our line of route, to cover the picquets, which soon after withdrew, on signals previously arranged, and formed on the low ground in front, in skirmishing order, slowly retiring, and ultimately forming on both flanks of the guns. The enemy, as I expected, instantly rushed forward from all directions, except our rear, but were checked by the very effective fire of the guns, ably directed by Captain Lawrence, Political Agent, who volunteered his services, and by Lieut. Abercrombie. As the high ground we occupied afforded good cover, I determined to hold it with two companies of infantry, until the guns could be withdrawn, and dragged up the steep hill in our rear, an operation which required the aid of the remainder of the infantry. At this time the enemy kept up a sharp fire, but all I desired was accomplished in good order; and having secured new positions in the rear, I recalled the two companies left in position, and commenced my march, occupying new posts where necessary, which were withdrawn in succession, until the enemy ceasing to annoy us, and the country becoming a little more open, enabled me to recall all the covering parties and prosecute my march towards camp, where I arrived about five o'clock, P. M., bringing every thing safely in, excepting one bullock-load of commissariat grain found on the road, which was given to the men of the irregular cavalry, also a few bullocks and two camels left on the road, which were destroyed, being unable to proceed. The troops, both European and native, were very steady, and exerted themselves cheerfully in dragging the guns. Our casualties, I am glad to say, were few, one Officer (Lieut. Brooke), two men of Her Majesty's 31st foot, and two sepoys of the 60th regiment native infantry, were wounded. Return of Killed and Wounded in the 2d Column. Camp, Tezeen, 12th September 1842. Horse Artillery-2 rank and file, 1 horse, wounded; 1 syce killed; 2 syces wounded. 3d Irregular Cavalry-2 rank and file, 2 horses, killed; 1 horse wounded. Her Majesty's 31st Regiment-2 officers, 2 serjeants, 17 rank and file, wounded. Wing 33d Regiment Native Infantry-1 rank and file killed; 3 serjeants, 9 rank and file, wounded. Wing 60th ditto-1 rank and file killed; 1 officer, 2 serjeants, 9 rank and file, wounded. Jezailchees-1 serjeant, 2 rank and file, wounded. Sikh Cavalry-5 rank and file wounded; 2 horses killed; 13 horses wounded. Sikh Infantry-1 rank and file killed; 2 rank and file wounded. Total—5 rank and file, 4 horses, 1 syce, killed ; 3 officers, 8 serjeants, 46 rank and file, 15 horses, 2 syces, wounded. Grand Total-62 officers and men, 22 horses and syces, killed and wounded. Remarks. Lieutenants Brooke and Shaw, Her Majesty's 31st Regiment, wounded slightly. One subadar, 60th Native Infantry, wounded T. MONTEATH, Brigadier, slightly. (Examined.) Commanding 4th Brigade. E. LUGARD, Lieutenant, Major of Brigade, 4th Brigade.. Brigadier T. Monteath, C. B. Commanding 4th Brigade, to the Assistant-Adjutant-General. Camp, Seh Baba, October 15th, 1842. SIR, I HAVE the honour of addressing you, to report, for the information of Major-General Pollock, C. B., that in consequence of the great delay created by the captured guns, which it was necessary, with extreme labour, to drag almost the whole way from Khoord Cabool to Tezeen, on account of the badness of the bullocks, and which work was performed in a most admirable manner by the men of Her Majesty's 31st regiment, I did not enter the Huft Kotul pass, with the force under my command,* until late yesterday evening. For about one half of the way through, the troops met with no molestation, but, as the pass narrowed and became more difficult for the passage of the guns, the enemy took advantage of the stoppages occasioned by them, and from their positions, which the darkness rendered it impossible to perceive, except by the flashing of their fire arms, opened a sharp fire on the troops, which was checked, in a considerable degree, on the right flank of the column, by two companies of the 2d regiment, and a party of Her Majesty's 31st regiment, detached by me for the purpose. As this latter party, from the immediate necessity that existed for their services, was taken by me from the fatigue detail at the guns (with * Rear-guard, consisting of Capt. Blood's battery of 9-pounders; 1 squadron of 1st light cavalry; 2 ressallahs 3d irregular cavalry; H. M.'s 31st regiment; 2d regiment N. I.; 33d ditto (right wing); 60th ditto (right wing). Picquets from H. M.'s 9th regiment, H. M.'s 13th light infantry, 26th regiment native infantry, 35th light infantry. which I happened to be at the time), I sent it out under Brigade Major Lugard, who, in returning from the duty on which he was employed, had his horse severely wounded. The enemy having in the end come down sword in hand upon the rear and left flank of the column, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Richmond, with the wing of the 33d regiment, and the picquets of the old ground that had joined on the march, to keep them in check, which was satisfactorily done until we had cleared the pass. Enclosed I beg to send a return of killed and wounded. Return of Killed and Wounded, in passing the Huft Kotul, on the 14th October 1842, by the 4th Brigade and Troops attached. Camp, Seh Baba, 15th October 1842. Her Majesty's 31st Regiment-1 rank and file killed; 2 rank and file wounded. 2nd Regiment Native Infantry-1 rank and file killed; 1 officer, 4 rank and file, wounded. 16th Regiment Native Infantry-1 rank and file wounded. 33rd Regiment Native Infantry-1 rank and file killed. 60th Regiment Native Infantry-2 rank and file killed; 1 rank and file wounded. Total 5 rank and file killed; 1 officer, 8 rank and file, wounded. 1843. Grand Total-14 killed and wounded. U Remarks. Lieutenant Mainwaring, 2nd Regiment Native Infantry, wounded slightly. Brigade Major Lugard's charger, wounded se verely. T. MONTEATH, Brigadier, (Examined.) E. LUGARD, Lieut. Major of Brigade. Brigadier T. Monteath, C.B., Commanding 4th Brigade, to Captain Havelock, Deputy AssistantAdjutant-General. SIR, Camp, Gundamuck, October 19, 1842. I HAVE the honour of reporting, for the information of Major-General M'Caskill, K.H., that on arriving yesterday morning with the main column of the division in the Jugdulluck pass, I observed that the enemy were collecting in force on the heights; therefore, conceiving that an attack would be made upon the baggage, as well as upon the rear guard, I determined upon taking up a position, with the whole of my force, at the head of the pass, until all the baggage and materiel had gone through, and I had been joined by the rear guard under Lieutenant-Colonel Richmond. In pursuance of this determination, I placed the troops and two 9-pounders in position on the plateau at the head of the pass, from whence the heights on both sides are commanded for a considerable distance. The fire of these and of the guns completely held the enemy, who were very numerous, in check; |