112 
ACHIEVEMENTS OF FIELD ARTILLERY. 
more case shot been available/ but, as it was, the wild swordsmen 
surged onward so fast that to burst shrapnel was impossible, and the 
few rounds of case were soon exhausted. In spite of the bold front 
they showed, therefore, the guns were ordered to fall back. 
The late Colonel de Grey Warter of the Horse Artillery, who then 
as Major commanded “A” Battery, “B” Brigade, always maintained 
that his guns would never have been even momentarily lost had they 
never left their original position. To make an orderly retirement 
under such circumstances is even a higher test of discipline, however, 
than to remain doggedly in position, and the coolness and skill with 
which the short retreat was effected evoked admiration from all who 
saw it. 1 2 
It is to be noted also that it had never been intended to thrust the 
artillery so far forward, and that the eagerness of its commanding 
officer had caused him to exceed his instructions. Colonel Chapman, 3 
R.A., the Chief of General Stewards Staff, at once observed the faulty 
position the guns were in, and was endeavouring to get it rectified 
when the torrent burst upon them. 
But the 59th Regiment of British infantry had to face to their left to 
withstand the onslaught of the Afghans before they reached the position 
where the guns were, and it was impossible to move them forward now 
to close the interval which was thus left open between the guns and 
the infantry. It was into this gap that the Ghazis first made their 
rush, and in order to meet it General Stewart's escort, consisting of 
one company of the 60th Rifles and one company of the 25th Punjaub 
Native Infantry, under Captain Davidson 4 of the 60th Rifles, with the 
intuition of self-sacrifice, threw themselves into the breach ahead of 
the Reserve, which was formed by the 19th Punjaub Native Infantry. 
It was through a mistaken order that the companies were thus utilised, 
but the moment was an extremely critical one, and their intervention 
was most opportune and effective. Yet, in spite of all their efforts, the 
rush of Ghazis penetrated so deeply into our line that they got within 
twenty yards of Sir Donald Stewart and his Staff, who actually drew 
their swords and prepared to defend themselves. The crisis, however, 
was of short duration, and the breech-loader in steady hands was too 
much even for the brave fanatics. Sharp volleys struck the charge of 
the Afghans in flank as they swept down on the guns, relieved the 
pressure, and enabled the two batteries to get away to the position 
some 120 yards further to the rear, where it was originally intended 
that they should have been placed. 
While matters were thus progressing on the left and centre, the 
2nd Punjaub Cavalry took care of the right, and by a series of charges, 
which for brilliancy were not surpassed during the war, covered the 
1 The official report of Colonel A. C. Johnson says: “ The attack of the enemy was so fierce and 
rapid, that within twenty minutes of the first gun both batteries had fired the whole of their case." 
2 General Stewart’s despatch says —“ Th> gallantry with which the batteries maintained their 
ground till the last moment, and the orderly manner in which the retreat was effected, reflected 
the greatest credit on officers and men.” 
3 Now Major-General E. F. Chapman, c.b., head of the Intelligence Division at the War Office. 
4 Now Major Davidson, A--D.-C. to H.E.H. the Commander-in-Chief. 
