1 ( 97),
2 175. Some progress has been made in endeavouring to ‘improve the
3 Improvement of breed breed of horses in the Punjab for Military purposes.
4 ot hone, Ten stallions were originally purchased, and this
5 number has lately been increased to nineteen. All of these animals,
6 with one exception, are Arabs, the horse which is best suited of all
7 breeds to bear fatigue, exposure, and inferior food, and therefore the
8 ebreed best adapted for war.
9 176. Allusion has been made in the Political Section to the two
10 Brilliant operations @Xpeditions, one into Upper Meeranzye, the other
11 against the Orukzyes. against the Raabeuh Khail Orukzyes. The
12 arrangements on both occasions were excellently managed. The enemy
13 were overawed in the one case and thoroughly cowed in the other. In
14 the skirmish with the fanatics at the foot of the Orukzye Hills, Major
15 Coke, commanding the Ist Punjab Infantry, and Captain Fraser, of the
16 4th Punjab Cavalry, distinguished themselves, In the attack on the
17 Raabeuh Khail strongholds, Major Coke of the Ist and Captain Hen-
18 derson of the 3rd Punjab Infantry, and Lieutenant Sladen of the Light
19 Field Battery, were more especially distinguished. In conveying the
20 approval and thanks of the Government of India for the service thus
21 performed by Brigadier Chamberlain and the Force under his com-
22 mand on the last occasion, the Governor General in Council recorded
23 the following handsome encomium :—“ Government should be proud in
24 “ the possession of Trqops Which could perform such gallant deeds, and
25 “ of Officers who could plan and execute such brilliant exploits.”
26 177. An Abstract Return of the Irregular Force, and a memo, of
27 its. cost for the years 1854-55 and 1855-56, will be found in the Appen- |
28 dix. The latter Statement is exclusive of the cost of Arms, Ammuni-
29 tion and Clothing. .
30 178. These Troops consist of ten Regiments of Infantry, five of
31 Strength and duties of Cavalry, one Corps of mixed Cavalry and Infantry
32 she SOR: (the Guides), two Companies of Sappers and
33 Miners, and four Batteries of 30 guns—all this Force, with the exception
34 of two Regiments of Infantry, are stationed on the Frontier, Assisted by
35 three Battalions of organized Police, they hold the whole line of the
36 Western Frontier, except Peshawur. They garrison the Frontier Can-
37 tonments and Forts, guard the Treasuries and Jails, occupy a large
38 number of out-posts, and furnish Escorts,
39 0