The British army had, as we have seen, advanced on Cabul, the capital of
Afghanistan, in August 1839. Since that period it had been placed in
cantonments outside the city. Major-General Sir V. Cotton had at first
commanded in Afghanistan. He was succeeded by Major-General
Elphinstone, who assumed the command in April 1841. On the morning of
the 2nd of November 1841, the inhabitants of Cabul broke out in
rebellion, and murdered Sir A. Burnes, the political agent, as well as
his brother and Lieutenant Broadfoot, who sold their lives dearly. The
rebellion extended rapidly through the country; supplies were cut off,
and it was resolved to retreat from Cabul.
The amount of the British force was 4500 fighting men: the camp
followers were about 12,000 men, besides women and children. The
retreat commenced at 9 a.m. on the 6th of January 1842. It was as
disastrous as any in the pages of history. A revengeful, active enemy,
bitter cold and driving snow overwhelmed them; and of that great
multitude, only one officer, Dr Brydon, reached Jellalabad in safety.
All the rest had died from cold or the sword of the enemy--except those
who had been delivered as hostages at the commencement of the retreat,
or who had been taken prisoners; an account of whose release will be
hereafter given.