On the 23rd considerable bodies of the enemy occupied the foothills just across our border opposite Abazai, and General Willcocks accordingly, considering that the Mohmands probably intended assuming the offensive, ordered up additional troops from Peshawar to Shabkadar, and with their arrival he had, on the line Abazai-Shabkadar-Michni, 2700 infantry, 520 sabres and twelve guns. _Expedition against the Mohmands, 1908._—The authorities at home and at Simla now concurred in thinking that no good purpose was likely to be served by the maintenance of the mere defensive, and that it would probably be a safer policy to advance and disperse the gathering before it became larger and led to a big fanatical outbreak. The immediate mobilisation of two brigades with divisional troops and a reserve was ordered. General Willcocks was placed in command, and directed to cross the border and assume the offensive. The force was thus composed: FIRST BRIGADE. Brigadier-General Anderson. 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. 53rd Sikhs. 57th Wilde’s Rifles. 59th Scinde Rifles. SECOND BRIGADE. Major-General Barrett. 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. Guides Infantry. 28th Punjabis. 55th Coke’s Rifles. RESERVE BRIGADE. Major-General Ramsay. 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers. 21st Punjabis. 22nd Punjabis. 40th Pathans. This brigade to proceed to Peshawar. DIVISIONAL TROOPS. 21st Cavalry. No. 8. M.B.R.G.A. 23rd Peshawar Mountain Battery. 28th Mountain Battery. No. 6 Company Sappers and Miners. No. 1 Company Sappers and Miners. 34th Sikh Pioneers. [Sidenote: Expedition of 1908]