h company of Sappers and Miners, a wing of the
72nd Highlanders, six companies of the 5th Ghoorkas, 200 men of the
5th Punjaub Infantry, and 450 of the 23rd Pioneers. This was the
main column of attack.

The right column--under the command of Major White, of the 72nd
Highlanders--consisted of a wing of that regiment, 100 men of the
23rd Pioneers, three guns of the Royal Artillery, and two squadrons
of cavalry. This attack was intended only as a feint, and to
distract the attention of the Afghans from the main attack. A
strong reserve was left in Chaurasia, to guard the baggage and to
overawe the tribesmen.

As General Baker's column reached the foot of the hills, the 23rd--who
led the advance, thrown out in skirmishing line--began to climb the
ascent. The enemy were armed with Sniders and Enfields, and their fire
was rapid and continuous; fortunately it was by no means accurate, and
our losses were small. The Afghans, in their hill fighting, are accustomed
to fire very slowly and deliberately--taking steady aim, with their guns
resting on the rocks--and, so fighting, they are excellent shots. It is
probable, however, that the steady advance of our men towards them flurried
and disconcerted them; and that they thought more of firing quickly, than
of taking a correct aim.

The 72nd, pressing up the hill, were assisted by the fire of the
mountain guns and Gatlings, and by that of the Punjaubees in their
rear. Gradually the upper slopes of the hills were gained; and the
British troops, pressing forward, drove the Afghans back along the
crest. Several times they made obstinate stands, holding their
ground until the 72nd were close to them.

These, however, would not be denied. The massacre of the mission at
Cabul had infuriated the soldiers, and each man was animated with a
stern determination to avenge our murdered countrymen. For an hour
and a half the fight continued; and then the Afghans abandoned the
ridge, and fled in confusion. They rallied upon some low hills, 600
yards from the rear; but the mountain guns and Gatlings opened upon
them and, the whole line advancing to the attack, the enemy fell
back.

Major White's column had been doing excellent service, on the
right. Although the attack had been intended only as a feint, it
was pushed forward so vigorously that it met with a success equal
to that which had attended the main column, on the left. The enemy
were driven off the hills on the right of the defile.