'MILITARY REPORT ON PERSIA' [‎26v] (57/466)

26
Bombay Native Infantry and a composite battalion consisting
of 10 light companies of Native Infantry, left India in the latter
half of December reaching Bushire at the end of January.
Chah Kutah was first destroyed by a cavalry force. As
the enemy were cutting off supplies from Bushire, an advance
on Borazjun was then decided on.
On 3rd February, General Outram left Bushire, taking 3
battalions British infantry, 3 battalions Native infantry, 3rd
Bombay Cavalry, Poona irregular Cavalry and Horse and Field
Artillery, total 419 cavalry, 18 guns, 118 sappers and 4,110
infantry. Practically no transport was available. No tents
were taken and each man carried a great coat and blanket and
two days’ cooked provisions.
The commissariat arranged for bringing on reserve rations.
The march was made by night, bitterly cold at this time of year.
After 26 miles the force halted for the day. Severe dust storms
followed by hail and rain, which drenched every one, and a
cold piercing'wind made the march very trying. Borazjun
was reached after another trying march and a night of cold
and rain, the force having covered 46 miles in 41 hours. The
depot was taken after a slight skirmish with the enemy’s
cavalry, the entrenchments being quite insignificant.
The village close by might have been utilised as a formid
able defensive work, having high walls, towers.and a ditch 15
feet deep ; while all round it were cactus and thorn fences. All
the ammunition and everything else that could not be carried
off was destroyed.
On 7th February, provisions running short, a retirement
on Bushire was commenced by a night march. About midnight
the guide lost his way, and the enemy attacked. The
troops coolly formed up and lay down under fira till dawn, los
ing, however, 2 officers and six men wounded and one man
killed. On February 8th, when day broke, the enemy were
seen drawn up with their right on Khushab and numbering 6,000
infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 15 guns. They were attacked by
the cavalry and artillery, the infantry being in support. The
artillery made very fine practice and the Persians broke and fled.
The 3rd Bombay Cavalry charged and broke up a square of Per
sian infantry.