THE CHITRAL TROUBLE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue 4254, 3 July 1895, Page 5

THE CHITRAL TROUBLE.

Lieutenant Jones has given a graphic narrative of the disaster which befell Captain Ross, who attempted to assist Lieutenants Fowler and Edwardes at Reshun. The little party lef c Mastuj with sixty men of the 14th Sikhs, Captain Ross being in charge and Lieutenant Jones under him. On reaching a narrow defile near Reshun they found that the way was blocked, the enemy having erected sangars on the heights. The enemy opened fire, and Captain Ross, finding he could not make headway, fell back. The loss up to that time had been heavy, Lhc enemy firing steadily and rolling heavy stones down the cliffs. The coolies with the force threw away their loads and bolted. Lieutenant Jones was thereupon ordered with ten men to seize the end of the defile and keep the route open, and at the same time to bring back the coolies. Two of these, who were unwounded, rejoiued the force ; the others were found hiding for safety in caves. At dawn another attempt was made to force the defile, but our men were met with a perfect torrent of stones from the •nemy's position commanding the route. The (Sikhs made a gallant effort, but were effectually cheeked. They could not scale the cliffs" on either flank, and were unable by any available means to reach the sangare. The enemy's fire was heavy, and while encouraging his men to a renewed attack Captain Ross fell. The Sikhs then fell back, fighting their way against desperate odds. Finally seventeen sepoys made their way out into the open plain. Forty men had either been killed or taken prisoners. Lieutenant Jones fell back upon Boni, and thence to Mastuj. Lieutenant Jones pays the highest tribute to the bravery and steadiness of the Sikhs in the face of the enemy's overwhelming strength.