THE CAMPAIGN IN SCINDE.
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The withdrawal of the troops from Afghanistan was regarded by the Ameer of Scinde as a sign of weakness, and they consulted how they might destroy the British power. Being feudatories of the Dooranée empire, they had been persuaded to take a bold part in what they considered the common cause. A force was consequently assembled under Major-General Sir Charles Napier, and its first employment was the destruction of the Fort of Emaun Ghur, in the desert, on the 14th. and 15th. of January, 1843.
This service was described by the Duke of Wellington in the House of Lords, “as one of the most curious military feats he had ever known to be performed, or had ever perused an account of in his life. Sir Charles Napier (added his Grace) moved his troops through the desert against hostile forces; he had his guns transported under circumstances of extreme difficulty, and in a manner the most extraordinary; and he cut off a retreat of the enemy which rendered it impossible for them ever to regain their positions.”
As Emaun Ghur could only serve as a stronghold in which the Beloochees might be able to resist British supremacy, Major-General Sir Charles Napier determined upon destroying the fortress. It was a place of great strength, and was constructed of unburnt bricks, into which the shot easily penetrates, but brings nothing down, so that recourse was had to mining. The place was full of gunpowder and grain, and the former was employed in blowing up the fortress, which was effected on the 15th. of January. The 22nd. was the only Queen’s regiment employed in this service, three hundred and fifty of that corps having been carried on camels.
After this difficult and harassing service, the troops returned on the 23rd. of January to Peer-Abu-Bekr, without the loss of a man, or without even a sick soldier, and the Ameer’s plan of campaign was frustrated.
On the 14th. of February a treaty of peace was signed by these chiefs, and directions were sent by them to the British political resident, Major Outram, to quit Hyderabad, the capital; but before this was complied with, eight thousand Beloochees, commanded by several Ameers in person, attempted to force an entrance into the enclosure of the British residency. After a sharp contest of four hours, the assailants were repulsed by a small force under Captain Conway, aided by the fire of a British steamer lying in the river; but the position being untenable was abandoned, and the resident with his escort arrived safely in the camp of Sir Charles Napier.
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