562 THE MALAKAND AND BUNERWAL EXPEDITIONS. 
Hoti Mardan there were 4 cases of heat apoplexy, and at the next 
stage, Jalala, eleven, (in on© or two cases almost proving fatal), but the 
most trying day of all was the stage from Jalala to Khar in the Swat 
Valley, about 24 miles, crossing the Malakand Pass on the way. 
The Battery left camp at midnight with a convoy, and reached 
Dargai at 5.30 a.m. where it was expected it would encamp for the 
day, but on receipt of a telegram from the Swat Valley to join the 1st 
Brigade at Amandara as soon as possible, it was decided to push on, 
and so at 11 a.m. the Battery made a fresh start—a steady climb of 
1500 feet in six miles—to the crest of the pass, and then an easy 
descent for four miles into the valley beyond, was the prospect before 
the Battery. Not a pleasant one—considering the terrific heat, and it 
was not accomplished without great loss. There were no less than 
20 cases of heat apoplexy, two of them fatal, neither did the horses 
escape, 7 dying that day and 4 within the next few days, from the 
effects of that march. Ten days—practically without a move—then 
luckily followed, and enabled all hands to get fit and hard, and here a 
draft of men and horses from the 50th Field Battery brought up by 
Captain Oldnall, made the Battery up to strength. On the 16th Aug. 
the Battery moved up the valley a few miles to Thana, with the 1st 
Brigade, which, it was intended, should go for a tour through Upper 
Swat, after brushing away the opposition expected at the defile of 
Landakai—“ the Gate of Swat.” On the 17th August the Battery 
moved out with the rest of the Brigade and after a 4 mile march came 
into action at a range of 1500 yards against the enemy who held a 
very strong position on the crest of a steep ridge. After nearly two 
hours action, covering the very successful asault of the infantry, and 
entailing an expenditure of 132 rounds of Shrapnel, the Battery 
returned to Khar Camp, where it again remained idle for ten days. 
The lecturer here exhibited a standard captured in the action at 
Landakai and presented to the Battery by direction of the General 
Officer Commanding the Field Force (applause). 
On the 29th August the Battery crossed the Swat river by the 
suspension bridge at Chakdara, and encamped under the walls of the 
fort. Two marches then took the guns to the Panj kora bridge, the 
wagons under the Captain being left at a post on the lines of communi¬ 
cation about 5 miles from the bridge. The road to the bridge was of 
such a villainous description that the Brigadier (Colonel Wodehouse, 
R.H.A.) despaired of the guns ever reaching the bridge, but it was at 
last accomplished, and the Battery had the satisfaction of finding the 
following very complimentary order published in Brigade Orders. 
Brigade Orders: 3rd Brigade Malakand Field Force, 
Panjkora, 4th September, 1897. 
“ The Brigadier-General wishes to express his appreciation of the 
hard work and excellent driving performed by the 10th Field Battery, 
which enabled them to bring their guns to a position which it was 
considered impossible for them to reach, and which under certain cir¬ 
cumstances might have been of the greatest value. 
(Signed) H. B. Donne, Captain, 
D.A.A.G., 3rd Brigade, M.F.F. 
