The Afghan Wars 1839-42 and 1878-80Forbes, Archibald
History
The Afghan Wars 1839-42 and 1878-80
Forbes, Archibald
Afghan Wars
While Macpherson was advancing on Sahibdad, Baker's brigade had been
pushing on through complicated lanes and walled enclosures toward the
village of Gundigan. The opposition experienced was very resolute. The
Afghans held their ground behind loopholed walls which had to be carried
by storm, and they did not hesitate to take the offensive by making
vigorous counter-rushes. Baker's two leading regiments were the 72d and
the 2d Sikhs. The left wing of the former supported by the 5th Goorkhas,
the old and tried comrades of the 72d, assailed and took the village.
Its right wing fought its way through the orchards between it and
Sahibdad, in the course of which work it came under a severe enfilading
fire from a loopholed wall which the Sikhs on the right were attempting
to turn. Captain Frome and several men had been struck down and the hot
fire had staggered the Highlanders, when their chief, Colonel Brownlow,
came up on foot. That gallant soldier gave the word for a rush, but
immediately fell mortally wounded. After much hard fighting Baker's
brigade got forward into opener country, but was then exposed to the
fire of an Afghan battery near the extremity of the Pir Paimal spur, and
to the attacks of great bodies of ghazees, which were withstood stoutly
by the Sikhs and driven off by a bayonet attack delivered by the
Highlanders.
The two brigades had accomplished the first part of their task. They
were now in alignment with each other; and the work before them was to
accomplish the turning movement round the steep extremity of the Pir
Paimal ridge. Macpherson's brigade, hugging the face of the elevation,
brought up the left shoulder and having accomplished the turning
movement, swept up the valley and carried the village of Pir Paimal by a
series of rushes. Here, however, Major White commanding the advance of
the 92d, found himself confronted by great masses of the enemy, who
appeared determined to make a resolute stand about their guns which were
in position south-west of the Babawali Kotul. Reinforcements were
observed hurrying up from Ayoub's standing camp at Mazra, and the Afghan
guns on the Kotul had been reversed so that their fire should enfilade
the British advance. Discerning that in such circumstances prompt action
was imperative, Macpherson determined to storm the position without
waiting for reinforcements. The 92d under Major White led the way,
covered by the fire of a field-battery and supported by the 5th
Goorkhas and the 23d Pioneers. Springing out of a watercourse at the
challenge of their leader, the Highlanders rushed across the open
ground. The Afghans, sheltered by high banks, fired steadily and well;
their riflemen from the Pir Paimal slopes poured in a sharp cross fire;
their guns were well served. But the Scottish soldiers were not to be
denied. Their losses were severe, but they took the guns at the point of
the bayonet, and valiantly supported by the Goorkhas and pioneers,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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