"Never trust anyone on the Frontier" an ...epic NWF Campaign

[JBaumal]

Very exciting indeed. You gents raise the bar for sure!!!

[giorgio]

The horses galloped all night long and at the very first lights of the day Khost Gardez Pass appeared in all its beauty: the last big obstacle that the nature had put in defence of Matun and Khostwal. Controlling the pass meant controlling the communications with Afghanistan.

“Here native population is Tajik; we shouldn’t face too much problems but we’ll continue to simulate to be merchants going to Persia. Open your eyes, I have heard many tales on Gardez, a town full of spies, Persian, ferenghee and the new ones, the adorators of Tzar, a new God who eats Ferenghees or something like that” Mustafà explained looking over Yaman, condiscendently.

“A Ferenghee eater God!” said Yaman looking at Mustafà with admiration and respect for his knowledge of the world.
“wrap and hide the flag” Muletail ordered sharply “I see we have visit very soon”
On the path three Tajik appeared escorting a couple of camels.

“The Ruler be with you and bless your dice toss” Mustafà approached the camels owners
“And may your path be free from enemies and pain” answered the first
“Can u sell us some food? We are going to finish our and I don’t know when we will be able to get other”
“We have no food to sell but we can divide our tamarind pies” answered the second

At the word tamarind the mouth of Mustafà started to feel the mouth-watering just looking at those
“Oh, may the Mighty give you 100 times reward for your generosity! “ started Mustafà

“But we can accept only one, cannot we M U S T A F A’?” said Ghaazi Muletail El Komiss aka Hussein scanning each letter and blinking.
Abdul Kareem aka Mustafà understood and smiled because this time he knew his answer was to be using fake name “Yes Hussein!” But immediately his smile became an angry strenuous grimace thinking at the crispy, tasty tamarind slices he had to renounce.

“We know ferenghees have destroyed Spinwam district and Tochi valley and many merchants arrive up to Matun to find good food, but you are the first daring to trade up to Gardez. You can walk safely for this road, this pass can stop an army but doesn’t care three Pashtun merchants. Perhaps one day in this very pass the Tsar himself or his followers will find a harsh welcome, but in these days all is peace.”
“Thank you brothers and may your life be quiet as your camels walk” said Mustafà, but he had just completed the blessing that some wasps attacked the camels which run for the path with the poor Tajiks running behind and shouting to stop them.

“Well better we continue to Gardez” said Mustafà patiently waiting as he sits upon his horse, one leg wrapped nonchalantly around the saddle horn. and proudly continued:” we have a mission to fulfil!”

After 4 hours the beauty capital of Paktia Province appeared in the valley with his walls
“Look at the city of Gardez, at the junction between two important roads that cut through a huge alpine valley.

Surrounded by the mountains and deserts of the Hindu Kush, which boil up from the valley floor to the north, east and west, it is the axis of commerce for a huge area of eastern Afghanistan and has been a strategic location for armies throughout the country's long history of conflict.
Observation posts built by Sikander Khan are still crumbling on the hilltops just outside the city limits. Here we can have a day rest before choosing how to proceed” said Muletail
“Abdul Kareem, we will see the images of the Ferenghee eater?” asked Yamal
“what?!?” said Muletail
“Oh, don’t listen to him, Bunerwals are very supersticious with strange beliefs. But don’t lose time now , Gardez market tamarind is waiting for us, all gallop!”

And the three friends arrived in the pearl of Paktia, in the crossroad where decisions mean the difference between surviving and death.
Arrived in the center market Yaman remained with the horses while Mustafà “attacked” a tamarind pies shop. Muletail preferred remaining in the shadow hearing all the discussions.
“A tamarind rasam, quick and hot” asked Mustafà

“Hosoor a noble and wise merchant will take our special offer, for sure”
“Special offer? Which special offer?”

“you pay one portion at the double price and u get another completely free”

“Completely free, oh, this is my lucky day! I could bring it to Yamal, mmmh probably he is too concentrated controlling the horses, well I will make penitence eating both…

In the meantime Muletail listened to a couple of young Tajiks who were speaking about a great fight in Jandala but couldn’t hear the details.

Other fellows were talking about a great raid against artillery mule train in Chitral

and another was reading an article about fighting in Malakand Pass

but the Tajik folded the Peshwar Tribune issue before he could read all the title.

Young Yaman was very scared to remain alone to control the horses in Gardez.

He was not scared to fight against bandits or ferenghees but…

The Mythological Tzar ferenghees eater, all alone, Yamal was mumbling “well perhaps I could go to that corner to see if they are coming, also because I’m starting to be hungry…”

Three strange figures approach Yamal

“welcome in Gardez stranger, what are u doing here, what reason brought u in this town, do u travel alone?”
“No I’m waiting for my friends, they should have been already back…”
“But u must be thirsty, let us offer u some pure water and some food, for hospitality”
“Sit here with us and smoke a moment with us, our friends will control the horses”

“Thank you good friends but only 5 minutes, I’m not used to it”

“Yes only 5 minutes but use also these pillows, relax and empty your mind”
The neighing of horses awakes Yamal who return to the horses but do not find them

He runs and see in distance the horses running away led by the supposed "benefactors".

He turns again to his friends but….nobody is there!


In that moment Muletail and Mustafa arrive and they realize that the precious animals have been stolen-

“What we do now?” cried Mustafa

“we continue as when we started, we’ll go by foot. Yamal I hope you have learnt the lesson and to be sure u don’t forget it you will bring the few goods and extra weapons remained. Thanks to the Ruler we never separate from our Martini and money”

“It was Martini and olives, wasn’t it?” mumbled Mustafà

Muletail ignored the comment and continued
“Great battles happened at North and great were fought in Waziristan, our homeland. We must understand what happened, in the meantime we cannot risk to go directly southwards, we will proceed towards Peiwar Kothal and from there we will decide the future steps.

To go there we will pass thru Mir Zakah, the village which lies on the old caravan route from Ghazni to Gandhara! The village famous because is where it is said Sikhander treasures are hidden!”

“And is famous also for special tamarind pies!” Said Mustafa before Muletail melting him with one cold hard stare.

[CPT Shanks]

Yamal should get a sound thrashing for his inattentiveness and then be made to carry everything. And no tamarind pie for him. Fool.

[giorgio]

No tamarind pie? too cruel...he was so poked up...

[CPT Shanks]

Meanwhile in the Wild West the story of the sisters Brom unfolds on their way to the frontier via El Chuco town.
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=133574.0

[Lord Raglan]

Awesome stuff, well done guys!!

[Umra Khan]

Kashmir , the composition of an Army...


"Flashy Sahib here are the men you asked me, they are all ex soldiers, Gurkhas, Sikhs, Dogras, Kashmiris and some Pashtuns."

"thanks Maranda, there are 14 men, with me, you, Zibbib, Naran, Walid and Gul we are 20, the perfect number of the Holy Scriptures"


"I also enrolled 10 Balti  coolies , as you can see Sahib are all fit, and even the Yaks are healthy animals. The journey we must undertake is hard and dangerous; as you know, to enter the Northern Territories you must have a special permit or be a soldiers heading for the garrisons of Boonj or Gilgit. I managed to get a special permit for all of us as a team of workers to work on the military road between Astor and Gilgit. It is signed by Mr. Spedding, the owner of the company Spedding & Co who has the contract for the works."

"you are a valid help Maranda, I knew I could count on your expertness. we should find an alternative path to continue our mission alone "

"I have collected rumors among the soldiers of the Kashmir Imperial Service who speak of a possible Military Expedition against the Kanjutis of Hunza,  stirred up by the Russians who seem to have entered the Pamir... the road to Gilgit is busy with soldiers and workers ... no one will pay attention to a team of workers, we must keep our  weapons hidden and we won't be stopped. "


"we will leave tomorrow morning at dawn, the road to Gurais is good, but afterwards we will find the terrible Burzill Pass ... which every year kills men and animals, it is almost always covered with snow except for a few months a year ... we should be lucky not to find a storm. "

To be continued...

[Mad Guru]

WRITING (AS OPPOSED TO ARITHMETIC) ON THE FRONTIER

AUGUST 17th, 1890, PESHAWAR...



Celebrated poet, author, and journalist Reginald Winkie...



Welcomes a new arrival from Jolly Old Albion to the offices of the Peshawar Tribune -- one Neville Crisp...



Neville Crisp is late of the London-based weekly, Horse & Hound, where his many splendid articles were well-received, yet he himself felt the true breadth of his talents remained unfulfilled...



So he has decided to throw himself into The Arena of Empire and seek out True Narratives of blood, fury, and affairs of state.

Like many fellow Britons, young Neville Crisp is an admirer and devotee of Reginald Winkie, which has led him to choose the North-West Frontier as the cockpit of action to which he should proceed...

Before leaving London he dashed off a telegram to his hero at Peshawar, explaining his situation and informing Mr. Winkie of his coming arrival and humbly requesting an audience with the great man-of-letters himself.  He hopes to come away with at worst some good advice and at best provisional employment under the universally admired masthead of The Peshawar Tribune.

Telegrams, letters, and even full diaries of devotion from his enthusiasts (whom he has lately begun referring to as his "fans") are nothing new for Reginald Winkie, Esq., and yet... something about this one has stuck in his craw -- for Crisp had the immodest audacity to send along some of his published articles in an effort to convince the great man that he was a legitimate professional wordsmith rather than a gasbag.  And Crisp succeeded in this, as Winkie was surprised to find himself impressed by Crisp's well-crafted and compelling tales of otherwise trifling ponies and pooches.

And so dear reader we arrive at August 17th, 1890, one day prior to publication of the latest issue of The Peshawar Tribune, at the building which houses that storied periodical...





Which was the very same day day young aspiring "Man-In-The-Field Correspondent" Neville Crisp arrived at Reginald Winkie's office on the 2nd story of that very same storied building...



NEVILLE CRISP: "I can't thank you enough for agreeing to see me, Mr. Winkie, sir..."

REGINALD WINKIE: "Call me, Reggie, Crisp.  Here at the Pesh Trib we don't stand much on ceremony. Tell me... why are you wearing a Poshteen in August?  You do know it's sweltering hot around these parts for yet another month or two at least."



NEVILLE CRISP: "I'm afraid I'd heard anyone with firsthand experience of the Frontier wears a Poshteen, and I didn't want to give the impression I was a greenhorn -- plus it's got 'posh' in it."

REGINALD WINKIE: "I see.  Well, I admit you cut a sharp figure -- but you also risk death from heat stroke."



NEVILLE CRISP: "I hope you don't mind if I change the subject, Reggie, sir, and ask if you've had a chance to read any of the samples I sent...?"



REGINALD WINKIE: "Indeed I have.  They took me by surprise and left me impressed.  So much so in fact, that I'm prepared here and now to offer you a position as a stringer.  Strictly freelance, paying 1 Anna per page.  It's 16 Annas to the Rupee, and 15 Rupees to the Pound, and a page here at the Pesh Trib is the standard 250 words."



NEVILLE CRISP: "I was prepared to jump at the chance to be published in the same paper as you for free, and... that sounds much like what you just proposed, so I'll take it!"



REGINALD WINKIE: "Excellent.  You'll start straight-away.  Meaning right now.  My sources tell me 2nd Brigade will march for our Dargai Cantonments tomorrow morning -- but our recent reinforcement of Royal Horse Artillery will leave tonight!  Come have a look at the route they'll be taking..."



NEVILLE CRISP: "Egads but that's very specific and valuable military intelligence, ain't it, Reggie?!"

REGINALD WINKIE: "It better be.  I don't cotton to second-rate goods.  Which is why I'm sending a first-class scribbler like you with them.  You shall gather information and write articles on anything and everything of interest you come across.  I'm especially curious to know if there's any truth to the rumor a pair of Englishwomen have been camping out with General Ruff-Husband and his Brigade for days -- even weeks -- on end.  And if they do exist, are they really sisters on their way to celebrate the 50th Birthday of their Sgt. Maj. father who's serving in Tirah... or is that a load of bullocks to cover up some manner of twisted Continental debauchery?  And what of that Dirka Grimm Bhisti fellow I wrote my celebrated poem about?  I've never met him myself you understand -- just got a copy of his file from the regimental adjutant.  The question is... is he really all they cracked him up to be... or is he more of a scheming untouchable type looking to pilfer shot and shell to sell to his Afridi cousins outside the Cantonment wire?  I've also heard talk of wild goings-on in Waziristan by General Mandrake... and word of Mad Colonel Fullerton pillaging the Tochi Valley in ways that would make a Cossack blush... and to top it all off there's a rumor of some lunatic native pretender to the throne of the entire Punjab, who calls himself 'Mule Hoof'?!  These matters must all be confirmed or denied for our loyal readers as soon as possible.  These are the burning questions a penetrating journalistic-slash-poetic mind needs answered!  But sadly... at this point in my illustrious career... editorial, managerial and commercial duties cut far too deep into the time I have to get away and enjoy myself with our boys out on The Grim.  But you, Crisp -- lucky man that you are -- have no such competing demands upon your time and attention.  Isn't that right...?"



NEVILLE CRISP: "Oh, yes.  Quite right.  But... how exactly am I to embed myself with this unit of Royal Horse Artillery?  Despite my khaki-clothed appearance, I'm 100% civilian."

REGINALD WINKIE: "No worries, old bean.  Look at me -- to the casual observer I look like a military man as well, there's just not much in the way of non-khaki men's wardrobe available hereabouts, so no need to feel self-conscious.  Regarding your embedding, have no fear, I'm on close terms with Captain Elliot Hardigan, the Battery Commander.  In fact he's out on my veranda right now, sketching a skyline vista for our "Panoramas of Peshawar" section."

NEVILLE CRISP: "He must be quite the renaissance man."

REGINALD WINKIE: "Not by a long shot, but the sketch ain't what matters -- what matters is the connection.  Out here on the Frontier the ink-stained hand washes the gunpowder-stained, and vice-versa.  You Savvy?"

NEVILLE CRISP: "Certainly, sir.  Sounds a lot like how we dealt with the racing stable-owners back at Horse & Hound."

REGINALD WINKIE: "I knew you'd get the hang!  Now head out onto my veranda, introduce yourself to good Captain Hardigan, and see to it that you ride along with his Battery tonight.  Do so and I promise you'll soon see your name on that roll of newsprint by the window, under the masthead of the Pesh Trib."



NEVILLE CRISP: "Thank you, Reggie... for making my dreams come true."



NEVILLE CRISP (CONT'D): "But may I ask you one question before I go?"



REGINALD WINKIE: "Ask away, my boy!"



NEVILLE CRISP: "These triangular  fringed banners displayed against your wall... what are they?"

REGINALD WINKIE: "That my boy is a question a child might ask... but not a childish question.  They are Pashtun war-flags, carried into battle by our tribal enemies across the Frontier.  While others pay them scant regard, I'm convinced that one day soon they will be much sought-after for display by museums, galleries, and private collectors, as well as authors, illustrators and publishers back home and perhaps all around the civilized world."*

(*Sadly, as you may know, this turns out not to be the case.  The question
of what became of Reginald Winkie's Tribal Flag collection will be addressed
at a later date, but if you want more info on the subject, feel free to visit here:
https://maiwandday.com/2020/07/27/afghan-military-flags/)

NEVILLE CRISP: "Reginald Winkie... in addition to your poetic genius you are a true visionary, and the future will surely be in your debit.  It shall be my greatest honor and privilege to introduce myself to  Captain Hardigan of the Royal Horse Artillery and use him to seek out true narratives of blood, fury, and the affairs of state on the Grim Frontier, for you to publish here, in Peshawar!"

REGINALD WINKIE: "Well said, Crisp!  Now take that rifle leaning by the sculpture in the corner..."



REGINALD WINKIE (CONT'D): "...and two bottles of personal stash of quinine water..."



REGINALD WINKIE (CONT'D): "And get a move on!"

And so young Neville Crisp made for the veranda, where he found one Captain Elliot Hardigan, RHA, busy sketching the Peshawar skyline...





NEVILLE CRISP: "Captain Hardigan, I presume?"



HARDIGAN: "Everyone calls me Hardy.  And who pray tell might you be...?



HARDIGAN (CONT'D): "An art critic newly-arrived from Oxfordshire?"



NEVILLE CRISP: "Certainly not.  Why presume such?"



HARDIGAN: "Who else would be damned fool enough to tart himself up in a Poshteen in August?  Where do you think you are, Canberra?  That's in South Australia you see, so their seasons are arse-backwards and they get snow in the bloody Summer!"



NEVILLE CRISP: "I shall tell you who.  The fellow Reginald Winkie has sent to accompany your battery to Dargai Cantonments.  Namely I, Neville Crisp, newly-contracted correspondent-at-large for The Peshawar Tribune."



HARDIGAN: "Oh I see.  Well then... who's the more foolish, the fool or the fool who takes him to Dargai?  HAW-HAW-HAW!!!  What Winkie wants, Winkie gets, so it seems you and I will be two fools together on the road to Dargai.  Tell me, newly-appointed correspondent-at-large Neville Crisp -- ever heard a shot fired in anger before... or the sound the fellow beside you makes when his guts are skewered on a Ghazi's Chora?"



NEVILLE CRISP: "Certainly not.  This is my first time out of England."



HARDIGAN: "HAW-HAW!!!  A true freshman, eh?  No worries, Nev!  The road to Dargai is not too treacherous, and if we do meet trouble, chances are you'll come through it fine & dandy and right as rain.  Just keep your head down while you're taking notes for your articles!"



HARDIGAN (CONT'D): "Now come take a gander at my sketch of the Peshawar skyline and tell me what you think..."



NEVILLE CRISP: "I think it's awful, and I sincerely hope you are a better Horse Battery Commander than sketch artist.  And yet... Hardy, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."



In reply to which Captain Elliot "Hardy" Hardigan found himself in the unusual position of being at a complete loss for words.

TO BE CONTINUED...
(When AMBUSH strikes on the road to Dargai!)

[CPT Shanks]

A poshteen in August? The man must be daft.  I'll be surprised if he gets out of the frontier with his life, let alone a story. Damn sight irresponsible of Winkie too, sending a man who's hardest assignment to date has been covering the Cheshire Hunt. No sir, I don't belive this Neville Crisp is up to it

[giorgio]

Rawalpindi 20th August 1890
From Lt. General Bindon Blood to Gen. Sir John Percival "Mandrake" Aubrey-Smith in Tank  and to Gen. Sir Richard Davenport in Bannu.
We have received reliable information about a force of many bandits which left Bunerwals to join the infamous Mulehead’s waziris in their jihad crossing the Thal district.
The force sent to Thal under Major Vousden, to relief our units besieged there after the victorious battle, will proceed with utmost celerity to clear the siege and then will intercept the bandits to avoid the creation of a larger rebels’ army.
The first brigade under command of Gen. Davenport will be ready to support Vousden’s force to destroy the bandits in a pincer movement from Thal and Bannu.
The second brigade under the command of Gen. Aubrey Smith  will accelerate his progress towards Jandola dividing the South Waziri’s army from North one, stationing there as a movable column ready to intercept Mulehead Khan and his followers in the case he will like to move north looking to join  Bunerwal and Black Mountain allies.
I include a copy of the letter I have received by our stool pigeon in Wana.


Wana August 19th
Sir I respectfully send to you the summary of the message  that the bandit Mulehead received by his Bunerwals allies   to commemorate the death of Saddam Khan son of Mulaaz Khan, one of the mightiest khan in Buner.

The relevant bandit’s message was obtained by our spy activities, camoufled as a tamarind seller,  for your due information and necessary actions.
Humble servant   Tanas Singh, Subedar 2 Sikh company of Guides PFF

Mighty Mulehead, Light of Waziris, true Khan of all the lands between Delhi and Kabul, protector of widows and orphans, Defenser of True Rule, Light of Faith, I have sad news: Saddam Jackal of the Buner has been martyred, blessing be upon him. My heart is ripped from my breast and my body is numb with grief for my son’s martyrium. But now my grief is turned into anger and I will have Badal for his death. He was killed fighting for your son in Matun province and now I put my sword at your service.

I’m coming with many warriors and many cavalrymen under my cousin Rashad Khan to enforce your armies, kick off the ferenghees, kill all the heretics and prepare the path for your son the blessed Muletail who will be the future khan of all Punjab as prophetized by the holy Sikander Khan of Black Mountains who brought in Buner the knowledge of True Rules.
A new heroic warrior, faithful to the only Book, will drive all faithful tribes to destroy ferenghees and heretics and his name is Ghaazi Muletail El Komiss Khan.
El Muletail will  take on the crown of command and will drive all Khans to kick out all feringhees and this will happen because the Rule wants it!
Your faithful Muzaar Khan

[CPT Shanks]

Mighty Mulehead, Light of Waziris, true Khan of all the lands between Delhi and Kabul, protector of widows and orphans, Defenser of True Rule, Light of Faith, the news in Tor Ghar is not good. One of my strongest Hasanzais allies, Jawid Lughman and four of his clan leaders have been martyred, blessing be upon them all. They were stopped along the Shai Kwhar travelling to join me in Darband when they were set upon on all sides by ferenghee jackals. A force of eighteen points, by the True Text, was martyred among the sweet pomegranate groves and rice fields this day. The only clan chieftan to escape being ensared was Noomyalay Faridun. He says his men fought like lions but in the end were shot down like dogs by the infidels, and barely escaped with his life having killed ten of the devils by his own hand.
Do not fear this minor setback as the where abouts of Channing Sa'ab is still safe from our enemies knowledge.  Your humble servant Hashim Ali.

[Mad Guru]

"...having killed ten of the devils by his own hand."

Hmmmmm.

A likely story.

Naaaaaaaa!!!!!!*
(*Pashto for "not")

[Mad Guru]

double posted in error, wish I knew how to delete!

...but as I remain in blissful ignorance, I note how excited I am to see the forthcoming details of this most intriguing action, when you manage to share them, Hashim Ali.

[JBaumal]

Bulgur Pass - Uch - NWF - 20 August, 1890



1st Brigade is force marching towards the Chitral Territory to relieve the beleaguered Chitral Fort garrison.



On the approach to Uch a messenger, Halvadir Rama Singh commanding a troop of the 77th Bengal Lancers rides into the column with an urgent message for General McGuinness.


(First Brigade is approaching Uch while the 2nd Brigade has just passed Chakdara)

 

The column is halted as the General reads the message. Sergeant Major Brom calls a halt, orders the men to drink water, and sends out scouts from each unit to the surrounding ominous looking mountains. 









Dispatches from Chitral Fort: 3 August, 1890
From: Colonel Dano MacGurule, Commander Chitral Garrison
To: General McGuinness, Commander CRF, Chitral Relief Force

General, we have successfully defeated entrenched Pashtuns laying siege to my garrison. The fort's outbuildings, gardens, and native built sangers have all been cleared and pickets posted in the recovered territory. Of major concern though, we have taken several prisoners who are NOT Chitrali, they are Afridi from Umra Khan's clans. This is very disturbing news indeed. I fear your columns may find more resistance than anticipated!

God Speed my friend,
General Dano MacGurule




Link to the Chitral Fort Sortie game post:

Chitral Territory, NWF, 3 August 1890, Chitral Fort - British Sortie - LAF NWF Campaign

https://sgtguinness.blogspot.com/2021/09/chitral-territory-nwf-3-august-1890.html?m=0


20 August 1890
NWF: On the road to Chitral.

1st Brigade moves north through rugged country to relive Fort Chitral. The next way point is fort Bulgur.





The Chitral Relief Force is scheduled to arrive there late this morning. The road, if you can call it that, is nothing more than a dirt goat trail. It weaves through rugged terrain and at this section is bordered on multiple sides by steep and rugged terrain. The column of supply and artillery mules is stretched out for at least a half of a mile with a brigade of infantry plus supports to guard it.



General McGuninness confers with his officers and orders the column forwards. Sergeant Major Brom orders the scouts to push further out. The Anglo-Indian force must reach Chitral Fort with all possible haste.


(Chitral Fort: Colonel MacGurule and Captain Lucas discuss the battle from the ramparts of Fort Chitral.)


The local tribes have been watching the column, knowing that this is a suitable place for an ambush, they prepare to attack.


 Chitrali scouts

However there are other tribes shadowing the column too, multiple tribes from several locations across the Frontier have arrived at Bulgur pass. 


Umra Khan’s Afridi


Mulehead’s Waziri


Chitrali warriors


All the tribes want to capture the column's mules for themselves. There will be no coordinated Pathan attack this day.


Chitrali scouts shadow the column

As the column moves forwards between the mountains a group of Ghazis burst from the tree line and charge the front of the column. Their ferocious charge stops the entire column dead in their tracks! Martini-Henry’s ring out as many of the faithful heretic followers of the false book drop in the dusty valley.



                      TO BE
                  CONTINUED……




More to come on my blog:
https://sgtguinness.blogspot.com/2021/10/laf-nwf-campaign-20-august-1890-bulgur.html?m=0#comment-form

[CPT Shanks]

21 August 1890 - Black Mountain Field Force - Surmal

Despatches from the Black Mountains vicinity of the village of Surmal.

Intelligence from our Black Mountain agents reported a lashkar of Hasanzais under the banner of Jawid Lughman moving southwest along the stream Shai Kwhar, toward the Indus River. Colonel Sym moved to intercept them with the 1st Brigade. The following is his report.
21 August 1890

We located the belligerent's camp a mile southwest of the burned and abandoned village of Surmal.

 We established a blocking position with two coys of Sikhs on the western side of their encampment and two Highlander coys to the east to drive the belligerents forward. Once our positions were established the action was initiated with red flares.

On the signal all four coys poured long range fire into the pathan camp causing five casualties and pinning three of the six clans. The remaining clans acted according to Ali Babbage's rules. Two of the clans rushed west at the double, into the waiting Sikhs. The northern group led by Jawid Lughman closed with the Sikhs, trading cold steel, and were cut down to half for their audacity, driven back by the steely warriors.

The second clan, under Noomylay Faridun, managed to cross the drift and moved west along the trail at the double.

 The final clan drove east for Surmal, breaking from their cover out into the open plain. The last of the clans rallied from their initial shock and readied to fight.

1st Coy Sikhs released withering fire into Jawid's clan, who having fallen back in disarray, was caught in the open and felled to the last man, including the chieftan Jawid Lughman and his banner man.

To the south west the 2d Coy Sikhs fired into the oncoming pathans with no effect as they were closing too fast.

1st Coy Highlanders fired into the clan heading for Surmal again to no effect. 2d Coy fired into the same clan killing the leader and pinning them down, relieving the pressure on 1st Coy

The clan to the south led a panicked charge against the stalwart Sikhs who were just over the crest of a small rise, the fighting was fierce but the Sikhs held their ground driving the pathans back into the open at the loss of one of their own.

On the eastern slope the clans drove headlong into the 1st Coy Highlanders and were cut down to a solitary man in the ensuing melee, with two highlanders falling under tulwars.


2d Coy Highlanders again fired long range into the newly rallied pathans driving them back towards the foothills and killing the leader of this band as well.



To the East the Sikhs rained fire down on the broken pathans killing all but Noomylay Faridun and his banner man.


At this, their resolve broken the devils faded into the seemingly impassable mountains to the north.


We were able to capture three of the malcontents and Jawid's banner at a loss of two highlanders and two sikhs.


The final parting shot of Noomylay Faridun as he fired his last round and slipped north into the Black Mountains swearing an oath of vengeance.

REPORT CLOSED
RESPECTFULLY BG MCQUEEN J W