Note 142 — AGAINST THE AFRIDIS. February, 1850.

Sir Charles Napier, in a General Order of February 16th., 1850, thus speaks of these operations. “The fighting and labour fell on those who had to scale precipices to secure the camp, and when marching to protect the front, flank, and rear of the column while passing through a dangerous defile, thirteen miles in length, under a constant fire of matchlock men. It is said that in making this march Runject Singh lost 1,000 men. The Commander-in-Chief does not know whether this story is correct or not, but Brigadier Sir Colin Campbell has not lost twenty, nor was there one bit of baggage taken by our enemies, though they are renowned for being the most daring and dexterous plunderers in the world.”