On August 11 the Kabul-Kandahar Force commenced its march to the south, and on the 31st of the month reached Kandahar—a distance of 313 miles. No opposition was experienced on the march. The garrison of Kandahar was found in a state of extreme dejection. In order not to attract the enemy's fire the General in command had given instructions that even the British flag should not be hoisted on the walls. Neither Sir Frederick Roberts nor his force were the men to delay when a fight was in prospect, and as the army of Ayub Khan was still encamped in the vicinity, flushed with their victory over General Burroughs at Maiwand, Sir Frederick determined on at once attacking the Afghans, and on the very day of his arrival the Chief sent out General Hugh Gough to reconnoitre the enemy's position.
Kandahar, September 1, 1880.
This honour is borne by the
9th Lancers.
Royal Fusiliers.
Royal Berkshires.
King's Royal Rifles.
Seaforth Highlanders.
Gordon Highlanders.
3rd Sappers and Miners.
3rd Skinner's Horse.
23rd Cavalry.
33rd Q.O. Light Cavalry.
34th Poona Horse.
38th Central India Horse.
39th Central India Horse.
15th Sikhs.
23rd Pioneers.
24th Punjabis.
25th Punjabis.
52nd Sikhs.
53rd Sikhs.
101st Grenadiers.
104th Wellesley's Rifles.
119th Multan.
128th Pioneers.
129th Baluchis.
2nd Gurkhas.
4th Gurkhas.
5th Gurkhas.
Sir Frederick adopted the same tactics here as in his earlier actions: making a wide sweeping movement with a portion of his infantry and his cavalry, he pressed home the frontal attack with the two Highland regiments, and in an hour the Afghan army was in full retreat. The only troops actually engaged were those who had marched down with General Roberts from Kabul.
Casualties at the Battle of Kandahar, September 1, 1880.
| Regiments. | Officers. | Men. | ||
| K. | W. | K. | W. | |
| Staff | 1 | - | - | - |
| Royal Artillery | - | - | - | 6 |
| 60th Roy. Rifles | - | - | - | 2 |
| 72nd Seaforths | 2 | 2 | 11 | 20 |
| 92nd Gordons | - | 2 | 19 | 69 |
| 3rd Skinner's H. | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 23rd Cavalry P.F.F. | - | 1 | - | 6 |
| 33rd Q.O. Light Cavalry | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 3rd Scinde Horse | - | - | - | 1 |
| 38th C.I. Horse | 1 | - | - | 5 |
| 15th Sikhs | - | - | 2 | 4 |
| 23rd Pioneers | - | 1 | 2 | 13 |
| 24th Punjabis | - | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 25th Punjabis | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 52nd Sikhs P.F.F. | - | 1 | 3 | 23 |
| 53rd Sikhs P.F.F. | - | - | - | 6 |
| 129th D.C.O. Baluchis | - | - | - | 1 |
| 2nd Gurkhas | - | 2 | 8 | 21 |
| 4th Gurkhas | - | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 5th Gurkhas | - | - | 1 | 2 |