Private Journal of Henry Francis Brooke: Late Brigadier-General Commanding 2nd Infantry Brigade, Kandahar Field Force, Southern Afghanistan, from April 22nd to August 16th, 1880Brooke, Henry Francis
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Private Journal of Henry Francis Brooke: Late Brigadier-General Commanding 2nd Infantry Brigade, Kandahar Field Force, Southern Afghanistan, from April 22nd to August 16th, 1880
Brooke, Henry Francis
Afghan Wars; Brooke, Henry Francis, 1836-1880
assisted by a few volleys from our rifles, they broke, the greater
part rushing to the rear, but some, as I had hoped, trying to cross
the road and gain the shelter of the hills on the left. This was the
moment for the Cavalry, who charged with excellent effect, doing good
execution at the same time. I gave the fugitives to the rear a couple
of shells at 2,000 yards where, thinking themselves safe, they had
halted to breathe. Serious as the work on hand was, we could not help
a hearty laugh at the consternation caused by the unexpected visitors.
The mass of people broke away in all directions, leaving, as we could
see afterwards as we advanced, a good percentage on the ground. I dare
say there are some critics who will think that this position ought to
have been carried at the point of the bayonet, in order that a severe
lesson might have been inflicted, and under other circumstances I
might have thought so myself, but, placed as we were when the loss of
every man was serious, I had determined to utilize to the utmost the
long range of our weapons, and to do all the fighting I could at long
bowls, and by sticking steadily to this, I succeeded in carrying out my
object which entailed a march of 14 miles, every inch of which had to
be contested or defended, with the loss only of 1 man killed and two
or three slightly wounded. I quite acknowledge there are objections to
the arrangement, but I feel sure it was the right one for the occasion.
After this no regular opposition was offered till I reached Kokeran,
which is a large village with a fortified enclosure in its midst, which
was full of the enemy, who had been ill treating the stragglers of
General Burrows' force all morning. Knowing the ground well, I at once
selected my position, and was quickly placed to command the whole of
the country round. I was
[Sidenote: Kokeran--General Burrows' force sighted.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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