letter brought in from Conolly to say, that the Nawaub Zeman Khan had
interested himself greatly in the cause; and had procured the two bodies
to be stolen, and that they hoped to be able to send them in at night.
Trevor's had not been mutilated. It appears probable that the Envoy's
death was not contemplated. Akbar wished to seize him, in hopes, by
making him a hostage, to obtain better terms: but he is a man of violent
passions; and, being thwarted, the natural ferocity of his disposition
was evinced.
At night there was some firing, and the bugles sounded: all went to
their respective posts, but the party of about 200 Affghans went away.
There was evidently great commotion in the city at the same time.
A cossid came in from Jellalabad; but no news later than the 7th.
_26th._--The bodies were not sent in. The city is in great excitement;
the Affghans fearing we shall not make the treaty good and force our way
down.
It seems that the original treaty insured to the chiefs thirteen lakhs
of rupees; and they insist on having it paid; not, as was stipulated, on
our safe arrival at Peshawer, but to be given now in bills on
Government, which there are people here who will cash for them on the
spot. We are to be allowed to keep six yaboo loads of treasure; and all
the rest is to be given to them before we go; or else the chiefs fear
they will not get it, as their people would _loot_ it all.
However, we are informed that the chiefs do not mean to keep faith; and
that it is their intention to get all our women into their possession;
and to kill every man except one, who is to have his hands and legs cut
off, and is to be placed with a letter _in terrorem_ at the entrance of
the Khyber passes, to deter all Feringhees from entering the country
again. A Persian note, without signature or address, was brought by a
common-looking man to the officer on duty at the rear gate; giving
information that the cantonments are to be attacked to-night. We have
also information that the road to Jellalabad is clear; as the Ghilzyes
are all come into Cabul to exterminate us and _loot_ the cantonments.
The chiefs wish to force us to go down by another route, where our
people say we are sure to be opposed.
Letters received from Capt. Mackeson, P. A. at Peshawer, state that the
advance with ammunition had reached Peshawer, and the 16th Lancers, the
9th, and 31st, were close behind: it is, however, impossible that they
can arrive here in time to save us from either a disgraceful treaty, or
a disastrous retreat.
_27th._--The Council--Elphinstone, Shelton, Anquetil, and Chambers, with
Major Pottinger--have ratified the treaty. No one but themselves exactly
knows what this same treaty is; further than that it is most
disgraceful! 14½ lakhs to be given for our safe conduct to Peshawer;
all our guns to be given up save six; and six hostages to be given on
our part; and when they are sent Lawrence and Mackenzie are to return.
_28th._--Lawrence has come in, looking haggard and ten years older from
anxiety. It appears that the Envoy, when Mahommed Akbar Khan took hold
of him, grappled with him and threw him on the ground. Akbar fired his
pistol at him, and wounded him; and afterwards he was cut to pieces.
There has been great excitement in the city. Khan Shereen Khan refused
to attend the Durbar; and Akbar's conduct has been generally condemned
by the chiefs.
Naïb Shureef paid for the interment of Sir A. Burnes's body; but it was
never buried; and part of it, cut into many pieces, is still hanging on
the trees in his garden.
The Envoy's head is kept in a bhoossa bag in the chouk: and Akbar says
he will send it to Bokhara; to show to the king there how he has seized
the Feringhees here, and what he means to do to them.
Our guns are brought down to the gate, to be ready for the Affghans to
carry off to-morrow.
Conolly, Airy, and Skinner are in the city; and Warburton, Walsh, and
Webb have been sent as the other three hostages, to make up the number,
although the treaty is not yet signed by the chiefs. There is much doubt
whether Mackenzie will be given up to us.
It was reported that the Meer Wallee of Khoolloom was expected with
reinforcements to Akbar to-day; but we have not heard whether he has
arrived or not.
Many routes have been named for our downward march this morning. We were
to go by Zoormut; but I believe we still go by Jellalabad.
Amenoollah Khan is now represented as our best friend amongst the
chiefs.
Whether we go by treaty or not, I fear but few of us will live to reach
the provinces.
Although there is plenty of carriage for the sick, it is to-day decided
that they are to be left behind; and the medical men drew lots who were
to stay: they fell upon Primrose of the 44th, and Campbell of the
Company's service: the former exchanged with Dr. Berwick, the late
Envoy's medical staff, who, with Mr. Campbell of the 54th, are to go to
the city with the sick men.
Snow all day.
_29th._--Mackenzie and Skinner came in, in handsome dresses presented to
them by Mahommed Akbar Khan, who professed to them he had no hand in the
Envoy's death; and, to prove his sincerity, wept for two hours.
Brig. Shelton has again had recourse to Mahommed Akbar; and has obtained
carriage from him.
It is said it was the Envoy's intention to have superseded Gen.
Elphinstone, had Gen. Nott arrived: but no such measure would have been
requisite, as the General had summoned Nott to take the command, and
had, in fact, given it over to him from the 1st of November: so that it
is a point to speculate upon as to who is our military chief; and
whether, under existing circumstances, Gen. Elphinstone is empowered to
treat with the chiefs regarding the troops.
To give an instance of the strange way in which matters are conducted
here: Serg. Deane came and reported to Sturt that he had received orders
to slope the banks of the canal, &c., without any reference to Sturt;
who, of course, ordered his sergeants not to undertake any work without
his orders. Sloping these banks would facilitate the passage of the
enemy; who otherwise must cross the canal at the usual spots, either the
ford or bridge.
Our sick sent to the city.
Snow all day.
_30th._--500 Ghazeeas made a rush at the rear gate; and only desisted on
finding the port-fire ready, which would have sent grape in amongst
them. In revenge, they tore up the small bridge over the canal.
More of our guns were sent to the chiefs, who now dictate to us,
delaying our departure, which is to be postponed according to their
pleasure.
More sick men sent to the city to-day. As the camels and doolies that
conveyed them there returned, they were attacked and plundered; the men
were stripped, and had to run for their lives without any clothing,
their black bodies conspicuous as they ran over the snow. The doolies
and camels were all carried off. One of the hostages has written to me,
dated midnight of the 29th, and tells me that they are all well in the
city, and that, from the appearance of affairs, we shall most likely go
down unmolested: that the Nawaub Zeman Khan is very kind; and he or one
of his sons is with them nearly all day: the room they inhabit is
eighteen feet by ten, and all the hostages are together: it is very
uncomfortable, being thus confined; this, however, must be the case for
some time: even the courtyard below is not free from vagabonds. The
night the Envoy was killed the Ghazeeas rushed even up to the door,
determined on Conolly's and Airy's death; and it was difficult to get
rid of them. The poor Envoy's hand was held up to the window, to show it
to Conolly! Ameenoollah Khan seems to be well pleased. The King went to
them the night the letter was written, and took his musicians with him,
who played and sang till eleven o'clock: he is represented as a most
fatherly old gentleman. This alludes to Zeman Shah Khan, and not to Shah
Shoojah.
The Nawaub's second son, Soojah ool Dowlah, is to go down with us: he is
represented as a very nice fellow, about twenty-two years old. A
postscript, added this morning, informs me that the chiefs are very well
pleased; and do not wish us to go till all our arrangements are
comfortably made, for their suspicions are now at an end.
Sturt received instructions from Capt. Bellew to scarp the banks of the
canal, by way of rendering them easier for the camels to get over. "To
slope, I suppose you mean?" said Sturt. "You may suppose what you
please," replied Bellew; "but the General's orders sent by me are, to
scarp the banks;--and now do as you like: and you are also to cut the
rampart down, to make a free passage for the troops; as, there being but
one gateway on the face, it would take a long time for the troops and
baggage to pass out."
When Sturt was first desired by the General to cut an opening, he
proposed making two of twelve feet each, with twenty feet between: this
was objected to, as being too small; and he then said he would throw
down the rampart between, which would make an opening of forty-four
feet: but of course such a breach (for the rampart was to be thrown in
to fill the ditch, twenty feet wide) was a work only to be undertaken at
the last hour; unless the General could give guns and additional troops
to defend it.
In consequence of these messages, Sturt wrote to Grant to say, that
unless we were to start instanter after the breach was made, or the
General had the necessary means for its defence, it would risk the
safety of the cantonments; particularly after what had occurred this
morning. Grant, by the General's desire, wrote to know what did occur;
and then Sturt wrote an account of the attack of the Ghazeeas at the
rear gate, our cattle having been carried off and the bearers plundered,
&c.: upon this Grant, by the General's desire, wrote to say they did not
know any of the circumstances; and begged nothing might be done to
injure our defences.
Snow all day.
_Dec. 31st._--The chiefs say they have no control over the Ghazeeas;
that when they offend we may fire on them; that they will have the
camels, taken from us yesterday, restored.
Now did they give us even camel for camel, it would be another matter:
but, instead of that, fifteen of the worst of our own were brought back
out of thirty-six; and a present of 100 rupees was made to them for the
trouble they had taken.
This morning a number of camels laden with grain, &c. were plundered
close to the rear gate. Verbal orders were sent by Brig. Shelton to fire
on these people if absolutely requisite: but no written order to that
effect has been given, and no one will take the responsibility upon his
own shoulders. No orders of any import are transmitted in writing. Some
one, any one, is sent, with a verbal message to the officer it concerns;
and, if any thing goes wrong, what has he to show as his authority for
acting as he has done? Amongst other orders, there is one not actually
to fire, but to make believe they are going to do so; which has
occasioned some ridiculous and harmless flourishes of port-fires.
There is still negotiation going on; and there seems to be some hints
regarding Shah Shoojah's abdication. The Affghans do not wish to put him
to death, but only to deprive him of sight.
The chiefs are, we hear, to come into Mahmood Khan's fort with a large
force to-morrow, to be ready to protect cantonments, and we are to march
out the next day.
Thus ends the year. The bodies of the Envoy and Trevor have not been
brought in; and we hope that the Nawaub Zeman Khan may be able to get
them privately interred in his own garden.
Sergeant Williams, who died in consequence of his wound, was placed in
the coffin and buried in the grave prepared for the Envoy behind the
barracks.
Snow has lain on the ground since the 18th of December.
_Jan. 1st, 1842._--The Naïb Meer came in: negotiations are still going
on.
The Nawaub Zeman Shall Khan and Osman Khan appear to be honourable men;
as also Mahommed Shah Khan Ghilzye: the former, or his son, sits with
the hostages day and night to insure their protection. The latter is the
person who received the sword-cut on his arm intended for Mackenzie, and
thereby saved his life, on the 23d of last month.
A party of fifty Affghan workmen, magnified by the General into 500,
have been sent to work on the banks of the canal: they soon said they
were cold and tired, and would finish the rest to-morrow.
Two men came in to-day with a Koran to Sergeant Deane (who, from having
an Affghan wife, has many acquaintances and friends amongst the people
of Cabul): they report that Mahommed Akbar Khan is false; that 10,000
Kohistanees are to attack us at Tézeen, and all the Ghilzyes at
Soorkhab.
Offers have been made of provisions; but it is suspected that it is only
to try our faith, and see if we will lay in provisions on the sly.
_2d._--Before breakfast Sturt received the following note from Gen.
Elphinstone:--
"Dear Sturt,
"Are we to have the Affghan Bhildars again to-day? If so, they had
better be employed on the other side of the river. Pottinger proposes
our taking on the planks to cross the streams in the Khoord Cabul pass.
He says 250 planks would do. He will explain this to you after
breakfast. Let me hear what was done yesterday. We shall march on
Tuesday, I think: that is the present arrangement. You must settle with
Boyd about the bullocks for the bridge, which we must take on to the
Loghur.
"Yours, "W. R. E."
There have been so many clever propositions during the siege, that, if I
succeed in saving my papers, many of the original letters will require
to be appended, to prove that I do not use the traveller's privilege!
To-day's is this. We make a bridge to cross the Cabul river; and carry
on planks to the Loghur, in case that bridge should have been destroyed.
Major Pottinger proposes that we carry 250 planks, to be laid down in
the Khoord Cabul, for crossing the streams, which occur on an average
every 100 yards. Could we afford transport for these planks, the delay
occasioned would render the journey through that pass one of about three
days, as the stream is crossed about thirty times. One word regarding
the carriage of these said planks. A camel would only carry two; thus,
125 animals would be required; and we are unable to take the requisite
quantity of ammunition, for want of carriage. Besides, why is this
stream not to be frozen, as it is but a few inches deep any where?
There appears to be much commotion amongst the chiefs regarding the
Envoy's death, and Akbar's conduct; who still repeats that he did not
kill the Envoy, but that it was done by the Ghazeeas. He threatens to
attack us on the road; and Osman Khan says if he does he will fight him
all the way down, taking, as his own party, 1000 horse and 500 foot.
Aziz Khan is to be at Soorkhab ready to exterminate us. We hear from the
city that Sale has been taking forts, carrying off women and provisions,
and greatly annoying the good people about Jellalabad.
_3d._--The march, which was fixed for to-day, is again postponed. The
Kohistanees have not received any part of the money given to the chiefs.
They have sent an agent to Sturt to say that, if we wish it, they will
bring the chiefs of Kardurrah into cantonments, with four others, as
hostages; that we need not give them any money now, they know that we
have none, and are content with our promise. They wish us to remain
quiet. They will give us provisions; and attack and fire Cabul within
three days. They will also go down and bring up reinforcements for us
from Jellalabad. They assure us that the chiefs are false, and mean to
attack us on the road. All this was represented to our chiefs by Sturt.
The reply he received was, "It was better to keep the matter quiet; as
in the present state of things it might, if known, cause excitement."
Shah Shoojah is said to have a strong party: and all the roads leading
to the Bala Hissar are watched, to prevent persons joining him; though
Nooreddin has succeeded in doing so, with twenty followers.
The 40,000 rupees given by us to the chiefs, to raise 2000 men, at
twenty rupees each, to protect us to Jellalabad, have not succeeded.
They have kept the money, of course; but say they cannot get men to go
at this season; and even if they could, the chiefs cannot afford to
weaken their party by sending their followers away.
The thermometer to-day at sunrise was below zero; in the sitting room,
with an enormous blazing fire, at noon, 40°. Yesterday, with the same
good fire, at 9 A.M., 11°.
Another excellent project of Major Pottinger's. Among our various
vacillatory measures, there is again a thought, now that the time for
action is long past, to force our way into the Bala Hissar: but how are
we to get our ammunition in? Erect a battery on the Siah Sung Hill (of
course to be the work of fairies during the night), fire our shot from
cantonments into the battery, where of course guardian sylphs would
protect the lives of our men, who were quickly to pick them up, and send
them on, in like manner, into the Bala Hissar! No arrangement made for
transporting the powder. The tale was told from where the conversation
had taken place--at the General's. The narrator was Capt. Bellew. Both
Sturt and I taxed him with joking; but he assured us it was all true,
and only another of the many strange events constantly occurring. Then
ensued a long parley and military discussion on the point, its
feasibility, and its having been tried in some peninsular warfare. But I
never could get Bellew to explain how our men's lives in the battery
were to be saved.
_4th._--I heard from Sale, dated 19th December. He acknowledged the
receipt of my note, giving an account of operations up to the 9th
instant. He was doubly anxious relative to our situation, from having
heard only the day before that the Kandahar troops were near us, and all
the cossids telling those at Jellalabad that we had plenty of
provisions; and he still trusts in God that the Kandahar force may
arrive in time to save us; and prevent the necessity of terms
disgraceful to our reputation in India. He informs me of the arrival of
the advanced guard of our cavalry at Peshawer with ammunition; and that
the 3d Buffs and 9th Foot had marched; with altogether six regiments of
N. I., and some artillery, sappers, and engineer officers. The news from
Cabul had not then had any effect on the chiefs about Jellalabad, whose
followers are daily diminishing. Our troops were, nevertheless, as hard
at work as ever, making the place as strong as possible. At that time
Mackeson had not sent them any money; of which they were in great want,
not having a rupee to give to the troops, and three months' pay nearly
due. Extracts from my letter had been sent to Government and to the
Commander-in-Chief. The original has been sent to my son-in-law, Capt.
Bund; as Sale writes me that no other person gives them any idea of our
real position at Cabul.
The Affghans still tell us we are doomed; and warn us to be particularly
cautious of our safety in going out of cantonments. Taj Mahommed says
that Mrs. Sturt and I must wear neemchees over our habits--common
leather ones--and turbans, and ride mixed in with the suwars; not to go
in palkees or keep near the other ladies, as they are very likely to be
attacked.
The chiefs are to come in to-morrow to take charge of cantonments before
we leave them. Nawaub Zeman Shah Khan is also to come in to see the
General.
Orders for the first bugle at 6, the second at 7. Sturt inquired if he
was to make the breach, and, when made, who were to guard it, &c.: to
which the following is the reply:--
"My dear Sturt,
"If it is as well as before, the General thinks you need not turn out
the sappers. The Brigadier says you are the best judge as to whether it
is defensible or not.
"Yours truly, "WM. THAIN.
"4th Jan. 7 P.M.
"The General wants to know if the planks which were sent have been
removed. The troops are not to turn out at 6 in the morning as ordered,
but wait till further orders.
"W. T."
_January 5th._--Sturt employed in making the breach. The chiefs say we
shall go to-morrow. Orders out for 7 and 8 o'clock.
Shah Shoojah has sent a message to ask if not even one officer of his
force will stand by him. This message was, I know, delivered by Sturt
himself to several; but circumstances admitted not of their further
adherence. Indeed it is more than doubtful that the King was at the
bottom of the insurrection, never dreaming that it would go so far.
[2] See Vocabulary for this and other Oriental terms.
[3] Commonly written Sepoys.
[4] This letter was lost, together with all the rest of the documents of
the army. (See p. 2.)
THE RETREAT FROM CABUL.
_Thursday, 6th January, 1842._--We marched from Cabul. The advanced
guard consisted of the 44th Queen's, 4th Irregular Horse, and Skinner's
Horse, two H. A. six-pounder guns, Sappers and Miners, Mountain Train,
and the late Envoy's escort. The main body included the 5th and 37th N.
I.; the latter in charge of treasure; Anderson's Horse, the Shah's 6th
Regiment, two H. A. six-pounder guns. The rear guard was composed of the
54th N. I., 5th Cavalry, and two six-pounder H. A. guns. The force
consisted of about 4500 fighting men, and 12,000 followers.
The troops left cantonments both by the rear gate and the breach to the
right of it, which had been made yesterday by throwing down part of the
rampart to form a bridge over the ditch. All was confusion from before
daylight. The day was clear and frosty; the snow nearly a foot deep on
the ground; the thermometer considerably below freezing point.
By eight o'clock a great part of the baggage was outside the
cantonments. It was fully expected that we would have to fight our way
out of them, although terms had been entered into with the Sirdar for
our safe escort. Bills were granted on India for fourteen and a half
lakhs of rupees, by the political authority (Major Pottinger) to the
Cabul Shroffs, to be paid to the following Sirdars, who were, on their
part, to protect the force as far as Peshawer:--
Mahommed Zeman Shah Khan, three lakhs:
Amenoollah Khan, six lakhs:
Khan Shireen Khan, head of the Kuzzilbashes, two lakhs:
Mahommed Akbar Khan, one lakh:
Osman Khan, two lakhs:
The Ghilzye chiefs, half a lakh.
We started at about half-past nine A.M. The advance party were not
molested; there might have been 50 or 100 Affghans collected about the
gateway to witness our departure. The ladies, collectively speaking,
were placed with the advance, under the charge of the escort; but Mrs.
Sturt and I rode up to Capt. Hay, and mixed ourselves with his troopers.
The progress was very slow; for the first mile was not accomplished
under two and a half hours. There was only one small bridge over the
Nullah, which is eight feet broad, but deep, situated about fifty yards
from cantonments.
Great stress had been laid on the necessity of a bridge over the Cabul
river, about half a mile from cantonments. In vain had Sturt represented
over and over again, that as the river was perfectly fordable, it was a
labour of time and inutility: with snow a foot deep, the men must get
their feet wet. However, as usual, every sensible proposition was
overruled; and Sturt was sent long before daylight to make the bridge
with gun carriages. They could not be placed over-night, as the Affghans
would have carried them off: he had therefore to work for hours up to
his hips in water, with the comfortable assurance that, when his
unprofitable task was finished, he could not hope for dry clothes until
the end of the march; and immediately on quitting the water they were
all frozen stiff. I do not mention this as an individual grievance, but
to show the inclemency of the weather, and the general misery sustained.
The bullocks had great difficulty in dragging these gun-carriages
through the snow, and when the bridge was made it was proved to be an
unnecessary expense of time and labour. The baggage might have forded
the river with great ease, a little above the bridge, where it was not
deep. Mrs. Sturt and I rode with the horsemen through the river, in
preference to attempting the rattling bridge of planks laid across the
gun carriages: but the camp followers determined not to go through the
water, and jostled for their turns to go over the bridge. This delay was
the origin of the day's misfortune, which involved the loss of nearly
all the baggage, and the greater part of the commissariat stores.