TEN THOUSAND AFGHANS CAPTURED BY THE BRITISH.

Patea Mail, 18 September 1880, Page 3

TEN THOUSAND AFGHANS CAPTURED BY THE BRITISH.

A fuller report of the British victory near Candahar states that Ayoub’s flight from the field of battle was so precipitate that the whole camp and equipage fell into the hands of the victors. The spoils are immense. In consequence of the strategy of General Roberts a largo portion of the Afghan army' was covered by the British artillery. Ayoub’s troops surrendered in thousands, and 10,000 Afghans have been captured. The total collapse of Ay'oub’s force was due to the want of cohesion between the soldiery from Herat and the mutinous regiments from Cabul. The Cabulese fled down the Argand-ab Valley, and the Heratese were drawn off towards the Hehnund river. The cavalry started in hot pursuit, and killed five hundred fugitives, who refused to surrender. General ■ Roberts brought his whole force up to the attack, leaving only- the garrison in Candahar. The total loss, including killed, wounded, and missing, on the British side amounts to upwards of 1000. Of these only 90 were Europeans. Colonel M‘Lean, who has been in the hands of the Afghans since the defeat of General Burrows, and up to a recent date was well treated by them, was murdered before the battle. The deceased officer was a general favourite in the army', and it is said his fate is universally regretted.