Through Three Campaigns: A Story of Chitral, Tirah and Ashanti

In Short

The story traces the rapid military ascent of Lisle Bullen, a young man who enlists in a native regiment in India and finds himself thrust into the harsh campaigns of Chitral and Tirah, followed by the relief of Coomassie in West Africa. Through sheer courage, precise marksmanship, and a knack for leadership, Lisle earns the Victoria Cross and rapid promotion. The book remains a significant historical curiosity, reflecting the period’s fascination with colonial military expansion, the technical challenges of frontier combat, and an unwavering belief in the "civilizing" mission of the era.

The Story

The narrative begins with the enlistment of Lisle Bullen, who joins a native Indian regiment to take the place of his deceased cousin. Though he is only a recruit, Lisle’s natural bravery and quick wit during a surprise attack quickly set him apart from his peers. He proves his worth by rallying his men when their sergeant is incapacitated, an act of leadership that earns him a promotion to corporal and the admiration of his commanding officers. Throughout the Chitral and Tirah campaigns, Lisle survives extreme mountain terrain, treacherous mountain passes, and the constant threat of ambush by resilient tribesmen. His ability to speak Punjabi and his willingness to adopt local customs allow him to move fluidly through the ranks, often taking on dangerous scouting or sharpshooting missions that turn the tide of local engagements.

After surviving the brutal mountain fighting, Lisle is granted a period of recuperation in England. However, his restless spirit and professional drive soon lead him to accept a new assignment in West Africa. He is sent to assist in the relief of Coomassie, a city besieged during the Ashanti War. The geography here is vastly different from India—a dense, humid, and disease-ridden jungle where the enemy utilizes sophisticated stockades and hidden ambushes. Lisle assumes command of a company of Hausas, displaying remarkable tactical flexibility, including the invention of a bamboo raft system to cross impassable rivers. As he navigates the horrors of the siege—including the discovery of mass graves and the pervasive threat of fever—Lisle maintains his composure, eventually helping to dismantle the Ashanti resistance. The campaign culminates in the submission of the tribal leadership and the restoration of order. By the end of the narrative, Lisle returns to his regiment as a decorated brevet major at the age of twenty-one. While his superiors jokingly warn him to temper his zeal to allow others a chance at glory, Lisle is already looking toward potential future conflicts in China, fully committed to his life as a soldier.

How It Unfolds

The enlistment Lisle assumes his cousin’s identity within a native regiment, navigating the transition to life as a soldier under the tutelage of British officers. He immediately faces the challenge of proving himself in a unit that values both discipline and the deep, paternal bond between officers and their men.

The mountain campaigns The narrative moves into the high-altitude fighting of Chitral and Tirah, where the troops must scale difficult terrain while facing the persistent, guerrilla-style tactics of the local tribes. Lisle’s skill as a marksman becomes critical when he picks off an enemy leader at a distance of nine hundred and fifty yards, saving a column from potential disaster.

The shift to West Africa Following his success in India, Lisle is dispatched to the Ashanti territory, where the environmental hardships shift from freezing mountain passes to stifling, sickness-prone jungles. The conflict here focuses on breaking a siege and navigating an landscape where every road and village is potentially booby-trapped.

The resolution Lisle’s leadership during the final stages of the Ashanti War secures his reputation, and he returns to his original regiment with multiple honors. The book concludes with a reflection on his rapid rise and a hint of the perpetual state of mobilization that defines his existence as an officer.

The People

Lisle Bullen is the energetic, capable heart of the book. Starting as a humble recruit, he is driven by a deep-seated sense of duty and a genuine love for the profession of arms. His primary obstacle is not merely the enemy, but the constant pressure of proving that he belongs in a role of authority despite his youth.

The British officers, such as the unnamed colonel, act as mentors who recognize Lisle’s potential early on, shielding him from unnecessary scrutiny while grooming him for command. They are portrayed as "fathers" to their men, a paternalistic dynamic that the book frames as the standard of military excellence.

Hallett, a fellow officer in Africa, serves as a grounded foil to Lisle’s boundless energy. While Lisle is always looking for the next task, Hallett is a chronic grumbler who prefers to sleep through the monotony of camp life. Despite his complaints, he is a loyal comrade, and his relationship with Lisle highlights the human endurance required to survive the "stiff fighting" and the psychological toll of the jungle.

In Its Own Voice

"Nevertheless, they show a magnificent contempt for danger and difficulty; and fight with a valour and determination worthy of the highest praise."

The author sets the tone in the Preface, characterizing the imperial soldier’s struggle against both hostile landscapes and brave opponents.

"I had no idea of assuming the command, sir; but my tongue always runs fast, and I dare say I did shout, almost unconsciously."

Lisle attempts to deflect praise from his commanding officer after his decisive, albeit impulsive, display of leadership in his first combat encounter.

"The close air of the forest takes out what little starch you have in you, and I verily believe that I am very often asleep, as we march."

Hallett describes the physical and mental exhaustion caused by the relentless, stifling conditions of the Ashanti campaign.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the development of character through the crucible of war. The book argues that professional competence, combined with a "magnificent contempt for danger," is the highest expression of a man’s potential. It explores the idea that the "little wars" of the era, while often overlooked by the public, are the true proving grounds for the nation’s strength. Underlying the action is a belief in the necessity of order and the inevitable victory of disciplined, technological warfare over "ignorant" but brave tribal forces. It is a study in how an individual finds personal meaning within the vast, impersonal machinery of an expanding empire, ultimately finding his identity defined entirely by his service.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of military fiction will find this book a valuable, if dated, window into the late-19th-century mindset. It provides a vivid look at the technical details of colonial warfare—from the construction of bamboo rafts to the mechanics of jungle sieges—that are rarely covered in general histories. The pace is rapid and the tone is remarkably consistent, capturing the specific, unblinking optimism of the author regarding his subject matter.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the book's period attitudes. The perspective is intensely Eurocentric; the portrayal of local tribes is often reductive, painting them as either "cowardly" or "ignorant" despite acknowledging their tactical skill. The language can be formal and occasionally repetitive, and the casual treatment of death and the harsh realities of colonial occupation may feel jarring. It is not a book for those seeking a nuanced view of the regions depicted, but rather a direct experience of the genre's typical "boy's own" heroism. For those who can navigate its outdated worldview, it offers a fascinating, high-energy immersion into a bygone style of storytelling that helped define the imperial imagination of its day.