THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 291, 19 December 1879, Page 2

THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.

The following telegrams, additional to those which we have already published, appear ia the Post :— London, December 13. News from Cabul states that large bodies of -Afghans are still occupying the hills around Cabul, and fighting 1. B <.i_, s ou a ai , y on all sides. Tbe position is a serious one, hut hitherto the British have managed to' hold their own. General M'Pherson has succeeded in capturing the lower ridges of the Bala Hissar heights, and is now storming the higher portions of the bills to which the Afghans have retired, taking up a strong position. Further intelligence from Cabul shows that after the Afghans, led hy Mahmoud Khan, had been repulsed, they retired to the heights to the south of Cabul, commanding the Bala Hissar Citadel. As this position was one of considerable advantage and the city was threatened so long as it was held by them, General M'Pherson was despatched with the brigade under his command to dislodge them. After a sharp struggle he succeeded in driving the Afghans frotn the heights, which are now occupied by the British. Hth December. Intelligence from Calcutta states that an instant advance will be made upon Herat unless the Governor, Mahmoud Ayub Khan, at once ceases his hostility to theEnglUhand comes to terms. A large force of military at Madras, who had been ordered to prepare for service in Burmah, have now been instructed to hold themselves in readiness to march to Herat to enforce the demands of the Viceroy, if tbey are not acceded to. 15th December. The situation at Cabul has become more serious. The rebellion is spreading rapidly, and the Afghans are daily receiving large reinforcements from fresh tribes joining in the war. The city is now being attacked on all sides, and the British are engaged in continuous fighting. General M'Pherson bas been compelled to relinquish the attack on the Bala His9aridge, and has fallen back on the citadel, pending the arrival of reinforcements, which have been sent for by General Roberts. The Kohistanees have been totally defeated with heavy losses. The British iv three days lost 16 officers and upwards of 100 men killed and wounded.