The First Afghan War 1878

The Afghan War broke out exactly twenty years after the Mutiny. The Ameer of Afghanistan, a buffer state between India and Russia, had for some time intrigued with Russia. Finally, he received a Russian mission and refused to admit the British envoy. It was decided to invade his country and install a new Ameer.

Campaign of 1878/79

In the autumn of 1878 the 2nd Battalion, commanded in the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Collins by Major Cromer Ashbumham, was quartered at Meerut, and formed part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, under Lieutenant-General Sir Donald Stewart, which, upon the outbreak of the Afghan War, was directed upon Kandahar.
After a trying march of 440 miles (one day thirty miles across the desert without a man falling out), Kandahar was occupied without resistance on 8th January, 1879. In the following September there was a rising of the Afghans at Kabul, where the British envoy and his escort were massacred. An advance upon Kabul, the necessary retort to such an outrage, was accordingly made by two columns, and after severe fighting Kabul was occupied by Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Roberts.

Campaigns of 1880-Ahmad Khel

During the winter of 1879-80 the position of affairs at Kabul became very critical, and it was found necessary to reinforce the Army there under the command of Sir Frederick Roberts. Accordingly, on 27th March, 1880, Sir Donald Stewart's division of 7,520 men was directed to leave Kandahar and march upon Kabul. On 19th April the Afghan Army attacked the column on the march at Ahmad Khel and after steady fighting the Ghazies were totally defeated. The 2nd Battalion, then commanded by Collins, bore a leading part in retrieving a critical situation. Continuing the march, the Battalion was present at the surrender of Ghumee, and at the fight of Urzoo on 23rd April, when the Afghans were again defeated. The column finally reached Kabul on the 28th of the same month.

Roberts's March to Kandahar

In July Ayub Khan defeated a British force at Maiwand, and besieged General Primrose in Kandahar. The 2nd Battalion was selected to form part of the relief force of 10,000 men which left Kabul under Sir Frederick Roberts on 9th August and reached Kandahar on the 31st. This march-by the same route as that of Sir Donald Stewart, but at the hottest time of the year -was effected in twenty-four days, inclusive of halts, giving an average of 13.3 miles a day, or of 14.5 for the days of actual marching.
On 21st August Sir Frederick Roberts had notified in the orders of the day that the city of Kandahar was completely invested, characteristically adding that he "hoped Ayub Khan would remain there." This wish was realized, for the Afghan leader was found in position for battle. On 1st September he was attacked in front and flank, and completely routed; all his guns and his camp (which had been left standing) were captured. On 8th September the 2nd Battalion left Kandahar to take part in the Mari Expedition, which lasted for two months and entailed much hard marching; there was not, however, any fighting.

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