Part 25

We had proceeded but a short way on our journey, when a horseman arrived with a note informing us, that Sale was close at hand with a brigade. I had had fever hanging about me for some days; and, being scarce able to sit on my horse, had taken my place in a kujava; the horrid motion of which had made me feel ten times worse than before I entered it. But this news renovated my strength. I shook off fever and all ills; and anxiously awaited his arrival, of which a cloud of dust was the forerunner. Gen. Nott was near Urghundee, and consequently close to us; and Gen. Pollock requested he would send a brigade to our assistance. This he refused, much to the disgust of his officers, alleging that his troops were fatigued. On this, Gen. Pollock sent Sale with a brigade, at a few hours' notice. He left Siah Sung two miles east of Cabul; and made a forced march on the 19th (his sixtieth birthday) to Urghundee: he halted there that night; and on the following morning left his camp standing, and marched to meet us. At the pass near Kote Ashruffee he left his infantry to hold the position, and proceeded at the head of the 3rd dragoons. A party of Sultan Jan's men were in this neighbourhood; and some Kokhes in the immediate vicinity were driven off by the Juzailchees. Had we not received assistance, our recapture was certain: but as it was, they dared not attack the force they saw. It is impossible to express our feelings on Sale's approach. To my daughter and myself happiness so long delayed, as to be almost unexpected, was actually painful, and accompanied by a choking sensation, which could not obtain the relief of tears. When we arrived where the infantry were posted, they cheered all the captives as they passed them; and the men of the 13th pressed forward to welcome us individually. Most of the men had a little word of hearty congratulation to offer, each in his own style, on the restoration of his colonel's wife and daughter: and then my highly-wrought feelings found the desired relief; and I could scarcely speak to thank the soldiers for their sympathy, whilst the long withheld tears now found their course. On arriving at the camp, Capt. Backhouse fired a royal salute from his mountain train guns: and not only our old friends, but all the officers in the party, came to offer congratulations, and welcome our return from captivity.

_21st._--We marched to Killa Kazee; and great was the contrast of our present happiness and comfort, compared with what our state had been, when we last bivouacked under the trees at this place. The obnoxious fort was deserted; but the troops obtained forage there; and the place was destroyed by fire: as also a fort of Sultan Jan's. But guards were sent to the Kuzzilbash forts near us, to protect the property of our friends. A reward has been offered for Capt. Bygrave, and it is supposed he will be brought in to us shortly. At three o'clock we resumed our march to Cabul; and passed through the great bazaar; where the shops were shut, and all looked very desolate, and unlike the busy city it was when we were here last year, and the inhabitants found their trade prosper under our rule. We were greeted, on our arrival at the camp at Siah Sung, with a salute of twenty-one guns.

And now my Notes may end. Any further journals of mine can only be interesting to those nearly connected to me.

ADDENDA.

On the 20th of October, the Envoy wrote to Sir Alexander Burnes, in consequence of information he had received from Capt. Trevor, which indicated an unquiet state of feeling among the people of Cabul. But Sir A. Burnes, on whom the intelligence department devolved, assured him that Trevor must be mistaken; as _he_ knew nothing of any meditated rising of the people: and that all was as it ought to be. Notwithstanding this, Trevor assured the Envoy that a number of Ghilzye chiefs had left Cabul for hostile purposes.

On the 1st of November, Sir A. Burnes congratulated Sir William on the prospect of soon leaving Cabul in a perfect state of tranquillity. We might attribute his anxiety to calm the Envoy's mind, by assurances of the peaceful feelings of the people of the country, to anxiety on his part to succeed to the situation to be vacated by Sir William: but it appeared questionable whether he would permanently have done so; as Col. Sutherland had, it was said, been nominated for the appointment.

There can be no doubt, from what we have since heard from the Affghans, that Sir A. Burnes wrote to Sir William Macnaghten for a regiment: and that no aid was given, either to him or Trevor, Anquetil or Mackenzie, is well known. Where the blame rests, it is not for _me_ to determine.

Not only did Taj Mahommed Khan, but also the Naïb Shureef, warn Sir Alexander. The latter was very intimate with him; and they were both well known to most of those officers who at all associated with the Affghan gentlemen.

Mention is made of the Naïb in one of the Bombay papers; in which he is represented as a very respectable person,--a Naïb in Capt. Johnson's office. Khan Shireen Khan is the head of the Kuzzilbashes; and Mahommed Shureef was his Naïb, or the governor under him;--a man of large estates; who, from his adherence to our cause, has had to fly his country, with what little he could save; but leaving landed property, worth above two lakhs of rupees, to the mercy of his enemies, the Barukzyes. Naïb Shureef paid a large sum for the interment of the bodies of Burnes and his brother. It was asserted that he was deceived, but his intention was equally good. After the return of the British force to Cabul, the bodies were reinterred.

Taj Mahommed Khan and Naïb Shureef have both paid every attention in their power to the hostages, left in Cabul: and, as far as regards Mrs. Sturt and myself, they sent us, whenever they could obtain a secret conveyance, various little comforts. Tea, sugar, stockings, gloves, and money we received: and much, which they sent, never reached us.

Taj Mahommed Khan is the son of Gholam Mahommed Khan; who formerly assisted Shah Shoojah in his fruitless attempt to gain the throne. His family were long the hereditary Wuzeers of the country. That family are so influential, that they can hold their ground with all parties. We leave him in the Wuzeerat. Jan Fishan Khan is now, as he says, only the poor Syud Mahommed. Two of his brothers have fallen in battle: one son was burnt alive, when a child: another has had his throat cut; though he begged hard for life, stating that he was a little child, and never could have harmed any one. The wretched father, with the remnant of his family, accompanies us to India. He never was rich. He possessed lands in the Pughman valley; a fertile vale, with magnificent vineyards and orchards. Despoiled of them, he is all but a beggar; but looks for the favourable consideration of the Government of India.

A trifling subscription was raised by Sale and some officers, to enable him to purchase camels, &c., that he and his family might travel with us.

In the absence of actual returns, I believe that the force, which left Cabul, was nearly as follows:--

4 Horse Artillery guns. 3 Mountain Train do. Bengal Sappers & Miners 20 Shah Shoojah's do. 250 Queen's 44th 600 1 Troop H. A. 80 5th Cavalry 260 1st Local Horse 70 4th Local Horse 70 Envoy's Escort 70 2nd Shah's Cavalry 500 Half Mountain Train 30 5th N. I. 700 37th Do. 600 54th Do. 650 6th Shah's 600

At the last stand, on the hill at Gundamuk, there remained--

20 Officers. 50 men of the 54th. 6 of the Horse Artillery. 4 or 5 Sipahees. 300 Camp followers.

Amongst them all about twenty muskets.

In reading over these Notes, I believe I have not done justice to some of the men who were our fellow-captives. The day after that on which Saleh Mahommed Khan offered them the arms, a few men of the artillery, and perhaps, in all, half a dozen others, asked for and obtained them. Swords were difficult to procure for the officers: Lieut. Eyre, not being able to get one, took a musket; which was very troublesome and heavy; as, from the wound he received at Cabul, he has lost the use of one hand.

It is now said, that though we all at the time believed Saleh Mahommed's assertion, that Akbar ordered the death of those who could not march, it is probable that this was a fiction. No one actually _read_ the letter, that I can discover: and he probably wished to enhance the value of his releasing us. The order for our being sent to Khoolloom was read by several of the officers.

Here follow copies of a few notes that have been recovered. The first is not dated; but, if I mistake not, I have made allusion to the order for cutting away the weeds that grew on the ramparts; lest they should facilitate the enemy's entrance into the cantonments. The Affghans had first to cross the ditch, twenty feet wide.

No. I.

TO LIEUT. STURT.

Has the breastwork on the Musjid been improved? This Lieut. Sturt was to have done yesterday. It must be, and as effectually as circumstances will admit, done to-day.

The bridge at the rear gate does not seem to be understood. The planks must be always kept ready to lay down. The breach of the captured fort ought to be strengthened. (The officer must be told, on the appearance of any people near it, to warn them off, and immediately let a party fall in near it); this latter does not apply to Lieut. Sturt.

Can any thing be done to the magazine or other forts during this quiet day?

Weeds on ramparts to be cut.

My dear Sturt,

I send you the above for your attention and consideration, to do what you can.

Your's, (Signed) W. K. E.

No. II.

LIEUT. STURT. _Immediate._

_3d Dec._ My dear Sturt,

On my return from the Envoy's I heard you had taken out a gun at the Bazar fort. I hope there is no risk, although I feel rather uneasy about its having been done before the work for its protection was completed; but as it has been done, you must look to the work, and carry it on without the least delay. See that this is carried on.

Your's, (Signed) W. K. E.

I was not aware you intended to take it out, and I hear the Brigadier was opposed to it. I hope, however, for to-night the gun is safe: to lose it would be disastrous.

No. III.

My dear Sturt,

It is deemed too bad that we should suffer ourselves to be bullied in the way we have been to-day outside the Siah Sung gate, to say nothing of people being fired at every night coming to us with supplies; therefore it is determined that you throw up some sort of flêche, or other work, to hold a dozen men or so, which would keep these fellows at a more respectable distance, protect our animals and camp followers, save our bridge, and do away with the necessity of a cavalry piquet. If we have a quiet night, the General wishes you would plan out such a work on paper, and have it marked out on the ground, ready for the 200 Sappers and Miners to commence on the first thing in the morning, and as many other workpeople as can be got. The Brigadier has spoken to you about a trench across the road from our ditch to the Captured fort. [No. 1.] The enemy set us a good example last night. You must have thought it necessary when you went to it and returned this evening.

Your's truly, WM. THAIN. _4th Dec._ 8 P.M.

Another line for the last-named trench is mentioned, which would be shorter than from our ditch, viz., from a barricadoed door in the old bazar near the S.W. angle.

W. T.

No. IV.

My dear Sturt,

In rear of the old commissariat godown the rebels have prepared a platform to-day, about twelve feet by four. Hay says they were looking at them all day from the Bala Hissar; that they began it at about one P.M., and seemed to have finished it before dark, and left it then; and that they seemed to be trying it, by walking on it, before they went away; it seemed to be a contrivance for crossing our ditch. The enemy appeared more numerous to-day than for some days past.

Your's truly, (Signed) WM. THAIN. _10th Dec._ 8½ P.M.

No. V.

My dear Sturt,

Have we the means, by taking the beams of some building, of making a bridge over the canal? and how long would it take?

The guns, I fear, cannot cross otherwise, or the carriages for the bridge over the river.

The scarping the bank of the canal would render it practicable for the cavalry and baggage, and save some time. How long will it take to complete the opening for the egress of the troops? Pray attend to all this. I have told Pottinger to ask for a guard to protect our party; but the bridge might be prepared directly, ready to lay down the morning we go. Send for the Sappers, and see what you can do as to this. How many bullocks will be required to draw the carriages to the river? This we must get assistance to do just before we march.

Your's, (Signed) W. K. E.

[No date, but, from the context, a few days previous to our leaving the cantonments, and Sturt making the bridge of gun-carriages, which was effected the day we started (the 6th of January).]

No. VI.

My dear Sturt,

The General wishes to know what you have done about cutting a passage through the rampart for our exit; if the Sappers are unable to do the job, you might have an European working party, if you will let me know the number you require; and the work should be done to-night, if possible.

Your's sincerely, (Signed) W. GRANT. _30th Dec._

No. VII.

My dear Grant,

A party of forty Europeans with the regular Sappers will do the job in about three hours: all inside is cleared away.

I cannot help giving the warning before doing this to-night. If we do not march to-morrow, we shall want a gun and a very strong guard, to prevent the Ghazeeas entering.

Perhaps the General is not aware that about 500 men were on the point of forcing the gate to-day, and, being prevented, tore up the remaining portion of the canal bridge, which now no longer exists. While giving this warning, I have ordered the work to be begun now; therefore, if it is desired to be stopped, send to me; if not, send the Europeans. I am not answerable if accident happens, as I now wish you to tell the General that, in my opinion, no other than concealed measures should be used for moving out, until a few hours before that event takes place. If we march to-morrow, it should be done or commenced now; if not, it is my deliberate advice--do not execute it, or you endanger cantonments.

Yours ever, (Signed) J. L. D. STURT. _Thursday, 30th Dec. 1841._

The dhooley bearers just returned are specimens of what can be, is, and will again, be done by these men, if we place even the smallest unguarded confidence in them.

When Istalif was taken, the book of Gen. Elphinstone's Orders was found there.

To show how inaccurately it was kept, I am told, by those who saw it, that the orders of the 11th and 12th were inserted before those of the 10th of December. The book was made over to General Pollock; and does not agree with General Elphinstone's last memoranda regarding Brigadier Shelton; as he is there thanked for the assistance always given by him to General Elphinstone.

APPENDIX.

TREATY.

ARTICLES of the Treaty entered into between Sir William Macnaghten, Envoy and Minister, on the part of the British Government, at Cabul, and the Sirdar Mahommed Akbar Khan, Mahommed Osman Khan, Sultan Mahommed (half-brother of Mahommed Akbar), Mahommed Shureef, Kuzzilbash, Mahommed Shah Khan and Khoda Buksh Khan, Ghilzye Sirdars, and the principal Chiefs of the Tribes:--

1. Immediate supplies to be furnished to the troops, to any extent required, as also carriage cattle.

2. The British troops to evacuate Affghanistan.

3. An offensive and defensive alliance to be formed.

4. The Ameer Dost Mahommed Khan and all his family to be released.

5. His Majesty Shah Shoojah Ool Moolk to have the option of remaining in the country as a private individual, to be treated with all honour and respect, and have a guaranteed stipend of a lakh of rupees annually, or, if he so wishes it, to be allowed to accompany the British troops to Hindoostan, taking all his property and family with him, only giving up such effects as had formerly belonged to the Ameer Dost Mahommed.

In the event of carriage not being procurable for his family, they are to remain in the Bala Hissar, and be treated with all honour and respect; and on the arrival of the Ameer and all other Affghans imprisoned in India at Peshawer, the former are to be transported with safety to India.

6. All the sick and wounded to be left under the care of the Sirdars at Cabul and to be treated as guests.

7. All the ammunition, guns, and small arms, if the means of transport are not procurable, to be made over to the Sirdars.

8. All surplus property of officers, for which carriage might not at present be procurable, to be left in charge of Zuman Khan, and be forwarded to India the first opportunity.

9. No man to be molested on either side for his actions during the war. Such chiefs as had stood stanch to the King to be allowed either to accompany his Majesty, taking with them all property, or remaining in Affghanistan, to be treated with every respect.

10. Any British subject wishing to remain in Affghanistan, for the purposes of trade, to be in no way molested.

11. The troops at Jellalabad to evacuate that fort, ere the Cabul force commences its march.

The forces at Ghuznee and Kandahar to quit those places as soon as the season would admit of their marching.

12. The Sirdars, Mahommed Akbar Khan and Osman Khan, or any other chiefs wishing to do so, to accompany the troops on their march to Peshawer.

13. Four hostages to be given by us for the full performance of the above articles, to remain until Dost Mahommed Khan arrives at Peshawer.

[Capt. Trevor accompanied the Sirdars back as one of them.]

_11th December, 1841._

On the 12th, Major Pottinger was informed by the Envoy that he was to be a hostage.

THE END.

LONDON:

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

MR. MURRAY'S RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

DUKE OF WELLINGTON.

SELECTIONS from the DISPATCHES and CORRESPONDENCE of FIELD MARSHAL the DUKE of WELLINGTON; during his various Campaigns from 1799 to 1815. By LIEUT.-COLONEL GURWOOD. Royal 8vo., 25_s._

COUNTESS GROSVENOR.

NARRATIVE of a YACHT VOYAGE in the MEDITERRANEAN, during the Years 1840-41. By the COUNTESS GROSVENOR. With 26 Plates. 2 vols. Post 8vo., 28_s._

SIR ALEXANDER BURNES.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE of a JOURNEY to CABOOL, and RESIDENCE there. By the late SIR ALEXANDER BURNES, C. B. _Second Edition._ With a Portrait of the Author, and numerous Plates. 8vo., 18_s._

HON. MOUNTSTUART ELPHINSTONE.

A HISTORY of INDIA; the Hindoo and Mahommedan Periods. By the Hon. MOUNTSTUART ELPHINSTONE. _Second Edition._ With a large Map. 2 vols. 8vo., 30_s._

LORD FRANCIS EGERTON.

SKETCHES on the COASTS of the MEDITERRANEAN. By the Right Hon. LORD FRANCIS EGERTON, M.P. Post 8vo., 7_s._ 6_d._

LIEUTENANT EYRE.

THE MILITARY OPERATIONS at CABUL, which ended in the RETREAT and DESTRUCTION of the BRITISH ARMY. With a JOURNAL OF IMPRISONMENT IN AFFGHANISTAN. By LIEUTENANT VINCENT EYRE, Bengal Artillery. _Fifth Edition._ Post 8vo., 12_s._

⁂ _The_ CONCLUDING PART _of the_ PRISON DIARY _may be had separately, to complete former Editions._ Price 3_s._ 6_d._

SIR DAVID WILKIE.

The LIFE, LETTERS, and JOURNALS of the late SIR DAVID WILKIE, R.A. With his Critical Remarks on Works of Art, during his Tours in France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, Turkey, the Holy Land, and Egypt. By the late ALLAN CUNNINGHAM. With a Portrait. 3 vols. 8vo., 42_s._

WILLIAM SCROPE, ESQ.

DAYS and NIGHTS of SALMON FISHING in the TWEED, with the NATURAL HISTORY and HABITS of the SALMON. By WILLIAM SCROPE, F.L.S., Author of "Deer-Stalking." Illustrated by the late SIR D. WILKIE, E. and C. LANDSEER, W. SIMSON, E. COOKE, L. HAGHE, and S. WILLIAMS. Royal 8vo.

JOHN L. STEPHENS, ESQ.

INCIDENTS of TRAVEL in YUCATAN, during a SECOND VISIT to the RUINED CITIES of CENTRAL AMERICA. By JOHN L. STEPHENS, Esq. With 120 Engravings. 2 vols. 8vo., 42_s._

FRANCIS HORNER, M.P.

MEMOIRS and CORRESPONDENCE of the late FRANCIS HORNER, M.P. Edited by his Brother, LEONARD HORNER, Esq. With a Portrait. 2 vols. 8vo., 28_s._

GEORGE BORROW, ESQ.

The GYPSIES of SPAIN; their MANNERS, CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, and CEREMONIES. By GEORGE BORROW, Esq., late Agent to the British and Foreign Bible Society. _Second Edition._ 2 vols. post 8vo., 18_s._

GEORGE BORROW, ESQ.

THE BIBLE in SPAIN; or, the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments of an Englishman in an Attempt to circulate the Scriptures in the Peninsula. By the Author of "The Gypsies in Spain." _Third Edition._ 3 vols. post 8vo., 27_s._

SIR JOHN MALCOLM.

ON THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. By the late MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JOHN MALCOLM. 8vo., 15_s._

LIEUTENANT WOOD.

A PERSONAL NARRATIVE of a JOURNEY to the SOURCE of the RIVER OXUS, by the INDUS, KABUL, and BADAKHSHAN. By LIEUT. JOHN WOOD, Indian Navy. With a Map. 8vo., 14_s._

LETTERS FROM MADRAS.

MANNERS and SOCIETY in INDIA, described during a Residence of Three Years in the Presidency of Madras. By a LADY. Post 8vo., 9_s._ 6_d._

BISHOP HEBER.

JOURNEY through UPPER INDIA, from Calcutta to Bombay (with Notes upon Ceylon), Madras, and the Southern Provinces. By the late BISHOP HEBER. _Fourth Edition._ 3 vols. 8vo., 36_s._

MOORCROFT AND TREBECK.

THE HIMALAYAN PROVINCES of HINDOSTAN, the PANJAB, LADAKH, KASHMIR, PESHAWAR, KABAL, KUNDUZ, and BOKHARA. By MOORCROFT and TREBECK. With Maps and Plates. 2 vols. 8vo., 30_s._

MRS. LUSHINGTON.

NARRATIVE of a JOURNEY from CALCUTTA to EUROPE, by way of Egypt. By the late MRS. CHARLES LUSHINGTON. _Second Edition._ Post 8vo., 8_s._ 6_d._

WALTER HAMILTON.

GEOGRAPHICAL, STATISTICAL, and HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION of HINDOSTAN and the ADJACENT COUNTRIES. By the late WALTER HAMILTON, Esq. Maps. 2 vols. 4to. 4_l._ 14_s._ 6_d._

LIEUTENANT NEWBOLD.

BRITISH SETTLEMENTS in the STRAITS of MALACCA, including PENANG, MALACCA, and SINGAPORE. By LIEUT. NEWBOLD. With Maps. 2 vols. 8vo. 26_s._

RUSSIA IN THE EAST.

PROGRESS and PRESENT POSITION of RUSSIA in the EAST. With a large Map. _Second Edition._ 8vo., 6_s._

LORD JOCELYN.

SIX MONTHS in CHINA, or LEAVES from a SOLDIER'S NOTE BOOK. By LORD JOCELYN, M.P., late Military Secretary to the Chinese Expedition. _Sixth Edit._ With Views of CHUSAN, and the GREAT WALL OF CHINA. Fcap. 8vo. 5_s._ 6_d._

SIR GEORGE STAUNTON.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES of CHINA, and our COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE with that COUNTRY. With a few TRANSLATIONS from the CHINESE LANGUAGE. By SIR GEORGE STAUNTON, BART., M.P. _Second Edition._ 8vo., 12_s._

JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS.

THREE CHINESE NOVELS. TRANSLATED from the ORIGINALS.

THE SHADOW IN THE WATER. THE TWIN SISTERS. THE THREE DEDICATED CHAMBERS.

With Observations on the Language and Literature of China. By J. F. DAVIS, F.R.S., Author of "China and the Chinese." _New Edition._ 8vo., 8_s._ 6_d._

JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS.

CHINESE MORAL MAXIMS, with a Free and Verbal Translation, and the Grammatical Structure of the Language. 8vo., 6_s._

JAPAN AND JAPANESE.

JAPAN in the NINETEENTH CENTURY; or the MANNERS and CUSTOMS of the JAPANESE, described from the ACCOUNTS of RECENT DUTCH TRAVELLERS. Post 8vo., 9_s._ 6_d._

SIR GARDNER WILKINSON.