great part of to-day, particularly late in the evening, there was a
tremulous motion as of a ship that has been heavily struck by a sea,
generally feeling as if on the larboard quarter, and accompanied by a
sound of water breaking against a vessel. At other times we have just
the undulatory motion of a snake in the water: but the most uncommon
sensation we have experienced has been that of a heavy ball rolling over
our heads, as if on the roof of our individual room, accompanied by the
sound of distant thunder.
Abdool Ghyas Khan came to Buddeeabad. The report is, that Sultan Jan was
sent the day before yesterday with 1000 men to make a false attack on
Jellalabad; in which, on retreating, he lost three men. Yesterday he was
sent to repeat the experiment, an ambuscade being planted by Mahommed
Akbar's order; and it is said that our troops were led on to the spot in
pursuit of the fugitives; and that the enemy lying in ambush attacked
them, and cut up a whole regiment, of which only three men escaped to
tell the tale at Jellalabad.
General Pollock with 5000 men is said to have arrived at Peshawer, as
commander of the forces in Affghanistan, and with full political power.
The news came from a merchant, who has just arrived from Peshawer.
_25th._--The earth is still unquiet, constantly trembling, with reports
like explosions of gunpowder, but no severe shocks.
We hear that the camp followers we passed on the road are eating the
bodies of those that die: eventually they must take their turn; for
frostbitten as they are, they never can leave the places we saw them at.
_27th._--A man has arrived who confirms the report of a fight, four days
ago, at Jellalabad: and says four of the 13th are killed, and four taken
prisoners; but they do not know whether they are officers or men. Sultan
Jan is said to have had a narrow escape, all his men having been cut up.
Earthquakes very frequent, but not severe, though worse than yesterday.
The Ameer Dost Mahommed is reported to be on his way up from the
provinces with the army; others say he has escaped from Ferozepore.
_28th._--In consequence of a message from the Sirdar, our guards are
doubled. The Mirza Bowadeen Khan is to go to him to-morrow. It is said
8000 men are coming from Cabul. A smart shock of an earthquake about 9
o'clock in the evening; and during the night several slight ones.
_March 1st._--The Mirza went to the Sirdar. Nothing has transpired. A
smart double shock in the morning, with slight tremulous motion.
_3rd_ & _4th._--Earthquakes as usual. To-day every servant that is
frostbitten or unable to work has been turned out of the fort: they were
stripped first of all they possessed. I received two notes from Sale,
dated the 11th and 16th.
_5th._--At 3 A.M. turned out of bed by a smart shock of an earthquake.
Three continuous ones at breakfast-time. Futteh Jung is reported to be
at Tighree.
_8th._--A letter arrived from Mahommed Akbar Khan; stating that the King
has written to desire that the force at Jellalabad may be withdrawn, and
that Futteh Jung is on his way down with 8000 men. It is stated that
Macgregor has refused to receive the King's messenger; and that our
force have arrived at Jumrood.
_9th._--Several slight shocks at night; after which, great screaming and
alarm. Husnoo, a sweeper, being a disappointed man, attempted to
strangle Rookeria, a woman of the same cast. The gentlemen searched
every corner; and the delinquent had to jump down the wall; in doing
which he seriously injured his back. There was no other mode of escape,
as we are always locked into the square at night.
_10th._--The Affghans gave Mr. Husnoo a desperate flogging; and had it
not been for the officers, would have hanged him afterwards: he was,
however, stripped, and turned out of the fort.
_11th._--Dost Mahommed Khan came. Khoda Bukeh, the half-brother of
Mahommed Shah, has, we are told, left the Sirdar, whose party is
breaking up; and he is supposed to be trying to get Major Pottinger to
make some terms for him with Macgregor, and for him to join the English
against the King. Col. Palmer has sent down to Macgregor the terms on
which he will surrender at Ghuznee; but Macgregor refuses to ratify
them; and has forwarded them to Gen. Pollock, through the Sirdar, who
has sent them here to Pottinger. Meantime the garrison at Ghuznee are to
be provisioned by the chiefs. Dost Mahommed says that the King has
written to Macgregor to vacate Jellalabad; and at the same time sent, by
the bearer of the letter, a verbal communication not to do so. The
messenger had a long conversation with Macgregor, and then started sharp
for Cabul, passing Mahommed Akbar Khan's camp at night; who, on his
part, was expecting to catch him in the morning, and possess himself of
the letters.
The Mirza Bowadeen Khan is getting a paper signed by us all, to say he
has treated us well: from whence we suspect he thinks our party will
eventually gain the ascendant.
The Sirdar sent to Lady Macnaghten to say that if she did not require
the services of three Hindostanee saceses that are in another fort, he
will send them, with the Resallah, to Peshawer on rafts, the day after
to-morrow: a demonstration of civility without meaning. The saceses are
useless at a distance; and she does not require grooms for the horses
that have been taken from her, either by him or Mahommed Shah Khan.
_13th._--Earthquakes as usual. There has been a fight at Jellalabad. A
party were sent out to mine: Sale, having intelligence of their
intention, planted an ambush. The enemy were first attacked from the
fort; and when they fled, they fell into the ambuscade, and were cut to
pieces. Numbers of wounded Affghans have come into this and the
neighbouring forts.
_14th._--Earthquakes in plenty. Mrs. Boyd was confined early tills
morning; adding another to our list of female captives. In the evening
Affghans came in with many reports; confirming the account that there
have been three fights, in which the Affghans have been worsted; that
after the last battle Mahommed Akbar Khan in his retreat was fired at by
an Affghan, and wounded in the body and arms.
The Affghans tell two tales: one, that Shah Shoojah had bribed a man
with a lakh of rupees to assassinate Akbar; the other, that Capt.
Macgregor gave Abdool Guffoor Khan (Akbar's cousin) the same sum to
procure the like effect; and that Abdool and all his family have been
put to death.
They say that Mahommed Akbar Khan chafes like a lion taken in the toils,
with his three wounds,--for he was previously wounded in the thigh. He
allowed no one but Mahommed Shah Khan to enter his tent.
_15th._--I was made very anxious by a report that Jellalabad had been
taken: it proved to be a piece of wit, to impose on those who were eager
for news. The Mirza, as soon as he heard of it, left his tent to come
and assure me that it was false, and to request I would not make myself
unhappy about it.
Of authentic accounts the last are, that there was a burj between the
Sirdar's camp and Jellalabad, which Mahommed Akbar wished to establish
as an outpost, and intended taking possession of. "Fighting Bob" (as
Sale is called), having got intelligence of their intentions, sent a
party of sappers and miners with supports during the night, who
destroyed the work and returned; and on the Sirdar's party's arrival,
they found their intended post annihilated.
Further accounts regarding the Sirdar's wound state, that it was purely
accidental. A favourite Pesh Khedmut, who had accompanied Mahommed Akbar
Khan to Bokhara, and had been with him in all his changes of fortune,
was assisting him to dismount from his horse, when some part of his
dress catching upon his fire-arms, they went off, and the Sirdar was
wounded through the arm and lungs. One account states, that the
unfortunate man was instantly cut to pieces; another, that he was burnt
alive; and that to the last he took his oath on the Koran that the act
was an accident. There is nothing too brutal or savage for Akbar to
accomplish: he is known to have had a man flayed alive in his presence,
commencing at the feet, and continuing upwards until the sufferer was
relieved by death.
The Mirza has sent for nalbunds to shoe our horses; and there seems to
be an idea that we shall not long remain here. We have lately made
ourselves more comfortable: a temporary shed or two, composed of mats,
have been erected since the great earthquake for the accommodation of
those who were turned out of their rooms at that time, all of course at
their own expense. We have also got stools to sit upon, and charpoys
instead of lying on the ground; and a cujava, with boards nailed on it,
serves me for a table--a decided luxury, there being but one other here.
_Mirza_, in this man's case, denominates a secretary: he is a kind of
under-jailor (Dost Mahommed Khan being the principal one), who issues
out our allowance of food: to some he is civil, and has been so to me:
to some very rude; and has even drawn his knife on one of the officers.
_18th._--We had two slight shakes, with reports like distant guns or
thunder in the morning; and another during prayers at night. The Mirza
Bowadeen Khan is to leave us the day after to-morrow. The servants have
a report that there have been several engagements, in which Sale has
been victorious; that the Sirdar is wounded in two places; and that the
married people are all to be sent to Jellalabad, and the bachelors to
Cabul.
_19th._--No earthquake to-day. The Mirza is ordered off; and the Nazir
of Mahommed Shah Khan is come in his place: that is, he is to be our
sub-jailor, Dost Mahommed Khan being the principal one, and answerable
for our safe custody to Mahommed Shah Khan, his brother, who rules all
Mahommed Akbar Khan's councils.
The Nazir begins well: says the Mirza cheated us of our allowance; that
two sheep and twenty fowls are to be distributed daily, one seer of
ottah, and one of rice to each room, with ghee in proportion; and that
we are to have keshmish, sugar, and tea, monthly.
It is further reported that the Sirdar never intended the servants to be
sent away; and that it was done by the Mirza in hopes of obtaining
plunder. However, to do him justice, he sent to Capt. Lawrence, desiring
him to make it known that the servants' money was unsafe; and that those
who had any had better intrust it to the keeping of their masters. Now
this he never would have done had he intended to fleece them. For myself
I regret his going away; as he was always very civil to me, getting me
any little thing I required.
_20th._--During prayers (it being Sunday) about one o'clock we felt
three distinct shocks.
Numbers of cattle are being driven off towards the hills. The people are
sending their families and property away from the villages. The Affghans
say that it is only the wandering Ghilzye tribes returning, as is their
wont in the spring of the year, towards Cabul; having, as usual,
wintered their flocks in the warmer climate of the Lughman valley.
_21st._--The no-roz, or vernal equinox. Mr. Melville brought us a
bouquet of narcissuses, which we highly prized, for it is long since we
have seen even a blade of grass.
The report of to-day is, that troops have at length arrived at
Jellalabad; having lost 1000 out of 3000 men in forcing the Khyber pass.
All the forts about this place are filling fast with wounded men of
Akbar's army; and skirmishes are said to take place daily at Jellalabad,
in which we never hear of the Sirdar being victorious.
A nalbund is come to this fort, and is shoeing all our horses, we paying
for the same. This looks like preparation for a move; but we trust it
will not be a precipitate flight to Khoolloom with Mahommed Akbar Khan,
as we have heard it hinted.
Mr. Clarke is stated to have arrived at Peshawer. He is an active
political functionary, and just the man to set things to rights.
Mahommed Akbar Khan sent 800 men to watch the proceedings at Jellalabad.
Sale is said to have attacked them, and cut them to pieces. This is the
Affghan report of to-day.
_23d._--A report that the Sirdar is willing to go over to the English;
but that Mahommed Shah Khan is averse to the measure.
Another report, that all the horses and ponies are sent for by the
Sirdar, has caused a great commotion; which, however, has subsided, on
the discovery that the Sirdar had sent to claim a blue horse he had lent
Mr. Ryley on the march, which he requires for his artillery: it was an
iron grey.
An earthquake early in the morning, and many slight ones at night.
Mahommed Shah Khan's people are sounding us, to ascertain whether we
shall be ransomed or not; talking of a lakh and half as our value: the
General, Major Pottinger, and Capt. Lawrence to remain until we are in
safety, and their rupees in hand. A council of officers was held at the
General's regarding this same ransom business: which they refer to
Macgregor. I protest against being implicated in any proceedings in
which I have no vote.
_25th._--The Nazir says it was only a feeler, and it was a lakh and half
each that Mahommed Shah Khan required from us. Perhaps this is only a
piece of Affghan wit.
_26th._--Letters from Jellalabad. The 31st, and 9th Queen's, a regiment
of Dragoons, two of Native Cavalry, eight of Infantry, three
eighteen-pounders, three nine-pounders, and six six-pounders, are
expected there on the 1st of April. Gerard has been wounded. Abbott hit
by a spent ball: all well, thank God!
This news is very different from what we heard this morning, which was
that those left at Cabul and Ghuznee have been sent to Bokhara to be
sold as slaves; and that our turn would come next.
The thermometer of our spirits has risen greatly. We hear from
Jellalabad that all at Cabul are well, and that Ghuznee has been obliged
to surrender; but that the officers are all well, safe, and taken care
of, as we are here.
Earthquakes in the usual number.
_27th.--Easter Sunday._ I wrote to Sale. Four earthquakes before
breakfast, and more at night.
_28th._--We hear from an Affghan, just come from Jellalabad, that two
regiments have left Peshawer, and advanced two marches; that Capt.
Mackeson, political agent, has bought over the Khyberries; but that
Gholab Sing, the Sheikh general, has claimed the honour of keeping the
pass open for us.
_29th._--An Affghan reports that our troops have arrived at Lallpoorah.
A trifling earthquake at sunset; the hills enveloped in clouds, which
suddenly assumed a lurid hue, and one sharp clap of thunder much
resembling a gun was heard; after which they cleared off. A little rain
about 8 P.M. when it became very warm, and we experienced a very hot
night.
_30th._--Sultan Jan and Mahommed Shah Khan are (we hear) gone with 3000
men to oppose the troops coming up. This force might annoy ours very
much in the Cholah Khyber, between Lallpoorah and Hazar-i-now.
Another report is current to-day, that we are to be off on Sunday for
Jellalabad.
Heavy rain in the evening and at night, with rumblings and trifling
shocks.
_31st._--The weather has cleared up again. To-day's report is, that we
go on Monday to Tagow or Kaffiristan. The people are becoming very
civil; ask if we will spare their lives, and are sending their women
away. We tell them that all who behave well to us will have their
property respected, and be well treated.
They say that Sultan Jan is really gone with 3000 men to the Cholah
Khyber; that our force coming up gives no quarter; that the Affghans
sent spies in the guise of country people, with things to sell, to see
what loot the Feringhees had. They report that not only the soldiers,
but also the officers, are packed close in small palls, without beds,
chairs, tables, or any thing but the clothes on their backs.
_April 1st._--A famous hoax went round, that a letter had come from
Macgregor, that government were going to ransom us from Mahommed Shah
Khan for three lakhs of rupees, and that we were to leave Buddeeabad on
Wednesday; that Sultan Jan had been defeated in the Khyber, and that
Mahommed Akbar Khan had fled to Cabul.
Letters did actually arrive from Jellalabad subsequently, with very
conflicting accounts: Gen. Pollock not expected till the 16th.
A report that Mahommed Akbar had withdrawn all his outposts, and
hostilities had ceased; that Dost Mahommed had arrived at the Attock;
and that as soon as he entered the country, all prisoners were to be set
at large, and our force to quit the country, leaving the Ameer Dost
Mahommed to prosecute his fortunes as best he may.
Sale's letter gives no intelligence of a public nature; but as he
proposes getting more shoes made to send to me, it does not look as if
he expected us to leave this country soon.
_3d._--A report that Macgregor has seized a flock of 200 sheep, twenty
head of cattle, and twenty camels that were passing near Jellalabad;
that Mahommed Akbar Khan, who it seems cannot have withdrawn his
outposts, sent to seize our yaboos when they went out to water, and
planted a party for that purpose. Some of our people who went out early,
saw them stealing along to their position, and immediately reported the
circumstance, when Sale planted an ambush of two companies, one of
Europeans and one native. They then sent out the animals as usual, and
when the Affghans pounced on their expected prey, they were attacked,
and it is said 200 of them were killed.
_5th._--I wrote to Sale, but heard that the letter will not go till
to-morrow. We are told that three chiefs at Jellalabad are supplying our
army with grain, leaving it at the gate at night.
_6th._--The Nazir says that a brass six-pounder has been brought in from
the Khyber on a camel, and that it has killed two camels bringing it to
the Sirdar's camp; also, that they have brought in thirty Europeans
heads. Dost Mahommed Khan has returned from Cabul; whither the Sirdar
sent him on business: he reports that there is great commotion in Cabul;
and he has brought all Sultan Jan's family back with him for safety, to
the Lughman valley. The gun above alluded to, is probably one taken at
Ali Musjid; and the Sirdar having brought it to his camp, induces us to
think that he has given up the idea of defending the Khyber.
Pottinger gives it as his opinion, that we may probably remain here for
six months.
The Nazir tells us that the gun that has arrived has been a month on the
road, and has killed six camels; that it is the one taken at Jumroad
three months ago, when our people were out foraging; and that Zeman Khan
has ordered Shah Shoojah to send a force down from Cabul. What they are
going to do, and by whom the troops are to be headed, we know not; but
only that the report is that a force has started. The Nazir told
Pottinger that the talk of our being ransomed at two lakhs was only a
feeler, to see what we would offer: that Mahommed Shah Khan would for
that sum allow one gentleman to go to Peshawer to treat with our party
there; but that Pottinger would be held answerable for his safe return.
News has just arrived to the Nazir from the Kazanchey, who is with the
Sirdar, that all the officers at Ghuznee are killed except eight; that
our troops at Khelat-i-Gilzye hold their ground, though they have been
attacked several times; that the garrison of Kandahar have made frequent
sallies, and scoured the country in every direction for eight or ten
miles; and that they have got in a number of sheep and cattle: also,
that an army is coming up from Shikarpore.
Further reports assure us that Shah Shoojah left Cabul to proceed to
Bégramee, where his tents were pitched; but that he had not got further
than the Musjed, where John Hicks's tomb is, in front of the Bala Hissar
gate, when he was cut down in his palkee by the son of Zeman Khan, and
was immediately cut to pieces.
Three Sirdars are said to have come in to-day; but we know of a truth
that the Affghans are burnishing up their arms, and making bullets.
Our force is reported to have arrived at Jellalabad. Our guards are all
on the alert. A report that Mahommed Akbar is killed; another that he
has fled to Gundamuk.
Our broken towers are manned, and thirteen men added to our guard.
_8th._--The first news this morning was, that Mahommed Shah Khan had
been here during the night, and that he has removed his family from the
valley. It is still reported that Mahommed Akbar Khan is dead. The
Sirdar reproached the chiefs for having supplied our garrison with
provisions; and the same night, Abdool Guffoor Khan, Abdool Rahim, and
Aga Jan, went over to Macgregor with 1000 Affghan cavalry, and told him
that the enemy were not prepared; on which a chupao was made on Akbar's
camp, with great slaughter. The three chiefs remained as hostages in
Jellalabad, whilst their men went with our cavalry to chupao the camp.
Akbar's horse was restive; and none of his people waited for him: his
own artillerymen turned the guns against him in their flight; and they
left their camp standing, their arms, and every thing they possessed;
and ran for their lives. Mahommed Shah Khan has escaped; and Mahommed
Akbar Khan is said to be within four kos of Buddeeabad.
_10th._--We were hurried from daybreak to get ready. Mahommed Shah Khan
has taken away all Lady Macnaghten's jewels, to the value of above a
lakh of rupees; and her shawls, valued at between 30,000 and 40,000
rupees. He desired to see my boxes; but did not take the trouble of
examining them: he, however, knew that I arrived here without any
baggage. He sent to inquire if we had any valuables; and, if so, we were
to give them up at once.
The Mirza has returned: he, and the Nazir, promise to send a box, which
I have no means of carrying, as also our servants, who are unable to go
with us, to Jellalabad to Sale: however as they crammed the box into
their own godown, I strongly suspect they mean to keep it themselves. My
chest of drawers they took possession of with great glee--I left some
rubbish in them, and some small bottles, that were useless to me. I hope
the Affghans will try their contents as medicine, and find them
efficacious: one bottle contained nitric acid, another a strong solution
of lunar caustic!
We did not start till past noon, and then did not take the road we
expected, leading to Tighree; but an upper one to the right, and were
told we were going to Tagow. We had a great number of detentions from
the camels that carried the kujavas; the General's broke down; so did
Mrs. Sturt's; the General was laid on the ground until another could be
brought for him; and Mr. Melville gave his horse to my daughter. Here
the Mirza professed to be very kind and attentive: he took a chogah
lined with valuable fur, which was particularly prized by Mrs. Sturt, as
being her husband's; also his sword; and said he would carry them for
her when she was obliged to ride; but he quite forgot to return them,
which caused much annoyance to us; and proved that the Mirza, despite
his fair speeches, took care not to lose an opportunity of enriching
himself at our expence.
We had not proceeded far when we met some horsemen shouting _Kalūs
shud_, and we were ordered to turn round: then we heard that our troops
had been beat in the Khyber, and had lost ten guns. The next report was,
that our troops had penetrated into the Lughman valley; another, that
Jellalabad was taken. We went back; and found that the mat houses, and
other little comforts we had put up, were mostly demolished; our scraps
of setringees taken away, as also our mats, &c.: but the soldiers were
very civil to us: one brought back my charpoy, and busied himself in
stringing it for me; another brought me a chiragh; and a soldier's wife
brought Mrs. Sturt and me each a stool to sit on. These little
kindnesses make a deep impression at such times.
We were told not to unpack; and to be ready to start, if requisite, in
the night.
A servant who refused to march with us was all activity on our return:
he ran here and there, took our horses, and then, best of all, bought
some fowls and cooked them for us.
We had been cooped up so long without any exercise, that we were quite
ready for and enjoyed our dinner after the ride.