The Afghan War.

Otago Witness, Issue 1500, 14 August 1880, Page 10

The Afghan War.

(Special to the Melbourne Age ) London, July 28fch. 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 wellknown officer of the Bombay Native Army, was Bent forward to intercept the ad- , vance of ' Ayoub Khan, Governor of ' Herat. Ayoub Khan had left Herat some weeks since at the head of several thousand men for the purpose of attacking the newly-formed province of Oandahar, 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 Oandahar. Ayonb's forces arrived in the vicinity of Girishk last week. His army greatly outuumbered the troops under the command of General Burrows, who made preparations to aot on the defensive until the arrival of reinforcements from Oandahar. On the night of the 25 th a sudden attack was made by Ayoub 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 fled from the field, and, arriving in small numbers, brought the intelligence to Candahar. They reported that a determined resistance was made, and that a small body of the troops were retiring in good order, taking with them four guns. July 29bh. Immediately upon the receipt of the news, Major-general J. M, Primrose, who exercises the supreme command in Oandahat, 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 Ayoub Khan resumed his march upon Oandahar, 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-general R. Phayre, C.8., who was in command of the whole line of communication between the frontier and Candahar, having his head quarters at Quettah, and General Phayre afc once started for the relief of General JPrimroae with all troops available, and additional reinforcements are being hurried forward from Bombay. The Oommauder-in chief has given directions for the strengthening of the Bombay Army by further reinforcements from the Bengal Army, with a view of placing 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 England. 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 province. General Burrows was accompanied by the j Wali or Native Governor, Shere All Khan, in advance to intercept Ayoub j Khan. 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 General Burrows, retreated steadily and in good order, taking with them some of their guns. General Burrows and Shere Ali have since arrived in safety with the remnant of the brigade, and measures have been aken for making a determined stand at OandaharGeneral 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 ludia. 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 Phyre all the aid in bis power, placing at his disposal the troops at his command.

Reinforcements are being rapidly pushed forward from Bombay, the railway, whioh bow extends for some distance beyond the frontier, being found to be of great Bervioe. July 30th. General Primrose and the force under his command are strengthening the defences of the Citadel of Oandahar. Intelligence has been received from him thai; Candahar Is amply supplied with provisions and munitions of war, and he is oonfident of his ability to maintain his ground against the enemy until the arrival of the relief forceß. 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 31st. The further particular a received ooncernlng the ' disasters to General Burrows' force in Candahar show that the loss sustained wa9 very heavy. The force under his oommand despatched to intercept Ayoub Khan numbered about 3009 men, including one regiment of British infantry. Among the brigades was Native infantry, with some squadrons of cavalry, and a battery of horse artillery. General Burrows was accompanied by Shere Ali, the Native ruler of the province, with a body of Afghan troops, but on the approach of Ayoub, a number of these deserted. In resisting the atfcaok the slaughter was very great, but in the retreat upon Oandahar the Afghan cavalry caused fearful havoc amongst the fugitives, who were cut down in hundreds. Of a total force under General Burrows command, it has been ascertained that 2000 were killed, the greater proportion of the lobs being sustained in the retreat. The arrangements of General Phayre for the organisation of the force to relieve General Primrose are beiDg rapidly oom. pleted. General Phayre 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 Ayoub Khan haa 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 is disquieted, and the spirit of disaffection to the British is extending. v The intelligense of the disaster caused much i 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 ia believed that these efforts will prevent any attempt at a general rising. The Viceroy has received a telegram from Sir Donald Stewart stating that Oabul is quiet. The effech of th 9 British defeat upon Abdur Rahman Khau is regarded with some anxiety, but the new Ameer haa not up to the present committed himself to any line . of action hostile to the British.

August 2nd. Much anxiety ia expressed concerning the safety of the British force posted at Khelat I Ghilzai, on the road between Oandahar aud Ghuzneef ithe force comprising two companies of the 66 th Foot, some squadrons of Native Horse, and a 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 'Oandahar or by way of Ghuznee. Intelligence has bsen received from General Primrose, which states that he is confident of his ability to hold his own againßt Ayoub's army. The citadel has been greatly strengthened, and will serve as the centre of his position, on which to retire in case of need. He is of opinion, however, that with the force at his command he will be able to defend Candahar itself against the attacks of the enemy until the arrival of General Phayre. with reinforcements. The Indian Fresa demand that Sir Garnet Wolseley, who has already been nominated^ to succeed Sir Frederick Haines as^ Commander-in-chief in India, Bhould be at once sent out to deal with the crisis which haa now arisen. The opinion is expressed that the situation in Afghanistan is most serious, and requires the display of prompti. tude and firmness. Representations have been made to the Imperial 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 the Melbotone Argus.) Londow, July 29fch. The troops under the command of Brigadier general G. R. S. Burrows were as foilow :—: — Europeans : B Battery, B Brigade of Royal Horse Artillery, and six companies of the 66th (Berkshire) Foot, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Ghlbraith. The native ; force consisted of the 3rd Bombay Cavalry, and the Ist and 30 bh Begimenta of Native infantry. The blunder which has brought about this disaster arose from over-confidence on the part of the British generals, and the bad information supplied to Lieutenant-general Primrose. Too few troops were sent to reinforce General Burrows. After the deserj tlon of the Wali's infantry, General Burrows should have retired oa Candahar, and not have risked an encounter with the largelysuperior forces of the enomy.

The telegraph wires have been cut between Candahar and Khojah.

July 30th. The Continental journals regard the disaster the British arms have attained in Afghanistan as certain to tie Mr Gladstone's hands in connection with the Turkish question.

July 31sb. Lieutenant-general Primrose, who ib shut up in the citadel of Candahar, has three months' supplies, and 3000 troops under his command. General Burrows , aa well as the southern posts, Khelat, Isghilzai, and the posts north of Khojab, are in danger. General Phayre has not yet reached Ohaman. He ia 'assembling a force of 5000 men in the Pisheen Valley, and will advance in a fortnight. , The Governor of Bombay has promised a further force, of 8000 men. It is believed that if Aypub Khan is unsuccessful at Candahar he will advance on Ghuzuee, which is the centre of the national expected that General Sir F. S. Roberts with 8000 men will proceed southward? from Cabul if everything at the capital remains quiet, leaving 12,000 men under the command of General Sir Donald Stewart. There are now 17,000 men on the route of the Khybar Pass, and 8000 iv the Kurram Valley. August 2nd. The Marquis of Eipon, Viceroy of India, states that the details of the great disaster near Candahar, derived from native sources, indicate that General Barrows was deceived by false information, and decoyed into an ambuscade. Avoub Khan's losses are Baid to have been severe. When last seen he was camping on the battlefield, and he seems to vacillate as to hia further course. The following message has already ap. peared in the Melbourne papers :— London, August 4th. Official dispatches received from General Burrows in reference to the late disastrous engagement between his brigade and Ayoub Khan's army are very brief, and give only a few leading particulars of the disaster. General Burrows states that his force num. bered 3000, and of these 1000 effected their escape. The attack was commenced by the British, »nd not by the Afghan troops. A slight advantage was gained at the onset, but the enemy was posted in advantageous Dositions, and was in overwhelming force, Being estimated at from 12,000 to 15,000. The Britieh. troops engaged fought with their characteristic bravery and determination, but from the overwhelming number of the enemy the General saw the total destruction of his force waß inevitable unless he ordered a retreat. This was done, and one-third of his men and a quantity of war material, including four guns* were saved. The battle took' place on July 27th, General Reynolds S,cott Burrows, commander of the brigade at Girishk, is Quarter-master-general of the Bombay Army, and before setting out for the front was the subiect of the following general order issued by the'Oommander-in- chief at Bombay 5— The Oommander-in-ohief cannot allow Brigadiergeneral Burrows to vacate the very important position he has occupied for the last five years aa Quartermaster-general to the Bombay Army, without placing on record his Excellency's high appreciation of the manner in which he conducted the duties of his department during periods of more than usual interest ' To the careful supervision of the Quaitermaster-general and the officers of his department was due the successful embarkation of the expedition to Malta. His conscientious discharge of his multifarious duties, and his impartial adherence to the orders and regulations of the army, have aecured for Brigadier- general Burrows the respect of every rank, as well as the high commendation of the civil and military authorities. The Commander-in-chief feels aure that the Bombay Army will join his Excellency in wishing Brigadier - general Burrows success and health to carry out the very important duty with which he has been entrusted in command of a brigade of the Bombay Army about to be employed on active service in the field.— By order of his Excellency the Commander-in-chief, H. Bkookb, brigadler-general, adjutantgeneral." [By Cable,] Calcutta, August 7th. It is announced that Abdur .Rahman Khan, the new Ameer of Cabul, will receive four lacs, of rupees (£40,000) from the Indian Government. Abdur Uahman's party at Cabul is sal to be daily increasing in strength.