ENTRY OF THE AMEER INTO THE BRITISH CAMP.

Kumara Times, Issue 1019, 7 January 1880, Page 4

ENTRY OF THE AMEER INTO THE BRITISH CAMP.

On Oct, 27 the whole camp wns astir with the news that the Ameer had determined to come in. Thia news proved to be true. Brigadier-General Baker and Major Hastings, accompanied by a Bqnadron of the 12th Bengal Cavalary, went out to meet him, halting about a mile from the came. About one o'clock noon the Ameer and his retinue appeared on the rising ground to our right, and shortly afterwards came into camp, riding between the brigadier and Major Hastings. The personal appearance of the Ameer is highly Jewish. He was mounted on the Arab charger preseneed to him by the Viceory. He came into camp accompanied by his father-in-law, Ayoub Khan ; Padshah Khan, the chief of Ghilzais ; Daoud Shah, his commander-in-chief, and his young son and heir. The Ameer's entry into the Britiah camp was not marked with any salute. He must surely feel the contrast between the manner of bis visit to our camp at Khushi and that other meeting with the English some five months back at Gandamak. The feeling, however, ot every soldier in camp—British, Sikh, or Goorka—is that he mighthave done more than he did tosave our Embassy, but whether we judge him unjustly or not will be a difficult problem to determine. His retinue consisted of about a dozen sowars and a motley assemblage of servants and camp followers to the number of 300. There can be very little doubt that the reconnaissance of Brigadier General Baker was the prime cause of him Beeking our camp. He appers to have left Oabul the previous night, having given orders there leading the Cabul regiments to suppose he intended returning the next day. Msjor-General Sir Frederick Roberts, K.C.8., also arrived in camp, escorted by a squadron of the 9th Lancers, the sth Punjaub Cavalry, and six companies of the 92nd Highlanders. The whole of the troops were delighted that the general had once more come to command them, and with good reason, for they have great cause to be prond of the success the Kurum column attained under his auspices duting the late campaign. On his way up to the front the general and his staff found themselves in rather a warm corner in that part of the HazarDarakht defile whfch which lies between Jagi-Thana and Kharatigha, It appears that on Oct. 27 some eight hundred Mangals had come down from their country in order to cut the telegraph wire and to seize any opportunity of looting and murdering that might present itself to them. The general had ridden paßt Jagi Thana, when a native rode up and warned him that a large body of Mangals were on the road in advance of him, Capt. Vourden, of the sth Punjaub Cavalry, with a body of his troopers, was immediately sent on ahead to ascertain the truth of the news. They soon found that the Mangals in considerable strongth, threatened tbe road, which here lies at the bottom of the defile, the sides of which are thickly covered with deodar and oak. affording excellent cover for the enemy. The latter opened fire on Capt. Vourden's cavalry, the bullets coming near enough to wound his horse, and he, having ascertained their position, feil back to report matters to the general. Riding on, the general found themselves under a hot fire. Deputy Surg.-Gen. Townsend, P.M.O. of the column, who was riding immediately behind the general, was severely wounded by a slug, which lodged in the right cheek. Meanwhile the sound of firing had reached the ears of the small guard into he fort at Kharathiga, which was composed of some men of the 92nd Highlanderaand 3rd Sikhs. Twenty-five of the 92ndand fifty of the 3rd Sikhs quickly sallied forth under the command of a color-sergeant of the former regiment, and were soon engaged with the enemy. The latter, though outnumbering them in the proportion of ten to one, could not find sufficient heart to withstand their onslaught. They rapidly began to retreat up the hill side, and doubtless fancied that in " legging " it up the hills they were at any rate superior fo the " infidels." But they soon found out that they had made a little mistake, and that the twenty-ffve hailing from the hills of Scotland could leg it after them in a highly unsatisfactory manner. Nor were the 3rd Sikhs laggards. The Highlanders advanced, skirmished we]] behind cover,and before the enemy escaped, had accounted for forty-six of their number. Our Jobs amounted to four men of the 3rd Sikhs. At last therefore we have mane a good bag of the Mangals ; it is to be hoped that in the future settlement of the country the Mangals will be made to feel our power severely. They have no shadow of excuse for their proceedings against us, as our quarrel has not been with them or their country, and they have come down therefore without any provocation, looted our baggage, and cut up and murdered our straggling camp followers.