RELIEF OF CHITRAL FORT AND SIEGE OF CHITRAL. 408 
two congratulatory telegrams from Sir George White, praising the 
resolution shewn in getting over the snow and the conduct of the 
troops in action. 
The following account of the siege of Chitral Fort is deduced from 
notes kindly lent by Captain Campbell, Central India Horse. 
Chitral Fort is a square erection, having a high square tower at each 
corner, made of stone, wood and mud. ‘The walls are about 20 feet 
the towers from 380 feet to 45 feet high. The fort lies near the river, 
that is, low down and can be seen into and commanded from all sides. 
A covered way had been made to reach the river, there being no other 
water supply. ‘Trees grew quite close up to the walls on three sides, and 
owing to suddenness of investment, there was no time to cut them 
down. Although a bad position, the fort was the only place offering a 
chance of resisting the large numbers of the enemy for any time. A 
large quantity of grain had been stored, and the men had 800 rounds 
per rifle. 
On Sunday, 3rd March, news was received that Sher Afzul with a 
numerous following had arrived at the southern extremity of Chitral 
plain, about 4 miles from the fort. Captains Campbell, Townshend 
and Baird proceeded to make a reconnaissance with 200 Kashmir 
sepoys. The enemy not showing up in great numbers at first, an 
attempt was made to dislodge them from a hamlet called Koka Sand. 
On becoming closely engaged, the enemy appeared in great numbers, 
and many were seen descending the high hills on our right, whither 
Captain Baird had been sent with some men. 
An attempt was made to clear the village with the bayonet, but 
failed. Captain Campbell was shot in the knee just prior to the rush, 
Captain Baird was mortally wounded almost at once, Captain Towns- 
hend led the rush on the village, and on either side of him were General 
Baj Singh and Major Bikhan Singh of the Kashmir Army. These were 
both shot dead. It appeared impossible to do anything but retire, so 
the men were placed behind a wall and waited for darkness. At 
6.30 p.m. the order to retire by alternate half companies was given. 
The steadiness of the movement was interfered with by an overwhelm- 
ing fire from front and flanks. Every bit of cover was made use of to 
check the enemy, and the troops reached the fort at 7.30 p-m., having 
lost 22 killed and 84 wounded. The final retirement was covered by 
00 men of 14th Sikhs. Surgeon-Captain Whitchurch, I.M.S., had pro- 
ceeded at once under a very hot fire to assist Captain Baird. He 
carried him down the hill, and placed him in a dooly, but two of the 
bearers were at once shot, and Whitchurch with one sepoy, and 
escorted by four others, carried Baird about half mile till they reached a 
deep nullah running across the Chitral plain towards the river. They did 
this under a most severe fire, and three or four times were obliged to 
place Baird on the ground and with the bayonet clear the enemy from 
stone walls in their front. On reaching the nullah they found it im- 
possible to proceed straight, and had to make a long detour by the river 
and under fire, arriving at the fort with nearly every one of the party 
hit. Captain Baird was again hit quite close to the fort. Surgeon- 
Captain Whitchurch has been recommended for the Victoria Cross for 
