Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/22

xviii CHAPTER XXVIII.

Brief Historical Sketch of Affghanistan – Expulsion of Shah Sujah – He attempts to recover his Throne, but is defeated by Dost Mahommed – British Mission to Cabul – The Cause of Shah Sujah embraced by the English – Great Military Preparations – Advance of the Expedition – Difficult March to Candahar – The Bolan Pass – Destruction of Camels and Horses – The British Troops take possession of Candahar – Coronation of Shah Sujah – The Army advances towards Cabul – Arrival at Ghuznee – Preparations for attacking that Fortress – Storming and Capture of Ghuznee – Singular Incidents of the Attack – Entrance of Shah Sujah into Cabul – Cold Reception of the new Monarch – Assassinations at Cabul – Part of the British Troops depart for India – Storming and Capture of Kelat. 489

CHAPTER XXIX.

Unpopularity of Shah Sujah – Resistance of Mountain Chiefs – Commencement of a War of Posts – Insurrection of the Ghiljie Tribe suppressed – Dost Mahommed defeated by Colonel Dennie – Shameful Conduct of the 2nd Bengal Cavalry – Their Punishment – Battle of Purwan – Defeat and Surrender of Dost Mahommed – Destruction of Lieutenant Clark's Detachment – Major Clibborn's ill-fated Expedition – His Troops storm the Pass of Nufoosk – Their dreadful Sufferings for want of Water – Disastrous Retreat, with Loss of Stores, Artillery, and Baggage – Conference with Beloochees – Successful Operations elsewhere of British Troops – Threatening Aspect of Affairs at Cabul – Cause of the Hostility of the Ghiljies – Sir Robert Sale clears the Khoord Cabul Pass, and forces his way to Gundamuk – Arrival of Sir Robert Sale's Force at Jellalabad – He is ordered to Cabul – His Reasons for not going thither. 506

CHAPTER XXX.

Shah Sujah's Popularity proves a Delusion – Affghan Hatred of the English – Blind Confidence of the Civil Functionaries – Carelessness of the Military – Amount of British Force at Cabul – Its scattered Positions – Insurrection at Cabul – Murder of Sir Alexander Burnes and other Officers – Supineness of the Military and Civil Authorities – Increasing Strength of the Insurrection – Nocturnal Adventure – The Commissariat Fort abandoned – Dilatory Proceedings of the British – A Change in the Command – Storming of the Rika Bashee Fort – Destruction of Major Pottinger's Detachment – Arrival of Akbar Khan – Failure of an Attack on Beymaroo – Negotiations with Akbar Khan – Interview of Sir William Macnaghten with the Affghan Chiefs – Assassination of Sir William, and Captain Trevor – Disgraceful Treaty with the Affghans for leave to depart 522

CHAPTER XXXI.

The British Troops commence their Retreat – Severity of the Weather – Dreadful Confusion – A dreary Bivouac – Sad Condition of the Females and Children – Commencement of the Affghan Attacks – Hostages delivered by the English – The Pass of Boothauk – The Affghans fire on the Ladies – Officers' Children carried off – Slaughter in the Khoord Cabul Pass – A Night at Khoord Cabul – Another destructive Halt – The Ladies and their Husbands given up to Akbar Khan – Sufferings from Frost, and Snow, and Hunger – Slaughter at the Pass of Tunghee Tareekee – Proposition to disarm the Troops rejected – Slaughter at Tazeen – The Fugitives make a stand at Jugduluk and repulse the Enemy – General Elphinstone a Prisoner – Final stand at Gundamuk – Brave Resistance of the English – All are slaughtered except one, who escapes to Jellalabad 538

CHAPTER XXXII.

Arrival of Dr. Brydon at Jellalabad – Preparations there for a Siege – Earthquake at Jellalabad – It is invested by the Affghans – Sorties of the Garrison – The Affghans defeated in a general Action – Colonel Wyld repulsed from the Khyber Pass – A British Army assembles at Peshawur under General Pollock