The Afghan War.

Otago Witness, Issue 1506, 25 September 1880, Page 12

The Afghan War.

(Renter's Telegrams.)

Caicutta, September 17th.

An inquiry has been ordered to be held into the causes which brought about the defeat of General Burrows at Candahar, when attacked by Ayoub Khan's forces. General Phayre has been appointed presiding official at the inquiry.

The following telegrams have already appeared in Melbourne papers to hand by the S.S. Rotorua, at the Bluff:—

(Special to the Mblbotjenb Age.)

Loddon, August 30th. General Eoberts, on resuming his march from Khelat-i-Ghilzai, determined that it was advisable to abandon that position as an isolated post at that distance from the main body of the army would be maintained with difficulty and would prove of little practical advantage. The garrison, numbering about 900, under General Tanner, have joined General Roberto' troops, and advance with him upon Candahar. O.- Eof the principal obstacles met with by General Roberts on his march to Candabar is the difficulty of obtaining eufficient applies of forage for tha cavalry and transport aaimals. Since passing Khelat-i-Gbiizai it has been necessary to place the animals upon haJf rations. General Roberts, after leaving Khelat-i-Ghilzai, pushed forward to Candahar by way of the Arghaudab Valley. Hie approach hae already caused ths retreat of the enrmy from the sicg<* of Cin<!ahui", and his advanced guard ia now ia the immediato vicinity ot the city.

Information has been received that the Afghan army besieging Candahar, fearful of

the near approach of the relieving forces, have retired from their entrenchments, and that Ayoub Khan, with the main body of his army, has retreated across the Arghandab River, where he has taken up a position which will enable him to command the road to Herat in case of retreat.

The force under General Phayre is also advancing to the relief of Candahar. He has occupied Gatai, a post situated on the Kadanai River, and distant from Candahar between 50 and 60 miles. He anticipates being able to reach the city and combine with General Roberts within the next few days.

A.n outbresk has been feared at Kurrachee, an important seapo't town at the mouth of the Indus. The Pathans, who are numerous in the vicinity, have exhibited hostile symptoms, and a revolt was apprehended. The authorities gave immediate orders for the disarmament of the Pathans, and the step has been carried out without any serious difficulty.

The Beloochees are exhibiting a restless spirit. Disturbances have taken place, and a general feeling of insecurity prevails throughout the country.

September lat. Candahnr bas been relieved. General Sir F. S. Roberts, with his whole force, consisting of over 10,000 men, has arrived at the city, having completed his march from Cabul a distance of ov«r 200 miles, in thros weeks. He encountered no active hostility from the natives on the march, but experienced considerable difficulty in providing forage. General Primrose went out to meet him on bis approach, and there was great rejoiciag at the relief of the city. Ayoub Khan's army remains posted upon the Arghandab River, to wbich place he retired npon the approach of the relieving force, in order to secure his line of retreat to Herat.

Ayoub has despatched messengers to the British camp to endeavour to open tip negotiations with General Roberts. He professsa to desire a peaceful settlement of the difficulty, and proposes that the British Government should recognise him as Governor of Herat. General Roberts has declined to give any definite answer, pending reference to the Viceroy. In the meantime he is taking active measures to attack the Afghan force. It is reported that mnoh dissension exists in Ayoub's army, and desertions wre numerous.

General Phayre, with his force of 6000 men, is advancing rapidly to Oandahar from tbe south. After leaving Gatai, hia last post of ocoupation,-he pushed forward with all speed, but a strong force of hostile natives has taken up a position atTakhtipal, situated upon the Dori River, in order to bar his progress. Ha expeota to have a sharp encounter at this point.

September 4th. A brilliant victory has been gained by General Sir F. 8. Roberts over the Afghan army under Ayonb Khan, whose forces have been completely routed and all his artillery captured. After providing for the safety of Candahar, General Robarta having refused to enter into negotiations with Ayeub, proceeded to attack the Afghan forces, which were posted in a strong position near the Arghandab River, hi tbe vicinity of Sanjari, about 10 miles from Candahar. Having reconnoitred the position of the enemy, General Robert! discovered that they were Btrongly posted on a ridga of hills Defence works had been thrown np, and the ground entrenched. Having completed his preparations, General Roberts made bis attack. Early on the morning of the 2nd inst , a body of troops was despatched to turn the flank of the enemy's position. A brisk cannonade was maintained to divert attention, the Afghan gun 3 replying with vigour. Sir F, S. Roberts then ordered a general advance, and after a brief resistance the enemy broke and fled. At first; some attempt was made to effect an orderly retreat, but the charges of the British and native cavalry threw them into confusion, and changed the retreat into a rout. The Afghans abandoned all their guns and threw away their arms, endeavouring to escape. General Roberts captured the camp at 10 o'clook, gaining possession of a considerable amount of war material. The number of guns taken was 26. After carrying the camp General Roberts despatched a force of 1000 cavalry in pursuit in order to effect the capture of Ayonb Khan, who had fled towards Herat. The retreating fugitives had dispersed in two directions — a large body, consisting of the Cabaleae regiments, flying up the Arghandab Valley, while the Heratee regiment bolted to {the Helmund River, on the Herat road. Ia the pursuit the cavalry inflicted heavy loss' upon the enemy, killing 500. The British casualties were small, numbering enly 90 English. The loss of the Sepoy regiments, though not luge, was somewhat greater.

Immediately after the victory search was made for the prisoners taken by Ayoub Khan whilst operating against Cuidahar. It was discovered than Lieutenant Hector Maclaine, II. H. A., "who was captured in the sortie made by General Primrose at Candahar on the 22nd nit., had been murdered.

General Phayre'a forces did not arthe in time to take part in the combat, bat are expected to reach Candahar shortly. The British forces numbered about 15,000 men, comprising the force of 10,000 which marched under General Roberta from Cabul to the relief of Candahar, about 1000 of the garrison of Khelat-i <xhilz\i, and General Primrose's force, con listing of between 3000 and 4000 men. Ayoub Khan's army num.- j bered about 25,000 men. It is believed that their decisive defeat will completely crcsh any farther attempts at opposition. September 6th. Further intelligence received concerning the victory obtained by General Roberts , over the Afghan army under Ayoub Khan at Arghendab, near Candahar. on tha 2nd of September, shows that the battle was a decisive one. The enemy gave way after the first onset, and were soon completely routed. Thu British loss was small, the total caen ltuis amounfciu^' to only 230 killed and wounded. The Afghans suffered very heavily, the artillery causing havoc in their raiiks, and in the flight large numbers were ' killed by ths pursuing cavalry.

September 7th. Communication with Oandahar has been reopened. The telegraph wires which had been cut by the Afghans during the recent struggle have been restored. General Phayre has arrived, and 7 the city ia reported as quiet.

September Bth. The intelligence received from Candahar states that the loss suffered by the Afghans in the battle of the 2nd inst. was fearfully heavy. Their casualties amounted to over 3000. The larger portion of the loss wag Buffered in the pursuit.

General Roberts, having taken possession of the position occupied by the forces of Ayoub Khan on the Arghandab Rivar, has found it necessary to encamp there, and has thrown up entrenchments in order to hold the place strongly until the settlement of affairs in Southern Afghanistan has been assured.

General Roberta, who with the main body of his army remains entrenched on the Arghandab River, has despatched a sbrong column to Khushkinakud, a short distance along the Helmund River, in order to disperse any hostile natives.

General Phayre, with the force under his command, is encamped at Koreyirurak, a small township situated in the vicinity of Candahar.

The natives still exhibit great restlessness, and precautions are considered necessary.

The following messages have already appeared in our columns in a condensed form : —

Simla, September 2ad. Further particulars are now to hand of the attempt made by Ayoub Khan to opeu up negotiations with General Sir Frederick Roberts. It appears that the messengers pent by the former were the bearers of a letter from Ayoub, couched in terms of apology for having taken up arms against the Wali of Candabar and the British forces. He declares that he had no desire to engage in hostilities against the latter, but this step was forced upon him.

General Roberts' reply to the above communication wan an already stated, of a peremptory character. He declined to entertain any pro. posals for reaeo '•xeep': on tw» coodiKons — vfz , the immediate surrender of all the English and Native prisoners in Ayoub Khan's hands, and the complete and unconditional submission of Ayoub himself and his adherents. ■ . As no guarantees were offered for the fulfilment of these conditions, the overtures ceased at this, point, and the news of a decisive battle is now' hourly awaited. Notwithstanding the overtures made by Ayoub Khan, there is every reason to believe that he is fully prepared- to resist the, attack about to ba made on him by General Sir Frederick Roberts. Since his arrival on the Arghandab he has been actively engaged in throwing up entrenched works, and his position is believed to be one of considerable strength. The main body of troops is at Madat Khan, a few miles from Sanjari ; and so far from showing a disposition to retreat before encountering General Roberts, Ayoub Khan is partly forcing the fight which is about to eissue.

September 3rd ( moon). Intelligence has just been received from General Sir F, S. Roberts, announcing that he attacked Ayoub Khan with his entire force yesterday, the 2nd inst., and after a desperate engagement be succeeded in carrying all the enemy's position?, notwithstanding their having been rendered additionally strong hy the earth, works which had been previously thrown up. The enemy made a gallant defence, but were completely crushed, and their forces dispersed in every direction. ■ - ■•

September 4th. All accounts received from Oandahar agree hi representing the victory of General Roberta to have been of a most complete and decisive character. Not only were all Ayoub Khan's guns (27 in all) captured, but most of his war material, and news has now been received that his entire camp fell into the hands of the British commander.

The Afghan defence does not appear to have been ao prolonged as was at first believed.

The enemy withstood the first British at. tack, but then turned "and fled, with the result already stated.

September 7th. Since the great defeat of last Thursday, and the dispersion of the bulk of Ayoub Khan's forces, he has not shown the slightest signs of an intention to rally. The news of his arrival lit Kharez oa Saturday has now been confirmed, and later intelligence receired to-day states that he has left that place, and is proceeding with all haste towards Herat. He wa3 accompanied by the chief Mahomed Hasaim and a body of Heratee horse, which still remained faithful to their Governor.

(Special to the Melboubne Argus.)

Lokdok, September 4th. General Roberts, in his victory over Ayoub Khan on the Arghandab River, besides taking all Ayoub's guns, made 10,000 prisoners. It is believed that the Cabulese are retreating, and it is said that they intend to submit to Abdur Rahman, whose recognition by England satisfies them.

September 6 th. Ia General Roberts' victory over Ayoub Khan General Primrose's troops in the first instance made a frond feint, and the cavalry made a demonstration in the plain below. Tbe Highlanders with the Ghoorka3 then turned the position. Ayoub's troops fought well, acting like regulars, and obeying the European bugle calls

Just before Ayoub fled Lieutenant H. Maclaine, of the Royal Horse Artillery, who had been taken prisoner at Girishk, was brought out aad shot.

The British troops on learning of this atrooioua act were much exasperated.'

September 7th. Cavalry patrolsifreport that the villages near Candahar arej fail of Afghan dead and wounded.

General Phayre is remaining for the present two stages from Candahar, where he ob tains better supplies. It ia stated that the cavalry now in Southern Afghanistan will begin to return to India in about a fortnight.

September 9th. The Afghan loas at Candahar is now esti mated at 1000 killed and 2000 wounded

A firm in Reading, Perm., which uses the yolks of thousands of eggs in tanning kid, has put in operation a steam egg beater havihg a capacity of 20,000 eggs. The tauk' made of cedar, ?s two *usd a hasf feet in din' nie^r and two and a half feet m height, and contains two revolving rakes, bevel wheels, and pinions, running ia opposite direotions,