The expeditionary force in the Mobmand country has been seriously
engaged. The fighting began north of Nabakki. One picket lost eight men killed and several wounded, and had to be reinforced during Saturday night. On Monday, according to the Times correspondent, General Barrett's brigade carried out punitive operations in the Bohai Dag. There was hard fighting, and both sides of the valley bad to be cleared by the infantry. During this movement the 34th Pioneers were charged by a party of swordsmen, all of whom were bayoneted. There were twenty-seven casualties in General Barrett's brigade. Sir James Willcocks addressed the troops on Tuesday, and specially praised the men of the 2nd Punjabis, who had defended the picket on Saturday night. The native officer in command was twice severely wounded, but concealed the fact till he died, and a signaller, though wounded, never ceased his work till reinforce- ments arrived. On Wednesday Umra Killi, which was occupied in force by the enemy, was attacked by General Anderson's brigade. The attack was delivered late in the day, but was necessary owing to the scarcity of water. The tribes- men fought with great bravery, making sword-rushes from time to time, and our troops were impeded by a dust-storm and by the standing corn in which the tribesmen hid them- selves. As the attack could not be pressed home during the daylight, General Anderson withdrew, and this encouraged the enemy to attack the British camp during the night, but without much effect. Two British officers were killed during the day. The Times correspondent says that the endurance of the troops has been heavily taxed ; they have had little rest day or night, and the difficulty of getting water in the hot valleys has been very great.
