3-052-393 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches in Afghanistan: hospital dhoolies in the Jugdulluk Pass, 1880. 'Our Illustrations of the military movements that have been proceeding to strengthen the British force in the occupation of Cabul were mostly taken from scenes in the Jugdulluk Pass...The force,...commanded by Brigadier-General Charles Gough, which set out from Gundamuk on the 14th December [1879], to reinforce General Sir Frederick Roberts at Cabul, had to take the Jugdulluk road, as the other was, for the time, impeded by hostile tribes...On the 17th a party-consisting of a hundred of the 9th, a hundred of the 4th Goorkhas, and a troop of cavalry under Major Macnaughten...was attacked two miles below Jugdulluk Kotal by a thousand of the enemy. Our infantry behaved coolly, their fire being accurate and steady. The enemy dared not make a rush, and that night there were no watch-fires or shots. This is an example of the state of insecurity and perpetual threatening of attack that prevailed in the Jugdulluk Pass; and our Sketches of that locality, showing the difficulties interposed by the ruggedness and narrowness of the path in the transport of military stores and hospital conveniences, help to understand the reasons for giving a preference to the Latabund route'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.