expence, was always considered as a heavy grievance by the Europeans;
but, in their instance, the wisdom of the refusal has been proved. But
to return to the Ghoorkas; harassed by the enemy, and encumbered by
their families, they sank into a state of perfect apathy; not so the
Punjabee artillerymen who served the guns. Part of these deserted to the
enemy; and, on the following day, had the insolence to return for the
purpose of seducing away their comrades. It was in trying to arrest some
of these that poor Haughton was so dreadfully wounded: perceiving his
intentions, the Jemadar of artillery (a Punjabee) snatched Lt. Rose's
sword from him, and with it cut off Haughton's hand. It was with great
difficulty that Pottinger and Haughton effected their escape. Somewhere
between Akterae and Istalif during the night they strayed from the other
officers. Finding themselves separated from the rest, they determined to
make the best of their way, secreting themselves in a hollow during the
day, and travelling all night; but Haughton's wounds, particularly those
in the neck and back, prevented his urging his horse beyond a walk. On
arriving at Cabul, they decided on going straight through the city in
the night; they were challenged, and Pottinger gave a Persian reply;
which the guard evidently judged a doubtful one, as it was followed by a
volley being fired at them, but fortunately without effect, and they
pursued their way to cantonments, arming at the gate in such a state of
exhaustion that had they had a mile further to go they never could have
sat on their horses. From them I heard the particulars of Maule's,
Rattray's, and Wheeler's deaths. They were sitting together, I believe
at breakfast, when some of their own men attacked them: they are said to
have set their backs against the wall and defended themselves until they
were deliberately shot.
The report to-day is that Abdoollah Khan's sons are killed; that
Amenoolah's two sons are killed, and Shumsoodeen's two brothers wounded;
the latter are nephews of the Ameer, Dost Mahommed.
It is also reported that the enemy say they cannot meet us in the field,
but they will starve us out of the country.
The Envoy has information that we are to be attacked to-night on three
faces of the cantonments; this is the first night of the moon: Sturt's
Affghan servants say that, if an attack is made, it will not be for
three nights to come, as at present they are all feasting.
There is a native report that a Fouj has been seen at Seh Baba, which
has been magnified into Sale's brigade on the way up; but from letters
of the 9th, received yesterday, it is evident that at the time they were
written none of our letters had reached them; and they were misled by
false reports industriously spread by the enemy, in the guise of
travellers.
_16th._--There was some quick firing heard about one in the morning. The
news we gather from people who have come in from the city is, that
Nawaub Zeman Khan has paid his troops three lakhs of rupees, at the rate
of ten rupees for each suwar and six for each foot soldier; that they
are in high glee, and say they will attack the Chaoney.
The 25,000 men that were to do so last night did not make their promise
good.
Some Goorkhas that came in to-day say that they have no information
regarding Dr. Grant, but that they saw Lt. Rose at Karabagh.
A report has come in from the Bala Hissar that Sale has gone on to
Jellalabad, which Brig. Shelton told me he believed, on the principle of
"Being out of a scrape, keep so." Most people believe the report to be a
ruse of the enemy, to shut out hope of relief coming to us. We, however,
doubt Sale's having ever received the order to return.
The city seems to be much quieter, and some ottah and grapes were
brought very early this morning to the gate to sell. The King has
written to say he wishes to offer terms to the rebels; but Sir William
says that they must first be sent for his approbation, lest his Majesty
should offer too much.
A quiet night, as far as regarded hostilities,--with plenty of rain.
_17th._--We had a gloomy day, with rain at intervals.
Another report that the 1st brigade is gone on to Jellalabad; coupled,
however, with its being only to deposit their sick in safety, and that a
force of 10,000 men have arrived there to our assistance from Peshawer.
Jubbar Khan (a brother of the Dost's) has been appointed Wuzeer to Zeman
Shah Khan, who has coined rupees in his own name.
This has been a good grain day: at 12 o'clock we had got in 400 maunds,
at two Cabul seers the rupee, and otta at one. The Cabul seer is equal
to six Hindostanee seers. The Affghans continued bringing in grain and
ottah all the day.
_18th._--This morning, at 2 o'clock, an attempt was made to throw in
ammunition into the Bala Hissar, but it failed; and Capt. Walker and
Lieut. Webb reported that the bridge, which was to have been repaired by
the Wuzeer, had not been touched.
Accounts received from Jellalabad by a cossid, who brought a letter to
Sir William which he had torn in three pieces for the better concealment
of its contents; on seeing the enemy he swallowed another small one; he
was searched, but brought in the torn letter without discovery. He
reports, that, after Macgregor gave him the letter, he delayed his
departure a little; that there was a grand _Larye_ at Jellalabad; that
Sale had thrown his force into the fort there; that the enemy had come
down with 40,000 men, and Sale had sallied out and beat them, pursuing
the enemy eight or ten miles to Futteabad.
Another report stated that Sale had been obliged to spike three of his
guns. A few hours afterwards another courier arrived with a letter from
Sale, by which it appears that the enemy surrounded the fort, in number
about 5,000, and that he ordered a sally under Col. Monteath, of 600
infantry, all his cavalry, and three guns. The cavalry maintained their
character, and behaved nobly, and the enemy got severely handled.
My letter, containing a précis of goings-on here from the 2d to the 8th
inclusive, had reached Sale, and was the only detail of events that had
been received; it was sent on to the Commander-in-chief, and a copy of
it to Lord Auckland. Sale had written to Capt. Mackeson at Peshawer for
provisions, ammunition, and troops.
It had been wished that this blow below should be followed up by another
here; but the council at the General's was as usual both divided and
wild. One plan was to sally out, sword in hand, and attack the town,--a
measure that must have been attended with great loss on our side, even
if victorious; with the pleasing certainty of all who were left in
cantonments having their throats cut during the absence of the troops.
The next proposition was the taking of Killa Mahmood Khan. But nearly
the same objection existed there. With a large force, and much probable
loss, we might take it; but we could not destroy it quickly, and could
not afford troops to garrison it. It is rather fortunate that the
last-mentioned attack was not made: for a few hours afterwards we had
certain information that, instead of 200 men, the enemy have nearly all
their infantry there.
A report was this day brought to the King that the Jemadar of
Juzailchees, who commanded at the Upper Town, above the Bala Hissar, had
deserted his post during the night, accompanied by two non-commissioned
officers of his guard. His Majesty was extremely wroth; and ordered all
the men to be relieved, and another party, consisting of Rohillas from
the Peshawer territory, to be sent in their place. Most fortunate was
the discovery, and the prompt measures taken on the occasion; as it was
discovered, from secret information sent in by Mohun Lull during the
day, that the traitor had sold the tower to the rebel Sirdars for a
hundred gold mohurs. This man had the effrontery to return in the
evening; and declare, with the greatest _sang froid_, that he had only
been away on his own business into the city; and angrily demanded why he
was deprived of his command. He was, however, put in irons, and confined
in the fort prison.
Mohun Lull's account stated that arrangements had been made to give up
the tower that same night to a party who were to come round by the back
of the hill. Had this plot succeeded, the Bala Hissar might have been
taken, as the tower commands it.
_19th._--At two in the morning an alarm; which soon died away. Shortly
after this the ammunition was sent off to the Bala Hissar, under charge
of Col. Oliver; who sent back to report that in consequence of the
bridge being out of repair, and there being water in the Nullah, he
could not proceed, and desired instructions how to act. The reply from
the General was, if he could not proceed, he was to return: when this
arrived, Oliver had got over with the ammunition; but I suppose he
misunderstood the order, for he recrossed and came back again. With very
few exceptions the 5th N. I. may be said to be inefficient from the
commanding officers to the lowest rank.
In the course of the day we got in a good deal of grain; but the General
appears to be kept in a deplorable state of ignorance. Although reports
are sent in daily, he scarcely knows what supplies are in store, or what
is our real daily consumption. Affairs are curiously carried on: for
instance, the Shah's 6th indent for six maunds daily; the 37th, a much
weaker corps, for about twenty! These indents are all signed by
authority! The quantity required is easily calculated, as each fighting
man gets a half seer of wheat, and each camp follower six chattaks per
diem. There is much roguery going on in the regimental bazaars, where
the Chowdrys make money in connexion with the Bunneahs.
They say the 6th have a full bazaar from loot at the forts taken lately,
and do not require to draw for their followers: the 37th have 5,000
registered camp followers, and other corps much in the same proportions.
The Affghans are highly indignant at Pottinger and Haughton having
ridden through the town. It certainly appears to us very wonderful that
they did so in safety.
There was some firing in the city about sunset,--both guns and volleys
of musketry. The rebel chiefs are supposed to have attacked the
Kuzzilbashes in the vicinity of Morad Khana.
The enemy have sent to the Kohistan for the guns that are at Charikar,
and on their arrival propose giving us battle. A plan was laid to sally
out from the Bala Hissar towards the city, and destroy an Hamaum exactly
in front of the Ghuznee gate. In this place reside a barber and a
blacksmith, two of the best shots in Cabul, who have picked off many of
our men. They completely commanded the loopholes with their long rifles;
and although the distance is probably 300 yards, yet they seldom fail to
put a ball through the clothes or into the body of any one passing them.
It was sufficient for the loophole to be darkened, for it to be fired
at; and it became an amusement to place a cap on the end of a pole above
the walls, which was sure to be quickly perforated by many balls.
I believe this plan was never put in execution, and only, like many
others, proved a source of speculation and conversation.
_20th._--The firing in the city yesterday was consequent upon some
persons having taken refuge with the Kuzzilbashes, who refused to give
them up, as being contrary to the Affghan rules of hospitality. There
has been more fighting amongst themselves to-day.
The latest report is that the Ghilzyes, and Kohistanees, and all the
people who come from a distance, are anxious to return to their own
homes, finding that there is no more plunder to be had, and sundry hard
knocks being all that they are likely to obtain. However, they have been
requested to stay for a few days, just to see how the Chaoney is taken
when the guns arrive from the Kohistan. These same guns cannot be very
formidable, for they are said to have been spiked at Charikar; and,
moreover, the carriages are broken down--all split at the elevating
screw.
The enemy are now talking of pitching camps on the other side of the
hills towards the Lake, and also on the Siah Sung encamping ground.
There was a report to-day that a large force was coming in with the
guns, for which the rebels have sent the King's elephants. In
consequence of this report, and another that the enemy had taken
possession of a fort in our rear, six companies of infantry and two
troops of horse were sent out, but only a few stragglers were to be
seen; and the forts were all peaceably occupied by women and children as
usual.
Camels and tattoos are dying fast, and the air is most unpleasantly
scented at times.
It is now rumoured that the reason Sale's brigade does not come up is,
that the two regiments refuse to do so. This I do not believe; they may
have been annoyed at the thoughts of returning; but I will never believe
they refuse to aid us in our extremity, if they have the power to do so:
and I consider the report to be of a piece with Brig. Shelton's
expression that Sale's brigade was safe, and would keep so.
Nooreddin Khan (the chief of the Jan Baz, who so nimbly have found their
way to Cabul), was the son of an old servant of Shah Shoojah's. In
consequence of the father having been faithful to him through his
misfortunes, the King was anxious to provide for the son, and gave him
the command of the Jan Baz. On Nooreddin's arrival, Conolly sent him a
message reproaching him for the ingratitude of his conduct, to which the
young scamp replied, that all he could promise in our favour was a safe
retreat from the country!
The Ghoorka corps is said to be entirely cut up, and we have no longer
any hopes of Rose's or Grant's escape. The men are said to have been
disgusted at having persons placed over them as native officers, who
were raised at the same time as themselves, and who were not of higher
caste.
We have as yet no news from Candahar, from whence we expect to hear of a
similar rising to that here.
Walker succeeded in throwing in ammunition into the Bala Hissar early
this morning, as also 30,000 rupees, each horseman carrying a small bag
of coin.
To-day part of the ammunition was removed into Westmacott's house; some
put under sheds, and the rest was left in the square: it seems there was
fear of its being blown up by the enemy!
_21st._--The enemy uncommonly quiet; said to be employed in
manufacturing powder and shot, and hammering such of our shot as they
pick up to fit their guns.
Some servants of Skinner's have gone to the Bala Hissar to Conolly; they
report that their master is still safe in the city. Capt. Drummond is
under Zeman Shah Khan's protection.
Shumsuddeen Khan is said to be dying of his wounds.
At dinner time Brig. Shelton sent to Mr. Eyre, stating that the Envoy
had information that 80,000 foot and 10,000 horse were coming to set
fire to our magazine with red-hot balls! How these balls were to be
conveyed here red hot is a mystery, as the enemy have no battery to
erect furnaces in: but nothing is too ridiculous to be believed; and
really any horrible story would be sure to be credited by our
panic-struck garrison.
It is more than shocking, it is shameful, to hear the way that officers
go on croaking before the men: it is sufficient to dispirit them, and
prevent their fighting for us.
There is said to be a kind of republican council in the city, composed
of twelve chiefs, to whom the people at present pay obedience. I wonder
what the new King, Zeman Shah Khan, and his Wuzeer think of this new
power.
A man of Warburton's artillery has deserted, as also a havildar of
Hoskins' regiment; the latter was received by Zeman Shah Khan with great
honour, and told that all good Mussulmans were welcome. A house and
shawls were given to him.
Our useless expenditure of ammunition is ridiculous. At the captured
fort last night the garrison popped away 350 rounds at shadows, probably
of themselves: however, we have plenty of it; 13 lakhs made up, and 900
barrels of powder, shot, bullets, &c. in store in profusion.
Shelton croaks about a retreat; and so much is openly said of our
extremity, that were we obliged to fall back on Jellalabad, it is more
than probable that there would be much desertion amongst the Mussulmans.
It is difficult to ascribe the just cause to the inactivity of the
enemy: if they feared us, they would disperse; and if they mean to
starve us, why do they allow us to get in supplies in the quantities
they do? That something is in agitation there can be no doubt; and the
most plausible idea is, that the enemy think that by keeping us on the
alert so long for nothing, that we shall all relax in our vigilance, and
give them the opportunity to attack the cantonments with success.
Sturt has in vain suggested that a picket of infantry and cavalry with a
couple of guns be sent at daybreak up the hill towards Siah Sung, to cut
off the supplies we see daily going into the town.
By purchasing them, we might induce the people to supply us largely, and
at all events prevent the enemy obtaining them. I have no patience with
those who say, "Oh, it is not ottah, it is only charcoal." Now our foes
require charcoal as much as we do food, for they cannot make their
gunpowder without it; and wood is very scarce in the city, for the poor
people who used to bring it in on donkeys have ceased to do so, lest it
should be taken for nothing.
_22d._--At two o'clock this morning Walker took the bedding for the
artillery to the Bala Hissar.
This being considered a propitious day, the enemy lined the heights
towards the lake. A party was sent to occupy the friendly village of
Behmaru; but, as usual, delay was the order of the day, and it was
deferred until the enemy had taken possession, though not in great
force.
On the troops arriving there under Major Swayne, of the 5th, the enemy
evacuated it: he, instead of allowing the men (as they themselves
wished) to enter the village, kept them under hedges firing pot shots,
on which the enemy reoccupied the position. The force sent out was 1
horse artillery gun, 1 mountain train ditto, 1 ressalah of Anderson's
horse, 1 ditto Walker's, 1 ditto 5th cavalry, 400 5th N. I.; the whole
under Major Swayne, 5th N. I. In the evening a reinforcement was sent of
the remainder of the 5th, under Col. Oliver. Lieut. Eyre wounded
severely in the hand. The troops returned, having done nothing.
The Ghilzye chiefs say they have sworn on the Koran to fight against us;
and so they must fight, but that they will not fight hard. This is what
they have told Sir William through their emissaries. He is trying to
treat with all parties: but the sanctity of an oath is evidently but
little regarded; and what faith can we put in their assertions?
We have just heard that Capt. Woodburn, with 130 men, returning to
India, was enticed into a fort at Shekoabad, a few marches on this side
of Ghuznee, where they swore on the Koran to be our friends, and where
the whole party were massacred. Poor Woodburn was represented as a
strong man, who took four or five Golees to kill him! There is a report
to-day that two regiments coming from Candahar have been cut up.
Grand dissensions in military councils. High and very plain language has
been this day used by Brig. Shelton to Gen. Elphinstone; and people do
not hesitate to say that our chief should be set aside--a mode of
proceeding recommended a fortnight ago by Mr. Baness, the merchant.
The poor General's mind is distracted by the diversity of opinions
offered; and the great bodily ailments he sustains are daily enfeebling
the powers of his mind. He has lost two of his best advisers in Paton
and Thain; the former confined by his wound, the latter declining to
offer advice, from disgust at its being generally overruled, by the
counsel of the last speaker being acted on.
There is much reprehensible croaking going on; talk of retreat, and
consequent desertion of our Mussulman troops, and the confusion likely
to take place consequent thereon. All this makes a bad impression on the
men. Our soldiery like to see the officers bear their part in privation;
it makes them more cheerful; but in going the rounds at night, officers
are seldom found with the men. There are those that always stay at their
posts on the ramparts, and the men appreciate them as they deserve. To
particularise them would be too openly marking the rest; but their names
will, I trust, be remembered to their honour and advantage hereafter.
Amongst these, Capt. Bygrave, the Paymaster-General, was conspicuous: he
never slept away from his post (the battery near his house) for a single
night, and took his full share of fatigue, without adverting to his
staff appointment.
Col. Oliver is one of the great croakers. On being told by some men of
his corps, with great _jee_, that a certain quantity of grain had been
brought in, he replied, "It was needless, for they would never live to
eat it." Whatever we think ourselves, it is best to put a good face on
the business.
The enemy are erecting sungahs on the heights above Behmaru.
_23d._--We had firing of one sort or other all night. From the Bala
Hissar they were shelling the city, and there was much firing from our
ramparts.
At about two in the morning, in consequence of a resolution arrived at
the preceding evening to submit no longer to the insults of the enemy,
(who by occupying Behmaru greatly annoyed our foraging parties, and
almost precluded our attempting to drive them off the hill immediately
above that village, whither they were accustomed to resort in great
numbers for the purpose of bravado, and also probably to prove our
strength or weakness,) Brig. Shelton marched out of cantonments with
seventeen weak companies: I believe many of them did not muster above
forty men. Those from the 44th were under the command of Major Swayne of
the 5th N. I.; those from the 37th and Shah's 6th, under Major Kershaw
of the 13th. All the 5th were employed under their own colonel (Oliver).
One squadron of regular cavalry, and two detachments of irregular horse;
one six-pound gun under Sergt. Mulhall, and 100 sappers and miners under
Lieut. Laing.
This force ascended the hill immediately above Behmaru, dragging the gun
with them with great difficulty, and thence up on the knoll overhanging
the village. From hence they perceived that the village was in the
possession of the enemy, who were discernible as they slept around their
watchfires. A few rounds of grape from the gun quickly aroused them; and
they sought cover in the houses and towers, from which they replied to
our cannonade and musketry by a sharp and pretty well-sustained fire of
juzails. Both officers and men were most anxious to be led against the
village, to take it by storm, but the Brigadier would not hear of it;
and our men were helplessly exposed to the fire from behind the walls,
which the enemy quickly loopholed for that purpose. After waiting until
day dawned, and losing the opportunity of taking the enemy by surprise,
a party was ordered under Major Swayne of the 5th, who, instead of at
once leading his men through the principal entrance into the village,
went to a small kirkee, which he reported himself unable to force,
though this was afterwards done by a few men pulling it down with their
hands and kicking at it; and after remaining there a considerable time
came back, having lost several of his men killed and wounded.
The enemy (as daylight dawned) were seen leaving the village in small
parties: to cut these off, Walker was sent down to the plain, on the
north-west side of the hill leading to the lake, with his irregular
horse. At this time large bodies of the enemy were descried ascending
the hill, near the road by which they used to issue from the city, and
separated from that occupied by our troops only by a narrow gorge
leading to the plain and lake beyond. To meet and oppose these, Brig.
Shelton, leaving three companies of the 37th, under Major Kershaw, to
maintain their original position, marched the remainder of the force
along the ridge towards the gorge, taking with him also his solitary
gun!
I had taken up my post of observation, as usual, on the top of the
house, whence I had a fine view of the field of action, and where, by
keeping behind the chimneys, I escaped the bullets that continually
whizzed past me. Brig. Shelton having brought forward skirmishers to the
brow of the hill, formed the remainder of his infantry into two squares,
the one about 200 yards in rear of the other, the intervening space
being crammed with our cavalry, who, from the nature of the ground, were
exposed to the full fire of the enemy without being able to act
themselves.