Part 1

Transcriber's Note:

Apparent typographical errors have been corrected and hyphenation rationalised. Inconsistent accents have been retained. Small capitals have been replaced by regular capitals.

A

JOURNAL

OF THE

DISASTERS IN AFFGHANISTAN,

1841-2.

BY

LADY SALE.

SIXTH THOUSAND.

LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1843.

LONDON: Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE, New-Street-Square.

NOTICE.

The absence of the Author from England, and the consequent impossibility of consulting her during the progress of this work through the press, may have caused some errors to creep in,--especially in the spelling of the oriental words. The greatest care, however, has been taken to adhere exactly to the original manuscript.

CONTENTS.

VOCABULARY Page ix

INTRODUCTION 1

CABUL.

The Zoormut Expedition 6 Revolt of Tézeen and Bhoodkhak 8 Departure of Gen. Sale's Brigade from Cabul 10 Losses at the Khood Cabul pass 11 Terms made with the Chiefs 21 Outbreak in Cabul 31 Captain Johnson's Treasury plundered 35 Supineness of the British Chiefs 38 Capt. Campbell's regiment repulsed 39 State of the cantonments 42 Return of the 37th N. I. 43 Attack on the Commissariat fort 50 Loss of Mackenzie's fort 54 Outbreak in the Kohistan 56 Want of provisions 58 Loss of the Commissariat fort 59 Disastrous attempt to recapture the small fort 62 Shah Zeman declared King 66 Recall of Gen. Sale 69 Position of the cantonments 70 Arrival of Brig. Shelton in cantonments 83 Losses at the Rikabashees' fort 87 Death of Col. Mackrell 89 Losses at Kandahar 95 Action on the Western Heights 97 Affairs in the Kohistan 103 Accounts from Jellalabad 108 Dissensions in the British councils 120 Action on the hills above Behmaru 121 Terms proposed by the enemy 135 Reply of the Envoy 142 Difficulty of obtaining supplies 149 Attack on the captured fort 152 Disgraceful loss of the fort 157 The General urges the necessity of negotiating 168 Terms made with the enemy 173 Hostages demanded by them 176 The forts given up to them 181 The seizure of the Envoy by Mahommed Akbar Khan 194 News received of the Envoy's death 197 Negotiations resumed 201 Preparations for evacuating cantonments 208 Departure postponed 215

RETREAT FROM CABUL.

Cantonments evacuated 221 Difficulties encountered by the rear guard 227 Loss of the guns and ammunition 231 Terms made with Mahommed Akbar 235 Losses in the Khoord Cabul pass 236 Akbar demands possession of the ladies and children 244 Destruction of the rear column 254 Attempt of the remnant of the army to reach Jugdaluk 259 Gen. Elphinstone and Brig. Shelton go to Mahommed Akbar 264 Deliberations of the Chiefs 267 Attack at Jugdaluk 273 The final struggle at Gundamuk 278

THE CAPTIVITY.

March of the prisoners towards the Lughman valley 279 Accommodation at Buddeabad 284 Accounts from Jellalabad 288 Severe earthquake 297 Adventures of Capt. Bygrave 300 Accounts from the garrison at Ghuznee 305 Ferocity and cruelty of Mahommed Akbar 307 Change of jailors 309 Offers for ransoming the Prisoners 311 Report of the murder of Shah Shoojah 317 March for Tézeen 321 Major Pottinger expostulates with the Sirdar 328 Death of Gen. Elphinstone 332 Insults offered to his corpse on its way to Jellalabad 334 Akbar acknowledges that he slew the Envoy 337 Treachery of Shumshudeen at Ghuznee 340 Visit to the ladies of Mahommed Shah's family 345 Accounts from Jellalabad 351 Proceedings at Cabul 351 March to Khoord Cabul 352 Offers for exchange of Prisoners 357 Reports from Cabul 365 The Bala Hissar is surrendered to Akbar 367 Sufferings of Col. Stoddart and Capt. A. Conolly in Bokhara 376 Friendly conduct of the Nawaub, Zeman Shah Khan 381 Gen. Pollock offers to treat with the Sirdar 384 Gloomy prospects 386 Policy of Mahommed Akbar Khan 386 Death of Capt. John Conolly 392 Accounts of the Kandahar force 397 Newspaper controversy 399 Review of Akbar's conduct 400 His treatment of the Prisoners 403 Futteh Jung challenges Akbar to battle 409 Removal of the Prisoners to the Loghur country 410 Proposed plan for their release 415 March to Bamean 421 Terms made by the Prisoners with their jailor 425 He hoists the flag of defiance on the fort 426 The Prisoners are joined by several native Chiefs 427 They commence their MARCH 430 Arrival of Sir Richmond Shakespear 432 Rescue by Gen. Sale 436

ADDENDA 439

APPENDIX 449

VOCABULARY

OF

PERSIAN, HINDOSTANI, AND OTHER ORIENTAL WORDS

EMPLOYED IN THIS VOLUME.

_Akukzye._ The name of one of the great Affghan tribes.

_Aloo-baloo._ The wild sour cherry.

_Aman._ The cry for mercy--quarter.

_Ameer._ Commander or chief.

_Ana._ A small coin; sixteen of which make a rupee. Its value is about three halfpence.

_Ashurpee._ A mohur--a gold coin. Its value is about thirty shillings English.

_Ayah._ A female attendant--a nurse.

_Bahadur._ A bravo--a boaster or braggadocio; also a brave man--a hero.

_Bahadur_ (verb). To boast or brag.

_Bala Hissar._ Upper citadel--royal palace.

_Barats._ Legal documents--assignments--promissory notes.

_Barukzye._ The name of one of the five great Dooranee tribes.

_Bash_ or _bosh_. Nothing--humbug.

_Bashee._ A head-man.

_Bédanas._ A sort of mulberry.

_Behmaru._ The name of a village near Cabul. The word signifies "the husbandless."

_Bhanghys._ Baggage.--Boxes. They are boxes hung at each end of a pole and carried on a man's shoulder.

_Bheestees._ Water-carriers.

_Bhoosa_ or _Boussa_. Chopped straw--chaff. _Hindostani._

_Bhoodkhees._ Presents.

_Bildars._ Excavators--sappers.

_Bourj_ or _Burj_. A fortified hill or tower.

_Bukshees._ Gifts--presents--_douceurs_.

_Bukhraeed._ A Mahommedan feast. The festival of the goat; held to commemorate the history of Abraham and Ishmael (Isaac).

_Bunneah._ A trader--a corn-merchant or dealer in grain, flour, &c.

_Cafila._ A caravan--a convoy.

_Cass._ A kind of furze.

_Caupoochees._ Porters.

_Chaoney._ An encampment--cantonments.

_Charpoys._ A bed on four poles, with ropes crossed over them.

_Chattak._ A measure for grain, &c. The 16th part of a seer, or about 2 ounces English.

_Chebootras._ Small thick mats, on which slaves usually sit or _squat_.

_Chillum._ The part of the hookah, or pipe, containing the lighted tobacco--hence used for the pipe itself.

_Chillumchee._ A washand-basin.

_Chiragh._ A lamp.

_Chogah._ A sort of cloak.

_Chokey._ A police station.

_Chouk._ A bazaar--a street. Also the portion of the taxes _excused_ to the native Chiefs for keeping the passes open, and for keeping the tribes in check.

_Chowdry._ The chief man or head of a bazaar.

_Chuddah._ A sheet or veil.

_Chupao._ A night attack--a surprise--a foray.

_Chupao_ (verb). To attack by night--to surprise by stealth.

_Chupatties._ Unleavened cakes, made of ottah.

_Chuprassy._ A messenger--a servant bearing a badge or brass plate.

_Chuttah_ or _chatta_. An umbrella or parasol.

_Compound._ An enclosed space--the ground round a house.

_Cossid._ A courier--an express--a foot messenger.

_Crore._ Ten lakhs of rupees, or one million pounds sterling.

_Dāk._ Letter post.

_Dallies._ Baskets for fruits, &c.--panniers.

_Dewan._ A steward.

_Dhal._ A kind of split pea--pulse.

_Dhooley._ A palanquin for the sick.

_Dhye._ Sour curds.

_Dooranee._ The general name of the five great tribes; the Populzye--Barukzye--Nurzye--Barmizye and Abkhuzye.

_Durbar._ Levee.

_Duffodar._ A non-commissioned officer of cavalry.

_Elchee._ An ambassador--an agent.

_Eusofzyes._ An Affghan tribe north of Peshawer.

_Fakirs._ Devotees--mendicants.

_Fatcha._ The prayer for the reigning monarch--a part of the Mahommedan service; the reading of which is equivalent to doing homage.

_Feringhees._ Europeans--Franks--foreigners.

_Fernez._ Sweet curds.

_Fouj._ An army.

_Ghee._ Clarified butter.

_Ghuzee_ or _Ghazeea_. A champion of religion--a fanatic.

_Gilzye._ The name of a great Affghan tribe.

_Gobrowed._ Dumbfounded--at a _non-plus_.

_Godowns._ Storehouses--granaries.

_Golees._ Balls--bullets.

_Golundaz._ Artillerymen--literally, throwers of balls.

_Goor._ Coarse brown sugar or molasses.

_Goorkha._ A native of Nepaul; literally "Cowherd."

_Gulas._ Cherries.

_Hamaum._ A hot bath--baths; commonly written _Hummums_.

_Haut._ A measure equal to half a yard--a cubit.

_Havildar._ A serjeant in the native troops.

_Hazir-Bashes._ The king's body guard. The words imply "Ever ready."

_Hookm._ An order--permission--the word of command.

_Hoosseinee-Angoor._ A peculiarly fine sort of grape, of immense size, called "the bull's eye."

_Huft Kohtul._ The seven passes.

_Hurkaru._ A messenger.

_Janbaz._ The Affghan cavalry.

_Jee._ Life--spirit--"with right goodwill."

_Jeerga._ An assembly or council--a diet.

_Jemadar._ A native officer holding the rank of lieutenant.

_Jhala._ A raft.

_Jingals._ Wall pieces, carrying a ball of about a quarter of a pound.

_Jorabs._ Boots.

_Jung._ The fight or battle.

_Juwans._ Young men.

_Juzail._ The long rifle of the Affghans.

_Juzailchees._ Riflemen.

_Kaffirs._ Infidels.

_Kaloss._ Safe--free. Finished.

_Kazanchez._ A treasurer--a treasury.

_Keshmish._ Raisins--grapes.

_Khan._ A nobleman. In Cabul the title is assumed by every one.

_Khelluts._ Dresses of honour.

_Khootba._ The prayer for the king.

_Kirkee._ A wicket or window.

_Kos._ A measure of distance, equal to about two English miles.

_Kote._ A fort.

_Kotilla Taj-i._ The name of a pass--literally, the crown of the mountains.

_Kotilla Murdee._ The dead men's pass.

_Kujavas._ Camel-panniers.

_Kulassy._ A tent pitcher--a baggage servant.

_Kulma._ The Mahommedan creed.

_Kuneh._ A private dwelling.

_Kurtoot._ The name of a village--literally, the donkey's mulberry.

_Kurwar_, or _Khurwah_. A measure; equal to 700 lbs. English.

_Kuzzilbashes._ Persians; or persons of Persian descent, residing in Cabul.

_Kyde._ Prison. The root of the vulgar English "quod"--to put in quod.

_Kysee._ The white apricot.

_Lakh._ One hundred thousand.

_Lakh of Rupees._ Ten thousand pounds sterling.

_Larye._ A battle--an engagement.

_Lascar._ An attendant on guns, magazines, &c.

_Loonghee._ The cloth of a turban.

_Loot._ Plunder.

_Loot_ (verb). To sack--to plunder.

_Mast._ Curds.

_Maund._ A measure of grain; about 80 lbs. English.

_Maush._ A sort of grain.

_Meerza._ A secretary--a Mahommedan writer.

_Meer Wyse._ A teacher--the high priest.

_Mehmandar._ A cicerone--a man of all work--a _factotum_.

_Mehter._ A class of camp-followers--a sweeper.

_Mohur._ A coin, generally gold; its value is about thirty shillings English.

_Moollah._ A priest.

_Moong._ Pulse.

_Moonshee._ A secretary or interpreter.

_Muezzin._ The call of the _Faithful_ to prayers.

_Mushk._ A leathern bag for holding water--a goat's skin.

_Musjid._ A temple or place of worship.

_Nagura._ A set of drums which the natives beat to announce the presence of the king or any great chief.

_Naib._ A deputy or lieutenant.

_Naich._ A corporal in the native troops.

_Nal._ A horse-shoe.

_Nalbunds._ Farriers.

_Nalkee._ A palanquin.

_Nans._ Cakes of bread. (? Latin, Annona.)

_Nawaub._ A prince. Nabob.

_Nazir._ A master of the household.

_Neemchees._ A kind of spencer made of sheep-skins.

_Neencha._ A coat.

_No-roz._ The Vernal Equinox. The Mohammedan New Year's Day.

_Nullah._ The bed of a river; also used for a river.

_Numdas._ Coarse felt carpets.

_Ooloos._ The tribes or clans. To summon the Ooloos, answers to our "calling out the militia."

_Oorsees._ Open-work lattices.

_Ottah_ or _Attah_. Ground wheat--flour, or rather what is called pollard.

_Palkee._ A palanquin.

_Pall._ A kind of tent.

_Pesh Khedmuts._ Attendants.

_Pillau._ A dish of meat and rice.

_Posha Khana._ An armoury.

_Poshteen._ A sheep-skin; also a fur-pelisse.

_Pushtoo._ The language of the natives of Affghanistan.

_Pyjania._ Loose trowsers.

_Raj._ A government--a province.

_Rajah._ A prince.

_Ressalah._ A troop of horse.

_Rezai_ or _Resaiz_. A counterpane--a quilt.

_Rui-band._ A veil.

_Rupee._ A silver coin; its value is about two shillings English.

_Saces._ A groom.

_Sahib._ Sir--master.

_Salaam._ Salutation. To make salaam--to pay one's respects.

_Seer._ A measure; about equal to two lbs. English.

_Shah Bagh._ The king's garden.

_Shah Guzees_ or _Shahghasses_. The household troops--the "yeomen of the guard." Officers of the court.

_Shah-zada._ A king's son--a prince.

_Shalu._ Red cotton cloth from Turkey.

_Shikar._ Field sports.

_Shikargurs._ Hunting grounds--preserves.

_Shoke._ A hobby--a mania.

_Shroffs._ Native bankers--money changers.

_Shubkoon._ A surprise at night.

_Shytan._ The devil.

_Siah Sung._ The black rock.

_Siahs._ A large sect of the Mahommedans; opposed to the Soonees.

_Sipahees._ The native Hindostanee troops. Sepoys.

_Sir-i-chusm._ The name of a village--the words signify "the head of the spring."

_Sirdar._ A general. The title assumed by Mahomed Akbar Khan.

_Sirdar-i-Sirdan._ The chief of the generals. Generalissimo.

_Soonees._ A large sect of the Mahommedans.

_Subadar._ A native officer, holding the rank of captain.

_Sugs._ Dogs. _A term of contempt._

_Sungah._ Breast work. Fortifications.

_Surda._ A species of melon. The _cold_ melon.

_Surwans_ or _Surwons_. Camel drivers--grooms.

_Setringees._ A kind of small carpet.

_Suwars._ Horsemen--troopers.

_Syud._ The title of a chief of the Ooloos.

_Syud._ A holy man--a saint.

_Syuds._ A sect of the Mahommedans; claiming to be the descendants of the prophet; and who therefore wear the green turban.

_Tattoes._ Ponies.

_Topes._ Tombs--mounds--barrows. There are several in Affghanistan, built in the time of Alexander.

_Topshee Bashee._ The commander of the artillery. "The master-general of the ordnance."

_Turnasook._ The red plum.

_Tykhana._ A cellar.

_Usufzyes._ An Affghan tribe north of Peshawer.

_Vakeel._ A deputy--a commissioner--one who acts or negotiates for another.

_Wuzeer._ Vizier.

_Wuzeerat._ The office of vizier.

_Xummuls._ Coarse blankets.

_Yaboos._ Affghan ponies.

_Yaghi._ Rebellious--in a state of rebellion--or of independence.

_Zenana._ A harem.

_Zerdaloos._ Apricots.

_Zilzilla._ An earthquake.

_Zubberdust._ Overbearing--"with the strong arm."

_Zuna._ A dwelling.

JOURNAL OF LADY SALE.

INTRODUCTION.

* * * * I have not only daily noted down events as they occurred, but often have done so hourly. I have also given the reports of the day, the only information we possessed; also such news as was telegraphed from the Bala Hissar, or sent in by the King or by Capt. Conolly to the Envoy; and many other reports brought by Affghan gentlemen of Capt. Sturt's[1] acquaintance, and by others of lower degree, who having had dealings with him in the engineer department and public works, and having received kindness from him, gave him such intelligence and warning as was in their power: all of which he communicated [to his superior officers] at different times; but the warnings were not attended to; and as when he gave his advice it was seldom adhered to, he became disgusted, and contented himself with zealously performing his duties and making himself generally useful, acting the part of an artillery officer as well as that of an engineer. Had poor Sturt's life been spared, it was his intention to have worked up my Rough Notes, and to have added much valuable information: he was too much overworked to afford leisure to give me assistance at the time. His plans, drawings, &c., with his public and private papers, were lost, except a note or two that were, just a few days before we left Cabul, put with my Journal. I believe several people kept an account of these proceedings, but all except myself lost all they had written; and had recourse to memory afterwards. I lost every thing except the clothes I wore; and therefore it may appear strange that I should have saved these papers. The mystery is, however, easily solved. After every thing was packed on the night before we left Cabul, I sat up to add a few lines to the events of the day, and the next morning I put them in a small bag and tied them round my waist. I am indebted to Capt. Souter, of H. M. 44th Regiment, for a plan, from recollection, of the cantonment and forts. The inaccuracies, if any, are but trifling; and it is sufficiently clear to indicate the positions of the principal places alluded to.

A much better narrative of past events might have been written, even by myself; but I have preferred keeping my Journal as originally written, when events were fresh, and men's minds were biassed by the reports of the day, and even hour.

It is easy to argue on the wisdom or folly of conduct after the catastrophe has taken place. With regard therefore to our chiefs, I shall only say that the Envoy has deeply paid for his attempt to out diplomatize the Affghans. Gen. Elphinstone, conscious that his powers of mind had become enfeebled with those of his body, finding there was no hope of Gen. Nott's arrival to assume the command, called in another officer to his aid, who had but one object in view (to get back, at all hazards, to Hindostan). He averred that a retreat to the Bala Hissar was impossible, as we should have to fight our way (for one mile and a half)! If we could not accomplish that, how were we to get through a week's march to Jellalabad? Once in the Bala Hissar, which would have been easily defended by one thousand men, we should have had plenty of troops for foraging purposes; and the village of Ben-i-shehr, just under the Bala Hissar, would have given us a twelvemonth's provisions if we had only made the demonstration of a night march, to have the appearance of taking them by force. Sallies from thence might also have been made into the town, where there was always a party, particularly the Kuzzilbashes, who would have covertly assisted us, until our returning fortunes permitted them to do so openly.

Independent of ----'s determination to return to India, he often refused to give any opinion when asked for it by the General, a cautious measure whereby he probably hoped to escape the obloquy that he expected would attach to the council of war, composed of Gen. Elphinstone, Brig. Shelton, Brig. Anquetil, and Col. Chambers. I might say nominally composed; numerically it was much more extended. Capt. Grant, with cold caution, obstructed every enterprise, and threw all possible difficulties in the way; Capt. Bellew was full of doubts and suggestions, all tending to hamper and retard operations; and numbers of young men gave much gratuitous advice; in fact, the greater part of the night was spent in confusing the General's ideas, instead of allowing a sick man time by rest to invigorate his powers. Brig. Shelton was in the habit of taking his rezai with him, and lying on the floor during these discussions, when sleep, whether real or feigned, was a resource against replying to disagreeable questions. Major Thain, a sincere friend and good adviser of the General's, withdrew in disgust from the council: and Sturt, who was ever ready to do any thing or give his opinion when asked, from the same feeling no longer proffered it.

As a proof that Sir William Macnaghten's confidence in Shah Shoojah was latterly much shaken, he wrote to the Governor of India, proposing that, if it really should be proved that His Majesty was acting treacherously against us, the Dost should be restored to his country. But it is very doubtful whether this despatch ever reached the Governor-General.

I shall not refer back to many small insurrections that took place, but only allude to the events that immediately preceded the grand insurrection at Cabul.

I believe I have indifferently written the name of a village as Dehmaru and Behmaru; it is called both, but Behmaru is the correct name, signifying the husbandless: Dehmaru would be the Husband's Village. It takes its name from a romantic legend of a girl of rank betrothed to a chief who was said to have been slain in combat, and she consequently pined away and died also; but the lover recovered from his wounds, and placed a stone, said to be one of those white ones that look like women in Bourkhor, over her grave on the Behmaru hill; and when he died he was buried beside her, with a similar stone to mark the spot.

[1] Lady Sale's son-in-law.

CABUL.