THE CHITRAL CAMPAIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 56

THE CHITRAL CAMPAIGN.

FAREWELL ORDER TO THE TROOPS, Sir Roberfc Low's farewell order to the troop* forming the Chitral Expedition is as follows :— In taking leave of the Ghitral relief force, on its demobilisation, the lieutenant-general commanding avails himself of the occasion to place on record his high appreciation of the fine services of the troops whom it has been his privilege lo command in the field for the past six months. The storming of the difficult and obbt'n&ttly held Malakand Pass, .the victorious engagement at the Aroandnra defile, the brilliant passage of the Swat tive<', the gallant fights on tha Pftiijlor*, and the fiual overthrow of Umr* Khan and the relief of the beleaguered garrison st Chitral, which these operations mtde possible, are achievements which have added to the reputation of the British army, and of which every man who took part in them may well be proud. And THE ADMIRABLE SPIRIT OF THIS FOHCE > has been not less clearly shown in other ways throughout the six months ever which its operations have extended. An unexampled amount o£ manual labsur has fallen upon the troops. They kwe been exposed, with little shelter, to cold and wet and to long continued and excessive heat;, while they have had constant and heavy dutiea by day and ni^hfe. It gives Sit Robert Low the great e?t pleasure to put on record that they have uniformly evinced discipline and devo'ion to duty and a martial spirit which can hardly be too highly commended. Thiir good behaviour, and especially their good conduct towards the people of the country which they had overrun, are illustrated by the facb that the people in question are now earnestly petitioning the Government for their retention among them. Iv short, all ranks in this^foree may feel assured that they are worthy to tt»nd in the plucs of those who have gniß before them in the Biitish army, and NO GREATEH PHAISE THAN THIS could be given them. These remarks, would ba incomplete if a word wore not said about that . useful and much-enduring class, the followers, to whom the fighting men of the army of India 6we so much. These men have worked and conducted themselves in the most admirable manner throughout the campaign, and it is most satisfactory to know that they have been well cared for, and thut there have been relatively few casualties among them. In conclusion, Sir Robert Low bids tare well, with all good wishes, to all ranks of the Chitral relief force, to have commanded which will ever be a source of pride to him.