troops of the +Guides Cavalry; and having also sent orders for the Highland Light +Infantry and four guns of the 10th Field Battery to follow him at once. +He was determined to make a fresh attack on Agrah, and burn the village +of Gat, which had only been partially destroyed. And this attack was +fixed for the 5th. By that date the big 12-pounder guns of the Field +Battery were to have arrived, and the fire of fourteen pieces would +have been concentrated on the enemy's position. Every one was anxious to +carry matters to a conclusion with the tribesmen at all costs. + +On the 3rd, the force was ordered to take and burn the village of +Badelai, against which, it may be remembered, the Buffs had advanced on +the 16th, and from which they had been recalled in a hurry to support +the 35th Sikhs. The attack and destruction of the village presented +no new features; the tribesmen offered little resistance, and retired +before the troops. But as soon as the brigade began its homeward march, +they appeared in much larger numbers than had hitherto been seen. As +the cavalry could not work among the nullahs and the broken ground, the +enemy advanced boldly into the plain. In a great crescent, nearly four +miles long, they followed the retiring troops. A brisk skirmish began at +about 800 yards. Both batteries came into action, each firing about +90 shells. The Royal West Kent Regiment made good shooting with their +Lee-Metford rifles. All the battalions of the brigade were engaged. The +enemy, whose strength was estimated to be over 3000, lost heavily, and +drew off at 2.30, when the force returned to camp. Sir Bindon Blood +and his staff watched the operations and reconnoitered the valley. The +casualties were as follows:-- + + Royal West Kent--dangerously wounded, 1. + Guides Cavalry--wounded, 2. + 31st Punjaub Infantry--killed, 1; wounded, 5. + Guides Infantry--wounded, 3. + 38th Dogras--killed, 1; wounded, 3. + Total casualties, 16. + + +The next day the Highland Light Infantry and the field guns arrived. The +former marched in over 700 strong, and made a fine appearance. They were +nearly equal in numbers to any two battalions in the brigade. Sickness +and war soon reduce the fighting strength. The guns had accomplished a +great feat in getting over the difficult and roadless country. They had +had to make their own track, and in many places the guns had been drawn +by hand. The 10th Field Battery had thus gone sixty miles further +into the hill country than any other wheeled traffic. They had quite +a reception when they arrived. The whole camp turned out to look with +satisfaction on the long polished tubes, which could throw twelve pounds +a thousand yards further than the mountain guns could throw seven. They +were, however, not destined to display their power. The Mamunds had +again sued for peace. They were weary of the struggle. Their valley was +desolate. The season of sowing the autumn crops approached. The arrival +of reinforcements convinced them that the Government were determined +to get their terms. Major Deane came up himself to conduct the +negotiations. Meanwhile all important operations were suspended, though +the foraging and "sniping" continued as usual. + +The force was now large enough for two brigades to be formed, and on +the arrival of Brigadier-General Meiklejohn it was reconstituted as +follows:-- + + 1st Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G. + Highland Light Infantry. + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 4 Cos. 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 10th Field Battery. + No.7 British Mountain Battery. + + 2nd Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General Jeffries, C.B. + The Royal West Kent. + 38th Dogras. + Guides Infantry. + No.8 Mountain Battery. + The Guides Cavalry. + + +The camp was greatly extended and covered a large area of ground. In the +evenings, the main street presented an animated appearance. Before the +sun went down, the officers of the different regiments, distinguished +by their brightly-coloured field caps, would assemble to listen to the +pipes of the Scottish Infantry, or stroll up and down discussing the +events of the day and speculating on the chances of the morrow. As the +clear atmosphere of the valley became darkened by the shadows of the +night, and the colours of the hills faded into an uniform black, the +groups would gather round the various mess tents, and with vermuth, +cigarettes and conversation pass away the pleasant half-hour before +dinner and "sniping" began. + +I would that it were in my power to convey to the reader, who has not +had the fortune to live with troops on service, some just appreciation +of the compensations of war. The healthy, open-air life, the vivid +incidents, the excitement, not only of realisation, but of anticipation, +the generous and cheery friendships, the chances of distinction which +are open to all, invest life with keener interests and rarer pleasures. +The uncertainty and importance of the present, reduce the past and +future to comparative insignificance, and clear the mind of minor +worries. And when all is over, memories remain, which few men do not +hold precious. As to the hardships, these though severe may be endured. +Ascetics and recluses have in their endeavours to look beyond the grave +suffered worse things. Nor will the soldier in the pursuit of fame and +the enjoyment of the pleasures of war, be exposed to greater discomforts +than Diogenes in his tub, or the Trappists in their monastery. Besides +all this, his chances of learning about the next world are infinitely +greater. And yet, when all has been said, we are confronted with a +mournful but stubborn fact. In this contrary life, so prosaic is the +mind of man, so material his soul, so poor his spirit, that there is no +one who has been six months on active duty who is not delighted to get +safe home again, to the comfortable monotonies of peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XV: THE WORK OF THE CAVALRY + + + +The negotiations of the Mamunds had this time opened under more +propitious circumstances. The tribesmen were convinced by the arrival of +the large reinforcements that the Government were in earnest. The return +of "the big general," as they called Sir Bindon Blood, to distinguish +him from the brigadiers, impressed them with the fact that the +operations would be at once renewed, if they continued recalcitrant. +They had still a few villages unburned, and these they were anxious to +save. Besides, they disliked the look of the long topes, or field guns, +of whose powers they were uncertain. They therefore displayed a much +more humble spirit. + +On the other hand, every one in the force had realised that there were +"more kicks than ha'pence" to be got out of the Mamund Valley. All the +villages in the plain had been destroyed. Only a few of those in the +hollows of the hills remained. To these the enemy had retired. In +Arrian's History of Alexander's Conquests we read the following passage: +"The men in Bazira [Bazira is the same as Bajaur], despairing of their +own affairs, abandoned the city... and fled to the rock, as the other +barbarians were doing. For all the inhabitants deserted the cities, +and began to fly to the rock which is in their land." Then it was that +Alexander's difficulties began. Nor need we wonder, when the historian +gravely asserts that "so stupendous is the rock in this land... that it +was found impregnable even by Heracles, the son of Zeus." Thus history +repeats itself, and the people of Bajaur their tactics. There was, +however, no doubt as to the ability of the brigades to take and burn +any village they might select. At the same time it was certain that they +would encounter relays of Afghan tribesmen, and regular soldiers from +the Amir's army, and that they would lose officers and men in the +operation. The matter had to be carried to a conclusion at whatever +cost, but the sooner the end was reached, the better. + +But in spite of the auguries of peace, the foraging parties were usually +fired upon, and this furnished several opportunities for the display of +the value of the cavalry. I shall avail myself of the occasion to review +the performances of the mounted arm during the operations. As soon as +the brigades entered Bajaur, the 11th Bengal Lancers were employed +more and more in that legitimate duty of cavalry--reconnaissance. Major +Beatson made daily expeditions towards the various valleys and passes +about which information was needed. This use of cavalry is an entirely +new one on the frontier--it having been thought that it was dangerous to +employ them in this way. Though horsemen need good ground to fight on +to advantage, they can easily move over any country, however broken, +and where they are boldly used, can collect as much information as is +necessary. + +Reconnaissance is by no means the only opportunity for cavalry +employment on the frontier. They are as formidable in offensive tactics +as they are useful in collecting intelligence. + +The task which is usually confided to them in these mountain actions is +to protect one of the flanks. The ground hardly ever admits of charging +in any formation, and it is necessary for the men to use their carbines. +On 30th September the cavalry were so employed. On the left of the +hostile position was a wide valley full of scrubby trees, and stone +walls, and occupied by large numbers of the enemy. Had these tribesmen +been able to debouch from this valley, they would have fallen on the +flank of the brigade, and the situation would have become one of danger. +For five hours two weak squadrons of the Guides Cavalry were sufficient +to hold them in check. + +The methods they employed are worth noticing. Little groups of six or +seven men were dismounted, and these with their carbines replied to the +enemy's fire. Other little groups of mounted men remained concealed in +nullahs or hollows, or behind obstacles. Whenever the enemy tried to +rush one of the dismounted parties, and to do so advanced from the bad +ground, the mounted patrols galloped forward and chased them back to +cover. The terror that these tribesmen have of cavalry contrasts with +their general character. It was a beautiful display of cavalry tactics +in this kind of warfare, and, considering the enormous numbers of the +enemy, who were thus kept from participating in the main action, it +demonstrated the power and value of the mounted arm with convincing +force. + +On the 6th of October, I witnessed some very similar work, though on a +smaller scale. A squadron was engaged in covering the operations of +a foraging party. A line of patrols, moving rapidly about, presented +difficult targets to the enemy's sharpshooters. I found the remainder of +the squadron dismounted in rear of a large bank of stones. Twenty +sowars with their carbines were engaged in firing at the enemy, who had +occupied a morcha--a small stone fort--some 300 yards away. Desultory +skirmishing continued for some time, shots being fired from the hills, +half a mile away, as well as from the morcha. Bullets kept falling near +the bank, but the cover it afforded was good and no one was hurt. At +length word was brought that the foraging was finished and that the +squadron was to retire under cover of the infantry. Now came a moment of +some excitement. The officer in command knew well that the instant his +men were mounted they would be fired at from every point which the enemy +held. He ordered the first troop to mount, and the second to cover the +retirement. The men scrambled into their saddles, and spreading out into +an extended line cantered away towards a hollow about 300 yards distant. +Immediately there was an outburst of firing. The dust rose in spurts +near the horsemen, and the bullets whistled about their ears. No one was +however hit. Meanwhile, the remaining troop had been keeping up a rapid +fire on the enemy to cover their retirement. It now became their turn +to go. Firing a parting volley the men ran to their horses, mounted, and +followed the first troop at a hand-gallop, extending into a long line +as they did so. Again the enemy opened fire, and again the dusty ground +showed that the bullets were well directed. Again, however, nobody was +hurt, and the sowars reached the hollow, laughing and talking in high +glee. The morning's skirmish had, nevertheless, cost the squadron a man +and a horse, both severely wounded. + +Such affairs as these were of almost daily occurrence during the time +that the 2nd Brigade occupied the camp at Inayat Kila. They were of the +greatest value in training the soldiers. The Guides Cavalry know all +there is to know of frontier war, but there are many other regiments who +would be made infinitely more powerful fighting organisations if they +were afforded the opportunity for such experience. + +The great feature which the war of 1897 on the Indian Frontier has +displayed is the extraordinary value of cavalry. At Shabkadr a charge +of the 13th Bengal Lancers was more than successful. In the Swat Valley, +during the relief of Chakdara, the Guides Cavalry and 11th Bengal +Lancers inflicted the most terrible loss on the enemy. To quote the +words of Sir Bindon Blood's official report to the Adjutant-General, +these regiments, "eager for vengeance, pursued, cut up and speared +them in every direction, leaving their bodies thickly strewn over the +fields." Again, after the action of Landakai, the cavalry made a most +vigorous pursuit and killed large numbers of the enemy. While I was with +the Malakand Field Force, I was a witness of the constant employment +of the cavalry, and was several times informed by general officers that +they would gladly have a larger number at their disposal. The reader may +recall some of the numerous instances which these pages have recorded of +cavalry work. On the morning of the 15th September, it was the cavalry +who were able to catch up the enemy before they could reach the hills, +and take some revenge for the losses of the night. In the action of the +16th, the charge of Captain Cole's squadron brought the whole attack +of the enemy to a standstill, and enabled the infantry by their fire to +convert the hesitation of the tribesmen into a retreat. Indeed, in every +fight in the Mamund Valley, the cavalry were the first in, and the last +out. In the official despatches Sir Bindon Blood thus alludes to the +work of the cavalry:--"I would now wish to invite attention to the +invaluable nature of the services rendered by the cavalry. At Nawagai, +three squadrons of the 11th Bengal Lancers swept the country everywhere +that cavalry could go, carrying out reconnaissances, protecting +signalling parties and watching every movement of the enemy. In the +Mamund Valley a squadron of the same regiment, under Captain E.H. Cole, +took part in every engagement that occurred while they were there, +establishing such a reputation that the enemy, even when in greatly +superior numbers, never dared to face them in the open. Afterwards, when +Captain Cole and his men left the Mamund Valley, the Guides Cavalry, +under Lieut.-Col. Adams, being in greater strength, acted still more +effectually in the same manner, showing tactical skill of a high order, +combined with conspicuous gallantry."--Official Despatches. From Gazette +of India, 3rd December, 1897. + +There has been a boom in cavalry. But one section, and that the most +important, has been deprived of its share in the good fortune. The +authorities have steadily refused to allow any British cavalry to cross +the frontier. Of course this is defended on the ground of expense. +"British cavalry costs so much," it is said, "and natives do the work +just as well." "Better," say some. But it is a poor kind of economy thus +to discourage a most expensive and important branch of the service. The +ambition that a young officer entering the army ought to set before him, +is to lead his own men in action. This ought to inspire his life, and +animate his effort. "Stables" will no longer be dull, when he realises +that on the fitness of his horses, his life and honour may one day +depend. If he thinks that his men may soon be asked to stand beside him +at a pinch, he will no longer be bored by their interests and affairs. +But when he realises that all is empty display, and that his regiment is +a sword too costly to be drawn, he naturally loses keenness and betakes +himself to polo as a consolation. It is a good one. + +It was my fortune to meet many young men in frontier regiments, both +cavalry and infantry, who had already served in three, and even four, +campaigns. Daring, intelligent and capable, they are proofs of the value +of their training, and are fit to lead their men under any conditions, +and in any country. Subalterns in British cavalry regiments do +occasionally manage to see a little active service as transport +officers, signalling officers, war correspondents, or on the staff; +but to lead in the field the men they have trained in peace, is a +possibility which is never worth contemplating. To the young man who +wants to enjoy himself, to spend a few years agreeably in a military +companionship, to have an occupation--the British cavalry will be +suited. But to the youth who means to make himself a professional +soldier, an expert in war, a specialist in practical tactics, who +desires a hard life of adventure and a true comradeship in arms, I would +recommend the choice of some regiment on the frontier, like those fine +ones I have seen, the Guides and the 11th Bengal Lancers. + +I am aware that those who criticise an existing state of things ought +to be prepared with some constructive legislation which would remedy the +evils they denounce. Though it is unlikely that the Government of India +will take my advice, either wholly or in good part, I hereby exhort them +to quit the folly of a "penny wise" policy, and to adhere consistently +to the principles of employing British and native troops in India in +a regular proportion. That is to say, that when two native cavalry +regiments have been sent on service across the frontier, the third +cavalry regiment so sent shall be British. + +Besides this, in order to give cavalry officers as many opportunities +of seeing active service as possible, subalterns should be allowed to +volunteer for emergency employment with native cavalry. I have talked to +several officers who command native cavalry regiments, and they tell me +that such an arrangement would work excellently, and that, as they are +always short of officers, it would supply a want. I would suggest that +subalterns should, with the approval of their colonels, be attached to +the native regiment, and after passing in Hindustani and being reported +as qualified to serve with the native troops, be considered available +for employment as described. I shall be told there are financial +difficulties. I do not believe this. There are plenty of cavalry +subalterns whose eagerness to see service is so strong, that they would +submit to any arrangement that the rapacity of Government might impose. +Indeed there is no reason that an actual economy should not be effected. +The sums of money that the Indian Government offer, as rewards for +officers who can speak Hindustani, have not hitherto tempted many +cavalry officers to make a study of the language. Here is an incentive, +more powerful and costing nothing. + +To be technical is, I am aware, a serious offence, and I realise that if +this book ever obtained so evil a reputation it would be shunned, as the +House of Commons is shunned on a Service night. I have strayed far +away from the Malakand Field Force into the tangled paths of military +controversy, and I must beg the reader to forgive, as he will surely +forget, what has been written. + +The fighting described in the last chapter, and the continual drain of +disease, had again filled the field hospitals, and in order to preserve +the mobility of the force, it was decided to send all sick and wounded +down to the base at once. The journey--over 100 miles by road--would +take nearly a fortnight, and the jolting and heat made such an +experience a painful and weary one to injured men. But the stern +necessities of war render these things inevitable, and the desire of the +men to get nearer home soothes much of their suffering. The convoy of +sick and wounded was to be escorted as far as the Panjkora River by the +Royal West Kent, who were themselves in need of some recuperation. To +campaign in India without tents is always a trial to a British regiment; +and when it is moved to the front from some unhealthy station like +Peshawar, Delhi, or Mian Mir, and the men are saturated with fever and +weakened by the summer heats, the sick list becomes long and serious. +Typhoid from drinking surface water, and the other various kinds of +fever which follow exposure to the heats of the day or the chills of +the night, soon take a hundred men from the fighting strength, and the +general of an Indian frontier force has to watch with equal care the +movements of the enemy and the fluctuations of the hospital returns. As +soon, therefore, as Sir Bindon Blood saw that the Mamunds were desirous +of peace, and that no further operations against them were probable, he +sent one of his British regiments to their tents near the Panjkora. + +About sixty wounded men from the actions of 30th September and 3rd +October, and the same number of sick, formed the bulk of the convoy. The +slight cases are carried on camels, in cradles made by cutting a native +bedstead in two, and called "Kajawas." The more serious cases are +carried in doolies or litters, protected from the sun by white curtains, +and borne by four natives. Those who are well enough ride on mules. The +infantry escort is disposed along the line with every precaution that +can be suggested, but the danger of an attack upon the long straggling +string of doolies and animals in difficult and broken ground is a very +real and terrible one. + +The cheeriness and patience of the wounded men exceeds belief. Perhaps +it is due to a realisation of the proximity in which they have stood to +death; perhaps partly to that feeling of relief with which a man turns +for a spell from war to peace. In any case it is remarkable. A poor +fellow--a private in the Buffs--was hit at Zagai, and had his arm +amputated at the shoulder. I expressed my sympathy, and he replied, +philosophically: "You can't make omelettes without breaking eggs," and +after a pause added, with much satisfaction, "The regiment did well that +day." He came of a fighting stock, but I could not help speculating on +the possible future which awaited him. Discharge from the service as +medically unfit, some miserable pension insufficient to command any +pleasures but those of drink, a loafer's life, and a pauper's grave. +Perhaps the regiment--the officers, that is to say--would succeed in +getting him work, and would from their own resources supplement his +pension. But what a wretched and discreditable system is that, by which +the richest nation in the world neglects the soldiers who have served it +well, and which leaves to newspaper philanthropy, to local institutions, +and to private charity, a burden which ought to be proudly borne by the +State. + +Starting at six, the column reached Jar, a march of eight miles, at +about ten o'clock. Here we were joined by a wing of the 24th Punjaub +Infantry, who were coming up to relieve the Royal West Kents. The camp +at Jar has the disadvantage of being commanded by a hill to the north, +and the Salarzais, another pestilent tribe, whose name alone is an +infliction, delight to show their valour by firing at the troops during +the night. Of course this could be prevented by moving the camp out of +range of this hill. But then, unfortunately, it would be commanded by +another hill to the south, from which the Shamozai section of the Utman +Khels--to whom my former remarks also apply--would be able to amuse +themselves. The inconvenience of the situation had therefore to be +faced. + +We had not been long in camp before the eldest son of the Khan of Jar, +who had been comparatively loyal during the operations, came to inform +the colonel in command that there would be "sniping" that night. Certain +evil men, he said, had declared their intention of destroying the force, +but he, the heir-apparent to the Khanate of Jar, and the ally of the +Empress, would protect us. Four pickets of his own regular army should +watch the camp, that our slumbers might not be disturbed, and when +challenged by the sentries, they would reply, "chokidar" (watchman). +This all seemed very satisfactory, but we entrenched ourselves as usual, +not, as we explained, because we doubted our protector's powers or +inclinations, buy merely as a matter of form. + +At midnight precisely, the camp was awakened by a dozen shots in rapid +succession. The khan's pickets could be heard expostulating with the +enemy, who replied by jeers and bitter remarks. + +The firing continued for an hour, when the "snipers," having satisfied +their honour, relieved their feelings and expended their cartridges, +went away rejoicing. The troops throughout remained silent, and +vouchsafed no reply. + +It may seem difficult to believe that fifty bullets could fall in a +camp, only 100 yards square--crowded with animals and men--without any +other result than to hit a single mule in the tail. Such was, however, +the fact. This shows of what value, a little active service is to the +soldier. The first time he is under fire, he imagines himself to be in +great danger. He thinks that every bullet is going to hit him, and that +every shot is aimed at him. Assuredly he will be killed in a moment. If +he goes through this ordeal once or twice, he begins to get some idea of +the odds in his favour. He has heard lots of bullets and they have not +hurt him. He will get home safely to his tea this evening, just as +he did the last time. He becomes a very much more effective fighting +machine. + +From a military point of view, the perpetual frontier wars in one corner +or other of the Empire are of the greatest value. This fact may one day +be proved, should our soldiers ever be brought into contact with some +peace-trained, conscript army, in anything like equal numbers. + +Though the firing produced very little effect on the troops--most of +whom had been through the experience several times before--it was +a severe trial to the wounded, whose nerves, shattered by pain and +weakness, were unable to bear the strain. The surgeon in charge--Major +Tyrell--told me that the poor fellows quivered at every shot as if in +anticipation of a blow. A bullet in the leg will made a brave man a +coward. A blow on the head will make a wise man a fool. Indeed I have +read that a sufficiency of absinthe can make a good man a knave. The +triumph of mind over matter does not seem to be quite complete as yet. + +I saw a strange thing happen, while the firing was going on, which +may amuse those who take an interest in the habits and development of +animals. Just in front of my tent, which was open, was a clear space, +occupied by a flock of goats and sheep. The brilliant moonlight made +everything plainly visible. Every time a bullet whistled over them or +struck the ground near, they ducked and bobbed in evident terror. An +officer, who also noticed this, told me it was the first time they had +been under fire; and I have been wondering ever since, whether this +explains their fear, or makes it more inexplicable. + +I have devoted a good deal in this chapter to the account of the +"sniping" at Jar on the night of the 9th of October, and, perhaps, a +critic may inquire, why so much should be written about so common an +incident. It is, however, because this night firing is so common a +feature, that I feel no picture of the war on the Indian frontier would +be complete without some account of it. + +The next day we crossed the Panjkora River, and I started to ride down +the line of communications to the base at Nowshera. At each stage some +of the comforts of civilisation and peace reappeared. At Panjkora we +touched the telegraph wire; at Sarai were fresh potatoes; ice was to be +had at Chakdara; a comfortable bed at the Malakand; and at length, at +Nowshera, the railway. But how little these things matter after all. +When they are at hand, they seem indispensable, but when they cannot be +obtained, they are hardly missed. A little plain food, and a philosophic +temperament, are the only necessities of life. + +I shall not take the reader farther from the scene of action. He is free +and his imagination may lead him back to the highland valleys, where he +may continue for a space among camps and men, and observe the conclusion +of the drama. + + + + + +CHAPTER XVI: SUBMISSION + + + "Their eyes were sunken and weary + With a sort of listless woe, + And they looked from their desolate eyrie + Over the plains below. + + "Two had wounds from a sabre, + And one from an Enfield Ball." + + "Rajpoot Rebels," LYALL. + + + +At last the negotiations with the Mamunds began to reach a conclusion. +The tribe were really desirous of peace, and prepared to make any +sacrifices to induce the brigades to leave the valley. The Khan of Khar +now proved of valuable assistance. He consistently urged them to make +peace with the Sirkar, and assured them that the troops would not go +away until they had their rifles back. Finally the Mamunds said they +would get the rifles. But the path of repentance was a stony one. On the +very night that the tribesmen decided for peace at any price, a thousand +warlike Afghans, spoiling for a fight, arrived from the Kunar Valley, +on the other side of the mountains, and announced their intention of +attacking the camp at once. The Mamunds expostulated with them. The +retainers of the Khan of Khar implored them not to be so rash. In the +end these unwelcome allies were persuaded to depart. But that night the +camp was warned that an attack was probable. The inlying pickets were +accordingly doubled, and every man slept in his clothes, so as to be +ready. The pathos of the situation was provided by the fact, that the +Mamunds were guarding us from our enemies. The wretched tribe, rather +than face a renewal of hostilities, had posted pickets all round the +camp to drive away "snipers" and other assailants. Their sincerity was +beyond suspicion. + +The next day the first instalment of rifles was surrendered. Fifteen +Martini-Henrys taken on the 16th from the 35th Sikhs were brought into +camp, by the Khan of Khar's men, and deposited in front of the general's +tent. Nearly all were hacked and marked by sword cuts, showing that +their owners, the Sikhs, had perished fighting to the last. Perhaps, +these firearms had cost more in blood and treasure than any others ever +made. The remainder of the twenty-one were promised later, and have +since all been surrendered. But the rifles as they lay on the ground +were a bitter comment on the economic aspect of the "Forward Policy." +These tribes have nothing to surrender but their arms. To extort these +few, had taken a month, had cost many lives, and thousands of pounds. It +had been as bad a bargain as was ever made. People talk glibly of "the +total disarmament of the frontier tribes" as being the obvious policy. +No doubt such a result would be most desirable. But to obtain it would +be as painful and as tedious an undertaking, as to extract the stings of +a swarm of hornets, with naked fingers. + +After the surrender of the rifles, the discussion of terms proceeded +with smoothness. Full jirgahs were sent to the camp from the tribe, and +gradually a definite understanding was reached. The tribesmen bewailed +the losses they had sustained. Why, they asked, had the Sirkar visited +them so heavily? Why, replied Major Deane, had they broken the peace and +attacked the camp? The elders of the tribe, following the practice of +all communities, threw the blame on their "young men." These had done +the evil, they declared. All had paid the penalty. At length definite +terms were agreed to, and a full durbar was arranged for the 11th of the +month for their ratification. + +Accordingly on that date, at about one o'clock in the afternoon, a large +and representative jirgah of Mamunds, accompanied by the Khans of Khar, +Jar and Nawagai, arrived at the village of Nawa Kila, about half a mile +from the camp. At three o'clock Sir Bindon Blood, with Major Deane, +Chief Political Officer; Mr. Davis, Assistant Political Officer; most of +the Headquarters staff, and a few other officers, started, escorted by +a troop of the Guides Cavalry, for the durbar. The general on arrival +shook hands with the friendly khans, much to their satisfaction, and +took a seat which had been provided. The tribesmen formed three sides of +a square. The friendly khans were on the left with their retainers. +The Mamund jirgahs filled two other sides. Sir Bindon Blood, with Major +Deane on his left and his officers around him, occupied the fourth side. + +Then the Mamunds solemnly tendered their submission. They expressed +their deep regret at their action, and deplored the disasters that had +befallen them. They declared, they had only fought because they feared +annexation. They agreed to expel the followers of Umra Khan from +the valley. They gave security for the rifles that had not yet been +surrendered. They were then informed that as they had suffered severe +punishment and had submitted, the Sirkar would exact no fine or further +penalty from them. At this they showed signs of gratification. The +durbar, which had lasted fifteen minutes, was ended by the whole of the +tribesmen swearing with uplifted hands to adhere to the terms and keep +the peace. They were then dismissed. + +The losses sustained by the Mamunds in the fighting were ascertained to +be 350 killed, besides the wounded, with whom the hill villages were all +crowded, and who probably amounted to 700 or 800. This estimate takes no +account of the casualties among the transfrontier tribesmen, which were +presumably considerable, but regarding which no reliable information +could be obtained. Sir Bindon Blood offered them medical aid for their +wounded, but this they declined. They could not understand the motive, +and feared a stratagem. What the sufferings of these wretched men must +have been, without antiseptics or anaesthetics, is terrible to think +of. Perhaps, however, vigorous constitutions and the keen air of the +mountains were Nature's substitutes. + +Thus the episode of the Mamund Valley came to an end. On the morning of +the 12th, the troops moved out of the camp at Inayat Kila for the last +time, and the long line of men, guns and transport animals, trailed +slowly away across the plain of Khar. The tribesmen gathered on the +hills to watch the departure of their enemies, but whatever feelings of +satisfaction they may have felt at the spectacle, were dissipated when +they turned their eyes towards their valley. Not a tower, not a fort +was to be seen. The villages were destroyed. The crops had been trampled +down. They had lost heavily in killed and wounded, and the winter was +at hand. No defiant shots pursued the retiring column. The ferocious +Mamunds were weary of war. + +And as the soldiers marched away, their reflections could not have been +wholly triumphant. For a month they had held Inayat Kila, and during +that month they had been constantly fighting. The Mamunds were crushed. +The Imperial power had been asserted, but the cost was heavy. Thirty-one +officers and 251 men had been killed and wounded out of a fighting force +that had on no occasion exceeded 1200 men. + +The casualties of General Jeffrey's brigade in the Mamund Valley were as +follows:-- + + British Officers.... Killed or died of wounds 7 + " " .... Wounded.... 17 + " Soldiers.... Killed .... 7 + " " .... Wounded.... 41 + Native Officers .... Killed .... 0 + " " .... Wounded.... 7 + " Soldiers .... Killed .... 48 + " " .... Wounded.... 147 + Followers ...... ..... 8 + ---- + Total..... 282 + + Horses and mules..... ..... 150 + + +The main cause of this long list of casualties was, as I have already +written, the proximity of the Afghan border. But it would be unjust and +ungenerous to deny to the people of the Mamund Valley that reputation +for courage, tactical skill and marksmanship, which they have so well +deserved. During an indefinite period they had brawled and fought in +the unpenetrated gloom of barbarism. At length they struck a blow at +civilisation, and civilisation, though compelled to record the odious +vices that the fierce light of scientific war exposed, will yet +ungrudgingly admit that they are a brave and warlike race. Their name +will live in the minds of men for some years, even in this busy century, +and there are families in England who will never forget it. But perhaps +the tribesmen, sitting sullenly on the hillsides and contemplating the +ruin of their habitations, did not realise all this, or if they did, +still felt regret at having tried conclusions with the British Raj. +Their fame had cost them dear. Indeed, as we have been told, "nothing is +so expensive as glory." + +The troops camped on the night of the 12th at Jar, and on the following +day moved up the Salarzai Valley to Matashah. Here they remained for +nearly a week. This tribe, terrified by the punishment of the Mamunds, +made no regular opposition, though the camp was fired into regularly +every night by a few hot-blooded "snipers." Several horses and +mules were hit, and a sowar in the Guides Cavalry was wounded. The +reconnaissances in force, which were sent out daily to the farther end +of the valley, were not resisted in any way, and the tribal jirgahs +used every effort to collect the rifles which they had been ordered to +surrender. By the 19th all were given up, and on the 20th the troops +moved back to Jar. There Sir Bindon Blood received the submission of the +Utman Khels, who brought in the weapons demanded from them, and paid a +fine as an indemnity for attacking the Malakand and Chakdara. + +The soldiers, who were still in a fighting mood, watched with impatience +the political negotiations which produced so peaceful a triumph. + +All Indian military commanders, from Lord Clive and Lord Clive's times +downwards, have inveighed against the practice of attaching civil +officers to field forces. It has been said, frequently with truth, +that they hamper the military operations, and by interfering with the +generals, infuse a spirit of vacillation into the plans. Although the +political officers of the Malakand Field Force were always personally +popular with their military comrades, there were many who criticised +their official actions, and disapproved of their presence. The duties of +the civil officers, in a campaign, are twofold: firstly, to negotiate, +and secondly, to collect information. It would seem that for the first +of these duties they are indispensable. The difficult language and +peculiar characters of the tribesmen are the study of a lifetime. A +knowledge of the local conditions, of the power and influence of +the khans, or other rulers of the people; of the general history and +traditions of the country, is a task which must be entirely specialised. +Rough and ready methods are excellent while the tribes resist, but +something more is required when they are anxious to submit. Men are +needed who understand the whole question, and all the details of the +quarrel, between the natives and the Government, and who can in some +measure appreciate both points of view. I do not believe that such are +to be found in the army. The military profession is alone sufficient to +engross the attention of the most able and accomplished man. + +Besides this I cannot forget how many quiet nights the 2nd Brigade +enjoyed at Inayat Kila when the "snipers" were driven away by the +friendly pickets; how many fresh eggs and water melons were procured, +and how easily letters and messages were carried about the country [As +correspondent of the Pioneer, I invariably availed myself of this method +of sending the press telegrams to the telegraph office at Panjkora, and +though the route lay through twenty miles of the enemy's country, these +messages not only never miscarried, but on several occasions arrived +before the official despatches or any heliographed news. By similar +agency the bodies of Lieutenant-Colonel O'Bryen and Lieutenant +Browne-Clayton, killed in the attack upon Agrah on the 30th of +September, were safely and swiftly conveyed to Malakand for burial.] +through the relations which the political officers, Mr. Davis and Mr. +Gunter, maintained, under very difficult circumstances, with these +tribesmen, who were not actually fighting us. + +Respecting the second duty, it is difficult to believe that the +collection of information as to the numbers and intentions of the +enemy would not be better and more appropriately carried out by the +Intelligence Department and the cavalry. Civil officers should not +be expected to understand what kind of military information a general +requires. It is not their business. I am aware that Mr. Davis procured +the most correct intelligence about the great night attack at Nawagai, +and thus gave ample warning to Sir Bindon Blood. But on the other hand +the scanty information available about the Mamunds, previous to the +action of the 16th, was the main cause of the severe loss sustained on +that day. Besides, the incessant rumours of a night attack on Inayat +Kila, kept the whole force in their boots about three nights each week. +Civil officers should discharge diplomatic duties, and military officers +the conduct of war. And the collection of information is one of the +most important of military duties. Our Pathan Sepoys, the Intelligence +Branch, and an enterprising cavalry, should obtain all the facts that +a general requires to use in his plans. At least the responsibility can +thus be definitely assigned. + +On one point, however, I have no doubts. The political officers must be +under the control of the General directing the operations. There must be +no "Imperium in imperio." In a Field Force one man only can command--and +all in it must be under his authority. Differences, creating +difficulties and leading to disasters, will arise whenever the political +officers are empowered to make arrangements with the tribesmen, without +consulting and sometimes without even informing the man on whose +decisions the success of the war and the lives of the soldiers directly +depend. + +The subject is a difficult one to discuss, without wounding the feelings +of those gallant men, who take all the risks of war, while the campaign +lasts, and, when it is over, live in equal peril of their lives among +the savage populations, whose dispositions they study, and whose tempers +they watch. I am glad to have done with it. + +During the stay of the brigades in Bajaur, there had been several cases +of desertion among the Afridi Sepoys. On one occasion five men of the +24th Punjaub Infantry, who were out on picket, departed in a body, and +taking their arms with them set off towards Tirah and the Khyber Pass. +As I have recorded several instances of gallantry and conduct among the +Afridis and Pathans in our ranks, it is only fitting that the reverse +of the medal should be shown. The reader, who may be interested in +the characters of the subject races of the Empire, and of the native +soldiers, on whom so much depends, will perhaps pardon a somewhat long +digression on the subject of Pathans and Sikhs. + +It should not be forgotten by those who make wholesale assertions of +treachery and untrustworthiness against the Afridi and Pathan soldiers, +that these men are placed in a very strange and false position. They are +asked to fight against their countrymen and co-religionists. On the +one side are accumulated all the forces of fanaticism, patriotism and +natural ties. On the other military associations stand alone. It is no +doubt a grievous thing to be false to an oath of allegiance, but there +are other obligations not less sacred. To respect an oath is a duty +which the individual owes to society. Yet, who would by his evidence +send a brother to the gallows? The ties of nature are older and take +precedence of all other human laws. When the Pathan is invited to +suppress his fellow-countrymen, or even to remain a spectator of their +suppression, he finds himself in a situation at which, in the words +of Burke, "Morality is perplexed, reason staggered, and from which +affrighted nature recoils." + +There are many on the frontier who realise these things, and who +sympathise with the Afridi soldier in his dilemma. An officer of the +Guides Infantry, of long experience and considerable distinction, who +commands both Sikhs and Afridis, and has led both many times in action, +writes as follows: "Personally, I don't blame any Afridis who desert +to go and defend their own country, now that we have invaded it, and I +think it is only natural and proper that they should want to do so." + +Such an opinion may be taken as typical of the views of a great number +of officers, who have some title to speak on the subject, as it is one +on which their lives might at any moment depend. + +The Sikh is the guardian of the Marches. He was originally invented to +combat the Pathan. His religion was designed to be diametrically opposed +to Mahommedanism. It was a shrewd act of policy. Fanaticism was met by +fanaticism. Religious abhorrence was added to racial hatred. The Pathan +invaders were rolled back to the mountains, and the Sikhs established +themselves at Lahore and Peshawar. The strong contrast, and much of the +animosity, remain to-day. The Sikh wears his hair down to his waist; the +Pathan shaves his head. The Sikh drinks what he will; the Pathan is +an abstainer. The Sikh is burnt after death; the Pathan would be thus +deprived of Paradise. As a soldier the Pathan is a finer shot, a hardier +man, a better marcher, especially on the hillside, and possibly an even +more brilliant fighter. He relies more on instinct than education: war +is in his blood; he is a born marksman, but he is dirty, lazy and a +spendthrift. + +In the Sikh the more civilised man appears. He does not shoot naturally, +but he learns by patient practice. He is not so tough as the Pathan, but +he delights in feats of strength--wrestling, running, or swimming. He is +a much cleaner soldier and more careful. He is frequently parsimonious, +and always thrifty, and does not generally feed himself as well as the +Pathan. [Indeed in some regiments the pay of very thin Sikhs is given +them in the form of food, and they have to be carefully watched by their +officers till they get fat and strong.] + +There are some who say that the Sikh will go on under circumstances +which will dishearten and discourage his rival, and that if the latter +has more dash he has less stamina. The assertion is not supported by +facts. In 1895, when Lieut.-Colonel Battye was killed near the Panjkora +River and the Guides were hard pressed, the subadar of the Afridi +company, turning to his countrymen, shouted: "Now, then, Afridi folk of +the Corps of Guides, the Commanding Officer's killed, now's the time +to charge!" and the British officers had the greatest difficulty in +restraining these impetuous soldiers from leaving their position, and +rushing to certain death. The story recalls the speech of the famous +cavalry colonel at the action of Tamai, when the squares were seen to be +broken, and an excited and demoralised correspondent galloped wildly up +to the squadrons, declaring that all was lost. "How do you mean, 'all's +lost'? Don't you see the 10th Hussars are here?" There are men in the +world who derive as stern an exultation from the proximity of disaster +and ruin as others from success, and who are more magnificent in defeat +than others are in victory. Such spirits are undoubtedly to be found +among the Afridis and Pathans. + +I will quote, in concluding this discussion, the opinion of an old +Gurkha subadar who had seen much fighting. He said that he liked the +Sikhs better, but would sooner have Afridis with him at a pinch than any +other breed of men in India. It is comfortable to reflect, that both are +among the soldiers of the Queen. + +Although there were no Gurkhas in the Malakand Field Force, it is +impossible to consider Indian fighting races without alluding to these +wicked little men. In appearance they resemble a bronze Japanese. Small, +active and fierce, ever with a cheery grin on their broad faces, they +combine the dash of the Pathan with the discipline of the Sikh. They +spend all their money on food, and, unhampered by religion, drink, smoke +and swear like the British soldier, in whose eyes they find more favour +than any other--as he regards them--breed of "niggers." They are pure +mercenaries, and, while they welcome the dangers, they dislike the +prolongation of a campaign, being equally eager to get back to their +wives and to the big meat meals of peace time. + +After the Utman Khels had been induced to comply with the terms, the +brigades recrossed the Panjkora River, and then marching by easy stages +down the line of communications, returned to the Malakand. The Guides, +moving back to Mardan, went into cantonments again, and turned in a +moment from war to peace. The Buffs, bitterly disappointed at having +lost their chance of joining in the Tirah expedition, remained at +Malakand in garrison. A considerable force was retained near Jalala, to +await the issue of the operations against the Afridis, and to be ready +to move against the Bunerwals, should an expedition be necessary. + +Here we leave the Malakand Field Force. It may be that there is yet +another chapter of its history which remains to be written, and that +the fine regiments of which it is composed will, under their trusted +commander, have other opportunities of playing the great game of war. +If that be so, the reader shall decide whether the account shall prolong +the tale I have told, or whether the task shall fall to another hand. +[It is an excellent instance of the capricious and haphazard manner in +which honours and rewards are bestowed in the army, that the operations +in the Mamund Valley and throughout Bajaur are commemorated by no +distinctive clasp. The losses sustained by the Brigade were indisputably +most severe. The result was successful. The conduct of the troops has +been officially commended. Yet the soldiers who were engaged in all the +rough fighting I have described in the last eight chapters have been +excluded from any of the special clasps which have been struck. They +share the general clasp with every man who crossed the frontier and with +some thousands who never saw a shot fired.] + + + + + +CHAPTER XVII: MILITARY OBSERVATIONS + + + "... And thou hast talk'd + Of sallies and retires, of trenches, tents, + Of palisadoes, frontiers, parapets, + Of basilisks, of cannon, culverin." + + "Henry IV.," Part I., Act ii., Sc.3. + + + +It may at first seem that a chapter wholly devoted to military +considerations is inappropriate to a book which, if it is to enjoy any +measure of success, must be read by many unconnected with the army. But +I remember that in these days it is necessary for every one, who means +to be well informed, to have a superficial knowledge of every one else's +business. Encouraged also by what Mr. Gladstone has called "the growing +militarism of the times," I hope that, avoiding technicalities, it may +be of some general interest to glance for a moment at the frontier war +from a purely professional point of view. My observations must be taken +as applying to the theatre of the war I have described, but I do not +doubt that many of them will be applicable to the whole frontier. + +The first and most important consideration is transport. Nobody who has +not seen for himself can realise what a great matter this is. I well +recall my amazement, when watching a camel convoy more than a mile and a +half long, escorted by half a battalion of infantry. I was informed +that it contained only two days' supplies for one brigade. People talk +lightly of moving columns hither and thither, as if they were mobile +groups of men, who had only to march about the country and fight +the enemy wherever found, and very few understand that an army is a +ponderous mass which drags painfully after it a long chain of advanced +depots, stages, rest camps, and communications, by which it is securely +fastened to a stationary base. In these valleys, where wheeled traffic +is impossible, the difficulties and cost of moving supplies are +enormous; and as none, or very few, are to be obtained within the +country, the consideration is paramount. Mule transport is for many +reasons superior to camel transport. The mule moves faster and can +traverse more difficult ground. He is also more hardy and keeps in +better condition. When Sir Bindon Blood began his advance against the +Mohmands he equipped his 2nd Brigade entirely with mules. It was thus +far more mobile, and was available for any rapid movement that might +become necessary. To mix the two--camels and mules--appears to combine +the disadvantages of both, and destroy the superiority of either. + +I have already described the Indian service camp and the "sniping" +without which no night across the frontier could be complete. I shall +therefore only notice two points, which were previously omitted, as they +looked suspiciously technical. As the night firing is sometimes varied +by more serious attacks, and even actual assaults and sword rushes, it +is thought advisable to have the ditch of the entrenchment towards the +enemy. Modern weapons notwithstanding, the ultimate appeal is to +the bayonet, and the advantage of being on the higher ground is then +considerable. + +When a battery forms part of the line round a camp, infantry soldiers +should be placed between the guns. Artillery officers do not like this; +but, though they are very good fellows, there are some things in which +it is not well to give way to them. Every one is prone to over-estimate +the power of his arm. + +In the Mamund Valley all the fighting occurred in capturing villages, +which lay in rocky and broken ground in the hollows of the mountains, +and were defended by a swarm of active riflemen. Against the quickly +moving figures of the enemy it proved almost useless to fire volleys. +The tribesmen would dart from rock to rock, exposing themselves only for +an instant, and before the attention of a section could be directed to +them and the rifles aimed, the chance and the target would have vanished +together. Better results were obtained by picking out good shots and +giving them permission to fire when they saw their opportunity, without +waiting for the word of command. But speaking generally, infantry should +push on to the attack with the bayonet without wasting much time in +firing, which can only result in their being delayed under the fire of a +well-posted enemy. + +After the capture and destruction of the village, the troops had always +to return to camp, and a retirement became necessary. The difficulty of +executing such an operation in the face of an active and numerous enemy, +armed with modern rifles, was great. I had the opportunity of witnessing +six of these retirements from the rear companies. Five were fortunate +and one was disastrous, but all were attended with loss, and as +experienced officers have informed me, with danger. As long as no one is +hit everything is successful, but as soon as a few men are wounded, the +difficulties begin. No sooner has a point been left--a knoll, a patch of +corn, some rocks, or any other incident of ground--than it is seized by +the enemy. With their excellent rifles, they kill or wound two or three +of the retiring company, whose somewhat close formation makes them a +good mark. Now, in civilised war these wounded would be left on the +ground, and matters arranged next day by parley. But on the frontier, +where no quarter is asked or given, to carry away the wounded is a +sacred duty. It is also the strenuous endeavour of every regiment +to carry away their dead. The vile and horrid mutilations which the +tribesmen inflict on all bodies that fall into their hands, and the +insults to which they expose them, add, to unphilosophic minds, another +terror to death. Now, it takes at least four men, and very often more, +to carry away a body. Observe the result. Every man hit, means five +rifles withdrawn from the firing line. Ten men hit, puts a company out +of action, as far as fighting power is concerned. The watchful enemy +press. The groups of men bearing the injured are excellent targets. +Presently the rear-guard is encumbered with wounded. Then a vigorous +charge with swords is pushed home. Thus, a disaster occurs. + +Watching the progress of events, sometimes from one regiment, sometimes +from another, I observed several ways by which these difficulties could +be avoided. The Guides, long skilled in frontier war, were the most +valuable instructors. As the enemy seize every point as soon as it +is left, all retirements should be masked by leaving two or three men +behind from each company. These keep up a brisk fire, and after the +whole company have taken up a new position, or have nearly done so, +they run back and join them. Besides this, the fire of one company in +retiring should always be arranged to cover another, and at no moment in +a withdrawal should the firing ever cease. The covering company should +be actually in position before the rear company begins to move, and +should open fire at once. I was particularly struck on 18th September by +the retirement of the Guides Infantry. These principles were carried +out with such skill and thoroughness that, though the enemy pressed +severely, only one man was wounded. The way in which Major Campbell, the +commanding officer, availed himself of the advantages of retiring down +two spurs and bringing a cross fire to bear to cover the alternate +retirements, resembled some intricate chess problem, rather than a +military evolution. + +The power of the new Lee-Metford rifle with the new Dum-Dum bullet--it +is now called, though not officially, the "ek-dum" [Hindustani for "at +once."] bullet--is tremendous. The soldiers who have used it have +the utmost confidence in their weapon. Up to 500 yards there is no +difficulty about judging the range, as it shoots quite straight, or, +technically speaking, has a flat trajectory. This is of the greatest +value. Of the bullet it may be said, that its stopping power is all +that could be desired. The Dum-Dum bullet, though not explosive, is +expansive. The original Lee-Metford bullet was a pellet of lead covered +by a nickel case with an opening at the base. In the improved bullet +this outer case has been drawn backward, making the hole in the base a +little smaller and leaving the lead at the tip exposed. The result is a +wonderful and from the technical point of view a beautiful machine. On +striking a bone this causes the bullet to "set up" or spread out, and it +then tears and splinters everything before it, causing wounds which +in the body must be generally mortal and in any limb necessitate +amputation. Continental critics have asked whether such a bullet is not +a violation of the Geneva or St. Petersburg Conventions; but no clause +of these international agreements forbids expansive bullets, and the +only provision on the subject is that shells less than a certain size +shall not be employed. I would observe that bullets are primarily +intended to kill, and that these bullets do their duty most effectually, +without causing any more pain to those struck by them, than the ordinary +lead variety. As the enemy obtained some Lee-Metford rifles and Dum-Dum +ammunition during the progress of the fighting, information on this +latter point is forthcoming. The sensation is described as similar to +that produced by any bullet--a violent numbing blow, followed by a sense +of injury and weakness, but little actual pain at the time. Indeed, +now-a-days, very few people are so unfortunate as to suffer much pain +from wounds, except during the period of recovery. A man is hit. In a +quarter of an hour, that is to say, before the shock has passed away and +the pain begins, he is usually at the dressing station. Here he is given +morphia injections, which reduce all sensations to a uniform dullness. +In this state he remains until he is placed under chloroform and +operated on. + +The necessity for having the officers in the same dress as the men, was +apparent to all who watched the operations. The conspicuous figure which +a British officer in his helmet presented in contrast to the native +soldiers in their turbans, drew a well-aimed fire in his direction. Of +course, in British regiments, the difference is not nearly so marked. +Nevertheless, at close quarters the keen-eyed tribesmen always made an +especial mark of the officers, distinguishing them chiefly, I think, by +the fact that they do not carry rifles. The following story may show how +evident this was:-- + +When the Buffs were marching down to Panjkora, they passed the Royal +West Kent coming up to relieve them at Inayat Kila. A private in the +up-going regiment asked a friend in the Buffs what it was like at the +front. "Oh," replied the latter, "you'll be all right so long as you +don't go near no officers, nor no white stones." Whether the advice +was taken is not recorded, but it was certainly sound, for three days +later--on 30th September--in those companies of the Royal West Kent +regiment that were engaged in the village of Agrah, eight out of eleven +officers were hit or grazed by bullets. + +The fatigues experienced by troops in mountain warfare are so great, +that every effort has to be made to lighten the soldier's load. At the +same time the more ammunition he carries on his person the better. Mules +laden with cartridge-boxes are very likely to be shot, and fall into +the hands of the enemy. In this manner over 6000 rounds were lost on the +16th of September by the two companies of Sikhs whose retirement I have +described. + +The thick leather belts, pouches, and valise equipment of British +infantry are unnecessarily heavy. I have heard many officers suggest +having them made of web. The argument against this is that the web +wears out. That objection could be met by having a large supply of these +equipments at the base and issuing fresh ones as soon as the old were +unfit for use. It is cheaper to wear out belts than soldiers. + +Great efforts should be made to give the soldier a piece of chocolate, a +small sausage, or something portable and nutritious to carry with him +to the field. In a war of long marches, of uncertain fortunes, of +retirements often delayed and always pressed, there have been many +occasions when regiments and companies have unexpectedly had to stop out +all night without food. It is well to remember that the stomach governs +the world. + +The principle of concentrating artillery has long been admitted in +Europe. Sir Bindon Blood is the first general who has applied it to +mountain warfare in India. It had formerly been the custom to use the +guns by twos and threes. As we have seen, at the action of Landakai, the +Malakand Field Force had eighteen guns in action, of which twelve were +in one line. The fire of this artillery drove the enemy, who were in +great strength and an excellent position, from the ground. The infantry +attack was accomplished with hardly any loss, and a success was obtained +at a cost of a dozen lives which would have been cheap at a hundred. + +After this, it may seem strange if I say that the artillery fire in the +Mamund Valley did very little execution. It is nevertheless a fact. The +Mamunds are a puny tribe, but they build their houses in the rocks; +and against sharpshooters in broken ground, guns can do little. Through +field-glasses it was possible to see the enemy dodging behind their +rocks, whenever the puffs of smoke from the guns told them that a shell +was on its way. Perhaps smokeless powder would have put a stop to this. +But in any case, the targets presented to the artillery were extremely +bad. + +Where they really were of great service, was not so much in killing the +enemy, but in keeping them from occupying certain spurs and knolls. On +30th September, when the Royal West Kent and the 31st Punjaub Infantry +were retiring under considerable pressure, the British Mountain Battery +moved to within 700 yards of the enemy, and opened a rapid fire of +shrapnel on the high ground which commanded the line of retreat, killing +such of the tribesmen as were there, and absolutely forbidding the hill +to their companions. + +In all rearguard actions among the mountains the employment of artillery +is imperative. Even two guns may materially assist the extrication of +the infantry from the peaks and crags of the hillside, and prevent by +timely shells the tribesmen from seizing each point as soon as it is +evacuated. But there is no reason why the artillery should be stinted, +and at least two batteries, if available, should accompany a brigade to +the attack. + +Signalling by heliograph was throughout the operations of the greatest +value. I had always realised the advantages of a semi-permanent line +of signal stations along the communications to the telegraph, but I had +doubted the practicability of using such complicated arrangements in +action. In this torrid country, where the sun is always shining, +the heliograph is always useful. As soon as any hill was taken, +communication was established with the brigadier, and no difficulty +seemed to be met with, even while the attack was in progress, in sending +messages quickly and clearly. In a country intersected by frequent +ravines, over which a horse can move but slowly and painfully, it is the +surest, the quickest, and indeed the only means of intercommunication. +I am delighted to testify to these things, because I had formerly been a +scoffer. + +I have touched on infantry and artillery, and, though a previous chapter +has been almost wholly devoted to the cavalry, I cannot resist the +desire to get back to the horses and the lances again. The question of +sword or lance as the cavalryman's weapon has long been argued, and +it may be of interest to consider what are the views of those whose +experience is the most recent. Though I have had no opportunity of +witnessing the use of the lance, I have heard the opinions of many +officers both of the Guides and the 11th Bengal Lancers. All admit or +assert that the lance is in this warfare the better weapon. It kills +with more certainty and convenience, and there is less danger of the +horseman being cut down. As to length, the general opinion seems to be +in favour of a shorter spear. This, with a counter poise at the butt, +gives as good a reach and is much more useful for close quarters. Major +Beatson, one of the most distinguished cavalry officers on the frontier, +is a strong advocate of this. Either the pennon should be knotted, or a +boss of some sort affixed about eighteen inches below the point. Unless +this be done there is a danger of the lance penetrating too far, when +it either gets broken or allows the enemy to wriggle up and strike the +lancer. This last actually happened on several occasions. + +Now, in considering the question to what extent a squadron should be +armed with lances, the system adopted by the Guides may be of interest. +In this warfare it is very often necessary for the cavalryman to +dismount and use his carbine. The lance then gets in the way and has to +be tied to the saddle. This takes time, and there is usually not much +time to spare in cavalry skirmishing. The Guides compromise matters +by giving one man in every four a lance. This man, when the others +dismount, stays in the saddle and holds their horses. They also give the +outer sections of each squadron lances, and these, too, remain mounted, +as the drill-book enjoins. But I become too technical. + +I pass for a moment to combined tactics. In frontier warfare Providence +is on the side of the good band-o-bust [arrangements]. There are no +scenic effects or great opportunities, and the Brigadier who leaves +the mountains with as good a reputation as he entered them has proved +himself an able, sensible man. The general who avoids all "dash," who +never starts in the morning looking for a fight and without any definite +intention, who does not attempt heroic achievements, and who keeps his +eye on his watch, will have few casualties and little glory. For the +enemy do not become formidable until a mistake has been made. The public +who do not believe in military operations without bloodshed may be +unattentive. His subordinate officers may complain that they have had no +fighting. But in the consciousness of duty skillfully performed and of +human life preserved he will find a high reward. + +A general review of the frontier war will, I think, show the great +disadvantages to which regular troops are exposed in fighting an active +enterprising enemy that can move faster and shoot better, who knows the +country and who knows the ranges. The terrible losses inflicted on the +tribesmen in the Swat Valley show how easily disciplined troops can +brush away the bravest savages in the open. But on the hillside all is +changed, and the observer will be struck by the weakness rather than the +strength of modern weapons. Daring riflemen, individually superior to +the soldiers, and able to support the greatest fatigues, can always +inflict loss, although they cannot bar their path. + +The military problem with which the Spaniards are confronted in Cuba +is in many points similar to that presented in the Afghan valleys; a +roadless, broken and undeveloped country; an absence of any strategic +points; a well-armed enemy with great mobility and modern rifles, who +adopts guerilla tactics. The results in either case are, that the troops +can march anywhere, and do anything, except catch the enemy; and that +all their movements must be attended with loss. + +If the question of subduing the tribes be regarded from a purely +military standpoint, if time were no object, and there was no danger of +a lengthy operation being interrupted by a change of policy at home, +it would appear that the efforts of commanders should be, to induce the +tribesmen to assume the offensive. On this point I must limit my remarks +to the flat-bottomed valleys of Swat and Bajaur. To coerce a tribe like +the Mamunds, a mixed brigade might camp at the entrance to the valley, +and as at Inayat Kila, entrench itself very strongly. The squadron +of cavalry could patrol the valley daily in complete security, as the +tribesmen would not dare to leave the hills. All sowing of crops and +agricultural work would be stopped. The natives would retaliate by +firing into the camp at night. This would cause loss; but if every one +were to dig a good hole to sleep in, and if the officers were made to +have dinner before sundown, and forbidden to walk about except on duty +after dark, there is no reason why the loss should be severe. At length +the tribesmen, infuriated by the occupation of their valley, and perhaps +rendered desperate by the approach of famine and winter, would make a +tremendous attempt to storm the camp. With a strong entrenchment, a wire +trip to break a rush, and modern rifles, they would be driven off with +great slaughter, and once severely punished would probably beg for +terms. If not, the process would be continued until they did so. + +Such a military policy would cost about the same in money as the +vigorous methods I have described, as though smaller numbers of troops +might be employed, they would have to remain mobilised and in the field +for a longer period. But the loss in personnel would be much less. +As good an example of the success of this method as can be found, is +provided by Sir Bindon Blood's tactics at Nawagai, when, being too weak +to attack the enemy himself, he encouraged them to attack him, and then +beat them off with great loss. + +From the point which we have now reached, it is possible, and perhaps +not undesirable, to take a rapid yet sweeping glance of the larger +military problems of the day. We have for some years adopted the "short +service" system. It is a continental system. It has many disadvantages. +Troops raised under it suffer from youth, want of training and lack of +regimental associations. But on the Continent it has this one, paramount +recommendation: it provides enormous numbers. The active army is merely +a machine for manufacturing soldiers quickly, and passing them into the +reserves, to be stored until they are wanted. European nations deal with +soldiers only in masses. Great armies of men, not necessarily of a high +standard of courage and training, but armed with deadly weapons, are +directed against one another, under varying strategical conditions. +Before they can rebound, thousands are slaughtered and a great battle +has been won or lost. The average courage of the two nations may perhaps +have been decided. The essence of the continental system is its gigantic +scale. + +We have adopted this system in all respects but one, and that the vital +one. We have got the poor quality, without the great quantity. We +have, by the short service system, increased our numbers a little, and +decreased our standard a good deal. The reason that this system, which +is so well adapted to continental requirements, confers no advantages +upon us is obvious. Our army is recruited by a voluntary system. Short +service and conscription are inseparable. For this reason, several stern +soldiers advocate conscription. But many words will have to be spoken, +many votes voted, and perhaps many blows struck before the British +people would submit to such an abridgment of their liberties, or such a +drag upon their commerce. It will be time to make such sacrifices when +the English Channel runs dry. + +Without conscription we cannot have great numbers. It should therefore +be our endeavour to have those we possess of the best quality; and our +situation and needs enforce this view. Our soldiers are not required +to operate in great masses, but very often to fight hand to hand. Their +campaigns are not fought in temperate climates and civilised countries. +They are sent beyond the seas to Africa or the Indian frontier, and +there, under a hot sun and in a pestilential land, they are engaged in +individual combat with athletic savages. They are not old enough for the +work. + +Young as they are, their superior weapons and the prestige of the +dominant race enable them to maintain their superiority over the +native troops. But in the present war several incidents have occurred, +unimportant, insignificant, it is true, but which, in the interests of +Imperial expediency, are better forgotten. The native regiments are +ten years older than the British regiments. Many of their men have seen +service and have been under fire. Some of them have several medals. All, +of course, are habituated to the natural conditions. It is evident how +many advantages they enjoy. It is also apparent how very serious the +consequences would be if they imagined they possessed any superiority. +That such an assumption should even be possible is a menace to our very +existence in India. Intrinsic merit is the only title of a dominant race +to its possessions. If we fail in this it is not because our spirit +is old and grown weak, but because our soldiers are young, and not yet +grown strong. + +Boys of twenty-one and twenty-two are expected to compete on equal terms +with Sikhs and Gurkhas of thirty, fully developed and in the prime of +life. It is an unfair test. That they should have held their own is a +splendid tribute to the vigour of our race. The experiment is dangerous, +and it is also expensive. We continue to make it because the idea is +still cherished that British armies will one day again play a part +in continental war. When the people of the United Kingdom are foolish +enough to allow their little army to be ground to fragments between +continental myriads, they will deserve all the misfortunes that will +inevitably come upon them. + +I am aware that these arguments are neither original nor new. I have +merely arranged them. I am also aware that there are able, brilliant men +who have spent their lives in the service of the State, who do not take +the views I have quoted. The question has been regarded from an Indian +point of view. There is probably no colonel in India, who commands a +British regiment, who would not like to see his men five years older. It +may be that the Indian opinion on the subject is based only on partial +information, and warped by local circumstances. Still I have thought it +right to submit it to the consideration of the public, at a time when +the army has been filling such a prominent position, not only in the +Jubilee procession and the frontier war, but also in the estimates +presented to the House of Commons. + +Passing from the concrete to the abstract, it may not be unfitting that +these pages, which have recorded so many valiant deeds, should contain +some brief inquiry into the nature of those motives which induce men +to expose themselves to great hazards, and to remain in situations of +danger. The circumstances of war contain every element that can shake +the nerves. The whizzing of the projectiles; the shouts and yells of a +numerous and savage enemy; the piteous aspect of the wounded, covered +with blood and sometimes crying out in pain; the spurts of dust which on +all sides show where Fate is stepping--these are the sights and sounds +which assail soldiers, whose development and education enable them to +fully appreciate their significance. And yet the courage of the soldier +is the commonest of virtues. Thousands of men, drawn at random from the +population, are found to control the instinct of self-preservation. Nor +is this courage peculiar to any particular nation. Courage is not only +common, but cosmopolitan. But such are the apparent contradictions of +life, that this virtue, which so many seem to possess, all hold the +highest. There is probably no man, however miserable, who would not +writhe at being exposed a coward. Why should the common be precious? +What is the explanation? + +It appears to be this. The courage of the soldier is not really contempt +for physical evils and indifference to danger. It is a more or less +successful attempt to simulate these habits of mind. Most men aspire to +be good actors in the play. There are a few who are so perfect that they +do not seem to be actors at all. This is the ideal after which the rest +are striving. It is one very rarely attained. + +Three principal influences combine to assist men in their attempts: +preparation, vanity and sentiment. The first includes all the force +of discipline and training. The soldier has for years contemplated the +possibility of being under fire. He has wondered vaguely what kind of +an experience it would be. He has seen many who have gone through it and +returned safely. His curiosity is excited. Presently comes the occasion. +By road and railway he approaches daily nearer to the scene. His +mind becomes familiar with the prospect. His comrades are in the same +situation. Habit, behind which force of circumstances is concealed, +makes him conform. At length the hour arrives. He observes the darting +puffs of smoke in the distance. He listens to the sounds that are in the +air. Perhaps he hears something strike with a thud and sees a soldier +near him collapse like a shot pheasant. He realises that it may be his +turn next. Fear grips him by the throat. + +Then vanity, the vice which promotes so many virtues, asserts itself. +He looks at his comrades and they at him. So far he has shown no sign of +weakness. He thinks, they are thinking him brave. The dearly longed-for +reputation glitters before his eyes. He executes the orders he receives. + +But something else is needed to made a hero. Some other influence must +help him through the harder trials and more severe ordeals which may +befall him. It is sentiment which makes the difference in the end. Those +who doubt should stroll to the camp fire one night and listen to the +soldiers' songs. Every one clings to something that he thinks is high +and noble, or that raises him above the rest of the world in the hour of +need. Perhaps he remembers that he is sprung from an ancient stock, +and of a race that has always known how to die; or more probably it +is something smaller and more intimate; the regiment, whatever it is +called--"The Gordons," "The Buffs," "The Queen's,"--and so nursing the +name--only the unofficial name of an infantry battalion after all--he +accomplishes great things and maintains the honour and the Empire of the +British people. + +It may be worth while, in the matter of names, to observe the advantages +to a regiment of a monosyllabic appellation. Every one will remember +Lieut.-Colonel Mathias' speech to the Gordons. Imagine for a moment that +speech addressed to some regiment saddled with a fantastic title on the +territorial system, as, for instance, Mr. Kipling's famous regiment, +"The Princess Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen-Anspach's Merthyr Tydvilshire Own +Royal Loyal Light Infantry." With the old numbers all started on equal +terms. + +This has been perhaps a cold-blooded chapter. We have considered men +as targets; tribesmen, fighting for their homes and hills, have been +regarded only as the objective of an attack; killed and wounded human +beings, merely as the waste of war. We have even attempted to analyse +the high and noble virtue of courage, in the hopes of learning how it +may be manufactured. + +The philosopher may observe with pity, and the philanthropist deplore +with pain, that the attention of so many minds should be directed to the +scientific destruction of the human species; but practical people in a +business-like age will remember that they live in a world of men--not +angels--and regulate their conduct accordingly. + + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. AND LAST.: THE RIDDLE OF THE FRONTIER + + + "Myself when young did eagerly frequent + Doctor and saint, and heard great argument + About it and about, but evermore + Came out by the same door wherein I went." + + OMAR KHAYYAM. + + + +These pages, which have chronicled a variety of small incidents, have +hitherto concerned themselves little with the great matters out of +which those incidents have arisen. As an opening chapter should lead +the reader to expect the considerations that the book contains, so the +conclusion should express the opinion he might form from the perusal. +When, at an earlier period, I refrained from discussing the question of +frontier policy, I declared that its consideration was only postponed +until a more propitious moment. That moment now presents itself. There +will not be wanting those who will remind me, that in this matter my +opinion is not supported by age or experience. To such I shall reply, +that if what is written is false or foolish, neither age nor experience +should fortify it; and if it is true, it needs no such support. +The propositions of Euclid would be no less indisputable were they +propounded by an infant or an idiot. + +The inquirer sees the vast question unfold itself with feelings like +those with which the fisherman in the old story watched the genius he +had unwittingly released, rise from the bottle in clouds of smoke, which +overspread the whole sky. Every moment the subject appears not only +wider but deeper. When I reflect on the great number of diverse +and often conflicting facts which may be assembled under every +head--military, economic, political or moral--and consider the +accumulations of specialised and technical knowledge necessary for their +proper appreciation, I am convinced that to compass the whole is beyond +the mind and memory of man. Of such a question it is difficult to take +broad views, and dangerous to generalise. Still less is it possible, as +many people appear to imagine, to settle it with a phrase or an epigram. +A point is reached where all relation between detail and proportion +is lost. It is a picture of such great size that to see it all, it +is necessary to stand so far off that neither colours nor figures are +distinguishable. By constantly changing the point of view, some true +perspective is possible, and even then the conception must be twisted +and distorted, by the imperfections of the mental mirror. + +Sensible of the magnitude of the task, and conscious of my own weakness, +I propose to examine in a spirit of cautious inquiry and of tolerance +the present "Forward Policy," and thence to approach the main question, +to the answer of which that policy is only a guess. + +I must revert to a period when the British power, having conquered the +plains of India and subdued its sovereigns, paused at the foot of +the Himalayas and turned its tireless energy to internal progress and +development. The "line of the mountains" formed a frontier as plain and +intelligible as that which defines the limits of the sea. To the south +lay the British Empire in India; to the north were warlike tribes, +barbarous, unapproachable, irreclaimable; and far beyond these, lay the +other great Power of Asia. + +It was long the wisdom of Anglo-Indian statesmen to preserve a situation +which contained so many elements of finality, and so many guarantees of +peace. When the northern savages, impelled by fanaticism or allured by +plunder, descended from the mountains and invaded the plains, they were +met by equal courage and superior discipline, and driven in disorder to +their confines. But this was found to be an inadequate deterrent, and +the purely defensive principle had to be modified in favor of that +system of punitive expeditions which has been derided as the policy of +"Butcher and Bolt." + +Gradually, as the circumstances altered, the methods of dealing with +them changed. The punitive expeditions had awakened an intense hostility +among the tribesmen. The intrigues of Russia had for some time been +watched with alarm by the Indian Government. As long as the border could +remain a "No-man's land"--as it were a "great gulf fixed"--all was well; +but if any power was to be supreme, that power must neither be Russia +nor Afghanistan. ["We shall consider it from the first incumbent upon +the Government of India to prevent, at any cost, the establishment +within this outlying country of the political preponderance of any other +power."--Letter from Government of India to the Secretary of State, +No.49, 28th February, 1879.] The predominance of Russian influence in +these territories would give them the power to invade India at their +discretion, with what chances of success need not be here discussed. +The predominance of Afghan influence would make the Amir master of +the situation, and enable him to blackmail the Indian Government +indefinitely. A change of policy, a departure from the old frontier +line, presented itself with increasing force to responsible men. To-day +we see the evils that have resulted from that change. The dangers that +inspired it have been modified. + +For some years the opinion in favour of an advance grew steadily among +those in power in India. In 1876 a decisive step was taken. Roused by +the efforts of the Amir to obtain the suzerainty of the Pathan tribes, +Lord Lytton's Government stretched a hand through Cashmere towards +Chitral, and the Mehtar of that State became the vassal, nominally of +the Maharaja of Cashmere, but practically of the Imperial Government. +The avowed object was to ultimately secure the effectual command of the +passes of the Hindu Kush. [Despatch No.17, 11th June, 1877.] The British +Ministry, the famous ministry of Lord Beaconsfield, approved the action +and endorsed the policy. Again, in 1879, the Vice-regal Government, in +an official despatch, declared their intention of acquiring, "through +the ruler of Cashmere, the power of making such political and military +arrangements as will effectually command the passes of the Hindu Kush." +[Despatch No.49, 28th February, 1879.] "If," so runs the despatch, "we +*extend and by degrees consolidate our influence* [The italics are mine] +over this country, and if we resolve that no foreign interference can be +permitted on this side of the mountains or within the drainage system of +the Indus, we shall have laid down a natural line of frontier, which +is distinct, intelligible and likely to be respected." [Despatch No.49, +28th February, 1879.] + +No declaration of policy or intention could have been more explicit. +The words to "extend and consolidate our influence" can, when applied to +barbarous peoples, have no other meaning than ultimate annexation. Thus +the scheme of an advance from the plains of India into the mountain +region, which had long been maturing in men's minds and which was shaped +and outlined by many small emergencies and expedients, was clearly +proclaimed. The forward movement had begun. A fresh and powerful impulse +was imparted after the termination of Lord Ripon's viceroyalty. The open +aggression which characterised the Russian frontier policy of '84 and +'85 had been met by a supine apathy and indifference to the interests +of the State, which deserved, and which, had the issues been less +important, might have received actual punishment. It was natural that +his immediate successors should strive to dissociate themselves from the +follies and the blunders of those years. The spirit of reaction led +to the final abandonment of the venerable policy of non-intervention. +Instead of the "line of the mountains," it was now maintained that +the passes through them must be held. This is the so-called "Forward +Policy." It is a policy which aims at obtaining the frontier--Gilgit, +Chitral, Jelalabad, Kandahar. + +In pursuance of that policy we have been led to build many frontier +forts, to construct roads, to annex territories, and to enter upon more +intimate relations with the border tribes. The most marked incident in +that policy has been the retention of Chitral. This act was regarded by +the tribesmen as a menace to their independence, and by the priesthood +as the prelude to a general annexation. Nor were they wrong, for such is +the avowed aim of the "Forward Policy." The result of the retention +of Chitral has been, as I have already described, that the priesthood, +knowing that their authority would be weakened by civilisation, have +used their religious influence on the people to foment a general rising. + +It is useless to discuss the Chitral question independently. If the +"Forward Policy" be justified, then the annexation of Chitral, its +logical outcome, is also justified. The bye and the main plots stand or +fall together. + +So far then we have advanced and have been resisted. The "Forward +Policy" has brought an increase of territory, a nearer approach to what +is presumably a better frontier line and--war. All this was to have been +expected. It may be said of the present system that it precludes the +possibility of peace. Isolated posts have been formed in the midst of +races notoriously passionate, reckless and warlike. They are challenges. +When they are assailed by the tribesmen, relieving and punitive +expeditions become necessary. All this is the outcome of a recognised +policy, and was doubtless foreseen by those who initiated it. What +may be called strange is that the forts should be badly +constructed--cramped, as the Malakand positions; commanded, like +Chakdara; without flank defences, as at Saraghari; without proper +garrisons, as in the Khyber. This is a side issue and accidental. The +rest of the situation has been deliberately created. + +The possibility of a great combination among the border tribes was +indeed not contemplated. Separated by distance, and divided by faction, +it was anticipated they could be dealt with in detail. On this point we +have been undeceived. + +That period of war and disturbance which was the inevitable first +consequence of the "Forward Policy" must in any case have been disturbed +and expensive. Regarded from an economic standpoint, the trade of the +frontier valleys will never pay a shilling in the pound on the military +expenditure necessary to preserve order. Morally, it is unfortunate for +the tribesmen that our spheres of influence clash with their spheres of +existence. Even on the military question, a purely technical question, +as to whether an advanced frontier line is desirable or not, opinion is +divided. Lord Roberts says one thing; Mr. Morley another. + +There is no lack of arguments against the "Forward Policy." There are +many who opposed its initiation. There are many who oppose it now; who +think that nothing should have lured the Government of India beyond +their natural frontier line, and who maintain that it would have been +both practical and philosophic had they said: "Over all the plains +of India will we cast our rule. There we will place our governors and +magistrates; our words shall be respected and our laws obeyed. But that +region, where the land rises like the waves of a sea, shall serve us as +a channel of stormy waters to divide us from our foes and rivals." + +But it is futile to engage in the controversies of the past. There are +sufficient in the present, and it is with the present we are concerned. + +We have crossed the Rubicon. In the opinion of all those who know most +about the case, the forward movement is now beyond recall. Indeed, when +the intense hostility of the Border tribes, the uncertain attitude of +the Amir, the possibilities of further Russian aggression and the state +of feeling in India are considered, it is difficult to dispute this +judgment. Successive Indian Administrations have urged, successive +English Cabinets have admitted, the necessity of finding a definite and +a defensible frontier. The old line has been left, and between that +line and an advanced line continuous with Afghan territory, and south of +which all shall be reduced to law and order, there does not appear to be +any prospect of a peaceful and permanent settlement. + +The responsibility of placing us in this position rests with those +who first forsook the old frontier policy of holding the "line of the +mountains." The historian of the future, with impartial pen and a more +complete knowledge, must pronounce on the wisdom of their act. In the +meantime it should be remembered of these great men, that they +left their public offices amid the applause and admiration of their +contemporaries, and, "in the full tide of successful experiment." Nor +can so much be said of all those who have assailed them. Those who +decided, have accepted the responsibility, and have defended their +action. But I am inclined to think that the rulers of India, ten years +ago or a hundred years ago, were as much the sport of circumstances as +their successors are to-day. + +Let us return to the present and our own affairs. We have embarked on +stormy and perilous waters. The strong current of events forbids return. +The sooner the farther shore is reached, the sooner will the dangers and +discomforts of the voyage be over. All are anxious to make the land. +The suggestions as to the course are numerous. There are some, bad and +nervous sailors perhaps, who insist upon returning, although they are +told it is impossible, and who would sink the ship sooner than go on, +were they not outnumbered by their shipmates. While they are delaying, +the current bears us towards more disturbed waters and more rocky +landing places. + +There are others who call out for "Full steam ahead," and would +accomplish the passage at once, whatever the risks. But alas! The ship +is run out of coal and can only spread its sails to the varying breezes, +take advantage of favorable tides, and must needs lie to when the waves +are high. + +But the sensible passenger may, though he knows the difficulties of the +voyage and the dangers of the sea, fairly ask the man at the wheel to +keep a true and constant course. He may with reason and justice insist +that, whatever the delays which the storms or accidents may cause, the +head of the vessel shall be consistently pointed towards the distant +port, and that come what will she shall not be allowed to drift +aimlessly hither and thither on the chance of fetching up somewhere some +day. + +The "Full steam ahead" method would be undoubtedly the most desirable. +This is the military view. Mobilise, it is urged, a nice field force, +and operate at leisure in the frontier valleys, until they are as safe +and civilised as Hyde Park. Nor need this course necessarily involve the +extermination of the inhabitants. Military rule is the rule best suited +to the character and comprehension of the tribesmen. They will soon +recognise the futility of resistance, and will gradually welcome the +increase of wealth and comfort that will follow a stable government. +Besides this, we shall obtain a definite frontier almost immediately. +Only one real objection has been advanced against this plan. But it is +a crushing one, and it constitutes the most serious argument against the +whole "Forward Policy." It is this: we have neither the troops nor the +money to carry it out. + +The inevitable alternative is the present system, a system which the war +has interrupted, but to which we must return at its close; a system of +gradual advance, of political intrigue among the tribes, of subsidies +and small expeditions. + +Though this policy is slow, painful and somewhat undignified, there +is no reason that it should not be sure and strong. But it must be +consistently pursued. Dynamite in the hands of a child is not more +dangerous than a strong policy weakly carried out. The reproach which +may be justly laid upon the rulers of India, whether at home or abroad, +is that while they recognise the facts, they shrink from the legitimate +conclusions. + +They know they cannot turn back. They fully intend to go on. Yet they +fear to admit the situation, to frankly lay their case before the +country, and trust to the good sense and courage of an ancient +democracy. The result is, that they tie their hands by ridiculous and +unnecessary proclamations, such as that which preceded the Chitral +expedition of 1895. The political officers who watch the frontier tribes +are expected to obtain authority by force of personal character, yet +strictly according to regulations, and to combine individuality with +uniformity. And sometimes this timidity leads to such dismal acts of +folly as the desertion of the Khyber forts. + +But in spite of all obstacles and errors there is a steady advance, +which may be accelerated, and made easier, by many small reforms. These +questions of detail approach so near the province of the specialist, +that I shall not attempt to enumerate or discuss them. It is suggested +among other things that wider powers should be given to the political +officers, in their ordinary duties of peace. Others advocate occasional +demonstrations of troops, to impress the tribesmen with the fact that +those they see are not the full strength of the Sirkar. Bolder minds +have hinted at transplanting young Pathans, and educating them in India +after the custom of the Romans. But this last appears to be suitable to +a classic rather than a Christian age. + +From a general survey of the people and the country, it would seem that +silver makes a better weapon than steel. A system of subsidies must tend +to improve our relations with the tribes, enlist their interests on +the side of law and order, and by increasing their wealth, lessen their +barbarism. In the matter of the supply of arms the Government would find +it cheaper to enter the market as a purchaser, and have agents to outbid +the tribesmen, rather than to employ soldiers. As water finds its own +level, so the laws of economics will infallibly bring commodities to the +highest bidder. Doubtless there are many other lessons which the present +war will have taught. These may lighten a task which, though long and +heavy, is not beyond the powers or pluck of the British people. + +We are at present in a transition stage, nor is the manner nor occasion +of the end in sight. Still this is no time to despair. I have often +noticed in these Afghan valleys, that they seem to be entirely +surrounded by the hills, and to have no exit. But as the column has +advanced, a gap gradually becomes visible and a pass appears. Sometimes +it is steep and difficult, sometimes it is held by the enemy and must be +forced, but I have never seen a valley that had not a way out. That way +we shall ultimately find, if we march with the firm but prudent step of +men who know the dangers; but, conscious of their skill and discipline, +do not doubt their ability to deal with them as they shall arise. In +such a spirit I would leave the subject, with one farewell glance. + +Looking on the story of the great frontier war; at all that has been +told, and all that others may tell, there must be many who to-day will +only deplore the losses of brave soldiers and hard-earned money. But +those who from some future age shall, by steady light of history, +dispassionately review the whole situation, its causes, results and +occasion, may find other reflections, as serious perhaps, but less +mournful. The year 1897, in the annals of the British people, was +marked by a declaration to the whole world of their faith in the higher +destinies of their race. If a strong man, when the wine sparkles at the +feast and the lights are bright, boasts of his prowess, it is well +he should have an opportunity of showing in the cold and grey of the +morning that he is no idle braggart. And unborn arbiters, with a wider +knowledge, and more developed brains, may trace in recent events the +influence of that mysterious Power which, directing the progress of our +species, and regulating the rise and fall of Empires, has afforded that +opportunity to a people, of whom at least it may be said, that they have +added to the happiness, the learning and the liberties of mankind. + + + + + APPENDIX. + + EXTRACTS FROM OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. + + + THE ATTACK ON THE MALAKAND. + 26th July -- 1st August, 1897. + + FROM THE DESPATCH OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL W.H. MEIKLEJOHN, C.B., C.M.G. + + FORWARDED TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL IN INDIA BY SIR BINDON BLOOD. + + +43. All have done well, but I should like to bring before His Excellency +for favorable consideration the following names of officers and men:-- + + + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + +Lieut.-Colonel J. Lamb, who, on the first alarm being sounded on the +night of the 26th July, had taken prompt action in reinforcing the +outpost line held by his regiment, and later was of great assistance +in directing the defence of the central enclosure, till he was severely +wounded. + +Captain H.F. Holland showed great courage in assisting to drive a number +of the enemy out of the central enclosure, and was severely wounded in +doing so. + +I would especially wish to mention Lieutenant S.H. Climo, who commanded +the 24th Punjaub Infantry after Lieut.-Colonel Lamb and Captain Holland +had been wounded. This officer has shown soldierly qualities and ability +of the highest order. He has commanded the regiment with dash and +enterprise, and shown a spirit and example which has been followed by +all ranks. I trust His Excellency will be pleased to favourably notice +Lieutenant Climo, who has proved himself an officer who will do well in +any position, and is well worthy of promotion. + +Lieutenant A.K. Rawlins has behaved well all through. I would recommend +him to His Excellency for the plucky way in which he went to the fort on +the 26th July to bring reinforcements, and again for the dash he showed +in leading his men on the 27th and 28th, of which Lieutenant Climo +speaks most highly. + +Lieutenant E.W. Costello, 22nd Punjaub Infantry, temporarily attached +to the 24th Punjaub Infantry, has behaved exceedingly well, and is the +subject of a separate recommendation. + + + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + +Major M.I. Gibbs, who commanded the regiment in the absence of Major +O'Bryen, with skill and in every way to my satisfaction. + +Lieutenant H.B. Ford, Acting-Adjutant, 31st Punjaub Infantry, rendered +valuable assistance in helping to bring in a wounded Sepoy during the +withdrawal from north camp. He also behaved with courage in resisting +an attack of the enemy on the night of the 28th, when he was severely +wounded. + +Surgeon-Lieutenant J.H. Hugo, attached to 31st Punjaub Infantry, +rendered valuable service on the night of the 28th in saving Lieutenant +H.B. Ford from bleeding to death. Lieutenant Ford was wounded and a +branch of an artery was cut. There were no means of securing the artery, +and Surgeon-Lieutenant Hugo for two hours stopped the bleeding by +compressing the artery with his fingers. Had he not had the strength to +do so, Lieutenant Ford must have died. Early in the morning, thinking +that the enemy had effected an entrance into camp, Surgeon-Lieutenant +Hugo picked up Lieutenant Ford with one arm, and, still holding the +artery with the fingers of the other hand, carried him to a place of +safety. + + + 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs. + +Colonel H.A. Sawyer was away on leave when hostilities broke out, but +he returned on the 29th and took over command of the regiment from +Lieut.-Colonel McRae, and from that time rendered me every assistance. + +I would specially bring to the notice of His Excellency the +Commander-in-chief the name of Lieut.-Colonel H.N. McRae, who commanded +the regiment on the 26th, 27th and 28th. His prompt action in seizing +the gorge at the top of the Buddhist road on the night of the 26th, and +the gallant way in which he held it, undoubtedly saved the camp from +being rushed on that side. For this, and for the able way in which he +commanded the regiment during the first three days of the fighting, I +would commend him to His Excellency's favorable consideration. + +Also Lieutenant R.M. Barff, Officiating-Adjutant of the regiment, who, +Lieut.-Colonel McRae reports, behaved with great courage and rendered +him valuable assistance. + + + The Guides. + +I also wish to bring the name of Lieut.-Colonel R.B. Adams of the Guides +to His Excellency's notice. The prompt way in which the corps mobilised, +and their grand march, reflect great credit on him and the corps. Since +arrival at the Malakand on the 27th July and till the morning of the +1st August, Lieut.-Colonel Adams was in command of the lower camp, i.e., +that occupied by central and left position, and in the execution of this +command, and the arrangements he made for improving the defenses, he +gave me every satisfaction. I have also to express my appreciation of +the way in which he conducted the cavalry reconnaissance on the 1st +August, on which occasion his horse was shot under him. + +Great credit is due to Lieutenant P.C. Eliott-Lockhart, who was in +command of the Guides Infantry, for bringing up the regiment from Mardan +to Malakand in such good condition after their trying march. + +Captain G.M. Baldwin, D.S.O., behaved with great courage and coolness +during the reconnaissance of the 1st August, and though severely wounded +by a sword cut on the head, he remained on the ground and continued to +lead his men. + +Lieutenant H.L.S. Maclean also behaved with courage, and displayed an +excellent example on the night of the 28th July, when he was severely +wounded. + + + 11th Bengal Lancers. + +Major S. Beatson commanded the squadron, 11th Bengal Lancers, which +arrived at Malakand on the 29th, and led them with great skill and dash +on the occasion of the reconnaissance on the 1st August. + + + No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery. + +Lieutenant F.A. Wynter was the only officer with No.8 Bengal Mountain +Battery from the 26th till the 30th July, and he commanded it during +that time, when all the severest of the fighting was going on, with +great ability, and has proved himself a good soldier. I should like +especially to mention him for His Excellency's consideration. The +battery did excellent work all through. + + + No.5 Company Queen's Own Madras Sappers and Miners. + +Lieutenant A.R. Winsloe, R.E., commanded the company from the 27th +July till the 1st August to my entire satisfaction. His services in +strengthening the defences were invaluable. + +Lieutenant F.W. Watling, R.E., was in command of the company in the +absence of Captain Johnson on the 26th, and commanded it well until he +was wounded in gallantly trying to resist a charge of the enemy. After +Lieutenant Watling was wounded the command of the company for the +remainder of the night of the 26th, and till Lieutenant Winsloe returned +on the 27th, devolved on Lieutenant E.N. Manley, R.E. He performed his +duties with great credit, and afterwards was of great assistance, by his +zeal and his exertions, to Lieutenant Winsloe. + + + Medical Staff. + +Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel F.A. Smyth was most zealous, and +performed his duties to my satisfaction. He volunteered to perform +the duties of Provost Marshal, and did so for a short time during the +illness of Lieutenant H.E. Cotterill. + +The arrangements made by Surgeon-Major S. Hassand, Senior Medical +Officer, 38th Native Field Hospital, and the indefatigable attention and +care with which he devoted himself to the wounded, deserve great praise. +The list of casualties is large, and Surgeon-Major Hassand has been +untiring in his exertions for their relief. I hope His Excellency will +think fit to consider his services favourably. + +Surgeon-Captain T.A.O. Langston, 38th Native Field Hospital, rendered +valuable assistance in attending to the wounded under a heavy fire on +the night of the 26th and each following night, and behaved with +courage and devotion in carrying out his duties under very exceptional +circumstances. Surgeon-Lieutenant W. Carr has worked night and day in +the hospitals, in trying to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded, and +has most ably and efficiently aided Surgeon-Major Hassand. + + + Brigade Staff. + +Major L. Herbert, my Deputy Assistant Adjutant and +Quartermaster-General, was of the greatest assistance to me by the zeal +and energy with which he performed his duties from the moment the news +of the approach of the enemy was received till he was severely wounded +while standing next to me in the enclosure of the Sappers and Miners' +camp on the night of the 26th. Since being wounded, he has carried on +all his office duties on his bed. I would wish to commend his gallant +conduct for the favorable consideration of the Commander-in-Chief. + +Although Major H.A. Deane is in no way under my authority, I feel I am +under a great obligation to him for the valuable assistance he rendered +me with his advice and for volunteering to put himself at my disposal +with the object of carrying on the active duties of Deputy Assistant +Adjutant-General, when Major Herbert was wounded. He was indefatigable +in assisting me in every way he could, and I am anxious to put on record +my grateful appreciation of the services he rendered me. + +44. The above list of names may appear to be somewhat long; but I would +point out that the fighting was almost constant for a week, and was of +such a close nature as to demand incessant exertion from every officer +in the force, and to elicit constant acts of courage and gallant example +which cannot be overlooked. + +45. I would not like to close this despatch without paying a tribute +to the memory of a fine soldier, and charming companion whose death the +whole force deplores. + +Major W.W. Taylor had behaved with the greatest gallantry and dash in +meeting the enemy's first charge with Lieut.-Colonel McRae, and, had +he lived, he would undoubtedly distinguished himself in his career. His +loss in a heavy one to his regiment, and to the Service, and there is no +one in the brigade who does not mourn him as a friend. + +I have also to deplore the death of Honorary-Lieutenant L. Manley, who +as my Commissariat Officer had rendered me great assistance, and who +died fighting manfully. His loss is a very serious one to the brigade. + +46. I attach separately, for favorable consideration, a list of native +officers, non-commissioned officers and men, who have done especially +good service; some of whom I have therein recommended for the order of +merit. + +I trust these recommendations will meet with the favorable consideration +of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. + + + + + + + THE RELIEF OF CHAKDARA + 2ND AUGUST, 1897 + + FROM THE DESPATCH OF MAJOR-GENERAL + SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + + +19. I have the honour to invite the special attention of His Excellency +the Commander-in-Chief in India to the good services of the following +officers during the operations described above, namely:-- + +Brigadier-General W.H. Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., carried out his +duties in command of the force which relieved Chakdara Fort with great +gallantry and judgment. + +Colonel A.J.F. Reid, Officiating Colonel on the Staff, Malakand Brigade, +afforded me valuable assistance by carrying out the rearrangement of the +defensive posts at the Malakand on the 1st August, after the Relieving +Force had been drawn from them, and in making the preparations for +Colonel T.H. Goldney's attack on the 2nd. + +Colonel T.H. Goldney, 35th Sikhs, disposed and led the troops on the +morning of the 2nd in the successful attack on the hill, since named +after him, in a most judicious and satisfactory manner. + +Major E.A.P. Hobday, R.A., was most energetic and indefatigable in +assisting Colonel A.J.F. Reid and me in carrying out the multifarious +work which had to be done at the Malakand, and in the Swat Valley on the +1st, 2nd and 3rd. + +Brigadier-General Meiklejohn reports favourably on the following +officers who were under his command during the operations above +detailed, viz:-- + +Captain G.F.H. Dillon, 40th Pathans, who acted as Staff Officer to the +Relieving Force, showed great readiness and resource, and his assistance +was of the utmost value. + +Lieutenants C.R. Gaunt, 4th Dragoon Guards, Orderly Officer, and E. +Christian, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Signalling Officer, carried out their +duties most satisfactorily. + +Lieut.-Colonel R.B. Adams, Queen's Own Corps of Guides, commanded the +cavalry (four squadrons) with the Relieving Force in the most gallant +and judicious manner. + +The following officers commanding units and detachments of the Reliving +Force are stated by Brigidier-General Meiklejohn to have carried out +their duties in a thoroughly capable and satisfactory manner, viz.:-- + +Colonel H.A. Sawyer, 45th Sikhs. + +Major Stuart Beatson, 11th Bengal Lancers. + +Captain A.H.C. Birch, R.A. (8th Bengal Mountain Battery). + +Lieutenant G. de H. Smith, 2nd Regiment, Central India Horse, attached +to Queen's Own Corps of Guides (cavalry). + +Lieutenant A.R. Winsloe, R.E. (No.5 Company Queen's Own Sapper's and +Miners). + +Lieutenant P.C. Eliott-Lockhart, Queen's Own Corps of Guides (infantry). + +Surgeon-General H.F. Whitchurch, V.C., attended to the wounded under +fire throughout the fighting. + +The following officers under Colonel T.H. Goldney's command led their +detachments under my own observation with gallantry and judgment, +viz.:-- + +Lieut.-Colonel L.J.E. Bradshaw, 35th Sikhs. + +Captain L.C.H. Stainforth, 38th Dogras. + +Jemader Nawab, who commanded two guns of No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery +in support of Colonel Goldney's attack, attracted my favorable notice by +his smartness, quickness and thorough knowledge of his work. + +I would also wish to bring to His Excellency's notice the good work +done by Major H. Burney, Gordon Highlanders, Assistant Adjutant-General; +Major H. Burney, Gordon Highlanders, Assistant Adjutant-General; +Major H. Wharry, D.S.O., Chief Commissariat Officer, and Captain A.B. +Dunsterville, 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment, my Aide-de-Camp; the +only officers of the Divisional Staff of my force who had arrived at the +Malakand on the 2nd August. These officers worked very hard and were of +great use to me. + +20. Major H.A. Deane, C.S.I., Political Agent, Dir and Swat, was not +in any way under my orders during the operations above described, but +notwithstanding, I hope I may be permitted to express the obligations +under which I lie to him for valuable information and general assistance +which he gave me. + + + + THE DEFENCE OF CHAKDARA. + 26TH JULY--2ND AUGUST, 1897. + + FROM THE DESPATCH OF MAJOR-GENERAL + SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + + +15. During the fighting above described, the conduct of the whole of the +garrison, whether fighting men, departmental details, or followers, +is reported to have been most gallant. Not the least marked display +of courage and constancy was that made by the small detachment in the +signal tower, who were without water for the last eighteen hours of the +siege. The signallers, under No.2729, Lance-Naik Vir Singh, 45th Sikhs, +who set a brilliant example, behaved throughout in a most courageous +manner; one of them, No.2829, Sepoy Prem Singh, climbing several times +out of a window in the tower with a heliograph, and signaling outside to +the Malakand under a hot fire from sungars in every direction. + +16. I would beg to recommend all the British and native officers +who took part in the defence I have described for the favorable +consideration of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief as under, viz.:-- + +Captain H. Wright, 11th Bengal Lancers, who, with his detachment of +forty sabres of his regiment, made the gallant ride through the enemy +from the Malakand to Chakdara Fort, on the morning of the 27th July, +and commanded the garrison from that morning till its relief on the 2nd +August. + +Captain D. Baker, 2nd Bombay Infantry, who rode to Chakdara Fort with +Captain Wright, and made himself most useful. Lieutenant H.B. Rattray, +45th Sikhs, who commanded the garrison from the commencement of the +attack on the 26th July till the arrival of Captain Wright the next day, +and is reported by that officer to have been the life and soul of the +defence. 2nd Lieutenant J.L. Wheatley, 45th Sikhs, had charge of the gun +and Maxim detachments, and it was largely owing to his care and judgment +that these weapons were so effective in the defence. + +Lieutenant A.B. Minchin, 25th Punjaub Infantry, Assistant Political +Agent, was in the fort throughout the siege, and was most useful. + +Ressaidar Tilok Singh, 11th Bengal Lancers, accompanied Captain Wright +in his ride of the 27th July, and is very favorably mentioned by that +officer. + +Jemadar Sudama commanded the detachment of the 21st Bengal Lancers who +were at Chakdara Fort on the 26th July, and was present throughout the +siege, and is also very favorably reported on. + +Subadar Jwala Singh, 45th Sikhs, was present throughout the siege, and +showed great intelligence and readiness of resource, as well as courage +and coolness, under fire. + +Jemadar Ala Singh, 45th Sikhs, had command of the sections on the +parapet of the river fort, and showed conspicuous courage and coolness +under heavy fire. + +Lieutenant Rattray reports that No.522 Hospital Assistant Piara Singh, +11th Bengal Lancers, rendered valuable assistance, not only in the +sortie on the 2nd, and at other times in bringing up ammunition, etc., +to the men on the parapets under fire. + +17. I shall further have the honor, in a separate communication, +to submit, for the favorable consideration of His Excellency the +Commander-in-Chief, the names of several non-commissioned officers and +men who distinguished themselves during the siege of Chakdara Fort, in +view of their being granted the order of merit, should His Excellency +think them deserving of that distinction. + + + From Major-General Sir B. Blood, K.C.B., Commanding the Malakand + Field Force, to the Adjutant-General in India,--No.5, "Despatches, + Malakand Field Force,"--Dated 27th October, 1897. + + +I regret to find that in my report, "Despatches, Malakand Field Force," +No.3, of the 20th August, 1897, I omitted to include the name of +Surgeon-Captain E.V. Hugo, Indian Medical Service, amongst those of the +officers recommended to the favorable consideration of His Excellency +the Commander-in-Chief for their services during the recent defence of +Chakdara Fort. I now have great pleasure in stating that Surgeon-General +Hugo served with distinction throughout the defence in question, and in +recommending him for favorable consideration accordingly. + + + + + + + ACTION OF LANDAKAI AND EXPEDITION + INTO UPPER SWAT. + AUGUST, 1987. + + FROM THE DESPATCHES OF MAJOR-GENERAL + SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + + +32. In concluding this part of my report, I would wish to express my +admiration of the fine soldierly qualities exhibited by all ranks of +the special force which I led into Upper Swat. They fought the action at +Landakai in a brilliant manner, working over high hills, under a burning +sun, with the greatest alacrity, and showing everywhere the greatest +keenness to close with the enemy. They carried out admirably the trying +duties necessitated by marching in hot weather with a transport train +of more than 2000 mules, and they endured with perfect cheerfulness the +discomforts of several nights' bivouac in heavy rain. The officers of +the Divisional Staff and of by personal staff who were with me, +[Major H.H. Burney, Assistant Adjutant-General (Gordon Highlanders); +Lieut.-Colonel A. Masters, Assistant Quartermaster-General (2nd +Regiment Central India Horse); Captain H.E. Stanton, Deputy Assistant +Quartermaster-General, Intelligence Branch (Royal Artillery); Colonel +W. Aitken, Colonel on the Staff, Royal Artillery; Captain H.D. Grier, +Adjutant, R.A.; Major E. Blunt, Senior Officer of Royal Engineers; +Captain E.W.M. Norie, Superintendent, Army Signalling (Middlesex +Regiment); Captain C.G.F. Edwards, Provost Marshal (5th Punjaub +Cavalry); Captain A.B. Dunsterville, A.D.C. (1st Battalion East Surrey +Regiment); Captain A.R. Dick, Orderly Officer. BRIGADE STAFF.--Major +E.A.P. Hobday, Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General (Royal Artillery); +Captain G.F.H. Dillon, Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General (40th +Bengal Infantry); Captain C.H. Beville, Commissariat Transport +Department; Captain J.M. Camilleri, in charge of Transport (13th Bengal +Infantry); Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel J.T.B. Bookey, I.M.S.; Lieutenant +C.R. Gaunt, Orderly officer, 4th Dragoon Guards. COMMANDING OFFICERS +OF DIVISIONAL TROOPS.--Lieut.-Colonel R.B. Adams, Queen's Own Corps of +Guides; Major C.A. Anderson, 10th Field Battery, Royal Artillery; Major +M.F. Fegan, No.7 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery; Captain A.H.C. +Birch, No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery; Captain E.P. Johnson, No.5 Company +Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.] Brigadier-General W.H. Meiklejohn, +C.B., C.M.G., and his staff, and the several heads of departments and +commanding officers of Divisional Troops, all carried out their duties +in an entirely satisfactory manner. + +Major H.A. Deane, Political Agent, and his assistant, Lieutenant +A.B. Minchin, gave valuable assistance in collecting intelligence and +supplies. + +33. While the operations above described were in progress, a diversion +was made towards the southern border of the Buner country from Mardan by +the 1st Reserve Brigade, which, on its headquarters leaving Mardan, came +under my command as the 3rd Brigade, Malakand Field Force. + +34. A force [1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, under Lieut.-Colonel +R.D.B. Rutherford; 39th Garhwal Rifles, under Lieut.-Colonel B.C. +Greaves; No.3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners, under Captain C.E. +Baddeley, R.E.; one squadron 10th Bengal Lancers, under Captain +W.L. Maxwell; two guns No.1 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, under +Lieutenant H.L.N. Beynon, R.A.] under Brigadier-General J. Wodehouse, +C.B., C.M.G., was concentrated on the 17th August at Rustum, eighteen +miles north-east of Mardan, and about four miles from the Buner border, +with the object of acting as a containing force, and so preventing the +sections of the Bunerwhals who had not already committed themselves +against us from joining in opposition to our advance into Upper Swat. + +35. The presence of this force had the desired effect, and +Brigadier-General Wodehouse and his staff made good use of the time they +spent at Rustum in acquiring valuable information about several of the +passes in the neighborhood. + +36. Brigadier-General Wodehouse states that throughout the operations of +his force, which involved considerable fatigue and exposure to heat +and rain, the spirit of his troops left nothing to be desired. He makes +special mention of the work of No.3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners, +under Captain C.E. Baddeley, R.E. He also reports very favourably on the +assistance given him by Lieutenant C.P. Down, Assistant Commissioner, +and has expressed to me a high opinion of that officer's abilities and +acquirements, particularly of his proficiency in the local vernacular. + + + + + THE ACTION OF 16TH SEPTEMBER. + + FROM SIR BINDON BLOOD'S DESPATCH + CONTAINING THE SUMMARY OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL JEFFREY'S + REPORT OF THE ACTION + + +27. The behavior of the troops throughout this trying day was very good. +The steadiness and discipline shown by the 1st Battalion of the Buffs, +under Lieu.-Colonel Ommnanney, were admirable, while Brigadier-General +Jeffreys has specially commended the gallantry with which the Guides +Infantry, under Major Campbell, brought off Captain Ryder's detachment +of the 35th Sikhs, carrying the wounded on their backs under a heavy +fire. He has further strongly endorsed Major Campbell's favourable +mention of the courage and judgment shown by Captain G.B. Hodson, and +Lieutenant H.W. Codrington, of the Guides, who commanded the companies +of the battalion which were chiefly in contact with the enemy; the +gallantry of Surgeon-Captain J. Fisher, Indian Medical Service, who made +a most determined, though unsuccessful, attempt to take medical aid +to the wounded of Captain Ryder's detachment through a hot fire; of +Surgeon-Lieutenant E.L. Perry, Indian Medical Service; of Jemadar +Sikander Khan of the Guides, and of several non-commissioned officers +and Sepoys of the same corps, regarding whom I have had the honour to +make a separate communication. + +28. Brigadier-General Jeffreys has also described in very favorable +terms the gallant and valuable work done on this day by Captain Cole and +his squadron of the 11th Bengal Lancers. He has commended the conduct +of Captain W.I. Ryder and Lieutenant O.G. Gunning, 35th Sikhs, who were +both wounded, and of Jemadar Narayan Singh, Havildar Ram Singh and +Sepoy Karram Singh [This man's case has formed the subject of a separate +communication.] of the same regiment. He has also brought to notice +a gallant act of Captain A.H.C. Birch, R.A., commanding No.8 Bengal +Mountain Battery, and his trumpeter, Jiwan, in rescuing a wounded Sepoy +of the 35th Sikhs, as well as the distinguished gallantry of Jemadars +Nawab and Ishar Singh and several non-commissioned officers and men of +the same battery, in regard to which I have made separate communications +to you. + +29. Brigadier-General Jeffreys further refers in the strongest terms of +commendation to the gallant conduct of Lieutenants T.C. Watson [twice +wounded in attempting to clear the village] and J.M.C. Colvin, R.E., and +of the handful of men of the Buffs and No.4 Company Bengal Sappers and +Miners, who spent the night of the 16th-17th with him in the village of +Bilot. The conduct of these officers and men [of whom six were killed +and eighteen wounded on this occasion, out of a total of fifty-four] in +entering the village several times in the dark in face of a heavy fire +directed upon them at close quarters, seems deserving of the highest +recognition, and I have consequently made a special communication to +you on the subject. Brigadier-General Jeffreys has also commended the +gallant conduct of his Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General, [The remainder +of Brigadier-General Jeffrey's staff was with the main body when it got +separated from them.] Major E.O.F. Hamilton, 1st Battalion the Queen's +Royal West Surrey Regiment; and finally, he has praised the courage +and resolution of Lieutenant W.L.S. Churchill, 4th Hussars, the +correspondent of the Pioneer Newspaper with the force, who made himself +useful at a critical moment. + + + + + + OPERATIONS OF THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE + + FROM THE CONCLUDING DESPATCH OF + MAJOR-GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + + +58. The commissariat arrangements under Major H. Wharry, D.S.O., were +most successful. The rations were always abundant, and of uniformly good +quality; and I may here observe that in five previous campaigns I have +never seen the supply of bread anything like so continuously good, as it +has been throughout the operations of the Malakand Field Force. No doubt +the excellence of the commissariat arrangements has had a great deal to +do with the good state of health of the troops, which I have remarked +upon. + +59. The transport was most efficient throughout the operations under +reference, and its management, under the direction of Captain C.G.R. +Thackwell, Divisional Transport Officer, who was most ably and +energetically assisted by Veterinary-Captain H.T.W. Mann, Senior +Veterinary Officer, was most successful. In proof of this I will cite a +report just made to me by Brigadier-General Jeffreys, commanding the +2nd Brigade of my force, that this morning, on inspecting 1265 mules +attached his brigade, which have just returned from seven weeks in the +field, he found fourteen sore backs, and four animals otherwise unfit +for work, or a total of only eighteen disabled animals in all. + +60. The medical service was carried out in a very satisfactory manner. +Some difficulties arose on the transfer of officers and material to the +Tirah Expeditionary Force on its formation, especially as large convoys +of sick and wounded were on the line of this force at the time, but +these difficulties were successfully overcome by Colonel A.J.F. Reid, +commanding the Malakand Brigade, who was in charge of the Line, and +matters were ultimately restored to smooth working on the arrival of +Surgeon-Colonel J.C.G. Carmichael, Indian Medical Service, who is now +Principal Medical Officer of the Force. + +61. The telegraph arrangements were well carried out by Lieutenant W. +Robertson, R.E., under the direction of Mr. C.E. Pitman, C.I.E. The +postal service under Mr. H.C. Sheridan was also satisfactory. + +62. The working of the several departments of the Headquarters' staff +was most satisfactory and successful. The heads of departments were:-- + +Major H.H. Burney, Gordon Highlanders, Assistant Adjutant-General. + +Lieutenant-Colonel A. Masters, 2nd Regiment Central India Horse, +Assistant Quartermaster-General. + +Captain H.E. Stanton, D.S.O., R.A., Deputy Assistant +Quartermaster-General (Intelligence). + +Captain E.W.M. Norie, Middlesex Regiment, Superintendent, Army +Signalling. + +Surgeon-Colonel J.C.G. Carmichael, Indian Medical Service, Principal +Medical Officer. + +Lieutenant-Colonel W. Aitken, C.B., R.A., Commanding Royal Artillery. + +Colonel J.E. Broadbent, R.E., Commanding Royal Engineers--relieved early +in October by Lieutenant-Colonel W. Peacocke, C.M.G., R.E. + +Captain W.E. Banbury, 25th Madras Infantry, Field Treasure Chest +Officer. + +Captain W.W. Cookson, R.A., Ordnance Officer. + +Major H. Wharry, D.S.O., Staff Corps, Chief Commissariat Officer. + +Veterinary-Captain H.T.W. Mann, [Wounded in action, 20th September, +1897.] Army Veterinary Department, Senior Veterinary Officer. + +Captain C.L. Robertson, R.E., Survey officer. + +Captain C.G.F. Edwards, 5th Punjaub Cavalry, Provost Marshal. + +The Rev. L. Klogh, Chaplain. + +Lieutenant W. Robertson, R.E., in charge of Telegraphs. + +63. I am under great obligations to my personal staff--Captain A.B. +Dunsterville, 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment, Aide-de-Camp; Captain +A.R. Dick, 2nd Punjaub Cavalry, and Lieutenant Viscount Fincastle, 16th +(The Queen's) Lancers. + +64. It will have been gathered from the foregoing narrative that the +three brigades of the force were ably commanded by Brigadier-Generals +W.H. Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., 1st Brigade; P.D. Jeffreys, [Wounded in +action, 16th September, 1897.] C.B., 2nd Brigade, and J.H. Wodehouse, +C.B., C.M.G., [Wounded in action, 20th September, 1897.] 3rd +Brigade, who were efficiently seconded by their staffs. The Line of +Communications and the Base were also most efficiently managed +by Colonel A.J.F. Reid, Commanding the Malakand Brigade, and by +Lieut.-Colonel A.V. Schalch, 11th Bengal Infantry, the Base Commandant, +and their respective staffs. + +65. In my final report on the conclusion of the operations of the force, +I shall have the honour to bring the services of the officers above +briefly referred to more fully to the notice of His Excellency the +Commander-in-Chief. + +66. Major H.A. Deane, C.S.I., Political Agent, Dur, Chitral and Swat, +was in separate and independent charge of the political arrangements +connected with the operations I have described, as far as Nawagai. He +accompanied my headquarters to Ghosam, where I left him on the 12th +September, and rejoined me at Inayat Kila on the 4th October. He gave +much assistance in arranging for the collection of local supplies. + +67. Mr. W.S. Davis was my political officer throughout the operations +beyond Nawagai, and in the Mamund Valley prior to Major Deane's return +to my headquarters on the 4th October. He carried out his duties to my +complete satisfaction. His native assistant, Khan Bahadur Ibrahim Kham, +also made himself very useful. + + + END OF TEXT + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Malakand Field Force, by +Sir Winston S. Churchill + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE *** + +***** This file should be named 9404.txt or 9404.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/4/0/9404/ + +Text File produced by Ronald J. Goodden in memory of Royal G. Goodden + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Story of the Malakand Field Force + +Author: Sir Winston S. Churchill + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9404] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on September 29, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MALAKAND FIELD FORCE *** + + + + +Produced by Ron Goodden (Ronald J. Goodden) <rgoodden@mindspring.com> + in memory of Royal G. Goodden. + + + + + THE STORY OF THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE + + An Episode of Frontier War + + + by Sir Winston S. Churchill + + + + + "They (Frontier Wars) are but the surf that marks the edge + and the advance of the wave of civilisation." + + LORD SALISBURY, Guildhall, 1892 + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +Preface +Chapter I: The Theatre of War +Chapter II: The Malakand Camps +Chapter III: The Outbreak +Chapter IV: The Attack on the Malakand +Chapter V: The Relief of Chakdara +Chapter VI: The Defence of Chakdara +Chapter VII: The Gate of Swat +Chapter VIII: The Advance Against the Mohmands +Chapter IX: Reconnaissance +Chapter X: The March to Nawagai +Chapter XI: The Action of the Mamund Valley, 16th September +Chapter XII: At Inayat Kila +Chapter XIII: Nawagai +Chapter XIV: Back to the Mamund Valley +Chapter XV: The Work of the Cavalry +Chapter XVI: Submission +Chapter XVII: Military Observations +Chapter XVIII: The Riddle of the Frontier +Appendix + + + + THIS BOOK + IS INSCRIBED TO + MAJOR-GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + UNDER WHOSE COMMAND THE OPERATIONS THEREIN + RECORDED WERE CARRIED OUT; BY WHOSE GENERALSHIP + THEY WERE BROUGHT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION; + AND TO WHOSE KINDNESS THE AUTHOR IS INDEBTED + FOR THE MOST VALUABLE AND FASCINATING EXPERIENCE + OF HIS LIFE. + + + + + + +PREFACE + + + "According to the fair play of the world, + Let me have an audience." + + "King John," Act v., Sc. 2. + + + +On general grounds I deprecate prefaces. I have always thought that if +an author cannot make friends with the reader, and explain his objects, +in two or three hundred pages, he is not likely to do so in fifty +lines. And yet the temptation of speaking a few words behind the +scenes, as it were, is so strong that few writers are able to resist +it. I shall not try. + +While I was attached to the Malakand Field Force I wrote a series of +letters for the London Daily Telegraph. The favourable manner in which +these letters were received, encouraged me to attempt a more +substantial work. This volume is the result. + +The original letters have been broken up, and I have freely availed +myself of all passages, phrases, and facts, that seemed appropriate. +The views they contained have not been altered, though several opinions +and expressions, which seemed mild in the invigorating atmosphere of a +camp, have been modified, to suit the more temperate climate of peace. + +I have to thank many gallant officers for the assistance they have +given me in the collection of material. They have all asked me not to +mention their names, but to accede to this request would be to rob the +story of the Malakand Field Force of all its bravest deeds and finest +characters. + +The book does not pretend to deal with the complications of the +frontier question, nor to present a complete summary of its phases and +features. In the opening chapter I have tried to describe the general +character of the numerous and powerful tribes of the Indian Frontier. +In the last chapter I have attempted to apply the intelligence of a +plain man to the vast mass of expert evidence, which on this subject is +so great that it baffles memory and exhausts patience. The rest is +narrative, and in it I have only desired to show the reader what it +looked like. + +As I have not been able to describe in the text all the instances of +conduct and courage which occurred, I have included in an appendix the +official despatches. + +The impartial critic will at least admit that I have not insulted the +British public by writing a party pamphlet on a great Imperial +question. I have recorded the facts as they occurred, and the +impressions as they arose, without attempting to make a case against +any person or any policy. Indeed, I fear that assailing none, I may +have offended all. Neutrality may degenerate into an ignominious +isolation. An honest and unprejudiced attempt to discern the truth is +my sole defence, as the good opinion of the reader has been throughout +my chief aspiration, and can be in the end my only support. + + + Winston S. Churchill + + Cavalry Barracks, + Bangalore, 30th December, 1897 + + + + + + +CHAPTER I: THE THEATRE OF WAR + + + The Ghilzaie chief wrote answer: "Our paths are narrow and + steep. + The sun burns fierce in the valleys, and the snow-fed streams run + deep; + . . . . . . . . . . + + So a stranger needs safe escort, and the oath of a valiant friend." + + "The Amir's Message," SIR A. LYALL. + + + +All along the north and north-west frontiers of India lie the Himalayas, +the greatest disturbance of the earth's surface that the convulsions of +chaotic periods have produced. Nearly four hundred miles in breadth and +more than sixteen hundred in length, this mountainous region divides the +great plains of the south from those of Central Asia, and parts as a +channel separates opposing shores, the Eastern Empire of Great Britain +from that of Russia. The western end of this tumult of ground is formed +by the peaks of the Hindu Kush, to the south of which is the scene of +the story these pages contain. The Himalayas are not a line, but a great +country of mountains. By one who stands on some lofty pass or commanding +point in Dir, Swat or Bajaur, range after range is seen as the long +surges of an Atlantic swell, and in the distance some glittering snow +peak suggests a white-crested roller, higher than the rest. The +drenching rains which fall each year have washed the soil from the sides +of the hills until they have become strangely grooved by numberless +water-courses, and the black primeval rock is everywhere exposed. The +silt and sediment have filled the valleys which lie between, and made +their surface sandy, level and broad. Again the rain has cut wide, deep +and constantly-changing channels through this soft deposit; great +gutters, which are sometimes seventy feet deep and two or three hundred +yards across. These are the nullahs. Usually the smaller ones are dry, +and the larger occupied only by streams; but in the season of the rains, +abundant water pours down all, and in a few hours the brook has become +an impassable torrent, and the river swelled into a rolling flood which +caves the banks round which it swirls, and cuts the channel deeper year +by year. + +From the level plain of the valleys the hills rise abruptly. Their steep +and rugged slopes are thickly strewn with great rocks, and covered with +coarse, rank grass. Scattered pines grow on the higher ridges. In the +water-courses the chenar, the beautiful eastern variety of the plane +tree of the London squares and Paris boulevards, is occasionally found, +and when found, is, for its pleasant shade, regarded with grateful +respect. Reaching far up the sides of the hills are tiers of narrow +terraces, chiefly the work of long-forgotten peoples, which catch the +soil that the rain brings down, and support crops of barley and maize. +The rice fields along both banks of the stream display a broad, winding +strip of vivid green, which gives the eye its only relief from the +sombre colours of the mountains. + +In the spring, indeed, the valleys are brightened by many flowers--wild +tulips, peonies, crocuses and several kinds of polyanthus; and among the +fruits the water melon, some small grapes and mulberries are excellent, +although in their production, nature is unaided by culture. But during +the campaign, which these pages describe, the hot sun of the summer had +burnt up all the flowers, and only a few splendid butterflies, whose +wings of blue and green change colour in the light, like shot silk, +contrasted with the sternness of the landscape. + +The valleys are nevertheless by no means barren. The soil is fertile, +the rains plentiful, and a considerable proportion of ground is occupied +by cultivation, and amply supplies the wants of the inhabitants. + +The streams are full of fish, both trout and mahseer. By the banks teal, +widgeon and wild duck, and in some places, snipe, are plentiful. Chikor, +a variety of partridge, and several sorts of pheasants, are to be +obtained on the hills. + +Among the wild animals of the region the hunter may pursue the black or +brown mountain bear, an occasional leopard, markhor, and several +varieties of wild goat, sheep and antelope. The smaller quadrupeds +include hares and red foxes, not unlike the British breed, only with +much brighter coats, and several kinds of rats, some of which are very +curious and rare. Destitute of beauty but not without use, the scaly +ant-eater is frequently seen; but the most common of all the beasts is +an odious species of large lizard, nearly three feet long, which +resembles a flabby-skinned crocodile and feeds on carrion. Domestic +fowls, goats, sheep and oxen, with the inevitable vulture, and an +occasional eagle, complete the fauna. + +Over all is a bright blue sky and powerful sun. Such is the scenery of +the theatre of war. + +The inhabitants of these wild but wealthy valleys are of many tribes, +but of similar character and condition. The abundant crops which a warm +sun and copious rains raise from a fertile soil, support a numerous +population in a state of warlike leisure. Except at the times of sowing +and of harvest, a continual state of feud and strife prevails throughout +the land. Tribe wars with tribe. The people of one valley fight with +those of the next. To the quarrels of communities are added the combats +of individuals. Khan assails khan, each supported by his retainers. +Every tribesman has a blood feud with his neighbor. Every man's hand is +against the other, and all against the stranger. + +Nor are these struggles conducted with the weapons which usually belong +to the races of such development. To the ferocity of the Zulu are added +the craft of the Redskin and the marksmanship of the Boer. The world is +presented with that grim spectacle, "the strength of civilisation +without its mercy." At a thousand yards the traveller falls wounded by +the well-aimed bullet of a breech-loading rifle. His assailant, +approaching, hacks him to death with the ferocity of a South-Sea +Islander. The weapons of the nineteenth century are in the hands of the +savages of the Stone Age. + +Every influence, every motive, that provokes the spirit of murder among +men, impels these mountaineers to deeds of treachery and violence. The +strong aboriginal propensity to kill, inherit in all human beings, has +in these valleys been preserved in unexampled strength and vigour. That +religion, which above all others was founded and propagated by the +sword--the tenets and principles of which are instinct with incentives +to slaughter and which in three continents has produced fighting breeds +of men--stimulates a wild and merciless fanaticism. The love of plunder, +always a characteristic of hill tribes, is fostered by the spectacle of +opulence and luxury which, to their eyes, the cities and plains of the +south display. A code of honour not less punctilious than that of old +Spain, is supported by vendettas as implacable as those of Corsica. + +In such a state of society, all property is held directly by main force. +Every man is a soldier. Either he is the retainer of some khan--the man- +at-arms of some feudal baron as it were--or he is a unit in the armed +force of his village--the burgher of mediaeval history. In such +surroundings we may without difficulty trace the rise and fall of an +ambitious Pathan. At first he toils with zeal and thrift as an +agriculturist on that plot of ground which his family have held since +they expelled some former owner. He accumulates in secret a sum of +money. With this he buys a rifle from some daring thief, who has risked +his life to snatch it from a frontier guard-house. He becomes a man to +be feared. Then he builds a tower to his house and overawes those around +him in the village. Gradually they submit to his authority. He might now +rule the village; but he aspires still higher. He persuades or compels +his neighbors to join him in an attack on the castle of a local khan. +The attack succeeds. The khan flies or is killed; the castle captured. +The retainers make terms with the conqueror. The land tenure is feudal. +In return for their acres they follow their new chief to war. Were he to +treat them worse than the other khans treated their servants, they would +sell their strong arms elsewhere. He treats them well. Others resort to +him. He buys more rifles. He conquers two or three neighboring khans. He +has now become a power. + +Many, perhaps all, states have been founded in a similar way, and it is +by such steps that civilisation painfully stumbles through her earlier +stages. But in these valleys the warlike nature of the people and their +hatred of control, arrest the further progress of development. We have +watched a man, able, thrifty, brave, fighting his way to power, +absorbing, amalgamating, laying the foundations of a more complex and +interdependent state of society. He has so far succeeded. But his +success is now his ruin. A combination is formed against him. The +surrounding chiefs and their adherents are assisted by the village +populations. The ambitious Pathan, oppressed by numbers, is destroyed. +The victors quarrel over the spoil, and the story closes, as it began, +in bloodshed and strife. + +The conditions of existence, that have been thus indicated, have +naturally led to the dwelling-places of these tribes being fortified. If +they are in the valley, they are protected by towers and walls loopholed +for musketry. If in the hollows of the hills, they are strong by their +natural position. In either case they are guarded by a hardy and martial +people, well armed, brave, and trained by constant war. + +This state of continual tumult has produced a habit of mind which recks +little of injuries, holds life cheap and embarks on war with careless +levity, and the tribesmen of the Afghan border afford the spectacle of a +people, who fight without passion, and kill one another without loss of +temper. Such a disposition, combined with an absolute lack of reverence +for all forms of law and authority, and a complete assurance of +equality, is the cause of their frequent quarrels with the British +power. A trifle rouses their animosity. They make a sudden attack on +some frontier post. They are repulsed. From their point of view the +incident is closed. There has been a fair fight in which they have had +the worst fortune. What puzzles them is that "the Sirkar" should regard +so small an affair in a serious light. Thus the Mohmands cross the +frontier and the action of Shabkadr is fought. They are surprised and +aggrieved that the Government are not content with the victory, but must +needs invade their territories, and impose punishment. Or again, the +Mamunds, because a village has been burnt, assail the camp of the Second +Brigade by night. It is a drawn game. They are astounded that the troops +do not take it in good part. + +They, when they fight among themselves, bear little malice, and the +combatants not infrequently make friends over the corpses of their +comrades or suspend operations for a festival or a horse race. At the +end of the contest cordial relations are at once re-established. And yet +so full of contradictions is their character, that all this is without +prejudice to what has been written of their family vendettas and private +blood feuds. Their system of ethics, which regards treachery and +violence as virtues rather than vices, has produced a code of honour so +strange and inconsistent, that it is incomprehensible to a logical mind. +I have been told that if a white man could grasp it fully, and were to +understand their mental impulses--if he knew, when it was their honour +to stand by him, and when it was their honour to betray him; when they +were bound to protect and when to kill him--he might, by judging his +times and opportunities, pass safely from one end of the mountains to +the other. But a civilised European is as little able to accomplish +this, as to appreciate the feelings of those strange creatures, which, +when a drop of water is examined under a microscope, are revealed +amiably gobbling each other up, and being themselves complacently +devoured. + +I remark with pleasure, as an agreeable trait in the character of the +Pathans, the immunity, dictated by a rude spirit of chivalry, which in +their ceaseless brawling, their women enjoy. Many forts are built at +some distance from any pool or spring. When these are besieged, the +women are allowed by the assailants to carry water to the foot of the +walls by night. In the morning the defenders come out and fetch it--of +course under fire--and are enabled to continue their resistance. But +passing from the military to the social aspect of their lives, the +picture assumes an even darker shade, and is unrelieved by any redeeming +virtue. We see them in their squalid, loopholed hovels, amid dirt and +ignorance, as degraded a race as any on the fringe of humanity: fierce +as the tiger, but less cleanly; as dangerous, not so graceful. Those +simple family virtues, which idealists usually ascribe to primitive +peoples, are conspicuously absent. Their wives and their womenkind +generally, have no position but that of animals. They are freely bought +and sold, and are not infrequently bartered for rifles. Truth is unknown +among them. A single typical incident displays the standpoint from which +they regard an oath. In any dispute about a field boundary, it is +customary for both claimants to walk round the boundary he claims, with +a Koran in his hand, swearing that all the time he is walking on his own +land. To meet the difficulty of a false oath, while he is walking over +his neighbor's land, he puts a little dust from his own field into his +shoes. As both sides are acquainted with the trick, the dismal farce of +swearing is usually soon abandoned, in favor of an appeal to force. + +All are held in the grip of miserable superstition. The power of the +ziarat, or sacred tomb, is wonderful. Sick children are carried on the +backs of buffaloes, sometimes sixty or seventy miles, to be deposited in +front of such a shrine, after which they are carried back--if they +survive the journey--in the same way. It is painful even to think of +what the wretched child suffers in being thus jolted over the cattle +tracks. But the tribesmen consider the treatment much more efficacious +than any infidel prescription. To go to a ziarat and put a stick in the +ground is sufficient to ensure the fulfillment of a wish. To sit +swinging a stone or coloured glass ball, suspended by a string from a +tree, and tied there by some fakir, is a sure method of securing a fine +male heir. To make a cow give good milk, a little should be plastered on +some favorite stone near the tomb of a holy man. These are but a few +instances; but they may suffice to reveal a state of mental development +at which civilisation hardly knows whether to laugh or weep. + +Their superstition exposes them to the rapacity and tyranny of a +numerous priesthood--"Mullahs," "Sahibzadas," "Akhundzadas," "Fakirs," +--and a host of wandering Talib-ul-ilms, who correspond with the +theological students in Turkey, and live free at the expense of the +people. More than this, they enjoy a sort of "droit du seigneur," and no +man's wife or daughter is safe from them. Of some of their manners and +morals it is impossible to write. As Macaulay has said of Wycherley's +plays, "they are protected against the critics as a skunk is protected +against the hunters." They are "safe, because they are too filthy to +handle, and too noisome even to approach." + +Yet the life even of these barbarous people is not without moments when +the lover of the picturesque might sympathise with their hopes and +fears. In the cool of the evening, when the sun has sunk behind the +mountains of Afghanistan, and the valleys are filled with a delicious +twilight, the elders of the village lead the way to the chenar trees by +the water's side, and there, while the men are cleaning their rifles, or +smoking their hookas, and the women are making rude ornaments from +beads, and cloves, and nuts, the Mullah drones the evening prayer. Few +white men have seen, and returned to tell the tale. But we may imagine +the conversation passing from the prices of arms and cattle, the +prospects of the harvest, or the village gossip, to the great Power, +that lies to the southward, and comes nearer year by year. Perhaps some +former Sepoy, of Beluchis or Pathans, will recount his adventures in the +bazaars of Peshawar, or tell of the white officers he has followed and +fought for in the past. He will speak of their careless bravery and +their strange sports; of the far-reaching power of the Government, that +never forgets to send his pension regularly as the months pass by; and +he may even predict to the listening circle the day when their valleys +will be involved in the comprehensive grasp of that great machine, and +judges, collectors and commissioners shall ride to sessions at Ambeyla, +or value the land tax on the soil of Nawagai. Then the Mullah will raise +his voice and remind them of other days when the sons of the prophet +drove the infidel from the plains of India, and ruled at Delhi, as wide +an Empire as the Kafir holds to-day: when the true religion strode +proudly through the earth and scorned to lie hidden and neglected among +the hills: when mighty princes ruled in Bagdad, and all men knew that +there was one God, and Mahomet was His prophet. And the young men +hearing these things will grip their Martinis, and pray to Allah, that +one day He will bring some Sahib--best prize of all--across their line +of sight at seven hundred yards so that, at least, they may strike a +blow for insulted and threatened Islam. + +The general aspect of the country and character of its inhabitants have +thus been briefly described. At this stage it is not necessary or +desirable to descend to detail. As the account proceeds the reader may +derive a more lively impression of the sombre mountains, and of the +peoples who dwell beneath their shadow. + +The tale that I have to tell is one of frontier war. Neither the +importance of the issues, nor the numbers of the combatants, are on an +European scale. The fate of empires does not hang on the result. Yet the +narrative may not be without interest, or material for reflection. In +the quarrels of civilised nations, great armies, many thousands strong, +collide. Brigades and battalions are hurried forward, and come perhaps +within some fire zone, swept by concentrated batteries, or massed +musketry. Hundreds or thousands fall killed and wounded. The survivors +struggle on blindly, dazed and dumfoundered, to the nearest cover. Fresh +troops are continuously poured on from behind. At length one side or the +other gives way. In all this tumult, this wholesale slaughter, the +individual and his feelings are utterly lost. Only the army has a tale +to tell. With events on such a scale, the hopes and fears, the strength +and weakness, of man are alike indistinguishable. Amid the din and dust +little but destruction can be discerned. But on the frontier, in the +clear light of morning, when the mountain side is dotted with smoke +puffs, and every ridge sparkles with bright sword blades, the spectator +may observe and accurately appreciate all grades of human courage--the +wild fanaticism of the Ghazi, the composed fatalism of the Sikh, the +stubbornness of the British soldier, and the jaunty daring of his +officers. He may remark occasions of devotion and self-sacrifice, of +cool cynicism and stern resolve. He may participate in moments of wild +enthusiasm, or of savage anger and dismay. The skill of the general, the +quality of the troops, the eternal principles of the art of war, will be +as clearly displayed as on historic fields. Only the scale of the +statistics is reduced. + +A single glass of champagne imparts a feeling of exhilaration. The +nerves are braced, the imagination is agreeably stirred, the wits become +more nimble. A bottle produces a contrary effect. Excess causes a +comatose insensibility. So it is with war, and the quality of both is +best discovered by sipping. + +I propose to chronicle the military operations of the Malakand Field +Force, to trace their political results, and to give, if possible, some +picture of the scenery and people of the Indian Highlands. These pages +may serve to record the actions of brave and skilful men. They may throw +a sidelight on the great drama of frontier war. They may describe an +episode in that ceaseless struggle for Empire which seems to be the +perpetual inheritance of our race. They may amuse an idle hour. But the +ambition I shall associate with them is, that in some measure, however +small, they may stimulate that growing interest which the Imperial +Democracy of England is beginning to take, in their great estates that +lie beyond the seas. + + + + + +CHAPTER II: THE MALAKAND CAMPS + + + Ibam forte via sacra.--HORACE. + + + +The town and cantonment of Nowshera was the base from which all the +operations of the Malakand Field Force were conducted. It is situated on +the India side of the Cabul River and is six hours by rail from Rawal +Pindi. In times of peace its garrison consists of one native cavalry +regiment, one British, and one native infantry battalion. During the war +these troops were employed at the front. The barracks became great +hospitals. The whole place was crowded with transport and military +stores; and only a slender force remained under the orders of Colonel +Schalch, the Base Commandant. + +The road from Nowshera to the Malakand Pass and camps is forty-seven +miles long, and divided into four stages. Usually there is an excellent +tonga service, and the distance is covered in about six hours; but while +the Field Force was mobilised so much traffic and so many officers +passed up and down the line, that the tonga ponies were soon reduced to +a terrible condition of sores and emaciation, and could hardly drag the +journey out in nine, ten, or even twelve hours. After leaving Nowshera, +and crossing the Cabul River, a stage of fifteen miles brings the +traveller to Mardan. This place--pronounced "Merdane"--is the permanent +station of the Corps of Guides. It is shady and agreeable, though +terribly hot in the summer months. It boasts an excellent polo ground +and a comfortable rest-house. The passer-by should pause to see the +Guides' cemetery, perhaps the only regimental cemetery in the world. To +this last resting-place under the palm trees, close to the fields where +they have played, and the barracks in which they lived, have been borne +the bodies of successive generations of these wardens of the marches, +killed in action across the frontier line. It is a green and pleasant +spot. Nor is there any place in the world where a soldier might lie in +braver company. + +After Mardan the road becomes more dusty, and the surrounding country +barren and arid. [This description applies to the autumn season. In the +winter and spring the country for a time is green and the air cold.] The +mountains are approached, and as the tonga advances their shapes and +colours are more distinctly seen. A few knolls and ridges rising from +the level plain, mark the outposts of that great array of hills. +Crossing a shallow stream--a tributary of the Cabul River, Jalala, the +second stage is reached. In peace time a small mud fort is the only +indication, but this is expanded by the proximity of war to a +considerable camp, with an entrenchment around it. Stopping only to +change ponies, for it is a forsaken spot, the journey is resumed. The +avenue of trees on either side has ceased. The road is seen simply as a +white streak stretching towards the mountains. It is traversed in a +sweltering heat and choking dust. All around the country is red, sterile +and burnt up. In front the great wall of hills rises dark and ominous. +At length Dargai at the foot of the pass is reached. It is another mud +fort, swelled during the operations into an entrenched camp, and +surrounded by a network of barbed wire entanglement. The Malakand Pass +can now be seen--a great cleft in the line of mountains--and far up the +gorge, the outline of the fort that guards it, is distinguishable. + +The graded road winds up, with many a turn, the long ascent from Dargai +to the top of the pass. The driver flogs the wretched, sore-backed +ponies tirelessly. At length the summit is neared. The view is one worth +stopping to look at. Behind and below, under the haze of the heat, is +the wide expanse of open country--smooth, level, stretching away to the +dim horizon. The tonga turns the corner and enters a new world. A cooler +breeze is blowing. A single step has led from peace to war; from +civilisation to savagery; from India to the mountains. On all sides the +landscape is wild and rugged. Ridge succeeds ridge. Valley opens into +valley. As far as the eye can reach in every direction are ragged peaks +and spurs. The country of the plains is left, and we have entered a +strange land, as tangled as the maze at Hampton Court, with mountains +instead of hedges. So broken and so confused is the ground, that I +despair of conveying a clear impression of it. + +The Malakand is like a great cup, of which the rim is broken into +numerous clefts and jagged points. At the bottom of this cup is the +"crater" camp. The deepest cleft is the Malakand Pass. The highest of +the jagged points is Guides Hill, on a spur of which the fort stands. It +needs no technical knowledge to see, that to defend such a place, the +rim of the cup must be held. But in the Malakand, the bottom of the cup +is too small to contain the necessary garrison. The whole position is +therefore, from the military point of view, bad and indefensible. In the +revised and improved scheme of defence, arrangements have been made, to +command the available approaches, and to block such as cannot be +commanded with barbed wire entanglements and other obstructions; and by +a judicious system of works much of the rim is now held. But even now I +am told by competent judges that the place is a bad one for defence; +that the pass could be held by the fort alone, and that the brigade +stationed there would be safer and equally useful, if withdrawn to +Dargai. At the time this story opens the Malakand South Camp was an +impossible place to put troops in. It was easy of access. It was cramped +and commanded by neighbouring heights. [Under the arrangements which +have been made since the war, the Malakand position and the works at +Chakdara and Dargai will be held by two battalions and some details. +These will be supported by a flying column, the exact location and +composition of which are as yet undetermined.] + +The small area of the camp on the Kotal necessitated the formation of a +second encampment in the plain of Khar. This was close under the north +outer edge of the cup. It was called for political reasons North +Malakand. As a military position it, also, was radically bad. It was +everywhere commanded, and surrounded by ravines and nullahs, which made +it easy for an enemy to get in, and difficult for troops to get out. It +was, of course, of no strategic value, and was merely used as a +habitation for the troops intended to hold Malakand, for whom there was +no room in the crater and fort. The north camp has now been definitely +abandoned. + +Nobody, however--least of all those who selected the site--would seem to +have contemplated the possibility of an attack. Indeed the whole +situation was regarded as purely temporary. The vacillation, caused by +the change of parties and policies in England, led to the Malakand +garrison remaining for two years in a position which could not be well +defended either on paper or in reality. At first, after the Chitral +campaign of 1895, it was thought that the retention of the brigade in +this advanced post, was only a matter of a few weeks. But as the months +passed by the camp began, in spite of the uncertainty, to assume an +appearance of permanency. The officers built themselves huts and mess +rooms. A good polo ground was discovered near Khar, and under careful +management rapidly improved. A race-course was projected. Many officers +who were married brought their wives and families to the camp among the +mountains, and the whole place was rapidly becoming a regular +cantonment. No cases of Ghazi outrage broke the tranquillity. The +revolvers, which all persons leaving camp were by regulations obliged to +take, were either unloaded or carried by a native groom. Shooting +parties were organised to the hills. A well-contested polo tournament +was held in Christmas week. Distinguished travellers--even a member of +Parliament--visited this outpost of empire, and observed with interest +the swiftness and ease with which the Anglo-Saxon adapts every situation +to his sports and habits. + +At the same time the station of the Malakand Brigade was far from being +a comfortable one. For two years they lived under canvas or in rude +huts. They were exposed to extremes of climate. They were without +punkahs or ice in the hot weather. They were nearly fifty miles from the +railway, and in respect of companionship and amusements were thrown +entirely on their own resources. When the British cavalry officer +succeeds, in spite of official opposition, expense and discouragement, +in getting on service across the frontier, he is apt to look with +envious eyes at the officers of the Frontier Force, who are taken as a +matter of course and compelled to do by command, what he would solicit +as a favour. But he must remember that this is their compensation for +long months of discomfort and monotony in lonely and out-of-the-way +stations, and for undergoing hardships which, though honourable and +welcome in the face of the enemy, become obnoxious in times of peace. + +After crossing the Malakand Pass the first turning to the right leads to +the Swat Valley. The traveller is now within the mountains. In every +direction the view is restricted or terminated by walls of rock. The +valley itself is broad, level and fertile. The river flows swiftly +through the middle. On either side of it, is a broad strip of rice +fields. Other crops occupy the drier ground. Numerous villages, some of +which contain large populations, are scattered about. It is a beautiful +scene. The cool breezes of the mountains temper the heat of the sun. The +abundant rains preserve the verdure of the earth. + +In ancient times this region was the seat of a Buddhistic kingdom, and +was known as Woo-Chang or "Udyana," which means "the Park," and +proclaims the appreciation which its former possessors had of their +pleasant valley. "The people," says the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien, who +visited the country in the fifth century, "all use the language of +Central India, 'Central India' being what we should call the 'Middle +Kingdom.' The food and clothes of the common people are the same as in +that Central Kingdom. The law of Buddha is very flourishing in Woo- +Chang." "The Park," which includes all the country on both banks of the +Swat River--then called the Subhavastu--but which perhaps applies more +particularly to the upper end of the valley, was famous for its forests, +flowers and fruit. But though the valley retains much of its beauty, its +forests have been destroyed by the improvidence, and its flowers and +fruit have declined through the ignorance, of the fierce conquerors into +whose hands it fell. + +The reputation which its present inhabitants enjoy is evil. Their +treacherous character has distinguished them even among peoples +notoriously faithless and cruel. Among Pathans it is a common saying: +"Swat is heaven, but the Swatis are hell-fiends." For many years they +had lain under the stigma of cowardice, and were despised as well as +distrusted by the tribes of the border; but their conduct in the recent +fighting has cleared them at least from this imputation. + +Several minor chieftains now divide authority in the Swat Valley, but +till 1870 it was governed by a single ruler. The Ahkund of Swat was by +origin a cowherd, an office considered most honourable in India. The cow +is a sacred beast. His service is acceptable to the Gods and men. +Princes glory in the name--though they do not usually carry their +enthusiasm further. "Guicowar" translated literally means "cowherd." +From such employment the future Ahkund received his inspiration. He sat +for many years by the banks of the Indus, and meditated. Thus he became +a saint. The longer his riparian reflections were continued, the greater +his sanctity became. The fame of his holiness spread throughout all the +region. The Swatis besought him to come and live in their valley. After +dignified and diplomatic reluctance, he consented to exchange the banks +of the Indus for those of the Swat. For some years, he lived in the +green valley, and enjoyed the reverence of its people. At the time of +the great mutiny, Said Akbar, the King of Swat, died, and the saint +succeeded to the temporal as well as the spiritual authority. In 1863 he +preached the Jehad against the British, and headed the Swatis and +Bunerwals in the Ambeyla campaign. The power which the Sirkar so +extravagantly displayed to bring the war to an end, evidently impressed +the old man, for at its close he made friends with the Government and +received from them many tokens of respect. + +Before he died in 1870, he summoned his people around him and declared +to them that one day their valley would be the scene of a struggle +between the Russians and the British. When that came to pass he charged +them to fight on our side. The saying is firmly fixed in the hearts of +the tribesmen, and is associated with the memory of their famous priest, +known to English minds chiefly through the medium of the "Bab Ballads." + +His two sons are dead, but his two grandsons, [the Mianguls of Swat] +both quite young, live on in the valley, and are the owners of the +Ahkund's freeholds, which are in every section of the Swat country. They +have very little political influence; but their persons and property are +respected by the people and by the British for the sake of their +grandfather, who sleeps in an odour of sanctity at Saidu, near Mingaora. + +From the Malakand the signal tower of Chakdara can be seen eight miles +away to the eastward. Thither the broad graded road runs like a ribbon +across the plain. Seven miles from the Kotal Camp, it crosses the +Amandara Pass, a gap in a considerable underfeature, which juts from the +southern mountains. After this it turns more to the north and leads to +the fortified bridge across the river. I invite the reader to remark +this road, for it is historic. It is not only the route by which the +Malakand Field Force was able to advance, but it is the very reason of +their existence. Without this road there would have been no Malakand +Camps, no fighting, no Malakand Field Force, no story. It is the road to +Chitral. + +Here then, at once, the whole vast question of frontier policy is +raised. We hold the Malakand Pass to keep the Chitral road open. We keep +the Chitral road open because we have retained Chitral. We retain +Chitral in accordance with the "Forward Policy." I am thus confronted at +the very outset of this book, which was intended to be devoted chiefly +to the narration of military events and small incidents, with that wide +political question, on which the keenest intellects in England are in +doubt, and the most valuable expert evidence in India is divided. The +reader must not think me pusillanimous or weak if I postpone the +discussion of so great and controversial a matter till a later chapter, +when I may perhaps enjoy a larger measure of his sympathy and agreement. +After the story has been told, it may not be inappropriate to point the +moral. + +Prudence encourages procrastination. But while the consideration of the +advisability of the retention of Chitral may be deferred, a description +of the means is convenient, if not necessary, to the present chapter. + +Nowshera is the railway base of the road. Thence we have followed it to +Mardan and across the frontier. Here the new and disputed portion +begins. Passing at first through the Lower Ranizai country, it climbs +the Malakand Pass, descends into the valley beyond and runs thence +through Upper Ranizai territory and Lower Swat to Chakdara. Here it +crosses the Swat River by the fine suspension bridge which the fort +guards. The three spans of this bridge are together nearly 1500 feet +long. It was constructed in 1895, during the operations, in about six +weeks, and is a very remarkable piece of military engineering. Beyond +the Swat the road runs through the territories of the Khan of Dir, north +and east to Sadu, an obscure village thirty-five miles from Malakand. +This marks the end of the first section, and further than this wheeled +traffic cannot go. The road, now become a camel track, winds along the +left bank of the Panjkora River to within five miles of Dir, where it +crosses to the right bank by another suspension bridge. Thence it +continues to the junction of the Dir stream, along which it finds its +way to Dir itself, some fifty miles from Sadu. Beyond Dir camels cannot +proceed, and here begins the third section--a path practicable only for +mules, and about sixty miles long. From Dir the road is a triumph of +engineering. In many places it is carried on wooden galleries perched on +the faces of steep and tremendous cliffs, and at others it works round +spurs by astounding zig-zags, or is scarped from the mountain side. At +the end of the road is Fort Chitral with a garrison of two battalions, +one company of sappers, and two mountain guns. + +The road is maintained and protected by the tribes through whose +territories it passes; but the two principal points where it might be +closed are held by Imperial garrisons. The Malakand Fort guards the +passage of the mountains. Chakdara holds the bridge across the river. +The rest is left to the tribal levies. The Ranizai tribe receive an +annual subsidy from the Indian Government of 30,000 rupees, out of which +they maintain 200 irregulars armed with Sniders, and irreverently called +by the British officers, "Catch-'em-alive-Os." These drive away +marauders and discourage outrage and murder. The Khan of Dir, through +whose territory the road runs for seventy-three miles, also receives a +subsidy from Government of 60,000 rupees, in consideration of which he +provides 400 irregulars for its service. + +Until the great rising these arrangements worked admirably. The +tribesmen interested in the maintenance of the route, were most +reluctant to engage in hostilities against the Government. The Lower +Ranizais, south of Malakand, abstained altogether. The elders of the +tribe collected all the arms of their hot-headed youths, and forbade +them to attack the troops. The Upper Ranizais were nearer the scene of +the disturbance, and were induced by superstition and fear to join the +Mullah; but very half-heartedly. The Swatis were carried away by +fanaticism. The Khan of Dir throughout behaved loyally, as he is +entirely dependent on British support, and his people realise the +advantages of the subsidy. + +If the road is interesting its story is more so, and a summary of the +events and causes which have led to its construction, may also throw +some light on the political history and methods of the border tribes. + +The uncertainty and insecurity of their power, has always led petty +chiefs to seek the support of some powerful suzerain. In 1876 the Mehtar +of Chitral, Aman-ul-Mulk, was encouraged to seek the protection, and +become the vassal of our vassal, the Maharaja of Cashmere. In accordance +with the general scheme of advance, then already adopted by the Indian +Government, a British agency was at once established at Gilgit on the +Chitral-Cashmere frontier. Aman-ul-Mulk was presented with a certain +supply of arms and ammunition, and an annual subsidy of 6000 rupees, +afterwards raised to 12,000 rupees. The British thus obtained an +interest in Chitral, and a point of observation on its borders. In 1881 +the agency was withdrawn, but the influence remained, and in 1889 it was +re-established with a much larger garrison. Meanwhile Aman-ul-Mulk ruled +in Chitral, showing great respect to the wishes of the Government, and +in the enjoyment of his subsidy and comparative peace. But in 1892 he +died, leaving many sons, all equally ferocious, ambitious and +unscrupulous. One of these, Afzal by name, though not the eldest or +acknowledged heir, had the good fortune to be on the spot. He seized the +reins of power, and having murdered as many if his brothers as he could +catch, proclaimed himself Mehtar, and invited the recognition of the +Indian Government. He was acknowledged chief, as he seemed to be "a man +of courage and determination," and his rule afforded a prospect of +settled government. Surviving brothers fled to neighbouring states. + +Nizam, the eldest, came to Gilgit and appealed to the British. He got no +help. The blessing had already been bestowed. But in November, 1892, +Sher Afzul, a brother of the late Aman, returned by stealth to Chitral, +whence fraternal affection had driven him, and killed the new Mehtar and +another brother, both of whom were his nephews. The "wicked uncle" then +ascended the throne, or its equivalent. He was, however, opposed. The +Indian Government refused to recognise him. Nizam, at Gilgit, urged his +claims, and was finally allowed to go and try to regain his inheritance. +The moral support of 250 Cashmere rifles brought him many adherents. He +was joined by the people. It was the landing of William of Orange on a +reduced scale, and with Cashmere troops instead of Dutch Guards. Twelve +hundred men sent by Sher Afzul to oppose him, deserted to his side. The +avuncular usurper, realising that it might be dangerous to wait longer, +fled to Afghanistan, as James II had fled to France, was received by the +ruler with hospitality, and carefully preserved as an element of future +disorder. + +Nizam now became Mehtar according to his desire. But he did not greatly +enjoy his power, and may have evolved some trite reflections on the +vanity of earthly ambition. From the first he was poor and unpopular. +With the support of the Government of India, however, he managed to +maintain a weak, squalid rule for a space. To give him countenance, and +in accordance with the Policy, Captain Younghusband was sent to the +country with a hundred bayonets. The Gilgit garrison was increased by a +battalion, and several posts were established between that place and +Mastuj. + +Thus the Imperial forces had entered Chitral. Their position was soon to +become one of danger. They were separated from Gilgit by many miles of +bad road, and warlike tribesmen. To move troops from Gilgit would always +be slow and difficult. Another route was however possible, the route I +have described--a route northwards from Peshawar through Dir--shorter +and easier, starting from British territory and the railway. Towards +this line of communication the Indian Government now looked. If British +troops or agents were to be retained in Chitral, if in other words their +recognised policy was to be continued, this route must be opened up. +They sounded the Home Government. Lord Kimberley replied, deprecating +increase of responsibilities, of territory and expenditure, and +declining to pledge himself to support such a scheme. At the same time +he sanctioned the temporary retention of the troops, and the agent, in +the hopes of strengthening Nizam. [Despatch from Secretary of State, +No.34, 1st Sept., 1893.] + +At this point Umra Khan must enter the story. The Gilgit agency report, +dated 28th April, 1890, speaks of this chief, who was the Khan of +Jandul, but whose influence pervaded the whole of Bajaur as "the most +important man between Chitral and Pashawar." To this powerful ruler, +another of the sons of Aman, named Amir, had fled from the family +massacre which followed his father's death. Umra Khan protected him and +determined to turn him to his own advantage. In May, 1894, this youth-- +he was about twenty years of age--returned to Chitral, professing to +have escaped from the hands of Umra Khan. He was kindly received by +Nizam, who seems to have been much hampered throughout his career by his +virtue. On 1st January, 1895, Amir availed himself of his welcome, to +murder his brother, and the principal members of the Chitral Cabinet. He +proclaimed himself Mentar and asked for recognition. The Imperial +officers, though used to frontier politics, refused to commit themselves +to any arrangement with such a villain, until the matter had been +considered in India. + +Umra Khan now advanced with a large force to the head of the Chitral +Valley, nominally to assist his dear friend and ally, Amir, to +consolidate his rule, really in the hopes of extending his own +territories. But Amir, knowing Umra well, and having won his kingdom, +did not desire to share it. Fighting ensued. The Chitrals were beaten. +As he could not make any use of Amir, Umra Khan invited the wicked uncle +to return. Sher Afzul accepted. A bargain was struck. Sher Afzul claimed +to be made Mehtar, Umra supported his claims. Both threatened force in +the event of opposition. + +But the Imperial Government rose in wrath, refused to have anything to +do with the new claimant, informed him that his language was +impertinent, and warned Umra Khan to leave Chitral territory forthwith +or take the consequences. The answer was war. The scanty garrisons and +scattered parties of British troops were attacked. A company of the 14th +Sikhs was cut to pieces. Lieutenants Fowler and Edwards were taken +prisoners. Fort Chitral, into which the rest of the Chitral mission and +their escort had thrown themselves, was closely and fiercely besieged. +To rescue them was imperative. The 1st Division of the Field Army was +mobilised. A force of nearly 16,000 men crossed the frontier on the 1st +April, from Mardan, to advance to the relief by the shortest route--the +route through Swat and Dir--the line of the present Chitral road. The +command of the expedition was confided to Sir Robert Low. Sir Bindon +Blood was Chief of the Staff. + +So far the tale has been of the steady increase of British influence, in +accordance with an avowed and consistent policy--primarily in Chitral, +and ultimately throughout the border tribes. One movement has been +followed by another. All have been aimed at a common end. Now suddenly +we are confronted with an act by which the Government of India with open +eyes placed an obstacle in the path, which they had so long pursued, to +follow which they had made so many efforts themselves and demanded so +many sacrifices from their subjects. Perhaps from compunction, but +probably to soothe the Liberal Government, by appearing to localise the +disturbances, and disclaiming any further acquisition of territory, they +issued a proclamation to "all the people of Swat and the people of +Bajaur, who do not side with Umra Khan," in which they declared that +they had "no intention of permanently occupying any territory through +which Umra Khan's misconduct" might "force them to pass, or of +interfering with the independence of the tribes." [Proclamation, 14th +March, 1895.] + +If this proclamation was intended for political purposes in England, it, +from one point of view, succeeded most admirably, for there has been +nearly as much written about it as about all the soldiers who have been +killed and wounded in the war. It had, however, no effect upon the +tribesmen, who were infuriated by the sight if the troops and paid no +attention to the protestations of the Government. Had they watched with +care the long, steady, deliberate advance, which I have so briefly +summarised; had they read the avowed and recorded determination of the +Indian Administration "to extend and, by degrees, to consolidate their +influence" [Letter from Government of India, No.407, 28th February, +1879.] in the whole drainage system of the Indus, they might have even +doubted their sincerity. Instead, and being unable to make fine +distinctions, they saw only invasion in the military movements. + +They gathered accordingly, to oppose the advance of the troops. To the +number of 12,000 they occupied the Malakand Pass--a tremendous position. +From this they were driven with great slaughter on the 3rd of April, by +the two leading brigades of Sir Robert Low's force. Further operations +resulted in the passage of the Swat and Panjkora Rivers being effected. +The road to Chitral was open. The besiegers of the fort fled, and a +small relieving force was able to push through from Gilgit under Colonel +Kelly. Umra Khan fled to Afghanistan, and the question of future policy +came before the Government of India. + +Two alternatives presented themselves: either they must "abandon the +attempt to keep up any effective control" over Chitral, or they must put +a sufficient garrison there. In pursuance of their recognised policy, +the Council decided unanimously that to maintain British influence in +Chitral was "a matter of first importance." In a despatch [Despatch of +Government of India, No.240, 8th May, 1895.] to the Home Government they +set forth all their reasons, and at the same time declared that it was +impossible to garrison Chitral without keeping up the road from +Peshawar, by which the Relief force had advanced. + +On the 13th of June Lord Rosebery's Cabinet replied decisively, with +courage if not with wisdom, that "no military force or European agent +should be kept at Chitral, that Chitral should not be fortified, and +that no road should be made between Peshawar and Chitral." By this they +definitely and finally repudiated the policy which had been consistently +followed since 1876. They left Chitral to stew in its own juice. They +over-ruled the Government of India. It was a bold and desperate attempt +to return to the old frontier line. The Indian Government replied: "We +deeply regret but loyally accept decision," and began to gather up the +severed strings of their policy and weave another web. + +But in the nick of time the Liberal Administration fell, and Lord +Salisbury's Cabinet reversed their decision. It is interesting, in +reading the Blue Books on Indian questions, to watch the emotions of +party principles, stirring beneath the uniform mask of official +responsibility--which the most reckless of men are compelled to wear as +soon as they become ministers. The language, the style, the tone of the +correspondence is the same. It is always a great people addressing and +instructing their pro-consuls and administrators. But the influence +inclines backwards and forwards as the pendulum of politics swings. And +as the swing in 1895 was a very great one, a proportionate impulse was +given to the policy of advance. "It seemed" to the new ministry "that +the policy . . . continuously pursued by successive Governments ought +not to be lightly abandoned unless its maintenance had become clearly +impossible." [Despatch, Secretary of State, No.30, 16th Aug., 1895.] +Thus the retention of Chitral was sanctioned, and the road which that +retention necessitated was completed. + +I approach with nervousness so great a matter as the "Breach of Faith" +question. In a book devoted chiefly to the deeds of soldiers it seems +almost presumptuous to discuss an affair which involves the political +honour of statesmen. In their unnecessary and gratuitous proclamation +the Government of India declared, that they had no intention of +interfering with the tribes, or of permanently occupying any territory, +the troops might march through; whereas now they do interfere with the +tribesmen, and have established garrisons at Dargai, Malakand and +Chakdara, all of which are in the territory through which the troops +passed. But it takes two to make a bargain or a breach of faith. The +tribes took no notice of the proclamation. They did not understand it. +They did not believe it. Where there is no faith there can be no breach +of faith. The border peoples resisted the advance. That position +annulled the proclamation, and proved that it was not credited by the +tribesmen. They do not think they have been tricked. They do not regard +the road as a "breach of faith." What they do regard it as, is a menace +to their independence, and a prelude to annexation. Nor are they wrong. +Looking at the road, as I have seen it, and have tried to describe it, +running broad and white across the valley; at the soldiers moving along +it; at the political officers extending their influence in all +directions; at the bridge and fort of Chakdara; and at the growing +cantonment on the Malakand Pass, it needs no education to appreciate its +significance. Nor can any sophistry obscure it. + + + + + +CHAPTER III: THE OUTBREAK + + + Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum. + + LUCRETIUS. + + + +The historian of great events is always oppressed by the difficulty of +tracing the silent, subtle influences, which in all communities precede +and prepare the way for violent outbursts and uprisings. He may discover +many causes and record them duly, but he will always be sensible that +others have escaped him. The changing tides of public opinion, the +undercurrents of interest, partisanship and caprice, the whirlpools of +illogical sentiment or ignorant prejudice, exert forces so complex and +numerous, that to observe and appreciate them all, and to estimate the +effect of each in raising the storm, is a task beyond the intellect and +industry of man. The chronicler of small things lies under even greater +disabilities. He has fewer facts to guide his judgment, nor is it as +easy to read small print as capital letters. + +In an attempt to state the causes of the great tribal upheaval of 1897, +these difficulties are increased by the fact that no European can gauge +the motives or assume the points of view of Asiatics. It is, however, +impossible to pass the question by, and ignoring the detail, I shall +endeavour to indicate some at least of the most important and apparent +forces, which have led to the formidable combination with which the +British power in India has been confronted. + +The most marked incident in the "Forward Policy" has been the retention +of Chitral. The garrisons, the road, the tribal levies have made the +tribesmen realise the proximity and the advance of civilisation. It is +possible--even probable--that with all their love of independence, the +majority of the inhabitants of the mountains would have been willing, +until their liberties were actually curtailed, to remain in passive +submission, soothed by the increase of material prosperity. During the +two years that the British flag had floated over Chakdara and the +Malakand the trade of the Swat Valley had nearly doubled. As the sun of +civilisation rose above the hills, the fair flowers of commerce +unfolded, and the streams of supply and demand, hitherto congealed by +the frost of barbarism, were thawed. Most of the native population were +content to bask in the genial warmth and enjoy the new-found riches and +comforts. For two years reliefs had gone to and from Chitral without a +shot being fired. Not a post-bag had been stolen, not a messenger +murdered. The political officers riding about freely among the fierce +hill men were invited to settle many disputes, which would formerly have +been left to armed force. + +But a single class had viewed with quick intelligence and intense +hostility the approach of the British power. The priesthood of the +Afghan border instantly recognised the full meaning of the Chitral road. +The cause of their antagonism is not hard to discern. Contact with +civilisation assails the ignorance, and credulity, on which the wealth +and influence of the Mullah depend. A general combination of the +religious forces of India against that civilising, educating rule, which +unconsciously saps the strength of superstition, is one of the dangers +of the future. Here Mahommedanism was threatened and resisted. A vast, +but silent agitation was begun. Messengers passed to and fro among the +tribes. Whispers of war, a holy war, were breathed to a race intensely +passionate and fanatical. Vast and mysterious agencies, the force of +which is incomprehensible to rational minds, were employed. More astute +brains than the wild valleys of the North produce conducted the +preparations. Secret encouragement came from the South--from India +itself. Actual support and assistance was given from Cabul. + +In that strange half light of ignorance and superstition, assailed by +supernatural terrors and doubts, and lured by hopes of celestial glory, +the tribes were taught to expect prodigious events. Something was +coming. A great day for their race and faith was at hand. Presently the +moment would arrive. They must watch and be ready. The mountains became +as full of explosives as a magazine. Yet the spark was lacking. + +At length the time came. A strange combination of circumstances operated +to improve the opportunity. The victory of the Turks over the Greeks; +the circulation of the Amir's book on "Jehad"; his assumption of the +position of a Caliph of Islam, and much indiscreet writing in the Anglo- +Indian press, [Articles in Anglo-Indian papers on such subjects as "The +Recrudescence if Mahommedanism" produce more effect on the educated +native mind than the most seditious frothings of the vernacular press.] +united to produce a "boom" in Mahommedanism. + +The moment was propitious; nor was the man wanting. What Peter the +Hermit was to the regular bishops and cardinals of the Church, the Mad +Mullah was to the ordinary priesthood of the Afghan border. A wild +enthusiast, convinced alike of his Divine mission and miraculous powers, +preached a crusade, or Jehad, against the infidel. The mine was fired. +The flame ran along the ground. The explosions burst forth in all +directions. The reverberations have not yet died away. + +Great and widespread as the preparations were, they were not visible to +the watchful diplomatic agents who maintained the relations of the +Government with the tribesmen. So extraordinary is the inversion of +ideas and motives among those people that it may be said that those who +know them best, know them least, and the more logical the mind of the +student the less he is able to understand of the subject. In any case +among these able men who diligently collected information and observed +the state of feeling, there were none who realised the latent forces +that were being accumulated on all sides. The strange treachery at +Maizar in June was a flash in the pan. Still no one saw the danger. It +was not until the early days of July that it was noticed that there was +a fanatical movement in Upper Swat. Even then its significance was +disregarded and its importance underrated. That a Mad Fakir had arrived +was known. His power was still a secret. It did not long remain so. + +It is, thank heaven, difficult if not impossible for the modern European +to fully appreciate the force which fanaticism exercises among an +ignorant, warlike and Oriental population. Several generations have +elapsed since the nations of the West have drawn the sword in religious +controversy, and the evil memories of the gloomy past have soon faded in +the strong, clear light of Rationalism and human sympathy. Indeed it is +evident that Christianity, however degraded and distorted by cruelty and +intolerance, must always exert a modifying influence on men's passions, +and protect them from the more violent forms of fanatical fever, as we +are protected from smallpox by vaccination. But the Mahommedan religion +increases, instead of lessening, the fury of intolerance. It was +originally propagated by the sword, and ever since, its votaries have +been subject, above the people of all other creeds, to this form of +madness. In a moment the fruits of patient toil, the prospects of +material prosperity, the fear of death itself, are flung aside. The more +emotional Pathans are powerless to resist. All rational considerations +are forgotten. Seizing their weapons, they become Ghazis--as dangerous +and as sensible as mad dogs: fit only to be treated as such. While the +more generous spirits among the tribesmen become convulsed in an ecstasy +of religious bloodthirstiness, poorer and more material souls derive +additional impulses from the influence of others, the hopes of plunder +and the joy of fighting. Thus whole nations are roused to arms. Thus the +Turks repel their enemies, the Arabs of the Soudan break the British +squares, and the rising on the Indian frontier spreads far and wide. In +each case civilisation is confronted with militant Mahommedanism. The +forces of progress clash with those of reaction. The religion of blood +and war is face to face with that of peace. Luckily the religion of +peace is usually the better armed. + +The extraordinary credulity of the people is hardly conceivable. Had the +Mad Mullah called on them to follow him to attack Malakand and Chakdara +they would have refused. Instead he worked miracles. He sat at his +house, and all who came to visit him, brought him a small offering of +food or money, in return for which he gave them a little rice. As his +stores were continually replenished, he might claim to have fed +thousands. He asserted that he was invisible at night. Looking into his +room, they saw no one. At these things they marvelled. Finally he +declared he would destroy the infidel. He wanted no help. No one should +share the honours. The heavens would open and an army would descend. The +more he protested he did not want them, the more exceedingly they came. +Incidentally he mentioned that they would be invulnerable; other agents +added arguments. I was shown a captured scroll, upon which the tomb of +the Ghazi--he who has killed an infidel--is depicted in heaven, no fewer +than seven degrees above the Caaba itself. Even after the fighting--when +the tribesmen reeled back from the terrible army they had assailed, +leaving a quarter of their number on the field--the faith of the +survivors was unshaken. Only those who had doubted had perished, said +the Mullah, and displayed a bruise which was, he informed them, the sole +effect of a twelve-pound shrapnel shell on his sacred person. + +I pass with relief from the tossing sea of Cause and Theory to the firm +ground of Result and Fact. The rumours and reports which reached the +Malakand of the agitation in Upper Swat and among the surrounding tribes +were fully appreciated by the Pathan Sepoys of the garrison. As July +advanced, several commanding officers were warned by their men, that +great events were impending. Major Deane, the political agent, watched +with great anxiety the daily progress of the fanatical movement. No one +desires to be thought an alarmist, least of all on the frontier where +there is always danger. At length, however, he felt compelled to +officially report the disquieting signs. Warnings were then issued to +the officers in charge of the various posts, and the troops were +practised in taking up alarm stations. By the 23rd of July all had been +informed that the aspect of affairs was threatening, and ordered to +observe every precaution. But to the last everybody doubted that there +would be a rising, nor did any one imagine that even should one occur, +it would lead to more than a skirmish. The natives were friendly and +respectful. The valley smiled in fertile prosperity. It was not strange, +that none could foresee the changes a week would bring, or guess that in +a few days they would be fighting for their lives; that they would carry +fire and sword through the peaceful landscape; that the polo ground +would be the scene of a cavalry charge, or that the cheery barbarians +among whom they had lived quietly for so many months would become +maddened and ferocious savages. Never was transformation of scene more +complete, or more rapid. + +And all the while the rumours of coming war grew stronger and stronger. +The bazaars of India, like the London coffee-houses of the last century, +are always full of marvellous tales--the invention of fertile brains. A +single unimportant fact is exaggerated, and distorted, till it becomes +unrecognisable. From it, a thousand wild, illogical, and fantastic +conclusions are drawn. These again are circulated as facts. So the game +goes on. But amid all this falsehood, and idle report, there often lies +important information. The bazaar stories not only indicate the state of +native opinion, but not infrequently contain the germ of truth. In +Eastern lands, news travels by strange channels, and often with +unaccountable rapidity. As July advanced the bazaar at Malakand became +full of tales of the Mad Fakir. His miracles passed from mouth to mouth, +with suitable additions. + +A great day for Islam was at hand. A mighty man had arisen to lead them. +The English would be swept away. By the time of the new moon, not one +would remain. The Great Fakir had mighty armies concealed among the +mountains. When the moment came these would sally forth--horse, foot and +artillery--and destroy the infidel. It was even stated that the Mullah +had ordered that no one should go near a certain hill, lest the heavenly +hosts should be prematurely revealed. So ran the talk. But among all +these frothy fabrications there lay a solemn warning. + +Though the British military and political officers were compelled to +take official notice of the reports received with reference to the +tribal gathering, and to make arrangements for the safety of their +posts, they privately scouted the idea that any serious events were +impending. + +On the afternoon of the 26th July the subalterns and younger officers of +the Malakand garrison proceeded to Khar to play polo. Thither also came +Lieutenant Rattray, riding over from Chakdara fort. The game was a good +one, and the tribesmen of the neighbouring village watched it as usual +in little groups, with a keen interest. Nothing in their demeanour +betrayed their thoughts or intentions. The young soldiers saw nothing, +knew nothing, and had they known would have cared less. There would be +no rising. If there was, so much the better. They were ready for it. The +game ended and the officers cantered back to their camps and posts. + +It was then that a strange incident occurred--an incident eminently +characteristic of the frontier tribes. As the syces were putting the +rugs and clothing on the polo ponies, and loitering about the ground +after the game, the watching natives drew near and advised them to be +off home at once, for that there was going to be a fight. They knew, +these Pathans, what was coming. The wave of fanaticism was sweeping down +the valley. It would carry them away. They were powerless to resist. +Like one who feels a fit coming on, they waited. Nor did they care very +much. When the Mad Fakir arrived, they would fight and kill the +infidels. In the meantime there was no necessity to deprive them of +their ponies. And so with motives, partly callous, partly sportsmanlike, +and not without some faint suspicion of chivalry, they warned the native +grooms, and these taking the hint reached the camp in safety. + +Late on this same afternoon Major Deane reported to Brigadier-General +Meiklejohn, who commanded the Malakand garrison, that matters had +assumed a very grave aspect; that a great armed gathering had collected +around the Mad Mullah's standard, and that an attack was probable. He +advised that the Guides should be called up to reinforce the brigade. A +telegram was immediately despatched to Mardan ordering them to march +without delay. At 8.30 Lieutenant P. Eliott-Lockhart, who was the senior +officer then with the regiment, received the order. At 1.30 A.M. they +began their now famous march. + +After sending for the Guides, the brigadier, at about seven o'clock, +interviewed his different commanding officers, and instructed them to be +prepared to turn out at any moment. Major Deane now reported that the +Mad Mullah and his gathering were advancing down the valley, and +recommended that the Amandara Pass, four miles away, should be held. +General Meiklejohn accordingly issued orders for a movable column, to be +formed as follows:-- + + 45th Sikhs. + 2 Cos. 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 2 Guns No. 8 Mountain Battery. + 1 Squadron 11th Bengal Lancers. + +This force, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel McRae, 45th Sikhs, was +to start at midnight and would be supported by the rest of the troops +under command of the brigadier at 3 A.M. + +All preparations were swiftly made. At 9.45 a telegram from Chakdara-- +which got through just before the wire was cut--reported that large +forces of Pathans were rapidly moving towards the camps. A quarter of an +hour later a Jemadar of the Levies galloped in with the news that, to +quote the official despatch: "The Fakir had passed Khar and was +advancing on Malakand, that neither Levies nor people would act against +him, and that the hills to the east of the camp were covered with +Pathans." + +As soon as the officers had returned from polo, they found plenty of +work waiting for them. Bandsmen and boys incapable of carrying arms had +to be hurried up to the fort. Indents had to be made out for transport, +rations and ammunition. There was much to do, and little time to do it +in. At length all was finished, and the troops were in readiness for +their early morning start. At 9.30 the officers sat down to dinner, +still in their polo kit, which there had been no time to change. At 10 +o'clock they were discussing the prospects of the approaching march, and +eagerly weighing the chances of a skirmish. The more sanguine asserted +that there would be a fight--a small one, it was true--but still a +skirmish. Many of those who had never been in action before +congratulated themselves on the unlooked-for opportunity. The older and +more experienced regarded the matter in the light of a riot. They might +have to fire on the tribesmen, but Swatis were such cowards that they +would never stand up to the troops. Still it was a chance. + +Suddenly in the stillness of the night a bugle-call sounded on the +parade ground of the "crater" camp. Everyone sprang up. It was the +"Assembly." For a moment there was silence while the officers seized +their swords and belts and hurriedly fastened them on. Several, thinking +that it was merely the warning for the movable column to fall in, waited +to light their cigarettes. Then from many quarters the loud explosion of +musketry burst forth, a sound which for six days and nights was to know +no intermission. + +The attack on the Malakand and the great frontier war had begun. + +The noise of firing echoed among the hills. Its echoes are ringing +still. One valley caught the waves of sound and passed them to the next, +till the whole wide mountain region rocked with the confusion of the +tumult. Slender wires and long-drawn cables carried the vibrations to +the far-off countries of the West. Distant populations on the Continent +of Europe thought that in them they detected the dull, discordant tones +of decline and fall. Families in English homes feared that the +detonations marked the death of those they loved--sons, brothers or +husbands. Diplomatists looked wise, economists anxious, stupid people +mysterious and knowledgeable. All turned to have the noise stopped. But +that was a task which could not be accomplished until thousands of lives +had been sacrificed and millions of money spent. + + + + + +CHAPTER IV: THE ATTACK ON THE MALAKAND + + + Cry "Havoc" and let slip the dogs of war. + + "JULIUS CAESAR," Act iii., Sc.i. + + + +It has long been recognised by soldiers of every nation that, to resist +a vigorous onslaught by night, is almost the hardest task that troops +can be called upon to perform. Panics, against which few brave men are +proof, arise in a moment from such situations. Many a gallant soldier +has lost his head. Many an experienced officer has been borne down +unheeded by a crowd of fugitives. Regiments that have marched +unflinchingly to almost certain death on the battlefield, become in an +instant terrified and useless. + +In the attack on the Malakand camp, all the elements of danger and +disorder were displayed. The surprise, the darkness, the confused and +broken nature of the ground; the unknown numbers of the enemy; their +merciless ferocity; every appalling circumstance was present. But there +were men who were equal to the occasion. As soon as the alarm sounded +Lieutenant-Colonel McRae of the 45th Sikhs, a holder of the Gold Medal +of the Royal Humane Society and of long experience in Afghanistan and on +the Indian frontier, ran to the Quarter Guard, and collecting seven or +eight men, sent them under command of Major Taylor, of the same +regiment, down the Buddhist road to try and check the enemy's advance. +Hurriedly assembling another dozen men, and leaving the Adjutant, +Lieutenant Barff, with directions to bring on more, he ran with his +little party after Taylor in the direction of the entrance gorge of the +Kotal camp. Two roads give access to the Malakand camp, from the plain +of Khar. At one point the Buddhist road, the higher of the two, passes +through a narrow defile then turns a sharp corner. Here, if anywhere, the +enemy might be held or at least delayed until the troops got under arms. +Overtaking Major Taylor, Colonel McRae led the party, which then +amounted to perhaps twenty men, swiftly down the road, It was a race on +which the lives of hundreds depended. If the enemy could turn the +corner, nothing could check their rush, and the few men who tried to +oppose them would be cut to pieces. The Sikhs arrived first, but by a +very little. As they turned the corner they met the mass of the enemy, +nearly a thousand strong, armed chiefly with swords and knives, creeping +silently and stealthily up the gorge, in the hope and assurance of +rushing the camp and massacring every soul in it. The whole road was +crowded with the wild figures. McRae opened fire at once. Volley after +volley was poured into the dense mass, at deadly range. At length the +Sikhs fired independently. This checked the enemy, who shouted and +yelled in fury at being thus stopped. The small party of soldiers then +fell back, pace by pace, firing incessantly, and took up a position in a +cutting about fifty yards behind the corner. Their flanks were protected +on the left by high rocks, and on the right by boulders and rough +ground, over which in the darkness it was impossible to move. The road +was about five yards wide. As fast as the tribesmen turned the corner +they were shot down. It was a strong position. + + In that strait path a thousand + Might well be stopped by three + +Being thus effectively checked in their direct advance, the tribesmen +began climbing up the hill to the left and throwing down rocks and +stones on those who barred their path. They also fired their rifles +round the corner, but as they were unable to see the soldiers without +exposing themselves, most of their bullets went to the right. + +The band of Sikhs were closely packed in the cutting, the front rank +kneeling to fire. Nearly all were struck by stones and rocks. Major +Taylor, displaying great gallantry, was mortally wounded. Several of the +Sepoys were killed. Colonel McRae himself was accidentally stabbed in +the neck by a bayonet and became covered with blood. But he called upon +the men to maintain the good name of "Rattray's Sikhs," and to hold +their position till death or till the regiment came up. And the soldiers +replied by loudly shouting the Sikh warcry, and defying the enemy to +advance. + +After twenty minutes of desperate fighting, Lieutenant Barff arrived +with thirty more men. He was only just in time. The enemy had already +worked round Colonel McRae's right, and the destruction of the few +soldiers left alive could not long have been delayed. The reinforcement, +climbing up the hillside, drove the enemy back and protected the flank. +But the remainder of the regiment was now at hand. Colonel McRae then +fell back to a more extended position along a ridge about fifty yards +further up the road, and reinforcing Lieutenant Barff's party, repulsed +all attacks during the night. About 2 A.M. the tribesmen, finding they +could make no progress, drew off, leaving many dead. + +The presence of mind, tactical knowledge and bravery displayed in this +affair are thus noticed in the official despatches by General +Meiklejohn:-- + +"There is no doubt that the gallant resistance made by this small body +in the gorge, against vastly superior numbers, till the arrival of the +rest of the regiment, saved the camp from being rushed on that side, and +I cannot speak too highly of the behaviour of Lieutenant-Colonel McRae +and Major Taylor on this occasion." + +While these things were passing on the right, the other attacks of the +enemy had met with more success. The camp was assaulted simultaneously +on the three sides. The glow of the star shells showed that the north +camp was also engaged. The enemy had been checked on the Buddhist road, +by Colonel McRae and the 45th Sikhs, but another great mass of men +forced their way along the Graded road in the centre of the position. On +the first sound of firing the inlying picket of the 24th Punjaub +Infantry doubled out to reinforce the pickets on the road, and in the +water-gorge. They only arrived in time to find these being driven in by +overpowering numbers of the enemy. Hundreds of fierce swordsmen swarmed +unto the bazaar and into the serai, a small enclosure which adjoined. +Sharpshooters scrambled up the surrounding hills, and particularly from +one ragged, rock-strewn peak called Gibraltar, kept up a tremendous +fire. + +The defence of the left and centre or the camp was confided to the 24th +Punjaub Infantry. One company of this regiment under Lieutenant Climo, +charging across the football ground, cleared the bazaar at the point of +the bayonet. The scene at this moment was vivid and terrible. The bazaar +was crowded with tribesmen. The soldiers rushing forward amid loud +cheers, plunged their bayonets into their furious adversaries. The sound +of the hacking of swords, the screams of the unfortunate shopkeepers, +the yells of the Ghazis were plainly heard above the ceaseless roll of +musketry. The enemy now tried to force their way back into the bazaar, +but the entrance was guarded by the troops and held against all assaults +till about 10.45. The left flank of the company was then turned, and the +pressure became so severe that they were withdrawn to a more interior +line of defence, and took up a position along the edge of the "Sappers' +and Miners' enclosure." Another company held the approaches from the +north camp. The remainder of the regiment and No.5 company Sappers and +Miners, were kept in readiness to reinforce any part of the line. + +It is necessary to record the actual movements of the troops in detail, +but I am anxious above all things to give the reader a general idea. The +enemy had attacked in tremendous strength along the two roads that gave +access on the eastern side to the great cup of the Malakand. On the +right road, they were checked by the brilliant movement of Colonel McRae +and the courage of his regiment. Pouring in overwhelming force along the +left road, they had burst into the camp itself, bearing down all +opposition. The defenders, unable to hold the extended line of the rim, +had been driven to take up a central position in the bottom of the cup. +This central position comprised the "Sappers' and Miners' enclosure," +the commissariat lines and the Field Engineer Park. It was commanded on +every side by the fire from the rim. But the defenders stood at bay, +determined at all costs to hold their ground, bad though it was. + +Meanwhile the enemy rushed to the attack with wild courage and reckless +fury. Careless of life, they charged the slender line of defence. Twice +they broke through and penetrated the enclosure. They were met by men as +bold as they. The fighting became desperate. The general himself hurried +from point to point, animating the soldiers and joining in the defence +with sword and revolver. As soon as the enemy broke into the +commissariat lines they rushed into the huts and sheds eager for plunder +and victims. + +Lieutenant Manley, the Brigade Commissariat Officer, stuck stubbornly to +his post, and with Sergeant Harrington endeavoured to hold the hut in +which he lived. The savage tribesmen burst in the door and crowded into +the room. What followed reads like a romance. + +The officer opened fire at once with his revolver. He was instantly cut +down and hacked to pieces. In the struggle the lamp was smashed. The +room became pitch dark. The sergeant, knocking down his assailants, got +free for a moment and stood against the wall motionless. Having killed +Manley, the tribesmen now began to search for the sergeant, feeling with +their hands along the wall and groping in the darkness. At last, finding +no one, they concluded he had escaped, and hurried out to look for +others. Sergeant Harrington remained in the hut till it was retaken some +hours later, and so saved his life. + +Another vigorous attack was made upon the Quarter Guard. Lieutenant +Watling, who met it with his company of sappers, transfixed a Ghazi with +his sword, but such was the fury of the fanatic that as he fell dead he +cut at the officer and wounded him severely. The company were driven +back. The Quarter Guard was captured, and with it the reserve ammunition +of the sappers. Lieutenant Watling was carried in by his men, and, as +soon as he reached the dressing station, reported the loss of this +important post. + +Brigadier-General Meiklejohn at once ordered a party of the 24th to +retake it from the enemy. Few men could be spared from the line of +defence. At length a small but devoted band collected. It consisted of +Captain Holland, Lieutenant Climo, Lieutenant Manley, R.E., the +general's orderly, a Sepoy of the 45th Sikhs, two or three sappers and +three men of the 24th; in all about a dozen. + +The general placed himself at their head. The officers drew their +revolvers. The men were instructed to use the bayonet only. Then they +advanced. The ground is by nature broken and confused to an +extraordinary degree. Great rocks, undulations and trees rendered all +movements difficult. Frequent tents, sheds and other buildings increased +the intricacies. Amidst such surroundings were the enemy, numerous and +well armed. The twelve men charged. The tribesmen advanced to meet them. +The officers shot down man after man with their pistols. The soldiers +bayoneted others. The enemy drew off discomfited, but half the party +were killed or wounded. The orderly was shot dead. A sapper and a +havildar of the 24th were severely wounded. The general himself was +struck by a sword on the neck. Luckily the weapon turned in his +assailant's hand, and only caused a bruise. Captain Holland was shot +through the back at close quarters by a man concealed in a tent. The +bullet, which caused four wounds, grazed his spine. The party were now +too few to effect anything. The survivors halted. Lieutenant Climo took +the wounded officer back, and collecting a dozen more men of the 24th, +returned to the attack. The second attempt to regain the Quarter Guard +was also unsuccessful, and the soldiers recoiled with further loss; but +with that undaunted spirit which refuses to admit defeat they continued +their efforts, and at the third charge dashed across the open space, +bowling over and crushing back the enemy, and the post was recovered. +All the ammunition had, however, been carried off by the enemy, and as +the expenditure of that night had already been enormous, it was a +serious loss. The commissariat lines were at length cleared of the +tribesmen, and such of the garrison as could be spared were employed in +putting up a hasty defence across the south entrance of the enclosure, +and clearing away the cook-houses and other shelters, which might be +seized by the enemy. + +The next morning no fewer than twenty-nine corpses of tribesmen were +found round the cookhouse, and in the open space over which the three +charges had taken place. This, when it is remembered that perhaps twice +as many had been wounded and had crawled away, enables an estimate to be +formed of the desperate nature of the fight for the Quarter Guard. + +All this time the fire from rim into the cup had been causing severe and +continual losses. The enemy surrounding the enclosure on three sides, +brought a cross fire to bear on its defenders, and made frequent charges +right up to the breastwork. Bullets were flying in all directions, and +there was no question of shelter. Major Herbert, D.A.A.G., was hit early +in the night. Later on Lieutenant-Colonel Lamb received the dangerous +wound in his thigh which caused his death a few days afterwards. Many +Sepoys were also killed and wounded. The command of the 24th Punjaub +Infantry devolved upon a subaltern officer, Lieutenant Climo. The +regiment, however, will never be in better hands. + +At about one o'clock, during a lull in the firing, the company which was +lining the east face of the enclosure heard feeble cries of help. A +wounded havildar of the 24th was lying near the bazaar. He had fallen in +the first attack, shot in the shoulder. The tribesmen, giving him two or +three deep sword cuts to finish him, had left him for dead. He now +appealed for help. The football ground on which he lay was swept by the +fire of the troops, and overrun by the enemy's swordsmen, yet the cry +for help did not pass unheeded. Taking two Sepoys with him, Lieutenant +E.W. Costello, 24th Punjaub Infantry, ran out into the deadly space, +and, in spite of the heavy fire, brought the wounded soldier in safety. +For this heroic action he has since received the Victoria Cross. + +As the night wore on, the attack of the enemy became so vigorous, that +the brigadier decided to call for a reinforcement of a hundred men from +the garrison of the fort. This work stood high on a hill, and was +impregnable to an enemy unprovided with field guns. Lieutenant Rawlins +volunteered to try and reach it with the order. Accompanied by three +orderlies, he started. He had to make his way through much broken ground +infested by the enemy. One man sprang at him and struck him on the wrist +with a sword, but the subaltern, firing his revolver, shot him dead, +reached the fort in safety, and brought back the sorely-needed +reinforcement. + +It was thought that the enemy would make a final effort to capture the +enclosure before dawn, that being the hour which Afghan tribesmen +usually select. But they had lost heavily, and at about 3.30 A.M. began +to carry away their dead and wounded. The firing did not, however, +lessen until 4.15 A.M., when the sharpshooters withdrew to the heights, +and the fusillade dwindled to "sniping" at long range. + +The first night of the defence of the Malakand camp was over. The enemy, +with all the advantages of surprise, position and great numbers, had +failed to overcome the slender garrison. Everywhere they had been +repulsed with slaughter. But the British losses had been severe. + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Hon. Lieutenant L. Manley, Commissariat Department. + Wounded dangerously--Major W.W. Taylor, 45th Sikhs. + Wounded severely--Lieut.-Colonel J. Lamb, 24th P.I. + " " Major L. Herbert, D.A.A.G. + " " Captain H.F. Holland, 24th P.I. + " " Lieutenant F.W. Watling, Q.O. Sappers and + Miners. + + Of these Lieut.-Colonel Lamb and Major Taylor died of their wounds. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed . . . . . . 21 + Wounded . . . . . 31 + + +As soon as the first light of morning began to grow in the valley, two +companies of the 24th advanced and cleared the bazaar of such of the +enemy as had remained behind to plunder. The whole place had been +thoroughly ransacked, and everything of value destroyed or carried off. +The native manager had had a strange experience, and one which few men +would envy. He had remained hidden in the back of a tent during the +whole night in equal danger and terror of the bullets of the soldiers +and the swords of the enemy. Hearing the friendly voices, he emerged +uninjured from his retreat. + +Desultory firing was maintained by the tribesmen all day. + +While the close and desperate fighting, which has been described, was +raging in the south camp, the north camp had not been seriously +involved, and had spent a quiet, though anxious night. On the sound of +the firing on the Kotal being heard, four guns of No.8 Mountain Battery +were moved over to the south-east side of the camp, and several star +shells were fired. No large body of the enemy was however discovered. +Twice during the night the camp was approached by the tribesmen, but a +few rounds of shrapnel were sufficient to drive these away. + +When General Meiklejohn found that the garrison of the north camp had +not been severely engaged, he ordered a force consisting of two guns and +the 31st Punjaub Infantry, under Major Gibbs, covered by forty sowars of +the 11th Bengal Lancers, and supported by a wing of the 24th, to move +out, reconnoitre the valley and clear it, as much as possible, of the +enemy. The column advanced in pursuit as far as Bedford Hill. Here they +came upon a large gathering of tribesmen, and as it was now evident that +a great tribal rising had broken out, Major Gibbs was ordered to return +and to bring his stores and troops into the Kotal camp without delay. +The infantry and guns thereupon retired and fell back on the camp, +covered by the 24th Punjaub Infantry. + +As this regiment was being withdrawn, a sudden attack was made from the +high ground above the Buddhist road, and directed against the left flank +of the troops. A front was immediately shown, and the 24th advanced to +meet their assailants. Lieutenant Climo, who commanded, detached a +company to the right, and by this turning movement drove them off, +inflicting some loss and capturing a standard. This officer's skill and +conduct in this retirement was again the subject of commendation in +despatches. The troops reached their respective camps at about 11 +o'clock. Meanwhile the cavalry had been ordered to push on, if possible, +to Chakdara and reinforce the garrison at that post. The task was one of +considerable danger, but by crossing and recrossing the Swat River, the +squadron managed to cut their way through the tribesmen and reached the +fort with slight loss. This brilliant ride will receive a fuller +description in a later chapter. + +The evacuation of the north camp proceeded very slowly. The troops +packed up their kits with great deliberation, and applications were made +for transport. None was, however, available. All the camels were at +Dargai, on the Indian side of the mountains. Repeated orders to hurry +were sent from the Kotal. All hated leaving their belongings behind, +having no confidence in the liberality of a paternal Government. As the +afternoon passed, the aspect of the enemy became very threatening and +formidable. Great numbers drew near to the camp, and the guns were +compelled to fire a good many rounds. At length, at 4 o'clock, +imperative orders were sent that the north camp was to be at once +abandoned, that the force there was to march to the Kotal, and that all +baggage and stores, not yet removed, were to be left where they were. + +All the tents were struck, but nothing else could be done, and to the +deep disgust of all--officers and men--their property was left to the +mercies of the enemy. During the night it was all looted and burnt. Many +of the officers thus lost every stitch of clothing they possessed. The +flames rising from the scene of destruction were visible far and wide, +and the tribesmen in the most distant valleys were encouraged to hurry +to complete the slaughter of the accursed infidels. + +It cannot be doubted, however, that the concentration of the troops was +a wise and judicious step. The garrison of the Kotal and south camp was +insufficient, and, whatever happened, it was better for the troops to +stand or fall together. The situation was also aggravated by the +appearance of large numbers of tribesmen from the Utman Khel country, +who crowded the hills to the west of the camp, and thus compelled the +defenders to hold a greatly extended line. The abandonment of the north +camp was carried out none too soon, for the enemy pressed the withdrawal +of the troops, and they reached the south camp under cover of the fire +of the 24th Punjaub Infantry, and the Guides Cavalry. These latter had +arrived in camp at 8.30 that morning after marching all night. They +found plenty of employment. + +The telegraph had carried the news of the events of the night to all +parts of the world. In England those returning from Goodwood Races read +the first details of the fighting on the posters of the evening papers. +At Simla, the Government of India awoke to find themselves confronted +with another heavy task. Other messages recalled all officers to their +regiments, and summoned reinforcements to the scene by road and rail. In +the small hours of the 27th, the officers of the 11th Bengal Lancers at +Nowshera were aroused by a frantic telegraph operator, who was astounded +by the news his machine was clicking out. This man in his shirt sleeves, +with a wild eye, and holding an unloaded revolver by the muzzle, ran +round waking everyone. The whole country was up. The Malakand garrison +was being overwhelmed by thousands of tribesmen. All the troops were to +march at once. He brandished copies of the wires he had received. In a +few moments official instructions arrived. The 11th Bengal Lancers, the +38th Dogras and the 35th Sikhs started at dawn. No.1 and No.7 British +Mountain Batteries were also ordered up. The Guides Cavalry had already +arrived. Their infantry under Lieutenant Lockhart reached the Kotal at +7.30 P.M. on the 27th, having, in spite of the intense heat and choking +dust, covered thirty-two miles in seventeen and a half hours. This +wonderful feat was accomplished without impairing the efficiency of the +soldiers, who were sent into the picket line, and became engaged as soon +as they arrived. An officer who commanded the Dargai post told me, that, +as they passed the guard there, they shouldered arms with parade +precision, as if to show that twenty-six miles under the hottest sun in +the world would not take the polish off the Corps of Guides. Then they +breasted the long ascent to the top of the pass, encouraged by the sound +of the firing, which grew louder at every step. + +Help in plenty was thus approaching as fast as eager men could march, +but meanwhile the garrison had to face the danger as best they could +alone. As the 31st Punjaub Infantry, who had been the last to leave the +north camp, were arriving at the Kotal, about 1000 tribesmen descended +in broad daylight and with the greatest boldness, and threatened their +left flank. They drove in two pickets of the 24th, and pressed forward +vigorously. Lieutenant Climo with two companies advanced up the hill to +meet them, supported by the fire of two guns of the Mountain Battery. A +bayonet charge was completely successful. The officers were close enough +to make effective use of their revolvers. Nine bodies of the enemy were +left on the ground, and a standard was captured. The tribesmen then drew +off, and the garrison prepared for the attack, which they knew would +come with the dark. + +As the evening drew on the enemy were observed assembling in ever- +increasing numbers. Great crowds of them could be seen streaming along +the Chakdara road, and thickly dotting the hills with spots of white. +They all wore white as yet. The news had not reached Buner, and the +sombre-clad warriors of Ambeyla were still absent. The glare of the +flames from the north camp was soon to summon them to the attack of +their ancient enemies. The spectacle as night fell was strange, ominous, +but not unpicturesque. Gay banners of every colour, shape and device, +waved from the surrounding hills. The sunset caught the flashing of +swordblades behind the spurs and ridges. The numerous figures of the +enemy moved busily about preparing for the attack. A dropping fire from +the sharpshooters added an appropriate accompaniment. In the middle, at +the bottom of the cup, was the "crater" camp and the main enclosure with +the smoke of the evening meal rising in the air. The troops moved to +their stations, and, as the shadows grew, the firing swelled into a +loud, incessant roar. + +The disposition of the troops on the night of the 27th was as follows:-- + +1. On the right Colonel McRae, with 45th Sikhs and two guns supported by +100 men of the Guides Infantry, held almost the same position astride +the Buddhist road as before. + +2. In the centre the enclosure and Graded road were defended by-- + + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + No.5 Company Q.O. Sappers and Miners. + The Guides. + Two Guns. + +3. On the left the 24th Punjaub Infantry, with the two remaining guns +under Lieutenant Climo, held the approaches from the abandoned north +camp and the fort. + +Most of this extended line, which occupied a great part of the rim, was +formed by a chain of pickets, detached from one another, and fortified +by stone breastworks, with supports in rear. But in the centre the old +line of the "Sappers' and Miners' enclosure" was adhered to. The bazaar +was left to the enemy, but the serai, about a hundred yards in front of +the main entrenchment, was held by a picket of twenty-four men of the +31st Punjaub Infantry, under Subadar Syed Ahmed Shah. Here it was that +the tragedy of the night occurred. + +At eight o'clock, the tribesmen attacked in tremendous force all along +the line. The firing at once became intense and continuous. The +expenditure of ammunition by the troops was very great, and many +thousands of rounds were discharged. On the right Colonel McRae and his +Sikhs were repeatedly charged by the swordsmen, many of whom succeeded +in forcing their way into the pickets and perished by the bayonet. +Others reached the two guns and were cut down while attacking the +gunners. All assaults were however beaten off. The tribesmen suffered +terrible losses. The casualties among the Sikhs were also severe. In the +morning Colonel McRae advanced from his defences, and, covered by the +fire of his two guns, cleared the ground in his front of the enemy. + +The centre was again the scene of severe fighting. The tribesmen poured +into the bazaar and attacked the serai on all sides. This post was a +mud-walled enclosure about fifty yards square. It was loopholed for +musketry, but had no flank defences. The enemy made determined efforts +to capture the place for several hours. Meanwhile, so tremendous was the +fire of the troops in the main enclosure, that the attack upon the serai +was hardly noticed. For six hours the picket there held out against all +assaults, but the absence of flank defences enabled the enemy to come +close up to the walls. They then began to make holes through them, and +to burrow underneath. The little garrison rushed from place to place +repelling these attacks. But it was like caulking a sieve. At length the +tribesmen burst in from several quarters, and the sheds inside caught +fire. When all the defenders except four were killed or wounded, the +Subadar, himself struck by a bullet, ordered the place to be evacuated, +and the survivors escaped by a ladder over the back wall, carrying their +wounded with them. The bodies of the killed were found next morning, +extraordinarily mutilated. + +The defence of this post to the bitter end must be regarded as a fine +feat of arms. Subadar Syed Ahmed Shah was originally promoted to a +commission for an act of conspicuous bravery, and his gallant conduct on +this occasion is the subject of a special paragraph in despatches. [The +Subadar and the surviving Sepoys have since received the "Order of +Merit."] + +On the left, the 24th Punjaub Infantry were also hotly engaged, and +Lieutenant Costello received his first severe wound from a bullet, which +passed through his back and arm. Towards morning the enemy began to +press severely. Whereupon Lieutenant Climo, always inclined to bold and +vigorous action, advanced from the breastworks to meet them with two +companies. The tribesmen held their ground and maintained a continual +fire from Martini-Henry rifles. They also rolled down great stones upon +the companies. The 24th continued to advance, and drove the enemy from +point to point, and position to position, pursuing them for a distance +of two miles. "Gallows Tree" hill, against which the first charge of the +counter attack was delivered, was held by nearly 1000 tribesmen. On such +crowded masses, the fire of the troops was deadly. The enemy left forty +dead in the path of Lieutenant Climo's counter attack, and were observed +carrying off many wounded. As they retreated, many took refuge in the +village of Jalalkot. The guns were hurried up, and ten shells were +thrown into their midst, causing great slaughter. The result of this +bold stroke was, that the enemy during the rest of the fighting +invariably evacuated the hills before daylight enabled the troops to +assume the offensive. + +Thus the onslaught of the tribesmen had again been successfully repelled +by the Malakand garrison. Many had been killed and wounded, but all the +tribes for a hundred miles around were hurrying to the attack, and their +number momentarily increased. The following casualties occurred on the +night of the 27th:-- + + BRITISH OFFICER. + Wounded--Lieutenant E.W. Costello. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed . . . . . . 12 + Wounded . . . . . 29 + + +During the day the enemy retired to the plain of Khar to refresh +themselves. Great numbers of Bunerwals now joined the gathering. The +garrison were able to distinguish these new-comers from the Swatis, +Utman Khels, Mamunds, Salarzais and others, by the black or dark-blue +clothes they wore. The troops were employed in strengthening the +defences, and improving the shelters. The tribesmen kept up a harassing +and annoying long-range fire, killing several horses of the Guides +Cavalry. Towards evening they advanced to renew the attack, carrying +hundreds of standards. + +As darkness fell, heavy firing recommenced along the whole front. The +enemy had apparently plenty of ammunition, and replied with effect to +the heavy fire of the troops. The arrangement of the regiments was the +same as on the previous night. On the right, Colonel McRae once more +held his own against all attacks. In the centre, severe fighting ensued. +The enemy charged again and again up to the breastwork of the enclosure. +They did not succeed in penetrating. Three officers and several men were +however wounded by the fire. Lieutenant Maclean, of the Guides Cavalry, +who was attached temporarily to the 31st Punjaub Infantry, had a +wonderful escape. A bullet entered his mouth and passed through his +cheek without injuring the bone in any way. He continued on duty, and +these pages will record his tragic but glorious death a few weeks later +at Landakai. + +Lieutenant Ford was dangerously wounded in the shoulder. The bullet cut +the artery, and he was bleeding to death when Surgeon-Lieutenant J.H. +Hugo came to his aid. The fire was too hot to allow of lights being +used. There was no cover of any sort. It was at the bottom of the cup. +Nevertheless the surgeon struck a match at the peril of his life and +examined the wound. The match went out amid a splutter of bullets, which +kicked up the dust all around, but by its uncertain light he saw the +nature of the injury. The officer had already fainted from the loss of +blood. The doctor seized the artery, and, as no other ligature was +forthcoming, he remained under fire for three hours holding a man's +life, between his finger and thumb. When at length it seemed that the +enemy had broken into the camp he picked up the still unconscious +officer in his arms, and, without relaxing his hold, bore him to a place +of safety. His arm was for many hours paralysed with cramp from the +effects of the exertion of compressing the artery. + +I think there are few, whatever may be their views or interests, who +will not applaud this splendid act of devotion. The profession of +medicine, and surgery, must always rank as the most noble that men can +adopt. The spectacle of a doctor in action among soldiers, in equal +danger and with equal courage, saving life where all others are taking +it, allaying pain where all others are causing it, is one which must +always seem glorious, whether to God or man. It is impossible to imagine +any situation from which a human being might better leave this world, +and embark on the hazards of the Unknown. + +All through the night, the enemy continued their attacks. They often +succeeded in reaching the breastworks--only to die on the bayonets of +the defenders. The guns fired case shot, with terrible effect, and when +morning dawned the position was still held by the Imperial Forces. The +casualties of the night were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--Lieutenant H.B. Ford, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " H.L.S. Maclean, the Guides. + Wounded slightly--Lieutenant G. Swinley, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed . . . . . . . 2 + Wounded . . . . . . 13 + + +On the morning of the 29th signalling communication with Chakdara was +for a few moments re-established. The garrison of that post announced +their safety, and that all attacks had been repulsed with heavy loss, +but they reported that ammunition and food were both running short. +During the day the enemy again retired to the plain to rest, and prepare +for the great attack, which they intended making that night. The hour +would be propitious. It was Jumarat, on which day the prophet watches +with especial care over the interests of those who die for the faith. +Besides, the moon was full, and had not the Great Fakir declared that +this should be the moment of victory? The Mullah exhorted them all to +the greatest efforts, and declared that he would himself lead the +assault. To-night the infidels would be utterly destroyed. + +Meanwhile the troops were busily employed, in spite of their terrible +fatigues, in strengthening the defences. The bazaar and the serai were +levelled. Trees were blown up, and a clear field of fire was obtained in +front of the central enclosure. Great bonfires were also prepared on the +approaches, to enable the soldiers to take good aim at their assailants, +while they were silhouetted against the light. In such occupations the +day passed. + +The tribesmen continued to fire at long range and shot several horses +and mules. These sharpshooters enjoyed themselves immensely. After the +relief of Chakdara, it was found that many of them had made most +comfortable and effective shelters among the rocks. One man, in +particular, had ensconced himself behind an enormous boulder, and had +built a little wall of stone, conveniently loopholed, to protect himself +when firing. The overhanging rock sheltered him from the heat of the +sun. By his side were his food and a large box of cartridges. Here for +the whole week he had lived, steadily dropping bullets unto the camp and +firing at what an officer described as all "objects of interest." What +could be more attractive? + +At four o'clock in the afternoon Major Stuart Beatsen, commanding the +11th Bengal Lancers, arrived with his leading squadron. He brought a +small supply of ammunition, which the garrison was in sore need of, the +expenditure each night being tremendous, some regiments firing as much +as 30,000 rounds. The 35th Sikhs and 38th Dogras under Colonel Reid +arrived at Dargai, at the foot of the pass, in the evening. They had +marched all day in the most intense heat. How terrible that march must +have been, may be judged from the fact, that in the 35th Sikhs twenty- +one men actually died on the road of heat apoplexy. The fact that these +men marched till they dropped dead, is another proof of the soldierly +eagerness displayed by all ranks to get to the front. Brigadier-General +Meiklejohn, feeling confidence in his ability to hold his own with the +troops he had, ordered them to remain halted at Dargai, and rest the +next day. + +The attack came with the night, but the defences in the centre had been +much improved, and the tribesmen were utterly unable to cross the +cleared glacis, which now stretched in front of the enclosure. They, +however, assailed both flanks with determination, and the firing +everywhere became heavy. At 2 A.M. the great attack was delivered. Along +the whole front and from every side enormous numbers swarmed to the +assault. On the right and left, hand-to-hand fighting took place. +Colonel McRae again held his position, but many of the tribesmen died +under the very muzzles of the rifles. The 24th Punjaub Infantry on the +left were the most severely engaged. The enemy succeeded in breaking +into the breastworks, and close fighting ensued, in which Lieutenant +Costello was again severely wounded. But the fire of the troops was too +hot for anything to live in their front. At 2.30 the Mad Mullah being +wounded, another Mullah killed and several hundreds of tribesmen slain, +the whole attack collapsed. Nor was it renewed again with vigor. The +enemy recognised that their chance of taking the Malakand had passed. + +The casualties were as follows on the night of the 29th:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--Lieutenant E.W. Costello, 24th P.I., who had + already been severely wounded, but continued + to do duty. + " " Lieutenant F.A. Wynter, R.A. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed . . . . . . 1 + Wounded . . . . . 17 + + +All the next day the enemy could be seen dragging the dead away, and +carrying the wounded over the hills to their villages. Reinforcements, +however, joined them, and they renewed their attack, but without much +spirit, at 9.30 P.M. They were again repulsed with loss. Once, during a +thunderstorm that broke over the camp, they charged the 45th Sikhs' +position, and were driven off with the bayonet. Only two men were +wounded during the night. + +In the morning the 38th Dogras and 35th Sikhs marched into the camp. The +enemy continued firing into the entrenchments at long range, but without +effect. They had evidently realised that the Malakand was too strong to +be taken. The troops had a quiet night, and the weary, worn-out men got +a little needed sleep. Thus the long and persistent attack on the +British frontier station of Malakand languished and ceased. The +tribesmen, sick of the slaughter at this point, concentrated their +energies on Chakdara, which they believed must fall into their hands. To +relieve this hard-pressed post now became the duty of the garrison of +Malakand. + +The chapter, which may now appropriately end, has described in detail, +and, necessarily, at length, the defence of an outpost of our Empire. A +surprise, followed by a sustained attack, has been resisted. The enemy, +repulsed at every point, have abandoned the attempt, but surround and +closely watch the defences. The troops will now assume the offensive, +and the hour of reprisals will commence. + +The casualties sustained by the Malakand garrison between 26th July +and 1st August were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS KILLED AND DIED OF WOUNDS--3. + Lieutenant-Colonel J. Lamb, 24th Punjaub Infantry. + Major W.W. Taylor, 45th Sikhs. + Lieutenant L. Manley, Commissariat. + + WOUNDED--10. + Major L. Herbert, D.A.A.G. + Captain G. Baldwin, D.S.O., Guides Cavalry. + Captain H.F. Holland, 24th Punjaub Infantry. + Lieutenant F.A. Wynter, R.A. + " F.W. Watling, R.E. + " E.W. Costello, 24th Punjaub Infantry. + " H.B. Ford, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " H.L.S. Maclean, Guides Cavalry. + 2nd Lieutenant G. Swinley, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " C.V. Keyes, Guides Cavalry. + + NATIVE OFFICERS WOUNDED--7. + + TOTAL OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED--20. + + BRITISH NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER KILLED. + Sergeant F. Byrne, R.E. + + NATIVE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRIVATES. + Killed. Wounded. + No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery . . 0 5 + 11th Bengal Lancers . . . 0 3 + No.5 Company Q.O. Sappers and Miners . 3 18 + 24th Punjaub Infantry . . . 3 14 + 31st " " . . . . 12 32 + 38th Dogras . . . . . 0 1 + 45th Sikhs . . . . . 4 28 + Q.O. Corps of Guides . . . . 3 27 + + TOTAL NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED--153. + + + + + +CHAPTER V: THE RELIEF OF CHAKDARA + + + +While the events described in the last chapter had been watched with +interest and attention in all parts of the world, they were the subject +of anxious consultation in the Council of the Governor-General. It was +only natural that the Viceroy, himself, should view with abhorrence the +prospect of military operations on a large scale, which must inevitably +lead to closer and more involved relations with the tribes of the Afghan +border. He belonged to that party in the State which has clung +passionately, vainly, and often unwisely to a policy of peace and +retrenchment. He was supported in his reluctance to embark on warlike +enterprises by the whole force of the economic situation. No moment +could have been less fitting: no man more disinclined. That Lord Elgin's +Viceroyalty and the Famine year should have been marked by the greatest +Frontier War in the history of the British Empire in India, vividly +displays how little an individual, however earnest his motives, however +great his authority, can really control the course of public affairs. + +The Council were called upon to decide on matters, which at once raised +the widest and most intricate questions of frontier policy; which might +involve great expense; which might well influence the development and +progress of the great populations committed to their charge. It would be +desirable to consider such matters from the most lofty and commanding +standpoints; to reduce detail to its just proportions; to examine the +past, and to peer into the future. And yet, those who sought to look +thus on the whole situation, were immediately confronted with the +picture of the rock of Chakdara, fringed and dotted with the white smoke +of musketry, encircled by thousands of fierce assailants, its garrison +fighting for their lives, but confident they would not be deserted. It +was impossible to see further than this. All Governments, all Rulers, +meet the same difficulties. Wide considerations of principle, of policy, +of consequences or of economics are brushed aside by an impetuous +emergency. They have to decide off-hand. The statesman has to deal with +events. The historian, who has merely to record them, may amuse his +leisure by constructing policies, to explain instances of successful +opportunism. + +On the 30th of July the following order was officially published: "The +Governor-General in Council sanctions the despatch of a force, to be +styled the Malakand Field Force, for the purpose of holding the +Malakand, and the adjacent posts, and of operating against the +neighbouring tribes as may be required." + +The force was composed as follows:-- + + 1st Brigade. + Commanding--Colonel W.H. Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., with the local + rank of Brigadier-General. + 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs. + Sections A and B of No.1 British Field Hospital. + No.38 Native Field Hospital. + Sections A and B of No.50 Native Field Hospital. + + 2nd Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General P.D. Jeffreys, C.B. + 1st Battalion East Kent Regiment (the Buffs). + 35th Sikhs. + 38th Dogras. + Guides Infantry. + Sections C and D of No.1 British Field Hospital. + No.37 Native Field Hospital. + Sections C and D of No.50 Native Field Hospital. + + Divisional Troops. + 4 Squadrons 11th Bengal Lancers. + 1 " 10th " " + 2 " Guides Cavalry. + 22nd Punjaub Infantry. + 2 Companies 21st Punjaub Infantry. + 10th Field Battery. + 6 Guns No.1 British Mountain Battery. + 6 " No.7 " " " + 6 " No.8 Bengal " " + No.5 Company Madras Sappers and Miners. + No.3 " Bombay " " " + Section B of No.13 British Field Hospital. + Sections A and B of No.35 Native Field Hospital. + + Line of Communications. + No.34 Native Field Hospital. + Section B of No.1 Native Field Hospital. + + +[This complete division amounted to a total available field strength of +6800 bayonets, 700 lances or sabres, with 24 guns.] + +The command of this powerful force was entrusted to Brigadier-General +Sir Bindon Blood, K.C.B., who was granted the local rank of Major- +General. + +As this officer is the principal character in the tale I have to tell, a +digression is necessary to introduce him to the reader. Born of an old +Irish family, a clan that has been settled in the west of Ireland for +300 years, and of which he is now the head, Sir Bindon Blood was +educated privately, and at the Indian Military College at Addiscombe, +and obtained a commission in the Royal Engineers in December, 1860. For +the first eleven years he was stationed in England, and it was not until +1871 that he proceeded to India, where he first saw active service in +the Jawaki Afridi Expedition (medal with clasp). In 1878 he returned +home, but the next year was ordered to the Zulu War. On the conclusion +of hostilities, for which he received a second medal and clasp, he again +sailed for India and served throughout the Afghan war of 1880, being for +some time with the troops at Cabul. In 1882 he accompanied the Army to +Egypt, and was with the Highland Brigade, which was the most severely +engaged at Tel-el-Kebir. He received the medal and clasp, Khedive's star +and the 3rd class of the Medjidie. After the campaign he went home for +two years, and in 1885 made another voyage to the East, over which the +Russian war-cloud was then hanging. Since then the general has served in +India, at first with the Sappers and Miners, with whose reorganisation +he was closely associated, and latterly in command of the Agra District. +In 1895 he was appointed Chief of the Staff to Sir Robert Low in the +Chitral Expedition, and was present at all the actions, including the +storming of the Malakand Pass. For his services he received a degree of +knighthood of the Military Order of the Bath and the Chitral medal and +clasp. He was now marked as a man for high command on the frontier at +the first opportunity. That opportunity the great rising of 1897 has +presented. + +Thirty-seven years of soldering, of war in many lands, of sport of every +kind, have steeled alike muscle and nerve. Sir Bindon Blood, himself, +till warned by the march of time, a keen polo player, is one of those +few officers of high rank in the army, who recognise the advantages to +soldiers of that splendid game. He has pursued all kinds of wild animals +in varied jungles, has killed many pig with the spear and shot every +species of Indian game, including thirty tigers to his own rifle. + +It would not be fitting for me, a subaltern of horse, to offer any +criticism, though eulogistic, on the commander under whom I have had the +honour to serve in the field. I shall content myself with saying, that +the general is one of that type of soldiers and administrators, which +the responsibilities and dangers of an Empire produce, a type, which has +not been, perhaps, possessed by any nation except the British, since the +days when the Senate and the Roman people sent their proconsuls to all +parts of the world. + +Sir Bindon Blood was at Agra, when, on the evening of the 28th of July, +he received the telegram from the Adjutant-General in India, appointing +him to the command of the Malakand Field Force, and instructing him to +proceed at once to assume it. He started immediately, and on the 31st +formally took command at Nowshera. At Mardan he halted to make +arrangements for the onward march of the troops. Here, at 3 A.M. on the +1st of August, he received a telegram from Army Headquarters informing +him, that Chakdara Fort was hard pressed, and directing him to hurry on +to Malakand, and attempt its relief at all costs. The great numbers of +the enemy, and the shortness of ammunition and supplies from which the +garrison were suffering, made the task difficult and the urgency great. +Indeed I have been told, that at Simla on the 1st of August it was +feared, that Chakdara was doomed, and that sufficient troops to fight +their way to its relief could not be concentrated in time. The greatest +anxiety prevailed. Sir Bindon Blood replied telegraphically that +"knowing the ground" as he did, he "felt serenely confident." He hurried +on at once, and, in spite of the disturbed state of the country, reached +the Malakand about noon on the 1st of August. + +The desperate position of the garrison of Chaldara was fully appreciated +by their comrades at the Malakand. As the night of the 31st had been +comparatively quiet, Brigadier-General Meiklejohn determined to attempt +to force his way to their relief the next day. He accordingly formed a +column as follows:-- + + 45th Sikhs. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + No.5 Company Sappers and Miners. + 4 Guns of No.8 Mountain Battery. + +At 11 A.M. he sent the cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Adams of the +Guides, to make a dash for the Amandara Pass, and if it were unoccupied +to seize it. The three squadrons started by the short road to the north +camp. As soon as the enemy saw what was going on, they assembled in +great numbers to oppose the advance. The ground was most unsuitable for +cavalry. Great boulders strewed the surface. Frequent nullahs +intersected the plain, and cramped the action of the horsemen. The +squadrons soon became hotly engaged. The Guides made several charges. +The broken nature of the ground favoured the enemy. Many of them were, +however, speared or cut down. In one of these charges Lieutenant Keyes +was wounded. While he was attacking one tribesman, another came up from +behind, and struck him a heavy blow on the shoulder with a sword. Though +these Swatis keep their swords at razor edge, and though the blow was +sufficiently severe to render the officer's arm useless for some days, +it raised only a thin weal, as if from a cut of a whip. It was a strange +and almost an inexplicable escape. + +The enemy in increasing numbers pressed upon the cavalry, who began to +get seriously involved. The tribesmen displayed the greatest boldness +and determination. At length Lieut.-Colonel Adams had to order a +retirement. It was none too soon. The tribesmen were already working +round the left flank and thus threatening the only line of retreat. The +squadrons fell back, covering each other by dismounted fire. The 24th +Punjaub Infantry protected their flank as they reached the camp. The +cavalry losses were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--Captain G.M. Baldwin, the Guides. + " slightly--Lieutenant C.V. Keyes, the Guides. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed Wounded + 11th Bengal Lancers . . . . 0 3 + Horses . . . . . . . . 1 4 + Guides Cavalry . . . . . . 1 10 + Horses . . . . . . . . 3 18 + + Total casualties--16 men and 26 horses. + +The vigorous resistance which the cavalry had encountered, and the great +numbers and confidence that the enemy had displayed, effectually put an +end to any idea of relieving Chakdara that day. The tribesmen were much +elated by their temporary success, and the garrison, worn and wearied by +the incessant strain, both mental and physical, were proportionately +cast down. Every one anticipated tremendous fighting on the next day. +Make the attempt, they must at all hazards. But there were not wanting +those who spoke of "forlorn hopes" and "last chances." Want of sleep and +rest had told on all ranks. For a week they had grappled with a savage +foe. They were the victors, but they were out of breath. + +It was at this moment, that Sir Bindon Blood arrived and assumed the +command. He found General Meiklejohn busily engaged in organising a +force of all arms, which was to move to the relief of Chakdara on the +following day. As it was dangerous to denude the Malakand position of +troops, this force could not exceed 1000 rifles, the available cavalry +and four guns. Of these arrangements Sir Bindon Blood approved. He +relieved Brigadier-General Meiklejohn of the charge of the Malakand +position, and gave him the command of the relieving column. Colonel Reid +was then placed in command of Malakand, and instructed to strengthen the +pickets at Castle Rock, as far as possible, and to be ready with a force +taken from them, to clear the high ground on the right of the Graded +road. The relieving column was composed as follows:-- + + 400 Rifles 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 400 " 45th Sikhs. + 200 " Guides Infantry. + 2 Squadrons 11th Bengal Lancers (under Lieut.-Col. R.B. Adams.) + 2 " Guides Cavalry " " " + 4 Guns No.8 Mountain Battery. + 50 Sappers of No.5 Company. + Hospital details. + +Sir Bindon Blood ordered General Meiklejohn to assemble this force +before dark near the centre of the camp at a grove of trees called +"Gretna Green," to bivouac there for the night, and to be ready to start +with the first light of morning. During the afternoon the enemy, +encouraged by their success with the cavalry in the morning, advanced +boldly to the pickets and the firing was continuous. So heavy indeed did +it become between eleven and twelve o'clock at night, that the force at +"Gretna Green" got under arms. But towards morning the tribesmen +retired. + +The reader may, perhaps, have in his mind the description of the +Malakand as a great cup with jagged clefts in the rim. Much of this rim +was still held by the enemy. It was necessary for any force trying to +get out of the cup, to fight their way along the narrow roads through +the clefts, which were commanded by the heights on either side. For a +considerable distance it was impossible to deploy. Therein lay the +difficulty of the operation, which the General had now to perform. The +relieving column was exposed to the danger of being stopped, just as +Colonel McRae had stopped the first attack of the tribesmen along the +Buddhist road. On the 1st of August the cavalry had avoided these +difficulties by going down the road to the North camp, and making a +considerable detour. But they thus became involved in bad ground and had +to retire. The "Graded" road, if any, was the road by which Chakdara was +to be relieved. Looking at the tangled, rugged nature of the country, it +seems extraordinary to an untrained eye, that among so many peaks and +points, one should be of more importance than another. Yet it is so. On +the high ground, in front of the position that Colonel McRae and the +45th Sikhs had held so well, was a prominent spur. This was the key +which would unlock the gate and set free the troops, who were cramped up +within. Every one realised afterwards how obvious this was and wondered +they had not thought of it before. Sir Bindon Blood selected the point +as the object of his first attack, and it was against this that he +directed Colonel Goldney with a force of about 300 men to move, as soon +as he should give the signal to advance. + +At half-past four in the morning of the 2nd of August he proceeded to +"Gretna Green" and found the relieving column fallen in, and ready to +march at daybreak. All expected a severe action. Oppressed with fatigue +and sleeplessness, there were many who doubted that it would be +successful. But though tired, they were determined, and braced +themselves for a desperate struggle. The General-in-chief was, as he had +said, confident and serene. He summoned the different commanding +officers, explained his plans, and shook hands all round. It was a +moment of stern and high resolve. Slowly the first faint light of dawn +grew in the eastern sky. The brightness of the stars began to pale. +Behind the mountains was the promise of the sun. Then the word was given +to advance. Immediately the relieving column set off, four deep, down +the "Graded" road. Colonel Goldney simultaneously advanced to the attack +of the spur, which now bears his name, with 250 men of the 35th Sikhs +and 50 of the 38th Dogras. He moved silently towards the stone shelters, +that the tribesmen had erected on the crest. He got to within a hundred +yards unperceived. The enemy, surprised, opened an irregular and +ineffective fire. The Sikhs shouted and dashed forward. The ridge was +captured without loss of any kind. The enemy fled in disorder, leaving +seven dead and one prisoner on the ground. + +Then the full significance of the movement was apparent alike to friend +and foe. The point now gained, commanded the whole of the "Graded" road, +right down to its junction with the road to the North camp. The +relieving column, moving down the road, were enabled to deploy without +loss or delay. The door was open. The enemy, utterly surprised and +dumfoundered by this manoeuvre, were seen running to and fro in the +greatest confusion: in the graphic words of Sir Bindon Blood's despatch, +"like ants in a disturbed ant-hill." At length they seemed to realise +the situation, and, descending from the high ground, took up a position +near Bedford Hill in General Meiklejohn's front, and opened a heavy fire +at close range. But the troops were now deployed and able to bring their +numbers to bear. Without wasting time in firing, they advanced with the +bayonet. The leading company of the Guides stormed the hill in their +front with a loss of two killed and six wounded. The rest of the troops +charged with even less loss. The enemy, thoroughly panic-stricken, began +to fly, literally by thousands, along the heights to the right. They +left seventy dead behind them. The troops, maddened by the remembrance +of their fatigues and sufferings, and inspired by the impulse of +victory, pursued them with a merciless vigour. + +Sir Bindon Blood had with his staff ascended the Castle Rock, to +superintend the operations generally. From this position the whole field +was visible. On every side, and from every rock, the white figures of +the enemy could be seen in full flight. The way was open. The passage +was forced. Chakdara was saved. A great and brilliant success had been +obtained. A thrill of exultation convulsed every one. In that moment the +general, who watched the triumphant issue of his plans, must have +experienced as fine an emotion as is given to man on earth. In that +moment, we may imagine that the weary years of routine, the long ascent +of the lower grades of the service, the frequent subordination to +incompetence, the fatigues and dangers of five campaigns, received their +compensation. Perhaps, such is the contrariness of circumstances, there +was no time for the enjoyment of these reflections. The victory had been +gained. It remained to profit by it. The enemy would be compelled to +retire across the plain. There at last was the chance of the cavalry. +The four squadrons were hurried to the scene. + +The 11th Bengal Lancers, forming line across the plain, began a +merciless pursuit up the valley. The Guides pushed on to seize the +Amandara Pass and relieve Chakdara. All among the rice fields and the +rocks, the strong horsemen hunted the flying enemy. No quarter was asked +or given, and every tribesman caught, was speared or cut down at once. +Their bodies lay thickly strewn about the fields, spotting with black +and green patches, the bright green of the rice crop. It was a terrible +lesson, and one which the inhabitants of Swat and Bajaur will never +forget. Since then their terror of Lancers has been extraordinary. A few +sowars have frequently been sufficient to drive a hundred of these +valiant savages in disorder to the hills, or prevent them descending +into the plain for hours. + +Meanwhile the infantry had been advancing swiftly. The 45th Sikhs +stormed the fortified village of Batkhela near the Amandara Pass, which +the enemy held desperately. Lieut.-Colonel McRae, who had been relieved +from the command of the regiment by the arrival of Colonel Sawyer, was +the first man to enter the village. Eighty of the enemy were bayoneted +in Batkheka alone. It was a terrible reckoning. + +I am anxious to finish with this scene of carnage. The spectator, who +may gaze unmoved on the bloodshed of the battle, must avert his eyes +from the horrors of the pursuit, unless, indeed, joining in it himself, +he flings all scruples to the winds, and, carried away by the impetus of +the moment, indulges to the full those deep-seated instincts of +savagery, over which civilisation has but cast a veil of doubtful +thickness. + +The casualties in the relief of Chakdara were as follows:-- + + 11th Bengal Lancers--killed and died from wounds, 3; wounded,3. + Killed. Wounded. + Guides Infantry . . . . . . . 2 7 + 35th Sikhs . . . . . . . . . 2 3 + 45th Sikhs . . . . . . . . . 0 7 + 24th Punjaub Infantry . . . . . 0 5 + No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery . . . 0 1 + Total Casualties--33 + +The news of the relief of Chakdara was received with feelings of +profound thankfulness throughout India. And in England, in the House of +Commons, when the Secretary of State read out the telegram, there were +few among the members who did not join in the cheers. Nor need we pay +much attention to those few. + + + + + +CHAPTER VI: THE DEFENCE OF CHAKDARA + + + . . . That tower of strength + Which stood four-square to all the winds that blew. + + TENNYSON. + + + +The episode with which this chapter is concerned is one that has often +occurred on the out-post line of civilisation, and which is peculiarly +frequent in the history of a people whose widespread Empire is fringed +with savage tribes. A small band of soldiers or settlers, armed with the +resources of science, and strengthened by the cohesion of mutual trust, +are assailed in some isolated post, by thousands of warlike and +merciless enemies. Usually the courage and equipment of the garrison +enable them to hold out until a relieving force arrives, as at Rorke's +Drift, Fort Chitral, Chakdara or Gulistan. But sometimes the defenders +are overwhelmed, and, as at Saraghari or Khartoum, none are left to tell +the tale. There is something strangely terrible in the spectacle of men, +who fight--not for political or patriotic reasons, not for the sake of +duty or glory--but for dear life itself; not because they want to, but +because they have to. They hold the dykes of social progress against a +rising deluge of barbarism, which threatens every moment to overflow the +banks and drown them all. The situation is one which will make a coward +valorous, and affords to brave men opportunities for the most sublime +forms of heroism and devotion. + +Chakdara holds the passage of the Swat River--a rapid, broad, and at +most seasons of the year an unfordable torrent. It is built on a rocky +knoll that rises abruptly from the plain about a hundred yards from the +mountains. Sketches and photographs usually show only the knoll and +buildings on it, and any one looking at them will be struck by the +picturesque and impregnable aspect of the little fort, without observing +that its proportions are dwarfed, and its defences commanded, by the +frowning cliffs, under which it stands. In its construction the +principles of defilade have been completely ignored. Standing on the +mountain ridge, occupied by the signal tower, it is possible to look or +fire right into the fort. Every open space is commanded. Every parapet +is exposed. Against an enemy unprovided with artillery, however, it +could be held indefinitely; but the fact that all interior +communications are open to fire, makes its defence painful to the +garrison, and might, by gradually weakening their numbers, lead to its +capture. + +The narrow, swinging, wire bridge across the Swat is nearly 500 yards +long. At the southern end it is closed by a massive iron door, loopholed +for musketry, and flanked by two stone towers, in one of which a Maxim +gun is mounted. On the further side is the fort itself, which consists +of the fortified knoll, a strong stone horn-work, an enclosure for +horses, protected by a loopholed wall and much tangled barbed wire, and +the signal tower, a detached post 200 yards up the cliff. + +The garrison of the place consisted at the time of the outbreak of +twenty sowars of the 11th Bengal Lancers and two strong companies of the +45th Sikhs, in all about 200 men, under the command of Lieutenant H.B. +Rattray. [The actual strength was as follows: 11th Bengal Lancers, 20 +sabres; 45th Sikhs, 180 rifles; 2 British telegraphists; 1 Hospital +Havildar; 1 Provost Naick (24th Punjaub Infantry); 1 Jemadar (Dir +Levies). British officers--45th Sikhs, Lieutenants Rattray and Wheatley; +Surgeon-Captain V. Hugo; Political Agent, Lieutenant Minchin.] As the +rumours of an impending rising grew stronger and stronger, and the end +of July approached, this officer practised his men in taking stations in +the event of an alarm, and made such preparations as he thought +necessary for eventualities. On the 23rd he received an official warning +from the D.A.A.G. [Deputy-Assistant-Adjutant-General. Surely this +astounding title, with that of the Deputy-Assistant-Quarter-Master- +General, might be replaced with advantage by the more sensible and +appropriate terms "Brigade Adjutant" and "Brigade Quartermaster"!], +Major Herbert, that a tribal rising was "possible but not probable." +Every precaution was henceforth taken in the fort. On the 26th, a Sepoy, +who was out sketching, hurried in with the news that a large body of +tribesmen were advancing down the valley, and that he himself had been +robbed of his compass, his field-glasses and some money. + +But, in spite of the disturbed and threatening situation, the British +officers of the Malakand garrison, though they took all military +precautions for the defence of their posts, did not abandon their +practice of riding freely about the valley, armed only with revolvers. +Nor did they cease from their amusements. On the evening of the 26th, +Lieutenant Rattray went over to Khar as usual to play polo. Just as the +game was ended, he received a letter, brought in haste by two sowars, +from Lieutenant Wheatley, the other subaltern at Chakdara, warning him +that a great number of Pathans with flags were advancing on the fort. He +at once galloped back at full speed, passing close to one large +gathering of tribesmen, who for some reason of their own took no notice +of him, and so reached the fort in safety, and just in time. Formidable +masses of men were then closing in on it. He telegraphed to the staff +officer at the Malakand reporting the impending attack. Immediately +afterwards the wire was cut by the enemy and the little garrison got +under arms. + +A havildar of the Khan of Dir's Levies had promised the political agent +to give warning of any actual assault, by lighting a fire on the +opposite hills. At 10.15 a solitary flame shot up. It was the signal. +The alarm was sounded. The garrison went to their posts. For a space +there was silence, and then out of the darkness began a fusillade, which +did not stop until the 2nd of August. Immediately the figures of the +tribesmen, as they advanced to the attack on the western face of the +fort, became visible. The defenders opened fire with effect. The enemy +pressed on vigorously. Their losses were severe. At length they +retreated repulsed. + +A second attack was immediately delivered against the north-east corner +and again beaten off by the garrison. At 4 A.M. a third assault was made +upon the cavalry enclosure. The tribesmen, carrying scaling ladders, +advanced with great determination. They were received with a deadly +fire. They then drew off, and the first night of the siege was +terminated by desultory firing. The garrison remained at their posts all +night, and when it became day the enemy were seen to have retired, to +the hills to the north-west, whence they maintained a ceaseless fire. +Although the defenders were protected by their stone walls, many had +strange escapes from the bullets, which fell incessantly into the +interior. + +Meanwhile, in spite of the vigorous attack that was being made on the +Malakand, it had been decided to send some assistance to the little band +at Chakdara. Captain Wright and forty sowars of the 11th Bengal Lancers +with Captain Baker of the 2nd Bombay Grenadiers and transport officer at +the Malakand, started at dawn on the 27th, by the road from the north +camp. Before they had gone very far they came under the fire of the +enemy on the hills. These did not dare to venture into the plain, but +availed themselves of the broken nature of the country. As the squadron +reached the road leading to the polo ground, Captain Wright received +information that the enemy were collected on the plain and immediately +the pace was quickened in the hopes of a charge being possible. But the +tribesmen ran to the hills at the sight of the Lancers, and maintained a +constant, though luckily, an ill-aimed fire. At length the village of +Batkhela was reached, and beyond it the Amandara Pass came in sight. +This is a gap in a long spur, which runs from the southern side of the +valley to the rapid river in the middle. As the river was then in full +flood and unfordable, the only road to Chakdara lay over or through the +spur. But the pass was held by the enemy. + +Captain Wright had by this time realised, what probably no one at the +Malakand then knew, that the enemy's numbers were enormous. The whole +way from Malakand to Amandara--every ridge and hill was crowned with +their banners. Wherever the ground protected them from the horsemen they +gathered thickly. Cemeteries [Cemeteries are frequent and prominent +features of Frontier landscapes. Some of them are of great extent: all +of remarkable sanctity.], nullahs and villages swarmed with men. Their +figures could be seen in all directions. Far beyond the Amandara Pass +bands of tribesmen, of varying strengths, could be observed hurrying +with their standards to the attack. But these formidable signs, far from +deterring the cavalry soldier, only added, by displaying how great was +the need of Chakdara, to his determination to force his way through at +all costs. + +Under a dropping fire from the cemetery on the right of the road, a +brief consultation was held. The Amandara defile was occupied on both +sides by the enemy. With the loss of perhaps a dozen men the squadron +might gallop through. But this meant leaving all who fell, to perish +miserably, by torture and mutilation. To attempt to pick up the wounded, +would lead to the annihilation of the squadron. Any alternative was +preferable, though if there were no other way, the dash would have to be +made, and the wounded left. A Sowar now said there was a path round the +rock by the bank of the river. Captain Wright determined to take it. + +The path was bad. After about half the spur had been passed, it ended +abruptly in a steep white rock. It was, in fact, a path leading to a +point where the natives were in the habit of floating across the river +upon "mussucks" (inflated skins). To go back now was to fail. Without +hesitation, the horsemen turned to the right up the hill and among the +rocks, trusting to get through somehow. After passing over ground which +would be difficult to move across on foot, they saw a gorge to their +left which appeared as if it would lead to the open plain, on the other +side of the ridge. Down this gorge forty horses huddled together, with +no room to pick their way, were scrambling and jumping from rock to +rock, apparently as conscious as their riders that their lives depended +on their cleverness--when, suddenly, the enemy appeared. + +As soon as the tribesmen, who were holding the pass, saw the squadron +trot off to their right towards the river, they realised that they +intended to make a desperate effort to get through to Chakdara. They +knew what the ground was like, and confident they would kill them all, +if they could get there soon enough, ran swiftly along the spur. It was +a race. The leading tribesmen arrived in time to fire on the cavalry, +while they were in the gorge. So close were they, that the officers used +their revolvers. But the Pathans were out of breath and shot badly. +Several horses were hit, including Captain Wright's, but though the +large thigh bone was penetrated, the gallant beast held on, and carried +his rider to Chakdara safely. + +By the extraordinary activity of the horses the rocks were cleared +before the enemy could collect in any strength. But, to the dismay of +all, the gorge was found to lead, not to the plain, but to a branch of +the river. A broad, swift channel of water of unknown depth confronted +the cavalry. To go back was now, however, out of the question. They +plunged in. The 11th Bengal Lancers are perhaps better mounted than any +native cavalry regiment in India. Their strong horses just held their +own against the current. Several were nearly swept away. Captain Wright +was the last to cross. All this time the enemy were firing and +approaching. At length the passage was made and the squadron collected +on an island of flooded rice fields, in which the horses sank up to +their hocks. Beyond this ran another arm of the river about fifty yards +wide, and apparently almost as deep as the first. The bullets of the +enemy made "watery flashes" on all sides. After passing this second +torrent the squadron found themselves again on the same bank of the +river as the enemy. They were in swampy ground. Captain Wright +dismounted his men and returned the fire. Then he turned back himself, +and riding into the stream again, rescued the hospital assistant, whose +pony, smaller than the other horses, was being carried off its legs by +the force of the water. After this the march was resumed. The squadron +kept in the heavy ground, struggling along painfully. The enemy, running +along the edge of the rice fields, maintained a continual fire, kneeling +down to take good aim. A sowar threw up his hands and fell, shot through +the back. Several more horses were hit. Then another man reeled in his +saddle and collapsed on the ground. A halt was made. Dismounted fire was +opened upon the enemy. The wounded were picked up, and by slow degrees +Chakdara was approached, when the Bridgehead Maxim gun compelled the +tribesmen to draw off. [For the particulars of this affair I am indebted +to Captain Baker, 2nd Bombay Grenadiers, who shared its perils.] + +Thus the garrison of the fort received a needed reinforcement. I have +given a somewhat long description of this gallant ride, because it shows +that there are few obstacles that can stop brave men and good horses. +Captain Wright now assumed command of Chakdara, but the direction of the +defense he still confided to Lieutenant Rattray, as fighting behind +walls is a phase of warfare with which the cavalry soldier is little +acquainted. + +At 11.30, in the heat of the day the tribesmen attacked again. They +surrounded the north and east sides of the fort, and made strenuous +efforts to get in. They suffered heavy losses from the musketry of the +defence, and their dead lay scattered thickly on the approaches. Nor +were they removed till nightfall. Many Ghazis, mad with fanaticism, +pressed on carrying standards, heedless of the fire, until they fell +riddled with bullets under the very walls. + +To communicate with the Malakand was now almost impossible. To +heliograph, it was necessary that the operator should be exposed to a +terrible fire. In the evening the signal tower was surrounded by men in +stone sungars, who kept up an incessant fusillade, and made all +exposure, even for an instant, perilous. + +At midday, after the repulse of the main attack, the guard of the signal +tower was reinforced by six men, and food and water were also sent up. +This difficult operation was protected by the fire of both the Maxims, +and of all the garrison who could be spared from other points. Until the +1st of August, water was sent up daily to the signal tower in this way. +The distance was long and the road steep. The enemy's fire was +persistent. Looking at the ground it seems wonderful that supplies could +have been got through at all. + +As night approached, the defenders prepared to meet a fresh attack. +Lieutenant Wheatley, observing the points behind which the enemy usually +assembled, trained the fort Maxim and the 9-pounder gun on them, while +daylight lasted. At 11 P.M. the tribesmen advanced with shouts, yells +and the beating of drums. The gun and the Maxims were fired, and it is +said that no fewer than seventy men perished by the single discharge. At +any rate the assault was delayed for an hour and a half. All day long +the garrison had remained at their posts. It was hoped they would now +get a little rest. But at 1 o'clock the attack was renewed on the north- +east corner. Again the enemy brought up scaling ladders and charged with +desperate ferocity. They were shot down. + +Meanwhile every spare moment was devoted to improving the cover of the +garrison. Captain Baker applied himself to this task, and used every +expedient. Logs, sand bags, stones, boxes filled with earth were piled +upon the walls. It is due to these precautions that the loss of life was +no larger. + +Continuous firing occupied the 28th, and at 5.30 P.M. the enemy again +assaulted. As in previous attacks, they at first advanced by twos and +threes, making little dashes over the open ground, for bits of natural +cover, and for the stone sungars they had built all round the fort under +cover of darkness. Some of these were within 200 yards of the wall. As +they advanced the fire became intense. Then the main rush was delivered. +In a great semi-circle round the face of the fort held by the cavalry, +and displaying nearly 200 standards whose gay colours were +representative of every tribe on the border, they charged right up to +the walls. Some of them actually got across the tangled barbed wire and +were destroyed in the enclosure. But all efforts were defeated by the +garrison, and towards morning the attack melted away, and only the usual +sharpshooters remained. Some of these displayed a singular recklessness. +One man climbed up into the barbed wire and fired three shots at the +defenders at close quarters before he was killed. + +Thursday morning dawned on similar scenes. The garrison employed such +intervals as occurred in strengthening their defences and improving +their cover, particularly in the approaches to the Maxim and field gun +platforms. At 3 P.M. the enemy came out of Chakdara village, and, +carrying ladders to scale the walls, and bundles of grass to throw on +the barbed wire, made a formidable effort. They directed the attack +mainly against the signal station. This building is a strong, square, +stone tower. Its entrance is above six feet from the ground. All around +the top runs a machiconlis gallery, a kind of narrow balcony, with holes +in the floor to fire through. It is well provided with loopholes. At 4 +o'clock it was closely assailed. The garrison of the fort aided the +tower guard by their fire. So bold were the enemy in their efforts, that +they rushed in under the musketry of the defence, and lighted a great +heap of grass about three yards from the doorway. The flames sprang up. +A howl of ferocious delight arose. But the tribesmen relapsed into +silence, when they saw that no real harm was done. At sunset the fore +sight of the fort Maxim was shot away, and the defenders were +temporarily deprived of the service of that powerful weapon. They soon +managed, however, to rig up a makeshift, which answered all practical +purposes. At 8 P.M. the enemy wearied of the struggle, and the firing +died away to desultory skirmishing. They toiled all night carrying away +their dead, but next morning over fifty bodies were still lying around +the signal tower. Their losses had been enormous. + +The morning of the 30th brought no cessation of the fighting, but the +enemy, disheartened by their losses of the previous night, did not +attack until 7 P.M. At that hour they advanced and made a fresh effort. +They were again repulsed. Perhaps the reader is tired of the long +recital of the monotonous succession of assaults and repulses. What must +the garrison have been by the reality? Until this day--when they +snatched a few hours' sleep--they had been continually fighting and +watching for ninety-six hours. Like men in a leaking ship, who toil at +the pumps ceaselessly and find their fatigues increasing and the ship +sinking hour by hour, they cast anxious, weary eyes in the direction +whence help might be expected. But none came. And there are worse deaths +than by drowning. + +Men fell asleep at the loopholes and at the service of the field gun. +Even during the progress of the attacks, insulted nature asserted +itself, and the soldiers drifted away from the roar of the musketry, and +the savage figures of the enemy, to the peaceful unconsciousness of +utter exhaustion. The officers, haggard but tireless, aroused them +frequently. + +At other times the brave Sepoys would despair. The fort was ringed with +the enemy. The Malakand, too, was assailed. Perhaps it was the same +elsewhere. The whole British Raj seemed passing away in a single +cataclysm. The officers encouraged them. The Government of the Queen- +Empress would never desert them. If they could hold out, they would be +relieved. If not, they would be avenged. Trust in the young white men +who led them, and perhaps some dim half-idolatrous faith in a mysterious +Sovereign across the seas, whose soldiers they were, and who would +surely protect them, restored their fainting strength. The fighting +continued. + +During the whole time of the siege the difficulty of maintaining +signalling communication with the Malakand was extreme. But for the +heroism of the signallers, it would have been insuperable. One man in +particular, Sepoy Prem Singh, used every day at the risk of his life to +come out through a porthole of the tower, establish his heliograph, and, +under a terrible fire from short range, flash urgent messages to the +main force. The extreme danger, the delicacy of the operation of +obtaining connection with a helio, the time consumed, the composure +required, these things combined to make the action as brave as any which +these or other pages record. [A proposal has recently been made, to give +the Victoria Cross to native soldiers who shall deserve it. It would +seem that the value of such a decoration must be enhanced by making it +open to all British subjects. The keener the competition, the greater +the honor of success. In sport, in courage, and in the sight of heaven, +all men meet on equal terms.] Early on Saturday morning a supply of +water was sent to the guard of the signal tower. It was the last they +got until 4.30 on Monday afternoon. + +When the attack on the fort began, the enemy numbered perhaps 1500 men. +Since then they had been increasing every day, until on the 1st and 2nd, +they are estimated to have been between 12,000 and 14,000 strong. +Matters now began to assume a still graver aspect. At 5 o'clock on the +evening of the 31st a renewed attack was made in tremendous force on the +east side of the fort. But it was beaten back with great loss by the +Maxims and the field gun. All night long the firing continued, and +Sunday morning displayed the enemy in far larger numbers than hitherto. +They now captured the Civil Hospital, a detached building, the walls of +which they loopholed, and from which they maintained a galling fire. +They also occupied the ridge, leading to the signal tower, thus cutting +off all communication with its guard. No water reached those unfortunate +men that day. The weather was intensely hot. The fire from the ridge +made all interior communication difficult and dangerous. The enemy +appeared armed to a great extent with Martini-Henry rifles and Sniders, +and their musketry was most harassing. The party in the tower kept +sending by signal pressing requests for water, which could not be +supplied. The situation became critical. I quote the simple words of +Lieutenant Rattray's official report:-- + +"Matters now looked so serious that we decided to send an urgent appeal +for help, but owing to the difficulty and danger of signalling we could +not send a long message, and made it as short as possible, merely +sending the two words, 'Help us.'" + +Still the garrison displayed a determined aspect, and though the +tribesmen occupied the ridge, the Civil Hospital and an adjoining +nullah, none set foot within the defences. + +At length the last day of the struggle came. At daybreak the enemy in +tremendous numbers came on to the assault, as if resolute to take the +place at any cost. They carried scaling ladders and bundles of grass. +The firing became intense. In spite of the cover of the garrison several +men were killed and wounded by the hail of bullets which was directed +against the fort, and which splashed and scarred the walls in every +direction. + +Then suddenly, as matters were approaching a crisis, the cavalry of the +relieving column appeared over the Amandara ridge. The strong horsemen +mercilessly pursued and cut down all who opposed them. When they reached +the Bridgehead on the side of the river remote from the fort, the enemy +began to turn and run. The garrison had held out stubbornly and +desperately throughout the siege. Now that relief was at hand, +Lieutenant Rattray flung open the gate, and followed by half a dozen men +charged the Civil Hospital. Captain Baker and Lieutenant Wheatley +followed with a few more. The hospital was recaptured. The enemy +occupying it, some thirty in number, were bayoneted. It was a finish in +style. Returning, the sallying party found the cavalry--the 11th Bengal +Lancers--checked by a sungar full of tribesmen. This they charged in +flank, killing most of its occupants, and driving the rest after their +comrades in rout and ruin. The last man to leave the sungar shot +Lieutenant Rattray in the neck, but that officer, as distinguished for +physical prowess as for military conduct, cut him down. This ended the +fighting. It is not possible to think of a more fitting conclusion. + +The casualties in the siege were as follows:-- + + Killed Wounded + 11th B.L. . . . . . 1 1 + 45th Sikhs . . . . . 4 10 + Dir Levies . . . . . 1 0 + Followers . . . . . 1 2 + Total, all ranks--20 + + +This was the loss; but every man in the fort had held death at arm's +length, for seven nights, and seven days. + +It is a significant fact, that, though the cavalry horses were exposed +to the enemy's fire the whole time, hardly any were killed or wounded. +The tribesmen, feeling sure that the place was theirs, and hoping that +these fine beasts would fall unto their hands alive, had abstained from +shooting them. + +As far as could be ascertained by careful official inquiries the enemy +lost over 2000 men in the attack upon Chakdara. + +[The following statistics as to the expenditure of ammunition may be of +interest:-- + Rounds. + 28th July. Maxim . . . . . . 843 + " Martini-Henry . . . 7170 + 29th July. Maxim . . . . . . 667 + " Martini-Henry . . . 4020 + 30th July. Maxim . . . . . . 1200 + " Martini-Henry . . . 5530 + 31st July. Maxim . . . . . . 180 + " Martini-Henry . . . 2700 + +This is approximately twenty rounds per man per diem. The fire control +must have been excellent.] + + + + + +CHAPTER VII: THE GATE OF SWAT + + + +The Malakand Pass gives access to the valley of the Swat, a long and +wide trough running east and west, among the mountains. Six miles +further to the east, at Chakdara, the valley bifurcates. One branch runs +northward towards Uch, and, turning again to the west, ultimately leads +to the Panjkora River and beyond to the great valley of Nawagai. For +some distance along this branch lies the road to Chitral, and along it +the Malakand Field Force will presently advance against the Mohmands. +The other branch prolongs the valley to the eastward. A few miles beyond +Chakdara a long spur, jutting from the southern mountains, blocks the +valley. Round its base the river has cut a channel. The road passes +along a narrow stone causeway between the river and the spur. Here is +the Landakai position, or as the tribesmen have for centuries called it, +the "Gate of Swat." Beyond this gate is Upper Swat, the ancient, +beautiful and mysterious "Udyana." This chapter will describe the +forcing of the gate and the expedition to the head of the valley. + +The severe fighting at the Malakand and Chakdara had shown how +formidable was the combination, which had been raised against the +British among the hill tribes. The most distant and solitary valleys, +the most remote villages, had sent their armed men to join in the +destruction of the infidels. All the Banjaur tribes had been well +represented in the enemy's ranks. The Bunerwals and the Utman Khels had +risen to a man. All Swat had been involved. Instead of the two or three +thousand men that had been estimated as the extreme number, who would +follow the Mad Fakir, it was now known that over 12,000 were in arms. In +consequence of the serious aspect which the military and political +situation had assumed, it was decided to mobilise a 3rd and Reserve +Brigade composed as follows:-- + + 3rd Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General J.H. Wodehouse, C.B., C.M.G. + 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry. + 1st " Gordon Highlanders. + 21st Punjaub Infantry. + 2nd Battalion 1st Gurkhas. + No. 3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners. + " 14 British Field Hospital. + " 45 Native " " + " 1 Field Medical Depot. + +The fighting of the preceding fortnight had left significant and +terrible marks on the once smiling landscape. The rice crops were +trampled down in all directions. The ruins of the villages which had +been burned looked from a distance like blots of ink. The fearful losses +which the enemy had sustained, had made an appreciable diminution, not +of an army, but of a population. In the attacks upon the Malakand +position, about 700 tribesmen had perished. In the siege of Chakdara, +where the open ground had afforded opportunity to the modern weapons and +Maxim guns, over 2000 had been killed and wounded. Many others had +fallen in the relief of Chakdara and in the cavalry pursuit. For days +their bodies lay scattered about the country. In the standing crops, in +the ruins of villages, and among the rocks, festering bodies lay in the +blazing sun, filling the valley with a dreadful smell. To devour these +great numbers of vultures quickly assembled and disputed the abundant +prey with the odious lizards, which I have mentioned in an earlier +chapter, and which emerged from holes and corners to attack the corpses. +Although every consideration of decency and health stimulated the energy +of the victors in interring the bodies of their enemies, it was some +days before this task could be accomplished, and even then, in out-of- +the-way places, there remained a good many that had escaped the burying +parties. + +Meanwhile the punishment that the tribesmen of the Swat Valley had +received, and their heavy losses, had broken the spirit of many, and +several deputations came to make their submission. The Lower Swatis +surrendered unconditionally, and were allowed to return to their +villages. Of this permission they at once availed themselves, and their +figures could be seen moving about their ruined homes and endeavouring +to repair the damage. Others sat by the roadside and watched in sullen +despair the steady accumulation of troops in their valley, which had +been the only result of their appeal to arms. + +It is no exaggeration to say, that perhaps half the tribesmen who +attacked the Malakand, had thought that the soldiers there, were the +only troops that the Sirkar [The Government] possessed. "Kill these," +they said, "and all is done." What did they know of the distant +regiments which the telegraph wires were drawing, from far down in the +south of India? Little did they realise they had set the world humming; +that military officers were hurrying 7000 miles by sea and land from +England, to the camps among the mountains; that long trains were +carrying ammunition, material and supplies from distant depots to the +front; that astute financiers were considering in what degree their +action had affected the ratio between silver and gold, or that sharp +politicians were wondering how the outbreak in Swat might be made to +influence the impending bye-elections. These ignorant tribesmen had no +conception of the sensitiveness of modern civilisation, which thrills +and quivers in every part of its vast and complex system at the +slightest touch. + +They only saw the forts and camps on the Malakand Pass and the swinging +bridge across the river. + +While the people of Lower Swat, deserted by the Mad Mullah, and +confronted with the two brigades, were completely humbled and subdued, +the Upper Swatis, encouraged by their priests, and, as they believed, +safe behind their "gate," assumed a much more independent air. They sent +to inquire what terms the Government would offer, and said they would +consider the matter. Their contumacious attitude, induced the political +officers to recommend the movement of troops through their country, to +impress them with the determination and power of the Sirkar. + +The expedition into the Upper Swat Valley was accordingly sanctioned, +and Sir Bindon Blood began making the necessary preparations for the +advance. The prospects of further fighting were eagerly welcomed by the +troops, and especially by those who had arrived too late for the relief +of Chakdara, and had had thus far, only long and dusty marches to +perform. There was much speculation and excitement as to what units +would be selected, every one asserting that his regiment was sure to go; +that it was their turn; and that if they were not taken it would be a +great shame. + +Sir Bindon Blood had however already decided. He had concentrated a +considerable force at Amandara in view of a possible advance, and as +soon as the movement was sanctioned organised the column as follows:-- + + 1st Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General Meiklejohn. + Royal West Kent Regiment. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 31st " " + 45th Sikhs + + With the following divisional troops:- + 10th Field Battery. + No.7 British Mountain Battery. + " 8 Bengal " " + " 5 Company Madras Sappers and Miners. + 2 Squadrons Guides Cavalry. + 4 " 11th Bengal Lancers. + +This force amounted to an available fighting strength of 3500 rifles and +sabres, with eighteen guns. Supplies for twelve days were carried, and +the troops proceeded on "the 80 lb. scale" of baggage, which means, that +they did not take tents, and a few other comforts and conveniences. + +Before the force started, a sad event occurred. On the 12th of August, +Lieut.-Colonel J. Lamb, who had been wounded on the night of the 26th of +July, died. An early amputation might have saved his life; but this was +postponed in the expectation that the Rontgen Rays would enable the +bullet to be extracted. The Rays arrived from India after some delay. +When they reached Malakand, the experiment was at once made. It was +found, however, that the apparatus had been damaged in coming up, and no +result was obtained. Meanwhile mortification had set in, and the gallant +soldier died on the Sunday, from the effects of an amputation which he +was then too weak to stand. His thigh bone had been completely shattered +by the bullet. He had seen service in Afghanistan and the Zhob Valley +and had been twice mentioned in despatches. + +On the 14th Sir Bindon Blood joined the special force, and moved it on +the 16th to Thana, a few miles further up the valley. At the same time +he ordered Brigadier-General Wodehouse to detach a small column in the +direction of the southern passes of Buner. The Highland Light Infantry, +No.3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners, and one squadron of the 10th +Bengal Lancers accordingly marched from Mardan, where the 3rd Brigade +then was, to Rustum. By this move they threatened the Bunerwals and +distracted their attention from the Upper Swat Valley. Having thus +weakened the enemy, Sir Bindon Blood proceeded to force the "Gate of +Swat." + +On the evening of the 16th, a reconnaissance by the 11th Bengal Lancers, +under Major Beatson, revealed the fact, that the Landakai position was +strongly held by the enemy. Many standards were displayed, and on the +approach of the cavalry, shots were fired all along the line. The +squadron retired at once, and reported the state of affairs. The general +decided to attack at day-break. + +At 6.30 A.M. on the 17th, the cavalry moved off, and soon came in +contact with the tribesmen in some Buddhist ruins near a village, called +Jalala. A skirmish ensued. Meanwhile the infantry were approaching. The +main position of the enemy was displayed. All along the crest of the +spur of Landakai could be seen a fringe of standards, dark against the +sky. Beneath them the sword blades of the tribesmen glinted in the +sunlight. A long line of stone sungars crowned the ridge, and behind the +enemy clustered thickly. It is estimated that over 5000 were present. + +It is not difficult to realise what a strong position this was. On the +left of the troops was an unfordable river. On their right the mountains +rose steeply. In front was the long ridge held by the enemy. The only +road up the valley was along the causeway, between the ridge and the +river. To advance further, it was necessary to dislodge the enemy from +the ridge. Sir Bindon Blood rode forward, reconnoitered the ground, and +made his dispositions. + +To capture the position by a frontal attack would involve heavy loss. +The enemy were strongly posted, and the troops would be exposed to a +heavy fire in advancing. On the other hand, if the ridge could once be +captured, the destruction of the tribesmen was assured. Their position +was good, only as long as they held it. The moment of defeat would be +the moment of ruin. The reason was this. The ground behind the ridge was +occupied by swampy rice fields, and the enemy could only retire very +slowly over it. Their safe line of retreat lay up the spur, and on to +the main line of hills. They were thus formed with their line of retreat +in prolongation of their front. This is, of course, tactically one of +the worst situations that people can get into. + +Sir Bindon Blood, who knew what the ground behind the ridge was like, +perceived at once how matters stood, and made his plans accordingly. He +determined to strike at the enemy's left, thus not only turning their +flank, but cutting off their proper line of retreat. If once his troops +held the point, where the long ridge ran into the main hills, all the +tribesmen who had remained on the ridge would be caught. He accordingly +issued orders as follows:-- + +The Royal West Kent were to mask the front and occupy the attention of +the enemy. The rest of the infantry, viz., 24th and 31st Punjaub +Infantry and the 45th Sikhs, were to ascend the hills to the right, and +deliver a flank attack on the head of the ridge. The cavalry were to be +held in readiness to dash forward along the causeway--to repair which a +company of sappers was posted--as soon as the enemy were driven off the +ridge which commanded it, and pursue them across the rice fields into +the open country beyond. The whole of the powerful artillery was to come +into action at once. + +The troops then advanced. The Royal West Kent Regiment began the fight, +by driving some of the enemy from the Buddhist ruins on a small spur in +advance of the main position. The 10th Field Battery had been left in +rear in case the guns might stick in the narrow roads near Thana +village. It had, however, arrived safely, and now trotted up, and at +8.50 A.M. opened fire on the enemy's position and at a stone fort, which +they occupied strongly. A few minutes later No.7 Mountain Battery came +into action from the spur, which the Royal West Kent had taken. A heavy +artillery fire thus prepared the way for the attack. The great shells of +the Field Artillery astounded the tribesmen, who had never before +witnessed the explosion of a twelve-pound projectile. The two mountain +batteries added to their discomfiture. Many fled during the first +quarter of an hour of the bombardment. All the rest took cover on the +reverse slope and behind their sungars. + +Meanwhile the flank attack was developing. General Meiklejohn and his +infantry were climbing up the steep hillside, and moving steadily +towards the junction of the ridge with the main hill. At length the +tribesmen on the spur perceived the danger that was threatening them. +They felt the grip on their line of retreat. They had imagined that the +white troops would try and force their path along the causeway, and had +massed considerable reserves at the lower end of the ridge. All these +now realised that they were in great danger of being cut off. They were +on a peninsula, as it were, while the soldiers were securing the +isthmus. They accordingly began streaming along the ridge towards the +left, at first with an idea of meeting the flank attack, but afterwards, +as the shell fire grew hotter, and the musketry increased, only in the +hope of retreat. Owing to the great speed with which the mountaineers +move about the hills, most of them were able to escape before the flank +attack could cut them off. Many however, were shot down as they fled, or +were killed by the artillery fire. A few brave men charged the 31st +Punjaub Infantry, but were all destroyed. + +Seeing the enemy in full flight, Sir Bindon Blood ordered the Royal West +Kent to advance against the front of the now almost deserted ridge. The +British infantry hurrying forward climbed the steep hill and captured +the stone sungars. From this position they established touch with the +flank attack, and the whole force pursued the flying tribesmen with +long-range fire. + +The "Gate of Swat" had been forced. It was now possible for troops to +advance along the causeway. This had, however, been broken in various +places by the enemy. The sappers and miners hastened forward to repair +it. While this was being done, the cavalry had to wait in mad +impatience, knowing that their chance lay in the plains beyond. As soon +as the road was sufficiently repaired to allow them to pass in single +file, they began struggling along it, and emerged at the other end of +the causeway in twos and threes. + +An incident now ensued, which, though it afforded an opportunity for a +splendid act of courage, yet involved an unnecessary loss of life, and +must be called disastrous. As the cavalry got clear of the broken +ground, the leading horsemen saw the tribesmen swiftly running towards +the hills, about a mile distant. Carried away by the excitement of the +pursuit, and despising the enemy for their slight resistance, they +dashed impetuously forward in the hope of catching them before they +could reach the hills. + +Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, on entering the plain, saw at once that if he +could seize a small clump of trees near a cemetery, he would be able to +bring effective dismounted fire to bear on the retreating tribesmen. He +therefore collected as many men as possible, and with Lieutenant +Maclean, and Lord Fincastle, the Times correspondent, rode in the +direction of these points. Meanwhile Captain Palmer, who commanded the +leading squadron, and Lieutenant Greaves of the Lancashire Fusiliers, +who was acting war correspondent of the Times of India, galloped across +the rice fields after the enemy. The squadron, unable to keep up, +straggled out in a long string, in the swampy ground. + +At the foot of the hills the ground was firmer, and reaching this, the +two officers recklessly dashed in among the enemy. It is the spirit that +loses the Empire many lives, but has gained it many battles. But the +tribesmen, who had been outmanoeuvred rather than outfought, turned +savagely on their pursuers. The whole scene was witnessed by the troops +on the ridge. Captain Palmer cut down a standard-bearer. Another man +attacked him. Raising his arm for a fresh stroke, his wrist was smashed +by a bullet. Another killed his horse. Lieutenant Greaves, shot through +the body, fell at the same moment to the ground. The enemy closed around +and began hacking him, as he lay, with their swords. Captain Palmer +tried to draw his revolver. At this moment two sowars got clear of the +swampy rice fields, and at once galloped, shouting, to the rescue, +cutting and slashing at the tribesmen. All would have been cut to pieces +or shot down. The hillside was covered with the enemy. The wounded +officers lay at the foot. They were surrounded. Seeing this Lieutenant- +Colonel Adams and Lord Fincastle, with Lieutenant Maclean and two or +three sowars, dashed to their assistance. At their charge the tribesmen +fell back a little way and opened a heavy fire. Lord Fincastle's horse +was immediately shot and he fell to the ground. Rising, he endeavoured +to lift the wounded Greaves on to Colonel Adams' saddle, but at this +instant a second bullet struck that unfortunate officer, killing him +instantly. Colonel Adams was slightly, and Lieutenant Maclean mortally, +wounded while giving assistance, and all the horses but two were shot. +In spite of the terrible fire, the body of Lieutenant Greaves and the +other two wounded officers were rescued and carried to the little clump +of trees. + +For this gallant feat of arms both the surviving officers, Colonel Adams +and Lord Fincastle, were recommended for, and have since received, the +Victoria Cross. It was also officially announced, that Lieutenant +Maclean would have received it, had he not been killed. There are many, +especially on the frontier, where he was known as a fine soldier and a +good sportsman, who think that the accident of death should not have +been allowed to interfere with the reward of valour. + +The extremes of fortune, which befell Lord Fincastle and Lieutenant +Greaves, may well claim a moment's consideration. Neither officer was +employed officially with the force. Both had travelled up at their own +expense, evading and overcoming all obstacles in an endeavour to see +something of war. Knights of the sword and pen, they had nothing to +offer but their lives, no troops to lead, no duties to perform, no +watchful commanding officer to report their conduct. They played for +high stakes, and Fortune never so capricious as on the field of battle, +dealt to the one the greatest honour that a soldier can hope for, as +some think, the greatest in the gift of the Crown, and to the other +Death. + +The flight of the enemy terminated the action of Landakai. Thus in a few +hours and with hardly any loss, the "Gate of Swat," which the tribesmen +had regarded as impregnable, had been forced. One squadron of the Guides +cavalry, under Captain Brasier Creagh, pursuing the enemy had a +successful skirmish near the village of Abueh, and returned to camp +about 6.30 in the evening. [This officer was mentioned in despatches for +his skill and judgment in this affair; but he is better known on the +frontier for his brilliant reconnaissance towards Mamani, a month later, +in which in spite of heavy loss he succeeded in carrying out General +Hammond's orders and obtained most valuable information.] During the +fight about 1000 tribesmen had threatened the baggage column, but these +were but poor-spirited fellows, for they retired after a short skirmish +with two squadrons of the 11th Bengal Lancers, with a loss of twenty +killed and wounded. The total casualties of the day were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Lieutenant R.T. Greaves, Lancs. Fusiliers. + " " H.L.S. Maclean, Guides. + Wounded severely--Captain M.E. Palmer, Guides. + Wounded slightly--Lieutenant-Colonel R.B. Adams, Guides. + NATIVE RANKS--Wounded--5. + FOLLOWERS--Wounded--2. + Total Casualties--11. + + +It must be remembered, that but for the incident which resulted in the +deaths of the officers, and which Sir Bindon Blood described in his +official despatch as an "unfortunate contretemps," the total casualties +would have only been seven wounded. That so strong a position should +have been captured with so little loss, is due, firstly, to the +dispositions of the general; and secondly, to the power of the artillery +which he had concentrated. The account of the first attempt to storm the +Dargai position on the 20th of October, before it had been shaken by +artillery fire, when the Dorsetshire Regiment suffered severe loss, +roused many reflections among those who had witnessed the action of +Landakai. + +The next morning, the 18th, the force continued their march up the +valley of the Upper Swat. The natives, thoroughly cowed, offered no +further opposition and sued for peace. Their losses at Landakai were +ascertained to have exceeded 500, and they realised that they had no +chance against the regular troops, when these were enabled to use their +powerful weapons. + +As the troops advanced up the fertile and beautiful valley, all were +struck by the numerous ruins of the ancient Buddhists. Here in former +times were thriving cities, and civilised men. Here, we learn from +Fa-hien, [Record Of Buddhistic Kingdoms. Translated by James Legge, +M.A., LL.D.] were "in all 500 Sangharamas," or monasteries. At these +monasteries the law of hospitality was thus carried out: "When stranger +bhikshus (begging monks) arrive at one of them, their wants are supplied +for three days, after which they are told to find a resting-place for +themselves." All this is changed by time. The cities are but ruins. +Savages have replaced the civilised, bland-looking Buddhists, and the +traveller who should apply for hospitality, would be speedily shown "a +resting-place," which would relieve his hosts from further trouble +concerning him. + +"There is a tradition," continues the intrepid monk, who travelled +through some of the wildest countries of the earth in the darkest ages +of its history, "that when Buddha came to North India, he came to this +country, and that he left a print of his foot, which is long or short +according to the ideas of the beholder." Although the learned Fa-hien +asserts that "it exists, and the same thing is true about it at the +present day," the various cavalry reconnaissances failed to discover it, +and we must regretfully conclude that it has also been obliterated by +the tides of time. Here too, says this Buddhistic Baedeker, is still to +be seen the rock on which "He dried his clothes; and the place where He +converted the wicked dragon (Naga)." "The rock is fourteen cubits high +and more than twenty broad, with one side of it smooth." This may well +be believed; but there are so many rocks of all dimensions that the +soldiers were unable to make certain which was the scene of the dragon's +repentance, and Buddha's desiccation. + +His companions went on ahead towards Jellalabad, or some city in that +locality, but Fa-hien, charmed with the green and fertile beauties of +"the park," remained in the pleasant valley and "kept the summer +retreat." Then he descended into the land of So-hoo-to, which is perhaps +Buner. + +Even in these busy, practical, matter-of-fact, modern times, where +nothing is desirable unless economically sound, it is not unprofitable +for a moment to raise the veil of the past, and take a glimpse of the +world as it was in other days. The fifth century of the Christian era +was one of the most gloomy and dismal periods in the history of mankind. +The Great Roman Empire was collapsing before the strokes of such as +Alaric the Goth, Attila the Hun, and Genseric the Vandal. The art and +valour of a classical age had sunk in that deluge of barbarism which +submerged Europe. The Church was convulsed by the Arian controversy. +That pure religion, which it should have guarded, was defiled with the +blood of persecution and degraded by the fears of superstition. Yet, +while all these things afflicted the nations of the West, and seemed to +foreshadow the decline or destruction of the human species, the wild +mountains of Northern India, now overrun by savages more fierce than +those who sacked Rome, were occupied by a placid people, thriving, +industrious, and intelligent; devoting their lives to the attainment of +that serene annihilation which the word nirvana expresses. When we +reflect on the revolutions which time effects, and observe how the home +of learning and progress changes as the years pass by, it is impossible +to avoid the conclusion, perhaps a mournful one, that the sun of +civilisation can never shine all over the world at once. + +On the 19th, the force reached Mingaora, and here for five days they +waited in an agreeable camp, to enable Major Deane to receive the +submission of the tribes. These appeared much humbled by their defeats, +and sought to propitiate the troops by bringing in supplies of grain and +forage. Over 800 arms of different descriptions were surrendered during +the halt. A few shots were fired into the camp on the night of the +arrival at Mingaora, but the villagers, fearing lest they should suffer, +turned out and drove the "snipers" away. On the 21st a reconnaissance as +far as the Kotke Pass afforded much valuable information as to the +nature of the country. All were struck with the beauty of the scenery, +and when on the 24th the force marched back to Barikot, they carried +away with them the memory of a beautiful valley, where the green of the +rice fields was separated from the blue of the sky by the glittering +snow peaks of the Himalayas. + +While the troops rested at Barikot, Sir Bindon Blood personally +reconnoitred the Karakar Pass, which leads from the Swat Valley into the +country of the Bunerwals. The Bunerwals belong to the Yusaf section, of +the Yusafzai tribe. They are a warlike and turbulent people. To their +valley, after the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, many of the Sepoys +and native officers who had been in revolt fled for refuge. Here, partly +by force and partly by persuasion, they established themselves. They +married women of the country and made a settlement. In 1863 the +Bunerwals came into collision with the British Government and much +severe fighting ensued, known to history as the Ambeyla Campaign. The +refugees from India renewed their quarrel with the white troops with +eagerness, and by their extraordinary courage and ferocity gained the +name of the "Hindustani Fanatics." At the cost of thirty-six officers +and eight hundred men Buner was subdued. The "Crag Picket" was taken for +the last time by the 101st Fusiliers, and held till the end of the +operations. Elephants, brought at great expense from India, trampled the +crops. Most of the "Hindustani Fanatics" perished in the fighting. The +Bunerwals accepted the Government terms, and the troops retired. Since +then, in 1868, in 1877 and again in 1884 they raided border villages, +but on the threat of an expedition paid a fine and made good the damage. +The reputation they have enjoyed since their stout resistance in 1863, +has enabled them to take a leading position among the frontier tribes; +and they have availed themselves of this to foment and aggravate several +outbreaks against the British. Their black and dark-blue clothes had +distinguished them from the other assailants of Malakand and Chakdara. +They had now withdrawn to their valley and thence defied the Government +and refused all terms. + +As Sir Bindon Blood and his escort approached the top of the pass, a few +shots were fired by the watchers there, but there was no opposition. All +the Bunerwals had hurried over to defend the southern entrances to their +country, which they conceived were in danger of attack from Brigadier- +General Wodehouse's force at Rustum. The general reached the Kotal, and +saw the whole valley beneath him. Great villages dotted the plains and +the aspect was fertile and prosperous. + +The unguarded Karakar Pass was practicable for troops, and if the +Government would give their consent, Buner might be reduced in a +fortnight without difficulty, almost without fighting. + +Telegrams were despatched to India on the subject, and after much delay +and hesitation the Viceroy decided against the recommendation of his +victorious general. Though the desirability of settling with the +Bunerwals was fully admitted, the Government shrank from the risk. The +Malakand Field Force thus remained idle for nearly a fortnight. The +news, that the Sirkar had feared to attack Buner, spread like wildfire +along the frontier, and revived the spirits of the tribes. They fancied +they detected a sign of weakness. Nor were they altogether wrong. But +the weakness was moral rather than physical. + +It is now asserted, that the punishment of Buner is only postponed, and +that a few months may see its consummation. [Written in 1897.] The +opportunity of entering the country without having to force the passes +may not, however, recur. + +On the 26th of August the force returned to Thana, and the expedition +into Upper Swat terminated. + +[The following is the most trustworthy estimate obtainable of loss of +life among the tribesmen in the fighting in the Swat Valley from 26th +July to 17th August. The figures include wounded, who have since died, +and are more than double those killed outright in the actions:-- + + 1. Lower Swat Pathans . . . 700 Buried in the graveyards. + 2. Upper " " . . . 600 " " " " + 3. Buner proper . . . . 500 " " " " + 4. Utman Khel . . . . 80 + 5. Yusafzai . . . . . 50 + 6. Other tribes . . . . 150 + Total--2080. + + 1, 2 and 3 are the result of recent inquiry on the spot. + 4, 5 and 6 are estimates based on native information. + +The proportion of killed and died of wounds to wounded would be very +high, as the tribes have little surgical or medical knowledge and +refused all offers of aid. Assuming that only an equal number were +wounded and recovered, the total loss would be approximately 4000. A +check is obtained by comparing these figures with the separate estimates +for each action:-- + + Malakand . . . . 700 + Siege of Chakdara . . 2000 + Relief " " . . 500 + Action of Landakai . . 500 + Total--3700. + + + + + +CHAPTER VIII: THE ADVANCE AGAINST THE MOHMANDS + + + +The beginning of this chapter must mark a change in the standpoint from +which the story is told. Hitherto the course of events has been recorded +in the impersonal style of history. But henceforward I am able to rely +on my own memory as well as on other people's evidence. [I do not desire +to bore the reader or depreciate the story by the introduction of +personal matters. It will be sufficient if, in the interests of +coherency, I explain my connection with the Malakand Field Force. Having +realised, that if a British cavalry officer waits till he is ordered on +active service, he is likely to wait a considerable time, I obtained six +weeks' leave of absence from my regiment, and on the 2nd of September +arrived at Malakand as press correspondent of the PIONEER and DAILY +TELEGRAPH, and in the hope of being sooner or later attached to the +force in a military capacity.] It may be doubtful whether an historical +record gains or loses value when described by an eye-witness. From the +personal point of view, all things appear in a gradual perspective, +according to the degree in which they affect the individual; and we are +so prone to exaggerate the relative importance of incidents, which we +see, over those we hear about, that what the narrative gains in accuracy +of detail, it may lose in justness of proportion. In so nice a question +I shall not pronounce. I remember that the original object with which +this book was undertaken, was to present a picture of the war on the +North-West Frontier to the Englishmen at home; a picture which should +not only exist, but be looked at; and I am inclined to think, that this +end will be more easily attained by the adoption of a style of personal +narrative. Many facts, too local, too specialised, too insignificant, +for an historical record, and yet which may help the reader to form a +true impression of the scene and situation, are thus brought within the +compass of these pages. The account becomes more graphic if less +imposing, more vivid if less judicial. As long as each step down from +the "dignity of history" is accompanied by a corresponding increase in +interest, we may pursue without compunction that pleasant, if +descending, path. + +The ninth chapter also introduces a new phase of the operations of the +force. The Mohmands now become the enemy and the scene is changed from +Swat to Bajaur. Before marching into their country, it will be desirable +to consider briefly those causes and events which induced the Government +of India to despatch an expedition against this powerful and warlike +tribe. + + +The tidal wave of fanaticism, which had swept the frontier, had +influenced the Mohmands, as all other border peoples. Their situation +was, however, in several important respects, different from that of the +natives of the Swat Valley. These Mohmands had neither been irritated +nor interfered with in any way. No military road ran through their +territory. No fortified posts stirred their animosity or threatened +their independence. Had they respected in others the isolation which +they themselves have so long enjoyed, they might have remained for an +indefinite period in that state of degraded barbarism which seems to +appeal so strongly to certain people in England. They became, however, +the aggressors. + +In the heart of the wild and dismal mountain region, in which these +fierce tribesmen dwell, are the temple and village of Jarobi: the one a +consecrated hovel, the other a fortified slum. This obscure and +undisturbed retreat was the residence of a priest of great age and of +peculiar holiness, known to fame as the Hadda Mullah. His name is Najb- +ud-din, but as respect has prevented it being mentioned by the tribesmen +for nearly fifty years, it is only preserved in infidel memories and +records. The Government of India have, however, had this man's +personality brought vividly before them on several occasions. About +thirteen years ago he quarrelled with the Amir and raised the Mohmands +against him. The Amir replied by summoning his rebellious subject--for +Hadda, the Mullah's home and birthplace, is a village of Afghanistan--to +answer for his conduct at Cabul. But the crafty priest, who was well +acquainted with Afghan legal procedure, declined the invitation, and +retired to the independent Mohmand territory, where he has lived ever +since. + +Content with thus inflicting the punishment of exile, the Amir was +disposed to forget the offence. In a letter to his Commander-in-Chief, +the "Sipah Salar," a great friend of the Mullah, he described him as a +"light of Islam." So powerful a light, indeed, he did not desire to have +in his own dominions; but across the border it was fitting that respect +should be shown to so holy a man. He therefore directed his officials to +cherish and honour him. Thus he retained a powerful weapon--to be used +when desirable. Whether by instigation or from personal motives, the +Hadda Mullah has long been a bitter foe to the British power. In 1895 he +sent the fighting men of the Mohmands to resist the Chitral Relief +Force. Since then he has been actively engaged, by preaching and by +correspondence with other Mullahs, in raising a great combination +against the advancing civilisation. + +In 1896 he terminated a long religious controversy with the Manki Mullah +of Nowshera and Spinkhara--a comparatively tame Mullah, who now supports +the Indian Government--by publishing a book setting forth his views, and +demolishing those of his antagonist. This work was printed in Delhi and +had an extensive sale among Mahommedans all over India. Complimentary +copies were sent to the "Sipah Salar" and other Afghan notabilities, and +the fame of the Hadda Mullah was known throughout the land. Besides +increasing his influence, his literary success stimulated his efforts. + +While the Mad Fakir was rousing Swat and Buner, this powerful priest +incited the Mohmands. Though he was known to be a physical coward, his +sanctity and the fact that he was their own particular holy man, not +less than his eloquence, powerfully moved this savage tribe. A Jehad was +proclaimed. How long should Islam be insulted? How long should its +followers lurk in the barren lands of the North? He urged them to rise +and join in the destruction of the white invaders. Those who fell should +become saints; those who lived would be rich, for these Kafirs had money +and many other things besides, for which a true believer might find a +use. + +The combined allurements of plunder and paradise proved irresistible. On +the 8th of August a great gathering, nearly 6000 strong, crossed the +frontier line, invaded British territory, burned the village of +Shankargarh, and attacked the fort of Shabkadr. This place is an +advanced post in the defensive system of the frontier, and is situated +some nineteen miles to the north-west of Peshawar. Its ordinary garrison +consists of about fifty Border Police. It is strongly built, and is +intended to attract the attention and delay the advance of a raiding- +party, until the Peshawar garrison has had time to take the field. Both +of these objects it admirably fulfilled in this case. + +As soon as the news of the incursion of the Mohmands was received in +Peshawar, a flying column was mobilised and proceeded under the command +of Lieut.-Colonel J.B. Woon, 20th Punjaub Infantry, in the direction of +the fort. At dawn on the 9th of August they found the tribesmen in force +in a strong position near Shabdakr. The force at Colonel Woon's disposal +was small. It consisted of:-- + + 4 Guns 51st Field Battery. + 2 squadrons 13th Bengal Lancers . . . . . 151 lances. + 2 Companies Somersetshire Light Infantry . . 186 rifles. + 20th Punjaub Infantry . . . . . . 400 " + +A total of about 750 men. The enemy numbered 6000. Nevertheless it was +decided to attack at once. + + +As the action which followed is but remotely connected with the fortunes +of the Malakand Field Force, I do not intend to describe it in detail. +The infantry in advancing could only attack on a front of 600 yards. The +enemy's line, being much longer, quickly turned both flanks. The fire +became severe. Numerous casualties occurred. A retirement was ordered. As +is usual in Asiatic warfare, it was considerably pressed. The situation +at about nine o'clock appeared critical. At this point Brigadier-General +Ellis, commanding the Peshawar District, arrived on the field. He +immediately ordered the two squadrons of the 13th Bengal Lancers to move +well to the right flank, to charge across the front and check the +enemy's advance. The "cease fire" sounded as on a field day. Then there +was a pause. The movements of the cavalry were concealed from most of +the troops, but suddenly all noticed the slackening of the enemy's fire. +Then the tribesmen were seen to be in retreat and disorder. The power of +cavalry had been strikingly displayed. The two squadrons, ably led, had +executed a fine charge over what theorists would call impossible ground +for a distance of one and a half miles along the bed of a great nullah, +and among rocks and stones that reduced the pace to a trot. The enemy +were driven from the field. Sixty were actually speared by the Lancers, +and the rest retreated in gloom and disorder to their hills across the +frontier. + +The casualties were as follows:-- + + British Officers. + Wounded severely--Major A. Lumb, Somersetshire Light Infantry. + " " Captain S.W. Blacker, R.A. + " " 2nd Lieut. E Drummond, Somersetshire Light Infantry. + Wounded slightly--Lieut. A.V. Cheyne, 13th Bengal Lancers. + + British N.C.O.'s and Soldiers. + Killed. Wounded. + 51st Field Battery, R.A. . . . . 0 2 + Somersetshire Light Infantry . . . 3 9 + + Native Ranks. + + 13th Bengal Lancers . . . . . 1 12 + 20th Punjaub Infantry . . . . . 5 35 + Followers . . . . . . . 0 1 + + Total Casualties, all ranks--72. + + +That such an outrage, as the deliberate violation of British territory +by these savages, should remain unpunished, "Forward Policy" or no +"Forward Policy," was of course impossible. Yet the vacillation and +hesitancy which the Government of India had displayed in the matter of +the Bunerwals, and the shocking and disgraceful desertion of the forts +in the Khyber Pass, were so fresh in all men's minds, that the order to +advance against the Mohmands was received with feelings of the greatest +relief throughout the forces. The general plan of the operations as +arranged by the Commander-in-Chief was as follows:-- + +1. Sir Bindon Blood with two brigades of the Malakand Field Force and +due proportions of cavalry and guns was to move through South Bajaur to +Nawagai, and on the 15th of September invade the Mohmand country from +that place. + +2. On the same date Major-General Elles with an equal force would leave +Shabkadr, and entering the mountains march northeast to effect a +junction. + +3. This having been done, the combined forces under the supreme command +of Sir Bindon Blood would be brought back through the Mohmands' +territories to Shabkadr. Incidentally they would deal with the Hadda +Mullah's village of Jarobi, and inflict such punishment on the tribesmen +as might be necessary to ensure their submission. The troops would then +be available for the Tirah Expedition, which it had by this time been +decided to organise. + +The fact that after leaving Nawagai, nothing was known of the +configuration of the country, of which no maps existed; nor of the +supplies of food, forage and water available by the way, made the +preparations for, and the execution of, these operations somewhat +difficult. Wide margins had to be allowed in the matter of rations, and +in order to be prepared for all contingencies and obstructions of +ground, Sir Bindon Blood equipped his 2nd Brigade entirely with mule +transport. The 3rd Brigade with camels would follow if the road was +passable. + +The following was the composition of the forces employed:-- + + I. MALAKAND FIELD FORCE. + + Commanding--Major-General Sir Bindon Blood. + + 2nd Brigade. + + Brigadier-General Jeffries, C.B. + The Buffs. + 35th Sikhs. + 38th Dogras. + Guides Infantry. + No.4 Company (Bengal) Sappers and Miners. + No.7 Mountain Battery. + + 3rd Brigade. + + Brigadier-General Wodehouse. + The Queen's Regiment.[This regiment had replaced the Gordon + Highlanders in the 3rd Brigade.] + 22nd Punjaub Infantry. + 39th Punjaub Infantry. + No.3 Company (Bombay) Sappers and Miners. + No.1 Mountain Battery, R.A. + + Cavalry--11th Bengal Lancers. + + Line of Communications. 1st Brigade. + + Brigadier-General Meiklejohn. + Royal West Kent. + Highland Light Infantry. + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 45th Sikhs. + No.7 British Mountain Battery. +And the following additional troops:-- + 1 Squadron 10th Bengal Lancers. + 2 Squadrons Guides Cavalry. + + + II.THE MOHMAND FIELD FORCE. + + 1st Brigade. + + 1st Battalion Somersetshire Light Infantry. + Maxim Gun Detachment, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment. + 20th Punjaub Infantry. + 2nd Battalion 1st Gurkhas. + Sections A and B No.5 British Field Hospital. + Three Sections No.31 Native " " + Section A No.45 " " " + + 2nd Brigade. + + 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry. + 9th Gurkha Rifles. + 37th Dogras. + Sections C and D No.5 British Field Hospital. + No.44 Native Field Hospital. + + Divisional Troops. + + 13th Bengal Lancers. + No.3 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery. + No.5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery. + No.5 Company (Bengal) Sappers and Miners. + 28th Bombay Pioneers. + 1st Patiala Infantry. + Sections C and D No.63 Native Field Hospital. + + +To record the actual movements of troops in a campaign, is among the +most important duties of one who undertakes to tell its tale. For the +sake of clearness, of brevity, and that the reader who is not interested +may find convenience in skipping, I shall at once describe the whole of +the marches and manoeuvres, by which Sir Bindon Blood moved his brigades +across the Panjkora River, and after the Malakand Field Force is safely +camped at Ghosam, the reader will be invited to return to examine the +scenery, and remark the incidents of the way. + +During the end of August, the 2nd Brigade, equipped with mule transport, +was at Khar in the Swat Valley. The 3rd Brigade was at Uch. On the 2nd +of September, definite orders to advance were received from Simla. In +pursuance of these instructions, Sir Bindon Blood ordered Brigadier- +General Wodehouse with the 3rd Brigade, which in anticipation had been +moved from Uch a few days previously, to take over the bridge across the +Panjkora from the Khan of Dir's Levies, and secure the passage. On the +6th, the 3rd Brigade marched from Sarai to Panjkora, and obtained +possession of the bridge just in time to prevent it falling into the +hands of the enemy, who had already gathered to seize it. The 12-pounder +guns of the 10th Field Battery were placed in a strong position +commanding the passage, and the brigade camped on the left bank. On the +same day, Brigadier-General Jeffries with headquarters marched from Khar +to Chakdara. On the 7th he proceeded to Sarai, and on the 8th effected +the passage of the Panjkora, and camped on the further bank at Kotkai. +On the 10th, both brigades marched to Ghosam, where they concentrated. +On the line of communications to the Malakand, stages were established +at Chakdara and Sarai, with accommodation for sick and wounded. An +advanced depot was formed behind the Panjkora, to guard which and to +hold the passage, an additional force was moved from the Swat Valley. + +This concentration at Ghosam, of which the details had worked out so +mechanically, had been necessitated by the attitude of the tribesmen of +Bajaur and the adjoining valleys. Great gatherings had collected, and up +to the 7th of September there had been every sign of determined +opposition. So formidable did the combination appear, that Sir Bindon +Blood arranged to have at his disposal a force of six squadrons, nine +battalions and three batteries, in the expectation of an action at or +near Ghosam, which would perhaps have been on a larger scale than any +British engagement since Tel-el-Kebir. [As so many misconceptions exist +as to the British casualties in this victory, it is necessary to state +that in the twenty minutes' fighting 11 officers and 43 men were killed +and 22 officers and 320 men were wounded.] + +These anticipations were however doomed to disappointment. The +methodical, remorseless advance of powerful forces filled the tribesmen +with alarm. They made a half-hearted attempt to capture the Panjkora +bridge, and finding themselves forestalled, fell again to discussing +terms. In this scene of indecision the political officers employed all +their arts. And then suddenly the whole huge combination, which had been +raised in our path, collapsed as an iceberg, when southern waters have +melted its base. + +Whatever the philanthropist may say, it would appear to have been better +policy to have encouraged the tribesmen to oppose the advance in the +open, on some well-defined position. Had they done so, there can be no +doubt that the two fine brigades, backed by a powerful artillery, and +under a victorious commander, who knew and had fought over every inch +of the ground, would have defeated them with severe loss. Bajaur would +have been settled at a single blow and probably at a far less cost in +lives than was afterwards incurred. Instead of this, it was the aim of +our diplomacy to dissipate the opposition. The inflammation, which +should have been brought to a head and then operated on, was now +dispersed throughout the whole system, with what results future chapters +will show. + +Having thus brought the brigades peacefully to Gosham, I ask the reader +to return to the Malakand and ride thence with the Headquarters Staff +along the line of march. On the 5th of September, Sir Bindon Blood and +his staff, which I had the pleasure to accompany, started from the Kotal +Camp and proceeded across the plain of Khar to Chakdara. Here we halted +for the night, and as the scenery and situation of this picturesque fort +have already been described, the march may be continued without delay +next morning. From Chakdara to Sarai is a stage of twelve miles. The +road runs steadily up the valley until the summit of the Catgalla Pass +is reached. "Catgalla" means "Cut-throat," and, indeed, it is not hard +to believe that this gloomy defile has been the scene of dark and horrid +deeds. Thence a descent of two miles leads to Sarai. On the way, we fell +in with the 2nd Brigade, and had to leave the road to avoid the long +lines of mules and marching men who toiled along it. + +The valley at Sarai is about two miles wide, and the mountains rise +steeply from it. On every ridge it is possible to distinguish the red +brick ruins which were the dwellings of the ancient Buddhists. These +relics of an early civilisation, long since overthrown and forgotten, +cannot fail to excite interest and awaken reflection. They carry the +mind back to the times "when the smoke of sacrifice rose from the +Pantheon, and when camelopards and tigers bounded in the Flavian +amphitheatre." And they also lead us to speculations of the future, till +we wonder whether the traveller shall some day inspect, with unconcerned +composure, the few scraps of stone and iron which may indicate the +British occupation of India. Few, indeed, the remains would be--for we +build for immediate use, not future ostentation in these days, and if we +should ever cease to be a force in the world, all traces of us would +soon be obliterated by time. Yet, perhaps, if that unborn critic of +remote posterity would remember that "in the days of the old British," +the rice crop had been more abundant, the number of acres under +cultivation greater, the population larger and the death rate lower, +than at any period in the history of India--we should not be without a +monument more glorious than the pyramids. + +We camped with the 2nd Brigade on the night of the 6th, and next +morning, while the stars were still shining, resumed the march. Five +miles from Sarai the road dwindles to a mule track, and henceforward is +not fit for wheeled traffic. In spite of this, the 10th Field Battery +had succeeded in getting their guns along it, and had brought them +safely to Panjkora. But soldiers will accomplish a good deal to get +nearer the enemy. The scenery before the gorge of the river is reached +is gloomy, but grand. Great cliffs tower up precipitously on the further +bank and the path is cut in the face of the rock. The river, which flows +swiftly by, plunges into a narrow cleft about a mile below the bridge, +and disappears among the mountains. It abounds in fish, but is rapid and +dangerous, and while the troops were encamped near it, two gunners lost +their lives by falling in, and being carried down. Indeed, watching the +dead bodies of several camels being swept along, swirled around, and +buffeted against the rocks, it was not hard to understand these +accidents. + +At length, the bridge is reached. It is a frail structure, supported on +wire ropes. At each end are gates, flanked by little mud towers. The +battery was established on a knoll to the right, and the long muzzles of +the guns peered through stone embrasures at the opposite hills. It was +round the bases of these hills that much hard fighting took place in the +Chitral campaign. About half a mile beyond the bridge, I was shown the +place where the Guides had been so hard pressed, and for a whole night +had had to stand at bay, their colonel killed, the bridge broken, and +the river in flood, against the tribesmen in overwhelming numbers. + +The field telegraph stopped at the bridge-head, and a small tent with a +half-dozen military operators marked the breaking of the slender thread +that connected us, across thousands of miles of sea and land, with +London. Henceforward a line of signal stations with their flickering +helios would be the only links. We were at the end of the wire. I have +often stood at the other and watched the tape machine click off the news +as it arrives; the movements of the troops; the prospects of action; the +fighting; the casualties. How different are the scenes. The club on an +autumn evening--its members grouped anxiously around, discussing, +wondering, asserting; the noise of the traffic outside; the cigarette +smoke and electric lights within. And, only an hour away along the wire, +the field, with the bright sunlight shining on the swirling muddy +waters; the black forbidding rocks; the white tents of the brigade a +mile up the valley; the long streak of vivid green rice crop by the +river; and in the foreground the brown-clad armed men. I can never doubt +which is the right end to be at. It is better to be making the news than +taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic. + +To cross the bridge, it was necessary to dismount and lead the horses +over in single file. Even then the swinging of the whole structure made +it difficult to walk. The passage of the transport under such conditions +occupied all the day, and the unfortunate officers in charge of the mule +trains were working incessantly. The staff passed quickly, however, and +riding on about a mile forded the tributary stream of the Jandol, and +reached the camp at Kotkai about noon. Thence we proceeded on the +following day to Ghosam, but as the road is uninteresting, and I am +beginning to think the reader will readily excuse further description, +we need not toil along it in the dust and the heat. The narration of the +daily movements of troops, unmarked by variety of incident, is dull and +wearying. Yet he who would obtain a true idea of the soldier's life on +service, must mentally share the fatigues of the march and the monotony +of the camp. The fine deeds, the thrilling moments of war, are but the +high lights in a picture, of which the background is routine, hard work, +and discomfort. + +At Ghosam the 2nd Brigade remained until joined by the 3rd and pending +negotiations between the political officers and the tribal Jirgahs. + +The use of purely local terms in all writing is to be deprecated. +Perhaps the reason that no popular history of India exists, is to be +found in the outlandish names of the characters, and the other +expressions with which the pages are sprinkled. In this account I have +zealously tried to avoid the ugly jargon of a degraded language, and to +minimise the use of native names. The term just employed has, however, +been so freely used in the newspapers recently, that it is perhaps as +well to explain its meaning. A Jirgah is a deputation of tribesmen. It +does not necessarily represent the tribe. It may present--and very often +does--a minority report. Occasionally it expresses the opinion only of +its own members. What has been settled one day is therefore very often +overruled the next. The Jirgah may accept terms of peace in the morning, +and the camp may be rushed that night. These were, however, genuine, and +spoke in the name and with the authority of the tribes. All day they +kept arriving and squatting in rows before Major Deane's tent, to hear +the Government terms. The chief condition imposed, was the surrender of +rifles. A fixed number, based on calculation of wealth and population, +was demanded from each clan. This method of punishment is peculiarly +galling to people whose life is so full of war. No other course was, +however, open but submission, and, promising that the terms should be +complied with, the deputations departed. To stimulate their efforts and +zeal in collecting their arms, the combined movements were delayed for +three days, and the forces remained encamped at Ghosam, near Manda. + +I avail myself of this halt to touch, albeit with no little trepidation, +the tangled and obscure subject of tribal politics in Dir and Bajaur. +All the people, incited by their priests, are bitterly hostile to the +British Government, except those benefited by the subsidies paid. They +were now anxious to fight, and were only restrained by a fear which fury +or fanaticism might at any moment overcome. Four principal khans +exercise an authority which varies locally, from absolute dominion to a +shadowy suzerainty, over the whole region. The Khan of Dir, the most +important, is a Government nominee. He is supported by the British +influence, and is, as I have already noticed, entrusted with the raising +of Levies to protect and keep in repair the Chitral road. For these +services he receives pay, and a certain allowance of arms and +ammunition. His own subjects are strongly opposed to his rule from +dislike of his British sympathies, and he only maintains himself by the +assistance which the Government gives him in arms and money. In other +words he is a puppet. + +The Khan of Nawagai is constrained by fear to display a friendly +attitude towards the Sirkar. His subjects resent this and his position +is insecure. He receives some moral support from the British agents, and +as his people are uncertain how far the Government would go to uphold +him, and also as they partly realise his difficult position, they have +hitherto submitted sullenly to his rule. + +The position and attitude of the Khan of Jar are similar, but he is a +less influential chief. The fourth potentate, the Khan of Khar, is +perhaps the most honest and trustworthy. He will appear in a later +chapter, and the reader will have the opportunity of judging of his +character from his conduct. Thus in these valleys, while the people are +all hostile, their rulers find it expedient to preserve a friendly +demeanour to the British, and for this they are hated by their subjects. + +At this stage, the leader of the popular party claims attention. As is +usual, he is out of office. After the Chitral expedition of 1895, Umra +Khan was expelled from his territories, and escaped to Cabul. There he +has remained. The Amir is under an obligation to the British Government +to prevent his raising trouble in Bajaur. If the Amir desired war he +would send Umra Khan back. This would create a strong faction throughout +the whole country--but particularly in the Jandol, Salarzai and Mamund +Valleys--hostile to the British and the friendly khans. The Amir hinted +at this in a recent letter to the Government of India; and such a step +would probably precede his declaration of war, or follow ours. The +Afghan sovereign is, however, well aware that he has at present nothing +to gain, and many things to lose, by provoking a war with the great +power which gave him his throne and has since increased his revenue by +subsidies. In the meanwhile, anxious to preserve his influence with the +border tribes, and to impress the Indian Government with the fact that +he could be a powerful foe, he keeps Umra Khan as a trump card, to be +played when the occasion arises. That he may maintain his authority in +Bajaur, the exiled khan is well supplied with funds, with which to arm +and pay his retainers. + +The situation I have thus briefly described has been little altered by +the operations with which future chapters are concerned. The friendly +khans have been fortified in their allegiance and position by the +military demonstration and by the severe punishment inflicted on those +tribes who resisted. On the other hand, the hostility of the people has +been not unnaturally increased by war, and one tribe in particular has +gained a reputation for courage, which will give them the power to cause +trouble in the future. I shall not, however, anticipate the tale. + + + + + +CHAPTER IX: RECONNAISSANCE + + + +While the infantry of both brigades remained halted at Ghosam, near +Manda, the cavalry made daily reconnaissances in all directions. +Sometimes the object in view was topographical, sometimes military, and +at others diplomatic, or to use the Indian application of the term, +"political." + +On the 10th, Major Deane visited the various chiefs in the Jandul +Valley. I asked and obtained permission to accompany him. A change from +the hot and dusty camp was agreeable to all who could be spared, and +quite a party was formed, among whom were some whose names have occurred +previously in these pages--Major Beatson, Major Hobday, and Lord +Fincastle. A squadron of the 11th Bengal Lancers acted as escort. + +The valley of the Jandul is about eight miles long and perhaps half as +broad. It opens out of the main valley, which extends from the Panjkora +to Nawagai, and is on all other sides surrounded by high and precipitous +mountains. The bed of the river, although at the time of our visit +occupied only by a small stream, is nearly half a mile broad and +bordered by rice fields, to which the water is conducted by many +artfully contrived dykes and conduits. The plain itself is arid and +sandy, but at the winter season yields a moderate crop. The presence of +water below the surface is attested by numerous groves of chenar trees. + +This valley may, in natural and political features, be taken as typical +of the Afghan valleys. Seven separate castles formed the strongholds of +seven separate khans. Some of these potentates had been implicated in +the attack on the Malakand, and our visit to their fastnesses was not +wholly of an amicable nature. They had all four days before been bound +by the most sacred oaths to fight to the death. The great tribal +combination had, however, broken up, and at the last moment they had +decided upon peace. But the Pathan does nothing by halves. No black +looks, no sullen reserve, marred the geniality of their welcome. As we +approached the first fortified village the sovereign and his army rode +out to meet us, and with many protestations of fidelity, expressed his +joy at our safe arrival. He was a fine-looking man and sat well on a +stamping roan stallion. His dress was imposing. A waistcoat of gorgeous +crimson, thickly covered with gold lace, displayed flowing sleeves of +white linen, buttoned at the wrist. Long, loose, baggy, linen trousers, +also fastened above the ankle, and curiously pointed shoes clothed his +nether limbs. This striking costume was completed by a small skull-cap, +richly embroidered, and an ornamental sabre. + +He sprang from his horse with grace and agility, to offer his sword to +Major Deane, who bade him mount and ride with him. The army, four or +five rascally-looking men on shaggy ponies, and armed with rifles of +widely different patterns, followed at a distance. The fort was an +enclosure about a hundred yards square. Its walls were perhaps twenty +feet high and built of rough stones plastered together with mud and +interspersed with courses of timber. All along the top was a row of +loopholes. At each corner a tall flanking tower enfiladed the +approaches. At the gate of this warlike residence some twenty or thirty +tribesmen were gathered, headed by the khan's own cousin, an elderly man +dressed in long white robes. All saluted us gravely. The escort closed +up. A troop trotted off to the right out of the line fire of the fort. +The advance scouts, passing round the walls, formed on the farther side. +These matters of detail complied with, conversation began. It was +conducted in Pushtu, and was naturally unintelligible to every one of +our party except the two political officers. Apparently Major Deane +reproached the two chiefs for their conduct. He accused them of having +seized the bridge across the Panjkora and delivered the passage to the +fanatic crowds that had gathered to attack the Malakand. This they +admitted readily enough. "Well, why not?" said they; "there was a good +fair fight." Now they would make peace. They bore no malice, why should +the Sirkar? + +It was not, however, possible to accept this sportsmanlike view of the +situation. They were asked where were the rifles they had been ordered +to surrender. At this they looked blank. There were no rifles. There +never had been any rifles. Let the soldiers search the fort and see for +themselves. The order was given; three or four sowars drew their +carbines, dismounted and entered the great and heavy gate, which had +been suspiciously opened a little way. + +The gate gave access to a small courtyard, commanded on every side by an +interior defence. In front was a large low room of uncertain dimensions: +a kind of guard-house. It simply hummed with men. The outer walls were +nearly five feet thick and would have resisted the fire of mountain +guns. It was a strong place. + +The Lancers, accustomed to the operation of hunting for arms, hurriedly +searched the likely and usual places, but without success. One thing, +however, they noticed, which they immediately reported. There were no +women and children in the fort. This had a sinister aspect. Our visit +was unexpected and had taken them by surprise, but they were prepared +for all emergencies. They had hidden their rifles and cleared for +action. + +The two chiefs smiled in superior virtue. Of course there were no +rifles. But matters took, for them, an unexpected turn. They had no +rifles--said Major Deane--very well, they should come themselves. He +turned to an officer of the Lancers; a section rode forward and +surrounded both men. Resistance was useless. Flight was impossible. They +were prisoners. Yet they behaved with Oriental composure and calmly +accepted the inevitable. They ordered their ponies and, mounting, rode +behind us under escort. + +We pursued our way up the valley. As we approached each fort, a khan and +his retainers advanced and greeted us. Against these there was no +definite charge, and the relations throughout were amicable. At the head +of the valley is Barwa, the home of the most powerful of these +princelets. This fort had belonged to Umra Khan, and attested, by +superiority of construction, the intellectual development of that +remarkable man. After the Chitral expedition it had been given by the +Government to its present owner, who, bitterly hated by the other +chieftains of the valley, his near relatives mostly, had no choice but +loyalty to the British. He received us with courtesy and invited us to +enter and see the fort. This, after taking all precautions and posting +sentries, we did. It was the best specimen of Afghan architecture I have +seen. In this very fort Lieutenants Fowler and Edwards were confined in +1895, when the prisoners of Umra Khan. The new chief showed their room +which opened on a balcony, whence a fine view of the whole valley could +be obtained. There are many worse places of durance. The fort is +carefully defended and completely commands the various approaches. +Judicious arrangements of loopholes and towers cover all dead ground. +Inside the walls galleries of brushwood enabled the defenders to fire +without exposing themselves. In the middle is the keep, which, if +Fortune were adverse, would be the last stronghold of the garrison. + +What a strange system of society is disclosed by all this! Here was this +man, his back against the mountains, maintaining himself against the +rest of the valley, against all his kin, with the fear of death and the +chances of war ever in his mind, and holding his own, partly by force of +arms, partly by the support of the British agents, and partly through +the incessant feuds of his adversaries. + +It is "all against all," in these valleys. The two khans who had been +arrested would have fled to the hills. They knew they were to be +punished. Still they dared not leave their stronghold. A neighbour, a +relation, a brother perhaps, would step into the unguarded keep and hold +it for his own. Every stone of these forts is blood-stained with +treachery; each acre of ground the scene of a murder. In Barwa itself, +Umra Khan slew his brother, not in hot anger or open war, but coldly and +deliberately from behind. Thus he obtained power, and the moralist might +observe with a shudder, that but for the "Forward Policy" he would +probably be in full enjoyment to-day. This Umra Khan was a man of much +talent, a man intellectually a head and shoulders above his countrymen. +He was a great man, which on the frontier means that he was a great +murderer, and might have accomplished much with the quick-firing guns he +was negotiating for, and the troops he was drilling "on the European +model." The career of this Afghan Napoleon was cut short, however, by +the intervention of Providence in the guise or disguise of the Indian +Government. He might have been made use of. People who know the frontier +well, say that a strong man who has felt the grip of the British power +is the best tool to work with, and that if Umra Khan, humbled and +overawed, had been reinstated, he might have done much to maintain law +and order. As long as they fight, these Afghans do not mind much on +which side they fight. There are worse men and worse allies helping us +to-day. The unpractical may wonder why we, a people who fill some +considerable place in the world, should mix in the petty intrigues of +these border chieftains, or soil our hands by using such tools at all. +Is it fitting that Great Britain should play off one brutal khan against +his neighbours, or balance one barbarous tribe against another? It is as +much below our Imperial dignity, as it would be for a millionaire to +count the lumps in the sugar-basin. If it be necessary for the safety of +our possessions that these territories should be occupied, it would be +more agreeable to our self-respect that we should take them with a +strong hand. It would be more dignified, but nothing costs more to keep +up than dignity, and it is perhaps because we have always been guided by +sound commercial principles in this respect that we have attained our +present proud position. + +After looking round the fortress and admiring the skill and knowledge +with which it was built, we were conducted by the khan to the shade of +some beautiful chenar trees, which grew near a little spring not far +from the walls of the fort. Here were a number of charpoys, or native +bedsteads, very comfortable, but usually full of bugs, and on these we +sat. + +Remembering Maizar, and many other incidents of frontier hospitality, +sentries were posted on all the approaches and a sufficient guard kept +under arms. Then we had breakfast--a most excellent breakfast. + +The arrangements for the comfort and convenience of the troops of the +Frontier Force are unequalled. They live more pleasantly and with less +discomfort on active service than does a British regiment at the +Aldershot manoeuvres. Whether the march be long or short, peaceful or +opposed, whether the action be successful or the reverse, their +commissariat never fails. In fact it is only just to say that they have +always lances and bullets for an enemy, and sandwiches and "pegs" for a +friend. + +On this occasion, our provisions were supplemented by the hospitality of +the khan. A long row of men appeared, each laden with food. Some carried +fruit,--pears or apples; others piles of chupatties, or dishes of +pillau. + +Nor were our troopers forgotten. The Mahommedans among them eagerly +accepted the proffered food. But the Sikhs maintained a remorseful +silence and declined it. They could not eat what had been prepared by +Mussulman hands, and so they sat gazing wistfully at the appetising +dishes, and contented themselves with a little fruit. + +Very austere and admirable they looked, almost painfully conscious of +their superior virtue. But I could not help thinking that had we not +been spectators the chenar trees might have witnessed the triumph of +reason over religious prejudice. + +During the heat of the day we rested in this pleasant grove, and with +sleep and conversation passed the hours away, while the sentries pacing +to and fro alone disturbed the illusion that this was some picnic party +in a more propitious land. Then, as the shadows lengthened, we started +upon our return to camp. + +On arriving, the political officers were pleased, and the soldiers +disappointed, to find that the tribesmen were determined to accept the +Government terms. A hundred rifles from the Utman Khels had already been +surrendered, and now lay outside Major Deane's tent, surrounded by a +crowd of officers, who were busily engaged in examining them. + +Opinion is divided, and practice has followed opinion as to whether, in +a tale of travel or of war, it is preferable to intersperse the +narrative with conclusions and discussions, or to collect them all in a +final chapter. I shall unhesitatingly embrace the former method. The +story shall be told as it happened, and the reader's attention will be +directed to such considerations and reflections as arise by the way. It +will therefore be convenient to make a digression into the question of +the supply of arms to the frontier tribes, while a hundred rifles, +probably a representative hundred, are piled in the main street of the +camp at Ghosam. + +The perpetual state of intestine war, in which the border peoples live, +naturally creates a keen demand for deadly weapons. A good Martini-Henry +rifle will always command a price in these parts of Rs.400 or about 25 +British pounds. As the actual value of such a rifle does not exceed +Rs.50, it is evident that a very large margin of profit accrues to the +enterprising trader. All along the frontier, and from far down into +India, rifles are stolen by expert and cunning thieves. One tribe, the +Ut Khels, who live in the Laghman Valley, have made the traffic in arms +their especial business. Their thieves are the most daring and their +agents the most cunning. Some of their methods are highly ingenious. One +story is worth repeating. A coffin was presented for railway transport. +The relatives of the deceased accompanied it. The dead man, they said, +had desired to be buried across the frontier. The smell proclaimed the +corpse to be in an advanced state of decomposition. The railway +officials afforded every facility for the passage of so unpleasant an +object. No one checked its progress. It was unapproachable. It was only +when coffin and mourners were safe across the frontier that the police +were informed that a dozen rifles had been concealed in the coffin, and +that the corpse was represented by a quarter of "well hung" beef! + +I regret to have to state, that theft is not the only means by which the +frontier tribes obtain weapons. Of a hundred rifles, which the Utman +Khels had surrendered, nearly a third were condemned Government +Martinis, and displayed the Government stamp. Now no such rifles are +supposed to exist. As soon as they are condemned, the arsenal +authorities are responsible that they are destroyed, and this is in +every case carried out under European supervision. The fact, that such +rifles are not destroyed and are found in the possession of trans- +frontier tribesmen, points to a very grave instance of dishonest and +illegal traffic being carried on by some person connected with the +arsenal. It need hardly be said that a searching inquiry was instituted. + +Another point connected with these rifles is that even when they have +been officially destroyed, by cutting them in three pieces, the +fractions have a marketable value. Several were shown me which had been +rejoined by the tribesmen. These were, of course, very dangerous weapons +indeed. The rest of the hundred had strange tales to tell. Two or three +were Russian military rifles, stolen probably from the distant posts in +Central Asia. One was a Snider, taken at Maiwand, and bearing the number +of the ill-fated regiment to which it had belonged. Some had come from +Europe, perhaps overland through Arabia and Persia; others from the arms +factory at Cabul. It was a strange instance of the tireless efforts of +Supply to meet Demand. + +The importance of the arms question cannot be exaggerated. The long- +range rifle fire, which has characterised the great frontier war, is a +new feature. Hitherto our troops have had to face bold sword charges but +comparatively little firing. Against the former, modern weapons are +effective. But no discipline and no efficiency can stop bullets hitting +men. This is a small part of the question. In the matter of fighting, +what is good enough for the tribesmen should be good enough for the +soldier. A more serious consideration is raised than that of casualties, +which are after all only the inseparable concomitant of glory. Transport +in mountainous countries depends entirely on mules and camels. A great +number are needed even to supply one brigade. At night these animals +have to be packed closely in an entrenched camp. It is not possible to +find camping grounds in the valleys which are not commanded by some hill +or assailable from some nullah. It is dangerous to put out pickets, as +they may be "rushed" or, in the event of a severe attack, shot down, by +the fire of their main body. [This applies to Swat and Bajaur, where the +sword charge is still to be apprehended.] The result is that the +transport animals must be exposed to long-range fire at night. The +reader will observe, as the account proceeds, that on two occasions a +large number of transport mules were killed in this way. When a certain +number are killed, a brigade is as helpless as a locomotive without +coal. It cannot move. Unless it be assisted it must starve. Every year +the tribesmen will become better marksmen, more completely armed with +better rifles. If they recognise the policy of continually firing at our +animals, they may bring all operations to a standstill. And so by this +road I reach the conclusion that whatever is to be done on the frontier, +should be done as quickly as possible. But to return to the story. + +The next day, the 11th of September, the troops remained halted at +Ghosam, and another squadron was ordered to escort the Intelligence +Officer, Captain H.E. Stanton, D.S.O., while making a topographical +reconnaissance of the passes into the Utman Khel country. The +opportunity of making fresh maps and of adding to and correcting the +detail of existing maps only occurs when troops are passing through the +country, and must not be neglected. The route lay up the main valley +which leads to Nawagei. We started early, but the way was long and the +sun high before we reached the entrance of the pass. The landscape was +one of the strangest I shall ever see. On the opposite bank of the river +were the dwellings of the Utman Khels, and in an area seven miles by +three, I counted forty-six separate castles, complete with moats, towers +and turrets. The impression produced was extraordinary. It suggested +Grimm's fairy tales. It almost seemed as if we had left the natural +earth and strayed into some strange domain of fancy, the resort of +giants or ogres. + +To reach the pass, we were compelled to traverse a large village, and as +the situation in the narrow, winding streets was about as awkward for +cavalry as could be imagined, every possible precaution was taken to +guard against attack. At length the squadron passed safely through and +formed up on the farther side. The steep ascent to the passes became +visible. As there were two routes to be reconnoitered, the party was +divided, and after a hasty breakfast we commenced the climb. For a +considerable distance it was possible to ride. At every difficult turn +of the track sowars were posted to secure the retreat, if it should be +necessary to come back in a hurry. The head man of the village furnished +a guide, a cheery and amusing fellow, who professed much solicitude for +our safety. But no reliance could be placed on these people, and on the +opposite side of the valley numerous figures could be seen moving along +and keeping pace with our advancing party. At length the horses and the +greater part of the escort had to be abandoned. I accompanied Captain +Stanton, and Captain Cole, who commanded the squadron and was also +Reuter's correspondent, with a couple of troopers to the top of the +pass. The day was intensely hot, and the arduous climb excited a thirst +which there was nothing to allay. At length we gained the summit, and +stood on the Kotal. + +Far below us was a valley, into which perhaps no white man had looked +since Alexander crossed the mountains on his march to India. Numerous +villages lay dotted about in its depths, while others nestled against +the hills. Isolated forts were distinguishable, while large trees showed +there was no lack of water. It was a view that repaid the exertions of +the climb, even if it did not quench the thirst they had excited. + +While Captain Stanton was making his sketch,--one of those useful view- +sketches, now taking the place of all others, in rapid cavalry +reconnaissance, we amused our fancy by naming the drinks we should +order, were a nice, clean European waiter at hand to get them. I forget +what my selection was, but it was something very long and very cold. +Alas! how far imagination lags behind reality. The vivid impressions +which we conjured up--the deep glasses, and the clinking ice--did little +to dissipate the feelings of discomfort. + +Our guide meanwhile squatted on the ground and pronounced the names of +all the villages, as each one was pointed at. To make sure there was no +mistake, the series of questions was repeated. This time he gave to each +an entirely different name with an appearance of great confidence and +pride. However, one unpronounceable name is as good as another, and the +villages of the valley will go down to official history, christened at +the caprice of a peasant. But perhaps many records, now accepted as +beyond dispute, are derived from such a slender authority. + +The sketch finished, we commenced the descent and reached our horses +without incident. The squadron concentrated near the village, and we +heard that the other sketching party had met with more adventures than +had fallen to our lot. + +It was commanded by Lieutenant Hesketh, a young officer, who was +severely wounded at the storming of the Malakand Pass in 1895, and who, +having again volunteered for active service, was attached to the 11th +Bengal Lancers. At the foot of the pass he dismounted his troop and, +taking a few men with him, began the climb. The pass was occupied by +tribesmen, who threatened to fire on the party if they advanced farther. +The subaltern replied, that he only wished to see the country on the +other side and did not intend to harm any one. At the same time he +pursued his way and the tribesmen, not wishing to bring matters to a +crisis, fell back slowly, repeatedly taking aim, but never daring to +fire. He reached the top of the pass and Captain Walters, the Assistant +Intelligence Officer, was able to make a most valuable sketch of the +country beyond. It was a bold act and succeeded more through its +boldness than from any other cause; for, had the tribesmen once opened +fire, very few of the party could have got down alive. Making a detour +to avoid the village, which it was undesirable to traverse a second +time, the squadron returned and arrived at the camp at Ghosam as the sun +was setting. + +The service camp of an Anglo-Indian brigade is arranged on regular +principles. The infantry and guns are extended in the form of a square. +The animals and cavalry are placed inside. In the middle is the camp of +the Headquarters staff, with the tent of the brigadier facing that of +the general commanding the division. All around the perimeter a parapet +is built, varying in height according to the proximity and activity of +the enemy. This parapet not only affords cover from random shots, but +also makes a line for the men to form on in case of a sudden attack. +Behind it the infantry lie down to sleep, a section of each company, as +an inlying picket, dressed and accoutred. Their rifles are often laid +along the low wall with the bayonets ready fixed. If cavalry have to be +used in holding part of the defences, their lances can be arranged in +the same way. Sentries every twenty-five yards surround the camp with a +line of watchers. + +To view the scene by moonlight is alone an experience which would repay +much travelling. The fires have sunk to red, glowing specks. The +bayonets glisten in a regular line of blue-white points. The silence of +weariness is broken by the incessant and uneasy shuffling of the animals +and the occasional neighing of the horses. All the valley is plunged in +gloom and the mountains rise high and black around. Far up their sides, +the twinkling watch-fires of the tribesmen can be seen. Overhead is the +starry sky, bathed in the pale radiance of the moon. It is a spectacle +that may inspire the philosopher no less than the artist. The camp is +full of subdued noises. Here is no place for reflection, for quiet or +solemn thought. The day may have been an exciting one. The morrow may +bring an action. Some may be killed, but in war-time life is only lived +in the present. It is sufficient to be tired and to have time to rest, +and the camp, if all the various items that compose it can be said to +have a personality, shrugs its shoulders and, regarding the past without +regret, contemplates the future without alarm. + + + + + +CHAPTER X: THE MARCH TO NAWAGAI + + + +After considering such maps and information as to the nature of the +country as were available, Sir Bindon Blood decided to enter the +territories of the Mohmands by two routes. (1) The 3rd Brigade through +the pass of Nawagai. (2) The 2nd Brigade over the Rambat Pass. This +would sweep the country more thoroughly, and afford increased facilities +for drawing supplies. As the 3rd Brigade had a greater distance to +cover, it passed in front of the 2nd, and on the 12th of September, by a +march of twelve miles, reached Shumshuk. The 2nd Brigade, which had +hitherto been leading, moved by an easy stage of seven miles to Jar, and +there camped within supporting distance. + +The Headquarters staff was now transferred to the 3rd Brigade and +marched with them. The road lay for the first five or six miles over the +ground, which the cavalry had reconnoitered the day before. Again all +were struck by the great array of castles on the Utman Khel side of the +valley. Many eager spirits would have liked to stop and blow up some of +these fine places. But the Government terms had been complied with and +the columns moved slowly by, eyeing the forts, which were covered with +the white and blue clad figures of their defenders, with a sour disdain. + +After riding for a couple of hours, the staff halted for breakfast under +a shady tree by the banks of a clear and rapid stream. + +Two hundred yards away we observed a large flight of teal sitting tamely +on the water. Every one became interested. Rifles there were in plenty; +but where could a gun be found? Rigorous and hasty search was made. The +political officer of the force, Mr. Davis, being consulted, eventually +produced a friendly khan, who was the owner of a shot gun. After further +delay this weapon was brought. The teal still floated unconcernedly on +the water. A gun awakened no sense of danger. Shots in plenty they had +heard in the valley, but they were not usually fired at birds. The +exciting moment now arrived. Who should shoot? The responsibility was +great. Many refused. At length Veterinary-Captain Mann, who was wounded +a few days later at Nawagai, volunteered. He took the gun and began a +painful stalk. He crawled along cautiously. We watched with suppressed +emotion. Suddenly two shots rang out. They were to be the first of many. +The men in the marching column 200 yards away became wide awake. The +teal rose hurriedly and flew away, but four remained behind, killed or +wounded. These birds we picked up with a satisfaction which was fully +justified by their excellence that night at dinner. + +Another mile or so brought us to the Watelai River, a stream about +thirty yards broad, which flows into the Jandul, and thence into the +Panjkora. Crossing this and climbing the opposite bank, the troops +debouched on to the wide level plateau of Khar, perhaps ten miles across +and sixteen in length. Standing on the high ground, the great dimensions +of the valley were displayed. Looking westward it was possible to see +the hills behind the Panjkora, the sites of the former camps, and the +entrance of the subsidiary valley of the Jandul. In front, at the +further end, an opening in the mountain range showed the pass of +Nawagai. Towering on the left was the great mass of the Koh-i-mohr, or +"Mountain of Peacocks"--a splendid peak, some 8000 feet high, the top of +which is visible from both Peshawar and Malakand. Its name is possibly a +corruption. Arrian calls it Mount Meros. At its base the city of Nysa +stood in former times, and among many others fell before the arms of +Alexander. Its inhabitants, in begging for peace, boasted that they +conducted their government "with constitutional order," and that "ivy, +which did not grow in the rest of India, grew among them." City, ivy, +and constitutional order have alike disappeared. The mountain alone +remains. A little to the northward the Ramlat Pass was distinguishable. +On the right the smooth plain appeared to flow into the hill country, +and a wide bay in the mountains, roughly circular in shape and nearly +twelve miles across, opened out of the valley. The prominent spurs which +ran from the hills formed many dark ravines and deep hollows, as it were +gulfs and inlets of the sea. The entrance was perhaps a mile broad. I +remember that, when I first looked into the valley, the black clouds of +a passing storm hung gloomily over all, and filled it with a hazy half- +light that contrasted with the brilliant sunshine outside. It was the +Watelai, or as we got to call it later--the Mamund Valley. + +The Khan of Khar met the general on the farther bank of the river. He +was a tall, fine-looking man with bright eyes, bushy black whiskers and +white teeth, which his frequent smiles displayed. He was richly dressed, +attended by a dozen horsemen and mounted on a handsome, though vicious +dun horse. He saluted Sir Bindon Blood with great respect and ceremony. +Some conversation took place, conducted, as the khan only spoke Pushtu, +through the political officer. The khan asserted his loyalty and that of +his neighbour the Khan of Jar. He would, he said, do his utmost to +secure the peaceful passage of the troops. Such supplies as they might +need, he would provide, as far as his resources would go. He looked with +some alarm at the long lines of marching men and animals. The general +reassured him. If the forces were not interfered with or opposed, if the +camps were not fired into at night, if stragglers were not cut off and +cut up by his people, payment in cash would be made for all the grain +and wood it was necessary to requisition. + +The khan accepted this promise with gratitude and relief, and henceforth +during the operations which took place at Nawagai and in the Mamund +Valley, he preserved a loyal and honourable behaviour. To the best of +his power he restrained his young bloods. As much as he was able, he +used his influence to discourage the other tribes from joining the +revolt. Every night his pickets watched our camps, and much good sleep +was obtained by weary men in consequence. At the end of the fighting he +was the intermediary between the Government and the Mamund tribesmen. +And on one occasion he rendered a signal service, though one which +should hardly have been entrusted to him, by escorting with his own +retainers an ammunition convoy to the 2nd Brigade, when troops and +cartridges were alike few and sorely needed. Had he proved treacherous +in this instance the consequences might have been most grave. +Throughout, however, he kept his word with the general, and that in the +face of opposition from his own people, and threats of vengeance from +his neighbours. + +He on his part will not complain of British good faith. Although the +fighting was continued in the district for nearly a month, not one of +his villages was burnt, while all damage done to his crops was liberally +compensated. He was guaranteed against reprisals, and at the end of the +operations the gift of a considerable sum of money proved to him that +the Sirkar could reward its friends, as well as punish its enemies. + +The camel transport of the 3rd Brigade lagged on the road, and the +troops, tired after their long march, had to wait in the blazing sun for +a couple of hours without shelter until the baggage came up. At length +it arrived, and we proceeded to camp as far as is possible without +tents. Shelters were improvised from blankets, from waterproof sheets +supported on sticks, or from the green boughs of some adjacent trees. +Beneath these scanty coverings the soldiers lay, and waited for the +evening. + +Every one has read of the sufferings of the British troops in having to +campaign in the hot weather during the Indian Mutiny. September in these +valleys is as hot as it is easy to imagine or elegant to describe, and +the exposure to the sun tells severely on the British battalions, as the +hospital returns show. Of course, since Mutiny days, many salutary +changes have been made in the dress and equipment of the soldier. The +small cap with its insufficient puggaree is replaced by the pith helmet, +the shade of which is increased by a long quilted covering. The high +stock and thick, tight uniforms are gone, and a cool and comfortable +khaki kit has been substituted. A spine protector covers the back, and +in other ways rational improvements have been effected. But the sun +remains unchanged, and all precautions only minimise, without preventing +the evils. + +Slowly the hours pass away. The heat is intense. The air glitters over +the scorched plain, as over the funnel of an engine. The wind blows with +a fierce warmth, and instead of bringing relief, raises only whirling +dust devils, which scatter the shelters and half-choke their occupants. +The water is tepid, and fails to quench the thirst. At last the shadows +begin to lengthen, as the sun sinks towards the western mountains. Every +one revives. Even the animals seem to share the general feeling of +relief. The camp turns out to see the sunset and enjoy the twilight. The +feelings of savage hatred against the orb of day fade from our minds, +and we strive to forget that he will be ready at five o'clock next +morning to begin the torment over again. + +As there were still several days to spare before the Malakand Field +Force was due to enter the Mohmand country, Sir Bindon Blood ordered +both brigades to remain halted on the 13th: the 3rd Brigade at +Shumshuk; the 2nd at Jar. Meanwhile two reconnaissances were to be sent, +one to the summit of the Rambat Pass, and the other up the Watelai +Valley. + +The night of the 12th was the first occasion of "sniping," since the +advance against the Mohmands had begun. About half a dozen shots were +fired into camp, without other result than to disturb light sleepers. +Still it marked a beginning. + +The reconnaissances started next morning. The general accompanied the +one to the Rambat pass, to satisfy himself as to the nature of the +unexplored country on the other side. Two companies of infantry were +ordered to clear the way, and two others remained in support half-way up +the pass. Sir Bindon Blood started at six o'clock accompanied by his +escort, whose gay pennons combined, with the Union Jack of the +Headquarters staff, to add a dash of colour to the scene. After riding +for a couple of miles we caught up the infantry and had to halt, to let +them get on ahead and work through the broken ground and scrub. A mile +further it was necessary to dismount and proceed on foot. No opposition +was encountered, though the attitude and demeanour of the natives was +most unfriendly. The younger ones retired to the hills. The elder stayed +to scowl at, and even curse us. The village cemetery was full of +property of all kinds, beds, pitchers, and bags of grain, which the +inhabitants had deposited there under the double delusion, that we +wanted to plunder, and that in so sacred a spot it would be safe--were +such our intention. In spite of their black looks, they were eventually +all made to stand up and salute respectfully. + +The climb was a stiff one and took at least an hour. But the track was +everywhere passable, or capable of easily being made passable for mules. +The general, trained and hardened by years of shooting of all kinds in +the jungles, arrived at the top first, followed by Brigadier-General +Wodehouse, and a panting staff. A fine view of the Ambasar Valley was +displayed. It was of arid aspect. Villages in plenty could be seen, but +no sign of water. This was serious, as information as to wells was +unreliable, and it was desirable to see some tanks and streams, before +allowing a column to plunge into the unknown dangers of the valley. +After some consideration Sir Bindon Blood decided to modify the original +plan and send only two battalions of the 2nd Brigade with one squadron +over the pass, while the rest were to march to join him at Nawagai. We +then returned, reaching camp in time for luncheon. + +Meanwhile the reconnaissance up the Watelai or Mamund Valley had been of +a more interesting nature. Two squadrons of the 11th Bengal Lancers, +under Major Beatson, and with Mr. Davis, the political officer, were +sent to put some pressure on the Mamunds, to make them carry out the +terms agreed upon. They had promised to surrender fifty rifles. This +they now showed no intention of doing. They had realised, that the +brigades were only marching through the country, and that they had no +time to stop, and they were determined to keep their arms as long as +possible. + +As the cavalry approached the first village, about 300 men gathered and, +displaying standards, called on the Lancers to stop. An altercation +ensued. They were given half an hour to remove their women and children. +Then the squadrons advanced. The tribesmen, still menacing, retired +slowly towards the hills. Then a small party came up and informed Major +Beatson, that in the next village was a troop-horse, which had been +captured in the fighting in the Swat Valley. This admission, that the +Mamunds had been implicated in the attack on the Malakand, was +sufficiently naive. The cavalry rode on to the village. The horse was +not to be found, but the officious informers from the first village +eagerly pointed out where it had been stabled. In consequence of this +information, and to stimulate the tribesmen to carry out the original +terms, Mr. Davis decided to make an example and authorised Major Beatson +to destroy the house of the owner of the stolen property. This was +accordingly done. As soon as the smoke began to rise, the tribesmen, who +had waited, half a mile away, opened a dropping fire from Martini-Henry +rifles on the cavalry. These, not wishing to engage, retired at a trot. +They were followed up, but though the fire was well directed, the range +was too great for accurate shooting and the bullets whizzed harmlessly +overhead, + +As the Lancers left the valley, an incident occurred which illustrates +what has been said in an earlier chapter, and is characteristic of the +daily life of the natives. The people of the first village had directed +the attention of the cavalry to the second. Part of the second had been +in consequence burnt. The inhabitants of both turned out to discuss the +matter with rifles and, when last seen that night, were engaged in a +lively skirmish. Apparently, however, they soon forgot their +differences. + +The rumour that the cavalry had been fired on preceded them to camp, and +the prospects of some opposition were everywhere hailed with +satisfaction. Many had begun to think that the Mohmand expedition was +going to be a mere parade, and that the tribesmen were overawed by the +powerful forces employed. They were soon to be undeceived. I watched the +squadrons return. Behind them the Mamund Valley was already dark with +the shadows of the evening and the heavy clouds that had hung over it +all day. They were vastly pleased with themselves. Nothing in life is so +exhilarating as to be shot at without result. The sowars sat their +horses with conscious pride. Some of the younger officers still showed +the flush of excitement on their cheeks. But they pretended excellently +well to have forgotten all about the matter. They believed a few fellows +had "sniped" at them; that was all. + +But it was by no means all. Whatever is the Afhgan equivalent of the +"Fiery Cross" was circulated among the tribes. There was no time for +them to gather to attack that night, and the situation of the camp in +the open was unsuited to night firing. The other brigade was coming. +They would wait. They therefore contented themselves with firing +occasional shots, beginning while we were at dinner, and continuing at +intervals until daylight. No one was hurt, but we may imagine that the +tribesmen, who spent the night prowling about the nullahs, and firing +from time to time, returned to their countrymen next morning boasting of +what they had done. "Alone, while ye all slumbered and slept, in the +night, in the darkness, I, even I, have attacked the camp of the +accursed ones and have slain a Sahib. Is it not so, my brothers?" +Whereupon the brothers, hoping he would some day corroborate a lie for +them, replied, that it was undoubtedly so, and that he had deserved well +of the tribe. Such is the reward of the "sniper." + +Early next morning the 3rd Brigade and three squadrons of the 11th +Bengal Lancers moved on to Nawagai and crossed the pass without +opposition. The general and Headquarters staff accompanied them, and we +found ourselves in a wide and extensive valley, on the far side of which +the Bedmanai Pass could be plainly seen. Here, at last, we got definite +information of the Mohmands' intentions. The Hadda Mullah with 1000 +tribesmen had gathered to oppose the further advance. After all there +would be a fight. In the evening Sir Bindon Blood, taking a squadron of +cavalry, rode out to reconnoitre the approaches to the pass and the +general configuration of the ground. On his return he sent a despatch to +the Government of India, that he would force it on the 18th. The +soldiers, especially the British troops, who had not yet been engaged, +eagerly looked forward to the approaching action. But events were +destined to a different course. + +It was already dusk when we returned from the reconnaissance. The +evening was pleasant and we dined in the open air. Still the valley was +very dark. The mountains showed a velvet black. Presently the moon rose. +I repress the inclination to try to describe the beauty of the scene, as +the valley was swiftly flooded with that mysterious light. All the +suitable words have probably been employed many times by numerous +writers and skipped by countless readers. Indeed I am inclined to think, +that these elaborate descriptions convey little to those who have not +seen, and are unnecessary to those who have. Nature will not be admired +by proxy. In times of war, however, especially of frontier war, the +importance of the moon is brought home to everybody. "What time does it +rise to-night?" is the question that recurs; for other things--attacks, +"sniping," rushes,--besides the tides are influenced by its movements. + +Meanwhile, as at Nawagai, at a peaceful camp and a quiet dinner we +watched the "silvery maiden" swiftly appear over the eastern mountains. +She was gazing on a different scene eleven miles away, in the valley we +had left. + +The 2nd Brigade had marched that morning from Jar to the foot of the +Rambat Pass, which it was intended to cross the next day. Brigadier- +General Jefferys, in anticipation of this movement, sent the Buffs up to +hold the Kotal, and camped at the foot with the rest of his force. The +situation of the camp, which had been adopted with a view to the advance +at daybreak, favored the approach of an enemy. The ground was broken and +intersected by numerous small and tortuous nullahs, and strewn with +rocks. Any other site would, however, have necessitated a long march the +next day, and no attack was thought likely. + +At 8.15, as the officers were finishing dinner, three shots rang out in +the silence. They were a signal. Instantly brisk firing broke out from +the nullahs on the face of the square occupied by the Guides Infantry. +Bullets whistled all about the camp, ripping through the tents and +killing and wounding the animals. + +The Guides returned the fire with steadiness, and, as the shelter trench +they had dug in front of their section of the line was higher than at +other parts, no officers or men were hit. At ten o'clock a bugler among +the enemy sounded the "Retire," and the fire dwindled to a few dropping +shots. All were congratulating themselves on a termination of the event, +when at 10.30 the attack was renewed with vigour on the opposite side of +the camp, occupied by the 38th Dogras. The enemy, who were largely armed +with Martini-Henry rifles, crept up to within 100 yards of the trenches. +These were only about eighteen inches high, but afforded sufficient +cover to the soldiers. The officers, with a splendid disregard of the +danger, exposed themselves freely. Walking coolly up and down in the +brilliant moonlight they were excellent targets. The brigadier proceeded +himself to the threatened side of the camp, to control the firing and +prevent the waste of ammunition. A good many thousand rounds were, +however, fired away without much result. Several star shells were also +fired by the battery. The ground was so broken that they revealed very +little, but the tribesmen were alarmed by the smell they made, thinking +it a poisonous gas. The officers were directed to take cover, but the +necessity of sending messages and regulating the fire involved a great +deal of exposure. And to all who showed above the trench the danger was +great. Captain Tomkins of the 38th Dogras was shot through the heart, +and a few minutes later the adjutant of the regiment, Lieutenant Bailey, +was also killed. In assisting to take these officers to the hospital, +where a rough shelter of boxes had been improvised, Lieutenant +Harington, an officer attached to the Dogras, received a bullet in the +back of the head, which penetrated his brain and inflicted injuries from +which he died subsequently. All tents were struck and as much cover as +could be made from grain-bags and biscuit-boxes was arranged. At 2.15 +the firing ceased and the enemy drew off, taking their killed and +wounded with them. They had no mind to be surprised by daylight, away +from their hills. But they had already remained a little too long. + +As soon as the light allowed, the cavalry squadron under Captain Cole +started in pursuit. After a long gallop down the valley, he caught one +party making for the mountains. Charging immediately, he succeeded in +spearing twenty-one of these before they could reach the rocks. The +squadron then dismounted and opened fire with their carbines. But the +tribesmen turned at once and made a dash in the direction of the led +horses. A sowar was wounded and a couple of horses killed. The +cavalrymen, threatened in a vital point, ran hurriedly back, and just +got into their saddles in time. In the haste of mounting four horses got +loose and galloped away, leaving six dismounted men. Captain Cole placed +one of them before him on the saddle, and the troopers followed his +example. The squadron thus encumbered, retired, and after getting out of +range, succeeded in catching their loose horses again. The enemy, seeing +the cavalry mounted once more, took refuge on the hills. But it was +evident, they were eager for fighting. + +The casualties in the night attack of Markhanai were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Capt. W.E. Tomkins, 38th Dogras. + " Lieut. A.W. Bailey, 38th Dogras. + Died of wounds--Lieut. H.A. Harington, attd. 38th Dogras. + + NATIVE OFFICER. + Wounded . . . . . . . . . 1 + + NATIVE SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + No.8 Mountain Battery . . . . 1 1 + 35th Sikhs . . . . . . . 1 3 + 38th Dogras . . . . . . . 1 0 + Guides Infantry . . . . . . 0 1 + Followers . . . . . . . 2 2 + Total Casualties, 16; and 98 horses and mules. + + +Meanwhile, the 3rd Brigade had passed a tranquil night at Nawagai. Next +morning, however, at about six o'clock, a message was heliographed from +the Buffs on the Rambat Pass, to the effect that an attack had been made +on General Jeffreys' camp; that heavy firing had continued all night, +and that several officers were among the casualties. This news set every +one agog. While we were breakfasting, a native officer and ten sowars of +the 11th Bengal Lancers arrived at speed with full details: six hours' +fighting with the Mamunds: three officers killed or mortally wounded; +and nearly a hundred animals hit. In consequence of this information, +Sir Bindon Blood cancelled the orders for the passage of the Rambat Pass +and instructed General Jeffreys to enter the Mamund Valley and +thoroughly chastise the tribesmen. + +I was allowed to go back with the native officer's escort to the 2nd +Brigade, in order to witness the operations which had been ordered. +Judiciously selecting a few things, which could be carried on the +saddle, of which the most important were a cloak, some chocolate and a +tooth-brush, I hurried after the escort, who had already started, and +overtook them just as they had got through the pass of Nawagai. + +For the first six miles the road lay through a network of deep ravines, +through which the troopers picked their way very carefully. It would +have been a bad place for a small party to have been attacked in, but +fortunately, though several armed tribesmen were seen, they did not fire +at us. At one point the route lay through a deep nullah, along which +some of the assailants of the night before had retired. These were +probably from the Charmanga Valley. They had evidently suffered losses. +Several native beds on which wounded men had been carried lay scattered +about. At this place they had probably found some oxen, to which they +had transferred their bodies. At length we got clear of the difficult +ground, and entering the smooth plain of Nawagai looked out eagerly for +the brigade. Seven miles away across the valley was a long brown streak. +It was the troops marching from Markhanai to the entrance of the Mamund +Valley. The smoke of five burning villages rose in a tall column into +the air--blue against the mountains, brown against the sky. An hour's +riding brought us to the brigade. Every one was full of the events of +the night, and all looked worn from having had no sleep. "You were very +lucky to be out of it," they said. "There's plenty more coming." + +The cavalry soon returned from their pursuit. The points of their lances +were covered with dark smears. A sowar displayed his weapon proudly to +some Sikhs, who grinned in appreciation. "How many?" was the question +asked on all sides. "Twenty-one," replied the officer. "But they're full +of fight." + +Orders were now issued for the brigade to camp on the open ground near +Inayat Kila, which, translated, means Fort Grant, and is the name of a +considerable stone stronghold belonging to the Khan of Khar. Although +the troops were very tired from their march, and the fighting of the +preceding night, they began entrenching with alacrity. Besides making an +outer wall to the camp, about three and a half feet high, everybody +scratched a little hole for himself. In these occupations the afternoon +passed. + +The Buffs came in at sunset, having marched from the top of the Rambat +Pass. They had heard the firing of the night and were disappointed at +having been absent. It was "just their luck," they said. During the +Chitral campaign of 1895, they had had the ill-fortune to miss every +engagement. It would be the same now. All tried to reassure them. As +soon as it was dark an attack was probable. + +A dropping fire began after dinner from the great nullah to the north of +the camp, and all lights were put out and the tents struck. Every one +retired to the soup-plate he had scooped in the earth. But no attack was +made. The enemy had informed the political officer through the +friendlies, that they were weary and would rest that night. They sent a +few "snipers" to fire into the camp, and these kept up a desultory +fusillade until about two o'clock, when they drew off. + +Those who had been deprived of their rest the night before soon dropped +off to sleep, in spite of the firing. Others, not overpowered by +weariness, found no occupation but to lie in their holes and contemplate +the stars--those impartial stars which shine as calmly on Piccadilly +Circus as on Inayat Kila. + + + + + +CHAPTER XI: THE ACTION OF THE MAMUND VALLEY, 16TH SEPTEMBER + + + Sound as of bugle in camp, how it rings through the chill air of + morning, + Bidding the soldier arise, he must wake and be armed ere the + light. + Firm be your faith and your feet, when the sun's burning rays shall + be o'er you. + When the rifles are ranging in line, and the clear note of battle is + blown. + + "A Sermon in Lower Bengal," SIR A. LYALL. + + + +The story has now reached a point which I cannot help regarding as its +climax. The action of the Mamund Valley is recalled to me by so many +vivid incidents and enduring memories, that it assumes an importance +which is perhaps beyond its true historic proportions. Throughout the +reader must make allowances for what I have called the personal +perspective. Throughout he must remember, how small is the scale of +operations. The panorama is not filled with masses of troops. He will +not hear the thunder of a hundred guns. No cavalry brigades whirl by +with flashing swords. No infantry divisions are applied at critical +points. The looker-on will see only the hillside, and may, if he watches +with care, distinguish a few brown clad men moving slowly about it, +dwarfed almost to invisibility by the size of the landscape. I hope to +take him close enough, to see what these men are doing and suffering; +what their conduct is and what their fortunes are. But I would ask him +to observe that, in what is written, I rigidly adhere to my role of a +spectator. If by any phrase or sentence I am found to depart from this, +I shall submit to whatever evil things the ingenuity of malice may +suggest. + +On the morning of the 16th, in pursuance of Sir Bindon Blood's orders, +Brigadier-General Jeffreys moved out of his entrenched camp at Inayat +Kila, and entered the Mamund Valley. His intentions were, to chastise +the tribesmen by burning and blowing up all defensible villages within +reach of the troops. It was hoped, that this might be accomplished in a +single day, and that the brigade, having asserted its strength, would be +able to march on the 17th to Nawagai and take part in the attack on the +Bedmanai Pass, which had been fixed for the 18th. Events proved this +hope to be vain, but it must be remembered, that up to this time no +serious opposition had been offered by the tribesmen to the columns, and +that no news of any gathering had been reported to the general. The +valley appeared deserted. The villages looked insignificant and +defenceless. It was everywhere asserted that the enemy would not stand. + +Reveille sounded at half-past five, and at six o'clock the brigade +marched out. In order to deal with the whole valley at once, the force +was divided into three columns, to which were assigned the following +tasks:-- + +I. The right column, under Lieut.-Col. Vivian, consisting of the 38th +Dogras and some sappers, was ordered to attack the village of Domodoloh. +II. The centre column, under Colonel Goldney, consisting of six +companies Buffs, six companies 35th Sikhs, a half-company sappers, four +guns of No.8 Mountain Battery and the squadron of the 11th Bengal +Lancers, was ordered to proceed to the head of the valley, and destroy +the villages of Badelai and Shahi-Tangi (pronounced Shytungy). III. The +left column, under Major Campbell, consisting of five companies of the +Guides Infantry, and some sappers, was directed against several villages +at the western end of the valley. + +Two guns and two companies from each battalion were left to protect the +camp, and a third company of the Guides was detached to protect the +survey party. This reduced the strength of the infantry in the field to +twenty-three companies, or slightly over 1200 men. Deducting the 300 men +of the 38th Dogras who were not engaged, the total force employed in the +action was about 1000 men of all arms. + +It will be convenient to deal with the fortunes of the right column +first. Lieut.-Colonel Vivian, after a march of six miles, arrived before +the village of Domodoloh at about 9 A.M. He found it strongly held by +the enemy, whose aspect was so formidable, that he did not consider +himself strong enough to attack without artillery and supports, and with +prudence returned to camp, which he reached about 4 P.M. Two men were +wounded by long-range fire. + +The centre column advanced covered by Captain Cole's squadron of +Lancers, to which I attached myself. At about seven o'clock we observed +the enemy on a conical hill on the northern slopes of the valley. +Through the telescope, an instrument often far more useful to cavalry +than field-glasses, it was possible to distinguish their figures. Long +lines of men clad in blue or white, each with his weapon upright beside +him, were squatting on the terraces. Information was immediately sent +back to Colonel Goldney. The infantry, eager for action, hurried their +march. The cavalry advanced to within 1000 yards of the hills. For some +time the tribesmen sat and watched the gradual deployment of the troops, +which was developing in the plain below them. Then, as the guns and +infantry approached, they turned and began slowly to climb the face of +the mountain. + +In hopes of delaying them or inducing them to fight, the cavalry now +trotted to within closer range, and dismounting, opened fire at 7.30 +precisely. It was immediately returned. From high up the hillside, from +the cornfields at the base, and from the towers of the villages, little +puffs of smoke darted. The skirmish continued for an hour without much +damage to either side, as the enemy were well covered by the broken +ground and the soldiers by the gravestones and trees of a cemetery. Then +the infantry began to arrive. The Buffs had been detached from Colonel +Goldney's column and were moving against the village of Badelai. The +35th Sikhs proceeded towards the long ridge, round the corner of which +Shahi-Tangi stands. As they crossed our front slowly--and rather +wearily, for they were fatigued by the rapid marching--the cavalry +mounted and rode off in quest of more congenial work with the +cavalryman's weapon--the lance. I followed the fortunes of the Sikhs. +Very little opposition was encountered. A few daring sharpshooters fired +at the leading companies from the high corn. Others fired long-range +shots from the mountains. Neither caused any loss. Colonel Goldney now +ordered one and a half companies, under Captain Ryder, to clear the +conical hill, and protect the right of the regiment from the fire--from +the mountains. These men, about seventy-five in number, began climbing +the steep slope; nor did I see them again till much later in the day. +The remaining four and a half companies continued to advance. The line +lay through high crops on terraces, rising one above the other. The +troops toiled up these, clearing the enemy out of a few towers they +tried to hold. Half a company was left with the dressing station near +the cemetery, and two more were posted as supports at the bottom of the +hills. The other two commenced the ascent of the long spur which leads +to Shahi-Tangi. + +It is impossible to realise without seeing, how very slowly troops move +on hillsides. It was eleven o'clock before the village was reached. The +enemy fell back "sniping," and doing hardly any damage. Everybody +condemned their pusillanimity in making off without a fight. Part of the +village and some stacks of bhoosa, a kind of chopped straw, were set on +fire, and the two companies prepared to return to camp. + +But at about eight the cavalry patrols had reported the enemy in great +strength at the northwest end of the valley. In consequence of this +Brigadier-General Jeffreys ordered the Guides Infantry to join the main +column. [Copy of message showing the time:--"To Officer, Commanding +Guides Infantry.--Despatched 8.15 A.M. Received 8.57 A.M. Enemy +collecting at Kanra; come up at once on Colonel Goldney's left. C. +Powell, Major, D.A.Q.M.G."] Major Campbell at once collected his men, +who were engaged in foraging, and hurried towards Colonel Goldney's +force. After a march of five miles, he came in contact with the enemy in +strength on his left front, and firing at once became heavy. At the +sound of the musketry the Buffs were recalled from the village of +Badelai and also marched to support the 35th Sikhs. + +While both these regiments were hurrying to the scene, the sound of loud +firing first made us realise that our position at the head of the spur +near Shahi-Tangi was one of increasing danger. The pressure on the left +threatened the line of retreat, and no supports were available within a +mile. A retirement was at once ordered. Up to this moment hardly any of +the tribesmen had been seen. It appeared as if the retirement of the two +companies was the signal for their attack. I am inclined to think, +however, that this was part of the general advance of the enemy, and +that even had no retirement been ordered the advanced companies would +have been assailed. In any case the aspect of affairs immediately +changed. From far up the hillsides men came running swiftly down, +dropping from ledge to ledge, and dodging from rock to rock. The firing +increased on every hand. Half a company was left to cover the +withdrawal. The Sikhs made excellent practice on the advancing enemy, +who approached by twos and threes, making little rushes from one patch +of cover to another. At length a considerable number had accumulated +behind some rocks about a hundred yards away. The firing now became +heavy and the half-company, finding its flank threatened, fell back to +the next position. + +A digression is necessary to explain the peculiar configuration of the +ground. + +The spur, at the top of which the village stands, consists of three +rocky knolls, each one higher than the other, as the main hill is +approached. These are connected by open necks of ground, which are +commanded by fire from both flanks. In section the ground resembles a +switchback railway. + +The first of these knolls was evacuated without loss, and the open space +to the next quickly traversed. I think a couple of men fell here, and +were safely carried away. The second knoll was commanded by the first, +on to which the enemy climbed, and from which they began firing. Again +the companies retired. Lieutenant Cassells remained behind with about +eight men, to hold the knoll until the rest had crossed the open space. +As soon as they were clear they shouted to him to retire. He gave the +order. + +Till this time the skirmishing of the morning might have afforded +pleasure to the neuropath, experience to the soldier, "copy" to the +journalist. Now suddenly black tragedy burst upon the scene, and all +excitement died out amid a multitude of vivid trifles. As Lieutenant +Cassells rose to leave the knoll, he turned sharply and fell on the +ground. Two Sepoys immediately caught hold of him. One fell shot through +the leg. A soldier who had continued firing sprang into the air, and, +falling, began to bleed with strange and terrible rapidity from his +mouth and chest. Another turned on his back kicking and twisting. A +fourth lay quite still. Thus in the time it takes to write half the +little party were killed or wounded. The enemy had worked round both +flanks and had also the command. Their fire was accurate. + +Two officers, the subadar major, by name Mangol Singh, and three or four +Sepoys ran forward from the second knoll, to help in carrying the +wounded off. Before they reached the spot, two more men were hit. The +subadar major seized Lieutenant Cassells, who was covered with blood and +unable to stand, but anxious to remain in the firing line. The others +caught hold of the injured and began dragging them roughly over the +sharp rocks in spite of their screams and groans. Before we had gone +thirty yards from the knoll, the enemy rushed on to it, and began +firing. Lieutenant Hughes, the adjutant of the regiment, and one of the +most popular officers on the frontier, was killed. The bullets passed in +the air with a curious sucking noise, like that produced by drawing the +air between the lips. Several men also fell. Lieut.-Colonel Bradshaw +ordered two Sepoys to carry the officer's body away. This they began to +do. Suddenly a scattered crowd of tribesmen rushed over the crest of the +hill and charged sword in hand, hurling great stones. It became +impossible to remain an impassive spectator. Several of the wounded were +dropped. The subadar major stuck to Lieutenant Cassells, and it is to +him the lieutenant owes his life. The men carrying the other officer, +dropped him and fled. The body sprawled upon the ground. A tall man in +dirty white linen pounced down upon it with a curved sword. It was a +horrible sight. + +Had the swordsmen charged home, they would have cut everybody down. But +they did not. These wild men of the mountains were afraid of closing. +The retirement continued. Five or six times the two companies, now +concentrated, endeavoured to stand. Each time the tribesmen pressed +round both flanks. They had the whole advantage of ground, and +commanded, as well as out-flanked the Sikhs. At length the bottom of the +spur was reached, and the remainder of the two companies turned to bay +in the nullah with fixed bayonets. The tribesmen came on impetuously, +but stopped thirty yards away, howling, firing and waving their swords. + +No other troops were in sight, except our cavalry, who could be seen +retiring in loose squadron column--probably after their charge. They +could give no assistance. The Buffs were nearly a mile away. Things +looked grave. Colonel Goldney himself tried to re-form the men. The +Sikhs, who now numbered perhaps sixty, were hard pressed, and fired +without effect. Then some one--who it was is uncertain--ordered the +bugler to sound the "charge." The shrill notes rang out not once but a +dozen times. Every one began to shout. The officers waved their swords +frantically. Then the Sikhs commenced to move slowly forward towards the +enemy, cheering. It was a supreme moment. The tribesmen turned, and +began to retreat. Instantly the soldiers opened a steady fire, shooting +down their late persecutors with savage energy. + +Then for the first time, I perceived that the repulse was general along +the whole front. What I have described was only an incident. But the +reader may learn from the account the explanation of many of our losses +in the frontier war. The troops, brave and well-armed, but encumbered +with wounded, exhausted by climbing and overpowered by superior force, +had been ordered to retire. This is an operation too difficult for a +weak force to accomplish. Unless supports are at hand, they must be +punished severely, and the small covering parties, who remain to check +the enemy, will very often be cut to pieces, or shot down. Afterwards in +the Mamund Valley whole battalions were employed to do what these two +Sikh companies had attempted. But Sikhs need no one to bear witness to +their courage. + +During the retirement down the spur, I was unable to observe the general +aspect of the action, and now in describing it, I have dealt only with +the misadventures of one insignificant unit. It is due to the personal +perspective. While the two advanced companies were being driven down the +hill, a general attack was made along the whole left front of the +brigade, by at least 2000 tribesmen, most of whom were armed with +rifles. To resist this attack there were the cavalry, the two supporting +companies of the 35th Sikhs and five of the Guides Infantry, who were +arriving. All became engaged. Displaying their standards, the enemy +advanced with great courage in the face of a heavy fire. Many were +killed and wounded, but they continued to advance, in a long skirmish +line, on the troops. One company of the 35th became seriously involved. +Seeing this, Captain Cole moved his squadron forward, and though the +ground was broken, charged. The enemy took refuge in the nullah, +tumbling into it standards and all, and opened a sharp fire on the +cavalry at close range, hitting several horses and men. The squadron +fell back. But the moral effect of their advance had been tremendous. +The whole attack came to a standstill. The infantry fire continued. Then +the tribesmen began to retire, and they were finally repulsed at about +twelve o'clock. + +An opportunity was now presented of breaking off the action. The brigade +had started from camp divided, and in expectation that no serious +resistance would be offered. It had advanced incautiously. The leading +troops had been roughly handled. The enemy had delivered a vigorous +counter attack. That attack had been repulsed with slaughter, and the +brigade was concentrated. Considering the fatigues to which the infantry +had been exposed, it would perhaps have been more prudent to return to +camp and begin again next morning. But Brigadier-General Jeffries was +determined to complete the destruction of Shahi-Tangi, and to recover +the body of Lieutenant Hughes, which remained in the hands of the enemy. +It was a bold course. But it was approved by every officer in the force. + +A second attack was ordered. The Guides were to hold the enemy in check +on the left. The Buffs, supported by the 35th Sikhs, were to take the +village. Orders were signalled back to camp for all the available troops +to reinforce the column in the field, and six fresh companies +consequently started. At one o'clock the advance recommenced, the guns +came into action on a ridge on the right of the brigade, and shelled the +village continuously. + +Again the enemy fell back "sniping," and very few of them were to be +seen. But to climb the hill alone took two hours. The village was +occupied at three o'clock, and completely destroyed by the Buffs. At +3.30 orders reached them to return to camp, and the second withdrawal +began. Again the enemy pressed with vigour, but this time there were ten +companies on the spur instead of two, and the Buffs, who became rear- +guard, held everything at a distance with their Lee-Metford rifles. At a +quarter to five the troops were clear of the hills and we looked about +us. + +While this second attack was being carried out, the afternoon had +slipped away. At about two o'clock Major Campbell and Captain Cole, both +officers of great experience on the frontier, had realised the fact, +that the debate with the tribesmen could not be carried to a conclusion +that day. At their suggestion a message was heliographed up to the +General's staff officer on the spur near the guns, as follows: "It is +now 2.30. Remember we shall have to fight our way home." But the +brigadier had already foreseen this possibility, and had, as described, +issued orders for the return march. These orders did not reach Captain +Ryder's company on the extreme right until they had become hard pressed +by the increasing attack of the enemy. Their wounded delayed their +retirement. They had pushed far up the mountain side, apparently with +the idea they were to crown the heights, and we now saw them two miles +away on the sky line hotly engaged. + +While I was taking advantage of a temporary halt, to feed and water my +pony, Lieutenant MacNaghten of the 16th Lancers pointed them out to me, +and we watched them through our glasses. It was a strange sight. Little +figures running about confusedly, tiny puffs of smoke, a miniature +officer silhouetted against the sky waving his sword. It seemed +impossible to believe that they were fighting for their lives, or indeed +in any danger. It all looked so small and unreal. They were, however, +hard pressed, and had signalled that they were running out of +cartridges. It was then five o'clock, and the approach of darkness was +accelerated by the heavy thunderclouds which were gathering over the +northern mountains. + +At about 3.30 the brigadier had ordered the Guides to proceed to Ryder's +assistance and endeavour to extricate his company. He directed Major +Campbell to use his own discretion. It was a difficult problem, but the +Guides and their leader were equal to it. They had begun the day on the +extreme left. They had hurried to the centre. Now they were ordered to +the extreme right. They had already marched sixteen miles, but they were +still fresh. We watched them defiling across the front, with admiration. +Meanwhile, the retirement of the brigade was delayed. It was necessary +that all units should support each other, and the troops had to wait +till the Guides had succeeded in extricating Ryder. The enemy now came +on in great strength from the north-western end of the valley, which had +been swarming with them all day, so that for the first time the action +presented a fine spectacle. + +Across the broad plain the whole of the brigade was in echelon. On the +extreme right Ryder's company and the Guides Infantry were both severely +engaged. Half a mile away to the left rear the battery, the sappers and +two companies of the 35th Sikhs were slowly retiring. Still farther to +the left were the remainder of the 35th, and, at an interval of half a +mile, the Buffs. The cavalry protected the extreme left flank. This long +line of troops, who were visible to each other but divided by the deep +broad nullahs which intersected the whole plain, fell back slowly, +halting frequently to keep touch. Seven hundred yards away were the +enemy, coming on in a great half-moon nearly three miles long and firing +continually. Their fire was effective, and among other casualties at +this time Lieutenant Crawford, R.A., was killed. Their figures showed in +rows of little white dots. The darkness fell swiftly. The smoke puffs +became fire flashes. Great black clouds overspread the valley and +thunder began to roll. The daylight died away. The picture became +obscured, and presently it was pitch dark. All communication, all mutual +support, all general control now ceased. Each body of troops closed up +and made the best of their way to the camp, which was about seven miles +off. A severe thunderstorm broke overhead. The vivid lightning displayed +the marching columns and enabled the enemy to aim. Individual tribesmen +ran up, shouting insults, to within fifty yards of the Buffs and +discharged their rifles. They were answered with such taunts as the +limited Pushtu of the British soldier allows and careful volleys. The +troops displayed the greatest steadiness. The men were determined, the +officers cheery, the shooting accurate. At half-past eight the enemy +ceased to worry us. We thought we had driven them off, but they had +found a better quarry. + +The last two miles to camp were painful. After the cessation of the +firing the fatigue of the soldiers asserted itself. The Buffs had been +marching and fighting continuously for thirteen hours. They had had no +food, except their early morning biscuit, since the preceding night. The +older and more seasoned amongst them laughed at their troubles, +declaring they would have breakfast, dinner and tea together when they +got home. The younger ones collapsed in all directions. + +The officers carried their rifles. Such ponies and mules as were +available were laden with exhausted soldiers. Nor was this all. Other +troops had passed before us, and more than a dozen Sepoys of different +regiments were lying senseless by the roadside. All these were +eventually carried in by the rear-guard, and the Buffs reached camp at +nine o'clock. + +Meanwhile, the Guides had performed a brilliant feat of arms, and had +rescued the remnants of the isolated company from the clutches of the +enemy. After a hurried march they arrived at the foot of the hill down +which Ryder's men were retiring. The Sikhs, utterly exhausted by the +exertions of the day, were in disorder, and in many cases unable from +extreme fatigue even to use their weapons. The tribesmen hung in a crowd +on the flanks and rear of the struggling company, firing incessantly and +even dashing in and cutting down individual soldiers. Both officers were +wounded. Lieutenant Gunning staggered down the hill unaided, struck in +three places by bullets and with two deep sword cuts besides. Weary, +outnumbered, surrounded on three sides, without unwounded officers or +cartridges, the end was only a matter of moments. All must have been cut +to pieces. But help was now at hand. + +The Guides formed line, fixed bayonets and advanced at the double +towards the hill. At a short distance from its foot they halted and +opened a terrible and crushing fire upon the exulting enemy. The loud +detonations of their company volleys were heard and the smoke seen all +over the field, and on the left we wondered what was happening. The +tribesmen, sharply checked, wavered. The company continued its retreat. +Many brave deeds were done as the night closed in. Havildar Ali Gul, of +the Afridi Company of the Guides, seized a canvas cartridge carrier, a +sort of loose jacket with large pockets, filled it with ammunition from +his men's pouches, and rushing across the fire-swept space, which +separated the regiment from the Sikhs, distributed the precious packets +to the struggling men. Returning he carried a wounded native officer on +his back. Seeing this several Afridis in the Guides ran forward, +shouting and cheering, to the rescue, and other wounded Sikhs were saved +by their gallantry from a fearful fate. At last Ryder's company reached +the bottom of the hill and the survivors re-formed under cover of the +Guides. + +These, thrown on their own resources, separated from the rest of the +brigade by darkness and distance and assailed on three sides by the +enemy, calmly proceeded to fight their way back to camp. Though +encumbered with many wounded and amid broken ground, they repulsed every +attack, and bore down all the efforts which the tribesmen made to +intercept their line of retreat. They reached camp at 9.30 in safety, +and not without honour. The skill and experience of their officers, the +endurance and spirit of the men, had enabled them to accomplish a task +which many had believed impossible, and their conduct in the action of +the Mamund Valley fills a brilliant page in the history of the finest +and most famous frontier regiment. [The gallantry of the two officers, +Captain Hodson and Lieut. Codrington, who commanded the two most exposed +companies, was the subject of a special mention in despatches, and the +whole regiment were afterwards complimented by Brigadier-General +Jeffreys on their fine performance.] + +As the Buffs reached the camp the rain which had hitherto held off came +down. It poured. The darkness was intense. The camp became a sea of mud. +In expectation that the enemy would attack it, General Jeffreys had +signalled in an order to reduce the perimeter. The camp was therefore +closed up to half its original size. + +Most of the tents had been struck and lay with the baggage piled in +confused heaps on the ground. Many of the transport animals were loose +and wandering about the crowded space. Dinner or shelter there was none. +The soldiers, thoroughly exhausted, lay down supperless in the slush. +The condition of the wounded was particularly painful. Among the tents +which had been struck were several of the field hospitals. In the +darkness and rain it was impossible to do more for the poor fellows than +to improve the preliminary dressings and give morphia injections, nor +was it till four o'clock on the next afternoon that the last were taken +out of the doolies. + +After about an hour the rain stopped, and while the officers were +bustling about making their men get some food before they went to sleep, +it was realised that all the troops were not in camp. The general, the +battery, the sappers and four companies of infantry were still in the +valley. Presently we heard the firing of guns. They were being attacked, +--overwhelmed perhaps. To send them assistance was to risk more troops +being cut off. The Buffs who were dead beat, the Sikhs who had suffered +most severe losses, and the Guides who had been marching and fighting +all day, were not to be thought of. The 38th Dogras were, however, +tolerably fresh, and Colonel Goldney, who commanded in the absence of +the General, at once ordered four companies to parade and march to the +relief. Captain Cole volunteered to accompany them with a dozen sowars. +The horses were saddled. But the order was countermanded, and no troops +left the camp that night. + +Whether this decision was justified or not the reader shall decide. In +the darkness and the broken ground it was probable the relief would +never have found the general. It was possible that getting involved +among the nullahs they would have been destroyed. The defenders of the +camp itself were none too many. The numbers of the enemy were unknown. +These were weighty reasons. On the other hand it seemed unsoldierly to +lie down to sleep while at intervals the booming of the guns reminded +us, that comrades were fighting for their lives a few miles away in the +valley. + + + + + +CHAPTER XII: AT INAYAT KILA + + + "Two thousand pounds of education + Drops to a ten-rupee jezail. + . . . . . . + Strike hard who cares. Shoot straight who can. + The odds are on the cheaper man." + + RUDYARD KIPLING. + + + +Half an hour before dawn on the 17th, the cavalry were mounted, and as +soon as the light was strong enough to find a way through the broken +ground, the squadron started in search of the missing troops. We had +heard no more of their guns since about two o'clock. We therefore +concluded they had beaten off the enemy. There might, of course, be +another reason for their silence. As we drew near Bilot, it was possible +to distinguish the figures of men moving about the walls and houses. The +advanced files rode cautiously forward. Suddenly they cantered up to the +wall and we knew some at least were alive. Captain Cole, turning to his +squadron, lifted his hand. The sowars, actuated by a common impulse, +rose in their stirrups and began to cheer. But there was no response. +Nor was this strange. The village was a shambles. In an angle of the +outside wall, protected on the third side by a shallow trench, were the +survivors of the fight. All around lay the corpses of men and mules. The +bodies of five or six native soldiers were being buried in a hurriedly +dug grave. It was thought that, as they were Mahommedans, their resting- +place would be respected by the tribesmen. [These bodies were afterwards +dug up and mutilated by the natives: a foul act which excited the fury +and indignation of soldiers of every creed in the force. I draw the +reader's attention to this unpleasant subject, only to justify what I +have said in an earlier chapter of the degradation of mind in which the +savages of the mountains are sunk.] Eighteen wounded men lay side by +side in a roofless hut. Their faces, drawn by pain and anxiety, looked +ghastly in the pale light of the early morning. Two officers, one with +his left hand smashed, the other shot through both legs, were patiently +waiting for the moment when the improvised tourniquets could be removed +and some relief afforded to their sufferings. The brigadier, his khaki +coat stained with the blood from a wound on his head, was talking to his +only staff-officer, whose helmet displayed a bullet-hole. The most +ardent lover of realism would have been satisfied. Food, doolies, and +doctors soon arrived. The wounded were brought to the field hospitals to +be attended to. The unwounded hurried back to camp to get breakfast and +a bath. In half an hour, the ill-omened spot was occupied only by the +few sowars engaged in shooting the wounded mules, and by the vultures +who watched the proceedings with an expectant interest. + +Gradually we learnt the story of the night. The battery, about thirty +sappers and half the 35th Sikhs, were returning to camp. At about seven +o'clock an order was sent for them to halt and remain out all night, to +assist the Guides Infantry, whose firing could be heard and for whose +safety the brigadier was above all things anxious. This order reached +the battery, and with the sappers as an escort they turned back, +recrossed a nullah and met the general with two companies of Sikhs +outside the village of Bilot. The half-battalion of the 35th did not +apparently receive the order, for they continued their march. Lieutenant +Wynter, R.A., was sent back to look for them. He did not find them, but +fell in with four fresh companies, two of the Guides and two of the +35th, who, under Major Worlledge, had been sent from camp in response to +the general's demand for reinforcements. Lieutenant Wynter brought these +back, as an escort to the guns. On arrival at the village, the brigadier +at once sent them to the assistance of the Guides. He counted on his own +two companies of Sikhs. But when Worlledge had moved off and had already +vanished in the night, it was found that these two companies had +disappeared. They had lost touch in the darkness, and, not perceiving +that the general had halted, had gone on towards camp. Thus the battery +was left with no other escort than thirty sappers. + +A party of twelve men of the Buffs now arrived, and the circumstances +which led them to the guns are worth recording. When the Buffs were +retiring through the villages, they held a Mahommedan cemetery for a +little while, in order to check the enemy's advance. Whilst there, +Lieutenant Byron, Orderly Officer to General Jeffreys, rode up and told +Major Moody, who commanded the rear companies, that a wounded officer +was lying in a dooly a hundred yards up the road, without any escort. He +asked for a few men. Moody issued an order, and a dozen soldiers under a +corporal started to look for the dooly. They missed it, but while +searching, found the general and the battery outside the village. The +presence of these twelve brave men--for they fully maintained the honour +of their regiment--with their magazine rifles, just turned the scale. +Had not the luck of the British army led them to the village, it can +hardly be doubted, and certainly was not doubted by any who were there, +that the guns would have been captured and the general killed. Fortune, +especially in war, uses tiny fulcra for her powerful lever. + +The general now ordered the battery and sappers to go into the village, +but it was so full of burning bhoosa, that this was found to be +impossible, and they set to work to entrench themselves outside. The +village was soon full of the enemy. From the walls and houses, which on +two sides commanded the space occupied by the battery, they began to +fire at about thirty yards' range. The troops were as much exposed as if +they had been in a racket court, of which the enemy held the walls. They +could not move, because they would have had to desert either the guns or +the wounded. Fortunately, not many of the tribesmen at this point were +armed with rifles. The others threw stones and burning bhoosa into the +midst of the little garrison. By its light they took good aim. Everybody +got under such cover as was available. There was not much. Gunner +Nihala, a gallant native soldier, repeatedly extinguished the burning +bhoosa with his cloak at the imminent peril of his life. Lieutenants +Watson and Colvin, with their sappers and the twelve men of the Buffs, +forced their way into the village, and tried to expel the enemy with the +bayonet. The village was too large for so small a party to clear. The +tribesmen moved from one part to another, repeatedly firing. They killed +and wounded several of the soldiers, and a bullet smashed Lieutenant +Watson's hand. He however continued his efforts and did not cease until +again shot, this time so severely as to be unable to stand. His men +carried him from the village, and it was felt that it would be useless +to try again. + +The attention of the reader is directed to the bravery of this officer. +After a long day of marching, and fighting, in the dark, without food +and with small numbers, the man who will go on, unshaken and +unflinching, after he has received a severe and painful wound, has in +respect of personal courage few equals and no superior in the world. It +is perhaps as high a form of valour to endure as to dare. The +combination of both is sublime. [Both officers have received the +Victoria Cross for their conduct on this occasion.] + +At nine o'clock the rain stopped the firing, as the tribesmen were +afraid of wetting their powder, but at about ten they opened again. They +now made a great hole in the wall of the village, through which about a +dozen men fired with terrible effect. Others began loopholing the walls. +The guns fired case shot at twenty yards' range at these fierce +pioneers, smashing the walls to pieces and killing many. The enemy +replied with bullets, burning bhoosa and showers of stones. + +So the hours dragged away. The general and Captain Birch were both +wounded, early in the night. Lieutenant Wynter, while behaving with +distinguished gallantry, was shot through both legs at about 11.30. He +was thus twice severely wounded within forty-five days. He now continued +to command his guns, until he fainted from loss of blood. A native +gunner then shielded him with his body, until he also was hit. The whole +scene, the close, desperate fighting, the carcasses of the mules, the +officers and men crouching behind them, the flaming stacks of bhoosa, +the flashes of the rifles, and over all and around all, the darkness of +the night--is worthy of the pencil of De Neuville. + +At length, at about midnight, help arrived. Worlledge's two companies +had gone in search of the Guides, but had not found them. They now +returned and, hearing the firing at Bilot, sent an orderly of the 11th +Bengal Lancers to ask if the general wanted assistance. This plucky boy +--he was only a young recruit--rode coolly up to the village although the +enemy were all around, and he stood an almost equal chance of being shot +by our own men. He soon brought the two companies to the rescue, and the +enemy, balked of their prey, presently drew off in the gloom. How much +longer the battery and its defenders could have held out is uncertain. +They were losing men steadily, and their numbers were so small that they +might have been rushed at any moment. Such was the tale. + +No operations took place on the 17th. The soldiers rested, casualties +were counted, wounds were dressed, confidence was restored. The funerals +of the British officers and men, killed the day before, took place at +noon. Every one who could, attended; but all the pomp of military +obsequies was omitted, and there were no Union Jacks to cover the +bodies, nor were volleys fired over the graves, lest the wounded should +be disturbed. Somewhere in the camp--exactly where, is now purposely +forgotten--the remains of those who had lost, in fighting for their +country, all that men can be sure of, were silently interred. No +monument marked the spot. The only assurance that it should be +undisturbed is, that it remains unknown. Nevertheless, the funerals were +impressive. To some the game of war brings prizes, honour, advancement, +or experience; to some the consciousness of duty well discharged; and to +others--spectators, perhaps--the pleasure of the play and the knowledge +of men and things. But here were those who had drawn the evil numbers-- +who had lost their all, to gain only a soldier's grave. Looking at these +shapeless forms, coffined in a regulation blanket, the pride of race, +the pomp of empire, the glory of war appeared but the faint and +unsubstantial fabric of a dream; and I could not help realising with +Burke: "What shadows we are and what shadows we pursue." + +The actual casualties were, in proportion to the numbers engaged, +greater than in any action of the British army in India for many years. +Out of a force which at no time exceeded 1000 men, nine British +officers, four native officers, and 136 soldiers were either killed or +wounded. The following is the full return:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Lieutenant and Adjutant V. Hughes, 35th Sikhs. + " " A.T. Crawford, R.A. + Wounded severely--Captain W.I. Ryder, attd. 35th Sikhs. + " " Lieutenant O.G. Gunning, 35th Sikhs. + " " " O.R. Cassells, 35th Sikhs. + " " " T.C. Watson, R.E. + " " " F.A. Wynter, R.A. + Wounded slightly--Brigadier-General Jeffreys, Commanding 2nd Bde. + M.F.F. + " " Captain Birch, R.A. + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + The Buffs . . . . 2 9 + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed. Wounded. + 11th Bengal Lancers . . 0 2 + No.8 Mountain Battery . . 6 21 + Guides Infantry . . . 2 10 + 35th Sikhs . . . . 22 45 + 38th Dogras . . . . 0 2 + Sappers . . . . . 4 15 + Total Casualties, 149; with 48 horses and mules. + + +The action of the 16th September is considered by some to have been a +reverse. I do not think this view is justified by the facts. The troops +accomplished every task they were set. They burned the village of Shahi- +Tangi most completely, in spite of all opposition, and they inflicted on +the tribesmen a loss of over 200 men. The enemy, though elated by the +capture of twenty-two rifles from the bodies of the killed, were +impressed by the bravery of the troops. "If," they are reported to have +said, "they fight like this when they are divided, we can do nothing." +Our losses were undoubtedly heavy and out of all proportion to the +advantages gained. They were due to an ignorance, shared by all in the +force, of the numbers and fighting power of the Mamunds. No one knew, +though there were many who were wise after the event, that these +tribesmen were as well armed as the troops, or that they were the brave +and formidable adversaries they proved themselves. "Never despise your +enemy" is an old lesson, but it has to be learnt afresh, year after +year, by every nation that is warlike and brave. Our losses were also +due to the isolation of Captain Ryder's company, to extricate which the +whole force had to wait till overtaken by darkness. It has been said +that war cannot be made without running risks, nor can operations be +carried out in the face of an enemy armed with breech-loaders without +loss. No tactics can altogether shield men from bullets. Those serene +critics who note the errors, and forget the difficulties, who judge in +safety of what was done in danger, and from the security of peace, +pronounce upon the conduct of war, should remember that the spectacle of +a General, wounded, his horse shot, remaining on the field with the last +unit, anxious only for the safety of his soldiers, is a spectacle not +unworthy of the pages of our military history. + +The depression, caused by the loss of amiable and gallant comrades, was +dispelled by the prospects of immediate action. Sir Bindon Blood, whose +position at Nawagai was now one of danger, sent the brigadier, instead +of reinforcements, orders to vigorously prosecute the operations against +the tribesmen, and on the morning of the 18th the force moved to attack +the village of Domodoloh, which the 38th Dogras had found so strongly +occupied on the 16th. Again the enemy were numerous. Again they adopted +their effective tactics; but this time no chances were given them. The +whole brigade marched concentrated to the attack, and formed up on the +level ground just out of shot. The general and his staff rode forward +and reconnoitered. + +The village lay in a re-entrant of the hills, from which two long spurs +projected like the piers of a harbour. Behind, the mountains rose +abruptly to a height of 5000 feet. The ground, embraced by the spurs, +was filled with crops of maize and barley. A fort and watch-tower +guarded the entrance. At 8.30 the advance was ordered. The enemy did not +attempt to hold the fort, and it was promptly seized and blown up. The +explosion was a strange, though, during the fighting in the Mamund +Valley, not an uncommon sight. A great cloud of thick brown-red dust +sprang suddenly into the air, bulging out in all directions. The tower +broke in half and toppled over. A series of muffled bangs followed. The +dust-cloud cleared away, and nothing but a few ruins remained. + +The enemy now opened fire from the spurs, both of which became crowned +with little circles of white smoke. The 35th Sikhs advancing cleared the +right ridge: the 38th Dogras the left. The Guides moved on the village, +and up the main re-entrant itself. The Buffs were in reserve. The +battery came into action on the left, and began shelling the crests of +the opposite hills. Taking the range with their instruments, they fired +two shots in rapid succession, each time at slightly different ranges. +The little guns exploded with a loud report. Then, far up the mountain +side, two balls of smoke appeared, one above the other, and after a few +seconds the noise of the bursting shells came faintly back. Usually one +would be a little short of--and the other a little over--the point aimed +at. The next shot, by dividing the error, would go home, and the dust of +the splinters and bullets would show on the peak, from which the +tribesmen were firing, and it would become silent and deserted--the +scene of an unregarded tragedy. Gradually the spurs were cleared of the +enemy and the Guides, passing through the village, climbed up the face +of the mountain and established themselves among the great rocks of the +steep water-course. Isolated sharpshooters maintained a dropping fire. +The company whose operations I watched,--Lieutenant Lockhart's,--killed +one of these with a volley, and we found him sitting by a little pool, +propped against a stone. He had been an ugly man originally, but now +that the bones of his jaw and face were broken in pieces by the bullet, +he was hideous to look upon. His only garment was a ragged blue linen +cloak fastened at the waist. There he sat--a typical tribesman, +ignorant, degraded, and squalid, yet brave and warlike; his only +property, his weapon, and that his countrymen had carried off. I could +not help contrasting his intrinsic value as a social organism, with that +of the officers who had been killed during the week, and those lines of +Kipling which appear at the beginning of this chapter were recalled to +mind with a strange significance. Indeed I often heard them quoted in +the Watelai Valley. + +The sappers had now entered the village, and were engaged in preparing +the hovels of which it consisted for destruction. Their flat roofs are +covered with earth, and will not burn properly, unless a hole is made +first in each. This took time. Meanwhile the troops held on to the +positions they had seized, and maintained a desultory fire with the +enemy. At about noon the place was lighted up, and a dense cloud of +smoke rose in a high column into the still air. Then the withdrawal of +the troops was ordered. Immediately the enemy began their counter +attack. But the Guides were handled with much skill. The retirement of +each company was covered by the fire of others, judiciously posted +farther down the hill. No opportunity was offered to the enemy. By one +o'clock all the troops were clear of the broken ground. The Buffs +assumed the duty of rear-guard, and were delighted to have a brisk +little skirmish--fortunately unattended with loss of life--with the +tribesmen, who soon reoccupied the burning village. This continued for, +perhaps, half an hour, and meanwhile the rest of the brigade returned to +camp. + +The casualties in this highly successful affair were small. It was the +first of six such enterprises, by which Brigadier-General Jeffreys, with +stubborn perseverance, broke the spirit of the Mamund tribesmen. + + Killed. Wounded. + 35th Sikhs . . . . . . . 2 3 + Guides Infantry . . . . . . 0 1 + 38th Dogras . . . . . . . 0 2 + Total casualties, 8. + + +The enemy's losses were considerable, but no reliable details could be +obtained. + +On the 19th the troops rested, and only foraging parties left the camp. +On the 20th, fighting was renewed. From the position at the entrance to +the valley it was possible to see all the villages that lay in the +hollows of the hills, and to distinguish not only the scenes of past but +also of future actions. The particular village which was selected for +chastisement was never mentioned by name, and it was not until the +brigade had marched some miles from the camp, that the objective became +evident. The tribesmen therefore continued in a state of "glorious +uncertainty," and were unable to gather in really large numbers. At 5.30 +A.M. the brigade started, and, preceded by the cavalry, marched up the +valley--a long brown stream of men. Arrived nearly at the centre, the +troops closed up into a more compact formation. Then suddenly the head +wheeled to the left, and began marching on the village of Zagai. +Immediately from high up on the face of the mountain a long column of +smoke shot into the air. It was a signal fire. Other hills answered it. +The affair now became a question of time. If the village could be +captured and destroyed before the clans had time to gather, then there +would be little fighting. But if the force were delayed or became +involved, it was impossible to say on what scale the action would be. + +The village of Zagai stands in a similar situation to that of Domodoloh. +On either side long spurs advance into the valley, and the houses are +built in terraces on the sides of the hollow so formed. Great chenar +trees, growing in all their luxuriant beauty out of the rocky ground by +the water-course, mark the hillside with a patch of green in contrast to +the background of sombre brown. As the troops approached in fine array, +the sound of incessant drumming was faintly heard, varied from time to +time by the notes of a bugle. The cavalry reconnoitered and trotted off +to watch the flank, after reporting the place strongly occupied. The +enemy displayed standards on the crests of the spurs. The advance +continued: the Guides on the left, the 38th Dogras in the centre, the +Buffs on the right, and the 35th Sikhs in reserve. Firing began on the +left at about nine o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later the guns came +into action near the centre. The Guides and Buffs now climbed the ridges +to the right and left. The enemy fell back according to their custom, +"sniping." Then the 38th pushed forward and occupied the village, which +was handed over to the sappers to destroy. This they did most +thoroughly, and at eleven o'clock a dense white smoke was rising from +the houses and the stacks of bhoosa. Then the troops were ordered to +withdraw. "Facilis ascensus Averni sed ...;" without allowing the +quotation to lead me into difficulties, I will explain that while it is +usually easy to advance against an Asiatic, all retirements are matters +of danger. While the village was being destroyed the enemy had been +collecting. Their figures could be distinguished on the top of the +mountain--a numerous line of dark dots against the sky; others had tried +to come, from the adjoining valleys on the left and right. Those on the +right succeeded, and the Buffs were soon sharply engaged. On the left +the cavalry again demonstrated the power of their arm. A large force of +tribesmen, numbering at least 600 men, endeavoured to reach the scene of +action. To get there, however, they had to cross the open ground, and +this, in face of the Lancers, they would not do. Many of these same +tribesmen had joined in the attack on the Malakand, and had been chased +all across the plain of Khar by the fierce Indian horsemen. They were +not ambitious to repeat the experience. Every time they tried to cross +the space, which separated them from their friends, Captain Cole trotted +forward with his squadron, which was only about fifty strong, and the +tribesmen immediately scurried back to the hills. For a long time they +were delayed, and contented themselves by howling out to the sowars, +that they would soon "make mincemeat of them," to which the latter +replied that they were welcome to try. At length, realising that they +could not escape the cavalry, if they left the hills, they made a long +circuit and arrived about half an hour after the village was destroyed +and the troops had departed. + +Nevertheless, as soon as the retirement was seen to be in progress, a +general attack was made all along the line. On the left, the Guides were +threatened by a force of about 500 men, who advanced displaying +standards, and waving swords. They dispersed these and drove them away +by a steady long-range fire, killing and wounding a large number. On the +right, the Buffs were harassed by being commanded by another spur. +Lieutenant Hasler's company, which I accompanied, was protected from +this flanking fire by the ground. A great many bullets, however, hummed +overhead, and being anxious to see whence these were coming, the +lieutenant walked across the crest to the far side. The half-company +here was briskly engaged. From a point high up the mountain an accurate +fire was directed upon them. We tried to get the range of this point +with the Lee-Metford rifles. It was, as nearly as could be determined, +1400 yards. The tribesmen were only armed with Martini-Henrys. They +nevertheless made excellent practice. Lieutenant R.E. Power was shot +through the arm and, almost immediately afterwards, Lieutenant Keene was +severely wounded in the body. Luckily, the bullet struck his sword-hilt +first or he would have been killed. Two or three men were also wounded +here. Those who know the range and power of the Martini-Henry rifle will +appreciate the skill and marksmanship which can inflict loss even at so +great a range. + +As the retirement proceeded, the tribesmen came to closer quarters. The +Buffs, however, used their formidable weapon with great effect. I +witnessed one striking demonstration of its power. Lieutenant F.S. +Reeves remained behind with a dozen men to cover the withdrawal of his +company, and in hopes of bringing effective fire to bear on the enemy, +who at this time were pressing forward boldly. Three hundred yards away +was a nullah, and along this they began running, in hopes of cutting off +the small party. At one point, however, the line of their advance was +commanded by our fire. Presently a man ran into the open. The section +fired immediately. The great advantage of the rifle was that there was +no difficulty about guessing the exact range, as the fixed sight could +be used. The man dropped--a spot of white. Four others rushed forward. +Again there was a volley. All four fell and remained motionless. After +this we made good our retreat almost unmolested. + +As soon as the troops were clear of the hills, the enemy occupied the +rocks and ridges, and fired at the retreating soldiers. The Buffs' line +of retirement lay over smooth, open ground. For ten minutes the fire was +hot. Another officer and seven or eight men dropped. The ground was wet +and deep, and the bullets cutting into the soft mud, made strange and +curious noises. As soon as the troops got out of range, the firing +ceased, as the tribesmen did not dare follow into the open. + +On the extreme left, considerable bodies of the enemy appeared, and for +a moment it seemed that they would leave the hills and come into the +plain. The cavalry, however, trotted forward, and they ran back in +confusion, bunching together as they did so. The battery immediately +exploded two shrapnel shells in their midst with great effect. This +ended the affair, and the troops returned to camp. The casualties were +as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--2nd Lieutenant G.N.S. Keene. + " slightly--Captain L.I.B. Hulke. + " " --Lieutenant R.E. Power. + + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + Buffs . . . . . 1 10 + (Died of wounds). + + Native Ranks. + Wounded. + 38th Dogras . . . . 2 + Total casualties, 16. + + +I shall make the reader no apology for having described at such length, +what was after all only a skirmish. The picture of the war on the +frontier is essentially one of detail, and it is by the study of the +details alone that a true impression can be obtained. + +On the 22nd and 23rd the villages of Dag and Tangi were respectively +captured and destroyed, but as the resistance was slight and the +operations were unmarked by any new features, I shall not weary the +reader by further description. The casualties were:-- + + BRITISH OFFICER. + Wounded--Major S. Moody, the Buffs. + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed. Wounded. + Guides Infantry . . . 1 2 + 38th Dogras . . . . 0 2 + + +By these operations the tribesmen of the Mamund Valley had been severely +punished. Any exultation which they might have felt over the action of +the 16th was completely effaced. The brigade had demonstrated its power +to take and burn any village that might be selected, and had inflicted +severe loss on all who attempted to impede its action. The tribesmen +were now thoroughly disheartened, and on the 21st began to sue for +peace. + +The situation was, however, complicated by the proximity of the Afghan +frontier. The western side of the Mamund Valley is bounded by the +mountains of the Hindu Raj range, along the summits of which is the +Durand line of demarcation with the Amir. On the farther side of this +range Gholam Hyder, the Afghan commander-in-chief, lay with a powerful +force, which, at the time of the actions I have described, amounted to +nine battalions, six squadrons and fourteen mountain guns. During the +attack upon Zagai, numerous figures in khaki uniform had been observed +on the higher slopes of the hills, and it was alleged that one +particular group appeared to be directing the movements of the +tribesmen. At any rate, I cannot doubt, nor did any one who was present +during the fighting in the Mamund Valley, that the natives were aided by +regular soldiers from the Afghan army, and to a greater extent by Afghan +tribesmen, not only by the supply of arms and ammunition but by actual +intervention. + +I am not in possession of sufficient evidence to pronounce on the +question of the Amir's complicity in the frontier risings. It is +certain, that for many years the Afghan policy has consistently been to +collect and preserve agents, who might be used in raising a revolt among +the Pathan tribes. But the advantages which the Amir would derive from a +quarrel with the British are not apparent. It would seem more probable, +that he has only tried throughout to make his friendship a matter of +more importance to the Indian Government, with a view to the continuance +or perhaps the increase of his subsidy. It is possible, that he has this +year tested and displayed his power; and that he has desired to show us +what a dangerous foe he might be, were he not so useful an ally. The +question is a delicate and difficult one. Most of the evidence is +contained in Secret State Papers. The inquiry would be profitless; the +result possibly unwelcome. Patriotic discretion is a virtue which should +at all times be zealously cultivated. + +I do not see that the facts I have stated diminish or increase the +probability of the Amir's complicity. As the American filibusters +sympathise with the Cuban insurgents; as the Jameson raiders supported +the outlanders of the Transvaal, so also the soldiers and tribesmen of +Afghanistan sympathised with and aided their countrymen and +coreligionists across the border. Probably the Afghan Colonial Office +would have been vindicated by any inquiry. + +It is no disparagement but rather to the honour of men, that they should +be prepared to back with their lives causes which claim their sympathy. +It is indeed to such men that human advancement has been due. I do not +allude to this matter, to raise hostile feelings against the Afghan +tribesmen or their ruler, but only to explain the difficulties +encountered in the Mamund Valley by the 2nd Brigade of the Malakand +Field Force: to explain how it was that defenders of obscure villages +were numbered by thousands, and why the weapons of poverty-stricken +agriculturists were excellent Martini-Henry rifles. + +The Mamunds themselves were now genuinely anxious for peace. Their +valley was in our hands; their villages and crops were at our mercy; but +their allies, who suffered none of these things, were eager to continue +the struggle. They had captured most of the rifles of the dead soldiers +on the 16th, and they had no intention of giving them up. On the other +hand, it was obvious that the British Raj could not afford to be defied +in this matter. We had insisted on the rifles being surrendered, and +that expensive factor, Imperial prestige, demanded that we should +prosecute operations till we got them, no matter what the cost might be. +The rifles were worth little. The men and officers we lost were worth a +great deal. It was unsound economics, but Imperialism and economics +clash as often as honesty and self-interest. We were therefore committed +to the policy of throwing good money after bad in order to keep up our +credit; as a man who cannot pay his tradesmen, sends them fresh orders +in lieu of settlement. Under these unsatisfactory conditions, the +negotiations opened. They did not, however, interfere with the military +situation, and the troops continued to forage daily in the valley, and +the tribesmen to fire nightly into the camp. + +At the end of the week a message from the Queen, expressing sympathy +with the sufferings of the wounded, and satisfaction at the conduct of +the troops, was published in Brigade orders. It caused the most lively +pleasure to all, but particularly to the native soldiers, who heard with +pride and exultation that their deeds and dangers were not unnoticed by +that august Sovereign before whom they know all their princes bow, and +to whom the Sirkar itself is but a servant. The cynic and the socialist +may sneer after their kind; yet the patriot, who examines with anxious +care those forces which tend to the cohesion or disruption of great +communities, will observe how much the influence of a loyal sentiment +promotes the solidarity of the Empire. + +The reader must now accompany me to the camp of the 3rd Brigade, twelve +miles away, at Nawagai. We shall return to the Mamund Valley and have a +further opportunity of studying its people and natural features. + + + + + +CHAPTER XIII: NAWAGAI + + + "When the wild Bajaur mountain men lay choking with their blood, + And the Kafirs held their footing . . ." + + "A Sermon in Lower Bengal," SIR A. LYALL. + + + +Few spectacles in nature are so mournful and so sinister as the +implacable cruelty with which a wounded animal is pursued by its +fellows. Perhaps it is due to a cold and bracing climate, perhaps to a +Christian civilisation, that the Western peoples of the world have to a +great extent risen above this low original instinct. Among Europeans +power provokes antagonism, and weakness excites pity. All is different +in the East. Beyond Suez the bent of men's minds is such, that safety +lies only in success, and peace in prosperity. All desert the falling. +All turn upon the fallen. + +The reader may have been struck, in the account of the fighting in the +Mamund Valley, with the vigour with which the tribesmen follow up a +retreating enemy and press an isolated party. In war this is sound, +practical policy. But the hillmen adopt it rather from a natural +propensity, than from military knowledge. Their tactics are the outcome +of their natures. All their actions, moral, political, strategic, are +guided by the same principle. The powerful tribes, who had watched the +passage of the troops in sullen fear, only waited for a sign of weakness +to rise behind them. As long as the brigades dominated the country, and +appeared confident and successful, their communications would be +respected, and the risings localised; but a check, a reverse, a retreat +would raise tremendous combinations on every side. + +If the reader will bear this in mind, it will enable him to appreciate +the position with which this chapter deals, and may explain many other +matters which are beyond the scope of these pages. For it might be well +also to remember, that the great drama of frontier war is played before +a vast, silent but attentive audience, who fill a theatre, that reaches +from Peshawar to Colombo, and from Kurrachee to Rangoon. + +The strategic and political situation, with which Sir Bindon Blood was +confronted at Nawagai on the 17th of September, was one of difficulty +and danger. He had advanced into a hostile country. In his front the +Mohmands had gathered at the Hadda Mullah's call to oppose his further +progress. The single brigade he had with him was not strong enough to +force the Bedmanai Pass, which the enemy held. The 2nd Brigade, on which +he had counted, was fully employed twelve miles away in the Mamund +Valley. The 1st Brigade, nearly four marches distant on the Panjkora +River, had not sufficient transport to move. Meanwhile General Elles's +division was toiling painfully through the difficult country north-east +of Shabkadr, and could not arrive for several days. He was therefore +isolated, and behind him was the "network of ravines," through which a +retirement would be a matter of the greatest danger and difficulty. + +Besides this, his line of communications, stretching away through sixty +miles of hostile country, or country that at any moment might become +hostile, was seriously threatened by the unexpected outbreak in the +Mamund Valley. He was between two fires. Nor was this all. The Khan of +Nawagai, a chief of great power and influence, was only kept loyal by +the presence of Sir Bindon Blood's brigade. Had that brigade marched, as +was advocated by the Government of India, back to join Brigadier-General +Jeffreys in the Mamund Valley, this powerful chief would have thrown his +whole weight against the British. The flame in the Mamund Valley, +joining the flame in the Bedmanai Pass, would have produced a mighty +conflagration, and have spread far and wide among the inflammable +tribesmen. Bajaur would have risen to a man. Swat, in spite of its +recent punishment, would have stirred ominously. Dir would have +repudiated its ruler and joined the combination. The whole mountain +region would have been ablaze. Every valley would have poured forth +armed men. General Elles, arriving at Lakarai, would have found, instead +of a supporting brigade, a hostile gathering, and might even have had to +return to Shabkadr without accomplishing anything. + +Sir Bindon Blood decided to remain at Nawagai; to cut the Hadda Mullah's +gathering from the tribesmen in the Mamund Valley; to hold out a hand to +General Elles; to keep the pass open and the khan loyal. Nawagai was the +key of the situation. But that key could not be held without much +danger. It was a bold course to take, but it succeeded, as bold courses, +soundly conceived, usually do. He therefore sent orders to Jeffreys to +press operations against the Mamund tribesmen; assured the Khan of +Nawagai of the confidence of the Government, and of their determination +to "protect" him from all enemies; heliographed to General Elles that he +would meet him at Nawagai; entrenched his camp and waited. + +He did not wait long in peace. The tribesmen, whose tactical instincts +have been evolved by centuries of ceaseless war, were not slow to +realise that the presence of the 3rd Brigade at Nawagai was fatal to +their hopes. They accordingly resolved to attack it. The Suffi and Hadda +Mullahs exerted the whole of their influence upon their credulous +followers. The former appealed to the hopes of future happiness. Every +Ghazi who fell fighting should sit above the Caaba at the very footstool +of the throne, and in that exalted situation and august presence should +be solaced for his sufferings by the charms of a double allowance of +celestial beauty. Mullah Hadda used even more concrete inducements. The +muzzles of the guns should be stopped for those who charged home. No +bullet should harm them. They should be invulnerable. They should not go +to Paradise yet. They should continue to live honoured and respected +upon earth. This promise appears to have carried more weight, as the +Hadda Mullah's followers had three times as many killed and wounded as +the candidates for the pleasures of the world to come. It would almost +seem, that in the undeveloped minds of these wild and superstitious sons +of the mountains, there lie the embryonic germs of economics and +practical philosophy, pledges of latent possibilities of progress. + + Some for the pleasures of this world, and some + Sigh for the prophet's paradise to come. + Ah! take the cash and let the credit go, + Nor heed the rumble of a distant drum. + + OMAR KHAYYAM + + +It is the practice of wise commanders in all warfare, to push their +cavalry out every evening along the lines of possible attack, to make +sure that no enemy has concentrated near the camp in the hopes of +attacking at nightfall. On the 18th, Captain Delamain's squadron of the +11th Bengal Lancers came in contact with scattered parties of the enemy +coming from the direction of the Bedmanai Pass. Desultory skirmishing +ensued, and the cavalry retired to camp. Some firing took place that +night, and a soldier of the Queen's Regiment who strayed about fifty +yards from his picket, was pulled down and murdered by the savage +enemies, who were lurking all around. The next evening the cavalry +reconnoitered as usual. The squadron pushed forward protected by its line +of advanced scouts across the plain towards the Bedmanai Pass. Suddenly +from a nullah a long line of tribesmen rose and fired a volley. A horse +was shot. The squadron wheeled about and cantered off, having succeeded +in what is technically called "establishing contact." + +A great gathering of the enemy, some 3000 strong, now appeared in the +plain. For about half an hour before sunset they danced, shouted and +discharged their rifles. The mountain battery fired a few shells, but +the distance was too great to do much good, or shall I say harm? Then it +became dark. The whole brigade remained that night in the expectation of +an attack, but only a very half-hearted attempt was made. This was +easily repulsed, one man in the Queen's Regiment being killed among the +troops. + +On the 20th, however, definite information was received from the Khan of +Nawagai, that a determined assault would be made on the camp that night. +The cavalry reconnaissance again came in touch with the enemy at +nightfall. The officers had dinner an hour earlier, and had just +finished, when, at about 8.30, firing began. The position of the camp +was commanded, though at long ranges, by the surrounding heights. From +these a searching rifle fire was now opened. All the tents were struck. +The officers and men not employed in the trenches were directed to lie +down. The majority of the bullets, clearing the parapets of the +entrenchment on one side, whizzed across without doing any harm to the +prostrate figures; but all walking about was perilous, and besides this +the plunging fire from the heights was galling to every one. + +Determined and vigorous sword charges were now delivered on all sides of +the camp. The enemy, who numbered about 4000, displayed the greatest +valour. They rushed right up to the trenches and fell dead and dying, +under the very bayonets of the troops. The brunt of the attack fell upon +the British Infantry Regiment, the Queen's. This was fortunate, as many +who were in camp that night say, that such was the determination of the +enemy in their charges, that had they not been confronted with magazine +rifles, they might have got into the entrenchments. + +The fire of the British was, however, crushing. Their discipline was +admirable, and the terrible weapon with which they were armed, with its +more terrible bullet, stopped every rush. The soldiers, confident in +their power, were under perfect control. When the enemy charged, the +order to employ magazine fire was passed along the ranks. The guns fired +star shell. These great rockets, bursting into stars in the air, slowly +fell to the ground shedding a pale and ghastly light on the swarming +figures of the tribesmen as they ran swiftly forward. Then the popping +of the musketry became one intense roar as the ten cartridges, which the +magazine of the rifle holds, were discharged almost instantaneously. +Nothing could live in front of such a fire. Valour, ferocity, +fanaticism, availed nothing. All were swept away. The whistles sounded. +The independent firing stopped, with machine-like precision, and the +steady section volleys were resumed. This happened not once, but a dozen +times during the six hours that the attack was maintained. The 20th +Punjaub Infantry, and the cavalry also, sustained and repulsed the +attacks delivered against their fronts with steadiness. At length the +tribesmen sickened of the slaughter, and retired to their hills in gloom +and disorder. + +The experience of all in the camp that night was most unpleasant. Those +who were in the trenches were the best off. The others, with nothing to +do and nothing to look at, remained for six hours lying down wondering +whether the next bullet would hit them or not. Some idea of the severity +of the fire may be obtained from the fact that a single tent showed +sixteen bullet holes. + +Brigadier-General Wodehouse was wounded at about eleven o'clock. He had +walked round the trenches and conferred with his commanding officers as +to the progress of the attack and the expenditure of ammunition, and had +just left Sir Bindon Blood's side, after reporting, when a bullet struck +him in the leg, inflicting a severe and painful, though fortunately not +a dangerous, wound. + +Considering the great number of bullets that had fallen in the camp, the +British loss was surprisingly small. The full return is as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Wounded severely--Brigadier-General Wodehouse. + " slightly--Veterinary-Captain Mann. + + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + Queen's Regiment . . . 1 3 + NATIVE RANKS--Wounded, 20. + FOLLOWERS-- " 6. + Total, 32 of all ranks. + + +The casualties among the cavalry horses and transport animals were most +severe. Over 120 were killed and wounded. + +The enemy drew off, carrying their dead with them, for the most part, +but numerous bodies lying outside the shelter trench attested the valour +and vigour of their attack. One man was found the next morning, whose +head had been half blown off, by a discharge of case shot from one of +the mountain guns. He lay within a yard of the muzzle, the muzzle he had +believed would be stopped, a victim to that blind credulity and +fanaticism, now happily passing away from the earth, under the combined +influences of Rationalism and machine guns. + +It was of course very difficult to obtain any accurate estimate of the +enemy's losses. It was proved, however, that 200 corpses were buried on +the following day in the neighbourhood, and large numbers of wounded men +were reported to have been carried through the various villages. A rough +estimate should place their loss at about 700. + +The situation was now cleared. The back of the Hadda Mullah's gathering +was broken, and it dispersed rapidly. The Khan of Nawagai feverishly +protested his unswerving loyalty to the Government. The Mamunds were +disheartened. The next day General Elles's leading brigade appeared in +the valley. Sir Bindon Blood rode out with his cavalry. The two generals +met at Lakarai. It was decided that General Elles should be reinforced +by the 3rd Brigade of the Malakand Field Force, and should clear the +Bedmanai Pass and complete the discomfiture of the Hadda Mullah. Sir +Bindon Blood with the cavalry would join Jeffreys' force in the Mamund +Valley, and deal with the situation there. The original plan of taking +two brigades from the Malakand to Peshawar was thus discarded; and such +troops of Sir Bindon Blood's force as were required for the Tirah +expedition would, with the exception of the 3rd Brigade, reach their +points of concentration via Nowshera. As will be seen, this plan was +still further modified to meet the progress of events. + +I had rejoined the 3rd Brigade on the morning of the 21st, and in the +evening availed myself of an escort, which was proceeding across the +valley, to ride over and see General Elles's brigade. The mobilisation +of the Mohmand Field Force was marked by the employment, for the first +time, of the Imperial Service Troops. The Maharaja of Patiala, and Sir +Pertab Singh, were both with the force. The latter was sitting outside +his tent, ill with fever, but cheery and brave as ever. The spectacle of +this splendid Indian prince, whose magnificent uniform in the Jubilee +procession had attracted the attention of all beholders, now clothed in +business-like khaki, and on service at the head of his regiment, aroused +the most pleasing reflections. With all its cost in men and money, and +all its military and political mistakes, the great Frontier War of 1897 +has at least shown on what foundations the British rule in India rests, +and made clear who are our friends and who our enemies. + +I could not help thinking, that polo has had a good deal to do with +strengthening the good relations of the Indian princes and the British +officers. It may seem strange to speak of polo as an Imperial factor, +but it would not be the first time in history that national games have +played a part in high politics. Polo has been the common ground on which +English and Indian gentlemen have met on equal terms, and it is to that +meeting that much mutual esteem and respect is due. Besides this, polo +has been the salvation of the subaltern in India, and the young officer +no longer, as heretofore, has a "centre piece" of brandy on his table +night and day. The pony and polo stick have drawn him from his bungalow +and mess-room, to play a game which must improve his nerve, his judgment +and his temper. The author of the Indian Polity asserts that the day +will come when British and native officers will serve together in +ordinary seniority, and on the same footing. From what I know of the +British officer, I do not myself believe that this is possible; but if +it should ever came to pass, the way will have been prepared on the polo +ground. + +The camp of the 3rd Brigade was not attacked again. The tribesmen had +learnt a bitter lesson from their experiences of the night before. The +trenches were, however, lined at dark, and as small parties of the enemy +were said to be moving about across the front, occupied by the Queen's, +there was some very excellent volley firing at intervals throughout the +night. A few dropping shots came back out of the darkness, but no one +was the worse, and the majority of the force made up for the sleep they +had lost the night before. + +The next morning Sir Bindon Blood, his staff and three squadrons of the +11th Bengal Lancers, rode back through the pass of Nawagai, and joined +General Jeffreys at Inayat Kila. The 3rd Brigade now left the Malakand +Field Force, and passed under the command of General Elles and beyond +the proper limits of this chronicle; but for the sake of completeness, +and as the reader may be anxious to hear more of the fine regiment, +whose astonishing fire relieved the strategic situation at Nawagai, and +inflicted such terrible losses on the Hadda Mullah's adherents, I shall +briefly trace their further fortunes. + +After General Wodehouse was wounded the command of the 3rd Brigade +devolved upon Colonel Graves. They were present at the forcing of the +Bedmanai Pass on the 29th of September, and on the two following days +they were employed in destroying the fortified villages in the Mitai and +Suran valleys; but as these operations were unattended by much loss of +life, the whole brigade reached Shabkadr with only three casualties. +Thence the Queen's were despatched to Peshawar to take part in the Tirah +expedition, in which they have added to the high reputation they had +acquired in the Malakand and Mohmand Field Forces. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV: BACK TO THE MAMUND VALLEY + + + "Again I revisit the hills where we sported, + The streams where we swam, and the fields where we fought." + + "On a Distant View of Harrow," BYRON. + + + +It is with a vague and undefined feeling of satisfaction that I conduct +the reader back to the entrenched camp of Inayat Kila at the entrance of +the Mamund Valley, where so much happened, and with which so many +memories and experiences are associated. Now that the troops are gone, +the scene of life and activity has become solitary and silent. The +graves of the officers and men who fell there are lost in the level of +the plain. Yet the name is still remembered in not a few English homes, +nor will the tribesmen, looking at the deserted entrenchment, easily +forget the visit of the 2nd Brigade. + +When, on the afternoon of the 15th, the camp had first been pitched, +only a small and hasty shelter-trench surrounded it. But as the weeks +passed, the parapets grew higher, the ditches deeper, and the pits more +numerous, until the whole place became a redoubt. Traverses were built +along the perimeter to protect the defenders from flanking fire. Great +walls of earth and stone sheltered the horses and mules. Fifty yards +out, round the whole camp, a wire trip was carefully laid, to break a +rush, and the paths and tracks leading to the entrances had become +beaten, level roads. The aspect of permanency was comforting. + +Since the action of the 16th September, the 2nd Brigade had been unable +to move. Transport--the life and soul of an army--is an even more vital +factor here than in less undeveloped countries. The mobility of a +brigade depends entirely on its pack animals. On the 14th many mules +were killed. On the 16th the field hospitals were filled with wounded. +It now became impossible for the camp to move, because the wounded could +not be carried. It was impossible to leave them behind, because, +deducting an adequate guard, the rest of the brigade would have been too +few for fighting. The 2nd Brigade was therefore a fixture. Its striking +power was limited to out and home marches. The first step taken by Sir +Bindon Blood was to restore its mobility by getting the wounded sent +down to the base. Some changes in the constitution of the force were +also made. The 11th Bengal Lancers, who now joined the Mohmand Field +Force, were succeeded by the Guides Cavalry. The 35th Sikhs, who had +suffered such severe losses, were replaced by the 31st Punjaub Infantry +from Panjkora. The Buffs, who were full of fever, were exchanged for the +Royal West Kent from the Malakand. No.7 British Mountain Battery took +the place of No.8, which was now reduced to four guns, having lost in +the week's fighting half its officers, a third of its mules, and a +quarter of its men. + +Camels to carry the wounded were sent up from Panjkora. The Buffs +escorted the long convoy down the line of communications. Every one in +camp was sorry to see the last of them. In the fighting of the week they +had made it clear that the British Infantry battalion is the backbone of +every mixed brigade, and they shared with the Guides Infantry one of +those enviable reputations for steadiness which are so hard to gain and +so easy to lose on active service. + +On the 24th of September Sir Bindon Blood received despatches appointing +him to the command of the First Division of the Tirah Expeditionary +Force, and as the negotiations with the Mamund Jirgahs were then in +progress, and it seemed that a settlement might be reached, he proceeded +with his staff to Panjkora. Here he was on the telegraph wire, and could +communicate easily and quickly with India, and at the same time watch +the progress of events at Inayat Kila. Mr. Davis conducted the +diplomatic relations with the Mamunds. On the 26th a Jirgah from the +tribe came into camp. They deposited 4000 rupees as a token of +submission, and brought in fifty firearms. These, however, were of the +oldest and most antiquated types, and were obviously not the weapons +with which so many soldiers had been killed and wounded. This was +pointed out to the tribal representatives. They protested that they had +no others. They were poor men, they said, and their property was at the +mercy of the Government. But they had no other arms. + +The political officer was firm, and his terms were explicit. Either they +must give up the twenty-two rifles captured from the 35th Sikhs, on the +16th, or their villages would be destroyed. No other terms would he +accept. To this they replied, that they had not got the rifles. They had +all been taken, they said, and I think with truth, by the Afghan +tribesmen from the Kunar Valley. These would not give them up. Besides-- +this also with truth--they had been taken in "fair war." + +One man, who had lived some years in Calcutta, was especially eloquent +on the subject, and argued the case with much skill. He was however, +crushed by Mr. Davies asking whether there were "no greybeards in the +tribe," and why they were "led by a babu" [a native clerk--the Oriental +embodiment of Red Tape]. The discussion was extended to the whole +question of their quarrel with the British power. They admitted having +sent their young men to attack the Malakand and Chakdara. "All the world +was going ghaza," they said. They could not stay behind. They also owned +to having gone five miles from their valley to attack the camp at +Markhanai. Why had the Sirkar burnt their village? they asked. They had +only tried to get even--for the sake of their honour. All this showed a +most unsatisfactory spirit from the Government point of view, and it was +evident that the brigade could not leave the valley until the tribesmen +adopted a more submissive attitude. The matter reverted to the crucial +point. Would they give up their rifles or not? To this they replied +evasively, that they would consult their fellow-tribesmen and return an +answer on the next day. This practically amounted to a refusal, and as +no reply was received on the 27th, the negotiations ceased. + +In consequence of this and of the threatening attitude of the tribesmen +throughout Dir and Bajaur, Sir Bindon Blood telegraphed to the +Government of India and recommended the retention of a large force in +these territories. By so doing he virtually resigned the command which +awaited him in the Tirah expedition. This disinterested decision caused +the liveliest satisfaction throughout the force. The Government accepted +the advice of their general. The Tirah force was reconstituted, and +Major-General W.P. Symons received the command of its first division. A +force of eleven battalions, seven squadrons and three batteries was +placed at Sir Bindon Blood's disposal, and he was directed to deal with +the local situation as he should see fit. He immediately ordered General +Jeffreys to resume the punitive operations against the Mamunds. + +In pursuance of these orders, the 2nd Brigade, on the 29th, destroyed +all the villages in the centre of the valley, some twelve or fourteen in +number, and blew up with dynamite upwards of thirty towers and forts. +The whole valley was filled with the smoke, which curled upwards in +dense and numerous columns, and hung like a cloud over the scene of +destruction. The continued explosions of the demolitions resembled a +bombardment. The tribesmen, unable to contend with the troops in the +open, remained sullenly on the hillsides, and contented themselves with +firing from long range at the cavalry patrols. + +I feel that this is a fitting moment to discuss the questions which +village-burning raises. I have described with independent impartiality +the progress of the quarrel between the British and the tribesmen. In a +similar spirit I approach the examination of the methods of offence +employed. Many misconceptions, some of which are caused by an +extraordinary ignorance, exist on this subject in England. One member of +the House of Commons asked the Secretary of State whether, in the +punishment of villages, care was taken that only the houses of the +guilty parties should be destroyed. He was gravely told that great care +was taken. The spectacle of troops, who have perhaps carried a village +with the bayonet and are holding it against a vigorous counter-attack, +when every moment means loss of life and increase of danger, going round +and carefully discriminating which houses are occupied by "guilty +parties," and which by unoffending people, is sufficiently ridiculous. +Another member asked, "Whether the villages were destroyed or only the +fortifications." "Only the fortifications," replied the minister +guilelessly. What is the actual fact? All along the Afghan border every +man's house is his castle. The villages are the fortifications, the +fortifications are the villages. Every house is loopholed, and whether +it has a tower or not depends only on its owner's wealth. A third +legislator, in the columns of his amusing weekly journal, discussed the +question at some length, and commented on the barbarity of such tactics. +They were not only barbarous, he affirmed, but senseless. Where did the +inhabitants of the villages go? To the enemy of course! This reveals, +perhaps, the most remarkable misconception of the actual facts. The +writer seemed to imagine that the tribesmen consisted of a regular army, +who fought, and a peaceful, law-abiding population, who remained at +their business, and perhaps protested against the excessive military +expenditure from time to time. Whereas in reality, throughout these +regions, every inhabitant is a soldier from the first day he is old +enough to hurl a stone, till the last day he has strength to pull a +trigger, after which he is probably murdered as an encumbrance to the +community. + +Equipped with these corrected facts, I invite the reader to examine the +question of the legitimacy of village-burning for himself. A camp of a +British brigade, moving at the order of the Indian Government and under +the acquiescence of the people of the United Kingdom, is attacked at +night. Several valuable and expensive officers, soldiers and transport +animals are killed and wounded. The assailants retire to the hills. +Thither it is impossible to follow them. They cannot be caught. They +cannot be punished. Only one remedy remains--their property must be +destroyed. [It may be of interest, to consider for a moment the contrast +between the effects of village-burning on the Indian Frontier and in +Cuba. In Cuba a small section of the population are in revolt; the +remainder are sympathisers. To screw these lukewarm partisans up to the +fighting-point, the insurgents destroy their villages and burn the +sugar-came. This, by placing the alternative of "fight or starve" before +the inhabitants, has the effect of driving them to take up arms against +the Spaniards, whom they all hate, and join the rebels in the field. +Thus in Cuba it is the endeavour of the Government to protect property, +and of the rebels to destroy it. It was with the aim of keeping the +wavering population loyal, that General Weyler collected them all into +the towns, with such painful results. His policy was cruel but sound, +and, had it been accompanied by vigorous military operations, might have +been successful.] Their villages are made hostages for their good +behavior. They are fully aware of this, and when they make an attack on +a camp or convoy, they do it because they have considered the cost and +think it worth while. Of course, it is cruel and barbarous, as is +everything else in war, but it is only an unphilosophic mind that will +hold it legitimate to take a man's life, and illegitimate to destroy his +property. The burning of mud hovels cannot at any rate be condemned by +nations whose customs of war justify the bombardment of the dwelling- +houses of a city like Paris, to induce the garrison to surrender by the +sufferings of the non-combatants. + +In official parlance the burning of villages is usually expressed +euphemistically as "So many villages were visited and punished," or, +again, "The fortifications were demolished." I do not believe in all +this circumlocution. The lack of confidence in the good sense of the +British democracy, which the Indian Government displays, is one of its +least admirable characteristics. Exeter Hall is not all England; and the +people of our islands only require to have the matter put fairly before +them to arrive at sound, practical conclusions. If this were not so, we +should not occupy our present position in the world. + +To return to the Mamund Valley. The difference between villages in the +plains and those in the hills was forcibly demonstrated. On the 29th +over a dozen villages in the plains were destroyed without the loss of a +single life. On the 30th the tale ran somewhat differently. The village +of Agrah adjoins the village of Zagai, the capture of which has already +been recorded. It stood in a broad re-entrant of the mountains, and amid +ground so tangled and broken, that to move over it is difficult, and to +describe it impossible. On the steep face of the mountain great rocks, +sometimes thirty feet high, lay tossed about: interspersed with these +were huts or narrow terraces, covered with crops, and rising one above +the other by great steps of ten or twelve feet each. The attack on such +a place was further complicated by the fact that the same re-entrant +contained another village called Gat, which had to be occupied at the +same time. This compelled the brigade to attack on a broader front than +their numbers allowed. It was evident, as the Guides Cavalry approached +the hills, that resistance was contemplated. Several red standards were +visible to the naked eye, and the field-glasses disclosed numerous +figures lining the ridges and spurs. The squadrons, advancing as far as +the scrub would allow them, soon drew the fire of isolated skirmishers. +Several troops dismounted, and returned the salute with their carbines, +and at 8.45 a dropping fire began. The brigade now came into action in +the following formation. The cavalry, on the extreme left, covered the +head of a considerable valley, from which the flank was threatened; the +Guides Infantry and the Royal West Kent Regiment prolonged the line to +the centre of the attack; the 31st Punjaub Infantry moved against the +spurs to the right of the village, and the 38th Dogras were in reserve. +The action was begun by the Guides Infantry storming the ridges to the +left of the enemy's position. These were strongly held and fortified by +sungars, behind which the defenders were sheltered. The Guides advanced +at a brisk pace, and without much firing, across the open ground to the +foot of the hills. The tribesmen, shooting from excellent cover, +maintained a hot fire. The bullets kicked up the dust in all directions, +or whistled viciously through the air; but the distance was short, and +it was soon apparent that the enemy did not mean to abide the assault. +When the troops got within 100 yards and fixed bayonets, a dozen +determined men were still firing from the sungars. The Afridi and Pathan +companies of the Guides, uttering shrill cries of exultation, +culminating in an extraordinary yell, dashed forward, climbed the hill +as only hillmen can climb, and cleared the crest. On the side of the +next hill the figures of the retreating tribesmen were visible, and many +were shot down before they could find shelter. + +It was a strange thing, to watch these conspicuous forms toiling up the +hillside, dodging this way and that way, as the bullets cut into the +earth around them; but with the experience of the previous ten minutes +fresh in the memory, pity was not one of the emotions it aroused. A good +many fell, subsiding peacefully, and lying quite still. Their fall was +greeted by strange little yells of pleasure from the native soldiers. +These Afridi and Pathan companies of the Guides Infantry suggest nothing +so much as a well-trained pack of hounds. Their cries, their movements, +and their natures are similar. + +The West Kents had now come into line on the Guides' right, and while +the latter held the long ridge they had taken, the British regiment +moved upon the village. Here the resistance became very severe. The +tangled and broken ground, rising in terraces, sometimes ten feet high, +and covered with high crops, led to fighting at close quarters with loss +on both sides. Loud and continuous grew the musketry fire. The 31st +Punjaub Infantry, who had ascended the spur on the right, soon joined +hands with the West Kents, and both regiments became hotly engaged. +Meantime the Mountain Battery, which had come into action near the +centre, began to throw its shells over the heads of the infantry on to +the higher slopes, from which the enemy were firing. It soon became +evident that the troops were too few for the work. On the left the +Guides Infantry were unable to leave the ridge they had captured, lest +it should be reoccupied by the enemy, who were showing in great +strength. A gap opened in consequence, between the Guides and Royal West +Kents, and this enabled the tribesmen to get round the left flank of the +British regiment, while the 31st Punjaub Infantry, on the right, were +also turned by the enveloping enemy. It is to these circumstances that +most of the losses were due. + +The British regiment forced its way through the village, and encountered +the enemy strongly posted in sungars among the rocks above it. Here they +were sharply checked. The leading company had stormed one of these +fortifications, and the enemy at once retired higher up the hill. About +fifteen men were inside the work, and perhaps thirty more just below it. +The whole place was commanded by the higher ground. The enemy's fire was +accurate and intense. + +Of those inside, four or five were instantly killed or wounded. The +sungar was a regular trap, and the company were ordered to retire. +Lieutenant Browne-Clayton remained till the last, to watch the +withdrawal, and in so doing was shot dead, the bullet severing the +blood-vessels near the heart. The two or three men who remained were +handing down his body over the rock wall, when they were charged by +about thirty Ghazis and driven down the hill. A hundred and fifty yards +away, Major Western had three companies of the West Kents in support. He +immediately ordered Captain Styles to retake the sungar, and recover the +body. The company charged. Captain Styles was the first to reach the +stone wall, and with Lieutenant Jackson cleared it of such of the enemy +as remained. Five or six men were wounded in the charge, and others fell +in the sungar. The advanced position of this company was soon seen to be +untenable, and they were ordered to fall back to the edge of the +village, where the whole regiment was hotly engaged. + +Meanwhile the 31st Punjaub Infantry, who had advanced under Colonel +O'Bryen on the right, were exposed to a severe fire from a rocky ridge +on their flank. Their attack was directed against a great mass of +boulders, some of them of enormous size, which were tenaciously held by +the enemy. The fighting soon became close. The two advanced companies +were engaged at a distance of under 100 yards. Besides this the cross +fire from their right flank added to their difficulties. In such a +position the presence of Colonel O'Bryen was invaluable. Moving swiftly +from point to point, he directed the fire and animated the spirit of the +men, who were devoted to him. It was not long before the enemy's +marksmen began to take aim at this prominent figure. But for a +considerable period, although bullets struck the ground everywhere +around him, he remained unhurt. At last, however, he was shot through +the body, and carried mortally wounded from the action. + +I pause to consider for a moment the conditions, and circumstances, by +which the pursuit of a military career differs from all others. In +political life, in art, in engineering, the man with talents who behaves +with wisdom may steadily improve his position in the world. If he makes +no mistakes he will probably achieve success. But the soldier is more +dependent upon external influences. The only way he can hope to rise +above the others, is by risking his life in frequent campaigns. All his +fortunes, whatever they may be, all his position and weight in the +world, all his accumulated capital, as it were, must be staked afresh +each time he goes into action. He may have seen twenty engagements, and +be covered with decorations and medals. He may be marked as a rising +soldier. And yet each time he comes under fire his chances of being +killed are as great as, and perhaps greater than, those of the youngest +subaltern, whose luck is fresh. The statesman, who has put his power to +the test, and made a great miscalculation, may yet retrieve his +fortunes. But the indiscriminating bullet settles everything. As the +poet somewhat grimly has it:-- + +Stone-dead hath no better. + +Colonel O'Bryen had been specially selected, while still a young man, +for the command of a battalion. He had made several campaigns. Already +he had passed through the drudgery of the lower ranks of the service, +and all the bigger prizes of the military profession appeared in view: +and though the death in action of a colonel at the head of his regiment +is as fine an end as a soldier can desire, it is mournful to record the +abrupt termination of an honourable career at a point when it might have +been of much value to the State. + +The pressure now became so strong along the whole line that the +brigadier, fearing that the troops might get seriously involved, ordered +the withdrawal to commence. The village was however burning, and the +enemy, who had also suffered severely from the close fighting, did not +follow up with their usual vigour. The battery advanced to within 600 +yards of the enemy's line, and opened a rapid fire of shrapnel to clear +those spurs that commanded the line of retirement. The shells screamed +over the heads of the West Kent Regiment, who were now clear of the +hills and in front of the guns, and burst in little white puffs of smoke +along the crest of the ridge, tearing up the ground into a thick cloud +of dust by the hundreds of bullets they contained. + +A continuous stream of doolies and stretchers commenced to flow from the +fighting line. Soon all available conveyances were exhausted, and the +bodies of the wounded had to be carried over the rough ground in the +arms of their comrades--a very painful process, which extorted many a +groan from the suffering men. At length the withdrawal was completed, +and the brigade returned to camp. The presence of the cavalry, who +covered the rear, deterred the enemy from leaving the hills. + +Riding back, I observed a gruesome sight. At the head of the column of +doolies and stretchers were the bodies of the killed, each tied with +cords upon a mule. Their heads dangled on one side and their legs on the +other. The long black hair of the Sikhs, which streamed down to the +ground, and was draggled with dust and blood, imparted a hideous aspect +to these figures. There was no other way, however, and it was better +than leaving their remains to be insulted and defiled by the savages +with whom we were fighting. At the entrance to the camp a large group of +surgeons--their sleeves rolled up--awaited the wounded. Two operating +tables, made of medical boxes, and covered with water-proof sheets, were +also prepared. There is a side to warfare browner than khaki. + +The casualties in the attack upon Agrah were as follows:-- + + BRITISH OFFICERS. + Killed--Lieut.-Col. J.L. O'Bryen, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + " 2nd Lieut. W.C. Brown-Clayton, Royal West Kent. + Wounded severely--Lieutenant H. Isacke, Royal West Kent. + " " " E.B. Peacock, 31st Punjaub Infantry. + Wounded slightly--Major W.G.B. Western, Royal West Kent. + " " Captain R.C. Styles, Royal West Kent. + " " " N.H.S. Lowe, Royal West Kent. + " " 2nd Lieut. F.A. Jackson, Royal West Kent. + + BRITISH SOLDIERS. + Killed. Wounded. + Royal West Kent . . . 3 20 + + NATIVE RANKS. + Killed. Wounded. + Guides Cavalry . . . 0 4 + 31st Punjaub Infantry . 7 15 + 38th Dogras . . . 0 4 + Total casualties, 61. + + +As soon as Sir Bindon Blood, at his camp on the Panjkora, received the +news of the sharp fighting of the 30th, [After the action of the 30th of +September, Lieut.-Colonel McRae, of the 45th Sikhs, was sent up to +command the 31st Punjaub Infantry in the place of Lieut.-Colonel +O'Bryen, and I was myself attached as a temporary measure to fill +another of the vacancies. This is, I believe, the first time a British +Cavalry officer has been attached to a native infantry regiment. After +the kindness and courtesy with which I was treated, I can only hope it +will not be the last.] he decided to proceed himself to Inayat Kila with +reinforcements. He arrived on the 2nd October, bringing No.8 Mountain +Battery; a wing of the 24th Punjaub Infantry; and two troops of the +Guides Cavalry; and having also sent orders for the Highland Light +Infantry and four guns of the 10th Field Battery to follow him at once. +He was determined to make a fresh attack on Agrah, and burn the village +of Gat, which had only been partially destroyed. And this attack was +fixed for the 5th. By that date the big 12-pounder guns of the Field +Battery were to have arrived, and the fire of fourteen pieces would have +been concentrated on the enemy's position. Every one was anxious to +carry matters to a conclusion with the tribesmen at all costs. + +On the 3rd, the force was ordered to take and burn the village of +Badelai, against which, it may be remembered, the Buffs had advanced on +the 16th, and from which they had been recalled in a hurry to support +the 35th Sikhs. The attack and destruction of the village presented no +new features; the tribesmen offered little resistance, and retired +before the troops. But as soon as the brigade began its homeward march, +they appeared in much larger numbers than had hitherto been seen. As the +cavalry could not work among the nullahs and the broken ground, the +enemy advanced boldly into the plain. In a great crescent, nearly four +miles long, they followed the retiring troops. A brisk skirmish began at +about 800 yards. Both batteries came into action, each firing about 90 +shells. The Royal West Kent Regiment made good shooting with their Lee- +Metford rifles. All the battalions of the brigade were engaged. The +enemy, whose strength was estimated to be over 3000, lost heavily, and +drew off at 2.30, when the force returned to camp. Sir Bindon Blood and +his staff watched the operations and reconnoitered the valley. The +casualties were as follows:-- + + Royal West Kent--dangerously wounded, 1. + Guides Cavalry--wounded, 2. + 31st Punjaub Infantry--killed, 1; wounded, 5. + Guides Infantry--wounded, 3. + 38th Dogras--killed, 1; wounded, 3. + Total casualties, 16. + + +The next day the Highland Light Infantry and the field guns arrived. The +former marched in over 700 strong, and made a fine appearance. They were +nearly equal in numbers to any two battalions in the brigade. Sickness +and war soon reduce the fighting strength. The guns had accomplished a +great feat in getting over the difficult and roadless country. They had +had to make their own track, and in many places the guns had been drawn +by hand. The 10th Field Battery had thus gone sixty miles further into +the hill country than any other wheeled traffic. They had quite a +reception when they arrived. The whole camp turned out to look with +satisfaction on the long polished tubes, which could throw twelve pounds +a thousand yards further than the mountain guns could throw seven. They +were, however, not destined to display their power. The Mamunds had +again sued for peace. They were weary of the struggle. Their valley was +desolate. The season of sowing the autumn crops approached. The arrival +of reinforcements convinced them that the Government were determined to +get their terms. Major Deane came up himself to conduct the +negotiations. Meanwhile all important operations were suspended, though +the foraging and "sniping" continued as usual. + +The force was now large enough for two brigades to be formed, and on the +arrival of Brigadier-General Meiklejohn it was reconstituted as +follows:-- + + 1st Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G. + Highland Light Infantry. + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + 4 Cos. 24th Punjaub Infantry. + 10th Field Battery. + No.7 British Mountain Battery. + + 2nd Brigade. + Commanding--Brigadier-General Jeffries, C.B. + The Royal West Kent. + 38th Dogras. + Guides Infantry. + No.8 Mountain Battery. + The Guides Cavalry. + + +The camp was greatly extended and covered a large area of ground. In the +evenings, the main street presented an animated appearance. Before the +sun went down, the officers of the different regiments, distinguished by +their brightly-coloured field caps, would assemble to listen to the +pipes of the Scottish Infantry, or stroll up and down discussing the +events of the day and speculating on the chances of the morrow. As the +clear atmosphere of the valley became darkened by the shadows of the +night, and the colours of the hills faded into an uniform black, the +groups would gather round the various mess tents, and with vermuth, +cigarettes and conversation pass away the pleasant half-hour before +dinner and "sniping" began. + +I would that it were in my power to convey to the reader, who has not +had the fortune to live with troops on service, some just appreciation +of the compensations of war. The healthy, open-air life, the vivid +incidents, the excitement, not only of realisation, but of anticipation, +the generous and cheery friendships, the chances of distinction which +are open to all, invest life with keener interests and rarer pleasures. +The uncertainty and importance of the present, reduce the past and +future to comparative insignificance, and clear the mind of minor +worries. And when all is over, memories remain, which few men do not +hold precious. As to the hardships, these though severe may be endured. +Ascetics and recluses have in their endeavours to look beyond the grave +suffered worse things. Nor will the soldier in the pursuit of fame and +the enjoyment of the pleasures of war, be exposed to greater discomforts +than Diogenes in his tub, or the Trappists in their monastery. Besides +all this, his chances of learning about the next world are infinitely +greater. And yet, when all has been said, we are confronted with a +mournful but stubborn fact. In this contrary life, so prosaic is the +mind of man, so material his soul, so poor his spirit, that there is no +one who has been six months on active duty who is not delighted to get +safe home again, to the comfortable monotonies of peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XV: THE WORK OF THE CAVALRY + + + +The negotiations of the Mamunds had this time opened under more +propitious circumstances. The tribesmen were convinced by the arrival of +the large reinforcements that the Government were in earnest. The return +of "the big general," as they called Sir Bindon Blood, to distinguish +him from the brigadiers, impressed them with the fact that the +operations would be at once renewed, if they continued recalcitrant. +They had still a few villages unburned, and these they were anxious to +save. Besides, they disliked the look of the long topes, or field guns, +of whose powers they were uncertain. They therefore displayed a much +more humble spirit. + +On the other hand, every one in the force had realised that there were +"more kicks than ha'pence" to be got out of the Mamund Valley. All the +villages in the plain had been destroyed. Only a few of those in the +hollows of the hills remained. To these the enemy had retired. In +Arrian's History of Alexander's Conquests we read the following passage: +"The men in Bazira [Bazira is the same as Bajaur], despairing of their +own affairs, abandoned the city ... and fled to the rock, as the other +barbarians were doing. For all the inhabitants deserted the cities, and +began to fly to the rock which is in their land." Then it was that +Alexander's difficulties began. Nor need we wonder, when the historian +gravely asserts that "so stupendous is the rock in this land ... that it +was found impregnable even by Heracles, the son of Zeus." Thus history +repeats itself, and the people of Bajaur their tactics. There was, +however, no doubt as to the ability of the brigades to take and burn any +village they might select. At the same time it was certain that they +would encounter relays of Afghan tribesmen, and regular soldiers from +the Amir's army, and that they would lose officers and men in the +operation. The matter had to be carried to a conclusion at whatever +cost, but the sooner the end was reached, the better. + +But in spite of the auguries of peace, the foraging parties were usually +fired upon, and this furnished several opportunities for the display of +the value of the cavalry. I shall avail myself of the occasion to review +the performances of the mounted arm during the operations. As soon as +the brigades entered Bajaur, the 11th Bengal Lancers were employed more +and more in that legitimate duty of cavalry--reconnaissance. Major +Beatson made daily expeditions towards the various valleys and passes +about which information was needed. This use of cavalry is an entirely +new one on the frontier--it having been thought that it was dangerous to +employ them in this way. Though horsemen need good ground to fight on to +advantage, they can easily move over any country, however broken, and +where they are boldly used, can collect as much information as is +necessary. + +Reconnaissance is by no means the only opportunity for cavalry +employment on the frontier. They are as formidable in offensive tactics +as they are useful in collecting intelligence. + +The task which is usually confided to them in these mountain actions is +to protect one of the flanks. The ground hardly ever admits of charging +in any formation, and it is necessary for the men to use their carbines. +On 30th September the cavalry were so employed. On the left of the +hostile position was a wide valley full of scrubby trees, and stone +walls, and occupied by large numbers of the enemy. Had these tribesmen +been able to debouch from this valley, they would have fallen on the +flank of the brigade, and the situation would have become one of danger. +For five hours two weak squadrons of the Guides Cavalry were sufficient +to hold them in check. + +The methods they employed are worth noticing. Little groups of six or +seven men were dismounted, and these with their carbines replied to the +enemy's fire. Other little groups of mounted men remained concealed in +nullahs or hollows, or behind obstacles. Whenever the enemy tried to +rush one of the dismounted parties, and to do so advanced from the bad +ground, the mounted patrols galloped forward and chased them back to +cover. The terror that these tribesmen have of cavalry contrasts with +their general character. It was a beautiful display of cavalry tactics +in this kind of warfare, and, considering the enormous numbers of the +enemy, who were thus kept from participating in the main action, it +demonstrated the power and value of the mounted arm with convincing +force. + +On the 6th of October, I witnessed some very similar work, though on a +smaller scale. A squadron was engaged in covering the operations of a +foraging party. A line of patrols, moving rapidly about, presented +difficult targets to the enemy's sharpshooters. I found the remainder of +the squadron dismounted in rear of a large bank of stones. Twenty sowars +with their carbines were engaged in firing at the enemy, who had +occupied a morcha--a small stone fort--some 300 yards away. Desultory +skirmishing continued for some time, shots being fired from the hills, +half a mile away, as well as from the morcha. Bullets kept falling near +the bank, but the cover it afforded was good and no one was hurt. At +length word was brought that the foraging was finished and that the +squadron was to retire under cover of the infantry. Now came a moment of +some excitement. The officer in command knew well that the instant his +men were mounted they would be fired at from every point which the enemy +held. He ordered the first troop to mount, and the second to cover the +retirement. The men scrambled into their saddles, and spreading out into +an extended line cantered away towards a hollow about 300 yards distant. +Immediately there was an outburst of firing. The dust rose in spurts +near the horsemen, and the bullets whistled about their ears. No one was +however hit. Meanwhile, the remaining troop had been keeping up a rapid +fire on the enemy to cover their retirement. It now became their turn to +go. Firing a parting volley the men ran to their horses, mounted, and +followed the first troop at a hand-gallop, extending into a long line as +they did so. Again the enemy opened fire, and again the dusty ground +showed that the bullets were well directed. Again, however, nobody was +hurt, and the sowars reached the hollow, laughing and talking in high +glee. The morning's skirmish had, nevertheless, cost the squadron a man +and a horse, both severely wounded. + +Such affairs as these were of almost daily occurrence during the time +that the 2nd Brigade occupied the camp at Inayat Kila. They were of the +greatest value in training the soldiers. The Guides Cavalry know all +there is to know of frontier war, but there are many other regiments who +would be made infinitely more powerful fighting organisations if they +were afforded the opportunity for such experience. + +The great feature which the war of 1897 on the Indian Frontier has +displayed is the extraordinary value of cavalry. At Shabkadr a charge of +the 13th Bengal Lancers was more than successful. In the Swat Valley, +during the relief of Chakdara, the Guides Cavalry and 11th Bengal +Lancers inflicted the most terrible loss on the enemy. To quote the +words of Sir Bindon Blood's official report to the Adjutant-General, +these regiments, "eager for vengeance, pursued, cut up and speared them +in every direction, leaving their bodies thickly strewn over the +fields." Again, after the action of Landakai, the cavalry made a most +vigorous pursuit and killed large numbers of the enemy. While I was with +the Malakand Field Force, I was a witness of the constant employment of +the cavalry, and was several times informed by general officers that +they would gladly have a larger number at their disposal. The reader may +recall some of the numerous instances which these pages have recorded of +cavalry work. On the morning of the 15th September, it was the cavalry +who were able to catch up the enemy before they could reach the hills, +and take some revenge for the losses of the night. In the action of the +16th, the charge of Captain Cole's squadron brought the whole attack of +the enemy to a standstill, and enabled the infantry by their fire to +convert the hesitation of the tribesmen into a retreat. Indeed, in every +fight in the Mamund Valley, the cavalry were the first in, and the last +out. In the official despatches Sir Bindon Blood thus alludes to the +work of the cavalry:--"I would now wish to invite attention to the +invaluable nature of the services rendered by the cavalry. At Nawagai, +three squadrons of the 11th Bengal Lancers swept the country everywhere +that cavalry could go, carrying out reconnaissances, protecting +signalling parties and watching every movement of the enemy. In the +Mamund Valley a squadron of the same regiment, under Captain E.H. Cole, +took part in every engagement that occurred while they were there, +establishing such a reputation that the enemy, even when in greatly +superior numbers, never dared to face them in the open. Afterwards, when +Captain Cole and his men left the Mamund Valley, the Guides Cavalry, +under Lieut.-Col. Adams, being in greater strength, acted still more +effectually in the same manner, showing tactical skill of a high order, +combined with conspicuous gallantry."--Official Despatches. From +Gazette of India, 3rd December, 1897. + +There has been a boom in cavalry. But one section, and that the most +important, has been deprived of its share in the good fortune. The +authorities have steadily refused to allow any British cavalry to cross +the frontier. Of course this is defended on the ground of expense. +"British cavalry costs so much," it is said, "and natives do the work +just as well." "Better," say some. But it is a poor kind of economy thus +to discourage a most expensive and important branch of the service. The +ambition that a young officer entering the army ought to set before him, +is to lead his own men in action. This ought to inspire his life, and +animate his effort. "Stables" will no longer be dull, when he realises +that on the fitness of his horses, his life and honour may one day +depend. If he thinks that his men may soon be asked to stand beside him +at a pinch, he will no longer be bored by their interests and affairs. +But when he realises that all is empty display, and that his regiment is +a sword too costly to be drawn, he naturally loses keenness and betakes +himself to polo as a consolation. It is a good one. + +It was my fortune to meet many young men in frontier regiments, both +cavalry and infantry, who had already served in three, and even four, +campaigns. Daring, intelligent and capable, they are proofs of the value +of their training, and are fit to lead their men under any conditions, +and in any country. Subalterns in British cavalry regiments do +occasionally manage to see a little active service as transport +officers, signalling officers, war correspondents, or on the staff; but +to lead in the field the men they have trained in peace, is a +possibility which is never worth contemplating. To the young man who +wants to enjoy himself, to spend a few years agreeably in a military +companionship, to have an occupation--the British cavalry will be +suited. But to the youth who means to make himself a professional +soldier, an expert in war, a specialist in practical tactics, who +desires a hard life of adventure and a true comradeship in arms, I would +recommend the choice of some regiment on the frontier, like those fine +ones I have seen, the Guides and the 11th Bengal Lancers. + +I am aware that those who criticise an existing state of things ought to +be prepared with some constructive legislation which would remedy the +evils they denounce. Though it is unlikely that the Government of India +will take my advice, either wholly or in good part, I hereby exhort them +to quit the folly of a "penny wise" policy, and to adhere consistently +to the principles of employing British and native troops in India in a +regular proportion. That is to say, that when two native cavalry +regiments have been sent on service across the frontier, the third +cavalry regiment so sent shall be British. + +Besides this, in order to give cavalry officers as many opportunities of +seeing active service as possible, subalterns should be allowed to +volunteer for emergency employment with native cavalry. I have talked to +several officers who command native cavalry regiments, and they tell me +that such an arrangement would work excellently, and that, as they are +always short of officers, it would supply a want. I would suggest that +subalterns should, with the approval of their colonels, be attached to +the native regiment, and after passing in Hindustani and being reported +as qualified to serve with the native troops, be considered available +for employment as described. I shall be told there are financial +difficulties. I do not believe this. There are plenty of cavalry +subalterns whose eagerness to see service is so strong, that they would +submit to any arrangement that the rapacity of Government might impose. +Indeed there is no reason that an actual economy should not be effected. +The sums of money that the Indian Government offer, as rewards for +officers who can speak Hindustani, have not hitherto tempted many +cavalry officers to make a study of the language. Here is an incentive, +more powerful and costing nothing. + +To be technical is, I am aware, a serious offence, and I realise that if +this book ever obtained so evil a reputation it would be shunned, as the +House of Commons is shunned on a Service night. I have strayed far away +from the Malakand Field Force into the tangled paths of military +controversy, and I must beg the reader to forgive, as he will surely +forget, what has been written. + +The fighting described in the last chapter, and the continual drain of +disease, had again filled the field hospitals, and in order to preserve +the mobility of the force, it was decided to send all sick and wounded +down to the base at once. The journey--over 100 miles by road--would +take nearly a fortnight, and the jolting and heat made such an +experience a painful and weary one to injured men. But the stern +necessities of war render these things inevitable, and the desire of the +men to get nearer home soothes much of their suffering. The convoy of +sick and wounded was to be escorted as far as the Panjkora River by the +Royal West Kent, who were themselves in need of some recuperation. To +campaign in India without tents is always a trial to a British regiment; +and when it is moved to the front from some unhealthy station like +Peshawar, Delhi, or Mian Mir, and the men are saturated with fever and +weakened by the summer heats, the sick list becomes long and serious. +Typhoid from drinking surface water, and the other various kinds of +fever which follow exposure to the heats of the day or the chills of the +night, soon take a hundred men from the fighting strength, and the +general of an Indian frontier force has to watch with equal care the +movements of the enemy and the fluctuations of the hospital returns. As +soon, therefore, as Sir Bindon Blood saw that the Mamunds were desirous +of peace, and that no further operations against them were probable, he +sent one of his British regiments to their tents near the Panjkora. + +About sixty wounded men from the actions of 30th September and 3rd +October, and the same number of sick, formed the bulk of the convoy. The +slight cases are carried on camels, in cradles made by cutting a native +bedstead in two, and called "Kajawas." The more serious cases are +carried in doolies or litters, protected from the sun by white curtains, +and borne by four natives. Those who are well enough ride on mules. The +infantry escort is disposed along the line with every precaution that +can be suggested, but the danger of an attack upon the long straggling +string of doolies and animals in difficult and broken ground is a very +real and terrible one. + +The cheeriness and patience of the wounded men exceeds belief. Perhaps +it is due to a realisation of the proximity in which they have stood to +death; perhaps partly to that feeling of relief with which a man turns +for a spell from war to peace. In any case it is remarkable. A poor +fellow--a private in the Buffs--was hit at Zagai, and had his arm +amputated at the shoulder. I expressed my sympathy, and he replied, +philosophically: "You can't make omelettes without breaking eggs," and +after a pause added, with much satisfaction, "The regiment did well that +day." He came of a fighting stock, but I could not help speculating on +the possible future which awaited him. Discharge from the service as +medically unfit, some miserable pension insufficient to command any +pleasures but those of drink, a loafer's life, and a pauper's grave. +Perhaps the regiment--the officers, that is to say--would succeed in +getting him work, and would from their own resources supplement his +pension. But what a wretched and discreditable system is that, by which +the richest nation in the world neglects the soldiers who have served it +well, and which leaves to newspaper philanthropy, to local institutions, +and to private charity, a burden which ought to be proudly borne by the +State. + +Starting at six, the column reached Jar, a march of eight miles, at +about ten o'clock. Here we were joined by a wing of the 24th Punjaub +Infantry, who were coming up to relieve the Royal West Kents. The camp +at Jar has the disadvantage of being commanded by a hill to the north, +and the Salarzais, another pestilent tribe, whose name alone is an +infliction, delight to show their valour by firing at the troops during +the night. Of course this could be prevented by moving the camp out of +range of this hill. But then, unfortunately, it would be commanded by +another hill to the south, from which the Shamozai section of the Utman +Khels--to whom my former remarks also apply--would be able to amuse +themselves. The inconvenience of the situation had therefore to be +faced. + +We had not been long in camp before the eldest son of the Khan of Jar, +who had been comparatively loyal during the operations, came to inform +the colonel in command that there would be "sniping" that night. Certain +evil men, he said, had declared their intention of destroying the force, +but he, the heir-apparent to the Khanate of Jar, and the ally of the +Empress, would protect us. Four pickets of his own regular army should +watch the camp, that our slumbers might not be disturbed, and when +challenged by the sentries, they would reply, "chokidar" (watchman). +This all seemed very satisfactory, but we entrenched ourselves as usual, +not, as we explained, because we doubted our protector's powers or +inclinations, buy merely as a matter of form. + +At midnight precisely, the camp was awakened by a dozen shots in rapid +succession. The khan's pickets could be heard expostulating with the +enemy, who replied by jeers and bitter remarks. + +The firing continued for an hour, when the "snipers," having satisfied +their honour, relieved their feelings and expended their cartridges, +went away rejoicing. The troops throughout remained silent, and +vouchsafed no reply. + +It may seem difficult to believe that fifty bullets could fall in a +camp, only 100 yards square--crowded with animals and men--without any +other result than to hit a single mule in the tail. Such was, however, +the fact. This shows of what value, a little active service is to the +soldier. The first time he is under fire, he imagines himself to be in +great danger. He thinks that every bullet is going to hit him, and that +every shot is aimed at him. Assuredly he will be killed in a moment. If +he goes through this ordeal once or twice, he begins to get some idea of +the odds in his favour. He has heard lots of bullets and they have not +hurt him. He will get home safely to his tea this evening, just as he +did the last time. He becomes a very much more effective fighting +machine. + +From a military point of view, the perpetual frontier wars in one +corner or other of the Empire are of the greatest value. This fact may +one day be proved, should our soldiers ever be brought into contact with +some peace-trained, conscript army, in anything like equal numbers. + +Though the firing produced very little effect on the troops--most of +whom had been through the experience several times before--it was a +severe trial to the wounded, whose nerves, shattered by pain and +weakness, were unable to bear the strain. The surgeon in charge--Major +Tyrell--told me that the poor fellows quivered at every shot as if in +anticipation of a blow. A bullet in the leg will made a brave man a +coward. A blow on the head will make a wise man a fool. Indeed I have +read that a sufficiency of absinthe can make a good man a knave. The +triumph of mind over matter does not seem to be quite complete as yet. + +I saw a strange thing happen, while the firing was going on, which may +amuse those who take an interest in the habits and development of +animals. Just in front of my tent, which was open, was a clear space, +occupied by a flock of goats and sheep. The brilliant moonlight made +everything plainly visible. Every time a bullet whistled over them or +struck the ground near, they ducked and bobbed in evident terror. An +officer, who also noticed this, told me it was the first time they had +been under fire; and I have been wondering ever since, whether this +explains their fear, or makes it more inexplicable. + +I have devoted a good deal in this chapter to the account of the +"sniping" at Jar on the night of the 9th of October, and, perhaps, a +critic may inquire, why so much should be written about so common an +incident. It is, however, because this night firing is so common a +feature, that I feel no picture of the war on the Indian frontier would +be complete without some account of it. + +The next day we crossed the Panjkora River, and I started to ride down +the line of communications to the base at Nowshera. At each stage some +of the comforts of civilisation and peace reappeared. At Panjkora we +touched the telegraph wire; at Sarai were fresh potatoes; ice was to be +had at Chakdara; a comfortable bed at the Malakand; and at length, at +Nowshera, the railway. But how little these things matter after all. +When they are at hand, they seem indispensable, but when they cannot be +obtained, they are hardly missed. A little plain food, and a philosophic +temperament, are the only necessities of life. + +I shall not take the reader farther from the scene of action. He is free +and his imagination may lead him back to the highland valleys, where he +may continue for a space among camps and men, and observe the conclusion +of the drama. + + + + + +CHAPTER XVI: SUBMISSION + + + "Their eyes were sunken and weary + With a sort of listless woe, + And they looked from their desolate eyrie + Over the plains below. + + "Two had wounds from a sabre, + And one from an Enfield Ball." + + "Rajpoot Rebels," LYALL. + + + +At last the negotiations with the Mamunds began to reach a conclusion. +The tribe were really desirous of peace, and prepared to make any +sacrifices to induce the brigades to leave the valley. The Khan of Khar +now proved of valuable assistance. He consistently urged them to make +peace with the Sirkar, and assured them that the troops would not go +away until they had their rifles back. Finally the Mamunds said they +would get the rifles. But the path of repentance was a stony one. On the +very night that the tribesmen decided for peace at any price, a thousand +warlike Afghans, spoiling for a fight, arrived from the Kunar Valley, on +the other side of the mountains, and announced their intention of +attacking the camp at once. The Mamunds expostulated with them. The +retainers of the Khan of Khar implored them not to be so rash. In the +end these unwelcome allies were persuaded to depart. But that night the +camp was warned that an attack was probable. The inlying pickets were +accordingly doubled, and every man slept in his clothes, so as to be +ready. The pathos of the situation was provided by the fact, that the +Mamunds were guarding us from our enemies. The wretched tribe, rather +than face a renewal of hostilities, had posted pickets all round the +camp to drive away "snipers" and other assailants. Their sincerity was +beyond suspicion. + +The next day the first instalment of rifles was surrendered. Fifteen +Martini-Henrys taken on the 16th from the 35th Sikhs were brought into +camp, by the Khan of Khar's men, and deposited in front of the general's +tent. Nearly all were hacked and marked by sword cuts, showing that +their owners, the Sikhs, had perished fighting to the last. Perhaps, +these firearms had cost more in blood and treasure than any others ever +made. The remainder of the twenty-one were promised later, and have +since all been surrendered. But the rifles as they lay on the ground were +a bitter comment on the economic aspect of the "Forward Policy." These +tribes have nothing to surrender but their arms. To extort these few, +had taken a month, had cost many lives, and thousands of pounds. It had +been as bad a bargain as was ever made. People talk glibly of "the total +disarmament of the frontier tribes" as being the obvious policy. No +doubt such a result would be most desirable. But to obtain it would be +as painful and as tedious an undertaking, as to extract the stings of a +swarm of hornets, with naked fingers. + +After the surrender of the rifles, the discussion of terms proceeded +with smoothness. Full jirgahs were sent to the camp from the tribe, and +gradually a definite understanding was reached. The tribesmen bewailed +the losses they had sustained. Why, they asked, had the Sirkar visited +them so heavily? Why, replied Major Deane, had they broken the peace and +attacked the camp? The elders of the tribe, following the practice of +all communities, threw the blame on their "young men." These had done +the evil, they declared. All had paid the penalty. At length definite +terms were agreed to, and a full durbar was arranged for the 11th of the +month for their ratification. + +Accordingly on that date, at about one o'clock in the afternoon, a large +and representative jirgah of Mamunds, accompanied by the Khans of Khar, +Jar and Nawagai, arrived at the village of Nawa Kila, about half a mile +from the camp. At three o'clock Sir Bindon Blood, with Major Deane, +Chief Political Officer; Mr. Davis, Assistant Political Officer; most of +the Headquarters staff, and a few other officers, started, escorted by a +troop of the Guides Cavalry, for the durbar. The general on arrival +shook hands with the friendly khans, much to their satisfaction, and +took a seat which had been provided. The tribesmen formed three sides of +a square. The friendly khans were on the left with their retainers. The +Mamund jirgahs filled two other sides. Sir Bindon Blood, with Major +Deane on his left and his officers around him, occupied the fourth side. + +Then the Mamunds solemnly tendered their submission. They expressed +their deep regret at their action, and deplored the disasters that had +befallen them. They declared, they had only fought because they feared +annexation. They agreed to expel the followers of Umra Khan from the +valley. They gave security for the rifles that had not yet been +surrendered. They were then informed that as they had suffered severe +punishment and had submitted, the Sirkar would exact no fine or further +penalty from them. At this they showed signs of gratification. The +durbar, which had lasted fifteen minutes, was ended by the whole of the +tribesmen swearing with uplifted hands to adhere to the terms and keep +the peace. They were then dismissed. + +The losses sustained by the Mamunds in the fighting were ascertained to +be 350 killed, besides the wounded, with whom the hill villages were all +crowded, and who probably amounted to 700 or 800. This estimate takes no +account of the casualties among the transfrontier tribesmen, which were +presumably considerable, but regarding which no reliable information +could be obtained. Sir Bindon Blood offered them medical aid for their +wounded, but this they declined. They could not understand the motive, +and feared a stratagem. What the sufferings of these wretched men must +have been, without antiseptics or anaesthetics, is terrible to think of. +Perhaps, however, vigorous constitutions and the keen air of the +mountains were Nature's substitutes. + +Thus the episode of the Mamund Valley came to an end. On the morning of +the 12th, the troops moved out of the camp at Inayat Kila for the last +time, and the long line of men, guns and transport animals, trailed +slowly away across the plain of Khar. The tribesmen gathered on the +hills to watch the departure of their enemies, but whatever feelings of +satisfaction they may have felt at the spectacle, were dissipated when +they turned their eyes towards their valley. Not a tower, not a fort was +to be seen. The villages were destroyed. The crops had been trampled +down. They had lost heavily in killed and wounded, and the winter was at +hand. No defiant shots pursued the retiring column. The ferocious +Mamunds were weary of war. + +And as the soldiers marched away, their reflections could not have been +wholly triumphant. For a month they had held Inayat Kila, and during +that month they had been constantly fighting. The Mamunds were crushed. +The Imperial power had been asserted, but the cost was heavy. Thirty-one +officers and 251 men had been killed and wounded out of a fighting force +that had on no occasion exceeded 1200 men. + +The casualties of General Jeffrey's brigade in the Mamund Valley were as +follows:-- + + British Officers . . . . Killed or died of wounds 7 + " " . . . . Wounded . . . . 17 + " Soldiers . . . . Killed . . . . 7 + " " . . . . Wounded . . . . 41 + Native Officers . . . . Killed . . . . 0 + " " . . . . Wounded . . . . 7 + " Soldiers . . . . Killed . . . . 48 + " " . . . . Wounded . . . . 147 + Followers . . . . . . . . . . . 8 + ---- + Total . . . . . 282 + Horses and mules . . . . . . . . . . 150 + + +The main cause of this long list of casualties was, as I have already +written, the proximity of the Afghan border. But it would be unjust and +ungenerous to deny to the people of the Mamund Valley that reputation +for courage, tactical skill and marksmanship, which they have so well +deserved. During an indefinite period they had brawled and fought in the +unpenetrated gloom of barbarism. At length they struck a blow at +civilisation, and civilisation, though compelled to record the odious +vices that the fierce light of scientific war exposed, will yet +ungrudgingly admit that they are a brave and warlike race. Their name +will live in the minds of men for some years, even in this busy century, +and there are families in England who will never forget it. But perhaps +the tribesmen, sitting sullenly on the hillsides and contemplating the +ruin of their habitations, did not realise all this, or if they did, +still felt regret at having tried conclusions with the British Raj. +Their fame had cost them dear. Indeed, as we have been told, "nothing is +so expensive as glory." + +The troops camped on the night of the 12th at Jar, and on the following +day moved up the Salarzai Valley to Matashah. Here they remained for +nearly a week. This tribe, terrified by the punishment of the Mamunds, +made no regular opposition, though the camp was fired into regularly +every night by a few hot-blooded "snipers." Several horses and mules +were hit, and a sowar in the Guides Cavalry was wounded. The +reconnaissances in force, which were sent out daily to the farther end +of the valley, were not resisted in any way, and the tribal jirgahs used +every effort to collect the rifles which they had been ordered to +surrender. By the 19th all were given up, and on the 20th the troops +moved back to Jar. There Sir Bindon Blood received the submission of the +Utman Khels, who brought in the weapons demanded from them, and paid a +fine as an indemnity for attacking the Malakand and Chakdara. + +The soldiers, who were still in a fighting mood, watched with impatience +the political negotiations which produced so peaceful a triumph. + +All Indian military commanders, from Lord Clive and Lord Clive's times +downwards, have inveighed against the practice of attaching civil +officers to field forces. It has been said, frequently with truth, that +they hamper the military operations, and by interfering with the +generals, infuse a spirit of vacillation into the plans. Although the +political officers of the Malakand Field Force were always personally +popular with their military comrades, there were many who criticised +their official actions, and disapproved of their presence. The duties of +the civil officers, in a campaign, are twofold: firstly, to negotiate, +and secondly, to collect information. It would seem that for the first +of these duties they are indispensable. The difficult language and +peculiar characters of the tribesmen are the study of a lifetime. A +knowledge of the local conditions, of the power and influence of the +khans, or other rulers of the people; of the general history and +traditions of the country, is a task which must be entirely specialised. +Rough and ready methods are excellent while the tribes resist, but +something more is required when they are anxious to submit. Men are +needed who understand the whole question, and all the details of the +quarrel, between the natives and the Government, and who can in some +measure appreciate both points of view. I do not believe that such are +to be found in the army. The military profession is alone sufficient to +engross the attention of the most able and accomplished man. + +Besides this I cannot forget how many quiet nights the 2nd Brigade +enjoyed at Inayat Kila when the "snipers" were driven away by the +friendly pickets; how many fresh eggs and water melons were procured, +and how easily letters and messages were carried about the country [As +correspondent of the Pioneer, I invariably availed myself of this method +of sending the press telegrams to the telegraph office at Panjkora, and +though the route lay through twenty miles of the enemy's country, these +messages not only never miscarried, but on several occasions arrived +before the official despatches or any heliographed news. By similar +agency the bodies of Lieutenant-Colonel O'Bryen and Lieutenant Browne- +Clayton, killed in the attack upon Agrah on the 30th of September, were +safely and swiftly conveyed to Malakand for burial.] through the +relations which the political officers, Mr. Davis and Mr. Gunter, +maintained, under very difficult circumstances, with these tribesmen, +who were not actually fighting us. + +Respecting the second duty, it is difficult to believe that the +collection of information as to the numbers and intentions of the enemy +would not be better and more appropriately carried out by the +Intelligence Department and the cavalry. Civil officers should not be +expected to understand what kind of military information a general +requires. It is not their business. I am aware that Mr. Davis procured +the most correct intelligence about the great night attack at Nawagai, +and thus gave ample warning to Sir Bindon Blood. But on the other hand +the scanty information available about the Mamunds, previous to the +action of the 16th, was the main cause of the severe loss sustained on +that day. Besides, the incessant rumours of a night attack on Inayat +Kila, kept the whole force in their boots about three nights each week. +Civil officers should discharge diplomatic duties, and military officers +the conduct of war. And the collection of information is one of the most +important of military duties. Our Pathan Sepoys, the Intelligence +Branch, and an enterprising cavalry, should obtain all the facts that a +general requires to use in his plans. At least the responsibility can +thus be definitely assigned. + +On one point, however, I have no doubts. The political officers must be +under the control of the General directing the operations. There must be +no "Imperium in imperio." In a Field Force one man only can command--and +all in it must be under his authority. Differences, creating +difficulties and leading to disasters, will arise whenever the political +officers are empowered to make arrangements with the tribesmen, without +consulting and sometimes without even informing the man on whose +decisions the success of the war and the lives of the soldiers directly +depend. + +The subject is a difficult one to discuss, without wounding the feelings +of those gallant men, who take all the risks of war, while the campaign +lasts, and, when it is over, live in equal peril of their lives among +the savage populations, whose dispositions they study, and whose tempers +they watch. I am glad to have done with it. + +During the stay of the brigades in Bajaur, there had been several cases +of desertion among the Afridi Sepoys. On one occasion five men of the +24th Punjaub Infantry, who were out on picket, departed in a body, and +taking their arms with them set off towards Tirah and the Khyber Pass. +As I have recorded several instances of gallantry and conduct among the +Afridis and Pathans in our ranks, it is only fitting that the reverse of +the medal should be shown. The reader, who may be interested in the +characters of the subject races of the Empire, and of the native +soldiers, on whom so much depends, will perhaps pardon a somewhat long +digression on the subject of Pathans and Sikhs. + +It should not be forgotten by those who make wholesale assertions of +treachery and untrustworthiness against the Afridi and Pathan soldiers, +that these men are placed in a very strange and false position. They are +asked to fight against their countrymen and co-religionists. On the one +side are accumulated all the forces of fanaticism, patriotism and +natural ties. On the other military associations stand alone. It is no +doubt a grievous thing to be false to an oath of allegiance, but there +are other obligations not less sacred. To respect an oath is a duty +which the individual owes to society. Yet, who would by his evidence +send a brother to the gallows? The ties of nature are older and take +precedence of all other human laws. When the Pathan is invited to +suppress his fellow-countrymen, or even to remain a spectator of their +suppression, he finds himself in a situation at which, in the words of +Burke, "Morality is perplexed, reason staggered, and from which +affrighted nature recoils." + +There are many on the frontier who realise these things, and who +sympathise with the Afridi soldier in his dilemma. An officer of the +Guides Infantry, of long experience and considerable distinction, who +commands both Sikhs and Afridis, and has led both many times in action, +writes as follows: "Personally, I don't blame any Afridis who desert to +go and defend their own country, now that we have invaded it, and I +think it is only natural and proper that they should want to do so." + +Such an opinion may be taken as typical of the views of a great number +of officers, who have some title to speak on the subject, as it is one +on which their lives might at any moment depend. + +The Sikh is the guardian of the Marches. He was originally invented to +combat the Pathan. His religion was designed to be diametrically opposed +to Mahommedanism. It was a shrewd act of policy. Fanaticism was met by +fanaticism. Religious abhorrence was added to racial hatred. The Pathan +invaders were rolled back to the mountains, and the Sikhs established +themselves at Lahore and Peshawar. The strong contrast, and much of the +animosity, remain to-day. The Sikh wears his hair down to his waist; the +Pathan shaves his head. The Sikh drinks what he will; the Pathan is an +abstainer. The Sikh is burnt after death; the Pathan would be thus +deprived of Paradise. As a soldier the Pathan is a finer shot, a hardier +man, a better marcher, especially on the hillside, and possibly an even +more brilliant fighter. He relies more on instinct than education: war +is in his blood; he is a born marksman, but he is dirty, lazy and a +spendthrift. + +In the Sikh the more civilised man appears. He does not shoot naturally, +but he learns by patient practice. He is not so tough as the Pathan, but +he delights in feats of strength--wrestling, running, or swimming. He is +a much cleaner soldier and more careful. He is frequently parsimonious, +and always thrifty, and does not generally feed himself as well as the +Pathan. [Indeed in some regiments the pay of very thin Sikhs is given +them in the form of food, and they have to be carefully watched by their +officers till they get fat and strong.] + +There are some who say that the Sikh will go on under circumstances +which will dishearten and discourage his rival, and that if the latter +has more dash he has less stamina. The assertion is not supported by +facts. In 1895, when Lieut.-Colonel Battye was killed near the Panjkora +River and the Guides were hard pressed, the subadar of the Afridi +company, turning to his countrymen, shouted: "Now, then, Afridi folk of +the Corps of Guides, the Commanding Officer's killed, now's the time to +charge!" and the British officers had the greatest difficulty in +restraining these impetuous soldiers from leaving their position, and +rushing to certain death. The story recalls the speech of the famous +cavalry colonel at the action of Tamai, when the squares were seen to be +broken, and an excited and demoralised correspondent galloped wildly up +to the squadrons, declaring that all was lost. "How do you mean, 'all's +lost'? Don't you see the 10th Hussars are here?" There are men in the +world who derive as stern an exultation from the proximity of disaster +and ruin as others from success, and who are more magnificent in defeat +than others are in victory. Such spirits are undoubtedly to be found +among the Afridis and Pathans. + +I will quote, in concluding this discussion, the opinion of an old +Gurkha subadar who had seen much fighting. He said that he liked the +Sikhs better, but would sooner have Afridis with him at a pinch than any +other breed of men in India. It is comfortable to reflect, that both are +among the soldiers of the Queen. + +Although there were no Gurkhas in the Malakand Field Force, it is +impossible to consider Indian fighting races without alluding to these +wicked little men. In appearance they resemble a bronze Japanese. Small, +active and fierce, ever with a cheery grin on their broad faces, they +combine the dash of the Pathan with the discipline of the Sikh. They +spend all their money on food, and, unhampered by religion, drink, smoke +and swear like the British soldier, in whose eyes they find more favour +than any other--as he regards them--breed of "niggers." They are pure +mercenaries, and, while they welcome the dangers, they dislike the +prolongation of a campaign, being equally eager to get back to their +wives and to the big meat meals of peace time. + +After the Utman Khels had been induced to comply with the terms, the +brigades recrossed the Panjkora River, and then marching by easy stages +down the line of communications, returned to the Malakand. The Guides, +moving back to Mardan, went into cantonments again, and turned in a +moment from war to peace. The Buffs, bitterly disappointed at having +lost their chance of joining in the Tirah expedition, remained at +Malakand in garrison. A considerable force was retained near Jalala, to +await the issue of the operations against the Afridis, and to be ready +to move against the Bunerwals, should an expedition be necessary. + +Here we leave the Malakand Field Force. It may be that there is yet +another chapter of its history which remains to be written, and that the +fine regiments of which it is composed will, under their trusted +commander, have other opportunities of playing the great game of war. If +that be so, the reader shall decide whether the account shall prolong +the tale I have told, or whether the task shall fall to another hand. +[It is an excellent instance of the capricious and haphazard manner in +which honours and rewards are bestowed in the army, that the operations +in the Mamund Valley and throughout Bajaur are commemorated by no +distinctive clasp. The losses sustained by the Brigade were indisputably +most severe. The result was successful. The conduct of the troops has +been officially commended. Yet the soldiers who were engaged in all the +rough fighting I have described in the last eight chapters have been +excluded from any of the special clasps which have been struck. They +share the general clasp with every man who crossed the frontier and with +some thousands who never saw a shot fired.] + + + + + +CHAPTER XVII: MILITARY OBSERVATIONS + + + " ... And thou hast talk'd + Of sallies and retires, of trenches, tents, + Of palisadoes, frontiers, parapets, + Of basilisks, of cannon, culverin." + + "Henry IV.," Part I., Act ii., Sc.3. + + + +It may at first seem that a chapter wholly devoted to military +considerations is inappropriate to a book which, if it is to enjoy any +measure of success, must be read by many unconnected with the army. But +I remember that in these days it is necessary for every one, who means +to be well informed, to have a superficial knowledge of every one else's +business. Encouraged also by what Mr. Gladstone has called "the growing +militarism of the times," I hope that, avoiding technicalities, it may +be of some general interest to glance for a moment at the frontier war +from a purely professional point of view. My observations must be taken +as applying to the theatre of the war I have described, but I do not +doubt that many of them will be applicable to the whole frontier. + +The first and most important consideration is transport. Nobody who has +not seen for himself can realise what a great matter this is. I well +recall my amazement, when watching a camel convoy more than a mile and a +half long, escorted by half a battalion of infantry. I was informed that +it contained only two days' supplies for one brigade. People talk +lightly of moving columns hither and thither, as if they were mobile +groups of men, who had only to march about the country and fight the +enemy wherever found, and very few understand that an army is a +ponderous mass which drags painfully after it a long chain of advanced +depots, stages, rest camps, and communications, by which it is securely +fastened to a stationary base. In these valleys, where wheeled traffic +is impossible, the difficulties and cost of moving supplies are +enormous; and as none, or very few, are to be obtained within the +country, the consideration is paramount. Mule transport is for many +reasons superior to camel transport. The mule moves faster and can +traverse more difficult ground. He is also more hardy and keeps in +better condition. When Sir Bindon Blood began his advance against the +Mohmands he equipped his 2nd Brigade entirely with mules. It was thus +far more mobile, and was available for any rapid movement that might +become necessary. To mix the two--camels and mules--appears to combine +the disadvantages of both, and destroy the superiority of either. + +I have already described the Indian service camp and the "sniping" +without which no night across the frontier could be complete. I shall +therefore only notice two points, which were previously omitted, as they +looked suspiciously technical. As the night firing is sometimes varied +by more serious attacks, and even actual assaults and sword rushes, it +is thought advisable to have the ditch of the entrenchment towards the +enemy. Modern weapons notwithstanding, the ultimate appeal is to the +bayonet, and the advantage of being on the higher ground is then +considerable. + +When a battery forms part of the line round a camp, infantry soldiers +should be placed between the guns. Artillery officers do not like this; +but, though they are very good fellows, there are some things in which +it is not well to give way to them. Every one is prone to over-estimate +the power of his arm. + +In the Mamund Valley all the fighting occurred in capturing villages, +which lay in rocky and broken ground in the hollows of the mountains, +and were defended by a swarm of active riflemen. Against the quickly +moving figures of the enemy it proved almost useless to fire volleys. +The tribesmen would dart from rock to rock, exposing themselves only for +an instant, and before the attention of a section could be directed to +them and the rifles aimed, the chance and the target would have vanished +together. Better results were obtained by picking out good shots and +giving them permission to fire when they saw their opportunity, without +waiting for the word of command. But speaking generally, infantry should +push on to the attack with the bayonet without wasting much time in +firing, which can only result in their being delayed under the fire of a +well-posted enemy. + +After the capture and destruction of the village, the troops had always +to return to camp, and a retirement became necessary. The difficulty of +executing such an operation in the face of an active and numerous enemy, +armed with modern rifles, was great. I had the opportunity of witnessing +six of these retirements from the rear companies. Five were fortunate +and one was disastrous, but all were attended with loss, and as +experienced officers have informed me, with danger. As long as no one is +hit everything is successful, but as soon as a few men are wounded, the +difficulties begin. No sooner has a point been left--a knoll, a patch of +corn, some rocks, or any other incident of ground--than it is seized by +the enemy. With their excellent rifles, they kill or wound two or three +of the retiring company, whose somewhat close formation makes them a +good mark. Now, in civilised war these wounded would be left on the +ground, and matters arranged next day by parley. But on the frontier, +where no quarter is asked or given, to carry away the wounded is a +sacred duty. It is also the strenuous endeavour of every regiment to +carry away their dead. The vile and horrid mutilations which the +tribesmen inflict on all bodies that fall into their hands, and the +insults to which they expose them, add, to unphilosophic minds, another +terror to death. Now, it takes at least four men, and very often more, +to carry away a body. Observe the result. Every man hit, means five +rifles withdrawn from the firing line. Ten men hit, puts a company out +of action, as far as fighting power is concerned. The watchful enemy +press. The groups of men bearing the injured are excellent targets. +Presently the rear-guard is encumbered with wounded. Then a vigorous +charge with swords is pushed home. Thus, a disaster occurs. + +Watching the progress of events, sometimes from one regiment, sometimes +from another, I observed several ways by which these difficulties could +be avoided. The Guides, long skilled in frontier war, were the most +valuable instructors. As the enemy seize every point as soon as it is +left, all retirements should be masked by leaving two or three men +behind from each company. These keep up a brisk fire, and after the +whole company have taken up a new position, or have nearly done so, they +run back and join them. Besides this, the fire of one company in +retiring should always be arranged to cover another, and at no moment in +a withdrawal should the firing ever cease. The covering company should +be actually in position before the rear company begins to move, and +should open fire at once. I was particularly struck on 18th September by +the retirement of the Guides Infantry. These principles were carried out +with such skill and thoroughness that, though the enemy pressed +severely, only one man was wounded. The way in which Major Campbell, the +commanding officer, availed himself of the advantages of retiring down +two spurs and bringing a cross fire to bear to cover the alternate +retirements, resembled some intricate chess problem, rather than a +military evolution. + +The power of the new Lee-Metford rifle with the new Dum-Dum bullet--it +is now called, though not officially, the "ek-dum" [Hindustani for "at +once."] bullet--is tremendous. The soldiers who have used it have the +utmost confidence in their weapon. Up to 500 yards there is no +difficulty about judging the range, as it shoots quite straight, or, +technically speaking, has a flat trajectory. This is of the greatest +value. Of the bullet it may be said, that its stopping power is all that +could be desired. The Dum-Dum bullet, though not explosive, is +expansive. The original Lee-Metford bullet was a pellet of lead covered +by a nickel case with an opening at the base. In the improved bullet +this outer case has been drawn backward, making the hole in the base a +little smaller and leaving the lead at the tip exposed. The result is a +wonderful and from the technical point of view a beautiful machine. On +striking a bone this causes the bullet to "set up" or spread out, and it +then tears and splinters everything before it, causing wounds which in +the body must be generally mortal and in any limb necessitate +amputation. Continental critics have asked whether such a bullet is not +a violation of the Geneva or St. Petersburg Conventions; but no clause +of these international agreements forbids expansive bullets, and the +only provision on the subject is that shells less than a certain size +shall not be employed. I would observe that bullets are primarily +intended to kill, and that these bullets do their duty most effectually, +without causing any more pain to those struck by them, than the ordinary +lead variety. As the enemy obtained some Lee-Metford rifles and Dum-Dum +ammunition during the progress of the fighting, information on this +latter point is forthcoming. The sensation is described as similar to +that produced by any bullet--a violent numbing blow, followed by a sense +of injury and weakness, but little actual pain at the time. Indeed, now- +a-days, very few people are so unfortunate as to suffer much pain from +wounds, except during the period of recovery. A man is hit. In a quarter +of an hour, that is to say, before the shock has passed away and the +pain begins, he is usually at the dressing station. Here he is given +morphia injections, which reduce all sensations to a uniform dullness. In +this state he remains until he is placed under chloroform and operated +on. + +The necessity for having the officers in the same dress as the men, was +apparent to all who watched the operations. The conspicuous figure which +a British officer in his helmet presented in contrast to the native +soldiers in their turbans, drew a well-aimed fire in his direction. Of +course, in British regiments, the difference is not nearly so marked. +Nevertheless, at close quarters the keen-eyed tribesmen always made an +especial mark of the officers, distinguishing them chiefly, I think, by +the fact that they do not carry rifles. The following story may show how +evident this was:-- + +When the Buffs were marching down to Panjkora, they passed the Royal +West Kent coming up to relieve them at Inayat Kila. A private in the +up-going regiment asked a friend in the Buffs what it was like at the +front. "Oh," replied the latter, "you'll be all right so long as you +don't go near no officers, nor no white stones." Whether the advice was +taken is not recorded, but it was certainly sound, for three days later +--on 30th September--in those companies of the Royal West Kent regiment +that were engaged in the village of Agrah, eight out of eleven officers +were hit or grazed by bullets. + +The fatigues experienced by troops in mountain warfare are so great, +that every effort has to be made to lighten the soldier's load. At the +same time the more ammunition he carries on his person the better. Mules +laden with cartridge-boxes are very likely to be shot, and fall into the +hands of the enemy. In this manner over 6000 rounds were lost on the +16th of September by the two companies of Sikhs whose retirement I have +described. + +The thick leather belts, pouches, and valise equipment of British +infantry are unnecessarily heavy. I have heard many officers suggest +having them made of web. The argument against this is that the web wears +out. That objection could be met by having a large supply of these +equipments at the base and issuing fresh ones as soon as the old were +unfit for use. It is cheaper to wear out belts than soldiers. + +Great efforts should be made to give the soldier a piece of chocolate, a +small sausage, or something portable and nutritious to carry with him to +the field. In a war of long marches, of uncertain fortunes, of +retirements often delayed and always pressed, there have been many +occasions when regiments and companies have unexpectedly had to stop out +all night without food. It is well to remember that the stomach governs +the world. + +The principle of concentrating artillery has long been admitted in +Europe. Sir Bindon Blood is the first general who has applied it to +mountain warfare in India. It had formerly been the custom to use the +guns by twos and threes. As we have seen, at the action of Landakai, the +Malakand Field Force had eighteen guns in action, of which twelve were +in one line. The fire of this artillery drove the enemy, who were in +great strength and an excellent position, from the ground. The infantry +attack was accomplished with hardly any loss, and a success was obtained +at a cost of a dozen lives which would have been cheap at a hundred. + +After this, it may seem strange if I say that the artillery fire in the +Mamund Valley did very little execution. It is nevertheless a fact. The +Mamunds are a puny tribe, but they build their houses in the rocks; and +against sharpshooters in broken ground, guns can do little. Through +field-glasses it was possible to see the enemy dodging behind their +rocks, whenever the puffs of smoke from the guns told them that a shell +was on its way. Perhaps smokeless powder would have put a stop to this. +But in any case, the targets presented to the artillery were extremely +bad. + +Where they really were of great service, was not so much in killing the +enemy, but in keeping them from occupying certain spurs and knolls. On +30th September, when the Royal West Kent and the 31st Punjaub Infantry +were retiring under considerable pressure, the British Mountain Battery +moved to within 700 yards of the enemy, and opened a rapid fire of +shrapnel on the high ground which commanded the line of retreat, killing +such of the tribesmen as were there, and absolutely forbidding the hill +to their companions. + +In all rearguard actions among the mountains the employment of artillery +is imperative. Even two guns may materially assist the extrication of +the infantry from the peaks and crags of the hillside, and prevent by +timely shells the tribesmen from seizing each point as soon as it is +evacuated. But there is no reason why the artillery should be stinted, +and at least two batteries, if available, should accompany a brigade to +the attack. + +Signalling by heliograph was throughout the operations of the greatest +value. I had always realised the advantages of a semi-permanent line of +signal stations along the communications to the telegraph, but I had +doubted the practicability of using such complicated arrangements in +action. In this torrid country, where the sun is always shining, the +heliograph is always useful. As soon as any hill was taken, +communication was established with the brigadier, and no difficulty +seemed to be met with, even while the attack was in progress, in sending +messages quickly and clearly. In a country intersected by frequent +ravines, over which a horse can move but slowly and painfully, it is the +surest, the quickest, and indeed the only means of intercommunication. I +am delighted to testify to these things, because I had formerly been a +scoffer. + +I have touched on infantry and artillery, and, though a previous chapter +has been almost wholly devoted to the cavalry, I cannot resist the +desire to get back to the horses and the lances again. The question of +sword or lance as the cavalryman's weapon has long been argued, and it +may be of interest to consider what are the views of those whose +experience is the most recent. Though I have had no opportunity of +witnessing the use of the lance, I have heard the opinions of many +officers both of the Guides and the 11th Bengal Lancers. All admit or +assert that the lance is in this warfare the better weapon. It kills +with more certainty and convenience, and there is less danger of the +horseman being cut down. As to length, the general opinion seems to be +in favour of a shorter spear. This, with a counter poise at the butt, +gives as good a reach and is much more useful for close quarters. Major +Beatson, one of the most distinguished cavalry officers on the frontier, +is a strong advocate of this. Either the pennon should be knotted, or a +boss of some sort affixed about eighteen inches below the point. Unless +this be done there is a danger of the lance penetrating too far, when it +either gets broken or allows the enemy to wriggle up and strike the +lancer. This last actually happened on several occasions. + +Now, in considering the question to what extent a squadron should be +armed with lances, the system adopted by the Guides may be of interest. +In this warfare it is very often necessary for the cavalryman to +dismount and use his carbine. The lance then gets in the way and has to +be tied to the saddle. This takes time, and there is usually not much +time to spare in cavalry skirmishing. The Guides compromise matters by +giving one man in every four a lance. This man, when the others +dismount, stays in the saddle and holds their horses. They also give the +outer sections of each squadron lances, and these, too, remain mounted, +as the drill-book enjoins. But I become too technical. + +I pass for a moment to combined tactics. In frontier warfare Providence +is on the side of the good band-o-bust [arrangements]. There are no +scenic effects or great opportunities, and the Brigadier who leaves the +mountains with as good a reputation as he entered them has proved +himself an able, sensible man. The general who avoids all "dash," who +never starts in the morning looking for a fight and without any definite +intention, who does not attempt heroic achievements, and who keeps his +eye on his watch, will have few casualties and little glory. For the +enemy do not become formidable until a mistake has been made. The public +who do not believe in military operations without bloodshed may be +unattentive. His subordinate officers may complain that they have had no +fighting. But in the consciousness of duty skillfully performed and of +human life preserved he will find a high reward. + +A general review of the frontier war will, I think, show the great +disadvantages to which regular troops are exposed in fighting an active +enterprising enemy that can move faster and shoot better, who knows the +country and who knows the ranges. The terrible losses inflicted on the +tribesmen in the Swat Valley show how easily disciplined troops can +brush away the bravest savages in the open. But on the hillside all is +changed, and the observer will be struck by the weakness rather than the +strength of modern weapons. Daring riflemen, individually superior to +the soldiers, and able to support the greatest fatigues, can always +inflict loss, although they cannot bar their path. + +The military problem with which the Spaniards are confronted in Cuba is +in many points similar to that presented in the Afghan valleys; a +roadless, broken and undeveloped country; an absence of any strategic +points; a well-armed enemy with great mobility and modern rifles, who +adopts guerilla tactics. The results in either case are, that the troops +can march anywhere, and do anything, except catch the enemy; and that +all their movements must be attended with loss. + +If the question of subduing the tribes be regarded from a purely +military standpoint, if time were no object, and there was no danger of +a lengthy operation being interrupted by a change of policy at home, it +would appear that the efforts of commanders should be, to induce the +tribesmen to assume the offensive. On this point I must limit my remarks +to the flat-bottomed valleys of Swat and Bajaur. To coerce a tribe like +the Mamunds, a mixed brigade might camp at the entrance to the valley, +and as at Inayat Kila, entrench itself very strongly. The squadron of +cavalry could patrol the valley daily in complete security, as the +tribesmen would not dare to leave the hills. All sowing of crops and +agricultural work would be stopped. The natives would retaliate by +firing into the camp at night. This would cause loss; but if every one +were to dig a good hole to sleep in, and if the officers were made to +have dinner before sundown, and forbidden to walk about except on duty +after dark, there is no reason why the loss should be severe. At length +the tribesmen, infuriated by the occupation of their valley, and perhaps +rendered desperate by the approach of famine and winter, would make a +tremendous attempt to storm the camp. With a strong entrenchment, a wire +trip to break a rush, and modern rifles, they would be driven off with +great slaughter, and once severely punished would probably beg for +terms. If not, the process would be continued until they did so. + +Such a military policy would cost about the same in money as the +vigorous methods I have described, as though smaller numbers of troops +might be employed, they would have to remain mobilised and in the field +for a longer period. But the loss in personnel would be much less. As +good an example of the success of this method as can be found, is +provided by Sir Bindon Blood's tactics at Nawagai, when, being too weak +to attack the enemy himself, he encouraged them to attack him, and then +beat them off with great loss. + +From the point which we have now reached, it is possible, and perhaps +not undesirable, to take a rapid yet sweeping glance of the larger +military problems of the day. We have for some years adopted the "short +service" system. It is a continental system. It has many disadvantages. +Troops raised under it suffer from youth, want of training and lack of +regimental associations. But on the Continent it has this one, paramount +recommendation: it provides enormous numbers. The active army is merely +a machine for manufacturing soldiers quickly, and passing them into the +reserves, to be stored until they are wanted. European nations deal with +soldiers only in masses. Great armies of men, not necessarily of a high +standard of courage and training, but armed with deadly weapons, are +directed against one another, under varying strategical conditions. +Before they can rebound, thousands are slaughtered and a great battle +has been won or lost. The average courage of the two nations may perhaps +have been decided. The essence of the continental system is its gigantic +scale. + +We have adopted this system in all respects but one, and that the vital +one. We have got the poor quality, without the great quantity. We have, +by the short service system, increased our numbers a little, and +decreased our standard a good deal. The reason that this system, which +is so well adapted to continental requirements, confers no advantages +upon us is obvious. Our army is recruited by a voluntary system. Short +service and conscription are inseparable. For this reason, several stern +soldiers advocate conscription. But many words will have to be spoken, +many votes voted, and perhaps many blows struck before the British +people would submit to such an abridgment of their liberties, or such a +drag upon their commerce. It will be time to make such sacrifices when +the English Channel runs dry. + +Without conscription we cannot have great numbers. It should therefore +be our endeavour to have those we possess of the best quality; and our +situation and needs enforce this view. Our soldiers are not required to +operate in great masses, but very often to fight hand to hand. Their +campaigns are not fought in temperate climates and civilised countries. +They are sent beyond the seas to Africa or the Indian frontier, and +there, under a hot sun and in a pestilential land, they are engaged in +individual combat with athletic savages. They are not old enough for the +work. + +Young as they are, their superior weapons and the prestige of the +dominant race enable them to maintain their superiority over the native +troops. But in the present war several incidents have occurred, +unimportant, insignificant, it is true, but which, in the interests of +Imperial expediency, are better forgotten. The native regiments are ten +years older than the British regiments. Many of their men have seen +service and have been under fire. Some of them have several medals. All, +of course, are habituated to the natural conditions. It is evident how +many advantages they enjoy. It is also apparent how very serious the +consequences would be if they imagined they possessed any superiority. +That such an assumption should even be possible is a menace to our very +existence in India. Intrinsic merit is the only title of a dominant race +to its possessions. If we fail in this it is not because our spirit is +old and grown weak, but because our soldiers are young, and not yet +grown strong. + +Boys of twenty-one and twenty-two are expected to compete on equal terms +with Sikhs and Gurkhas of thirty, fully developed and in the prime of +life. It is an unfair test. That they should have held their own is a +splendid tribute to the vigour of our race. The experiment is dangerous, +and it is also expensive. We continue to make it because the idea is +still cherished that British armies will one day again play a part in +continental war. When the people of the United Kingdom are foolish +enough to allow their little army to be ground to fragments between +continental myriads, they will deserve all the misfortunes that will +inevitably come upon them. + +I am aware that these arguments are neither original nor new. I have +merely arranged them. I am also aware that there are able, brilliant men +who have spent their lives in the service of the State, who do not take +the views I have quoted. The question has been regarded from an Indian +point of view. There is probably no colonel in India, who commands a +British regiment, who would not like to see his men five years older. It +may be that the Indian opinion on the subject is based only on partial +information, and warped by local circumstances. Still I have thought it +right to submit it to the consideration of the public, at a time when +the army has been filling such a prominent position, not only in the +Jubilee procession and the frontier war, but also in the estimates +presented to the House of Commons. + +Passing from the concrete to the abstract, it may not be unfitting that +these pages, which have recorded so many valiant deeds, should contain +some brief inquiry into the nature of those motives which induce men to +expose themselves to great hazards, and to remain in situations of +danger. The circumstances of war contain every element that can shake +the nerves. The whizzing of the projectiles; the shouts and yells of a +numerous and savage enemy; the piteous aspect of the wounded, covered +with blood and sometimes crying out in pain; the spurts of dust which on +all sides show where Fate is stepping--these are the sights and sounds +which assail soldiers, whose development and education enable them to +fully appreciate their significance. And yet the courage of the soldier +is the commonest of virtues. Thousands of men, drawn at random from the +population, are found to control the instinct of self-preservation. Nor +is this courage peculiar to any particular nation. Courage is not only +common, but cosmopolitan. But such are the apparent contradictions of +life, that this virtue, which so many seem to possess, all hold the +highest. There is probably no man, however miserable, who would not +writhe at being exposed a coward. Why should the common be precious? +What is the explanation? + +It appears to be this. The courage of the soldier is not really contempt +for physical evils and indifference to danger. It is a more or less +successful attempt to simulate these habits of mind. Most men aspire to +be good actors in the play. There are a few who are so perfect that they +do not seem to be actors at all. This is the ideal after which the rest +are striving. It is one very rarely attained. + +Three principal influences combine to assist men in their attempts: +preparation, vanity and sentiment. The first includes all the force of +discipline and training. The soldier has for years contemplated the +possibility of being under fire. He has wondered vaguely what kind of an +experience it would be. He has seen many who have gone through it and +returned safely. His curiosity is excited. Presently comes the occasion. +By road and railway he approaches daily nearer to the scene. His mind +becomes familiar with the prospect. His comrades are in the same +situation. Habit, behind which force of circumstances is concealed, +makes him conform. At length the hour arrives. He observes the darting +puffs of smoke in the distance. He listens to the sounds that are in the +air. Perhaps he hears something strike with a thud and sees a soldier +near him collapse like a shot pheasant. He realises that it may be his +turn next. Fear grips him by the throat. + +Then vanity, the vice which promotes so many virtues, asserts itself. He +looks at his comrades and they at him. So far he has shown no sign of +weakness. He thinks, they are thinking him brave. The dearly longed-for +reputation glitters before his eyes. He executes the orders he receives. + +But something else is needed to made a hero. Some other influence must +help him through the harder trials and more severe ordeals which may +befall him. It is sentiment which makes the difference in the end. Those +who doubt should stroll to the camp fire one night and listen to the +soldiers' songs. Every one clings to something that he thinks is high +and noble, or that raises him above the rest of the world in the hour of +need. Perhaps he remembers that he is sprung from an ancient stock, and +of a race that has always known how to die; or more probably it is +something smaller and more intimate; the regiment, whatever it is +called--"The Gordons," "The Buffs," "The Queen's,"--and so nursing the +name--only the unofficial name of an infantry battalion after all--he +accomplishes great things and maintains the honour and the Empire of the +British people. + +It may be worth while, in the matter of names, to observe the advantages +to a regiment of a monosyllabic appellation. Every one will remember +Lieut.-Colonel Mathias' speech to the Gordons. Imagine for a moment that +speech addressed to some regiment saddled with a fantastic title on the +territorial system, as, for instance, Mr. Kipling's famous regiment, +"The Princess Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen-Anspach's Merthyr Tydvilshire Own +Royal Loyal Light Infantry." With the old numbers all started on equal +terms. + +This has been perhaps a cold-blooded chapter. We have considered men as +targets; tribesmen, fighting for their homes and hills, have been +regarded only as the objective of an attack; killed and wounded human +beings, merely as the waste of war. We have even attempted to analyse +the high and noble virtue of courage, in the hopes of learning how it +may be manufactured. + +The philosopher may observe with pity, and the philanthropist deplore +with pain, that the attention of so many minds should be directed to the +scientific destruction of the human species; but practical people in a +business-like age will remember that they live in a world of men--not +angels--and regulate their conduct accordingly. + + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. AND LAST. : THE RIDDLE OF THE FRONTIER + + + "Myself when young did eagerly frequent + Doctor and saint, and heard great argument + About it and about, but evermore + Came out by the same door wherein I went." + + OMAR KHAYYAM. + + + +These pages, which have chronicled a variety of small incidents, have +hitherto concerned themselves little with the great matters out of which +those incidents have arisen. As an opening chapter should lead the +reader to expect the considerations that the book contains, so the +conclusion should express the opinion he might form from the perusal. +When, at an earlier period, I refrained from discussing the question of +frontier policy, I declared that its consideration was only postponed +until a more propitious moment. That moment now presents itself. There +will not be wanting those who will remind me, that in this matter my +opinion is not supported by age or experience. To such I shall reply, +that if what is written is false or foolish, neither age nor experience +should fortify it; and if it is true, it needs no such support. The +propositions of Euclid would be no less indisputable were they +propounded by an infant or an idiot. + +The inquirer sees the vast question unfold itself with feelings like +those with which the fisherman in the old story watched the genius he +had unwittingly released, rise from the bottle in clouds of smoke, which +overspread the whole sky. Every moment the subject appears not only +wider but deeper. When I reflect on the great number of diverse and +often conflicting facts which may be assembled under every head-- +military, economic, political or moral--and consider the accumulations +of specialised and technical knowledge necessary for their proper +appreciation, I am convinced that to compass the whole is beyond the +mind and memory of man. Of such a question it is difficult to take broad +views, and dangerous to generalise. Still less is it possible, as many +people appear to imagine, to settle it with a phrase or an epigram. A +point is reached where all relation between detail and proportion is +lost. It is a picture of such great size that to see it all, it is +necessary to stand so far off that neither colours nor figures are +distinguishable. By constantly changing the point of view, some true +perspective is possible, and even then the conception must be twisted +and distorted, by the imperfections of the mental mirror. + +Sensible of the magnitude of the task, and conscious of my own weakness, +I propose to examine in a spirit of cautious inquiry and of tolerance +the present "Forward Policy," and thence to approach the main question, +to the answer of which that policy is only a guess. + +I must revert to a period when the British power, having conquered the +plains of India and subdued its sovereigns, paused at the foot of the +Himalayas and turned its tireless energy to internal progress and +development. The "line of the mountains" formed a frontier as plain and +intelligible as that which defines the limits of the sea. To the south +lay the British Empire in India; to the north were warlike tribes, +barbarous, unapproachable, irreclaimable; and far beyond these, lay the +other great Power of Asia. + +It was long the wisdom of Anglo-Indian statesmen to preserve a situation +which contained so many elements of finality, and so many guarantees of +peace. When the northern savages, impelled by fanaticism or allured by +plunder, descended from the mountains and invaded the plains, they were +met by equal courage and superior discipline, and driven in disorder to +their confines. But this was found to be an inadequate deterrent, and +the purely defensive principle had to be modified in favor of that +system of punitive expeditions which has been derided as the policy of +"Butcher and Bolt." + +Gradually, as the circumstances altered, the methods of dealing with +them changed. The punitive expeditions had awakened an intense hostility +among the tribesmen. The intrigues of Russia had for some time been +watched with alarm by the Indian Government. As long as the border could +remain a "No-man's land"--as it were a "great gulf fixed"--all was well; +but if any power was to be supreme, that power must neither be Russia +nor Afghanistan. ["We shall consider it from the first incumbent upon +the Government of India to prevent, at any cost, the establishment +within this outlying country of the political preponderance of any other +power."--Letter from Government of India to the Secretary of State, +No.49, 28th February, 1879.] The predominance of Russian influence in +these territories would give them the power to invade India at their +discretion, with what chances of success need not be here discussed. The +predominance of Afghan influence would make the Amir master of the +situation, and enable him to blackmail the Indian Government +indefinitely. A change of policy, a departure from the old frontier +line, presented itself with increasing force to responsible men. To-day +we see the evils that have resulted from that change. The dangers that +inspired it have been modified. + +For some years the opinion in favour of an advance grew steadily among +those in power in India. In 1876 a decisive step was taken. Roused by +the efforts of the Amir to obtain the suzerainty of the Pathan tribes, +Lord Lytton's Government stretched a hand through Cashmere towards +Chitral, and the Mehtar of that State became the vassal, nominally of +the Maharaja of Cashmere, but practically of the Imperial Government. +The avowed object was to ultimately secure the effectual command of the +passes of the Hindu Kush. [Despatch No.17, 11th June, 1877.] The British +Ministry, the famous ministry of Lord Beaconsfield, approved the action +and endorsed the policy. Again, in 1879, the Vice-regal Government, in +an official despatch, declared their intention of acquiring, "through +the ruler of Cashmere, the power of making such political and military +arrangements as will effectually command the passes of the Hindu Kush." +[Despatch No.49, 28th February, 1879.] "If," so runs the despatch, "we +*extend and by degrees consolidate our influence* [The italics are mine] +over this country, and if we resolve that no foreign interference can be +permitted on this side of the mountains or within the drainage system of +the Indus, we shall have laid down a natural line of frontier, which is +distinct, intelligible and likely to be respected." [Despatch No.49, +28th February, 1879.] + +No declaration of policy or intention could have been more explicit. The +words to "extend and consolidate our influence" can, when applied to +barbarous peoples, have no other meaning than ultimate annexation. Thus +the scheme of an advance from the plains of India into the mountain +region, which had long been maturing in men's minds and which was shaped +and outlined by many small emergencies and expedients, was clearly +proclaimed. The forward movement had begun. A fresh and powerful impulse +was imparted after the termination of Lord Ripon's viceroyalty. The open +aggression which characterised the Russian frontier policy of '84 and +'85 had been met by a supine apathy and indifference to the interests of +the State, which deserved, and which, had the issues been less +important, might have received actual punishment. It was natural that +his immediate successors should strive to dissociate themselves from the +follies and the blunders of those years. The spirit of reaction led to +the final abandonment of the venerable policy of non-intervention. +Instead of the "line of the mountains," it was now maintained that the +passes through them must be held. This is the so-called "Forward +Policy." It is a policy which aims at obtaining the frontier--Gilgit, +Chitral, Jelalabad, Kandahar. + +In pursuance of that policy we have been led to build many frontier +forts, to construct roads, to annex territories, and to enter upon more +intimate relations with the border tribes. The most marked incident in +that policy has been the retention of Chitral. This act was regarded by +the tribesmen as a menace to their independence, and by the priesthood +as the prelude to a general annexation. Nor were they wrong, for such is +the avowed aim of the "Forward Policy." The result of the retention of +Chitral has been, as I have already described, that the priesthood, +knowing that their authority would be weakened by civilisation, have +used their religious influence on the people to foment a general rising. + +It is useless to discuss the Chitral question independently. If the +"Forward Policy" be justified, then the annexation of Chitral, its +logical outcome, is also justified. The bye and the main plots stand or +fall together. + +So far then we have advanced and have been resisted. The "Forward +Policy" has brought an increase of territory, a nearer approach to what +is presumably a better frontier line and--war. All this was to have been +expected. It may be said of the present system that it precludes the +possibility of peace. Isolated posts have been formed in the midst of +races notoriously passionate, reckless and warlike. They are challenges. +When they are assailed by the tribesmen, relieving and punitive +expeditions become necessary. All this is the outcome of a recognised +policy, and was doubtless foreseen by those who initiated it. What may +be called strange is that the forts should be badly constructed-- +cramped, as the Malakand positions; commanded, like Chakdara; without +flank defences, as at Saraghari; without proper garrisons, as in the +Khyber. This is a side issue and accidental. The rest of the situation +has been deliberately created. + +The possibility of a great combination among the border tribes was +indeed not contemplated. Separated by distance, and divided by faction, +it was anticipated they could be dealt with in detail. On this point we +have been undeceived. + +That period of war and disturbance which was the inevitable first +consequence of the "Forward Policy" must in any case have been disturbed +and expensive. Regarded from an economic standpoint, the trade of the +frontier valleys will never pay a shilling in the pound on the military +expenditure necessary to preserve order. Morally, it is unfortunate for +the tribesmen that our spheres of influence clash with their spheres of +existence. Even on the military question, a purely technical question, +as to whether an advanced frontier line is desirable or not, opinion is +divided. Lord Roberts says one thing; Mr. Morley another. + +There is no lack of arguments against the "Forward Policy." There are +many who opposed its initiation. There are many who oppose it now; who +think that nothing should have lured the Government of India beyond +their natural frontier line, and who maintain that it would have been +both practical and philosophic had they said: "Over all the plains +of India will we cast our rule. There we will place our governors and +magistrates; our words shall be respected and our laws obeyed. But that +region, where the land rises like the waves of a sea, shall serve us as +a channel of stormy waters to divide us from our foes and rivals." + +But it is futile to engage in the controversies of the past. There are +sufficient in the present, and it is with the present we are concerned. + +We have crossed the Rubicon. In the opinion of all those who know most +about the case, the forward movement is now beyond recall. Indeed, when +the intense hostility of the Border tribes, the uncertain attitude of +the Amir, the possibilities of further Russian aggression and the state +of feeling in India are considered, it is difficult to dispute this +judgment. Successive Indian Administrations have urged, successive +English Cabinets have admitted, the necessity of finding a definite and +a defensible frontier. The old line has been left, and between that line +and an advanced line continuous with Afghan territory, and south of +which all shall be reduced to law and order, there does not appear to be +any prospect of a peaceful and permanent settlement. + +The responsibility of placing us in this position rests with those who +first forsook the old frontier policy of holding the "line of the +mountains." The historian of the future, with impartial pen and a more +complete knowledge, must pronounce on the wisdom of their act. In the +meantime it should be remembered of these great men, that they left +their public offices amid the applause and admiration of their +contemporaries, and, "in the full tide of successful experiment." Nor +can so much be said of all those who have assailed them. Those who +decided, have accepted the responsibility, and have defended their +action. But I am inclined to think that the rulers of India, ten years +ago or a hundred years ago, were as much the sport of circumstances as +their successors are to-day. + +Let us return to the present and our own affairs. We have embarked on +stormy and perilous waters. The strong current of events forbids return. +The sooner the farther shore is reached, the sooner will the dangers and +discomforts of the voyage be over. All are anxious to make the land. The +suggestions as to the course are numerous. There are some, bad and +nervous sailors perhaps, who insist upon returning, although they are +told it is impossible, and who would sink the ship sooner than go on, +were they not outnumbered by their shipmates. While they are delaying, +the current bears us towards more disturbed waters and more rocky +landing places. + +There are others who call out for "Full steam ahead," and would +accomplish the passage at once, whatever the risks. But alas! The ship +is run out of coal and can only spread its sails to the varying breezes, +take advantage of favorable tides, and must needs lie to when the waves +are high. + +But the sensible passenger may, though he knows the difficulties of the +voyage and the dangers of the sea, fairly ask the man at the wheel to +keep a true and constant course. He may with reason and justice insist +that, whatever the delays which the storms or accidents may cause, the +head of the vessel shall be consistently pointed towards the distant +port, and that come what will she shall not be allowed to drift +aimlessly hither and thither on the chance of fetching up somewhere some +day. + +The "Full steam ahead" method would be undoubtedly the most desirable. +This is the military view. Mobilise, it is urged, a nice field force, +and operate at leisure in the frontier valleys, until they are as safe +and civilised as Hyde Park. Nor need this course necessarily involve the +extermination of the inhabitants. Military rule is the rule best suited +to the character and comprehension of the tribesmen. They will soon +recognise the futility of resistance, and will gradually welcome the +increase of wealth and comfort that will follow a stable government. +Besides this, we shall obtain a definite frontier almost immediately. +Only one real objection has been advanced against this plan. But it is a +crushing one, and it constitutes the most serious argument against the +whole "Forward Policy." It is this: we have neither the troops nor the +money to carry it out. + +The inevitable alternative is the present system, a system which the war +has interrupted, but to which we must return at its close; a system of +gradual advance, of political intrigue among the tribes, of subsidies +and small expeditions. + +Though this policy is slow, painful and somewhat undignified, there is +no reason that it should not be sure and strong. But it must be +consistently pursued. Dynamite in the hands of a child is not more +dangerous than a strong policy weakly carried out. The reproach which +may be justly laid upon the rulers of India, whether at home or abroad, +is that while they recognise the facts, they shrink from the legitimate +conclusions. + +They know they cannot turn back. They fully intend to go on. Yet they +fear to admit the situation, to frankly lay their case before the +country, and trust to the good sense and courage of an ancient +democracy. The result is, that they tie their hands by ridiculous and +unnecessary proclamations, such as that which preceded the Chitral +expedition of 1895. The political officers who watch the frontier tribes +are expected to obtain authority by force of personal character, yet +strictly according to regulations, and to combine individuality with +uniformity. And sometimes this timidity leads to such dismal acts of +folly as the desertion of the Khyber forts. + +But in spite of all obstacles and errors there is a steady advance, +which may be accelerated, and made easier, by many small reforms. These +questions of detail approach so near the province of the specialist, +that I shall not attempt to enumerate or discuss them. It is suggested +among other things that wider powers should be given to the political +officers, in their ordinary duties of peace. Others advocate occasional +demonstrations of troops, to impress the tribesmen with the fact that +those they see are not the full strength of the Sirkar. Bolder minds +have hinted at transplanting young Pathans, and educating them in India +after the custom of the Romans. But this last appears to be suitable to +a classic rather than a Christian age. + +From a general survey of the people and the country, it would seem that +silver makes a better weapon than steel. A system of subsidies must tend +to improve our relations with the tribes, enlist their interests on the +side of law and order, and by increasing their wealth, lessen their +barbarism. In the matter of the supply of arms the Government would find +it cheaper to enter the market as a purchaser, and have agents to outbid +the tribesmen, rather than to employ soldiers. As water finds its own +level, so the laws of economics will infallibly bring commodities to the +highest bidder. Doubtless there are many other lessons which the present +war will have taught. These may lighten a task which, though long and +heavy, is not beyond the powers or pluck of the British people. + +We are at present in a transition stage, nor is the manner nor occasion +of the end in sight. Still this is no time to despair. I have often +noticed in these Afghan valleys, that they seem to be entirely +surrounded by the hills, and to have no exit. But as the column has +advanced, a gap gradually becomes visible and a pass appears. Sometimes +it is steep and difficult, sometimes it is held by the enemy and must be +forced, but I have never seen a valley that had not a way out. That way +we shall ultimately find, if we march with the firm but prudent step of +men who know the dangers; but, conscious of their skill and discipline, +do not doubt their ability to deal with them as they shall arise. In +such a spirit I would leave the subject, with one farewell glance. + +Looking on the story of the great frontier war; at all that has been +told, and all that others may tell, there must be many who to-day will +only deplore the losses of brave soldiers and hard-earned money. But +those who from some future age shall, by steady light of history, +dispassionately review the whole situation, its causes, results and +occasion, may find other reflections, as serious perhaps, but less +mournful. The year 1897, in the annals of the British people, was marked +by a declaration to the whole world of their faith in the higher +destinies of their race. If a strong man, when the wine sparkles at the +feast and the lights are bright, boasts of his prowess, it is well he +should have an opportunity of showing in the cold and grey of the +morning that he is no idle braggart. And unborn arbiters, with a wider +knowledge, and more developed brains, may trace in recent events the +influence of that mysterious Power which, directing the progress of our +species, and regulating the rise and fall of Empires, has afforded that +opportunity to a people, of whom at least it may be said, that they have +added to the happiness, the learning and the liberties of mankind. + + + + + APPENDIX. + + EXTRACTS FROM OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. + + + THE ATTACK ON THE MALAKAND. + 26th July -- 1st August, 1897. + + FROM THE DESPATCH OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL W.H. MEIKLEJOHN, C.B., C.M.G. + + FORWARDED TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL IN INDIA BY SIR BINDON BLOOD. + + +43. All have done well, but I should like to bring before His Excellency +for favorable consideration the following names of officers and men:-- + + + 24th Punjaub Infantry. + +Lieut.-Colonel J. Lamb, who, on the first alarm being sounded on the +night of the 26th July, had taken prompt action in reinforcing the +outpost line held by his regiment, and later was of great assistance in +directing the defence of the central enclosure, till he was severely +wounded. + +Captain H.F. Holland showed great courage in assisting to drive a number +of the enemy out of the central enclosure, and was severely wounded in +doing so. + +I would especially wish to mention Lieutenant S.H. Climo, who commanded +the 24th Punjaub Infantry after Lieut.-Colonel Lamb and Captain Holland +had been wounded. This officer has shown soldierly qualities and ability +of the highest order. He has commanded the regiment with dash and +enterprise, and shown a spirit and example which has been followed by +all ranks. I trust His Excellency will be pleased to favourably notice +Lieutenant Climo, who has proved himself an officer who will do well in +any position, and is well worthy of promotion. + +Lieutenant A.K. Rawlins has behaved well all through. I would recommend +him to His Excellency for the plucky way in which he went to the fort on +the 26th July to bring reinforcements, and again for the dash he showed +in leading his men on the 27th and 28th, of which Lieutenant Climo +speaks most highly. + +Lieutenant E.W. Costello, 22nd Punjaub Infantry, temporarily attached to +the 24th Punjaub Infantry, has behaved exceedingly well, and is the +subject of a separate recommendation. + + + 31st Punjaub Infantry. + +Major M.I. Gibbs, who commanded the regiment in the absence of Major +O'Bryen, with skill and in every way to my satisfaction. + +Lieutenant H.B. Ford, Acting-Adjutant, 31st Punjaub Infantry, rendered +valuable assistance in helping to bring in a wounded Sepoy during the +withdrawal from north camp. He also behaved with courage in resisting an +attack of the enemy on the night of the 28th, when he was severely +wounded. + +Surgeon-Lieutenant J.H. Hugo, attached to 31st Punjaub Infantry, +rendered valuable service on the night of the 28th in saving Lieutenant +H.B. Ford from bleeding to death. Lieutenant Ford was wounded and a +branch of an artery was cut. There were no means of securing the artery, +and Surgeon-Lieutenant Hugo for two hours stopped the bleeding by +compressing the artery with his fingers. Had be not had the strength to +do so, Lieutenant Ford must have died. Early in the morning, thinking +that the enemy had effected an entrance into camp, Surgeon-Lieutenant +Hugo picked up Lieutenant Ford with one arm, and, still holding the +artery with the fingers of the other hand, carried him to a place of +safety. + + + 45th (Rattray's) Sikhs. + +Colonel H.A. Sawyer was away on leave when hostilities broke out, but he +returned on the 29th and took over command of the regiment from Lieut.- +Colonel McRae, and from that time rendered me every assistance. + +I would specially bring to the notice of His Excellency the Commander- +in-chief the name of Lieut.-Colonel H.N. McRae, who commanded the +regiment on the 26th, 27th and 28th. His prompt action in seizing the +gorge at the top of the Buddhist road on the night of the 26th, and the +gallant way in which he held it, undoubtedly saved the camp from being +rushed on that side. For this, and for the able way in which he +commanded the regiment during the first three days of the fighting, I +would commend him to His Excellency's favorable consideration. + +Also Lieutenant R.M. Barff, Officiating-Adjutant of the regiment, who, +Lieut.-Colonel McRae reports, behaved with great courage and rendered +him valuable assistance. + + + The Guides. + +I also wish to bring the name of Lieut.-Colonel R.B. Adams of the Guides +to His Excellency's notice. The prompt way in which the corps mobilised, +and their grand march, reflect great credit on him and the corps. Since +arrival at the Malakand on the 27th July and till the morning of the 1st +August, Lieut.-Colonel Adams was in command of the lower camp, i.e., +that occupied by central and left position, and in the execution of this +command, and the arrangements he made for improving the defenses, he +gave me every satisfaction. I have also to express my appreciation of +the way in which he conducted the cavalry reconnaissance on the 1st +August, on which occasion his horse was shot under him. + +Great credit is due to Lieutenant P.C. Eliott-Lockhart, who was in +command of the Guides Infantry, for bringing up the regiment from Mardan +to Malakand in such good condition after their trying march. + +Captain G.M. Baldwin, D.S.O., behaved with great courage and coolness +during the reconnaissance of the 1st August, and though severely wounded +by a sword cut on the head, he remained on the ground and continued to +lead his men. + +Lieutenant H.L.S. Maclean also behaved with courage, and displayed an +excellent example on the night of the 28th July, when he was severely +wounded. + + + 11th Bengal Lancers. + +Major S. Beatson commanded the squadron, 11th Bengal Lancers, which +arrived at Malakand on the 29th, and led them with great skill and dash +on the occasion of the reconnaissance on the 1st August. + + + No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery. + +Lieutenant F.A. Wynter was the only officer with No.8 Bengal Mountain +Battery from the 26th till the 30th July, and he commanded it during +that time, when all the severest of the fighting was going on, with +great ability, and has proved himself a good soldier. I should like +especially to mention him for His Excellency's consideration. The +battery did excellent work all through. + + + No.5 Company Queen's Own Madras Sappers and Miners. + +Lieutenant A.R. Winsloe, R.E., commanded the company from the 27th July +till the 1st August to my entire satisfaction. His services in +strengthening the defences were invaluable. + +Lieutenant F.W. Watling, R.E., was in command of the company in the +absence of Captain Johnson on the 26th, and commanded it well until he +was wounded in gallantly trying to resist a charge of the enemy. After +Lieutenant Watling was wounded the command of the company for the +remainder of the night of the 26th, and till Lieutenant Winsloe returned +on the 27th, devolved on Lieutenant E.N. Manley, R.E. He performed his +duties with great credit, and afterwards was of great assistance, by his +zeal and his exertions, to Lieutenant Winsloe. + + + Medical Staff. + +Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel F.A. Smyth was most zealous, and +performed his duties to my satisfaction. He volunteered to perform the +duties of Provost Marshal, and did so for a short time during the +illness of Lieutenant H.E. Cotterill. + +The arrangements made by Surgeon-Major S. Hassand, Senior Medical +Officer, 38th Native Field Hospital, and the indefatigable attention and +care with which he devoted himself to the wounded, deserve great praise. +The list of casualties is large, and Surgeon-Major Hassand has been +untiring in his exertions for their relief. I hope His Excellency will +think fit to consider his services favourably. + +Surgeon-Captain T.A.O. Langston, 38th Native Field Hospital, rendered +valuable assistance in attending to the wounded under a heavy fire on +the night of the 26th and each following night, and behaved with courage +and devotion in carrying out his duties under very exceptional +circumstances. Surgeon-Lieutenant W. Carr has worked night and day in +the hospitals, in trying to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded, and +has most ably and efficiently aided Surgeon-Major Hassand. + + + Brigade Staff. + +Major L. Herbert, my Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster- +General, was of the greatest assistance to me by the zeal and energy +with which he performed his duties from the moment the news of the +approach of the enemy was received till he was severely wounded while +standing next to me in the enclosure of the Sappers and Miners' camp on +the night of the 26th. Since being wounded, he has carried on all his +office duties on his bed. I would wish to commend his gallant conduct +for the favorable consideration of the Commander-in-Chief. + +Although Major H.A. Deane is in no way under my authority, I feel I am +under a great obligation to him for the valuable assistance he rendered +me with his advice and for volunteering to put himself at my disposal +with the object of carrying on the active duties of Deputy Assistant +Adjutant-General, when Major Herbert was wounded. He was indefatigable +in assisting me in every way he could, and I am anxious to put on record +my grateful appreciation of the services he rendered me. + +44. The above list of names may appear to be somewhat long; but I would +point out that the fighting was almost constant for a week, and was of +such a close nature as to demand incessant exertion from every officer +in the force, and to elicit constant acts of courage and gallant example +which cannot be overlooked. + +45. I would not like to close this despatch without paying a tribute to +the memory of a fine soldier, and charming companion whose death the +whole force deplores. + +Major W.W. Taylor had behaved with the greatest gallantry and dash in +meeting the enemy's first charge with Lieut.-Colonel McRae, and, had he +lived, he would undoubtedly distinguished himself in his career. His +loss in a heavy one to his regiment, and to the Service, and there is no +one in the brigade who does not mourn him as a friend. + +I have also to deplore the death of Honorary-Lieutenant L. Manley, who +as my Commissariat Officer had rendered me great assistance, and who +died fighting manfully. His loss is a very serious one to the brigade. + +46. I attach separately, for favorable consideration, a list of native +officers, non-commissioned officers and men, who have done especially +good service; some of whom I have therein recommended for the order of +merit. + +I trust these recommendations will meet with the favorable consideration +of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. + + + + + + + THE RELIEF OF CHAKDARA + 2ND AUGUST, 1897 + + FROM THE DESPATCH OF MAJOR-GENERAL + SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + + +19. I have the honour to invite the special attention of His Excellency +the Commander-in-Chief in India to the good services of the following +officers during the operations described above, namely:-- + +Brigadier-General W.H. Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., carried out his duties +in command of the force which relieved Chakdara Fort with great +gallantry and judgment. + +Colonel A.J.F. Reid, Officiating Colonel on the Staff, Malakand Brigade, +afforded me valuable assistance by carrying out the rearrangement of the +defensive posts at the Malakand on the 1st August, after the Relieving +Force had been drawn from them, and in making the preparations for +Colonel T.H. Goldney's attack on the 2nd. + +Colonel T.H. Goldney, 35th Sikhs, disposed and led the troops on the +morning of the 2nd in the successful attack on the hill, since named +after him, in a most judicious and satisfactory manner. + +Major E.A.P. Hobday, R.A., was most energetic and indefatigable in +assisting Colonel A.J.F. Reid and me in carrying out the multifarious +work which had to be done at the Malakand, and in the Swat Valley on the +1st, 2nd and 3rd. + +Brigadier-General Meiklejohn reports favourably on the following +officers who were under his command during the operations above +detailed, viz:-- + +Captain G.F.H. Dillon, 40th Pathans, who acted as Staff Officer to the +Relieving Force, showed great readiness and resource, and his assistance +was of the utmost value. + +Lieutenants C.R. Gaunt, 4th Dragoon Guards, Orderly Officer, and E. +Christian, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Signalling Officer, carried out their +duties most satisfactorily. + +Lieut.-Colonel R.B. Adams, Queen's Own Corps of Guides, commanded the +cavalry (four squadrons) with the Relieving Force in the most gallant +and judicious manner. + +The following officers commanding units and detachments of the Reliving +Force are stated by Brigidier-General Meiklejohn to have carried out +their duties in a thoroughly capable and satisfactory manner, viz.:-- + +Colonel H.A. Sawyer, 45th Sikhs. + +Major Stuart Beatson, 11th Bengal Lancers. + +Captain A.H.C. Birch, R.A. (8th Bengal Mountain Battery). + +Lieutenant G. de H. Smith, 2nd Regiment, Central India Horse, attached +to Queen's Own Corps of Guides (cavalry). + +Lieutenant A.R. Winsloe, R.E. (No.5 Company Queen's Own Sapper's and +Miners). + +Lieutenant P.C. Eliott-Lockhart, Queen's Own Corps of Guides (infantry). + +Surgeon-General H.F. Whitchurch, V.C., attended to the wounded under +fire throughout the fighting. + +The following officers under Colonel T.H. Goldney's command led their +detachments under my own observation with gallantry and judgment, viz.:-- + +Lieut.-Colonel L.J.E. Bradshaw, 35th Sikhs. + +Captain L.C.H. Stainforth, 38th Dogras. + +Jemader Nawab, who commanded two guns of No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery in +support of Colonel Goldney's attack, attracted my favorable notice by +his smartness, quickness and thorough knowledge of his work. + +I would also wish to bring to His Excellency's notice the good work done +by Major H. Burney, Gordon Highlanders, Assistant Adjutant-General; +Major H. Burney, Gordon Highlanders, Assistant Adjutant-General; Major +H. Wharry, D.S.O., Chief Commissariat Officer, and Captain A.B. +Dunsterville, 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment, my Aide-de-Camp; the +only officers of the Divisional Staff of my force who had arrived at the +Malakand on the 2nd August. These officers worked very hard and were of +great use to me. + +20. Major H.A. Deane, C.S.I., Political Agent, Dir and Swat, was not in +any way under my orders during the operations above described, but +notwithstanding, I hope I may be permitted to express the obligations +under which I lie to him for valuable information and general assistance +which he gave me. + + + + THE DEFENCE OF CHAKDARA. + 26TH JULY--2ND AUGUST, 1897. + + FROM THE DESPATCH OF MAJOR-GENERAL + SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + + +15. During the fighting above described, the conduct of the whole of the +garrison, whether fighting men, departmental details, or followers, is +reported to have been most gallant. Not the least marked display of +courage and constancy was that made by the small detachment in the +signal tower, who were without water for the last eighteen hours of the +siege. The signallers, under No.2729, Lance-Naik Vir Singh, 45th Sikhs, +who set a brilliant example, behaved throughout in a most courageous +manner; one of them, No.2829, Sepoy Prem Singh, climbing several times +out of a window in the tower with a heliograph, and signaling outside to +the Malakand under a hot fire from sungars in every direction. + +16. I would beg to recommend all the British and native officers who +took part in the defence I have described for the favorable +consideration of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief as under, viz.:-- + +Captain H. Wright, 11th Bengal Lancers, who, with his detachment of +forty sabres of his regiment, made the gallant ride through the enemy +from the Malakand to Chakdara Fort, on the morning of the 27th July, and +commanded the garrison from that morning till its relief on the 2nd +August. + +Captain D. Baker, 2nd Bombay Infantry, who rode to Chakdara Fort with +Captain Wright, and made himself most useful. Lieutenant H.B. Rattray, +45th Sikhs, who commanded the garrison from the commencement of the +attack on the 26th July till the arrival of Captain Wright the next day, +and is reported by that officer to have been the life and soul of the +defence. 2nd Lieutenant J.L. Wheatley, 45th Sikhs, had charge of the gun +and Maxim detachments, and it was largely owing to his care and judgment +that these weapons were so effective in the defence. + +Lieutenant A.B. Minchin, 25th Punjaub Infantry, Assistant Political +Agent, was in the fort throughout the siege, and was most useful. + +Ressaidar Tilok Singh, 11th Bengal Lancers, accompanied Captain Wright +in his ride of the 27th July, and is very favorably mentioned by that +officer. + +Jemadar Sudama commanded the detachment of the 21st Bengal Lancers who +were at Chakdara Fort on the 26th July, and was present throughout the +siege, and is also very favorably reported on. + +Subadar Jwala Singh, 45th Sikhs, was present throughout the siege, and +showed great intelligence and readiness of resource, as well as courage +and coolness, under fire. + +Jemadar Ala Singh, 45th Sikhs, had command of the sections on the +parapet of the river fort, and showed conspicuous courage and coolness +under heavy fire. + +Lieutenant Rattray reports that No.522 Hospital Assistant Piara Singh, +11th Bengal Lancers, rendered valuable assistance, not only in the +sortie on the 2nd, and at other times in bringing up ammunition, etc., +to the men on the parapets under fire. + +17. I shall further have the honor, in a separate communication, to +submit, for the favorable consideration of His Excellency the Commander- +in-Chief, the names of several non-commissioned officers and men who +distinguished themselves during the siege of Chakdara Fort, in view of +their being granted the order of merit, should His Excellency think them +deserving of that distinction. + + + From Major-General Sir B. Blood, K.C.B., Commanding the Malakand + Field Force, to the Adjutant-General in India,--No.5, "Despatches, + Malakand Field Force,"--Dated 27th October, 1897. + + +I regret to find that in my report, "Despatches, Malakand Field Force," +No.3, of the 20th August, 1897, I omitted to include the name of +Surgeon-Captain E.V. Hugo, Indian Medical Service, amongst those of the +officers recommended to the favorable consideration of His Excellency +the Commander-in-Chief for their services during the recent defence of +Chakdara Fort. I now have great pleasure in stating that Surgeon-General +Hugo served with distinction throughout the defence in question, and in +recommending him for favorable consideration accordingly. + + + + + + + ACTION OF LANDAKAI AND EXPEDITION + INTO UPPER SWAT. + AUGUST, 1987. + + FROM THE DESPATCHES OF MAJOR-GENERAL + SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + + +32. In concluding this part of my report, I would wish to express my +admiration of the fine soldierly qualities exhibited by all ranks of the +special force which I led into Upper Swat. They fought the action at +Landakai in a brilliant manner, working over high hills, under a burning +sun, with the greatest alacrity, and showing everywhere the greatest +keenness to close with the enemy. They carried out admirably the trying +duties necessitated by marching in hot weather with a transport train of +more than 2000 mules, and they endured with perfect cheerfulness the +discomforts of several nights' bivouac in heavy rain. The officers of +the Divisional Staff and of by personal staff who were with me, [Major +H.H. Burney, Assistant Adjutant-General (Gordon Highlanders); Lieut.- +Colonel A. Masters, Assistant Quartermaster-General (2nd Regiment +Central India Horse); Captain H.E. Stanton, Deputy Assistant +Quartermaster-General, Intelligence Branch (Royal Artillery); Colonel W. +Aitken, Colonel on the Staff, Royal Artillery; Captain H.D. Grier, +Adjutant, R.A.; Major E. Blunt, Senior Officer of Royal Engineers; +Captain E.W.M. Norie, Superintendent, Army Signalling (Middlesex +Regiment); Captain C.G.F. Edwards, Provost Marshal (5th Punjaub +Cavalry); Captain A.B. Dunsterville, A.D.C. (1st Battalion East Surrey +Regiment); Captain A.R. Dick, Orderly Officer. BRIGADE STAFF.--Major +E.A.P. Hobday, Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General (Royal Artillery); +Captain G.F.H. Dillon, Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General (40th +Bengal Infantry); Captain C.H. Beville, Commissariat Transport +Department; Captain J.M. Camilleri, in charge of Transport (13th Bengal +Infantry); Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel J.T.B. Bookey, I.M.S.; Lieutenant C.R. +Gaunt, Orderly officer, 4th Dragoon Guards. COMMANDING OFFICERS OF +DIVISIONAL TROOPS.--Lieut.-Colonel R.B. Adams, Queen's Own Corps of +Guides; Major C.A. Anderson, 10th Field Battery, Royal Artillery; Major +M.F. Fegan, No.7 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery; Captain A.H.C. +Birch, No.8 Bengal Mountain Battery; Captain E.P. Johnson, No.5 Company +Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.] Brigadier-General W.H. Meiklejohn, +C.B., C.M.G., and his staff, and the several heads of departments and +commanding officers of Divisional Troops, all carried out their duties +in an entirely satisfactory manner. + +Major H.A. Deane, Political Agent, and his assistant, Lieutenant A.B. +Minchin, gave valuable assistance in collecting intelligence and +supplies. + +33. While the operations above described were in progress, a diversion +was made towards the southern border of the Buner country from Mardan by +the 1st Reserve Brigade, which, on its headquarters leaving Mardan, came +under my command as the 3rd Brigade, Malakand Field Force. + +34. A force [1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, under Lieut.-Colonel +R.D.B. Rutherford; 39th Garhwal Rifles, under Lieut.-Colonel B.C. +Greaves; No.3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners, under Captain C.E. +Baddeley, R.E.; one squadron 10th Bengal Lancers, under Captain W.L. +Maxwell; two guns No.1 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, under +Lieutenant H.L.N. Beynon, R.A.] under Brigadier-General J. Wodehouse, +C.B., C.M.G., was concentrated on the 17th August at Rustum, eighteen +miles north-east of Mardan, and about four miles from the Buner border, +with the object of acting as a containing force, and so preventing the +sections of the Bunerwhals who had not already committed themselves +against us from joining in opposition to our advance into Upper Swat. + +35. The presence of this force had the desired effect, and Brigadier- +General Wodehouse and his staff made good use of the time they spent at +Rustum in acquiring valuable information about several of the passes in +the neighborhood. + +36. Brigadier-General Wodehouse states that throughout the operations of +his force, which involved considerable fatigue and exposure to heat and +rain, the spirit of his troops left nothing to be desired. He makes +special mention of the work of No.3 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners, +under Captain C.E. Baddeley, R.E. He also reports very favourably on the +assistance given him by Lieutenant C.P. Down, Assistant Commissioner, +and has expressed to me a high opinion of that officer's abilities and +acquirements, particularly of his proficiency in the local vernacular. + + + + + THE ACTION OF 16TH SEPTEMBER. + + FROM SIR BINDON BLOOD'S DESPATCH + CONTAINING THE SUMMARY OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL JEFFREY'S + REPORT OF THE ACTION + + +27. The behavior of the troops throughout this trying day was very good. +The steadiness and discipline shown by the 1st Battalion of the Buffs, +under Lieu.-Colonel Ommnanney, were admirable, while Brigadier-General +Jeffreys has specially commended the gallantry with which the Guides +Infantry, under Major Campbell, brought off Captain Ryder's detachment +of the 35th Sikhs, carrying the wounded on their backs under a heavy +fire. He has further strongly endorsed Major Campbell's favourable +mention of the courage and judgment shown by Captain G.B. Hodson, and +Lieutenant H.W. Codrington, of the Guides, who commanded the companies +of the battalion which were chiefly in contact with the enemy; the +gallantry of Surgeon-Captain J. Fisher, Indian Medical Service, who made +a most determined, though unsuccessful, attempt to take medical aid to +the wounded of Captain Ryder's detachment through a hot fire; of +Surgeon-Lieutenant E.L. Perry, Indian Medical Service; of Jemadar +Sikander Khan of the Guides, and of several non-commissioned officers +and Sepoys of the same corps, regarding whom I have had the honour to +make a separate communication. + +28. Brigadier-General Jeffreys has also described in very favorable +terms the gallant and valuable work done on this day by Captain Cole and +his squadron of the 11th Bengal Lancers. He has commended the conduct of +Captain W.I. Ryder and Lieutenant O.G. Gunning, 35th Sikhs, who were +both wounded, and of Jemadar Narayan Singh, Havildar Ram Singh and Sepoy +Karram Singh [This man's case has formed the subject of a separate +communication.] of the same regiment. He has also brought to notice a +gallant act of Captain A.H.C. Birch, R.A., commanding No.8 Bengal +Mountain Battery, and his trumpeter, Jiwan, in rescuing a wounded Sepoy +of the 35th Sikhs, as well as the distinguished gallantry of Jemadars +Nawab and Ishar Singh and several non-commissioned officers and men of +the same battery, in regard to which I have made separate communications +to you. + +29. Brigadier-General Jeffreys further refers in the strongest terms of +commendation to the gallant conduct of Lieutenants T.C. Watson [twice +wounded in attempting to clear the village] and J.M.C. Colvin, R.E., and +of the handful of men of the Buffs and No.4 Company Bengal Sappers and +Miners, who spent the night of the 16th-17th with him in the village of +Bilot. The conduct of these officers and men [of whom six were killed +and eighteen wounded on this occasion, out of a total of fifty-four] in +entering the village several times in the dark in face of a heavy fire +directed upon them at close quarters, seems deserving of the highest +recognition, and I have consequently made a special communication to you +on the subject. Brigadier-General Jeffreys has also commended the +gallant conduct of his Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General, [The remainder +of Brigadier-General Jeffrey's staff was with the main body when it got +separated from them.] Major E.O.F. Hamilton, 1st Battalion the Queen's +Royal West Surrey Regiment; and finally, he has praised the courage and +resolution of Lieutenant W.L.S. Churchill, 4th Hussars, the +correspondent of the Pioneer Newspaper with the force, who made himself +useful at a critical moment. + + + + + + OPERATIONS OF THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE + + FROM THE CONCLUDING DESPATCH OF + MAJOR-GENERAL SIR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B. + + +58. The commissariat arrangements under Major H. Wharry, D.S.O., were +most successful. The rations were always abundant, and of uniformly good +quality; and I may here observe that in five previous campaigns I have +never seen the supply of bread anything like so continuously good, as it +has been throughout the operations of the Malakand Field Force. No doubt +the excellence of the commissariat arrangements has had a great deal to +do with the good state of health of the troops, which I have remarked +upon. + +59. The transport was most efficient throughout the operations under +reference, and its management, under the direction of Captain C.G.R. +Thackwell, Divisional Transport Officer, who was most ably and +energetically assisted by Veterinary-Captain H.T.W. Mann, Senior +Veterinary Officer, was most successful. In proof of this I will cite a +report just made to me by Brigadier-General Jeffreys, commanding the 2nd +Brigade of my force, that this morning, on inspecting 1265 mules +attached his brigade, which have just returned from seven weeks in the +field, he found fourteen sore backs, and four animals otherwise unfit +for work, or a total of only eighteen disabled animals in all. + +60. The medical service was carried out in a very satisfactory manner. +Some difficulties arose on the transfer of officers and material to the +Tirah Expeditionary Force on its formation, especially as large convoys +of sick and wounded were on the line of this force at the time, but +these difficulties were successfully overcome by Colonel A.J.F. Reid, +commanding the Malakand Brigade, who was in charge of the Line, and +matters were ultimately restored to smooth working on the arrival of +Surgeon-Colonel J.C.G. Carmichael, Indian Medical Service, who is now +Principal Medical Officer of the Force. + +61. The telegraph arrangements were well carried out by Lieutenant W. +Robertson, R.E., under the direction of Mr. C.E. Pitman, C.I.E. The +postal service under Mr. H.C. Sheridan was also satisfactory. + +62. The working of the several departments of the Headquarters' staff +was most satisfactory and successful. The heads of departments were:-- + +Major H.H. Burney, Gordon Highlanders, Assistant Adjutant-General. + +Lieutenant-Colonel A. Masters, 2nd Regiment Central India Horse, +Assistant Quartermaster-General. + +Captain H.E. Stanton, D.S.O., R.A., Deputy Assistant +Quartermaster-General (Intelligence). + +Captain E.W.M. Norie, Middlesex Regiment, Superintendent, +Army Signalling. + +Surgeon-Colonel J.C.G. Carmichael, Indian Medical Service, +Principal Medical Officer. + +Lieutenant-Colonel W. Aitken, C.B., R.A., Commanding Royal Artillery. + +Colonel J.E. Broadbent, R.E., Commanding Royal Engineers--relieved +early in October by Lieutenant-Colonel W. Peacocke, C.M.G., R.E. + +Captain W.E. Banbury, 25th Madras Infantry, Field Treasure Chest +Officer. + +Captain W.W. Cookson, R.A., Ordnance Officer. + +Major H. Wharry, D.S.O., Staff Corps, Chief Commissariat Officer. + +Veterinary-Captain H.T.W. Mann, [Wounded in action, 20th September, +1897.] Army Veterinary Department, Senior Veterinary Officer. + +Captain C.L. Robertson, R.E., Survey officer. + +Captain C.G.F. Edwards, 5th Punjaub Cavalry, Provost Marshal. + +The Rev. L. Klogh, Chaplain. + +Lieutenant W. Robertson, R.E., in charge of Telegraphs. + +63. I am under great obligations to my personal staff--Captain A.B. +Dunsterville, 1st Battalion East Suttey Regiment, Aide-de-Camp; Captain +A.R. Dick, 2nd Punjaub Cavalry, and Lieutenant Viscount Fincastle, 16th +(The Queen's) Lancers. + +64. It will have been gathered from the foregoing narrative that the +three brigades of the force were ably commanded by Brigadier-Generals +W.H. Meiklejohn, C.B., C.M.G., 1st Brigade; P.D. Jeffreys, [Wounded in +action, 16th September, 1897.] C.B., 2nd Brigade, and J.H. Wodehouse, +C.B., C.M.G., [Wounded in action, 20th September, 1897.] 3rd Brigade, +who were efficiently seconded by their staffs. The Line of +Communications and the Base were also most efficiently managed by +Colonel A.J.F. Reid, Commanding the Malakand Brigade, and by Lieut.- +Colonel A.V. Schalch, 11th Bengal Infantry, the Base Commandant, and +their respective staffs. + +65. In my final report on the conclusion of the operations of the force, +I shall have the honour to bring the services of the officers above +briefly referred to more fully to the notice of His Excellency the +Commander-in-Chief. + +66. Major H.A. Deane, C.S.I., Political Agent, Dur, Chitral and Swat, +was in separate and independent charge of the political arrangements +connected with the operations I have described, as far as Nawagai. He +accompanied my headquarters to Ghosam, where I left him on the 12th +September, and rejoined me at Inayat Kila on the 4th October. He gave +much assistance in arranging for the collection of local supplies. + +67. Mr. W.S. Davis was my political officer throughout the operations +beyond Nawagai, and in the Mamund Valley prior to Major Deane's return +to my headquarters on the 4th October. He carried out his duties to my +complete satisfaction. His native assistant, Khan Bahadur Ibrahim Kham, +also made himself very useful. + + + END OF TEXT + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Malakand Field Force +by Winston S. Churchill + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MALAKAND FIELD FORCE *** + +This file should be named mkdff10.txt or mkdff10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, mkdff11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, mkdff10a.txt + +Produced by Ronald J. Goodden in memory of Royal G. Goodden + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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