[52]. This, according to the statement of Ayub’s colonel of artillery (now a prisoner in our hands), was really Ayub’s plan. He meant to reach Sinjuri by forced marches.
[53]. In justice to Colonel St. John, I must say that I have since learned that he reported later in the day, to General Burrows, that the whole of Ayub’s army was at Sangbur. This report was disregarded for the following reason: A British officer of the 3rd Scind Horse stated that he had visited Sangbur that day with a cavalry patrol, and that only a few irregulars were found there. Colonel St. John’s information was quite correct, as our prisoners told us after the battle of Candahar. What village did the officer really reconnoitre?
[54]. Major-General Greaves, Adjutant-General in India, in his remarks upon General Burrows’ despatch, points out how fatal it was to form up with both flanks en l’air before an enemy vastly superior in numbers.
[55]. Brigadier Nuttall commanding the cavalry says in his despatch: “I ordered the cavalry to form line, and by a charge stem the rush of ghazis on the infantry; but I bitterly regret to have to record that although I was most ably seconded by the officers, only portions of the 3rd Light Cavalry and 3rd Scind Horse formed up, and we charged, but the men bearing away to the right and rear, the charge was not delivered home, and was but of little effect. All subsequent attempts made at this time by myself and the officers to induce the men to rally and face the enemy failed. The men seemed totally demoralized by the combined effects of the very heavy artillery fire which had, during the action, killed and wounded 149 of the horses, and about fourteen per cent. of the men engaged in the front. There was now nothing left but to fall back on the rearguard, which had advanced a short way towards us, but it was not till we reached the four guns Royal Horse Artillery, brought out of action by Captain Slade, that the men, through the exertions of the officers, staff and myself, were formed up facing the enemy.”
[56]. The 3rd Scind Horse only lost fourteen men killed and five wounded out of 260 men: they had forty-nine horses killed and wounded. There were thus always over 200 sabres available for a charge in this regiment alone, but the men were out of hand.
NOTES ON ILLUSTRATION AT p. 512
| 1st Brigade 1 | 3rd Brigade 4 |
| 6 S.R.A. | 11-9 R.A. |
| 92nd Highlanders | 2-60 Rifles |
| 2nd Goorkhas | 4th Goorkhas |
| 23rd Pioneers | 15th Sikhs |
| 24th P.N.I. | 25th P.N.I. |
| 2nd Brigade 2 | Cavalry Brigade |
| No. 2 M.B. | 9th Lancers |
| 72nd Highlanders | 3rd B.C. |
| 5th Goorkhas | 3rd R.C. |
| 2nd Sikhs | C.I.H. |
| 3rd Sikhs | |
| 2nd Biluchi | |
| Bombay Troop 3 | Afghan Positions |
| 6 Co. 7th Fusiliers | Gundimisila |
| 4 Co. 66th Foot | Gundigan |
| 6 Co. 28th N.I. | Walled Gardens between G and G |
| 4th N.I. | Pir Paimal and Spur of Hill |
| 19th N.I. | Kharoti and Hill |
| 2 Co. 1st N.I. | |
| Detachment S. and M. | |
| E.B., R.H.A. | |
| C-2 R.A. | |
| 5-11 R.A. | |
| 3rd I. Cavalry | |
| 3rd Sinde Horse | (Sd.) E.P. Leach, Captain & |
| Poona Horse | Brevet-Major. |
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