CAMP AMUSEMENTS NEAR CABUL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 88, 13 April 1880, Page 4

CAMP AMUSEMENTS NEAR CABUL.

[" Pioneer Mail," February 26] The severe weather that has declared itself during the last few days has added new sources of amusement. A week ago the owners bl skates were disgusted with the non-appearance of bard frost : now skating goes nearly all day long, and the science of eliding is also being .cultivated. -, Europeans and natives alike indulge in a " slide j " and to see bal.-a-doj_en Guides contentedly coming croppers on tbe ice, and rising again with immense satisfaction, only to. sit suddenly down the moment afterwards, wcull mskeTimour Irmseif smile benignantly. Once on the slide, every man seems but a clild of large growth, and right gleefully (he game is kept up until tired Nature gives in, and various points of our bodies remind tbe most hardy that a bruise is painful when excitement dies ou<. With the fall of enow on Monday came a battle-royal, whicb will live in the annuls of our occupation. To tell the slory with due solemnity : at noon word was brought to the 72nd Highlanders that the enemy (the 67th Foot and 92nd Ger Jon Highlanders) had occupied the strong fort on the eastern end of the Bemaru heights. Without delay the regiment fell in 500 strong end, reinforced by tie 9vh Lancers and Bonae artillerymen, marched with banners flying and drums beating to the attack. (The banners were thoße lately captured on the Takht-i-Shah Peaks and the Asmai heights ; the drums were various cooking-pots.) On Bearing tbe enemy's position, the attacking force was joined by the 5 h Gooikba., under their British officers ; skirmishers were thrown out, and (he bugle sounded tbe assault. The storming parties were headed by the standard bearers, tha cry of " Ghezia to the front being answered by a rush of these reckless men up the bill-side. They were met with such a terrific fire, the

air being darkened by snowballs, that the assault seemed hopeless. But amid the din the cry of their leader rang out — «• Ho ! Ghszis to the front ! Ho ! Ghazis hear the brunt 1 Of the battle weged on snowy Bemura ! I t not tbe Btioging ball your fiery hearts appal. That's a one-er on tho nose ! Allah hu!'' A desperate resistance was made, but the bugler, with the 72ad, euceeeded by a ruse in turning the fortunes of the day. They crept round in the enemy's rear, and sounded the regimental call of the 92c<_, followed by the "retreat :" tha 92nd fell back, end, with a cheer, the attacking party captured the position. Many prisoners were tiiken, and the usual atrocities were committed— one gallant officer having three men sitting on his chest at once ; while others, equally gallant, were buried alive in the stiow. Thb conduct of all concerned fully bore out the estimate formed of the splendid fighting of our men, and several "V, Cs." are to be awarded. The number of wounded via. unusually great, but all are now doing well. The expenditure of ammunition was beyond all precedent,'and io this respect tbe battle of Bemura is noteworthy above all the actions hitherto fought. The defeat of the enemy was so complete, tbat (hey as once sued for peace,, which was signed at tbe club later in the day by tbe principal leaders. In consequence of the ink being frozen, curacoa end braudy had to be use.!.