THE AFGHAN WAR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 10 August 1880, Page 2

THE AFGHAN WAR.

(SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE.) London, July 28. The startling intelligence has been received from India that a terrible disaster has befallen a British column in Candahar. Several days ago a brigade, under the command of Brigadier-General G. K. S. Burrows, a well-known officer of the Bombay Native Army, was sent forward to intercept the advance of Ayoob Khan, Governor of Herat. Ayoob Khan had left Herat some weeks since at the head of several thousand men for the purpose of attacking the newly-formed province of Candahar, and was advancing by the regular ' route, via Girishk. General Burrows took up a position at Girishk, a fortified post, commanding the ordinary passage and summer ford of the Helmund River, distant about 70 miles from Candahar. .Ayoob's forces arrived in the vicinity of Girishk last week. His army greatly outnumbered the troops under the command of General Burrows, who made preparations to aot on the defensive nntil the arrival of reinforcements from Candahar. On the night of the 25th a sudden attack was made by Ayoob upon General Burrows' position. The forces of the enemy were overwhelming. A desperate defence was made by the British and native troops, but a disastrous defeat was inflicted upon the brigade, which was practically annihilated. Nearly the whole of the British troops were slaughtered, including most of the officers. Stragglers lied from the field, and, arriving in small numbers, brought the intelligence to Candahar. They reported that p. determined resistance "was made, and that a small body of the troops were retiring in good order, taking with them four guns. July 29.

Immediately upon the receipt of the news, Major-General J. M. Primrose, who exercises the supreme command in Candahar, took measures to protect the retreat of the fugitives, and to secure the four guns, which, it is believed, will be saved. After his victory Ayoob Khan resumed his march upon Candahar, which he threatens to attack. General Primrose, fearing his ability with the force at his command to meet the enemy in the field, retired to the. Citadel, which he placed in a strong state of defence, and where he now awaits relief. Urgent messages were despatched to Major-Qeneral R. Phayre, C.8., who was in eommand of the whole line of communication ' between the frontier and Candahar, having his head-quarters at Quettah, and General Phayre at once started for the relief of General Primrose with all troops available, and additional reinforcements are being humed forward from Bombay. The Commander-in-Chief has givon directions £or the strengthening of the Bombay army by further reinforcements from the Bengal army, with a view of plaoing an overwhelming body of troops in the country, in order to promptly suppress any disturbance. The intelligence has created intense excitement both in India and Eugland. It is feared that this disaster may encourage a general rising amongst the Afghans, Later. Further intelligence has been received concerning the late disaster which has befallen the British troops in Candahar Provinoe.

General Burrows was accompanied by the Wali or Native Governor, Shere Ali Khan, in advance to intercept Ayoob Ivhan, The attack upon the British was a surprise, and in the darkness the utmost confusion arose. The troops behaved bravely, but the numbers of the enemy were so overwhelming that some of the native troops gave way, and caused a panic. The fugitives fled towards Candahar, but the British, under the immediate command of Qenaral Burrows, retreated steadily and in goo,d order, taking with them same of their guns. General Burrows and Shere Ali have since arrived in safety with the remnant of the brigade, and measures have been taken for making a determined stand at Candahar,

General Phayre is arranging to advance at the head of a considerable body of troops from Quettah, to the assistance of General Primrose, and precautions have been taken to secure the safety of the line of communication with India.

The Khan of Khelat, the territory in which Quettah is situated, and who is one of the subsidised allies of the Indian Empire, has tendered to General Phayre all the aid in his power, placing at his disposal the troops at his command. Reinforcements are being rapidly pushed forward from Bombay, the railway, which now extends for some distance beyond the frontier, being found to be of great service. July 30. General Primrose and the force under his command are strengthening the defences of the Citadel of Candahar. Intelligence has been received from him that Candahar is amply supplied with provisions and munitions of war, and he is confident of his ability t.o maintain his ground against the enemy until the arrival of the 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 now completing his arrangements for the formation of a force sufficiently strong to cope with the enemy. The march will be commenced at the earliest possible moment, and the General expects to be able to relieve. the British forces at Candahar within three weeks.

July 31at. The further particulars received concerning the disasters to General Burrows" force in Candahar show that the loss sub. tained was very heavy. The force under his command despatched to intercont Ayoob Khan numbered about 3000 moti including one regiment of British in' fantry. Among the brigades was the native infantry, with some squadrons o£ cavalry, and a battery of horse artillery General Burrows was accompanied by Shdre Ali, the native ruler of the p ro . vince, with a body of Afghan troops, but on the approach of Ayoob, a number of these deserted. In resisting the attack the slaughter was very groat, "but in the retreat upon Candahar the Afghan cavalry caused fearful havoc amongst the fugf. tives, who were cut down in hundreds. Of a total force under General Burrows' command, it has been ascertained that 2000 were killed, tho greater proportion of the loss being sustained in the retreat. The arrangements of General Phayro for the organisation of the force to relieve General Primrose are being Tepidly com. pleted. General Phayro is advancing at the head of a numerous army by forced marches. The care of maintaining the line of communication has devolved upon General Sandeman. The advance of General Phayre has not met with any formidable opposition, though several skirmishes have taken place with small bodies of hostile natives. Every precaution is taken to prevent surprise or ambuscade, the hills in the vicinity of the line of march being cleared before the advance of the main body. The success of Ayoob Khan has attracted large numbers to the standard, and apprehensions are entertained that he may bring a sufficient force into the field to retard the advance of the relieving; forces. The entire province of Candahar ia disquieted, and the spirit of disaffection to the British is extending. The intelligence of the disaster caused much excitement at Cabul, but prompt measures were taken by Sir Donald Stewart to prevent any dangerous manifestations.

A strict watch is being observed upon the tribes whose disaffection is most apparent, and it is believed that these efforts will prevent any attempt at a general rising. The Viceroy has received a telegram from Sir Donald Stewart stating that Cabul is quiet. The effect of the British defeat upon Abdur Rahman Khan is regarded with some anxiety, but the new Ameer has not up to the present committed himself to ny line of action hostile to the British. August 2. Much anxiety is expressed concerning the safety of the British force posted at Khelat I Ghilzai, on the road betweea Candahar and Ghuznee, the force couk prising two companies of the 66th Foot,, some squadrons of Native Horse, and. n portion of a battery of Royal Artillery. Their fate is considered very precarious, as some considerable time must elapse before they can be relieved, either from. Candahar or by way of Ghuznee. Intelligence has been received fjjo«A General Primrose, which states that it(G is; confident of his ability to hold hi?; own, .against Ayoob's army. The citadel has. been greatly strengthened, and vriU servo, as the centre of his position, on which to, retire in case of need. - Ho is of opinion,, however, that with the force at his command he will be able to defend Candahar itself against the attacks of the eneaiy until the arrival of General Phayre with reinforcements.

The Indian Press demand that SS> Garnet Wolseley, who has already been nominated to succeed Sir Ftederick Haines as Commander-in-Chief in India, should be at once sent out to deal with the crisis which has no-w arisen. The opinion is* expressed that the situation in tan is most serious, and requires the dis-* play of promptitude and firmness^ Representations have been made to, theImperial Government to comply with this request, and it is considered probable that Sir Garnet Wolseley will be appointed immediately to the supreme command of military operations in Afghanistan. (SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE ARGUS,,^ London, Jv\ly 29i. The troops under the command o$ Brigadier-General G. R. S. Borrows wero. as follow :—Europeans E: Battery,. B; Brigade of Royal Horse. Artillery,, and six companies of the G)6£h (Berkshire) Foot, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Galbraith. The- native force cbnsisted of the 3rd Bombay Cavalry, and the Ist and. 30th Regiments of Native Infantry. The blunder which has brought M>f>ut>, this disaster arose from over-confidjjiapo on, the part of the British generals,, and the. bad information supplied to Lieutenants General Primrose. Too few troops were sent to reinforce General Borrows. the desertion of the Wall's infantry,, General Burrows, should have retired OA Candahar, and not have risked an en,i counter with the largely-superior forces oft I the enemy. The telegraph wires have been cM between Candahar and Khojah.. July 30. The Continental journals regard tho disaster the British arms have sustained in Afghanistan as certain to tie Mr. Gladstone's hands in connection with the, Turkish question. 31., Lieutenant-General Primrose, who is, shut up in the citadel o.f Candahar,, hasi three months' supplies* and 300Q troops under his command. General Burrows', as well as tho southern posts, Khelat,. Isghilzai,. and the- po&ta north of Khojah,. ape in daugerv General Phayre has not yet reached Chaman. He is assembling a force of 5000 men in the Pishjeen Yalley, and will advance in a fortnight. The Governor of Bombay has promise : a further force of 8000 men. It is believed that if Ayoob KhaM i'sun-. successful at Candahar he wiU advance on Ghuznee, which is the eautre. national party. It is expected that General' Sir I*. S. Roberts, with SOOO men, will proceed southwards from Cabul if everything at the capital remains quiet, leaving 12,000 men under the command of General Si? ! Donald Stewart. There are now 17,000 men on the. route of the Khybar Pass, and §PQO in tlift Kurram Yalley. August & The Marquis of Ripon, Viceroy of India, states, that the details of tho great disaster near Gandahar, derived from native sources, indicate that General | Burrows was deceived by false information, and decoyed into an ambuscade. Ayoob Khan's losses are said to hav© been severe. When last seen he was camping on the battlefield, and he asem* to vacillate as to his further course*

(SPECIAL TO SYDNEY MOKNING. HrERAID.) London, August 4 The British troopaat Gabul under the command of General Roberts include the 60th, 92nd, and 72nd Infantry Regiments, and the 6th Regiment of Lancers. Special official despatches have been received from General Burrows in reference to the late disastrous engagemen between his brigade aud Ayoob K" an ® army. The despatches are very brief, an ijive only a few of the leading particulars of the disaster. General Burrows s * ate !; that his force numbered 3000, an ® p / > these 1000 effected their eacape. f« Q attack was commenced by the Britis ► and not by the Afghan troopB? A B Ug advantage was gained at the onset by 1 enemy, who were posted on advantagoo positions and in overwhelming force, es mated from 12,000 to 15,000. The ® rl

fottfffct * ith characteriatic bravery and j rfrmination, bafe from the overwhelming of the enemy the General saw that destruction of his force was inStable unless he ordered a retreat. This !r* done, and one-third of his men and a ,ntitvof war materia], including four JJJJ' Zn saved. The battle took place oa