THE AFGHAN WAR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 9188, 12 August 1880, Page 2

THE AFGHAN WAR.

■' :,» . ■ ; ; (Special to Melbouene Age.) ; ■ .'.-LpNbo'jf,' Juiy^S. Later and fullerintellige,nce has been received concerning thee late disaster which lias befallen the British troops in tho Candahar province. General Bu'tows was accoiipanied by thenativ o Governor, Shere AliKhan, in the" advance to intercept Ayoub Shan. The attack upon tlic British was a surprise, and took place in darkness. The utmost confusion arose, und the troops behaved bravely ; but- the numbers of the -enemy wore so orortrhel-ning -that some of the Dative troops gai'e way, which oaused a panic. Tiic fugitives fled towards Caii'iahar, but the British, under the immediate command of General Burrows, retired steadily and in good order, taking -withthem some of their guns. On receipt of the news at Oandahar, General Primrose despatched troops to their assistance, returning with tho main, body of Jlis 'force 'to the Cita&el, ' which is ' situated about two miles nortli of tho City, occupying a .very strong position. General Burrows unclShere Ali have since arrived safely wiih tbe remnant of the brigade. Measures have been taken for making a determined stand.at (Jandahar. General Phnyre is arranging an advance at tho head of a considerable body of troops 'from (Jiietah to assist General Primrose. havl been taken to secure the safety of communication with. lndia. The Elian of Khelau territory, in which Quettah is situated;' who'is 'ohejof the subsidised allies of the Indian Umpire, tendered General Puayre all the aid in his power, placing troops at his command. Reinforcements are being rapidly pushed 'forward from Bombay, the railway, which ; now extends some distance beyond the frontier, being found to be of great service. July 30. General Primrose and the force under his command aro strengthening tho defence of the Citadel , of CaDdahar. Intelligence has been received from Hisse, that Candahar is amply supplied with, provisions and munitions of war, and he is confident of his ability, to maintain his ground against llib enemy until .the .arrival of relief forces. Great stress is ' laid upon the importance of maintaining intact the line of' communication. General Phayre has strengthened the principal forts held by the British, and is completinjg ar'ran°ements for the formation of a force strong enough to cope with tho enemy. The march will be commenced at the earliest moment. . The .General expects, to be, able, to relieve,, the 'force's at . Qaridah'a'r' within three weeks.' ' L! July 31. Further particulars of the disaster lo General Burrows' force at Candahar show that the loss sustained was very heavy. Thef >rees nndter his command despatched to' intercept Ayoub Khan, numbered about 3000 men, including one regiment of British infantry. The remainder of tho Brigade consisted of Native Infantry, with some squadrons of cavalry, battery, and horse artillery. General Burrows was accompanied :by Shere Ali, Native Euler of the Province, with a body of Afghan troops ; but upon the approach, of Ayoub Jinan a number of these deserted. In resisting the • attack, the slaughter was very great ;' but in ' the retreat of the Brigade the Afghan Cavalry caused fearful havoc amongst] the fugitives, who were cut down in hundreds. Of tho total force under General Burrows' command, as far as ascertained, 200 were killed, the greater portion of the loss being sustained in the retreat. General Phayre is advancing at the head of a considerable army by forced marches. He has not met any formidable opposition, though several skirmishes have taken place with small bodies of the hostile tribes. The hills in the vicinity of the march are being cleared before tho advance of the main body. The entire province of Candahar is disquieted, and a spirit of disaffection to the British is extending, Tho Viceroy has received a telegram from General Stewart stating that Cabul is quiet. The effect of the British defoat upon Abdul Bahman Ehan is regarded with some anxiety, but the new Ameer has not up to the present committed himself to any one of the actively hostile tribe. Auguel 2. Much anxiety is felt concerning the supply of the British force posted at Kehlat Gelzai, on the road between Candahar and Ghuzaee. The force comprises two companies of 60th. Foot,' some squadrons of Native horse,' and a portion of a battery of th,o Koyal Artillery. Their fate is oonsideved very precarious, as some considerable time must elapse before they can be released either from Gandaliar or by way of Ghuznee. - ,■ . ; i ■• , Intelligence has been received from General Primrose, which states that he is confident of his ability to kold his' o<vn against Ayoub's army. He is of. opinion that he will be able to defend Oandahar against the attack of the enemy until tho arrival of General Phayre. The Indian Press demand that Sir Garnet Woolsey should be at once sent to deal with the crisis. An opinion is , expressed that tho situation in Afghan-. ' istan is most serious, and requires the best display of promptitude and firmness.