l of
them captured.

The next march was a short one to Charasia. Beyond this place the enemy
had taken up their position. Here a mass of hills shuts in the wild
valley, and this narrows to a mere defile. Upon both sides of this the
enemy had placed guns in position, and lined the whole circle of the
hills. In the afternoon a cavalry reconnaissance was made; but they did
not succeed in getting the enemy to show themselves in force.

At daybreak on the 6th a working party was sent forward to improve the
road through the defile. But they had scarcely started when the cavalry
patrol announced that the enemy were in great strength on the hills, and
had guns in position commanding the road.

Sir Frederick Roberts determined to attack at once without waiting for
the division in the rear, as he feared that any inaction before the
mutinous troops now facing them would lead to a general rising, and that
in another twenty-four hours there might be not only the regulars, but
the whole tribal force of the country to contend with.

The following were the troops who, under the command of
Brigadier-General Baker, marched out at eleven o'clock to attack the
position:--Four guns Number 2 mountain battery, two Gatling guns, the
7th company of Sappers and Miners, the 72nd Highlanders, six companies
of the 5th Ghurkas, 200 men of the 5th Punjaub Infantry, and 450 of the
23rd Pioneers. On the right, the attack was to be made under the
command of Major White of the 72nd Highlanders, who had three guns Royal
Artillery, two squadrons of cavalry, a wing of the 72nd, and 100 men of
the 23rd Pioneers. It was determined to attack the enemy by both
flanks, as their power of resisting a front attack was considerable, and
flank attacks are always found the most certain against foes of this
kind. A reserve was left in Charasia, as the temper of the villagers
around was very uncertain, and these would have been sure to rise and
attack the baggage left there if the least reverse happened to the
advancing force.

The attack was completely successful, both columns effecting their
objects and driving the enemy before them. The Afghans, however, fought
with great courage, for it was an hour and a half before any advantage
was gained. The enemy were armed with Sniders and Enfields, and their
fire was rapid and continuous. They were, however, bad shots, and our
loss was extremely small. The 72nd were in advance, and these, after
some hard fig