Sir Donald Stewart's battle on April 19th outside Ghuznee was
a considerable one, and he was, as we imagined, in greater danger than the official telegrams admitted. The enemy had mustered from 15,000 to 20,000 strong, and when the General commenced his artillery fire the Rae of the tribes- men, numbering by most accounts 3,000, but by the best account, published in the Standard, nearer 10,000,. made a determined rush, enveloping the British on both sides, and endeavouring to reach the centre. So deter- mined was the attack, that the British cavalry were rolled back, the line was pierced up to Sir Donald Stewart's own position, and had the remainder of the Afghans charged, the consequences would have been "most serious."- The artillery had exhausted their case-shot. The Afghan cavalry were, however, broken by a crushing fire from the breechloader; and the infantry, though they fought with stub- born bravery, could not force their way through the lead spray,. and at last retired, leaving 1,000 dead upon the plain. As usual, the enemy, once defeated, made no further effort, and Gluiznee was entered without a shot being fired. If that charge had succeeded, or if Sir D. Stewart had retired ever so. little, we should have had a most dangerous and costly cam- paign upon our hands.
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