NEWS OF THE WEEK.
-ENGLAND is at war. Up to sunset on the 20th inst., the Ameer of Afghanistan had sent no reply to the Viceroy, and by three o'clock a.m. on the morning of the 21st the three columns were in motion. The Bolan column is not yet in the Pass, but the Koorum column has occupied the valley of that name, and the Khyber column has carried Ali Musjid. The advance-guard, commanded by General Appleyard, pushed their way to the crest of the Shagai ridge, which commands the fort, and after some delay commenced shelling it from 40-pounders. The Afghans replied slowly, but steadily, " making good practice," and displaying many cannon ; and by evening, although the skirmishers had pushed forward till they were ready to storm, and a few men had been lost, it was deemed advisable to suspend operations. Meanwhile, however, Colonel Tytler's brigade had occupied the defile beyond Ali Musjid, and the Afghan garrison, afraid of being cut off, evacuated the fort in the night. It was occupied by the British troops on Friday morning. The first blow in the war has, therefore, been struck successfully.
