(229) 
THE ARTILLERY IN THE INDIAN 
CAMPAIGNS OE 1897-8. 
(Map attached.) 
BY 
CAPTAIN GL F. MACMUNN, D.S.O., R.A. 
T HE number of batteries that took part in the various campaigns 
on the North West Frontier of India during 1897-8 is so large, 
(twenty-one in all) that it seems a pity that no collective account of 
their doings has been made in a form easily get-at-able for officers of 
the Regiment. I had hoped that some one better qualified than my¬ 
self would have undertaken to do so, but as no one seems to have 
come forward I venture to make a resume of each battery's share in 
the campaigns in the hope that such a record may be of general 
interest. Some of the batteries suffered very severely indeed and 
gained great distinction well worthy of record more attainable than 
in official reports and despatches. 
An outline of the operations on the North West Frontier and the 
sequence of events is first necessary to follow the doings of the Artillery. 
The Pathan Revolt as it has been called, commenced with the out¬ 
break in Waziristan in June, 1897, where a small force was unexpect¬ 
edly and treacherously attacked during political negotiations, in which a 
section of No. 6 Bombay Mountain Battery took so conspicuous a 
part. This was followed at a short month's interval, by the equally un¬ 
expected rising in Swat in a quite distinct part of the Frontier, and 
the desperate attacks on the Malakand and Shabkadr. No. 8 Bengal 
Mountain Battery took a leading part in the defence of the Malakand. 
From the North East corner of the Frontier the fiery-cross now spread 
towards the Peshawur border, and the extraordinary sight in modern 
times, of a hostile force invading the plains of India was beheld, the 
Mohmands decending from the hills and, after burning British villages, 
were encountered at Shabkadr in the open by a small force hastily 
pushed out from Peshawur. 
The contagion now spread to the Khyber and the various forts 
there, were attacked by the Afridis, the rising finally crossing over to 
the Orakzai country and far away up to Kurram and the hills below 
the Safed Koh. The Orakzais aided by Afridis desperately attacked 
4 VOL. XXVI. 
