The British had by military and monetary assistance helped Shere Ali on to the throne of Afghanistan in 1869, and, naturally, took umbrage at the overtures made to Russia—the refusal to accept a British Resident at Cabul, the honoured reception of a Russian envoy, and finally the signing of a treaty which placed the Ameer of Afghanistan under the guardianship of Russia. A mission was consequently sent to Cabul, but it was stopped at Ali Musjid, at the entrance to the Khyber Pass, by threats of attack if it dared to proceed any farther. Sir Nevill Chamberlain, therefore, thought it prudent to return to Peshawar, and on November 21st, 1878, war was declared. Afghanistan was then invaded, and the Ameer declared a Jehad, or holy war, against the British.
Ali Musjid.—The same day the fort of Ali Musjid, armed with 22 guns, was attacked, and the enemy abandoned it after some smart fighting. The column under General Sir S. Browne then pushed on to Jellalabad, having lost in the attack 2 officers and 35 men killed.
The troops engaged at Ali Musjid, on November 21st, 1878, were the 17th, 51st; 4th Batt. 60th; 81st; four Batteries of Artillery; 10th Hussars, and the following native regiments: 1st Sikhs; 4th Goorkas; 6th, 14th, 20th, 27th, and 45th Bengal Infantry; Bengal Sappers and Miners and 11th Bengal Lancers.
Peiwar Kotal.—Major-General (later Field-Marshal Lord) Frederick Roberts, V.C., with the Kurram Field Force, crossed the Thall the same day as General Browne had captured Ali Musjid, and advancing up the Kurram Valley garrisoned Fort Azim, and then proceeded to attack Peiwar Kotal; but finding it too strong to assault in front, General Roberts decided upon a daring march of 10 miles in order to turn the Afghan position, and this he carried out in a masterly and successful manner while the heavy snowstorms made the intense cold less endurable. The attack was successfully delivered, the Afghan defence turned, and then Brigadier-General Cobbe hammered away at the enemy's front with his artillery while Roberts advanced against the main body; and after a contest which fiercely raged for seven hours, the Afghans made off, leaving their tents standing and the whole of their baggage; 6 field and 11 mountain guns were captured, and so distressed was Shere Ali with the defeat that he fled to Balkh, where he died while awaiting permission to make an asylum in Russia. The British losses were: 2 officers killed, and General Cobbe wounded; 90 European and Indian soldiers killed or wounded. In this battle Major J. Cook, of the Bengal Staff Corps, gained the Victoria Cross by charging the enemy and rescuing Major Galbraith, who was attacked by an Afghan. During the operations at Cabul this gallant officer was killed.
The troops engaged were the 8th and 72nd, a squadron 10th Hussars, and the following native regiments: 2nd and 5th Punjab Infantry; 5th Goorkas; 23rd and 29th Bengal Infantry, and 12th Bengal Cavalry.
Charasia.—On the death of Shere Ali, his son Yakoub Khan, who had been imprisoned by his father, ascended the throne, and, recognising the futility of the contest, agreed by the treaty of Gandamak to vest the control of his country in the Indian Government, to allow a British Resident at Cabul, and to accept a subsidy of six lakhs of rupees while the Khyber Pass was to be controlled by us, and the Kurram, Pishi, and Sibi Passes were to be attached to the Indian Empire. On June 17th, 1879, Sir Louis Cavagnari set out with his secretary, Mr. Jenkins, and Dr. Kelly, and an escort of 25 cavalry and 50 infantry of the Guides under Lieutenant Hamilton. Cabul was reached on July 24th, and on the night of September 2nd the Residency was attacked, and after a gallant defence Sir Louis and his officers and almost all the escort were murdered. This outrage necessitated prompt action, and General Roberts hurried up from Simla. Pushing past Peiwar Kotal, the Shaturgardan Pass was occupied before the enemy could reach it. At Kushi the Ameer rode into camp and said that he had been dethroned by his rebellious troops. No one believed him. Pressing as rapidly as possible on to Cabul, Sir Frederick Roberts found that the Afghan army occupied a very strong position at Charasia. On October 6th he stormed the place, and after a determined defence the Afghans fled towards Cabul in great confusion, leaving behind them 20 guns and 2 standards. Next day the British army marched on Cabul, and entered with the band of the 67th playing at its head; by October 8th General Roberts was occupying the fortified cantonments of Sherpur, in which he found 73 guns. The British losses were 20 killed and 70 wounded.
Edwardian Variety.
Medal for Abor.