The march from Beni Hissar to Zahidabad was as trying as any we are likely to have between Cabul and Ghazni. The rear-guard of General Macpherson’s Brigade did not reach camp until after seven o’clock, having been under arms for fourteen hours, and the 92nd Highlanders and 23rd Pioneers were so tired and worn out that many threw themselves down in their tents without energy enough to take more than a mouthful of food. It was not the actual distance (16 miles) which told upon them so much as the long halts in the sun while the baggage was being pushed forward; while a dust-storm the whole afternoon added greatly to their discomfort. The sun is stronger than was expected, and the men, not being yet in thorough marching order, felt its effects rather severely. The camp was pitched in the open fields near where we encamped in October last, when our mission was to punish Cabul. Our force now is nearly as strong again as the old Cabul Field Force, “the avenging army” as it was termed; but the brigades are not yet united, the cavalry and General Baker’s Brigade being a few miles in advance. This is to enable us to march with greater rapidity. That rapidity naturally depends upon our transport, the marching power of our men not being a doubtful factor in our calculations. We are provided with mule and pony carriage, camels being unsuitable for forced marching, and I am glad to say we have an unusually strong staff of transport officers, with Colonel Low at their head, who are equal to all the demands made upon their knowledge and endurance. Upon the efforts of this staff much will depend, as if carelessness were once to creep into the management and care of the animals a dead-lock would follow. In the first campaign the stupid experiment of trying to work camels without food was tried, and the result, as Government found to its cost, was terrible failure. Now, Sir Frederick Roberts is determined to try what can be done when the animals are given grain and forage with a liberal hand, and when we have reached Candahar I will note the result in this case also. The Transport Staff, to which I, in common with the whole force, look with great confidence, is as follows:—
Lieutenant-Colonel Low, Chief Director.
Lieutenant Booth, Staff Officer.
Captain Wynter, 33rd Foot, General Transport Officer.
Lieutenant Fisher, 10th Hussars, Cavalry Brigade.
Lieutenant Wilson, 10th Hussars, 1st Brigade.
Captain Elliot, 3rd Bengal Cavalry, 2nd Brigade.
Captain Macgregor, 44th Native Infantry, 3rd Brigade.
Lieutenant Robertson, 8th Foot, Ordnance Park.
Lieutenant Elverson, 2nd Queen’s, also attached to 3rd Brigade.