This fine force of cavalry was formed in three brigades:

The 35th Bengal Infantry was left at Bukkur to hold the bridge over the Indus, and preparations were made to punish the Scinde Sirdars, who evinced a determination to oppose the passage of our troops through their country. Wiser counsels prevailed, possibly due to the fact that H.M.S. Wellesley had with a couple of broadsides knocked the forts at Kurrachee into pieces, and that the Bombay troops were advancing from the south. On reaching Quettah, the Bombay column, which was under Sir John Keane, the Commander-in-Chief, joined hands with the Bengal army. This force consisted of the 4th Hussars, the two Bombay cavalry regiments named above, the 2nd (Queen's), 17th (Leicesters), and the 19th (now the 119th) Bombay Infantry. Leaving the 43rd Bengal Infantry at Quettah, the army pushed on to Kandahar, losing an immense number of its baggage animals en route, and suffering much from marauding Baluchis, and still more from the terrible heat in the passes. It must be remembered that the men marched in leather stocks, in leather shakos, and red coatees! In June the army reached Kandahar, and thence a force was detached, under Brigadier Sale, to the Helmund River, meeting with a certain amount of opposition. Leaving a strong garrison under Colonel Herring in Kandahar, and entrusting the chief command in Southern Afghanistan to General Nott, the Commander-in-Chief advanced to the north towards the end of June, reaching the neighbourhood of Ghuznee on July 21, where the first serious opposition was encountered, the Afghans being signally worsted by our cavalry, who were well handled by General Thackwell, a Peninsular veteran, who had lost an arm at Waterloo.

Ghuznee, 1839.

This battle honour was the first granted during the reign of Queen Victoria, and was awarded to the following regiments, who were present at the storming of the Afghan fortress by Sir John Keane on July 23, 1839:

4th Hussars.
16th Lancers.
The Queen's (R.W. Surrey).
13th Somerset L.I.
17th Leicesters.
1st Bengal Fus. (Munsters).
3rd Skinner's Horse.
31st Duke of Connaught's Lancers.
34th Poona Horse.
3rd Sappers and Miners.
119th Multan Regiment.

All the regiments of the old Bengal army which participated in this feat of arms, or in the subsequent operations in Afghanistan, were swept away in the Mutiny of 1857.

Sir John Keane, against the advice of his artillery officers, had left his siege-train behind, owing to difficulties of carriage, and there was nothing to be done but to carry Ghuznee by storm. There were men present who had assisted at the storming of Bhurtpore in 1826, and all remembered the terrible losses incurred by Lord Lake's army at the unsuccessful assaults of that fortress in 1805. The prospect was not a pleasing one, but with the Oriental l'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace is the best policy in the long-run. On July 23 Keane carried the place by assault with but trifling loss, and so earned a peerage.

Casualties at the Storming of Ghuznee, July 28, 1839.

On August 8 the army reached Kabul, and the puppet Shah Sujah was installed on the throne, the brave Dost Mohammed flying before our arms, only to rally for a fresh desperate venture for the kingdom. The Bombay column was now ordered back by way of Ghuznee and Kandahar, and the Commander-in-Chief, with the 16th Lancers and some details of the 13th Light Infantry and of the Bengal regiments, returned to India by the Khyber.

Khelat, November 13, 1839.

This battle honour is borne by the

Queen's (Royal West Surrey).
Leicesters.
3rd Skinner's Horse.
3rd Sappers and Miners.
2nd Q.O. Rajput L.I.

It commemorates a scarcely remembered, but very successful, affair carried out by a column of the invading army of Afghanistan. On the capture of Ghuznee (p. 254) and the flight of Dost Mohammed, it was erroneously anticipated that the people of the country were willing to accept Shah Sujah as their Sovereign. Sir John Keane, misled by the political officers, determined to send back a large portion of his army to India, and whilst one column was to return by the Khyber Pass, in the north, another was told off to return by the Bolan, in the south. This column was placed under the command of Major-General Willshire, and comprised the regiments above named, with a company of Bombay Artillery and one of Sappers. All were much under their proper strength, and this I touch upon in passing, as it brings out into stronger relief the nature of the task achieved by General Willshire's force.

Strength of British Troops.

Strength of Native Troops.

The Baluch tribes had shown themselves uniformly hostile towards us during the whole course of the expedition to Afghanistan. They had attacked our convoys, murdered officers, and cut up camp followers with impunity, and apparently with the full approval of their chiefs. General Willshire, on the return march of the Bombay column, was instructed to inflict condign punishment on the Khans of Khelat. These, on the other hand, determined to make a sturdy resistance. On approaching Khelat the General found the Baluchis massed on the heights surrounding the city, and he at once took measures to attack them. Whilst the Bombay artillery shelled the heights, three columns of infantry, each consisting of but four weak companies, pushed up the three principal spurs, the remainder of the force, under the General's own personal command, being held in reserve. The Bombay artillery always held the reputation of being second to none, and the accuracy of their fire not only silenced the few Baluch guns which were posted on the heights, but compelled the enemy to seek shelter behind the walls of the fortress before the advancing columns had come to close quarters. The General, seeing the enemy streaming towards the walls, endeavoured to forestall them, and it became a race as to who should reach the open gateway first. Although in this we were beaten by a short head, yet we were so close in rear of the Baluchis that they were unable to make any very well-organized stand: our men were close at their heels. The gates were blown in, and British private, well supported by the Bengal sepoy, pressed into the place. If we compare the numbers present at Khelat with those which assisted at the storming of Ghuznee, and then study the two casualty lists, it will at once be seen that, although the name of Khelat may not be so familiar as that of Ghuznee, the feat of General Willshire's army is in no way inferior to that which gained for Sir John Keane the title of Baron Keane of Ghuznee.

Casualties at the Storming of Khelat.

Kahun, 1840.

105th Mahratta Light Infantry.

In the month of March, 1841, the Governor of Bombay issued the following Order in Council:

"In order to testify his admiration of the gallantry, prudence, and perseverance which distinguished Captain Brown in the defence of Kahun, and the fidelity and bravery of the officers and men under his command, the 5th Regiment of Native Infantry shall be permitted to have 'Kahun' inscribed on their colours and borne on their appointments."

Outside the ranks of the 105th Mahratta Light Infantry there are few who know of the gallant deed which this one word commemorates. On his return to India after the successful capture of Ghuznee, Sir John Keane deemed it advisable to occupy the forts of Quetta and Kahun, commanding as they did two passes between Afghanistan and the Lower Indus. Quetta is well known to the present generation of soldiers, but Kahun is still in the territory of the Murri tribe. It is situated in a valley some ten miles long by five broad, at the western extremity of an exceedingly difficult pass. The town in 1840 was surrounded by a lofty wall, 25 feet in height, with six bastions, but unprovided with a ditch. The force told off to hold the fort consisted of 300 men of the 105th Mahratta Light Infantry (then the 5th Bombay Infantry), under a Captain Lewis Brown, of that corps. He was instructed to move in with six months' supplies, as it was considered quite possible that the Baluchis would refuse to supply him with provisions. The 500 camels, with provisions, were to be escorted back to Sukkur, on the Indus, by a company of the 5th and a squadron of the Scinde Irregular Horse, under Lieutenant Clarke of the 5th, who were to march up to Kahun under Brown's orders. Two guns were at first told off for this force, but this order was afterwards countermanded. However, Brown, contrary to orders, did succeed in taking one gun with him. Leaving Sukkur late in April, Brown reached Kahun on May 12, his march having been vigorously opposed by the Baluchis. On the 15th he sent back the camels, adding a second company to the infantry escort, as he considered the attitude of the tribes very threatening. He thus reduced his force to 140 bayonets, 12 gunners, and 1 gun. On the return march Clarke's little force was attacked by a large body of Baluchis and totally annihilated. Brown now saw that he would have to fight for life. He at once commenced to strengthen the walls, levelled all houses in the immediate neighbourhood, cut down all trees within musketry range, and dug a ditch round the place. On August 31 an effort was made to relieve him. Major Clibborn, of the 101st Grenadiers, with 300 bayonets of his own regiment, 200 sabres of the Scinde Horse, with three guns, reached the foot of the pass, within sound of gunshot of the beleaguered garrison. There Clibborn was attacked by an overwhelming force of Baluchis, and after a stubborn fight was driven back, with the loss of all his guns, 5 officers and 190 men killed. The garrison had long since been deprived of all meat rations, and on September 5 Brown found that he had but six bags of flour left. On this day he received an official letter from the Brigade-Major at Sukkur, informing him of the defeat of the relieving force, and further adding that it would be impossible to make another attempt, as there were no more troops available. Brown was therefore told that he must act on his own resources, and either cut his way out or make arrangements with the Baluch chiefs for a safe conduct to Sukkur. On more than one occasion Dodah Khan, the head of the Murri tribe, had offered to allow Brown to march through his country if he would hand over the fort, but without superior orders Brown felt he was not entitled to treat. Now he had full power to act on his own responsibility, and on September 12, after a close siege of four months, the gallant Brown entered into an arrangement with the Baluch chief, and evacuated the fort which he had held so nobly. The Baluchis, unlike the Afghans at Kabul, held to their word. Brown's return march was unmolested, and early in October the remains of his own worn-out, half-starved garrison reached Quetta. Few battle honours have been more worthily earned than Kahun.

The forebodings of the prophets of evil came to pass. We had placed Shah Sujah on the throne of his fathers, but it was not in our power to enthrone him in the hearts of his people. Expedition after expedition was undertaken to punish tribes which refused to accept his rule, and who in doing so showed active hostility to ourselves. In 1841 it was determined to evacuate the country, but a rising of the tribes in the Khyber Pass effectually cut off all communication between Kabul and India. Sir Robert Sale was despatched with a brigade to open the pass, but he found that he was compelled to fight his way at every step, and finally threw himself into Jelalabad, a semi-fortified town midway between Kabul and Peshawur. Shortly after his arrival he learnt of the murder of the Envoy, Sir William Macnaghten, and of the attempt of the Kabul garrison to reach the shelter of Jelalabad. Of the army which left Kabul, but one man reached the shelter of Sale's defences, the 44th Foot being absolutely annihilated. Lady Butler's picture, "The Remnant of an Army," depicts Dr. Bryden riding, sorely wounded, into the snowed-in fortress.[21]

Jelalabad.

This battle honour, with a mural crown, is borne by the Somerset Light Infantry, and commemorates their gallant defence of Jelalabad in the winter of 1841-42. As a feat of arms the defence was not of any striking value. The garrison suffered from want of food, and they were exposed to attack on the part of the Afghan tribes; but as a matter of fact they were left pretty much undisturbed, their casualties during the six months' siege being but 4 men killed, 2 officers and 14 men wounded. On April 5 Sale made a sortie, driving off the besiegers, and so relieving himself before the arrival of the avenging army under Pollock. In this action the 13th lost their gallant Colonel Dennie, a soldier whose loss would have dimmed a far more glorious victory than that won under the walls of Jelalabad; the losses on this day were, in addition to the Colonel, 8 men killed, 2 officers and 31 men wounded. As the native infantry regiment which shared with the 13th the glories of the defence of Jelalabad no longer exists, I have not given the casualties incurred by any corps but the Somerset Light Infantry. The total casualties of the 13th throughout the campaign amounted to 4 officers and 62 men killed, 19 officers and 238 non-commissioned officers and men wounded.

Khelat-i-Ghilzai.

This honour, with the word "Invicta," is borne by the 12th Pioneers (the Khelat-i-Ghilzai Regiment). During our occupation of Afghanistan certain strategic points had necessarily been held in order to maintain our communications with India. Amongst these were the forts of Ghuznee and Khelat-i-Ghilzai, between the capital and Kandahar. The former was entrusted to a Colonel Palmer, of the 27th Bengal Infantry; the latter to Captain Craigie, with a regiment of infantry raised in Hindustan for the army of the Shah Sujah. Unfortunately, the Ghuznee garrison was compelled to surrender, but Craigie and his men weathered the storm, and though besieged for four long months, and reduced to sore straits for food, they repelled more than one assault. For its gallant defence of Khelat-i-Ghilzai the Shah's regiment was brought on the establishment of the Bengal army, and now remains with us as the 12th Pioneers (the Khelat-i-Ghilzai Regiment). In addition to the name "Khelat-i-Ghilzai," the regiment is allowed to carry an honorary standard, and bears on its colours the proud motto "Invicta."

Candahar, 1842.

This battle honour was conferred on the troops which, advancing from Kandahar under General Nott, aided in the release of the captives in Kabul, and in the punishment of the Afghans for the murder of our Envoy in 1841. The regiments still entitled to bear this honour are the

South Lancashire.
Welsh.
1st Skinner's Horse.
34th Poona Horse.
5th Light Infantry.
6th Light Infantry.
12th Pioneers (Khelat-i-Ghilzai Regiment).

Throughout the winter of 1841-42 General Nott had been subject to considerable annoyance from the tribes of Southern Afghanistan. On two occasions he had been attacked at Kandahar, and he had experienced some difficulty in keeping open his communications with India by the Bolan Pass. It was not until he had heard that General Pollock was at Jelalabad that he was able to commence his advance towards Kabul. His force was divided into two brigades of infantry, with a small, but very efficient, force of cavalry, consisting of the 3rd Bombay Cavalry (now the 33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry), and two regiments of irregular cavalry, one of which is still with us as Skinner's Horse. His artillery comprised two batteries of horse and two of field artillery. The First Infantry Brigade was under Brigadier Wymer, and consisted of the 40th (South Lancashire Regiment), the 16th and 38th Regiments of Bengal Infantry, and the 12th Khelat-i-Ghilzai Regiment, this last alone being with us.

The Second Brigade comprised the 41st (Welsh Regiment), the 42nd and 43rd Regiments of Bengal Infantry (now the 5th and 6th Regiments of Light Infantry).

On passing Khelat-i-Ghilzai, which all through the winter had been most gallantly defended by the 3rd Regiment of the Shah's infantry, under Captain Craigie, Nott, in obedience to instructions, destroyed the fortifications. At Ghuznee he met with his first opposition, and was able, with but little loss, to inflict a sharp defeat on the Afghans.

Ghuznee, 1842.

This distinction was conferred on the regiments which marched up from Kandahar, under General Nott, and were present at the successful little skirmish outside the fortress of Ghuznee in August, 1842. The regiments authorized to bear this honour are the

South Lancashire.
The Welsh.
33rd Q.O. Light Cavalry.
5th Light Infantry.
6th Jat Light Infantry.
12th Khelat-i-Ghilzais.

The losses were slight; indeed, when we examine the casualty returns of nearly all the engagements that have been inscribed on the colours of the British army for services in Afghanistan, it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the honours have been very liberally bestowed.

Casualties at Ghuznee, 1842.

Cabool, 1842.

This distinction was granted to all the regiments which participated in the operations in Afghanistan, having for their object the release of the captives in the hands of Akbar Khan, or of the relief of the garrisons at Jelalabad and Khelat-i-Ghilzai. The command of the army operating from Peshawur was entrusted to General George Pollock, of the Bengal Artillery, whilst the Southern army, which advanced from Kandahar, was, as we have seen, commanded by General Nott, a distinguished officer of the Indian army. The regiments authorized to bear this distinction are the

3rd Hussars.
Norfolk.
Somerset Light Infantry.
East Surrey.
South Lancashire.
Welsh.
33rd Q.O. Light Cavalry.
4th Rajputs.
5th Light Infantry.
6th Light Infantry.
12th Khelat-i-Ghilzai.

Pollock's army was mobilized at Peshawur, in virtue of an arrangement with Runjeet Singh, the Sovereign of the Punjab, who had consented to send an army to act in conjunction with our own. It was not until the commencement of April that General Pollock had collected sufficient carriage for his advance. We were now under no delusions as to the feeling of the people of Afghanistan, and we also knew that the tribes in the Khyber Pass would oppose every step of our way. Sir Robert Sale had relieved himself before General Pollock started, and it was intended that his troops should join in the advance, and take their share in carrying out the punishment to be inflicted on the city of Kabul. Sale's brigade was numbered the First of Pollock's army, which was thus constituted:

The cavalry brigade was under Brigadier-General White, and consisted of the 3rd Hussars, the 1st and 10th Regiments of Bengal Light Cavalry, and two corps of Irregular Horse.

The artillery comprised two batteries of horse artillery, three of field, and one mountain battery, under Brigadier-General H. Delafosse.

Pollock determined to advance before the arrival of his Third Brigade, leaving that to join him at Jelalabad. He left Peshawur on April 5, and, after one or two sharp skirmishes, arrived at Jelalabad on the 16th of the same month. Here the army was reorganized, Sir Robert Sale being made a Divisional General, and placed in command of the second division, which was to consist of the 9th (Norfolks), the 13th (Somerset Light Infantry), the 16th and 26th Regiments of Bengal Infantry.

General McCaskill, in command of the first division, had under him the 31st (East Surrey), the 33rd and 60th Regiments of Bengal Infantry, and the Sikh army.

In the month of August the army continued its advance on Kabul. Some opposition was experienced in forcing the passes in which our troops in the preceding winter had met their doom, but by the end of September retribution had been exacted; the captives, amongst whom were Sir Robert Sale's wife and daughter, had been released; the Bala Hissar, or citadel, in Kabul had been destroyed, and Nott's army had joined hands with the Commander-in-Chief. The retirement to Peshawur was effected with comparatively little loss, and in the beginning of November the army was once more on the left bank of the Sutlej, in British territory.

Pollock's force met with opposition in the Khyber, both in going up to relieve the garrison of Jelalabad as well as in the return march from Kabul to Peshawur, the casualties of his and Nott's force being—

Cutchee, 1839-1842.[22]

This distinction, which is borne on the appointments of the 35th Scinde Horse and the 36th Jacob's Horse, was awarded to those regiments for their services in the province of Cutchee during the operations in Afghanistan in 1839-1842. Cutchee is a province of Southern Baluchistan, and the inhabitants had been enriching themselves at the cost of the East India Company by a very comprehensive system of attacks on our convoys. No general action was fought, and the actual losses incurred by the two regiments were trifling; but the work was none the less arduous for the absence of fighting, and Sir Charles Napier felt it would be an encouragement to the two newly-raised regiments if they received some outward token that the Sirkar appreciated their good and gallant conduct. On several occasions the regiments had shown considerable dash, and had never hesitated to follow their British officers against any number of Baluchis.

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