Capt. Mackenzie to Jellalabad: it arrived there lame, and was left with
Sale. We have this day seen the general order with Col. Palmer's
capitulation at Ghuznee; and dreadful was the tale that shortly followed
it. On the faith of the orders received, and the promises of the treaty
with the chiefs, these devoted troops left Ghuznee, under the charge of
Shumshudeen (the Sirdar's cousin). Treachery seems to be inherent in the
blood of this family.
A Ghazeea shot an officer, another shot the Ghazeea; a fight ensued; the
whole of our troops were cut up; exertions were made to save the
officers, but every Sipahee fell. Seven of the officers are said to be
alive, and poor Mrs. Lumsden. It is exactly the counterpart of what
occurred with the Cabul force.
Regarding our climate.--The snow has melted on the hills immediately in
our front and rear; but the tops of those within a moderate walk (were
we permitted to go out of the bounds assigned to us for exercise) are
still covered with it.
This morning, when we were dressing, and long after sunrise, the
Bheestee took his mushk to the stream, not 50 yards from our tents, and
filled it: on his return the water was frozen so hard he could not pour
it out; and we had to thaw it by the fire.
_8th._--A very gloomy day, and cold: we kept up a good fire in the
bower. A little snow fell. Serj. Deane's wife, a Persian woman, has been
taken by force and married to a younger brother of Mahommed Shah Khan.
Whenever this man enters her presence, she salutes him with her slipper.
It is only within a few days that she has been told of Deane's death:
she appears to have been sincerely attached to him; and is represented
as a very pretty young woman.
The man who took the General's body to Jellalabad has returned. He seems
highly pleased with the present he has received of 200 rupees: and it
appears to have had a good effect; for he reports in glowing terms on
the grand turn-out for the funeral, the salvoes fired, &c. on the
occasion; and the magnificent appearance of our troops.
_10th._--Capt. Anderson's little girl was restored, to the great joy of
her parents.
Parties run high at Cabul: Zeman Shah Khan says he will be King, Akbar
ditto, Jubhar Khan the same, and Amenoollah has a similar fancy, as also
Mahommed Shah Khan, and Futteh Jung the Shah-zada.
The troops go out daily to fight; Amenoollah's to Ben-i-shehr, and Zeman
Shah Khan's to Siah Sung; they fight a little, and then retreat to their
own positions. Zeman Shah Khan has been driven out of his house, and
Amenoollah out of his; but have part of the town in their favour.
The citizens are ruined by the perfect stagnation of trade; and would
probably side with us were we to show in force. Now is the time to
strike the blow, but I much dread dilly-dallying just because a handful
of us are in Akbar's power. What are _our_ lives when compared with the
honour of our country? Not that I am at all inclined to have my throat
cut: on the contrary, I hope that I shall live to see the British flag
once more triumphant in Affghanistan; and then I have no objection to
the Ameer Dost Mahommed Khan being reinstated: only let us first show
them that we can conquer them, and humble their treacherous chiefs in
the dust.
There have been a number of reports to-day, which I believe to have no
foundation in truth: amongst others, that the Ghilzye ladies have been
packing up all night; and are going to give us the slip and leave us, in
consequence of hearing that our force is coming up in four divisions;
one of which arrived at Tézeen at four this morning, and looted the
place: and that we are to be sent forty kos higher up into the hills.
This is, however, contradicted, as some persons who were sent out
yesterday to explore have returned, and say that the snow is two feet
deep and impracticable.
A letter arrived from the Sirdar; stating that whenever it might be
requisite for us to move, he would send us camels, ponies, and all the
carriage we require; and that we are positively not to move without his
especial order.
_11th._--Futteh Jung wrote to his brother Timor at Kandahar to come and
assist him: Timor sent him 3000 Juzailchees; and assured him that he was
himself coming up with the British army.
Major Pottinger writes that there is no present chance of our
liberation.
Mahommed Akbar Khan professes that he does not want money from us; but
he laughs at our offer of two lakhs for the whole party; and has sent
back to say he wishes for eight. It has been recommended that we should
offer him five; but the general opinion is that we shall remain in
captivity till all is settled.
_13th._--The Akhonzada says, that, after we left Buddeeabad, all the
natives were turned out, and told they might make the best of their way
to Jellalabad; being first stripped of their clothes and all that they
possessed. Those who had lost their feet of course could not attempt it;
and the greater part of the rest, we are told, have been taken as
slaves.
We have a slave merchant here now. We learn that men sell for forty-six
rupees, and women for twenty-two, each: they are sent off to Khoolloom.
400 Hindostanees have been entrapped at Cabul, under an assurance of
safe conduct to Jellalabad.
_14th._--People have come in from the Lughman valley, who report that
the wheat and barley there are ripe, and also the mulberries. Here the
crops have not attained the height of six inches.
The booming of heavy guns heard: on which the guard here said the Kulma;
hoping that it was something in the Sirdar's favour.
It is reported that Futteh Jung is King, the Sirdar Wuzeer, and Zeman
Khan Sirdar-i-Sirdaran. About thirty shots were heard in the night.
_15th._--More of Mahommed Rufeek's people have come in from Cabul: they
say that Mahommed Akbar Khan is proclaimed King, until his father's
return; that he resides at present in the Ben-i-shehr; and that
Amenoollah has free ingress and egress to and from him, for the purpose
of meeting with Futteh Jung. The Sirdar has sent for all our horses,
ponies, &c. The Naib Shureef has sent Mrs. Sturt and me tea and
sugar:--a kind attention and great comfort.
Akbar says he will fight our army. This is expressed in a letter written
to Suballan Khan, the captain of our guard. Dost Mahommed Khan asserts
that it is Major Pottinger who retards our release: but he is as much a
prisoner as ourselves.
_16th._--I kept the anniversary of my marriage by dining with the ladies
of Mahommed Shah Khan's family; who told us that Futteh Jung was King,
Mahommed Akbar Khan Wuzeer, and Mahommed Shah Khan the Sirdar-i-Sirdaran.
It was an extremely stupid visit. We had two female servants to
interpret for us. Three of Mahommed Shah Khan's wives and some of Dost
Mahommed's, with the mother of the chiefs, and two of their unmarried
sisters, were present. They were, generally speaking, inclined to
_embonpoint_, largely formed, and coarsely featured; their dress
inelegant, and of the coarsest materials. The favourite wife, and the
best dressed, was attired in a common Cabul silk, with a coarse piece of
chintz inserted behind, evidently for economy's sake. The dress, which
covers the whole person, nearly resembles a common night-dress; and has
tacked on to it coins, or other pieces of silver or gold, such as
crescents, &c., all over the sleeves, the front and sides, from the
shoulders to the feet. A breast-plate is worn, commencing at the throat,
of coins strung together: this descends far below the waist; and when
they sit down, it hangs in festoons on the lap. Only the favourite wore
gold coins; those of the other ladies being of silver. They had nothing
in the way of jewels, properly so called. About seven common-sized
pearls surrounding an emerald full of flaws, the whole set as a nose
ornament, was the handsomest thing I saw in the trinket way. Some of
them had very inferior earrings of gold and silver. They wear their hair
in innumerable small plaits hanging down: these are arranged once a week
after taking the bath; and the tresses are then well stiffened with gum.
The unmarried women bend their hair in a flat braid across the forehead
touching the eyebrows; which gives them a very heavy look. These said
eyebrows, whilst they are maidens, remain as nature formed them: but
when they marry, the hair of the centre is carefully picked out; and the
arch, thus most unnaturally raised, is painted. The Cabul women are much
addicted to the use of both white and red paint; and they colour not
only the nails, as in Hindostan, but the whole hand up to the wrist,
which looks as though it had been plunged in blood, and to our ideas is
very disgusting. A particular plant is often used for this purpose. The
upper part of the leaf sparkles, and resembles the ice plant; but the
lower side is red, and on being pressed gives a fine dye. A chuddah is
thrown over the head and shoulders in the house, as in Hindostan; and
when they go out they wear the bourka, ru-i-bund, and legwraps:
high-heeled iron-shod slippers complete the costume. After a time an
extremely dirty cloth was spread over the numdas in front of us, and
dishes of pillau, dhye or sour curd, and férnéz or sweet curd, were
placed before us. Those who had not taken a spoon with them, ate with
their fingers, Affghan fashion;--an accomplishment in which I am by no
means _au fait_. We drank water out of a tea-pot. A dinner was given to
the gentlemen by Abdoollah Khan at his tents about two miles off, nearer
the snow.
In the evening Capt. Mackenzie arrived; and I received a letter from
Sale.
There seems to be no present prospect of release.
We hear that the force under Gen. Nott has been reinforced by Brig.
England; who had nevertheless been beaten back in the first
instance:--that Gen. Nott was to march towards Cabul as yesterday (the
15th); and that Gen. Pollock was still awaiting orders from Lord
Ellenborough; but that whether they arrive or not, we must now wait
until Nott's force gets near to Cabul to make a simultaneous attack. Now
as Akbar only boasts of 12,000 men against us, and as we have fully that
number at Jellalabad, with 18-pounders, Pollock's force would easily
capture Cabul in the present position of affairs. A short time ago it
would have been still easier, as there was then more division among the
Affghan troops.
A letter from Mahommed Akbar Khan to Sultan Khan has been intercepted;
in which he acknowledges, that for every rupee he can muster, the
Shah-zada (Futteh Jung) can produce a gold mohur.
An European and some natives were murdered near our camp at Jellalabad:
and, vigorous measures not being taken, the offence was repeated; and a
duffodar of Tait's horse fell a victim to the Affghans. On the murderer
taking refuge in a village, Tait immediately surrounded it with his men;
and then reported the circumstance to Gen. Pollock; who, after
consulting with Capt. Macgregor, sent to tell the people of the village
that if they did not, within a specified time, give up the malefactor to
be hanged by us, he would burn the village, and put every living being
in it to death. The time had not expired when this news came. Cruel as
an action of this kind may appear, it is probably the best method of
striking terror into these savages, and perhaps of eventually preventing
bloodshed.
Capt. Mackenzie has brought me intelligence of Sale's having broken
three of his ribs, from his horse falling with him; and that he has
suffered also from inflammation in consequence of the accident; but that
he is fast recovering, if not, as he says he is, quite well and fit for
work again.
_17th._--I heard this morning that part of my letters regarding the
siege had arrived in England, and been laid before the Court of
Directors.
_20th._--Lady Macnaghten and a part of the ladies breakfasted with Dost
Mahommed Khan and his ladies. They were told that, if the Sirdar gains
the Bala Hissar, we shall all go there; if not, we go to Jellalabad.
One report states, that the Sirdar, who is resident at Ben-i-shehr, was
to meet Futteh Jung on amicable terms; but that the latter refused to go
outside the Bala Hissar until Mahommed Shah Khan and Sultan Jan were
given up to him as hostages, which was done: but when Futteh Jung got as
far as the Musjid, finding Akbar at the head of 3,000 men, fearing
treachery, he retreated, shut the gates, and fired on Akbar's party.
Another account states, that when the gates were opened for Futteh Jung
to go out, Amenoollah released the hostages, and then went over to the
Sirdar himself. Mackenzie is supposed to be at Tézeen to-day; and will
be here either to-morrow or in three days. It is worthy of remark, that
during Lady Macnaghten's visit to the ladies this morning, Dost Mahommed
Khan was present the whole time; which was decidedly, according to
Affghan custom, an insult; as the men never are present when their wives
receive company.
A Kandaharee female servant of these ladies told them in Hindostanee not
to believe a word that Dost Mahommed said to them; as his intelligence
was all false and was intended to mislead them.
A storm of thunder and rain at dinner-time: in the evening we ascended
the hill, about 150 feet; and then found the view bounded by another: so
we fatigued ourselves to no purpose. A fire beacon lighted on the hill
at night.
_21st._--Lady Macnaghten and two other ladies breakfasted with Khojeh
Mahommed Khan's family; and on this occasion two men were present. The
rest of us were not invited.
Khojeh Mahommed sighed much and seemed out of spirits. According to the
statement of their servants, the ladies have not had food cooked for
them for two days in consequence of their grief. In these parties they
do not eat with the Kaffirs; but are profuse of their expressions of
good will; and desire us to ask them for any thing we require.
Their professions were put to the test; at least those of Dost Mahommed
himself: a gentleman asked for a chillum, and was told to go to the
devil (Goom Shud).
I received two notes from Sale dated the 15th; informing me that he had
received a highly gratifying letter from Lord Ellenborough, and another
from Sir Jasper Nicholls, regarding the holding of Jellalabad, the
chupao on Akbar's camp, &c.; and stating that the 35th were to be made
light infantry; the Company's troops to have medals, and to bear
"Jellalabad" and a mural crown on their colours: also that Lord
Ellenborough would request Her Majesty's permission that the 13th should
be similarly honoured.
Chintz, sugar candy, tea, and cheese, distributed amongst the ladies;
they were sent to us by our friends at Jellalabad: also Shalu (Turkey
red cotton cloth) and jean, with boots and shoes for the gentlemen. We
also received the March overland mail. I heard a droll anecdote of Akbar
when he went off to Cabul from Tézeen. His followers asked him what tent
they should take for him: his reply was given with great good humour (he
believed himself on the point of mounting a throne);--"The ladies and
people above have got all our tents here; but you may send my salaam to
Gen. Sale, and ask him to lend me one of those he took from me."
_22nd._--The first thing we heard this morning was, that ponies had
arrived and that we are going to Cabul. They afterwards told us that we
are going to Shéwakee, a fort near the Pillar. The officers went to Dost
Mahommed and informed him that only thirty-three ponies had arrived, and
no camels; and that it was impossible we could move without more means
of transport: so the order to march at mid-day was rescinded; and we
have been promised animals to start with early to-morrow morning. We are
to go to Khoord Cabul, seventeen miles, as our first march.
_23rd._--Mules arrived for three kujavas; but no camels, as we take a
road that is bad for these animals.
Started at a little before 10 A.M., and got to the fort we formerly went
to at Khoord Cabul, at 6 P.M. We travelled fully twenty-two miles,
following the road to Tézeen, by which we came to Zanduh, for some time,
and then turning to the left. Except in a few places the road was
tolerable. We crossed a highly cultivated valley studded with forts; a
perfect oasis in our barren mountain track. The yellow briar-rose is in
bloom, and asphodels of three different colours, yellow, pink, and a
greenish brown, a pretty description of borage, and a plant resembling
sage with a red flower; and blue sage in blossom was found amongst the
wells and stones. The climate here was much warmer than at Zanduh. We
did not strike into the regular road till we arrived at the Huft Kotul;
and here we came upon a sad scene of decaying bodies, amongst which poor
Major Ewart's was still recognisable.
There is a fort opposite to the point where the short road turns back to
Seh Baba; and another at Thana Tariffa, which is the entrance to the
Thungee on the Jellalabad side. This was also dreadful to go through;
both to the sight and smell equally offensive.
Immediately after emerging from the pass, we took a short cut to the
left of the regular road, which brought us to the fort. In its immediate
vicinity there was rich cultivation; but a great deal of land formerly
tilled lies fallow this year.
_24th._--We left the fort at about the same time as yesterday: our march
was eighteen or nineteen miles over hill and dale, with a rich valley
but scantily cultivated on our left. We had a difficult ascent over a
rocky hill; after which we passed a tope which has no appearance of
having been opened. There is a fine tank nearly opposite to it, shaded
by trees, and containing small fish: it is supplied with beautifully
clear water from the Karez, near it; from which, I suppose, it takes its
name of Káreza. We then pursued our way over a plain, covered with
stones, till we ascended a difficult rocky hill, which was surmounted by
the famous Pillar generally ascribed to Alexander the Great. It is
evidently not of Affghan workmanship; and is now out of the
perpendicular, leaning back, as if it shrank from Cabul. The outer
casing is quite gone; and it is not therefore wonderful that no
inscription exists: and the greater part of the square base it rested on
has also mouldered away. From this spot there is a magnificent view.
Immediately below us was a richly cultivated country studded with forts
and fruit trees, the Logur river, beyond it the Siah Sung, and a distant
view of Cabul, and then ranges of hills, the whole bounded by the
mountains of Kohistan and the Hindo Koosh, covered with perpetual snow.
The descent on the Cabul side is rather more difficult in parts;
particularly when you have not an acquaintance of long standing with
your horse; which was my case, having hired for the day a mere baggage
pony, for the large sum of two rupees six anas. The creature was
evidently not used to scrambling; and did not like it. Whenever he came
to a difficult place, he jumped down with his two fore feet; and then
considered whether he should bring the hinder ones after them; and in
this way jumped up on rocks, where kids would joy to disport, but where
he shook with fear. However, riding was less trouble than walking on
such a road; and I got safely through. We passed another tope which had
been opened, and a succession of forts; and at length arrived at Noor
Mahommed, the Meer Akor's Fort: here we were not expected; no notice
having been given. The truth is, that the Sirdar ordered us to be sent
to a fort of Mahommed Shah Khan's, two miles from this one; but Mahommed
is to bring his family hither; and was determined to keep his own fort
for them. We were first told that two open stables or cow-sheds, down a
narrow gulley in the outer square, were all the accommodation they had
to give us.
As no one would fight for the ladies, I determined to _be Yaghi_ myself;
and I went with Mr. Melville to Dost Mahommed Khan and Mahommed Rufeek.
At length our bower party got a small room over the gateway of the inner
fort; with a promise of better quarters for all to-morrow.
The reason given for our sudden flitting from Zanduh is an expected
chupao from the two chiefs, Azaid Khan, and Aziz Khan; who offered, if
Macgregor would furnish the cash, to raise 2000 men, and carry us off to
our friends.
There was firing of guns all day long; and at night very sharp firing,
without much intermission. Being in pain from the arm that was wounded,
and in great anxiety for the result (having heard from the Affghans here
that Akbar meant to surprise and take the Bala Hissar), I never closed
my eyes until after daybreak; when we heard the muezzin call to prayers.
_25th._--The tables were turned last night; for a sally was made from
the Bala Hissar; and Mahommed Akbar Khan was, they say, nearly caught.
He escaped to a fort near the Shah's camp, behind Siah Sung.
The females were removed from this fort, and we all got excellent
quarters. In addition to the two rooms apportioned to our party, we have
permission to sit, in the daytime, in a room in a bourj, a small octagon
with oorsees or open-work lattices. There are two flights of steep steps
to mount to it from our apartments, which are upstairs; but the view
from it is so refreshing, looking over all the forts and highly
cultivated grounds; it has the advantage of being always cool; and which
compensates for the trouble in getting there.
The Sirdar says he will not remain here when our force comes up, but
retire to the Kohistan, and allow the English to take Cabul: after which
he will come forward with an offer to go to Hindostan, and take his
father's place, if they will permit the Ameer Dost Mahommed Khan to
return and rule in this country.
_26th._--We heard a few guns early in the morning. This day they say the
Sirdar is to have a friendly conference with Futteh Jung; but it is to
be hoped that the latter will not put himself into the power of his
treacherous enemy.
Khan Shireen Khan, the head of the Kuzzilbashes, keeps neuter. Zeman
Shah Khan seems to be but a lukewarm friend of the Sirdar.
The gentlemen of Cabul are all disgusted at the treachery that took
place, ending in the murder of Shah Shoojah.
The shopkeepers and merchants wish for us back; as the circulation of
rupees is much less than in our time: and the cultivators would fain
leave the army and look after their crops.
Gen. Pollock offers to exchange the captive ladies and children, against
Akbar's family of four wives with their children. One of the former is a
daughter of Mahommed Shah Khan; and another is a sister of Sirballan
Khan's. Capt. Troup came to see us, and brought us a message from the
Sirdar, desiring we would all write to him, and state whatever we
required, that he might send it to us.
_27th._--Capt. Troup returned to the Sirdar, and took our notes and
lists with him; also a letter for Sale, though he doubts its being sent
immediately. This day was fixed for a conference between Akbar and
Futteh Jung: Akbar required him to vacate the Bala Hissar; and says he
may go into the strongest fort in the neighbourhood, and keep all his
guns; giving up his army, wherewith Akbar is to go down and fight the
British force. No firing heard to-day; but we hope that Futteh Jung will
manage to hold out until our force comes to his assistance.
_28th._--The advance of our army has arrived at Gundamuk; and the rest
are following, purchasing up carriage at any expense.
The Kandahar force have been attacked by the Affghans; who have been
signally defeated; which has struck such terror into them, that they are
flying in all directions: this is their own account.
_29th._--Sujat Dowlut, the son of Zeman Shah Khan, and the murderer of
Shah Shoojah, came to the fort to visit Ali Mohammed Khan. To his
father's honour be it said that he refused to see him for some time
after the murder. It is reported that we leave this place in six days
for--no one knows where.
_30th._--There was firing late in the evening from the Bala Hissar and
the city. A man of some respectability, with three or four followers,
came to see Capt. Johnson, and bring him some things: they were all
taken away by the Affghans; and the people carried off prisoners to
Akbar.
The Kuzzilbashes have openly declared in favour of Futteh Jung. They are
throwing provisions into the Bala Hissar; and strengthening the works.
Our troops have been some days at Gundamuk. There are orders that the
officers are not to go out of the fort, as they did before, to bathe. We
hope we shall not be interdicted walking in the garden, as we always
have guards with us there; and every night we are locked into the
square; and the servants cannot go outside the gate for any purpose
without a guard.