Chapter 41: Night Passage

Date: November 4, 1899
Situation: Rescue Party Departure
Location: The Imperial Camp
All Right Then. Double Click Images And Look to Your Front
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The Rescue Party alluded to in Chapter 40 departs as evening arrives.

Acting Captain Gill, 9th Bengal Lancers, salutes the officers at General Pettygree's Headquarters. He leads his command on a night passage to conceal the start of the mission.

More 9th Bengal Lancers pass by; supply horses in the rear.

Sgt. Davies, 10th Hussars, follows. He salutes the officers watching the departure too.

The tail of the Rescue Party; Lt. Caddy, RE, close by his vital supplies guarded by two 10th Hussars.

Darkness descends quickly in the mountainous high altitude.

Later, senior officers gather round the campfire. Their thoughts and prayers are with the rescuers, as should be ours.

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. The last image was shot using pulsating campfire light only. Other images required some distant overhead light to suggest descending dusk. It is my understanding amateur astronomers use open lens settings to capture light at night. Perhaps you can do that.

2. The campfire is from Miniature Building Authority's tent set. 

3. Campfire illumination was provided by three grain of wheat light bulbs (LEDs) commonly used in model railroading connected to a switch and 9 volt battery. Pulsating lights are from Evan Designs, PO Box 2044, Broomfield, CO 80038 USA. Ask for set DC3F FIRE! I bought mine from Walthers Trains; probably the largest supplier of model railroad items in North America. Also see http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/  

4. The two chaps on the right side of the last image are Foundry Miniatures. See WWI Great War, GWB001, British Interrogation Set. Mine were specially painted by John Preece. I look forward to using them in future vignettes. 

5. YOU can do this too. I had fun thinking and doing all this. Kind of different.

6. Your remarks are appreciated. Click on "Comments" to chat, if you please.

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Chapter 40: Prisoners

Date: November 4, 1899
Situation: Prisoners
Location: The Imperial Camp And Parts Unknown
Images expand amazingly when clicked 1-2 times.
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During the second battle of 16 October, Col. Lawford ordered his 9th Bengal Lancers to charge a massive enemy force bent on turning the Imperial Right Flank. This desperate measure slowed the horde but did not stop it. See Chapter 36.

During the melee Colonel Lawford and two Sowars were captured.

Days later you see them being led into The Secret Valley as prisoners. Off to the right an infuriated tribesman inexplicably opened fire fatally wounding one of the Sowars.

Whilst Col. Lawford was being taken into captivity, several officers convened at General Pettygree's headquarters tent many miles away.

Evening dining preparations are taking place to the right as officers chat. In moments....

General Pettygree (left), Lt. Col. Preece (10th Hussars center) and Major Trevelyan (10th Hussars right) resume an earlier discussion.

Pettygree: "Have we our volunteers?
Trevelyan: "Yes General, we do. Lt. Caddy, Royal Engineers and acting Captain Gill, 9th Bengal Lancers. Here they come now."

Left to Right:   Pettygree, Trevelyan, Gill, Preece and Caddy with red/blue pugaree.

Pettygree: "Thank you for your volunteerism gentlemen."
Trevelyan: "This is a dangerous undertaking but worth the risk I should think."
Gill: "Aye Major, we know.
Caddy: "And Sir, the men who signed on with us are eager for a good hunt."
Preece: "Are you ready to leave tonight - under cover of darkness?
Gill: "Yes Sir."
Pettygree: "Well done. I hope Lawford is still alive."

He is for we see him here with the surviving Sowar arrive at one of many  villages during their passage into captivity and dare we think it, oblivion?

The village Headman stops the procession beside his watch tower and....

Orders the prisoners within. How many hours, days, weeks, months or years will pass here?

Lawford feels a forlorn loneliness in this vast empty region. Escape is on his mind but, how and when? The deeper he travels into The Secret Valley, the more difficult a successful escape becomes. He is not even certain -- he is in -- The Secret Valley.

He barely hopes to get back to the Regiment and England.
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CLOSING REMARKS
1. The Watch Tower is the superlative "one-of" artwork of Herb Gundt of H.G. Walls. You will see it again and more in the coming weeks.
2. Tentage is from Miniature Building Authority.
3. Your remarks are welcome, as always below.
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Chapter 39: Arriving At Fort Grant

Date: November 3, 1899
Situation: Reinforcements Arrive
Location: Fort Grant
Click Photos 1-2 Times For Singular Advantages
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Previously we saw three Imperial contingents en-route to Fort Grant.

The newly-raised 4th Squadron of the 9th Bengal Lancers commanded by Captain Dyce-Powers assisted by Belgian Captain Verbeek arrives at Fort Grant. First troop (8 sowars/troopers) leads whilst Second Troop follows with another eight sowars.

A Pack Train and....

The troop train.

The slowing train passes the yard building.

Close-up of the Yard Office building.

Minutes ago the gondolas were backed onto the siding. Disembarkation is underway.

The naval contingent remains alert as detraining continues onto the loading dock.

As they should in this remote wilderness. Vigilance is essential to enhance survival. Though we are close to Fort Grant, a foe could be nearby.

Look alive there mate an' confusion to the enemy.

Previously there were three and now we see five....

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CLOSING REMARKS
1. The sailors are from Perry Miniatures 28mm Sudan range. See previous chapter for more detail.
2. Buildings are from Miniature building Authority. Terrific structures, don't you think?
3. The chaps atop the yard office sitting and with hand on the table are Foundry expertly painted by John Preece.
4. The fence and loading dock were scratch-built more than a decade ago for a model railroad layout.
5. Train cars and locomotive power are from Lionel. Trackage is Gargraves.
6. Pine trees are from Scenic Express. Once upon a time they sold packs of 25 at a very reasonable cost.
7. I am reliably reminded the white-coated riders are from Tiger Miniatures. I purchased these from the retailer Recreational Conflict.
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Chapter 38: Reinforcements En-Route To Fort Grant

Date: November 01, 1899
Situation: Reinforcements En-Route To Fort Grant
Location: Bombay to Fort Grant Rail Line
Photos expand agreeably when clicked 1-2 times.

Northwest Frontier Village of Rhami. Pack animals are bringing in supplies.

Whilst newly raised 4/9 Bengal Lancers depart Rhami for Fort Grant. They will exercise along the way.

The squadron was previously quartered at Pune atop The Deccan Plateau. It has not seen action.

Squadron Commander Dyce-Powers on the right. Supernumerary: Captain Lucien Verbeek, Belgian Grenadier Guards on the left.

King Leopold II of Belgium asked the Britannian Government to allow Captain Verbeek to accompany The Khyber Field Force commanded by General Pettygree. His mission is to gain experience useful for service when he returns to the Army of his countrymen.
Jeff Cavender artfully painted Captain Verbeek and his mount. Thank YOU Jeff!

We hear a train a com'n, com'n round the bend.
Belch'n thick black smoke, an' blacker since I don't know when.

What cargo does it bring? Food and beverages for Jepson's? Another round of Ottinger if you please.

A British Naval Contingent. See "Closing Remarks" below for the storyline.

The sailors are supported by a Gatling Gun. The Khyber Field Force will need it!

Meanwhile....

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. The naval contingent commenced its journey by motor conveyance from the Perry Factory in Nottinghamshire arriving at the home and studio of John Preece in Wales. Passing restful bucolic moments there whilst being expertly uniformed and accoutered, they afterwards boarded a flying contraption for America. After several more motor vehicle rides they arrived here descending to the basement wherein lies The North West Frontier and other places. Delighted to have them and very smart they are. (John is not taking new painting commissions at this time.)

2. The railroad was assembled mostly from The Lionel Train Corporation. Trackage is Gargraves. Lionel's Train Master Command Control System allows for walk-around wireless hand-held remote control - a singular and wonderful contraption.  The railroad was put away not quite a decade ago but is having a Renaissance of its own for the NW Frontier and a dear little fellow who just turned five years old.

3. Otherwise: Jepson's and the buildings were made by Miniature Building Authority. The train station is a Lionel product. The white-clad horsemen were purchased at Little Wars 2010 from Recreational Conflict; Bulgarians actually, but they aren't Bulgarians here!

Chapter 37: Captives And Pettygree's Decision

Date: 22 October 1899
Location: Entrance To The Secret Valley
Situation: KHAN'S Retreat
Are You Clicking Images 1-2 Times And Enlarging Them?
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KHAN'S REAR GUARD

After the battle of the 16th., KHAN's Army retreated homeward  to The Secret Valley. You see his Rear Guard, The Red Sash Horsemen within one of the canyons on that journey. The stronghold is still an unknown number of days away. The Main Body is just up ahead out of sight.

The Red Sash Horsemen have three Imperial prisoners (photo center). Suddenly a horseman on the right levels his jezail firing at them!

There he is. What is his game? The Red Sash Commander with drawn sword has turned to find out.

He appears to be firing at three soldiers from The Khyber Field Force.

What will fate decree for this action? What is the identity of the trio? A few answers follow --- next as we go elsewhere and backwards in time....
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Four days ago....
Date: 18 October 1899
Location: Two Miles From The Battlefield  of 16 October 1899
Situation: The New Camp, A Decision And Inspection
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Rifles, jezails and cannon have been silent for two days. The foe threatening the peace of The Frontier has truly vanished. The Imperials, thankful for the respite are restoring themselves in a different camp. Dr. James Watson has released a number of lightly wounded men back to their units as we look in on....

Annie out for a stroll whilst her friends Gunga Din and Sgt. Cutter propose a preposterous scheme to two other RE sergeants. Discussion appears animated. Whether duty and/or reason will prevail only time will tell. Meanwhile, we return to more sober subjects as we observe....

Assistant Surgeon 'Doc' Shaefer wiping his brow. Tired? Yes. However, he has the satisfaction knowing the number of wounded returning to duty has  been more than satisfactory. We might even conclude camp will be broken soon because of ammunition wagons being reloaded.

More of the camp comes into view. At headquarters, Chief Surgeon, Dr. Watson (helmet in hand) is presenting his medical report to Officer of The Day, Major Trevelyan, 10th Hussars. {Whitish tents on loan from the collection of Der Alte Fritz. Those in the lower right are new tents from Miniature Building Authority.}

Colonel J. Preece {10th Hussars} observes General Pettygree leaving his tent while....

A soldier tends his fire nearby.

Major Trevelyan: "General, Dr. Watson's report is very good -- considering."

Dr. Watson: "Yes, General. Of our 76 casualties from the two battles of the 16th instant, as of today, only seven died, three are missing and sixty-six remain under care."

General Pettygree: "Yes Doctor. Very good. Hope for even better results in the next week or two."

Major Trevelyan: "Meanwhile Col. Lawford and two of his sowars from the 9th Bengal Lancers remain missing. It is thought they were taken prisoner during the charge and melee on the right flank. We've not found them."

General Pettygree: "Quite so. Poor devils."

Major Trevelyan: "Time for inspection Sir."

General Pettygree to ADC Major James Mitchell: "I am confirmed in my decision Mitchell to return to Fort Grant. We carry too many wounded and the fort is without sufficient garrison for the long term. You may take that down Mr. Pearson for The Times readers, if you please. Now let's take a look at the men."

Mr. Pearson: "What of Col. Lawford Sir and his missing men?"

Major Mitchell: "They knew the risk sir."

General Pettygree: "Aye, but there just might be a chance, though slim to rescue them."

The First Indian Mountain Battery {left} and the Elephant Battery are the first to receive the General's gaze.
The former suffered five casualties. Of these one died, one recovered and three remain in hospital. One man fell amongst the elephant guns who remains too wounded to return to duty.

Next are the plucky Bombay Miners and Sappers who suffered ten casualties.  Three recovered and seven remain under medical care.

The well-tested 1st Sikhs had twenty-one casualties. Only one died, two recovered and the rest are still being cared for.

Of twelve casualties among The 2nd Sikhs, two died, one recovered and nine remain under care.

Thirty-two Berkshires were wounded. Amazingly only two died, eight recovered leaving twenty-two under the care of the medicos. However, when the canpaign began, the battalion numbered 101 soldiers. Count what is left, if you please.

Col. Sinclair: "Good Morning General! I hay' the honor to report  only ten wounded, one poor laddy succumbed, I scare believe not more and of the rest one is back to duty whilst eight remain with the Doctor."

General Pettygree: "I'm sorry to learn your Colonel is among the missing, perhaps a prisoner with two of the sowars. That leaves you as the sole British officer in the 9th Bengal Lancers."

Lieutenant Gill: "Aye Sir."

General Pettygree: "Due to your conspicuous duty helping to save the left flank, I promote you to a captaincy placing you in temporary command in Senior Captain Paget's absence."

Captain Gill: "Thank you General."

Casualties were fourteen. Three recovered, three are missing in action including Col. Lawford and eight remain in hospital.

The 10th Hussars guarded the rear of the Khyber Field Force two days ago suffering no losses. When the campaign commenced the regiment had 26 men. Twenty are pictured. Attrition.

The Khyber Field Force will return to Fort Grant ending the 1899 campaign year.
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CLOSING REMARKS

1. KHAN'S losses were 276 miniatures. In the course of the next few months 86 recovered; the rest lost.

2. Pettygree's losses were 105. Immediately after the engagement 21 recovered 9 were lost, 3 deemed captured, the rest remaining under care.

3. Two weeks later on 1 November 1899, 23 more recovered, 11 more were lost, 3 still deemed missing whilst the rest remained under care.

4. When campaign time reaches 1 December 1899, D6s will again be thrown for the Imperials still under care.

4. Dr. Watson's staff was thought to have better medical care than KHAN; a campaign convention (liberty?) to keep the Imperials in the field longer against a foe vastly outnumbering it.
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Your remarks are welcome below at the word "comments."
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