RELIEF OF CHITRAL FORT AND SIEGE OF CHITRAL. 401 
on to Laspur, a large village at an elevation of 10,000 feet. 
On leaving Ghizar on lst April the column proceeded for about 5 
miles, when deep snow was encountered, so that the battery mules and 
transport ponies went in over their shoulders, and it was found 
impossible to proceed with them, even unloaded. ‘The column returned, 
200 Pioneers with all cooly transport were left at Tera, a small village 
3 miles from Ghizar, with orders to proceed when possible. The 
remainder returned to Ghizar. On 2nd Aprilheavy snow fell. Sledges 
and toboggans were made and tried for guns and ammunition in 
Ghizar, and appeared to answer fairly well. On 3rd April the guns 
joined the Pioneers at Tera, and proceeded as far as the mules could 
go, all Battery men carrying their own kits. They were then placed 
on the sledges. It had now however become very hot, the track made 
was not broad enough for the sledges, and snow was soft. The labour 
of dragging was excessive so the guns and ammunition were slung on 
poles and carried by gunners and sepoys. Owing to deep snow and 
the narrow track this was most arduous work, as when a man’s foot 
got off the track, he went in up to his waist. We proceeded at about 
half mile an hour till 8.30 p.m., when we were about 3 miles from 
Langar; here darkness came on, men could not see where to place 
their feet, and were utterly done. All loads were stacked in the snow, 
upright poles being left to mark the spot in case of more snow falling, 
which appeared likely. The last men got into camp at ]1 p.m., and 
had to bivouac on the snow with a bitter wind, and severe cold, no tents 
having been brought from Gilgit. The next day, the 200 Pioneers 
under Captain Borradaile crossed the pass to Laspur, which they 
reached with great difficulty at 7.30 p.m. The gunners and 50 men 
of the 4th Kashmir Rifles, and 38 coolics returned to fetch the guns and 
ammunition, which reached Langar by 4 p.m. and the men bivouacked 
again, At 6 a.m. on 5th April, the guns started over the pass, 40 relief 
coolies met us half way, and the guns arrived in Laspur at 4.30 p.m., 
nearly all the men being snow blind, and very done up. On Gth April, 
a reconnaissance took place 10 miles down Mastuj valley and back, 
guus being carried by coolies. ‘The enemy were discovered in position 
at Chakalwat. On 7th April, troops halted to recruit and Colonel 
Kelly jommedus. On 8th April, the force moved to Gusht 2 miles from 
Chakalwat and 8 miles from Mastuj. The enemy were observed 
strengthening their sangars. They were attackcd on 9th April, and 
driven out after an hour’s fighting, losing some 20 or so killed. The 
column marched into Mastuj, which had been shut up for 18 days, but 
was all correct. 
200 more Pioneers joined here on 11th April, and the gun, carriago 
and wheel saddles having been got over the pass, the guns and 
ammunition were packed on country ponies about 13 hands high 
which seemed to act fairly well. On 13th April, the column con- 
sisting now of 400 Pioneers, 2 guns, 100 4th Kashmir Rifles, 40 
Kashmir Sappers and Miners and 150 levies advanced to attack the 
enemy at Nisha Gol, a very strong position, on the far side of a deep pre- 
cipitous nullah. The enemy had a line of sangars along the far edge of 
nullah right across the valley with sangars at intervals up the steep 
