AFGHANISTAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 57, 6 March 1880, Page 1

AFGHANISTAN.

never put quite so many on paper at a time ; but his peculiar turn for "bulls" is here shown at one view. The letter was first printed in the Kerry Magazine, now out of print. Dear Sir, — -Having now a little peace and quiet, 1 sit down to inform you of the bustle and confusion we are in from the bloodthirsty rebels, many of whom are now, thank God, killed and dispersed. We are in a pretty meaa ; can get nothing to eat, and no wine to drink except whisky. When we sit down to dinner we are obliged to keep both hands armed. Whilst I write this letter, I have my sword in one hand, and my pistol in the other. I concluded from the beginning that this would be the end ; and lam right, for it is not half over yet. At present, therejfare such goings-on that everything is at a stand-still. I should have answered your letter a fortnight ago ; but 1 only received it this morning — indeed, hardly a mail arrives safe without being robbed. No longer ago than yesterday, the mail-coach from Dublin was robbed near this town ; the bags had been very judiciously left behind, for fear of accidents, and by great good luck, there was nobody in the coach except two outside passengers, who bad nothing for the thieves to take. Last Thursday, an alarm was given that a gang of rebels in full retreat from Drogheda were advancing under the French standard; but they had no colours nor any drums except bagpipes. Immediately every man in the place, including women and children ran out to meet them. We soon found our force a great deal too little, and were too near to think of retreating. Death was in every face; and to it we went. By the time half our party were killed, we began to be all alive. Fortunately, the rebels had no guns except pistols, cutlasses, and pikes ; and we had plenty of muskets and ammunition. We put them to the sword, not a soul of them escaped, except some that were drowned in an adjoining bog. In fact, in a short time nothing was heard but silence. Their uniforms were all different chiefly green. After the action was over, we went to rummage their camp. All we found was a few pikes without heads, a parcel of empty bottles filled with water, and a bundle of blank French commissions filled up with Irish names. Troops are now stationed round, which exactly squares with my ideas of security.-r* Adieu; I have only time to add thai I am yours in haste, ■ ff';.. : ,-." b. b. P^|.~lf you do not receive this, of coj^rse it, must have been miscarried ; therefore I beg you to write and let me know.