THE UMBEYLA CAMPAIGN.
Reading edition
The cause of this war was the predatory incursions of a body of Mussulman fanatics, and rebels, driven from Bengal at the time of the Mutiny, who occupied the town of Mulkah, on one of the lower spurs of the Mahabun, a ridge situated on the right bank of the Indus, about forty miles from Attock. A force of about 5600 men of all arms was assembled in the Eusufyze country on October, 1863, under the command of General Chamberlain. On October 19th., with little opposition, he took possession of the Umbeyla Pass, and established outposts on his flanks in the mountains on both 362sides, strengthened with breastworks as far as possible. The most advanced post on the left flank was called the “Eagle’s Nest,” and that on the right the “Crag Picket,” and both posts were invisible from the camp. On October 25th. the enemy made an attack on the right, but were driven back by Colonel Keyes, and lost one of their standards. The next day a fierce assault was made upon the “Eagle’s Nest” post, and after four hours hard fighting the Hill-men were repulsed with severe loss, but nearly half of the defenders were killed or wounded. In the early morning of the 30th., the “Crag Picket” being held by only twelve men, was surprised and taken by the enemy, but it was splendidly recaptured, after a desperate hand to hand conflict, by a small party of Pathans, led by Colonel Keyes (who was wounded), and Lieut. Fosbery, who, for his gallant conduct, received the Victoria Cross.
In the meantime an attack had been made on the front of the camp, which was defeated, the assailants suffering heavily. The bodies of the British slain were found shockingly mutilated by the enemy, and from that time no quarter was given on either side.[145] On the night of November 12th., the “Crag Picket,” held by 160 men, under Colonel Brownlow, the successful defender of the “Eagle’s Nest,” was again furiously assailed by about 3000 of the enemy, who made repeated attempts to storm the works. In spite of heavy loss they made a determined attack on both sides of the weakest angle of the post, pulled down the wall, hurling the stones on the defenders, and gained possession of part of the defences. Colonel Brownlow called for volunteers, drove the enemy out, rebuilt the wall, and held the post till morning. Shortly after daybreak the garrison was relieved by a party of Punjaubees 363under Captain Davidson. Before they were properly in position the Hill-men made another assault, killed Davidson and many of his men, and captured the post, but it was retaken shortly afterwards by the 101st. Bengal Fusiliers led by Colonel Salusbury. On November 18th. there was more severe fighting, and on the next day, the enemy, reinforced by tribesmen from Swat, Bonair, and other places, made repeated and desperate attempts to recapture the “Crag Picket,” which was held by 200 men of the 101st. Fusiliers and 20th. Punjaub Infantry. After a hard struggle for four hours the defenders were driven out, and for the third time the “Crag Picket” fell into the hands of the enemy. In this affair two officers and a large number of men were killed. General Chamberlain ordered the 71st. Highlanders to the front, which regiment, led by himself and Colonel Hope, without a check, carried the position at the point of the bayonet, and held it; but both the leaders were severely wounded in the conflict. General Chamberlain being thus disabled, General Garvock took the command, advanced against the enemy, captured and burnt the village of Laloo, and drove the tribesmen back into their valleys.
On December 16th. the troops descended from the hills, destroyed the village of Umbeyla, and offered battle to their opponents on level ground. Most of them declined the encounter, but a body of 250 Ghazees made a frantic charge on the column, and were slain to a man, and with this action the Umbeyla expedition came to an end.[146] In this brief but sharp campaign of two months, 19 officers and 238 men were killed, and 47 officers, and 670 men wounded. For his services General Chamberlain was created a K.C.B. The British regiments employed in these operations were the 1st. Battalion 7th. Fusiliers, 71st., 93rd., and 101st. Fusiliers.
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