400 
ZAIMUKHT EXPEDITION, 
alternative path ascends the left side of the gorge to the crest of the 
ridge; but, although it avoids the tunnel, it is utterly impracticable for 
mules and can only be scaled by one man at a time. To this strong¬ 
hold the inhabitants of the Zaimukht valley, when threatened by an 
enemy, had been accustomed to send their families and property, and, 
until the 14th December, 1879, it had always defied capture. 
The Attack, 
At daybreak on 13th December, a force, as 
per margin, marched from camp at Chinarak 
towards the village of Eagha. At point B the 
jointed guns came into action against detached 
bodies of the enemy crowning the opposite 
heights, at a range of 750 to 800 yds. Under 
cover of their fire the right attack, consisting 
of two 7-prs., 200 lbs., Kohat battery, some 
companies 85th K. L. I., and 29th P. N. I., the 
whole commanded by Colonel J. H. Gordon, C.B., 
advanced against the enemy. The first crest was taken with slight 
opposition, and the attack was continued against a “ sunga ” (stone 
breastwork) higher up, the 7-pr. jointed guns throwing shells into it, 
over the heads of the skirmishers, from point B, a distance of 1990 yds., 
as ascertained by Watkin's range-finder. This breastwork was stormed, 
the enemy carrying off their dead and wounded, and taking up a fresh 
position on the line D, C, G; pools of blood, on the ground they had 
vacated, testified to the deadliness of our fire. The troops pushed 
forward over a succession of ravines and ridges, each higher than the 
one preceding, and all defended by sungas. As soon as Colonel Gordo As 
attack was sufficiently developed, General Tytler descended from point 
B and led his main body up the gorge. It consisted of two 7-pr. 
jointed guns, one company 85th K. L. I., 4th P. I., and 20th P. N. I. 
As he advanced, the enemy opened a desultory fire from the rocks above. 
To drive them from the heights the guns were brought into action on 
the sides of the gorge, firing across it. A few shell on each occasion 
were sufficient to dislodge them; our infantry occupying their positions 
in succession, and working steadily from crest to crest until they 
reached the village of Bagh, where pickets were thrown out and the 
troops bivouacked, communication being maintained with the right 
attack on B. 
Early on the morning of the 14th the advance was continued, 
Colonel Gordon's party taking the position D, C 3 G, and at one point 
coming into hand-to-hand combat with the defenders. Meanwhile, a 
large body of the enemy had occupied a high hill, completely enfilading 
and commanding the gorge through which our left was moving. The 
7-prs. were brought into action in the bed of the stream, firing with a 
2 7-pr. jointed guns. 
1/8, R.A., 3 officers, 20 N.C. 
officers and men. 
85th K. L. I., 720 officers, 
N.-C. officers and men. 
4th P. I., 600 officers, N.-C. 
officers and men. 
20th P. N. I., 640 officers, 
N.-C. officers and men. 
29th P. N. I., 600 officers, 
JST.-C. officers and men. 
