Transcriber's Note:
Apparent typographical errors have been corrected and hyphenation
rationalised. Inconsistent accents have been retained. Small capitals
have been replaced by regular capitals.
A
JOURNAL
OF THE
DISASTERS IN AFFGHANISTAN,
1841-2.
BY
LADY SALE.
SIXTH THOUSAND.
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1843.
LONDON:
Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE,
New-Street-Square.
NOTICE.
The absence of the Author from England, and the consequent impossibility
of consulting her during the progress of this work through the press,
may have caused some errors to creep in,--especially in the spelling of
the oriental words. The greatest care, however, has been taken to adhere
exactly to the original manuscript.
CONTENTS.
VOCABULARY Page ix
INTRODUCTION 1
CABUL.
The Zoormut Expedition 6
Revolt of Tézeen and Bhoodkhak 8
Departure of Gen. Sale's Brigade from Cabul 10
Losses at the Khood Cabul pass 11
Terms made with the Chiefs 21
Outbreak in Cabul 31
Captain Johnson's Treasury plundered 35
Supineness of the British Chiefs 38
Capt. Campbell's regiment repulsed 39
State of the cantonments 42
Return of the 37th N. I. 43
Attack on the Commissariat fort 50
Loss of Mackenzie's fort 54
Outbreak in the Kohistan 56
Want of provisions 58
Loss of the Commissariat fort 59
Disastrous attempt to recapture the small fort 62
Shah Zeman declared King 66
Recall of Gen. Sale 69
Position of the cantonments 70
Arrival of Brig. Shelton in cantonments 83
Losses at the Rikabashees' fort 87
Death of Col. Mackrell 89
Losses at Kandahar 95
Action on the Western Heights 97
Affairs in the Kohistan 103
Accounts from Jellalabad 108
Dissensions in the British councils 120
Action on the hills above Behmaru 121
Terms proposed by the enemy 135
Reply of the Envoy 142
Difficulty of obtaining supplies 149
Attack on the captured fort 152
Disgraceful loss of the fort 157
The General urges the necessity of negotiating 168
Terms made with the enemy 173
Hostages demanded by them 176
The forts given up to them 181
The seizure of the Envoy by Mahommed Akbar Khan 194
News received of the Envoy's death 197
Negotiations resumed 201
Preparations for evacuating cantonments 208
Departure postponed 215
RETREAT FROM CABUL.
Cantonments evacuated 221
Difficulties encountered by the rear guard 227
Loss of the guns and ammunition 231
Terms made with Mahommed Akbar 235
Losses in the Khoord Cabul pass 236
Akbar demands possession of the ladies and children 244
Destruction of the rear column 254
Attempt of the remnant of the army to reach Jugdaluk 259
Gen. Elphinstone and Brig. Shelton go to Mahommed
Akbar 264
Deliberations of the Chiefs 267
Attack at Jugdaluk 273
The final struggle at Gundamuk 278
THE CAPTIVITY.
March of the prisoners towards the Lughman valley 279
Accommodation at Buddeabad 284
Accounts from Jellalabad 288
Severe earthquake 297
Adventures of Capt. Bygrave 300
Accounts from the garrison at Ghuznee 305
Ferocity and cruelty of Mahommed Akbar 307
Change of jailors 309
Offers for ransoming the Prisoners 311
Report of the murder of Shah Shoojah 317
March for Tézeen 321
Major Pottinger expostulates with the Sirdar 328
Death of Gen. Elphinstone 332
Insults offered to his corpse on its way to Jellalabad 334
Akbar acknowledges that he slew the Envoy 337
Treachery of Shumshudeen at Ghuznee 340
Visit to the ladies of Mahommed Shah's family 345
Accounts from Jellalabad 351
Proceedings at Cabul 351
March to Khoord Cabul 352
Offers for exchange of Prisoners 357
Reports from Cabul 365
The Bala Hissar is surrendered to Akbar 367
Sufferings of Col. Stoddart and Capt. A. Conolly in
Bokhara 376
Friendly conduct of the Nawaub, Zeman Shah Khan 381
Gen. Pollock offers to treat with the Sirdar 384
Gloomy prospects 386
Policy of Mahommed Akbar Khan 386
Death of Capt. John Conolly 392
Accounts of the Kandahar force 397
Newspaper controversy 399
Review of Akbar's conduct 400
His treatment of the Prisoners 403
Futteh Jung challenges Akbar to battle 409
Removal of the Prisoners to the Loghur country 410
Proposed plan for their release 415
March to Bamean 421
Terms made by the Prisoners with their jailor 425
He hoists the flag of defiance on the fort 426
The Prisoners are joined by several native Chiefs 427
They commence their MARCH 430
Arrival of Sir Richmond Shakespear 432
Rescue by Gen. Sale 436
ADDENDA 439
APPENDIX 449
VOCABULARY
OF
PERSIAN, HINDOSTANI, AND OTHER ORIENTAL WORDS
EMPLOYED IN THIS VOLUME.
_Akukzye._ The name of one of the great Affghan tribes.
_Aloo-baloo._ The wild sour cherry.
_Aman._ The cry for mercy--quarter.
_Ameer._ Commander or chief.
_Ana._ A small coin; sixteen of which make a rupee. Its value is about
three halfpence.
_Ashurpee._ A mohur--a gold coin. Its value is about thirty shillings
English.
_Ayah._ A female attendant--a nurse.
_Bahadur._ A bravo--a boaster or braggadocio; also a brave man--a hero.
_Bahadur_ (verb). To boast or brag.
_Bala Hissar._ Upper citadel--royal palace.
_Barats._ Legal documents--assignments--promissory notes.
_Barukzye._ The name of one of the five great Dooranee tribes.
_Bash_ or _bosh_. Nothing--humbug.
_Bashee._ A head-man.
_Bédanas._ A sort of mulberry.
_Behmaru._ The name of a village near Cabul. The word signifies "the
husbandless."
_Bhanghys._ Baggage.--Boxes. They are boxes hung at each end of a pole
and carried on a man's shoulder.
_Bheestees._ Water-carriers.
_Bhoosa_ or _Boussa_. Chopped straw--chaff. _Hindostani._
_Bhoodkhees._ Presents.
_Bildars._ Excavators--sappers.
_Bourj_ or _Burj_. A fortified hill or tower.
_Bukshees._ Gifts--presents--_douceurs_.
_Bukhraeed._ A Mahommedan feast. The festival of the goat; held to
commemorate the history of Abraham and Ishmael (Isaac).
_Bunneah._ A trader--a corn-merchant or dealer in grain, flour, &c.
_Cafila._ A caravan--a convoy.
_Cass._ A kind of furze.
_Caupoochees._ Porters.
_Chaoney._ An encampment--cantonments.
_Charpoys._ A bed on four poles, with ropes crossed over them.
_Chattak._ A measure for grain, &c. The 16th part of a seer, or about 2
ounces English.
_Chebootras._ Small thick mats, on which slaves usually sit or _squat_.
_Chillum._ The part of the hookah, or pipe, containing the lighted
tobacco--hence used for the pipe itself.
_Chillumchee._ A washand-basin.
_Chiragh._ A lamp.
_Chogah._ A sort of cloak.
_Chokey._ A police station.
_Chouk._ A bazaar--a street. Also the portion of the taxes _excused_ to
the native Chiefs for keeping the passes open, and for keeping the
tribes in check.
_Chowdry._ The chief man or head of a bazaar.
_Chuddah._ A sheet or veil.
_Chupao._ A night attack--a surprise--a foray.
_Chupao_ (verb). To attack by night--to surprise by stealth.
_Chupatties._ Unleavened cakes, made of ottah.
_Chuprassy._ A messenger--a servant bearing a badge or brass plate.
_Chuttah_ or _chatta_. An umbrella or parasol.
_Compound._ An enclosed space--the ground round a
house.
_Cossid._ A courier--an express--a foot messenger.
_Crore._ Ten lakhs of rupees, or one million pounds sterling.
_Dāk._ Letter post.
_Dallies._ Baskets for fruits, &c.--panniers.
_Dewan._ A steward.
_Dhal._ A kind of split pea--pulse.
_Dhooley._ A palanquin for the sick.
_Dhye._ Sour curds.
_Dooranee._ The general name of the five great tribes; the
Populzye--Barukzye--Nurzye--Barmizye and Abkhuzye.
_Durbar._ Levee.
_Duffodar._ A non-commissioned officer of cavalry.
_Elchee._ An ambassador--an agent.
_Eusofzyes._ An Affghan tribe north of Peshawer.
_Fakirs._ Devotees--mendicants.
_Fatcha._ The prayer for the reigning monarch--a part of the Mahommedan
service; the reading of which is equivalent to doing homage.
_Feringhees._ Europeans--Franks--foreigners.
_Fernez._ Sweet curds.
_Fouj._ An army.
_Ghee._ Clarified butter.
_Ghuzee_ or _Ghazeea_. A champion of religion--a fanatic.
_Gilzye._ The name of a great Affghan tribe.
_Gobrowed._ Dumbfounded--at a _non-plus_.
_Godowns._ Storehouses--granaries.
_Golees._ Balls--bullets.
_Golundaz._ Artillerymen--literally, throwers of balls.
_Goor._ Coarse brown sugar or molasses.
_Goorkha._ A native of Nepaul; literally "Cowherd."
_Gulas._ Cherries.
_Hamaum._ A hot bath--baths; commonly written _Hummums_.
_Haut._ A measure equal to half a yard--a cubit.
_Havildar._ A serjeant in the native troops.
_Hazir-Bashes._ The king's body guard. The words imply "Ever ready."
_Hookm._ An order--permission--the word of command.
_Hoosseinee-Angoor._ A peculiarly fine sort of grape, of immense size,
called "the bull's eye."
_Huft Kohtul._ The seven passes.
_Hurkaru._ A messenger.
_Janbaz._ The Affghan cavalry.
_Jee._ Life--spirit--"with right goodwill."
_Jeerga._ An assembly or council--a diet.
_Jemadar._ A native officer holding the rank of lieutenant.
_Jhala._ A raft.
_Jingals._ Wall pieces, carrying a ball of about a quarter of a pound.
_Jorabs._ Boots.
_Jung._ The fight or battle.
_Juwans._ Young men.
_Juzail._ The long rifle of the Affghans.
_Juzailchees._ Riflemen.
_Kaffirs._ Infidels.
_Kaloss._ Safe--free. Finished.
_Kazanchez._ A treasurer--a treasury.
_Keshmish._ Raisins--grapes.
_Khan._ A nobleman. In Cabul the title is assumed by every one.
_Khelluts._ Dresses of honour.
_Khootba._ The prayer for the king.
_Kirkee._ A wicket or window.
_Kos._ A measure of distance, equal to about two English miles.
_Kote._ A fort.
_Kotilla Taj-i._ The name of a pass--literally, the crown of the
mountains.
_Kotilla Murdee._ The dead men's pass.
_Kujavas._ Camel-panniers.
_Kulassy._ A tent pitcher--a baggage servant.
_Kulma._ The Mahommedan creed.
_Kuneh._ A private dwelling.
_Kurtoot._ The name of a village--literally, the donkey's mulberry.
_Kurwar_, or _Khurwah_. A measure; equal to 700 lbs. English.
_Kuzzilbashes._ Persians; or persons of Persian descent, residing in
Cabul.
_Kyde._ Prison. The root of the vulgar English "quod"--to put in quod.
_Kysee._ The white apricot.
_Lakh._ One hundred thousand.
_Lakh of Rupees._ Ten thousand pounds sterling.
_Larye._ A battle--an engagement.
_Lascar._ An attendant on guns, magazines, &c.
_Loonghee._ The cloth of a turban.
_Loot._ Plunder.
_Loot_ (verb). To sack--to plunder.
_Mast._ Curds.
_Maund._ A measure of grain; about 80 lbs. English.
_Maush._ A sort of grain.
_Meerza._ A secretary--a Mahommedan writer.
_Meer Wyse._ A teacher--the high priest.
_Mehmandar._ A cicerone--a man of all work--a _factotum_.
_Mehter._ A class of camp-followers--a sweeper.
_Mohur._ A coin, generally gold; its value is about thirty shillings
English.
_Moollah._ A priest.
_Moong._ Pulse.
_Moonshee._ A secretary or interpreter.
_Muezzin._ The call of the _Faithful_ to prayers.
_Mushk._ A leathern bag for holding water--a goat's skin.
_Musjid._ A temple or place of worship.
_Nagura._ A set of drums which the natives beat to announce the presence
of the king or any great chief.
_Naib._ A deputy or lieutenant.
_Naich._ A corporal in the native troops.
_Nal._ A horse-shoe.
_Nalbunds._ Farriers.
_Nalkee._ A palanquin.
_Nans._ Cakes of bread. (? Latin, Annona.)
_Nawaub._ A prince. Nabob.
_Nazir._ A master of the household.
_Neemchees._ A kind of spencer made of sheep-skins.
_Neencha._ A coat.
_No-roz._ The Vernal Equinox. The Mohammedan New Year's Day.
_Nullah._ The bed of a river; also used for a river.
_Numdas._ Coarse felt carpets.
_Ooloos._ The tribes or clans. To summon the Ooloos, answers to our
"calling out the militia."
_Oorsees._ Open-work lattices.
_Ottah_ or _Attah_. Ground wheat--flour, or rather what is called
pollard.
_Palkee._ A palanquin.
_Pall._ A kind of tent.
_Pesh Khedmuts._ Attendants.
_Pillau._ A dish of meat and rice.
_Posha Khana._ An armoury.
_Poshteen._ A sheep-skin; also a fur-pelisse.
_Pushtoo._ The language of the natives of Affghanistan.
_Pyjania._ Loose trowsers.
_Raj._ A government--a province.
_Rajah._ A prince.
_Ressalah._ A troop of horse.
_Rezai_ or _Resaiz_. A counterpane--a quilt.
_Rui-band._ A veil.
_Rupee._ A silver coin; its value is about two shillings English.
_Saces._ A groom.
_Sahib._ Sir--master.
_Salaam._ Salutation. To make salaam--to pay one's respects.
_Seer._ A measure; about equal to two lbs. English.
_Shah Bagh._ The king's garden.
_Shah Guzees_ or _Shahghasses_. The household troops--the "yeomen of the
guard." Officers of the court.
_Shah-zada._ A king's son--a prince.
_Shalu._ Red cotton cloth from Turkey.
_Shikar._ Field sports.
_Shikargurs._ Hunting grounds--preserves.
_Shoke._ A hobby--a mania.
_Shroffs._ Native bankers--money changers.
_Shubkoon._ A surprise at night.
_Shytan._ The devil.
_Siah Sung._ The black rock.
_Siahs._ A large sect of the Mahommedans; opposed to the Soonees.
_Sipahees._ The native Hindostanee troops. Sepoys.
_Sir-i-chusm._ The name of a village--the words signify "the head of the
spring."
_Sirdar._ A general. The title assumed by Mahomed Akbar
Khan.
_Sirdar-i-Sirdan._ The chief of the generals. Generalissimo.
_Soonees._ A large sect of the Mahommedans.
_Subadar._ A native officer, holding the rank of captain.
_Sugs._ Dogs. _A term of contempt._
_Sungah._ Breast work. Fortifications.
_Surda._ A species of melon. The _cold_ melon.
_Surwans_ or _Surwons_. Camel drivers--grooms.
_Setringees._ A kind of small carpet.
_Suwars._ Horsemen--troopers.
_Syud._ The title of a chief of the Ooloos.
_Syud._ A holy man--a saint.
_Syuds._ A sect of the Mahommedans; claiming to be the descendants of
the prophet; and who therefore wear the green turban.
_Tattoes._ Ponies.
_Topes._ Tombs--mounds--barrows. There are several in Affghanistan,
built in the time of Alexander.
_Topshee Bashee._ The commander of the artillery. "The master-general of
the ordnance."
_Turnasook._ The red plum.
_Tykhana._ A cellar.
_Usufzyes._ An Affghan tribe north of Peshawer.
_Vakeel._ A deputy--a commissioner--one who acts or negotiates for
another.
_Wuzeer._ Vizier.
_Wuzeerat._ The office of vizier.
_Xummuls._ Coarse blankets.
_Yaboos._ Affghan ponies.
_Yaghi._ Rebellious--in a state of rebellion--or of independence.
_Zenana._ A harem.
_Zerdaloos._ Apricots.
_Zilzilla._ An earthquake.
_Zubberdust._ Overbearing--"with the strong arm."
_Zuna._ A dwelling.
JOURNAL
OF
LADY SALE.
INTRODUCTION.
* * * * I have not only daily noted down events as they
occurred, but often have done so hourly. I have also given the reports
of the day, the only information we possessed; also such news as was
telegraphed from the Bala Hissar, or sent in by the King or by Capt.
Conolly to the Envoy; and many other reports brought by Affghan
gentlemen of Capt. Sturt's[1] acquaintance, and by others of lower
degree, who having had dealings with him in the engineer department and
public works, and having received kindness from him, gave him such
intelligence and warning as was in their power: all of which he
communicated [to his superior officers] at different times; but the
warnings were not attended to; and as when he gave his advice it was
seldom adhered to, he became disgusted, and contented himself with
zealously performing his duties and making himself generally useful,
acting the part of an artillery officer as well as that of an engineer.
Had poor Sturt's life been spared, it was his intention to have worked
up my Rough Notes, and to have added much valuable information: he was
too much overworked to afford leisure to give me assistance at the time.
His plans, drawings, &c., with his public and private papers, were lost,
except a note or two that were, just a few days before we left Cabul,
put with my Journal. I believe several people kept an account of these
proceedings, but all except myself lost all they had written; and had
recourse to memory afterwards. I lost every thing except the clothes I
wore; and therefore it may appear strange that I should have saved these
papers. The mystery is, however, easily solved. After every thing was
packed on the night before we left Cabul, I sat up to add a few lines to
the events of the day, and the next morning I put them in a small bag
and tied them round my waist. I am indebted to Capt. Souter, of H. M.
44th Regiment, for a plan, from recollection, of the cantonment and
forts. The inaccuracies, if any, are but trifling; and it is
sufficiently clear to indicate the positions of the principal places
alluded to.
A much better narrative of past events might have been written, even by
myself; but I have preferred keeping my Journal as originally written,
when events were fresh, and men's minds were biassed by the reports of
the day, and even hour.
It is easy to argue on the wisdom or folly of conduct after the
catastrophe has taken place. With regard therefore to our chiefs, I
shall only say that the Envoy has deeply paid for his attempt to out
diplomatize the Affghans. Gen. Elphinstone, conscious that his powers of
mind had become enfeebled with those of his body, finding there was no
hope of Gen. Nott's arrival to assume the command, called in another
officer to his aid, who had but one object in view (to get back, at all
hazards, to Hindostan). He averred that a retreat to the Bala Hissar was
impossible, as we should have to fight our way (for one mile and a
half)! If we could not accomplish that, how were we to get through a
week's march to Jellalabad? Once in the Bala Hissar, which would have
been easily defended by one thousand men, we should have had plenty of
troops for foraging purposes; and the village of Ben-i-shehr, just under
the Bala Hissar, would have given us a twelvemonth's provisions if we
had only made the demonstration of a night march, to have the appearance
of taking them by force. Sallies from thence might also have been made
into the town, where there was always a party, particularly the
Kuzzilbashes, who would have covertly assisted us, until our returning
fortunes permitted them to do so openly.
Independent of ----'s determination to return to India, he often refused
to give any opinion when asked for it by the General, a cautious measure
whereby he probably hoped to escape the obloquy that he expected would
attach to the council of war, composed of Gen. Elphinstone, Brig.
Shelton, Brig. Anquetil, and Col. Chambers. I might say nominally
composed; numerically it was much more extended. Capt. Grant, with cold
caution, obstructed every enterprise, and threw all possible
difficulties in the way; Capt. Bellew was full of doubts and
suggestions, all tending to hamper and retard operations; and numbers of
young men gave much gratuitous advice; in fact, the greater part of the
night was spent in confusing the General's ideas, instead of allowing a
sick man time by rest to invigorate his powers. Brig. Shelton was in the
habit of taking his rezai with him, and lying on the floor during these
discussions, when sleep, whether real or feigned, was a resource against
replying to disagreeable questions. Major Thain, a sincere friend and
good adviser of the General's, withdrew in disgust from the council: and
Sturt, who was ever ready to do any thing or give his opinion when
asked, from the same feeling no longer proffered it.
As a proof that Sir William Macnaghten's confidence in Shah Shoojah was
latterly much shaken, he wrote to the Governor of India, proposing that,
if it really should be proved that His Majesty was acting treacherously
against us, the Dost should be restored to his country. But it is very
doubtful whether this despatch ever reached the Governor-General.
I shall not refer back to many small insurrections that took place, but
only allude to the events that immediately preceded the grand
insurrection at Cabul.
I believe I have indifferently written the name of a village as Dehmaru
and Behmaru; it is called both, but Behmaru is the correct name,
signifying the husbandless: Dehmaru would be the Husband's Village. It
takes its name from a romantic legend of a girl of rank betrothed to a
chief who was said to have been slain in combat, and she consequently
pined away and died also; but the lover recovered from his wounds, and
placed a stone, said to be one of those white ones that look like women
in Bourkhor, over her grave on the Behmaru hill; and when he died he was
buried beside her, with a similar stone to mark the spot.
[1] Lady Sale's son-in-law.
CABUL.
_September, 1841._--Sir William Macnaghten obtained a force to be sent
out to the Zoormut country. A chief, contemptuously designated as a
robber, was said to have gone into the town of Zaho beyond Gurdez. The
information given to Capt. Hay, commanding one of the Shah's corps,
represented the place as contemptible. He went there with some few
troops supported by guns, found that the place was much stronger than he
had supposed, and that he could not do any thing against it, and that he
was fired at from six forts. On this intelligence reaching Cabul, a
large force was sent out on the 28th of September, under Col. Oliver of
the 5th, consisting of half of Capt. Abbott's battery, two iron
nine-pounder guns, a wing of the 44th Queen's, the 5th N. I., Capt.
Warburton's guns, Capt. Backhouse's mountain train, Anderson's horse,
the Kohistan corps, and two others of the Shah's, with the King's
sappers and miners and the Hindostanee sappers and miners under Capt.
Sturt, as sole engineer.
The first day's march was through the city, with narrow streets and
sharp turnings, very unfavorable for guns, as was also a bad road
afterwards, a nullah, and a steep ascent; all which circumstances kept
them from getting into camp until late in the evening; after that the
road was good, with the exception of the Al-Timor pass, which was very
steep. It rises 9600 feet above the level of the sea. The crest was
represented as being as much as a man on horseback could surmount, and
the artillery would never have been got over it had not the natives
given their assistance: 800 of them dragged the guns up. The great
difficulty (as far as I could learn) lay, not so much in the acclivity,
as in the roughness of the road, which was perfectly filled with huge
blocks of stone. Here it was dreadfully cold, and snow fell. Beyond this
pass the people of the country fled, abandoning their property, and
consequently their suffering must be very great in the approaching
winter.
The chiefs declared that they were ready to submit, but the orders were
peremptory to destroy the forts that had fired on the Shah's troops.
Lieut. John Conolly and Lieut. Burnet (54th) chupao'd[2] Akram Khan,
riding sixty miles at night with 300 horsemen. They surprised the chief,
his wives, and families; it was however done through the treachery of
the chief's son-in-law, who disclosed his retreat. The Shah has ordered
Akram Khan's execution. Whilst these events were going on, disturbances
had broken out near Cabul, where much had occurred to incite the chiefs
to rise. In former times, under the feudal system, when the sovereign of
Cabul required troops, each bold chieftain came forward with his
retainers; but these vassals had been taken from them, and were embodied
in corps commanded by British officers, to whom they owed no affection,
and only paid a forced obedience, whilst their hearts were with their
national religion; their chief's power was now greatly limited, and the
chouk guaranteed to them was withheld on the plea that the Company had
commanded retrenchments. But the saving required by Government was a
curtailment of those expences which were defrayed by its own rupees,
whereas the 40,000 rupees now the subject of dispute were, in fact, no
saving at all to us, as that money was never paid by the Company, but
was the chouk or money excused to the chiefs out of the revenue or dues
owing to the King, on condition of their enforcing the submission of the
petty chiefs and the payment of their rents. This sum whether paid to
Shah Shoojah or not, would never have replenished the Hon. Company's
coffers; and by upholding the Shah in such an act of aggression we
compromised our faith, and caused a pretty general insurrection, said to
be headed by Meer Musjude.
The Kohistanee chiefs are urged on by the Dooranee Chiefs in Cabul, and
all the country about Tézeen and Bhoodkhak is in a state of revolt. It
is only wonderful this did not take place sooner.
The Indian government have for some time been constantly writing
regarding the enormous expenditure in Affghanistan, every dāk has
reiterated retrench; but instead of lessening the political expences and
making deductions in that department, they commenced by cutting off
these 40,000 rupees from the chiefs.
Affairs having assumed this gloomy appearance, the Envoy sent in all
haste for the force under Col. Oliver to return as quickly as possible,
leaving it to Capt. Macgregor's diplomatic ability to patch up the Zaho
business as best he might, and come to the rescue with his advice
regarding the Tézeenites, with whose customs, &c. he had much
familiarity. Macgregor strongly advised the not stirring up a hornet's
nest, and wished to try what he could do by diplomacy. Valour, however,
was the order of the day; and various were the suggestions of the
politicals. One plan was, that Gen. Sale's brigade, on its way down to
the provinces, should make a detour viâ Nigerow. The troops were not to
fight but only by their presence to overawe the Nigerowians, whilst some
neighbouring tribes, who had a blood feud with them, should make the
attack. Plans of the country were sent in, with imaginary roads drawn on
them from various points, whilst supervening obstacles to the march of
an army, such as hills and passes, were omitted. The scheme was not
considered feasible, in consequence of the advanced state of the season,
it being now October, and from the apprehension that the cold would
destroy the camels requisite to carry the tents and provisions.
_9th October._--The 35th N. I., commanded by Col. Monteath, C. B., with
two six-pounder guns under Lieut. Dawes, were suddenly sent at a day's
notice to Bhoodkhak, partly as being the first march towards the
provinces (they forming a part of Sale's, or the 1st brigade), and
partly in consequence of the disturbances.
_11th._--The 13th light infantry, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Dennie, C.
B., were also sent at a few hours' notice to Bhoodkhak; but as they were
not to proceed on their march until the arrival of Capt. Abbott with his
guns, I remained at Cabul with my daughter, Mrs. Sturt, who had been
staying with us during her husband's absence with Col. Oliver's force;
and Sale took his departure from Cabul, fully expecting me to follow him
in three days at the latest.
_12th._--The 13th and 35th, with the two guns under Dawes, moved
forward, the whole under Sale, them object being to go through the
Khoord Cabul pass, and place the 35th N. I. in an advanced position at
Khoord Cabul, after which the 13th were to fall back again on Bhoodkhak.
This movement was effected, but with considerable loss. The Khoord Cabul
is a narrow defile, enclosed by high and rugged rocks; it is said that
the number of the enemy did not exceed 60 men, but they possessed
considerable advantage over our troops in their knowledge of the country
and in the positions they took up; for until they commenced firing, not
a man was known to be there. They were concealed behind rocks and
stones, and by a stone breastwork that they had hastily thrown up,
behind which, on our troops entering the pass, they laid in wait, and
appeared to pick off the officers in particular. The number of the enemy
were, however, underrated, as I am assured there were fully 200 of them.
The 35th lost, in killed and wounded, about 40 men; and Capt.
Younghusband, of the same corps, was badly wounded in the foot. The 13th
had 8 men killed and 19 wounded. Gen. Sale was wounded in the left leg;
the ball entered near the ankle, shivered the small bone, and was taken
out from the skin on the other side where it had lodged. Lieut. Mein of
the 13th, while leading his company up to the breastwork, was severely
and dangerously wounded in the head; the skull was fractured by the
ball, which entered it. Lieut. Oakes, of the same regiment, had also a
very narrow escape, being wounded in the head also. It rained very
heavily that night, and the 13th had the full benefit of it, for they
were out all night, having two alertes; one of the sentries was mortally
wounded, being shot on his post. Exertions were made to discover the
persons who fired on our sentries: three men were seized who had in
their possession the soldier's belt, which was a tolerable evidence of
criminality; but the Envoy wrote to say, that the people about the King
said that those men were good men and true, and they were to be released
without any punishment!
_13th._--Two companies of the 37th N. I. and two guns under Mr. Waller,
were sent to reinforce the 13th at Bhoodkhak, leaving only the remainder
of the 37th in cantonments, and no guns. Should there be a rising in
Cabul, we should be entirely without the means of defence. The Shah's
troops have moved from their camp behind, to Siah Sung, for protection,
as, from the force which has gone with Col. Oliver, they have not guards
enough to protect their camp, or the stores left there: their sentries
are fired on constantly. Lieut. Mayne, of the Shah's service was
reported to have been shot when going his rounds last night, but it was
a mistake; the suwar who accompanied him was the sufferer.
A poor woman, a Mrs. Smith, the wife of a conductor, was travelling up
the Bolan pass to Kandahar, with a few suwars as a guard. She was
attacked by the Belooches; the suwars fled, Mrs. Smith got out of her
palkee and ran a short distance, but was soon overtaken and killed; the
body was not plundered, and her rings were found on her fingers, and her
earrings in her ears; not that they committed the act from hatred to the
Feringhees and disdain of plunder, but that, according to the
superstition of these tribes, it is a most unlucky circumstance to kill
a woman; and finding their victim of the gentle sex, they fled, and left
her as she fell.
_17th._--Col. Oliver's force returned; Capt. Abbott's guns have had
their carriages much damaged; the spokes of sundry wheels are absent,
thanks to the acclivities and declivities of the Al-Timor pass, so that
he requires a few days to put all to rights before he can go to join
Sale with the 37th: when they do so, the brigade will move on Tézeen.
_18th._--The enemy came down (a chupao or night attack), 400 strong, on
Khoord Cabul, where an action was fought with great loss on both sides;
Lieut. Jenkins of the 30th was mortally wounded, and lingered in great
agony, having been shot through the spine. Col. Monteath sent to Sale
for reinforcements, who despatched to him the two companies of the 37th
that had lately arrived at Bhoodkhak.
_19th._--The remainder of the 37th marched from Cabul to Bhoodkhak; also
Capt. Abbott and his guns, and the Shah's sappers and miners under Capt.
Broadfoot. Sale and Sturt have agreed that I am to remain with him and
my daughter at Cabul, and to come on with the Envoy, who is anxious to
go to his government at Bombay, and Gen. Elphinstone, who returns to the
provinces in consequence of ill health.
Sale's brigade is to move on to Khoord Cabul to-morrow. Seventy-seven of
the wounded men from thence and Bhoodkhak have come in to cantonments,
as also Lieut. Mein, of the 13th. It appears that the Hazir Bash, the
escort sent by the King with Capt. Trevor to Capt. Macgregor (political
agent), were the people who let the Ghilzyes into the 35th's camp; they
were partly of the same tribe, and whilst the rest were fighting, these
ever-ready gentlemen did a little work of their own, cutting down
surwans and hamstringing camels. Whilst they were thus employed Capt.
Wyndham came up with a company of the 35th, and fired into the midst,
putting them to rout. Col. Monteath turned these people out of his camp
as unsafe to be trusted; the Envoy has ordered them to be sent back to
Cabul, and to be kindly treated, and will not believe them to be in
fault. The Hazir Bash, as their name imports, are "aye ready for the
field," but I fear that just now--
"At a word it may be understood,
They are ready for evil and not for good,"
like Walter Scott's goblin page.
_20th._--Lieut. Jenkins's body was brought to Capt. Sturt's house; he
died just after he was placed in the dhooley, and was thus saved the
additional pain of the journey.
_21st._--Lieut. Jenkins's funeral took place. As the 35th lost ninety
camels, and fifty more were sent in with the sick and wounded, the force
is detained until more camels can reach them from Cabul.
_23d._--Much firing has been heard, and great anxiety prevails. All the
forts about Cabul are empty, and the Juwans have gone (it is said) to
aid in the fight against us at Tézeen: Sale writes that the report is,
that the people at Tézeen say they are unable to cope with us in battle,
but that they intend to plunder and annoy the force on its way down.
_24th._--Sturt sent me a note before I was dressed this morning to
inform me, that at Tézeen one small fort had been evacuated, and that
Lieut. E. King, of the 13th light infantry, was killed. In the course of
the morning I heard that the 13th, having expended their ammunition,
were obliged to retreat; that poor King, being the last man to do so,
was shot dead on the spot. The men could not stop to take up his body
then, but they returned shortly after, and obtained it before the enemy
had time to do more than take off his jacket. He was a gallant
high-spirited young man, universally beloved, and consequently is much
lamented. He was interred under a tent at night, lest the Affghans
should recognise the grave and disinter the body. We afterwards were
informed that the attack was made on the rear guard before they quitted
their ground; that the enemy cut in, in rear of the baggage, took ninety
camels with all the treasure of the 13th, a large quantity of
ammunition, and other stores.
Gen. Elphinstone told me, that Sale had been very imprudent in using his
leg, and had consequently been suffering a great deal of pain, but that
the remedies applied had given him relief; he expressed great regret
that he had not communicated any information to me, taking it for
granted that the Envoy had done so, if I had not a letter from Sale
himself; but he was wounded, and with plenty of military occupation,
could not always find time to write me many particulars, as he had to
send his despatches off as quickly as possible to the General.
A letter from a friend with the force that was sent from Kandahar
mentions, that the force had arrived at the extreme point of their tour
(Dehwarah) on the 15th of October, and that they were to set out on
their return the following day. Capt. Leeson, of the 42d, in temporary
command of the Shah's 1st cavalry regiment, was to march twenty-five
miles and over a pass (the Kotilla Meercha), to be out of the way of the
others, on account of the scarcity of water. The troops had not had any
thing to do, nor was there even a chance of their having a foe to
contend with, for the people of that part of the country got such a
lesson in the fight of Secunderabad, that the chiefs could not have
collected 200 men; the forts were mere shells, their walls of no
thickness.
The fort against which the eighteen-pounder guns were sent out, has been
an utter ruin for years, not only indefensible but uninhabitable. The
troops have been terribly distressed bringing the guns over and through
the passes, which are more difficult than can be imagined by those that
have not seen them; the last, the Dana Thunghee, is described as
resembling what the Khyber would be about Ali Musjid, if it had a deep
and very rapid river flowing through it, the said river having to be
crossed thirteen times.
The Kotilla Taj-i (crown of the mountains), is very steep, and as nearly
impracticable as it can be, without being actually so. To avoid these
passes, the troops are to go through the Kotilla Murdee (dead men's
pass), which Capt. Leeson reports, from what he has seen of it, as
practicable but difficult. He writes to me that it will take a great
deal of labour to get the guns over it. From thence they steer for
Kurtoot (the donkey's mulberry), but it was not known whether the route
by that place was practicable; if not, they must face the Kotilla Taj-i,
bad as it is. Major Rawlinson, the political agent, had obtained the
blessings of the force for leading them such a wild-goose chase; he
seems to have received information that Akram Khan had a fort there, but
not to have known what that fort was like. It is a pity the army were
harassed unnecessarily; but in Major R.'s defence it is but justice to
say, that information is difficult to procure, and that it all comes
from our enemies.
_25th._--I received a letter from Sale, in which he informs me, that the
conduct of the troops employed in the affair at Tézeen was good beyond
all praise; but, concluding that I had heard all the particulars, he did
not enter into detail. He wrote me that he was to halt that day (the
24th), as Macgregor was in treaty with the chiefs, who he says are
willing to refrain from all further opposition, and say they are
convinced they have no chance against us. Sturt has seen a letter from
Lieut. Cunningham, of the Shah's sappers and miners, by which it appears
that no enemy showing themselves, Capt. Paton, Qr.-Mr.-Genl., was on the
point of pitching the camp, when some of the advance guard were fired
on, upon which two companies were sent from each corps, with the
sappers, who all behaved gallantly; they went up the hills, and down
again, chased the enemy into their fort, and the sappers, commanded by
Capt. Broadfoot, drove them through it, and followed them through the
wicket they escaped by. The 13th having expended their ammunition were
obliged to retreat, and it was then that Lieut. E. King fell.
Lady Macnaghten called on me, and told me that Capt. Macgregor,
Political Agent, wrote that the chiefs received him with great
politeness, and were pleased at the confidence reposed in them by his
going to meet them attended only by one suwar. They appeared to be
unanimous, and many in number, mustering 700 followers, who were daily
increasing. They agreed to all the conditions but one; whatever that is,
it appears to be the main point to be conceded, and we suppose that it
relates to the 40,000 rupees. One day has been allowed to the chiefs to
deliberate. The Envoy was some time since warned by three Affghans not
to ride so early in the morning or so late in the evening as was his
wont; but, whether from policy or natural fearlessness, he has not
attended to their advice. The Akhoonzadah has also told him that three
men have sworn on the Koran to take his life. The people of Tagow and
Lughman are leagued with those of Tézeen. Capt. Macgregor writes that a
great quantity of ammunition was left on the road for want of camels to
carry it on, which must have proved a great prize to the enemy, who were
much in want of it.
_26th._--There being a report that all was peaceably settled at Tézeen,
I became very anxious for intelligence. Two letters were brought to me,
but alas! neither of them were to my address, one being from Capt.
Havelock to Gen. Elphinstone, the other from Capt. Paton to Major Thain.
After giving them a reasonable time to ruminate over their news, I wrote
to Major Thain, requesting him to give me any information in his power;
and informing him that I had no letter, I got the provoking reply that
the Sahib was gone out. Sometime afterwards Major Thain called: he owned
he was puzzled as to what was going on, but hoped that affairs would
remain quiet until we got out of the country. He said it was the present
intention, that the sick should move out on Saturday next, and the Envoy
and the General should leave Cabul on Monday the 1st. Shortly after he
left me, he sent me the two letters to read; he had expressed his
surprise that they had not arrived sooner, both being dated the 24th;
and my letter of the same date from Sale had arrived the day before!
Capt. Havelock mentions that all is settled and hostages given, but
remarks that, since the pacification, the camels have been fired on, as
also our outposts, but says, the one may be attributable to the arrival
of a chief who was in ignorance of the treaty, and the other, to their
people not being well in hand, a pretty sounding phrase; but are we to
understand that our men are so well in hand as not to resent it? Capt.
Paton writes mysteriously, that he has much to communicate, "better
spoken than written," and says the enemy have consented regarding the
obnoxious chief, (some person who they did not wish should participate
in the benefits of the treaty). He adds that a force to be of any use in
that country must not be hampered with camels, tents or baggage, and
that the ammunition should be carried only on mules or yaboos. If all
remained quiet, Paton and Havelock were to return, and the force to go
on to Kutta Lung. Paton hints that something had gone wrong which would
not have done so, had Gen. Sale not been confined to his dhooley. Thain
tells me that there is no mention in Sale's despatch of the gallant
conduct of the sappers and miners as related by Cunningham; he being
wounded probably did not observe all that passed, and did not have the
circumstances brought to his notice in time to write them; but had he
done so, it would have been very immaterial, for, excepting from private
letters, no intelligence transpires.
Last year, when Sir Willoughby Cotton commanded, and during the
disturbances in the Kohistan, every despatch from Sale, who commanded
the troops there, was promulgated in orders, and the present system of
keeping information close is disgusting; there can be no secrets
regarding what passes in action in the field. The general impression is
that the Envoy is trying to deceive himself into an assurance that the
country is in a quiescent state. He has a difficult part to play,
without sufficient moral courage to stem the current singly. About two
months since Sir William wrote to Lord Auckland, explaining to him the
present state of Affghanistan, and requesting that five additional
regiments should be sent to this country, two of them to be European. To
these statements a written war succeeded between the Envoy and the
Supreme Government of Bengal. Letter after letter came calling for
retrenchment. Sir William had been appointed from home Governor of
Bombay, and was particularly chosen for the office from his being a
moderator and a man unlikely to push any violent measures; he hoped
affairs might take a turn for the better, and was evidently anxious to
leave Cabul and assume his new appointment. In an evil hour he acceded
to the entreaties of Sir Alexander Burnes (who appears to have been
blinded on the subject) and wrote to Lord Auckland to nullify his former
request for additional troops, and to say that part of those now in the
country might be withdrawn. The 1st brigade under Sale was accordingly
ordered to be in readiness to move down; and it was generally
understood, that all would be withdrawn as soon as the Shah had raised
five more regiments of his own. The letter of recall, as we may term Sir
William's, was sent off only two days before the breaking out of the
Zoormut affair.
Great stress has been laid upon the chiefs having given us hostages, but
this is no certain proof of their sincerity; we have been long enough
amongst them for them to know the British character; they also know that
the Dost's family were safely and honourably treated under our
protection, whilst he and his son were in arms against us, and they
naturally consider their safety as a proof of that of any hostages they
leave with us.
The dāks, which have not arrived since the 2d (nor have been
despatched since the 4th), are confidently asserted to be now on their
way, and are expected in to-morrow at the farthest. No one appears to
have been made acquainted with the terms of the treaty, which have been
kept close by the Envoy, who, however, observed that Macgregor had given
them better terms than he himself would have done. They are to get the
40,000 rupees the quarrel began about, and they promise to return us any
property they can find of ours: so that we leave off where we set out,
barring our killed and wounded, expence, loss of ammunition and baggage,
and annoyance of the detention, if not loss, of our dâks, bhanghys, &c.
_27th._--I hear that Macgregor writes to the Envoy that the country
about Tézeen never was in so tranquil a state as it is at present! Now,
with a little variation in the wording, he might have cautiously written
to the Envoy, so as to be understood by him alone, and have intimated
that the country was now as quiet as it ever was; which, to those who
know the wild tribes thereabouts located, indicates any thing but a
state of pacification.
The sick are again ordered to be off to-morrow, with a wing of the 54th,
to Tézeen, where the 37th awaits their arrival; and at present it is
supposed that the Envoy and General will follow on the 1st.
_28th._--Sale has written me that he arrived at Seh Baba on the 26th at
1 P.M.; that the rear guard was fired on a mile from camp, and three men
wounded. They were in a snug post for the night. His leg was doing well,
and all inflammation had subsided. They had grain and bhoosa in plenty.
Capt. Grant tells me that a chief goes on daily in advance, to keep the
country quiet, and bring in grain.
_29th._--We hear that since the force left Khoord Cabul, they have never
pitched a tent. The rear guard has been attacked daily, and the bivouack
fired on every night. The camels are dying forty of a night from cold
and starvation. Lieut. Jennings (13th) has been wounded severely in the
arm, the bone broken, and the ball went through into his side. Lieut.
Rattray (13th) wounded, and a sergeant killed and 3 men wounded; 4 or 5
Sipahees[3] of the 35th wounded.
_30th._--A small dâk has come in for the Envoy and General only, and
that only newspapers; the Envoy sent orders to have the dâk sent by a
private path, which succeeded.
It seems that the terms made with the chiefs of Tézeen were, the
remission of the money which gave rise to the dispute. They were
required to call out the _Ooloos_, which they represented would be
attended with considerable expense, so they received 10,000 rupees to
enable them to do so, when they pocketed the money, but omitted calling
out the militia! Macgregor writes that he suspects the chiefs are at the
bottom of all the plundering and attacks on our force, though they
profess to have nothing to do with it, and that the depredators are the
robber-tribes.
Last night as the cavalry videttes went their rounds at Siah Sung, a
party of men rushed out of a cave and fired at them; some were taken
prisoners; part of them were Affghans, but four were Hindostanees, and
one of them was a Chuprassy of Capt. Bygrave, who endeavoured to excuse
himself by saying, he fired at the party supposing them to be Affghans,
but could give no reason for being there himself.
Mr. Melville was attacked last evening, but set spurs to his horse and
galloped off, on which the Affghans set up a shout; this is the fourth
attempt on the part of the Affghans to assassinate British officers
within a short time. I before mentioned Mr. Mayne's escape; Dr. Metcalfe
was also nearly cut down; and Lieut. Waller, of the Artillery, was
wounded on the head whilst riding close to the Siah Sung camp.