The Afghan Wars 1839-42 and 1878-80Forbes, Archibald
History
The Afghan Wars 1839-42 and 1878-80
Forbes, Archibald
Afghan Wars
Punjaub Infantry, and between the Hospital and the corner bastion the
67th, reinforced by two companies of 92d Highlanders from the reserve,
which later sent to the defence of the eastern face additional
contributions of men and guns. 'From beyond Behmaroo and the eastern
trenches and walls,' writes Mr Hensman, 'came a roar of voices so loud
and menacing that it seemed as if an army fifty thousand strong was
charging down on our thin line of men. Led by their ghazees, the main
body of Afghans hidden in the villages and orchards on the east side of
Sherpur had rushed out in one dense mob, and were filling the air with
their shouts of "Allah-il-Allah." The roar surged forward as their line
advanced, but it was answered by such a roll of musketry that it was
drowned for the moment, and then merged into the general din which told
us that our men with Martinis and Sniders were holding their own against
the attacking force.' When the first attack thus graphically described
was made the morning was still so dark and misty that the outlook from
the trenches was restricted, and the order to the troops was to hold
their fire till the assailants should be distinctly visible. The
detachment of the 28th opened fire somewhat prematurely, and presently
the Guides holding Behmaroo and the trenches on the slopes followed the
example, and sweeping with their fire the terrain in front of them broke
the force of the attack while its leaders were still several hundred
yards away. Between the Hospital and the corner bastion the men of the
67th and 92d awaited with impassive discipline the word of permission to
begin firing. From out the mist at length emerged dense masses of men,
some of whom were brandishing swords and knives, while others loaded and
fired while hurrying forward. The order to fire was not given until the
leading ghazees were within eighty yards, and the mass of assailants not
more distant than 200 yards. Heavily struck then by volley on volley,
they recoiled but soon gathered courage to come on again; and for
several hours there was sharp fighting, repeated efforts being made to
carry the low eastern wall. So resolute were the Afghans that more than
once they reached the abattis, but each time were driven back with heavy
loss. About ten o'clock there was a lull and it seemed that the
attacking force was owning the frustration of its attempts, but an hour
later there was a partial recrudescence of the fighting and the
assailants once more came on. The attack, however, was not pushed with
much vigour and was soon beaten down, but the Afghans still maintained a
threatening attitude and the fire from the defences was ineffectual to
dislodge them. The General resolved to take their positions in flank,
and with this intent sent out into the open through the gorge in the
Behmaroo heights, four field-guns escorted by a cavalry regiment.
Bending to the right, the guns came into action on the right flank of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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