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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/33496-8.txt b/33496-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..44ece06 --- /dev/null +++ b/33496-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4072 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Scenes and Adventures in Affghanistan, by +William Taylor + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Scenes and Adventures in Affghanistan + + +Author: William Taylor + + + +Release Date: August 23, 2010 [eBook #33496] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN +AFFGHANISTAN*** + + +E-text prepared by Asad Razzaki and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images +generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries +(http://www.archive.org/details/americana) + + + +Note: Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + http://www.archive.org/details/scenesadventures00taylrich + + +Transcriber's note: + + Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been retained as in + the original. + + Some typographical and punctuation errors have been corrected. A + complete list follows the text. + + Text italicized in the original are surrounded by underscores + (_italics_). + + The 'oe' ligature is represented as oe. + + Pound symbol (lb with a bar) represented as lb. + + + + + +SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN AFFGHANISTAN, + +by + +WILLIAM TAYLOR, + +Late Troop Serjeant-Major of the Fourth Light Dragoons. + + + + + + + +London: +T. C. Newby, 65, Mortimer St., Cavendish Sq. +And +T. & W. Boone, 29, New Bond Street. +1842. + +T. C. Newby, Printer, 65, Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square. + + + + + TO + + FLORENTINE LADY SALE, + + THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE INSCRIBED + + AS A + + TRIBUTE OF RESPECT AND ADMIRATION + + FOR THE + + HEROISM BY HER DISPLAYED + + DURING THE LATE + + CAMPAIGN IN AFFGHANISTAN. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + Preface. + + CHAPTER I. + + Proclamation of Lord Auckland. The Ghauts. Fatal + Practical Joke. Embarkation at Bombay. Mishap at + Sea. Landing at Bominacote. Review of the troops + by Sir John Keane. Suicide of Lieutenant Fyers. + Advance upon Scinde. Tattah. The Moslems and + Hindoos. Tombs of Tattah. Hindoo Superstition. + Adventure of a Dak, or Native Postman. Death of + a Smuggler. Jurruk. Belochee Thefts. Feat of a + Native Trooper. + + CHAPTER II. + + Singular fate of Three Officers of the Queen's + Royals. Evacuation of Jurruk by the Inhabitants. + Desertion of Camel Drivers. Preparations for the + attack and defence of Hyderabad. Submission of + the Ameers. Consternation of the Natives at the + arrival of a Steamer in the Indus. Baida. + Accident to a Dragoon. The Lukkee Pass. Kotiah. + Loss of Two Soldiers of the 17th Foot. Sehwan. + Arrival of Sir Henry Fane. Asiatic Jugglers. + Conversion of a European Soldier to the + Mahommedan Faith. + + CHAPTER III. + + Larkhana. Departure of the Commander-in-Chief + for Candahar. Capture of Belochee Thieves. + Ludicrous scene in the Bazaar. Tremendous + Hurricane. An Irish Colonel's appeal to his men. + Murder of Cooks belonging to the Army. A Native + Funeral. The Bholun Pass. Massacre of Camp + Followers. Ill-timed Merriment. Animal Instinct. + + CHAPTER IV. + + Skirmish with the Enemy. Belochee Waggery. + Cleverly planned Capture of a Bruhee. Sufferings + from want of water. Valley of Shawle. Quettah. + Belochee Cruelties. Adventures in a Stone + Quarry. Treachery of the Khan of Khelat. Murder + of another Cook. Poisoning of the Wells. + Fortunate Discovery. + + CHAPTER V. + + The Khojuck Pass. Descent of the Troops. + Shocking Death of a Camel Driver. Detection and + Escape of an Affghan Thief. Loss of Cavalry + Horses. Candahar. Arrival of Shah Soojah. + Condition of the Troops. Attempt of the Natives + to cut off a Convoy of Provisions. Asiatic + Mendicants. The Mosque at Candahar. Arrival of + Affghan Auxiliaries. + + CHAPTER VI. + + Installation of Shah Soojah. Attack on the Camel + Guards. Heroism of an Affghan Youth. Murder of + Cornet Inverarity of the 16th Lancers. Departure + from Candahar. The Ghiljie Hills. Locusts. + Arrival of new Auxiliaries. Camel Batteries. + Hyder Khail. Arrival at Ghuznee. Tomb of + Mahommed. Remains of the Old Town of Ghuznee. + + CHAPTER VII. + + Reconnaisance of the Fortress. Skirmish with the + Enemy. Rejoicing of the Garrison at our Supposed + Defeat. Preparation for a Coup de Main. Engineer + Operations. Storming and Taking of the Fortress. + + CHAPTER VIII. + + An Affghan Heroine. Capture of Hyder Khan the + Commandant of Ghuznee. Escape of Ghool Mahommed + Khan. Singular Discovery of a Map on the person + of an Affghan Chief. Description of the Affghan + Women. The Ruling Passion. Treasuretrove. The + Golden Shield. Chase of the Enemy. Just + Retribution. + + CHAPTER IX. + + Attempt to Assassinate the Shah. Court Martial + on an Affghan Chief. Visit to the Hospital at + Ghuznee. Hatred of the Affghans towards the + Native Troops. Departure from Ghuznee. Capture + of a Battery. Fatal Accident. Summary + Punishment. Arrival at Cabul. Pursuit of Dost + Mahommed and Treachery of a Native Chief. + Description of Cabul. The Balar Hissar. Mosque + of the Emperor Baber. The Bazaar. + + CHAPTER X. + + Triumphant Entry of Shah Soojah into Cabul. The + Cabul Races. Death of Brigadier General Arnold. + Sale of the General's effects. Arrival of Prince + Timour. The Sikhs. Murder of Colonel Herring. + Arrival of money and supplies from the Upper + Provinces. + + CHAPTER XI. + + Institution of the Order of the Doorannee + Empire. Murder of a Private of the 13th Light + Infantry. Departure from Cabul. Return to + Ghuznee. Accident to the Revd. Mr. Pigot. + Discovery of the Skeletons of British Soldiers. + Horse-steaks. Treachery of some Ghiljie Chiefs + and destruction of their Fort. Adventure of a + Dragoon. Loss of a Cook. + + CHAPTER XII. + + Arrival at Quettah. Storming of the Fortress + of Khelat. Suicide of a Trooper belonging to the + Horse Artillery. Departure from Quettah. The + Bholun Pass. Dadur. Bagh. Breaking out of the + Cholera. Death of Doctor Forbes. Shikarpoor. + Death of Captain Ogle. Sukkur-Bukkur. Death of + Lieutenant Janvrin. Wedding Ceremonies of the + Natives. Breaking up of the Bombay Column. + Departure of Brigadier Scott. Boar Hunt. + Larkhana. Sehwan. Kurrachee. Feast of the + Mohurrum. Embarkation and Arrival at Bombay. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The following narrative is put forth with all the diffidence and +apprehension that a mind unaccustomed to literary pursuits, and limited +in its opportunities of improvement, naturally feels on presenting +itself for the first time to the notice of the public. The doubts I +entertain, regarding the prudence of the step I have taken, are in no +small degree increased by the circumstances under which the work has +been executed, the details having been entirely furnished from memory, +and without the aid of any sort of data or memoranda. I should never +have dreamt of undertaking such a task, had not the partiality of good +natured, though perhaps misjudging friends, overcame the scruples which +a consciousness of my own deficiencies excited, and induced me to commit +to paper the scenes with which they professed themselves to have been +amused. + +Having candidly admitted the demerits of the work, I may now be allowed +to say a few words in its favour. Should it be taken up in the +expectation of supplying materials for the defence of an erroneous +policy, or the gratification of party spleen, it will fall short of the +hopes of the reader, for I have endeavoured to steer clear of every +thing like political allusion in the fear of adding to difficulties, +which already appeared sufficiently formidable, and of wrecking my +little bark on a stormy and troubled sea. Mine is the simple, +straightforward narrative of a soldier, more accustomed to wield the +sword than the pen, and caring little for the conflicting interests or +animosities of party. With such a small amount of profession, it is not +unreasonable to hope that the public will extend towards it some portion +of that generous indulgence with which it is ever wont to regard the +literary efforts of the humbler classes. + +_London, December 10th, 1842._ + + + + +AFFGHANISTAN. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +Proclamation of Lord Auckland.--The Ghauts.--Fatal Practical +Joke.--Embarkation at Bombay.--Mishap at Sea.--Landing at +Bominacote.--Review of the troops by Sir John Keane.--Suicide of +Lieutenant Fyers.--Advance upon Scinde.--Tattah.--The Moslems and +Hindoos.--Tombs of Tattah.--Hindoo Superstition.--Adventure of a Dak, or +native Postman.--Death of a Smuggler.--Jurruk--Belochee Thefts.--Feat of +a Native Trooper. + + +Towards the latter end of August 1838, rumours reached Bombay and the +various military stations in the Deccan, that the troops were about to +be called into active service, and that the scene of operations was to +be at a distance from our Indian territories. The extensive +preparations soon after set on foot, and the unusual activity observable +in the various arsenals of the Presidency, left no doubt as to the truth +of these reports, and the only subject of speculation that remained was, +the precise destination of the forces. Public curiosity was at length +set at rest, by the arrival of a proclamation from the Governor General, +directing the assemblage of an army for service across the Indus, and +explaining at length the intentions of Government. It will not be +necessary for the purposes of this narrative that I should canvass the +merits of this remarkable document, or enter upon a discussion of the +policy on which it was founded. Sufficient is it for me to say that the +objects which it professed, were the protection of our commerce, and the +safety of our Indian frontiers, both of which were menaced by the +intrigues and aggressions of Persia. Having detailed the steps taken by +Dost Mahommed in furtherance of the views of that power, and expressed +its conviction, that as long as Cabul remained under his government +there was no hope that the interests of our Indian empire would be +preserved inviolate, the proclamation proceeded to state, that pressing +necessity, as well as every consideration of policy and justice, +justified us in replacing on the throne of Afghanistan, Shah +Sooja-ool-Moolk, a monarch who, when in power, had cordially acceded to +the measures of joint resistance to external aggression which were at +that time judged necessary by the British government; and who on his +empire being usurped by its present rulers had found an honorable asylum +in the British dominions. Such in a few words were the objects set forth +in Lord Auckland's proclamation and never has unfortunate state paper +been assailed with such hostility and bitterness. Whether the censures +with which it has been visited are deserved or not I will leave to +others to decide, contenting myself with the observation, that failure +and success are but too apt to sway men's judgments and to give a +character to the circumstances that have led to them. + +The Bombay troops ordered to form part of the army of the Indus +consisted of her Majesty's 2nd, or Queen's Royals, the 17th regiment of +Foot, 307 of her Majesty's 4th Light Dragoons, the 1st regiment of +Bombay Light Cavalry, two troops of the Honorable Company's Horse +Artillery, one company of Foot Artillery, the 19th regiment of Native +Infantry, the Poona Irregular Horse, with the Sappers and Miners, the +whole constituting an effective force of about 6,000 men, under the +command of Lieutenant-General Sir John Keane. + +The 4th Light Dragoons were stationed at Kirkee, about 70 miles from +Bombay, when orders arrived that the detachment should proceed to the +Presidency, for the purpose of embarking for its destination. We left +our cantonments early in November, and overtook the Artillery, which had +preceded us from Poona, at the Ghauts. We halted here two days, and +were joined by her Majesty's 17th regiment of Foot, shortly after our +arrival. Short as was our stay, it was signalised by one of those +practical jokes which so often terminate in fatal results, but which, +unfortunately, seem to have no effect in rendering people cautious. Some +artillerymen having been out shooting game, one of them brought home a +loaded gun and carelessly left it in his tent. Several of his comrades +came in, in the afternoon, and in the course of a carousal one of them +took the loaded piece, and presenting it at the nearest soldier, +jestingly threatened to shoot him. He had scarcely uttered the word when +the gun went off and stretched his unfortunate comrade dead at his feet. +Nothing could equal the distress and remorse of the homicide at the +thoughtless act by which he had deprived a fellow creature of life, and +it had a marked effect on his future character and conduct. + +The passage through the Ghauts is romantic and picturesque in the +extreme, the road lying over stupendous mountains and through deep +ravines for the length of about seven or eight miles. Some beautiful +country houses have been lately erected here by a wealthy Parsee of +Bombay, on sites which command the finest and most extensive views in +the neighbourhood. These delightful summer retreats are surrounded by +every luxurious accessory that wealth and taste can supply, and the +Governor is occasionally glad to fly to them for a short respite from +the cares of office. + +We arrived at Bombay on the 15th of November, and found it a scene of +busy excitement. The streets were filled with troops and artillery +proceeding to the place of embarkation, and the inhabitants flocked in +thousands to the Bunder Head, to witness their departure. The harbour +was literally alive with the numerous small craft employed in conveying +the troops to the different transports, while the blue Peter flying at +the mast head of the latter announced that we had very little time for +delay. We accordingly hurried down to the beach, and were immediately +put on board the Cambridge. We found it so crowded that Major Daly, our +commanding officer, was compelled to remonstrate with the authorities on +the subject, and after some trouble, he succeeded in getting from +seventy to eighty men removed to the other vessels. This did not +sufficiently lessen the inconvenience to prevent sickness breaking out +amongst us, and we lost one of the Horse Artillery before we were many +days at sea. + +The passage was short, but not unattended with danger. The Cambridge +struck on a sand bank, off the Gulf of Cutch, and it was with +considerable difficulty that she was relieved from her perilous +position. We were kept on the bank about four hours, and it may easily +be conceived that no small degree of alarm and uneasiness prevailed +amongst the landsmen, who were unaccustomed to dangers of this +description. The night was pitch dark, and the breakers sounded +unpleasantly near us. Captain Douglass the commander of the vessel, +appeared however all confidence, and after trying a variety of +experiments to get her off, he hit upon one which luckily proved +successful. The whole of the troops on board having been ordered upon +deck, the Captain directed them to jump three times simultaneously. This +was done by our fellows with a hearty good will, and had the instant +effect of loosening the vessel from the bank, and enabling her to float +again into deep water. + +We arrived off the mouth of the Indus in about fourteen days after our +departure from Bombay. The troops were immediately disembarked in +_pattemars_, small and clumsy coasting vessels peculiar to the country. +We reached Bominacote the next evening without any other accident than +the sinking of three boats, two containing artillery horses, and the +other officers' supplies, to the value it was said of £10,000 which had +been sent on speculation with the army by an eminent Parsee firm at +Bombay. + +Bominacote forms a sort of harbour of refuge for the vessels which carry +on a trade along this line of coast. The village itself consists of a +few filthy huts, and its inhabitants spend their lives in hunting and +fishing. Both males and females are in a state of almost savage nature +little covering being used by them beyond the loin _goity_ or covering +for the loins common to the natives of these parts. The proverbial +vanity of the weaker sex was, however, displayed in the eagerness with +which they bartered their most precious articles for a few handkerchiefs +of Manchester make that we happened to have with us. + +As soon as the horses belonging to the cavalry, and the military stores +had been landed, it was decided that we should advance upon Scinde in +two divisions; the infantry under the command of Brigadier Sir Thomas +Wiltshire, and the Cavalry under Brigadier Scott. Previous to our +departure the troops were reviewed by Lieutenant-General Sir John Keane, +who had followed us from Bombay in the Victoria steamer. Sir John +expressed himself in terms of warm satisfaction at the high state of +discipline and ardour of the men, who were eager to be led against the +enemy. The usual precautions on entering hostile territories were now +taken, the Cavalry being ordered to sharpen their sabres, and the +Infantry served with sixty rounds of ball cartridge. + +Before we took our departure from Bominacote, a melancholy circumstance +occurred, which threw a temporary gloom over us. As the men were sitting +down to dinner the report of a pistol was heard in the officers' lines. +Suspecting some accident I ran to the spot, accompanied by two of my +comrades, and discovered Lieutenant Fyers, one of the officers of my own +regiment, lying dead in his tent, with a freshly discharged pistol in +his right hand. The unfortunate gentleman had placed the muzzle of it to +his mouth, and the ball, taking a slanting direction, had passed out +over the left ear. For several days previous he had been observed to +labour under great depression of spirits, but no immediate cause could +be assigned for the fatal act. His loss was generally lamented, for he +was both a good officer and an estimable member of society. + +Our route lay through a country barren in the extreme, scarcely a +vestige of vegetation being any where to be met with. Of the natives we +saw or heard nothing, for as we advanced they fell back, deserting the +villages and betaking themselves to their mountain fastnesses. It being +now near Christmas the men suffered some inconvenience from the sudden +transitions of temperature, the days being sultry and the nights +extremely cold. The consequence was that the dysentery broke out +amongst us, and several fatal cases occurred. + +At the close of the third days' march reports became current through the +camp that we should soon see the enemy. It was said that a force of ten +thousand horse and foot was about to take the field against us, and +Captain Outram was despatched towards Hyderabad, to ascertain the truth +of the story. He brought back information that the enemy were ensconced +within the walls of that town, and appeared to have little disposition +to leave them. We now began to find the difference between quarters and +camp, for the General thought it necessary to send out frequent +reconnoitering parties and pickets, in order to guard against surprise. + +Early on the morning of the fifth day, we arrived at Tattah, a place of +considerable antiquity, and, I believe, mentioned in Holy Writ. The +Indus formerly washed the walls of this town, but owing to some natural +or artificial ingredient the course of the river has been completely +changed, and it now runs at about four miles distance. + +Emerging from one of the most barren and desolate tracts of country that +it is possible to imagine, even the tombs of Tattah, or City of the +Dead, as it is called in the language of the natives, proved an +agreeable distraction to us. Tattah itself is a small, wretchedly built +town, containing little more than a thousand inhabitants, who are for +the most part of the Moslem religion. The few Hindoos who reside here +constitute the wealthier part of the trading community, but influential +as this fact would pre-suppose them, they are a persecuted and oppressed +race, the privilege of erecting places of worship within the precincts +of the town being not only denied them, but even the free exercise of +their religious rites. Aggressions of the most wanton and tyrannical +nature, and murders committed under circumstances of the most shocking +barbarity, and having their origin solely in religious jealousy, are +matters of no unfrequent occurrence here. + +The Hindoos are consequently obliged to resort to the caves of the +neighbouring mountains, to practise their religious ceremonies, but the +relentless intolerance of their persecutors pursues them even there. +During our short stay we saw the bodies of two of the proscribed race, +who had been found murdered in one of their concealed temples. + +The tombs of Tattah stand on a gentle eminence, at a short distance from +the town: they are of circular construction, and are, as nearly as I +could judge, from seventy to eighty feet in circumference, and from +thirty to forty feet in height. They are capped with domes, but their +external appearance presents nothing graceful or ornamental to the eye. +The interior is gained by a staircase, which ascends to an aperture +forming the entrance, about midway in the building, and a rudely +constructed ladder conducts the visitor downward to the basement, where +the bodies lie. The interior of the dome is lined with blue tiles richly +ornamented with arabesques and inscriptions from the Koran. There are +about a dozen of these remarkable monuments and they are clustered +together, without arrangement or regard for effect. Of the many sketches +taken at the time I have not seen one which conveys a correct idea of +their details. Although visited by nearly the whole of the troops, it is +a fact highly creditable to their good taste and feeling that no +mischief or desecration of any sort was committed. Sir John Keane, in a +general order issued before our departure, took occasion expressly to +allude to this circumstance, in terms alike honourable to himself and to +us. + +A curious, and I must say revolting, instance of the gross superstition +of the Hindoos fell under my observation whilst at Tattah. At the +northern extremity of the bazaar I was shown some of the most miserable +specimens of humanity that can well be imagined. In a filthy mud hut, +the very aspect of which threatened contagion, sat two living skeletons +rocking themselves to and fro. They were without covering of any sort, +except the old blanket on which they sat, and their deep sunk eyes and +contracted features told a tale of long but patiently endured privation. +I was informed that these poor wretches were undergoing a self-inflicted +penance, for the non-performance of some religious rite. They had +condemned themselves for a period of seven years to a daily allowance of +rice and water, barely sufficient to prevent the extinction of the vital +powers. We offered them food, but they sternly rejected it. This +lamentable fanaticism on the part of a simple and inoffensive people is, +after all, but another and more harmless phase of the fierce bigotry, +which still continues to exist amongst European nations. + +A _dāk_, or native postman, who had crossed the river from Bhooj with +letters for the camp, was waylaid by two Belochees as he was descending +towards it, by the left bank, and the letter bag taken from him. His +captors, having brought him to their retreat in the hills, secured his +hands behind his back, and lay down to sleep, one of them using the +letter bag as a pillow. The _dāk_ remained quiet, until their snoring +satisfied him they were sound asleep, and then slipping his hands out of +the ligatures, he stole over to the fellow who had the post-bag under +him, and placing his knee on his breast, cut his throat from ear to ear +with a knife, which he took from the mountaineer's person, and made off +with the bag. In about ten minutes after, he heard the Belochee close +upon his heels, and, redoubling his speed, a chase of nearly ten miles +ensued, in the course of which, the poor fellow had two or three times +nearly yielded from fatigue. The dreadful fate which awaited him, should +he fall into his pursuer's hands, flashed however across his mind, and +plucking up fresh strength and courage, he at length succeeded in +reaching the camp, but in so weak and exhausted a state that nature was +near sinking under the effort. + +On the eve of our departure, a circumstance occurred which created a +very angry feeling between the inhabitants and the troops, and +occasioned much regret to the Commander-in-Chief, who was desirous that +our advance should not be marked by any thing which savoured of cruelty. +In consequence of the great increase of drunkenness amongst the European +troops, owing to the cheapness and abundance of liquor, strict orders +were issued against its being allowed into camp. One of the inhabitants +of Tattah, who was engaged in smuggling the prohibited article, was +stopped about dusk by a serjeant, who happened to be going his rounds. +The fellow took to his heels, and a sepoy, who was stationed as sentry +in the staff lines, mistaking him for a thief, and seeing him pass at a +speed which rendered capture out of the question, levelled his musket, +and shot him dead on the spot. He was a fine muscular fellow, about two +or three and twenty, and belonged to a respectable family in the town. +His friends immediately repaired to the scene in a numerous body, and +carried him off amidst the wailing and lamentation of the women. After +this it was considered dangerous for any of us to venture into the town +when nightfall had set in. + +The army was now ordered to advance upon Jurruk, a town situated on the +banks of the Indus, at about a day's march from Tattah. It is better +built and cleaner than the latter place, and some of the streets are +covered over with thatched roofs, forming a series of rude arcades, +illuminated by oil lamps. Opthalmia is a common disease amongst the +natives, and several of the troops were attacked by it. Some of us also +suffered severely from the guinea worm, a malady, common in some parts +of Hindostan, and which, although not considered dangerous, is attended +with great pain. It generally attacks the feet, and has the effect of +effectually crippling the patient for the time. I have had one drawn out +of my right foot, which measured nearly half a yard in length, and I +have known others to have had no less than from seven to eight of them +at once. It being impossible for persons thus affected to march on foot +or even to mount on horseback, they were usually carried along with the +army in kajarvees, a sort of double-chair strung across the back of a +camel, and swinging with a see-saw movement that occasioned no small +additional suffering to the unfortunate occupant. + +The spot selected for the encampment was extremely lovely, being +encircled by hills, and having the River Indus running on its right. As +the different regiments wound their way round the heights, and descended +into the plain where the tents were to be pitched, the scene would have +made a beautiful subject for a sketch. How often during a progress +through this wild and romantic country have I regretted the want of a +sufficient acquaintance with the art of design, to enable me to convey +to paper some of its more striking and characteristic features. + +In consequence of the numerous thefts committed by the Belochees, who +daily carried off numbers of our camels, it became necessary to provide +them with guards whilst at pasturage. This, however, did not prevent the +plunderers from continuing their descents, and they became so hardy that +they sometimes even ventured to attack or carry off the guards +themselves. One day, whilst a party of the Poona Auxiliary Horse were in +charge of some camels about two miles from camp, the Belochees came +suddenly upon them. There were only six of our men, whilst the enemy +numbered twelve or fifteen. Nothing daunted, however, a gallant fellow +dashed out from amongst our men, and cut down three or four of the +marauders. Being quickly seconded by the others, the Belochees took to +flight, and the black hero dismounted, and cutting off the head of one +of his dead antagonists, strung it by the hair to his crupper, and +triumphantly rode into camp with it, amidst the acclamations of his +comrades. A more substantial reward was conferred upon him for this +daring exploit a few days afterwards by his promotion to the rank of +havildar or serjeant. This may be said to have been the first occasion +on which any of our troops came into actual collision with the enemy, +but the example which was made had little or no effect in restraining +the thefts of the Belochees who appeared to have an incorrigible taste +for this sort of adventure. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Singular fate of three Officers of the Queen's Royals.--Evacuation of +Jurruk by the Inhabitants.--Desertions of Camel Drivers.--Preparations +for the attack and defence of Hyderabad.--Submission of the +Ameers.--Consternation of the Natives at the arrival of a Steamer in the +Indus.--Baida.--Accident to a Dragoon.--The Lukkee Pass.--Kotiah.--Loss +of two Soldiers of the 17th Foot.--Sehwan.--Arrival of Sir Henry +Fane.--Asiatic Jugglers.--Conversion of a European Soldier to the +Mahommedan faith. + + +A melancholy incident occurred at Jurruk, but whether it was occasioned +by accident or treachery we never could satisfactorily trace. Some +officers belonging to the Queen's Royals applied for leave to go hunting +in the preserves of the Ameers of Scinde, and having obtained it, +Lieutenant Sparkes Lieutenant Nixon and Dr. Hibbert, who constituted the +party, left the camp on foot at an early hour of the morning. Their +leave of absence expired at six o'clock the same evening, but none of +them had made their appearance at that hour. About half past eight a dog +belonging to Dr. Hibbert was observed returning into camp without his +master, which gave rise to gloomy apprehensions amongst his brother +officers, and the non return of any of the party by next morning, +confirmed their worst fears. It was immediately determined to send out a +troop of native cavalry to scour the country in search of them, and the +preserves were of course the first spot to which they directed their +horses. Part of the force dismounted at the Shirkagh or Royal Preserves, +and proceeded on foot for a considerable distance. Observing smoke +ascending in dense volumes to the right they made their way towards it, +and on gaining the spot a shocking sight presented itself. A large area +had been cleared by the flames, and not a blade of grass or brushwood +had been left. The body of Lieutenant Sparkes lay, dreadfully scorched +and mutilated, upon the ground, while that of Dr. Hibbert was found in a +tree, into which he had evidently climbed to escape the devouring +element. A little further on lay Lieutenant Nixon whose features were so +withered and defaced, that it was almost impossible to recognize him, +and from the contracted and distorted position in which his limbs were +found it was evident that he had suffered a more agonizing death than +the others. The remains of the three unfortunate officers were borne +back to the camp and interred with military honours. They were all +talented and spirited young men and their untimely fate was a source of +universal regret and discussion. By some it was contended that the +natives had observed them entering the preserves, and inspired by hate +had fired the woods in different places, so as effectually to surround +them and cut off all chance of escape. To such a degree did this +supposition obtain credence, that the soldiers of the Queen's Royals +loudly demanded to be allowed to take revenge on the inhabitants of the +district. This of course could not be permitted, and the clamour that +had been raised about the matter soon died away. + +Shortly after our arrival an order came down from the Ameers of Scinde, +that the inhabitants of Jurruk should vacate the town and retreat to +Hyderabad. It was obeyed with great reluctance, the love of home being +stronger with these poor people than their fear of the British. Their +removal was one of the most distressing and painful scenes I have ever +witnessed, both men and women giving way to wild bursts of passionate +grief, and casting back long and lingering regards at the habitations +they had abandoned. They left in bodies of between two and three +hundred, carrying with them all their portable effects, and at night the +town was completely deserted. We neither interfered with, nor molested +them during their preparations for departure, but immediately on their +quitting, a strong picket was posted in some of the empty houses. + +Provisions became extremely scarce in the camp, and owing to the +remissness of the Commissariat in forwarding the stores from Tattah, our +grog was reduced from two drams daily, to one dram on halting days. This +was attended with the worst possible effects, for it encouraged the +troops to search after the liquor of the country; which proved not only +injurious to the constitution of the soldier, but to the discipline of +the service. Desertion became of frequent occurrence, and from one +hundred to one hundred and fifty camel drivers from India, together with +some Ghorra Wallars, or native horsekeepers, succeeded in making their +way across the river to Cutch Bhooj. A few were caught, and from six to +twelve dozen lashes each were inflicted on the delinquents. + +Captain Outram was again sent forward to Hyderabad on a mission to the +Ameers of Scinde, but they received him in the haughtiest manner and +refused to come to any sort of terms. The Captain found them fortifying +the hills round the city, under the superintendence of an European +officer, and he observed a battery of twenty pieces of cannon, posted on +the banks of the river. Twenty thousand Belochees armed with talwar, +shield, and matchlock, and two thirds of whom were dismounted, occupied +a position on the right bank, so as to protect the battery. Half of this +force subsequently moved across the river and took up a strong position +on the western bank, where we lay. The city was reported to be full of +armed men, and the idea of attacking it previous to our junction with +the Bengal army was regarded as worse than folly, the river being +eighteen hundred feet wide and our pontoons of insufficient length to +traverse it. The enemy, triumphing in our seeming inaction, sent +vaunting and threatening messages to us. The Commander-in-Chief took no +notice of their bravadoes, but silently made all the necessary +preparations for attacking the city as soon as he was joined by the +Bengal army. Strong cavalry pickets were thrown out on the hills to the +right, which commanded an extensive view of the surrounding country, and +the sound of drums and other military instruments was strictly +prohibited in camp. + +On the 25th, Sir Henry Pottinger came into camp from Hyderabad, the +Ameers not only refusing to pay the arrears of tribute that were due, +but treating the Envoy with every sort of indignity. The Bengal army +having come through the Punjaub, and crossed the Indus at Roree was now +ready to act in conjunction with us on the right bank of the river, and +the Commander-in-Chief resolved to lose no further time in investing the +city. He accordingly commenced operations by planting a battery on some +heights which commanded its walls, but which were at too great a +distance for the guns to do much damage. To the great disappointment of +both officers and men, who already revelled in the anticipation of prize +money, the Ameers became alarmed at these demonstrations and came to +terms. An envoy, whose appearance created no small amusement in the +camp, was despatched from Hyderabad to adjust the necessary +preliminaries. He was a short, thick set old fellow, with a merry +twinkling eye, and as little as possible of what is called official +dignity about him. He brought with him from twenty to thirty lacs of +rupees, but the reception which he met with from Sir John Keane was not +calculated to elevate the worthy functionary in his own estimation. + +Positive orders having been issued that neither officers nor men should +be allowed to enter Hyderabad on any pretence whatsoever, I am unable to +give my readers a description of the town. It appeared to be of +considerable extent, but of such little strength, that had the Ameers +driven matters to extremities, I have no doubt we should have carried +the place in an hour. + +We were exceedingly amused at the surprise and consternation displayed +by the inhabitants of Hyderabad at the arrival of one of the iron +steamers in the Indus, with supplies for the troops from Bombay. Nearly +the whole of the population flocked down to the banks of the river to +behold this surprising phenomenon; they threw their arms in the air, and +flung themselves prostrate on the earth in perfect ecstacies of wonder +at every movement of the mysterious power which propelled the vessel. +The scene was nearly as ridiculous as that which greeted Columbus when +the first notions of European power and civilisation burst upon the +astonished minds of the simple aborigines of America. + +After remaining a few days at Hyderabad the army resumed its march, and +arrived next evening at Baida. An accident occurred here, by which a +trooper of the 4th Light Dragoons lost his life. The banks of the river +were extremely steep, and as we were watering our horses the pressure +from behind forced a man named Helm into the river. He was instantly +carried away by the current, and was soon lost to view, although we +strained every effort to save him. His body floated down to Hyderabad, +and was recovered by the natives, who restored it to his commanding +officer, together with a belt full of rupees, which was found round his +waist. + +Continuing our route we arrived at the Lukkee Pass, where we found some +thermal springs, from which the sick derived considerable benefit. A +noble lake at the further extremity of the defile afforded our officers +several days shooting and fishing, while the beautiful scenery, by which +it was surrounded on every side, furnished such of them as were artists +with fine subjects for the exercise of their pencil. Precipitous +heights, assuming every variety of fantastic form, stretched downward +to the water's edge, some in graceful sweeps, and others in bold and +threatening attitudes, whilst their bases were hid in rich woods or +washed by the waters of the lake. + +Leaving this romantic spot with regret, we proceeded to Kotiah, where we +lost two soldiers belonging to her Majesty's 17th regiment of Foot. They +went out in search of some camels which were at pasturage and were never +afterwards seen or heard of. A party which was sent in search of them +found the marks of footsteps and some traces of blood on the spot where +the camels had been grazing, and from the torn up appearance which the +ground presented there was little doubt that they had made a desperate +struggle for their lives. + +Not satisfied with carrying off our camels, the Belochees frequently +ventured within the lines after nightfall, and made off with any thing +they could lay their hands upon. Sir Keith Jackson, the Captain of my +own troop, detected a fellow with a bridle in his hand, which he was +watching an opportunity to slip off with unperceived, and taking his +hand whip he inflicted a most unmerciful castigation upon him. The +rascal whined and moaned like a corrected child during the progress of +the punishment, but as soon as he was let loose he stuck his tongue in +his cheek, and went laughing out of camp. + +Our next destination was Sehwan, a thickly populated village, about +seventy English miles from Hyderabad. Here we were joined by the ever to +be lamented Sir Henry Fane, who was to have assumed the command of the +combined forces at their junction at Candahar, but who declined it in +disgust at the wretchedly organised state of the commissariat, and the +neglect which had been shown in providing for the contingencies of the +route. Sir Henry foresaw, and subsequent events justified his views, +that although supplies might be regularly forwarded from time to time, +it was extremely doubtful, nay almost next to impossible, that they +could reach an army always on the advance, through distant and +mountainous regions, and having enemies hanging on its rear who were but +too deeply interested in preventing their safe arrival. + +Before Sir Henry left us he inspected the troops, and appeared satisfied +with the condition of the men, who had not as yet encountered hardships +sufficient to affect their appearance. There have been few men in +command whose personal qualities have more endeared him to those who +served under him than Sir Henry Fane. He was between sixty and seventy +years of age, at the time I speak of, and his venerable countenance, +beaming with the kindliest and most benevolent feelings, and manners +that had a parental touch about them, combined to render him one of the +most respected and popular officers in the army. We viewed his departure +from amongst us with the deepest regret, for though we felt the fullest +confidence in our then leader, this gallant veteran had so won upon our +affections that a comparison with him must have proved invidious to any +one. + +The ingenuity of the Asiatic jugglers is well known, and I believe our +European exhibitors derive their proficiency, in a great measure, from +them, our soldiery carrying back with them the rudiments of this +respectable branch of knowledge, and turning their swords, if not into +ploughshares, at least into as peaceable and innocent a mode of gaining +a livelihood. An exhibition which took place during our short stay at +Sehwan made many of the "greenhorns" amongst us gape, and impressed them +with a very high notion of the favour in which the professors of the art +are held by his Satanic Majesty. Returning one day from the bazaar, I +observed a crowd of soldiers and natives assembled near the lines of the +Artillery. Elbowing my way through them I found a conjuror at his +tricks, and from the expensive and elaborate nature of the paraphernalia +by which he was surrounded, at once perceived that his pretensions were +of the highest order. He was attired in loose flowing robes, covered +with mystic characters; and a long white beard descended to his waist, +contrasting oddly with his jet black locks and piercing hazel eyes. +Surrounded by the various emblems and accessories of his art, he looked +a very imposing figure, and every movement which he made was regarded +with as much interest as if destiny really rested on his fiat. His only +assistants were a man who beat a _tom-tom_, or drum, to collect an +audience, and a beautifully formed girl about five or six years of age, +whose supple and graceful movements excited general admiration. Having +made a clear space of about thirty feet in diameter, the conjuror took +an oblong basket, about two feet in length, and one in breadth, the +interior of which he exhibited to the spectators, in order to convince +them that nothing was concealed in it. After performing a variety of +common-place tricks, such as balancing a sword upon a pipe and then +swallowing the blade, he suddenly turned towards the child and addressed +her in an angry tone of voice. She made some reply which appeared to +make him still more choleric, for his features became swollen with rage, +and his eyes shot glances of fire. The discussion continuing in the same +violent strain he appeared no longer able to control his fury, and +suddenly seizing the child by the waist, he opened the basket and +crammed her into it. The half stifled cries of the girl were distinctly +heard, but they only appeared to enrage him the more. Snatching a sword, +which lay near him, he plunged it to the hilt in the basket, twice or +thrice, and every time he drew it out it was reeking with gore. The half +smothered groans and sobs of the dying child at length convinced several +of the spectators that a murder had been committed, and two or three +soldiers rushed into the circle for the purpose of seizing the criminal. +Triumphantly smiling at the success of the cheat, he held them at bay +with the sword for a few minutes, when, to our great surprise, the child +bounded into the circle, unscathed, from amidst the crowd, though we had +kept our eyes attentively fixed on the basket all the time. Suspecting +that two children had been employed, I examined the basket, but found no +trace of an occupant, and saw nothing in its construction which could +have aided the deception. This clever trick was loudly applauded, and +brought its author a plentiful harvest of pice and cowries, while many +there were who went away with the firm conviction that it could only +have been effected through the agency of the devil himself. + +We had left a number of sick behind us at Tattah, with instructions that +they should be conveyed in pattemars up the river Indus, and rejoin us +at Sehwan. A boat containing a corporal and five men was stranded on the +banks of the river, and was with some difficulty got off. The soldiers +were so prostrated with fever that they could scarcely move, and in +this state they arrived at Sehwan. To their great distress they found +that the army had proceeded on its route, and one of their companions +expired immediately after their arrival. The heat of the sun was +intolerable, and the corpse began to putrify. In vain they implored the +native boatmen to inter it or cast it in the river, but they preferred +running the risk of infection to touching the dead body of an infidel. +The corporal, who was well acquainted with the language of the country, +entreated some of the natives who crowded to the banks to remove the +body, but they remained deaf to his prayers. Resorting to a stratagem +which he thought would have the effect of removing their religious +scruples, he asserted that the deceased had died in the Mahommedan +faith, and commanded them on pain of the displeasure of the Prophet, to +give him decent interment. At first they looked incredulous, but the +corporal swore loud and fast, and they were at length convinced. They +removed the body, and placing it on a sort of bier, somewhat similar to +a sailor's hammock, carried it on shore. Having swathed it in cotton +cloths, and laid it with the feet towards the setting sun, they decked +the head and breast with flowers, and bore it in procession to the place +of interment, which was situated in a romantic spot on the banks of the +Indus. The companions of the deceased proceeded on their route, +rejoicing in the success of the corporal's trick, and rejoined the main +body without further accident. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Larkhana.--Departure of the Commander-in-Chief for Candahar.--Capture of +Belochee Thieves.--Ludicrous scene in the Bazaar.--Tremendous +Hurricane.--An Irish Colonel's appeal to his men.--Murder of cooks +belonging to the Army.--A native funeral.--The Bholun Pass.--Massacre of +Camp Followers.--Ill-timed Merriment.--Animal Instinct. + + +Leaving Sehwan we crossed the Indus in pontoons, and entered a fertile +tract of country. Our route lay through rich pasturage and waving fields +of corn, occasionally diversified by rivers and lakes, the latter of +which we found well stocked with fish and game. The natives did not +exhibit any symptoms of fear at our approach, but continued peaceably +tilling and cultivating their lands. Proceeding by rapid marches we at +length reached Larkhana, the boundary which divides Upper and Lower +Scinde. It is a place of considerable importance, and contains from +seven to eight thousand inhabitants. Long cloths are manufactured here +in considerable quantities, and a brisk trade is carried on, in various +other articles with the mountain tribes. Sir John Keane now quitted us +to proceed to Candahar, where he was to assume the command of the Grand +Army of the Indus. He was accompanied by two squadrons of Native +Cavalry, one resselah of Local Horse, a regiment of Native Infantry, and +two pieces of artillery. The command of this division consequently +devolved upon Major General Wiltshire. + +The Belochees again favoured us with a visit and carried away about a +dozen camels from the encampment. A troop of cavalry was ordered out in +pursuit, and after a hot chase succeeded in coming up with the +marauders. They immediately abandoned their prey and made off to the +hills, but not before they had left three or four of their party in our +hands. Resolved to make an example which would deter them from repeating +the offence, General Wiltshire ordered the cat to be liberally +administered to them in the Bazaar. The senior of the party was first +tied up, and it was evident, from the trepidation he was in, that he +expected no less than the punishment of death. He begged and implored +for mercy, and finding that no attention was paid to his supplications, +he took leave of one of the other culprits, who turned out to be his +son, and resigned himself to die. Tied up, as he was, and unable to +observe the expression of our countenances, which were convulsed with +laughter, in anticipation of the scene that was about to follow, he +every moment expected to hear the report of the musket, or feel the blow +of the sabre that was to deal out his doom. The moment, however, the cat +descended on his shoulders, the terrified expression of his face changed +into that of the most extravagant joy. He smiled and nodded at his son, +and bore his four dozen lashes with the joyful patience of a martyr, +suffering in the vindication of some holy cause. + +On being set loose the culprits were informed that if they were ever +again detected in the commission of similar offences they would be shot, +without mercy, and they were ordered to disseminate this useful piece of +information amongst their comrades of the hills. + +Pursuing our route from Larkhana we encamped the same evening at Dooson, +and were visited during the night by a terrific hurricane. Arising +without any previous indication, the tempest came suddenly upon us in +our sleep, sweeping the tents before it, and enveloping us in +whirlwinds of white sand. The night being pitch dark we were soon in the +greatest distress and confusion, and to add to our embarrassments the +horses broke loose and ran wild amongst us. They killed two of the camp +followers, and injured several others by treading them under foot, and +the alarm which they created was as great as if the enemy had made a +sudden irruption amongst us. To this succeeded a scene of rioting and +squabbling, one having lost a shaco, another a jacket, and another his +shoes. Accusations and denials, oaths, vociferations, and complaints of +injuries received, formed altogether a pleasant medley; and glad enough +we were when the first streak of dawn threw some light on this scene of +horrible confusion. After lasting about two hours, heavy drops of rain +announced the approaching cessation of the tempest, but we only +exchanged one discomfort for another, being soon drenched to the skin. + +After two days further march we arrived at a wretched village, which +separates Upper Scinde from Belochistan, and which is only entitled to +notice as forming the boundary of a desert plain, about fifty miles in +extent, and completely divested of vegetation, the white soil lying +exposed to, and reflecting back with intensity, the scorching rays of +the sun. There were only two wells at the village, and there was a +fierce contest for precedence at them, it being known that there was +neither spring nor stream of any kind in the desert which we were about +to traverse. The Infantry entered on this cheerless waste about three in +the afternoon and the Cavalry followed about five. The former were fully +accoutred, and carried sixty rounds of ball cartridge each. At two +o'clock the following morning the cavalry overtook them and the general +halt sounded. So great was the fatigue of the infantry that numbers +threw themselves upon the ground in despair, declaring, it was +impossible for human nature to sustain more, and they could proceed no +further. It must be borne in mind that our rations had, for two months +previous, consisted of only half a pound of flour and an equal quantity +of red rice, with about four ounces of meat, and the latter was in some +instances of no use to us, from the difficulty of procuring fuel to cook +it. The order of march having been again given, several refused to move +from sheer exhaustion, and their situation became one of great +embarrassment to their colonel, who was aware that if he left them +behind, they would be instantly sabred by the enemy, who were always +hovering on our rear. Recollecting it was St. Patrick's Day, and that +most of the recusants were Irishmen, he ordered, as a last resource, +that the band of the regiment should strike up their national anthem. +The effect was electrical, the poor devils, whose limbs, a short time +previous, had refused to perform their accustomed office, and whose +countenances wore the aspect of the most abject despondency, seemed at +once to have new life and energy infused into them. They felt that this +was an appeal to their proverbial bravery and powers of endurance, and +gratified vanity did that which threats and remonstrances had failed to +effect. A faint smile lit up their features, and slowly rising from the +ground they tottered on their way. Had they adhered to their first +determination they would have fallen victims to the most savage +cruelties, as the following circumstance will soon convince the +reader:-- + +Three of the cooks belonging to our division, who followed with the camp +kettles at a short distance in its wake, lost their way in the darkness +of the night, and as chance would have it, stumbled upon a party of the +enemy. They were immediately seized, and each man was bound by the wrist +to the saddle of a Belochee horseman. The cries of the unfortunate men +having reached the rear-guard, which consisted of the Native Auxiliary +Horse, they turned in pursuit, and soon came in sight of the enemy, +whose figures were dimly visible in the obscurity which prevailed. As +soon as they heard them galloping up the Belochees spurred their horses +to their utmost speed, dragging their prisoners along with them at a +terrific pace. Finding their pursuers gained upon them they stooped +down, and with their broad knives ripped up two of their victims from +the abdomen to the throat, and then cast them loose. The third, more +fortunate, escaped with life, the Belochee to whose saddle he was +attached having freed him by cutting off his left arm with a blow of his +sabre: then wheeling round on our horse, who were now almost up with +them, the enemy took deliberate aim at the advancing troopers, and +having killed two, and severely wounded another, they plunged into the +darkness and succeeded in baffling pursuit. + +We reached the extremity of this barren waste by seven o'clock next +morning, and encamped at the bottom of a steep hill where there was +abundance of excellent water. The cupidity of the inhabitants of the +neighbouring villages, having got the better of their apprehensions, +several of them ventured into the camp with supplies of flour, which was +eagerly purchased from them by the soldiery, at the rate of about half a +crown the lb. The risk which they ran was great, for if the fact had +been discovered, they would, in all probability, have been massacred by +the mountain chief. The profits which they realised by the adventure, +must however, have well repaid them for the hazard. + +Descending the hills to our right, we one day observed a funeral +procession; and curious to witness the ceremonies performed on those +occasions I followed at a little distance. The corpse was swathed in +cotton bandages like a mummy, the head only being left exposed, and it +was borne on a bamboo bier, or stretcher, on the shoulders of four men. +The relations and friends of the deceased gave vent to their grief in +the bitterest lamentations, and there appeared a depth and sincerity in +their woe which is but too often wanting at our European rites. The +procession was headed by a Faquir or priest, whose rolling eyes, and +long dishevelled locks, gave him a wild and unearthly appearance. His +costume was no less singular than his looks, for it consisted of a +motley sort of garment, composed of patches of almost every colored +cloth, with a cap or rather a crown of peacock's feathers. Arrived at +the place of interment, which was situated in the valley, the procession +halted at a freshly dug grave, and the bier was laid beside it. The +crowd formed themselves into a circle round it, and the Faquir holding +up a small idol, commenced an oration in which he expatiated on the +merits of the deceased. The crowd having prostrated themselves, the +Faquir took a reddish sort of powder, and made a large mark with it on +the forehead of the dead man; then taking a basket of freshly pulled +flowers and herbs he scattered them over the body and into the grave. +The mourners rising from the ground, and walking in single files round +the bier made a respectful salaam towards it, after which the corpse was +lowered perpendicularly into the earth, and the grave filled up. At the +conclusion, the Faquir sat himself on a stone at a short distance from +the grave, and remained there quietly smoking his hookah, and +philosophising, as all good Faquirs should do, on the uncertainty of +mundane things. + +Our next destination was Dadur, where we were to form a junction with a +portion of the Bengal forces. The distance is only a day's march, and +nothing of interest occurred on the route. On approaching the encampment +of the Bengal troops, I could not help being struck with their superior +appearance. It was evident that their commissariat was better organized +than ours, for their camp equipage and other appointments were in all +respects complete, and they were abundantly supplied with necessaries of +every kind. This disparity was, in some degree, removed before we left +Dadur, by the arrival of additional supplies from Bombay. + +A few days having been passed in recruiting our strength after these +fatiguing marches, we at length received orders to advance on the +celebrated Bholun Pass. Nothing could be more calculated to awaken us to +the difficulties of our position, or to impress us with the uncertainty +of the fate that awaited us, than the imposing grandeur of the scenery +on which we now entered. Let the reader picture to himself a gloomy +looking gorge winding through two ranges of stupendous hills, whose +rugged masses of rock and hanging declivities impend over the narrow +route as if about to choke it up, or recede a short distance to some +fortress-like looking freak of nature from whose imaginary bastions and +parapets it seemed easy to hurl down destruction and death on the +passenger, and he may easily imagine that our feelings were not of the +liveliest or most comfortable nature. A handful of men could have +effectually stopped our progress had there been but another Leonidas +amongst the wild inhabitants of this magnificent defile, whose military +skill and resolution would have enabled him to seize upon, and maintain +its many points of defence. We could not conceal from ourselves +difficulties so apparent, and a general and undefined feeling of +uneasiness pervaded us all. We felt that if the enemy had any intention +of resisting us they would not lose opportunities which nature herself +appeared to indicate; and it was but too obvious that if they only knew +how to avail themselves of the formidable barriers which she had placed +against invasion, our situation would become critical in the extreme. +Once involved in the intricacies of the Pass, the superior knowledge of +the country possessed by the natives, and their familiarity with +mountain warfare would enable them to harrass us at every step, and a +well planned and daring attack might at once overwhelm us. Such were the +reflections that suggested themselves to almost every man's mind, and +many there were, I dare say, who just then thought of home, and +speculated whether it would ever be his lot to revisit its peaceful +fireside, and recount the dangers of which he had been the hero. + +The Bengal troops who preceded us through the Pass left behind them sad +proofs of the justice of some of these conclusions. We found from five +and twenty to thirty camp followers lying dead upon their track, the +throats of several having been cut, and the others bearing on their +mutilated persons the unequivocal evidence of a desperate hand to hand +struggle. As we advanced through the gorge we could observe the +Belochees peering at us over the jutting points of the precipices, and +the sharp report of their gingalls and matchlocks, which, luckily for +us, were not very sure in their aim, usually followed the brief +inspection by which we were favoured. Observing a camp follower leading +a camel at some distance in the rear, three of the mountaineers suddenly +darted from a fissure in the rock in which they had lain concealed, and +having cut the poor fellow down, led the animal up the ascent by one of +those diverging tracks like sheep walks, with which these hills abound. +A serjeant belonging to the Horse Artillery, who happened to witness the +circumstance, instantly galloped back, and gallantly dashing his horse +up the mountain succeeded in sabreing the nearest of the thieves, and +brought back the camel amidst a shower of balls from the neighbouring +heights. + +Within a few miles of the Affghanistan boundary the gorge is traversed +by a stream which winds like a snake through the sinuosities of the +Pass, and crosses it no less than sixteen times. Although it presents +for the most part, the appearance of an insignificant mountain rivulet, +it is, in many places studded with deep and dangerous holes, into which +the cavalry often plunged, and got a good sousing before they were aware +of it. Shouts of laughter usually escaped the comrades of the luckless +wight who became thus involved, and on one occasion a tragedy had nearly +resulted from their ill-timed merriment. An Irish trooper, named Dwyer, +a brave, but hot-blooded fellow, like most of his countrymen was feeling +his way cautiously through the stream, when both horse and rider +stumbled, and became instantly lost to view. Some alarm was at first +experienced for their safety, but it gave way to a roar of laughter when +we beheld them again emerging from the water. After several successive +attempts to disengage himself, the horse at length obtained a secure +footing, and Dwyer, wheeling him suddenly round upon us with a +countenance furious with rage, drew a pistol from his holster and fired +at a group of seven or eight men, who stood close to the spot, but +fortunately without effect. The madman was immediately placed under +arrest, but was released after a few days' confinement. + +On approaching Beebenaunce towards the close of the fourth day's march, +we found another stream where the Cavalry dismounted, for the purpose of +filling their canteens with water, while the Infantry were distributed +so as to protect them. We had been marching for several hours under a +scorching sun, and over a stony and rugged road, which rendered constant +watchfulness and exertion necessary to prevent the horses from falling +on their knees. Tormented by an insatiable thirst, we were about to +slake it, when it was discovered that the stream was polluted by the +putrifying bodies of several of dead Affghans, and followers of the +Bengal Army; the spot having been the scene of a deadly contest which +had occurred some days previous. The struggle between the loathing which +this circumstance created and the pressing calls of nature was however +of short duration. Not a man of us hesitated to drink from the +contaminated liquid, but the horse which I rode, being imbued with +keener senses than his master, positively refused to partake of it, +though almost dropping with fatigue and thirst. I took him lower down +the stream, where his fastidiousness being no longer offended he +indulged in a long and copious draught. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Skirmish with the Enemy.--Belochee Waggery.--Cleverly planned Capture +of a Bruhee.--Sufferings from want of water.--Valley of +Shawle.--Quettah.--Belochee cruelties.--Adventure in a Stone +Quarry.--Treachery of the Khan of Khelat.--Murder of another +Cook.--Poisoning of the Wells.--Fortunate Discovery. + + +We were about to quit the Pass at the close of the eighth day's march, +when the enemy made another and more successful attempt at plunder. +Emboldened by the absence of the Infantry, which was at a considerable +distance in the rear, they descended the heights in greater numbers +than usual, and attacked the camp followers in charge of the officers' +baggage. The latter took to flight, and the Belochees commenced +pillaging the trunks and cases. Amongst the property carried off was a +camel belonging to Brigadier Scott, which was laden with the whole of +the general's kit. A party of the 4th Dragoons, under the command of +Lieutenant Gillespie, at length galloped up and put the enemy to flight. +There were only three men wounded and three horses killed on our side, +whilst the Belochees left great numbers of dead on the ground. + +During the heat of the firing a mistake occurred, which at first +occasioned some alarm, but was soon converted into a burst of +uncontrollable merriment. Our men had driven the last of the enemy up +the hill, the latter peppering away at them from every rock or crevice +where they could find shelter, when our attention was arrested by the +appearance of a general officer on the heights to our left, who +appeared to be making signs to us. It was at first supposed that one of +our leaders had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and universal +consternation prevailed. The General at length took off his shaco, and +advancing to the very edge of the precipice, waved it in the air as if +to cheer us on to his rescue, when to our infinite amusement we +discovered it was the fellow who had made off with the Brigadier's kit, +and who, after examining the contents of it, had rigged himself out in +full uniform. The rocks echoed with laughter, and the _pseudo_ general +appeared to enjoy the fun as much as any of us, for he capered about in +a perfect ecstacy of delight, and gave expression to his contentment in +the most delectable yells. A shower of balls was at length directed +against him, and the Brigadier's swarthy representative came tumbling +down the precipice to render himself and his briefly enjoyed honours +into our hands. + +Amongst the booty carried off upon this occasion were the wind +instruments belonging to the 1st Bombay Cavalry, and a bullock, +carrying two packages of ball ammunition, which contained 500 rounds +each. Some amusement was created amongst us by speculations as to the +probable use that would be made of the former, the humour displayed in +the appropriation of General Scott's kit having given us a high idea of +the waggish propensities of the enemy. Our fun was however turned into +mortification when we beheld them cutting our ball ammunition into slugs +to fit the bore of their gingalls, and sending it back to us from the +heights in as wholesale quantities as they had taken it. + +In the course of the skirmish a feat was performed by two of the native +troops, which was watched with the most intense interest. A Bruhee (a +fierce and warlike tribe, distinguished by their inveterate hostility +towards the black troops in our service,) had taken shelter behind a +rock, about midway up the mountain, and kept up a constant fire on some +native cavalry beneath. Two of the Sepoys belonging to the Bombay +Native Infantry observing the circumstance, determined on effecting his +capture, and laying down their muskets at the foot of the hill, they +crept stealthily up. Whenever the fellow's flashing eyes were observed +on a line with the rock, searching for an object for his aim, they +crouched under cover until the discharge of his gingall satisfied them +he was about to reload. They then rapidly advanced to his lurking place, +and pouncing suddenly upon him conveyed him down the hill. The prisoner +had such a horror of falling into our hands that he several times +implored his captors to put an end to him on the spot. They took no +notice of his entreaties until they had reached the bottom of the hill, +where they had laid their arms, when a havildar meeting them inquired if +they had not heard of the orders, that no prisoners should be brought +into camp. "I knew nothing about it," replied one of the soldiers; "but +this I do know that he is a stout-hearted fellow, and deserves a better +fate." "_I_ understand you," exclaimed the other Sepoy, and taking his +musket he placed the muzzle of it to the prisoner's head, and literally +covered the serjeant with his brains. + +The quantity of carrion which we every where left upon our route +attracted numbers of the ravening beasts of prey with which these hills +abound, and we could not rest at night from the dismal howling which +surrounded us. Even the new made graves of our comrades did not escape +the keen and hungering scent of the jackall, their remains being +scarcely interred before we found them again torn up, their whitening +bones alone attesting the nature of the visitation. Amongst the greatest +of our annoyances, however, was the intolerable stench which proceeded +from the putrefying bodies of the camels, that lay scattered every where +upon our track, and which was enough to breed a mortality. + +As we emerged from the Pass into the open country, the heights became +literally alive with Belochees, who gave expression to their rage and +disappointment in the most absurd and violent gesticulations. We +bivouacked late at night in the open plain, after a fatiguing and +harassing march of twelve hours, during which we had been unable to +procure a drop of water. The same privation awaited us in the place +where we passed the night, and the sufferings of both men and cattle +were dreadful. It was not until six o'clock next day that we fell in +with a stream that traversed the road to Quettah, and were able to +satisfy the thirst which consumed us. We were now in the valley of +Shawle, which presented a most agreeable contrast to the barren hills +through which we had just passed: here we found a succession of vast +orchards, whose fruit trees bursting into blossom and gladdening the +wearied eye with a variety of the most beautiful tints recalled to most +of us the pleasant scenery of dear old England. + +On our arrival at Quettah the troops underwent a medical inspection, and +it was determined that the sick should be left behind. A depōt was +accordingly established here, consisting of one regiment of Bengal +Infantry, one company of European Foot Artillery, some heavy ordnance, +and some Gikwar, or native horsemen, the whole under the command of +Brigadier-General Nott. This arrangement was reported to have given rise +to some angry altercation between the latter officer and Sir John Keane +previous to the departure of the Commander-in-Chief for Candahar, +General Nott being indignant at being thus invalided and debarred his +share in the danger and glories of the campaign. We remained at Quettah +about a week, the condition of both men and horses being such as to +render rest necessary. The supplies which we obtained from the Bengal +column and the rich pasturage of the surrounding country soon refreshed +and re-invigorated us, and we pursued our route in renewed health and +spirits. + +Leaving Quettah, we again entered a barren and mountainous district +which presented few traces of cultivation, and which afforded little or +no pasturage for our cattle. In order to embarrass us the more the +Belochees lay on the watch for the parties who were sent out to cut +grass, and maimed and mutilated them in the most shocking manner. One +poor fellow had his ears slit, and another received injuries which +rendered the amputation of an arm necessary. The thefts of cattle, +however, became less numerous, the cutting off the supplies of forage +being deemed a less hazardous and equally effectual mode of impeding our +progress. + +So serious became this change in the tactics of the enemy that it was +resolved to increase the number of men sent out on the foraging +expeditions. This did not, however, deter the Belochees from repeating +their attacks, and on one occasion they drove in a party consisting of a +considerable number of native soldiers, and succeeded in making three or +four of the grass-cutters prisoners. A squadron of her Majesty's 4th +Light Dragoons was immediately ordered out in pursuit under the command +of Major Daly. We proceeded towards the hills at full gallop, and at +length came in sight of the enemy who were in a close body of from three +to four hundred. They suddenly disappeared from view, although the +country was still a perfect level, and presented no apparent means of +concealment. On reaching the spot we found they had ensconced themselves +in a large stone pit or quarry, into which it was impossible for cavalry +to penetrate, and a sharp and well directed fire from all the salient +points of the rocks affording the least shelter, indicated to us their +different lurking places. Patiently watching our opportunities we sent a +volley into every recess or cavity where a rag was to be seen +fluttering, and Major Daly observing a party of about ten or twelve +clustered in some bushes which lay almost within a bound of his horse +gallantly dashed the animal down the descent, followed by Lieutenant +Janvrin, the quarter-master of the regiment, and with a couple of hog +spears, which they happened to have with them they dispatched several of +the party. The others made their escape by plunging deeper into the +recesses of the quarry. + +The night now setting in, the Belochees took advantage of the obscurity +to steal out of their lair and creep through our lines one by one. They +did not get off, however, without further loss. Hearing a rustling noise +within a few feet of me, whilst on the watch, I listened attentively and +felt convinced that some of them were endeavouring to effect their +escape by crawling along the ground on their hands and knees. I plunged +my spurs in my horse and clearing the distance at a bound, just as I +observed two men rising from the ground, I cut them both down, +notwithstanding a most determined resistance, in the course of which +they fired twice at me. Several others were disposed of in like manner, +but no prisoners were made. We returned to camp about nine o'clock, well +satisfied with the issue of our adventure. + +The grass cutters who had been made prisoners, and who were abandoned +when it was found that our pursuit was likely to prove successful, had +received no other injury at the hands of the enemy, than a severe +thrashing with a bamboo. The poor fellows were terribly frightened, and +felt most grateful for their deliverance. + +Major Daly and two privates were severely wounded in this affair. Beside +a thrust of a sabre in the chest the Major received a musket ball in the +left foot, which disabled him for some time from active service. We also +found that several of the horses had been injured, it being a favourite +trick of the enemy to hamstring them, or rip their bellies open, +whenever they could get within reach of the animals. + +A treacherous trick played us by one of the neighbouring chiefs, the +Khan of Khelat, added in no small degree to the difficulties we had to +encounter. The Khan had promised allegiance to Shah Soojah, and +undertook to facilitate the progress of the British troops through his +territories. Instead of fulfilling the friendly professions he had made +towards us, he interdicted the villagers from bringing supplies to the +camp, and cut off almost all the mountain streams. Several of the camp +followers who ventured out in search of water, were either carried off +or murdered, and our situation became distressing in the extreme. In one +day's march of fifteen miles, we left upon our track the bodies of +nearly one hundred men, who died from sheer physical exhaustion. + +Continuing our progress towards the Khojuck heights, where we expected +to meet with determined opposition, we lost a number of men on the route +from their own imprudence in venturing at a distance from the camp after +dusk. One of them, a Portuguese cook, belonging to my own regiment, lost +his way in proceeding to the bazaar for necessaries, and fell into the +hands of the Belochees, who were always hanging on our rear. His cries +being heard by some soldiers returning from the bazaar, they ran towards +the spot from whence the noise proceeded, and were received with a +volley of bullets. They did not of course venture farther, being +ignorant of the number of the enemy, but on procuring assistance from +the camp, they discovered the cook with his throat cut, the head being +nearly severed from the shoulders. + +Sickness now increased alarmingly amongst us, owing to the bad quality +of the attar or flour, as well as the reduction in our usual quantity of +rations. The cattle were little better off, and the difficulties of the +route increased at almost every step. Water continued as scarce as ever, +for the natives filled up or concealed part of the wells and poisoned +the remainder. Of the latter fact, we received intimation in time to +prevent accidents, and chance befriended us as regarded the former. +After a harassing day's march some soldiers of the 17th Infantry, who +had set out in search of water, were unsuccessful and were bewailing +their hard fate, when the unusual moistness of the place where they had +pitched their tent attracted their notice. They sounded the ground and +finding it hollow, immediately arrived at the conclusion that it was a +well that had been freshly covered over. Further examination confirmed +this supposition, and about half an hour's work revealed a deep hole to +their sight, in which they found a spring of excellent water. This +discovery created such joy and frantic eagerness in the camp that the +authorities were obliged to place a strong guard with loaded muskets +over it in order to keep back the pressure of the crowds who flocked to +it. + +In the course of the next day's march we came upon a part of the road +which was literally strewn with human skeletons and broken matchlocks. +Of the various surmises current amongst us as to the occasion of this +wholesale butchery, the most probable was, that one of the caravans +travelling to Candahar had been attacked and overpowered by one of the +marauding tribes of the district. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +The Khojuck Pass.--Descent of the Troops.--Shocking Death of a Camel +Driver.--Detection and Escape of an Affghan Thief.--Loss of Cavalry +Horses.--Candahar.--Arrival of Shah Soojah.--Condition of +the Troops.--Attempt of the Natives to cut off a Convoy of +Provisions.--Asiatic Mendicants.--The Mosque at Candahar.--Arrival of +Affghan Auxiliaries. + + +We reached the Khojuck Pass in the expectation of finding it occupied by +the forces of Dost Mahommed, but contrary to general anticipation it was +abandoned. We learned that the Dost had visited the place a few days +before, in company with several of his chiefs, when the prudence of +disputing our passage was discussed. Owing to some violent differences +of opinion amongst the subordinate chiefs, the idea was abandoned, and +the enemy fell back towards Candahar. How different might have been the +fate of the expedition but for this impolitic and cowardly step. To +enable the reader to judge of its importance a brief description of the +Pass will be necessary. + +Ascending an eminence of no great height a platform of rock is gained, +from which a glorious view bursts upon the sight. Immediately beneath is +a steep declivity, along whose rugged sides winds the narrow road, while +a chasm of immense depth yawns beneath, and threatens to engulph the +luckless passenger should he chance to slip as he treads his way down +the difficult and dangerous descent. Receding into the far distance lie +long ranges of blue mountains broken at intervals into open plains and +valleys, whose calm and smiling aspect contrasts well with the frowning +majesty of the neighbouring heights. + +Nothing could be finer than the view which presented itself as our +troops wound round the brow of this tremendous precipice, their arms +glittering in the sun, and their uniforms imparting a gay and dazzling +variety to the sober hues of the stunted herbage with which its sides +were clad. The Infantry, consisting of several companies of the Queen's +Royals and a party of the 17th regiment were ordered to line the heights +in order to protect the descent of the Artillery and Cavalry, together +with the heavy baggage. So steep was the road (if road it could be +called) that the Cavalry were obliged to dismount and lead their horses, +bridle in hand, and the Artillery to unlimber their guns and drag them +down the precipice, a task, as the reader may conceive, of no small +labour and difficulty. About half way down, a camel, laden with camp +equipage, missed its footing and was precipitated into the abyss with +its conductor, and both were of course, immediately dashed to pieces. +We reached the plain without any further mishap about six o'clock the +same evening, and had every reason to congratulate ourselves that the +cowardice or negligence of the enemy had prevented them from disputing +our passage. + +Having halted at the bottom of the Pass two days so as to enable the +remainder of the heavy ordnance and baggage to descend we proceeded +towards Candahar. The enemy occasionally made their appearance, and +though not caring to face us in the field, continued to harass us +severely by hanging on our rear, and cutting off the stragglers. Nor did +they abate in the least in their love of thieving, robberies being just +as frequent, and characterised by as much ingenuity and daring as ever. +Late one night I was on sentry before the tent of Lieutenant Kemp when a +rustling noise attracted my notice; on looking attentively towards the +spot from whence it proceeded, I perceived an Affghan crawling towards +the tent on his hands and knees, and suffering him to enter, in order +the more easily to secure him, I surprised him as he was in the act of +plundering it. The fellow was completely naked, and on my attempting to +lay hold of him he slipped through my fingers like an eel, owing to the +quantity of grease with which his person was smeared, and succeeded in +clearing the lines in safety. I did not shoot him because positive +orders had been issued against shots being fired in camp, which had +before given rise to many groundless alarms. + +The weather now became excessively hot, the thermometer being 125 +degrees in the shade, which rendered it necessary that we should +prosecute our way either in the cool of the morning or at night. The +nights were so beautiful that the latter could not be deemed a hardship, +and had the scenery been but equal to that through which we had just +passed, it could not have been seen to greater advantage than under +these clear delicious moonlights. Nothing, however, can be more flat or +uninteresting than the country between the Khojuck Pass and Candahar. +The only thing that might be said to have broken the monotony of the +route was an occasional shot which told the fate of some poor horse, +who, having been broken down by fatigue and privation, and rendered +incapable of further exertion, was mercifully put out of pain by its +rider. There were nearly fifty head of cattle disposed of in this way +between the Pass and Candahar, a pretty item in the expenses of the +campaign, when it is borne in mind that each of them had cost from fifty +to sixty pounds in India. Had we come in contact with the enemy at +Candahar as we expected, I have no doubt the Cavalry would have been +found wholly ineffective from the jaded and worn-out condition of their +horses. + +We arrived at Candahar on the 4th. of May, and effected a junction with +the remainder of the Bengal forces under Sir Willoughby Cotton. Here we +were also joined by Shah Soojah in company with Sir William McNaghten +and Sir Alexander Burnes. The dethroned monarch immediately took +possession of his ancestral palace, which had just been evacuated by the +enemy. The reverses of fortune to which these Asiatic sovereigns are +subject have so steeled them against adversity, that I doubt if his +Majesty was agitated, even by a passing emotion, at this important +event. If he felt at all, it was perhaps more a sensation of fear than +joy, for he could not conceal from himself the fact, that the opinions +of his subjects were arraigned to a man against him, and that under such +circumstances his tenure of sovereignty would in all probability be +terminated by a bloody death. + +Tired as we were of the harassing mountain warfare in which we had been +engaged, and anxious to strike a blow which would decide the fate of the +Campaign, we were yet agreeably disappointed at the evacuation of +Candahar by the enemy. We were greatly in need of rest after the long +and fatiguing marches, which we had made; and the deplorable condition +in which we found ourselves, as regarded supplies, rendered it highly +impolitic to bring us just then in face of the enemy. Sickness had +increased alarmingly amongst us, but in this respect we did not find our +position improved, for the excessive heat which prevailed during our +stay here carried off great numbers of the men. + +Although the bazaar was plentifully supplied with meat and fruit, flour +was difficult to be obtained, the stock on hand having been eagerly +bought up by the troops on their arrival. The traders turned the +scarcity of this necessary article to profitable account, for they only +gave 2lb. to the rupee instead of 40lb., the usual proportion. We had +been living on half rations, and these not of the best quality, for +nearly a month previous, and had looked forward to our arrival at +Candahar for some addition to the quantity, but so far was this from +being the case, that it was found necessary to put the camp followers on +the same allowance, and it was not until three weeks after our arrival +that an increase and that not the full one, was served out to us. + +We were in daily expectation of the arrival of a convoy of six hundred +camels laden with provisions and grain, but intelligence having been +brought us that the Affghans lay in way to intercept it, it was thought +advisable to send out a force consisting of two squadrons of native +cavalry, a party of her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry and two field +pieces for its protection. The enemy being informed by their spies of +this movement, fell back to the hills, and the supplies were brought in +safety to the camp. The native contractor who furnished them, was +offered a bribe of 10,000 rupees by Dost Mahommed to direct his camels +another way, but much to his credit refused it. + +Candahar is a place of considerable importance in a commercial point of +view, but its military advantages are scarcely deserving of notice. It +is surrounded by an old wall and ditch, some efforts to strengthen which +had been made by throwing up a few parapets, but they were abandoned at +the first news of our approach. The principal entrance faces the south +and leads directly into the bazaar, which presents rather an animated +scene to the eyes of the stranger, in consequence of the varied and +picturesque costumes of the multitudes who resort to it, and who are +composed of Asiatics of almost every race. The merchandize exposed for +sale is no less heterogeneous in its character than its vendors, and +much to our surprise and gratification it included good broad-cloths and +Whitechapel needles, articles which, in the dilapidated and transparent +state of our clothing, proved of no small service to us. + +Common and disgusting as mendicancy has become through all parts of +Asia, I have never seen it carried to such an annoying extent as here. +Our ears were assailed on all sides by whining petitions, and our eyes +offended by the exhibition of festering sores or simulated deformities. +The ingenuity displayed in twisting a straight and well made limb into +some hideous distortion, or in painting up an ugly case of cancer, would +have excited the admiration and envy of the importunate cripples who +beset the chapels of Catholic countries. + +At the further extremity of the bazaar stands a noble mosque, in which +are interred the remains of Shah Soojah's father and grandfather. A +lofty gilt dome and graceful minarets distinguish it above the other +buildings of the town, and the effect, as it is approached from the +distance, is extremely imposing. On entering this beautiful temple the +visitor is conducted up a flight of marble steps to a platform within +the dome, where the remains of the deceased princes lie. The tombs are +covered with palls of blue velvet, fringed with gold, and illuminated by +about two hundred lamps, which are kept burning night and day, while +forty Faquirs, or priests, watch perpetually over them. Two magnificent +folio editions of the Koran, bound in velvet and ornamented with +characters of gold, were also shown to us with a degree of reverence +that proved the estimation in which they were held. A few pigeons which +were flying round the interior of the building appeared to divide with +these costly exemplars of the Book of Life the regard and veneration of +the votaries of the temple, this bird being held sacred, and any +invasion of its privileges visited by the punishment of death. + +Several of the Affghan Chiefs who were known to be devoted to the +interests of Dost Mahommed becoming alarmed at the turn affairs were +taking, or, as some said, being dissatisfied with that prince for +refusing to guarantee the safety of their women, now came into camp and +tendered their allegiance to Shah Soojah. These reluctant auxiliaries +were warmly received by the Politicals, who hailed their adhesion as an +omen of the success of the expedition; and I observed Sir Alexander +Burnes carry his joy so far as cordially to embrace one of them. The +Chief smiled grimly, but said but little. I had an opportunity however +of ascertaining his real feelings, on getting amongst his followers a +few days afterwards. They openly expressed their regret at being +compelled to join the invaders of their country, and stated, that they +could not have a braver leader, or a better prince, than Dost Mahommed. +They described him as being of a just and generous nature, whilst they +represented the Shah as being cruel and unprincipled. + +These Affghan horsemen were a fine athletic set of men, and capitally +mounted, their breed of cattle being much superior to ours, and +exhibiting proofs of the most careful grooming. The riders wore coats of +mail with steel gauntlets, and their arms consisted of a sabre, heavier +and longer than ours, a dagger, and in some instances shields and +matchlocks. I have no hesitation in saying that the Affghan Cavalry, if +these were a fair sample of them, are a most effective body of men. They +may not be equal to ours in the field, but for a harassing system of +mountain warfare where they are required to make sudden descents upon +Infantry, hemmed in between defiles, and embarrassed by ignorance of the +country, no body of troops can be better adapted. Their horses are light +limbed, but strong and wiry, and capable of undergoing incredible +fatigue while the trooper himself, practised from infancy in the +management of the animal, can ride him over places where no European +horseman would venture. Had these wild mountaineers but the advantages +of discipline and proper organization their country would be +inaccessible to any troops in the world. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Installation of Shah Soojah.--Attack on the camel guards.--Heroism of an +Affghan Youth.--Murder of Cornet Inverarity of the 16th +Lancers.--Departure from Candahar.--The Ghiljie +Hills.--Locusts.--Arrival of new Auxiliaries.--Camel Batteries.--Hyder +Khail.--Arrival at Ghuznee.--Tomb of Mahommed.--Remains of the Old Town +of Ghuznee. + + +In order to give a sort of political eclat to the steps taken to +reinstate Shah Soojah on the throne of his ancestors, it was resolved +that he should be solemnly inaugurated at Candahar, and nothing was +omitted that could possibly tend to render the ceremony imposing. On +the morning fixed for its celebration, the whole of the British forces +were paraded in review order on a large plain to the north of the city, +whilst the Shah's troops were drawn up at a little distance. In the +centre of the field stood a platform canopied with crimson silk, and +ornamented with numerous banners and devices, the seat reserved for the +Shah being ascended by a broad flight of tapestried steps, and covered +with cushions of crimson and gold. The other accessories of the pageant +were got up in similar costly style, but the effect, on the whole, +conveyed to the mind rather the unsatisfied feeling which attends the +hollow show and glitter of the theatre, than the idea of substantial +power. The weather was beautiful, the sun shedding its gorgeous rays +full upon us, and finding innumerable reflections in the military +panoply beneath. The heat was however excessive, and the majority of us +would have willingly exchanged our places in the ceremonial for the +shade and repose of our tents. + +As early as six o'clock the Commander-in-Chief took up his position in +front of the line, and was received with a general salute. The Shah was +soon after observed leaving the gates of the city on an elephant, the +howdah of which was of solid silver. His Majesty appeared to me to be +between fifty and sixty years of age; of middle stature, and somewhat +inclined to corpulency. His features were large, but regular, and the +expression which played about them was not calculated to leave a +favourable impression on the physiognomist. It had a mingled character +of vaccillation and cruelty about it, which impressed one with the +notion that the possessor could sink with ease from the extreme of +tyrannical self-will to the abject and fawning humility of the slave. +His Majesty was accompanied by his Vizier, a tall, spare looking man of +a thoughtful and rather melancholy cast of features, and somewhat older +than his master. Immediately behind the Shah rode Sir William +McNaghten, in full court dress, such as is usually worn by officials at +her Majesty's levees in England, and he was followed by Sir Alexander +Burnes, in a plain suit, and surrounded by the Affghan chiefs, with whom +he appeared to be in close and friendly converse. The winning smile and +frank and courteous manner of the latter gentleman appeared to have +gained for him a degree of consideration amongst the natives, which no +other European could boast of, and which was principally attributable to +the talismanic influence of qualities that have a never failing effect +in softening down and subduing even the most rugged and intractable +natures. Nothing could exceed the splendour of the costumes in which +these chiefs were clad, their turbans and weapons being studded with +diamonds and other precious stones; whilst the horses on which they were +mounted were perfect models of animal beauty. + +As soon as the Shah arrived on the ground the bands of the different +regiments struck up "God save the King," and his Majesty was conducted +to his throne by the Politicals. The troops then marched past the +platform in slow and quick time each regiment lowering its colors as it +arrived before it. A proclamation was afterwards read, declaring and +confirming the Shah's title to the throne, and all persons subject to +his authority having been required to yield him fealty, the Affghan +Chiefs present tendered their homage. The troops were marched back to +their lines immediately after, and a Durbar concluded the ceremonies of +the day. + +It must not be imagined that during all this time our ever watchful +enemies had abated their vigilance or lost any opportunity of annoying +us. They did not dare to attack the camp, itself, precautionary measures +having been adopted to prevent their near approach, by stationing +inlying and outlying pickets round it. We were compelled, however, to +send our camels to graze at some distance from the encampment, and the +soldiers in charge of them were frequently surprised and driven in. On +one occasion a party of the 13th Light Infantry, consisting of a +serjeant and six privates, who had been entrusted with the care of from +fifteen to eighteen camels, fell asleep on their posts, being overcome +by the excessive heat, and the Affghans, stealing upon them whilst in +this state, put one man to death, and severely wounded two others, the +whole of the camels of course falling into their hands. The serjeant +escaped but was broken for neglect of duty. + +Shortly after this occurrence, two of the marauders fell into our hands. +In order to put an end to, or diminish these vexatious losses it was +determined to make a terrible example of the prisoners, in the hope that +it would have some effect upon their companions. They were accordingly +tried by a court martial, composed of native officers, and sentenced to +be blown from the mouth of a gun. Having been led into the market-place +at Candahar, they were ordered to draw lots as to who should first +undergo this dreadful doom. The younger of the prisoners, a stripling of +about nineteen years of age, whose firm and gallant bearing excited +universal sympathy and admiration, responded to this command by at once +embracing the mouth of the gun from which he was instantly blown to +atoms. His companion, a grey-headed man, upwards of sixty years of age, +sat looking on, unmoved at this terrible scene, and coolly smoking his +hookah. On being ordered to take his place at the gun he did not exhibit +the least appearance of fear, and just as the match was about being +applied, the officer in command arrested it and directed the prisoner to +be taken away, the Shah influenced, it is said, by the entreaties of Sir +Alexander Burnes, having granted his pardon. This unexpected release +from the very jaws of death produced as little emotion on the part of +this stout old man, as its near approach or the fate of his youthful +companion had elicited. + +The mysterious and premature death of Cornet Inverarity, of the 16th +Lancers, formed, whilst here, the universal topic of discussion in the +military circles. The circumstances, as far as I could collect them, +were these:--A pic-nic party had been given by the officers of the +regiment at a pleasant rural retreat, within a few miles of Candahar, +and the Cornet, being fond of fishing, took his rod and strayed a short +distance from his companions in search of sport. His prolonged absence +having given rise to remark, some of the party went in search of him, +and found the unfortunate gentleman lying dead on the banks of a +neighbouring stream. The wounds he had received were of such a nature as +to preclude the idea that they were self-inflicted, and there can be but +little doubt that he was murdered by the Affghans. The deceased was an +officer of considerable acquirements, and was regretted by all who had +the honour of his acquaintance. He was only in his 26th year, and had +been about five in the service. + +I gladly avail myself of the opportunity which presents itself of paying +a tribute to the good conduct and friendly feeling of the native troops, +who testified on all occasions the utmost willingness, and indeed the +most anxious desire to render all the aid and service in their power to +their European comrades. Their knowledge of the language of the country, +and their acquaintance with the value of its produce, proved of no small +advantage to us in our daily traffic with the cunning and thievish +traders of the bazaar. Let me add that the general feeling amongst us +was that, in privation or danger, we might always count with certainty +on the generosity and bravery of the Sepoy. + +Having passed nearly seven weeks at Candahar, it was determined that we +should next proceed to Ghuznee, where it was reported that Dost +Mahommed and his followers had resolved on making a stand. The army +quitted the encampment on the 27th of June, preceded by a squadron of +European cavalry, two squadrons of the native troops, and two field +pieces loaded with canister and grape shot. The route from Candahar to +Ghuznee lies through a wild and mountainous country, and over roads +extremely difficult, and at times almost impassable. The Ghiljies fled +on our approach to the numerous mud forts with which these hills abound, +and seldom ventured on our track. In the dwellings they had abandoned we +found only a few old crones and hungry dogs, both of whom received us +with a sort of howling welcome. The Ghiljie huts are constructed +somewhat like a bee hive, being of circular and conical form, with +interior accommodations of the most wretched description. The few males +whom we caught a glimpse of were clad in the same substitute for broad +cloth that served the famous Bryan O'Lynn, who having-- + + "No breeches to wear, + Cut up a sheepskin to make him a pair." + +We were lucky enough to discover the stores of corn and _bussorah_ (a +sort of provender for cattle) which the natives had buried at the first +news of our approach. We were also well supplied with water the country +being traversed in all directions by rivers and streams. To +counterbalance these advantages we were annoyed with shoals of locusts, +which literally darkened the atmosphere and kept up a perpetual buzzing +and humming in our ears. The locust appears to be a favorite article of +food with the natives, who roast it on a slow fire and devour it with +eagerness. We could not bring ourselves to relish this equivocal dainty, +although our rations were not of the best or most varied description. + +As we advanced on Khelat-i-Ghiljie scarcely a day passed without some +Chief coming into camp from Cabul, with a retinue of from one to two +hundred men, in order to tender his allegiance to the Shah. They were +immediately sent to the rear and incorporated with his Majesty's levies. +Many of these new auxiliaries brought camel batteries, which created a +good deal of curiosity and amusement amongst the European troops, to +whom they were a novelty. Each camel carried a sort of rampart on his +back, which mounted from four to six swivel guns of small calibre, the +conductor both driving the animal and serving the guns. We were +surprised at the rapidity and accuracy with which these portable +batteries were served and brought to bear, the animal dropping on its +knees wherever it became necessary to bring the guns within range, and +rising the moment they were discharged. + +At Hyder Khail we were plundered of several camels laden with bedding, +belonging to her Majesty's 2nd, or Queen's Royals, and the party in +charge of them disappeared and was not again heard of before we left. As +we passed Khelat-i-Ghiljie the country began to improve in its +character, and large tracts, covered with corn and beans, betokened the +presence of a more civilized tribe than that through whose inhospitable +territories we had just passed. The villagers came daily into camp with +fruit and vegetables, which they parted with at reasonable prices, and +their conduct to us on the whole was civil and peaceable. + +On the 21st. of July we arrived in sight of Ghuznee, the strength of +which we found underrated rather than exaggerated. Ghuznee may be said +to form the key to Cabul since it commands the only direct route to that +place. The citadel is of great extent, and includes within its precincts +three or four bazaars and several streets. It is surrounded on every +side by strong bastions and substantial walls, the whole of which had +been recently put in repair, and it mounted nine guns (one a 48 +pounder) besides innumerable wall pieces, gingals, and matchlocks. The +principal entrance is at the North side, on the road to Cabul, and is +approached by a bridge of slight construction, thrown across a deep +ditch or moat. To the right and left stretch long chains of lofty hills, +which approach the walls so closely on the North side, as to command a +view of the interior of the citadel. The enemy, sensible of the +importance of these heights, had lined them with troops in order to +prevent our planting batteries on them. At the distance of about three +quarters of a mile from the fort, and situated in an amphitheatre of +hills, lies the town of Ghuznee, which consists of only a few narrow, +straggling streets. A narrow, but deep and rapid river, whose banks are +studded with rich corn fields, winds its devious route through the +pleasant valley in which the town is situate, and half encircles its +walls. Nearly equidistant from the town and the fort, and surrounded by +luxuriant orchards and vineyards, stands the famous tomb of Mahommed of +Ghuznee. It consists of an oblong building 36 ft. by 18, and about 30 +feet in height, and is crowned by a mud cupola. The gates are said to be +of sandal-wood, and were taken from the temple of Somnath by the +conqueror, whose remains lie entombed here. The grave stone in the +interior is made of the finest white marble, but its once rich sculpture +is now nearly defaced, and it presents but few traces of the Arabic +characters with which it was formerly inscribed. Over the last resting +place of the hero, and in a sadly decayed state, are suspended the +banner of green silk, and the enormous mace which he had so often borne +in battle. + +In the plain to the south of the hills stand two pillars, or obelisks, +of brickwork, about one hundred feet in height, and twelve in diameter +at the base, which are said to have marked the limits of the bazaar of +ancient Ghuznee, and which at present form serve only as conspicuous +landmarks for the traveller. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Reconnaisance of the Fortress.--Skirmish with the Enemy.--Rejoicings of +the Garrison at our Supposed Defeat.--Preparation for a Coup de +Main.--Engineer Operations.--Storming and Taking of the Fortress. + + +We debouched on the plain in front of the fort about eight o'clock in +the morning, and advanced upon it in three columns--the Cavalry on the +right, the Artillery in the centre, and the Infantry on the left. The +Commander-in-Chief determined to reconnoitre the place in force, and +make the enemy show their strength. On approaching the orchards and +walled gardens before described, we found them occupied by the enemy, +and the 1st Brigade having been immediately thrown into them, drove the +Affghans out of the enclosures in capital style, and forced them to take +shelter behind the defences, with a comparatively trifling loss on our +side. Our guns were now brought to bear upon the fortress, which had +kept up a sharp fire on us from the moment of our appearance, but owing +to our having left our heavy battering train behind us at Candahar we +did but little or no damage. About eleven o'clock we drew off, and +pitched our camp out of range of the fire of the foot. On our +skirmishers retiring from the gardens they were immediately occupied by +the enemy, who commenced cheering our retreating parties, in the +conviction that they had obtained a victory. Under this impression they +instantly sent off expresses to Cabul, to announce the fact, and state +that if the whole of the surrounding country could be raised, they had +little doubt of being able to cut us off to a man. The garrison spent +the night in rejoicings, and blue lights were constantly sent up as +signals to their friends on the neighbouring hills. + +Next morning the Shah's camp was threatened on the left by large bodies +of horse and foot who were driven off by the Cavalry and some of his +Highness's troops; whilst another force, consisting chiefly of horse, +under the command of one of Dost Mahommed's sons; and at a short +distance from him a Ghiljie Chief, with about fifteen hundred Cavalry, +who had hung upon our flank all the way from Khelat-i-Ghiljie, menaced +us to the right. This determined the Commander-in-Chief to expedite +matters, and the engineers having made a careful inspection of the +fortress, he resolved on carrying it by storm. The whole of the 22nd was +consumed in making the necessary preparations, the field hospital being +got ready while strong detachments of Cavalry scoured the country +around, in order to keep the enemy from our lines. + +In order to give my readers a correct idea of the strength of the +fortifications, and the difficulties overcome by the intelligence and +courage of the officers and men of the British Army, I cannot do better +than to copy the official reports made by the principal Engineer +officers on the subject. They contain a full detail of the operations up +to the moment when the citadel fell into our possession. + + +_Memorandum of the Engineers' operations before Ghuznee, in July, 1839, +by Captain George Thompson, Bengal Engineers, Chief Engineer Army of the +Indus._ + +The accounts of the Fortress of Ghuznee, received from those who had +seen it, were such as to induce his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief to +leave in Candahar the very small battering train then with the Army, +there being a scarcity of transport cattle. The place was described as +very weak, and completely commanded from a range of hills to the north. + +When we came before it on the morning of the 21st of July we were very +much surprised to find a rampart, in good repair, built on a scarped +mound about thirty-five feet high, flanked by numerous towers, and +surrounded by a faussebraye and wet ditch. The irregular figure of the +"enceinte" gave a good flanking fire, whilst the height of the citadel +covered the interior from the commanding fire of the hills to the north, +rendering it nugatory. In addition to this, the towers, at the angles, +had been enlarged, screen walls had been built before the gates, the +ditch cleared out and filled with water, stated to be unfordable, and an +outwork built on the right bank of the river so as to command the bed of +it. + +The garrison was variously stated from three to four thousand strong, +including five hundred Cavalry, and from subsequent information we +found that it had not been overrated. + +On the approach of the army, a fire of artillery was opened from the +body of the place, and of musketry from the neighbouring gardens. A +detachment of Infantry cleared the latter, and the former was silenced +for a short time by shrapnells from the Horse Artillery, but the fire +from the new outwork on the bank of the river was in no way checked. A +nearer view of the works was, however, obtained from the gardens which +had been cleared. This was not at all satisfactory. The works were +evidently much stronger than we had been led to expect, and such as our +army could not venture to attack in a regular manner. We had no +battering train, and to besiege Ghuznee in form, a much larger one would +be required than the army ever possessed. The great command of the +parapets from sixty to seventy feet, with the wet ditch, were +insurmountable obstacles to an attack, either by mining or escalading. + +It therefore became necessary to examine closely the whole _contour_ of +the place, to discover if any other mode of attack could be adopted. The +engineers, with an escort, went round the works, approaching as near as +they could find cover. The garrison were on the alert, and kept up a hot +and well regulated fire upon the officers whenever they were obliged to +show themselves. However, by keeping the Infantry beyond musket range, +and the Cavalry at a still greater distance, only one man was killed, +and another wounded; the former being hit by men sent out of the place +to drive off the reconnoitring party. + +The fortifications were found equally strong, all round, the only +tangible point observed being the Cabul gateway, which offered the +following advantages for a _coup-de-main_. The road to the Gate was +clear, the bridge over the ditch unbroken, there were good positions +for the Artillery within three hundred yards of the walls on both sides +of the road, and we had information that the Gateway was not built up, a +reinforcement from Cabul being expected. + +The result of this reconnaisance was a report to His Excellency the +Commander-in-Chief, that if he decided upon the immediate attack on +Ghuznee, the only feasible mode of proceeding, and the only one which +held out a prospect of success was a dash at the Cabul gateway, blowing +the gate open by bags of powder. + +His Excellency decided upon the attempt, the camp was moved that evening +to the Cabul road, and the next morning, the 22nd, Sir John Keane in +person reconnoitred the proposed point of attack, approved of the plan, +and gave orders for its execution. Preparations were made accordingly, +positions for the artillery were carefully examined, which excited the +jealousy of the garrison, who opened a smart fire upon the party. + +It was arranged that an explosion party, consisting of three officers of +Engineers, Captain Peat, Lieutenants Durand and McLeod, three Serjeants, +and eighteen men of the Sappers in working dresses, carrying 300lbs. of +powder in twelve sand bags, with a hose seventy-two feet long, should be +ready to move down to the gateway at daybreak. + +At midnight the first battery left camp, followed by the other four, at +intervals of half an hour. Those to the right of the road were conducted +to their positions by Lieutenant Stuart, those to the left by Lieutenant +Anderson. The ground for the guns was prepared by the Sappers and +Pioneers, taking advantage of the irregularities of the ground to the +right, and of some old garden walls to the left. + +The Artillery was all in position, and ready by 3 A. M. of the 23rd, and +shortly after, at the first dawn, the party under Captain Peat moved +down to the gateway, accompanied by six men of her Majesty's 13th Light +Infantry, without their belts, and supported by a detachment of the same +regiment, which extended to the right and left of the road; when they +arrived at the ditch, taking advantage of what cover they could find, +and endeavouring to keep down the fire from the ramparts, which became +heavy on the approach of the party, though it had been remarkably slack +during the previous operations; blue lights were shown, which rendered +surrounding objects distinctly visible, but luckily they were buried on +the top of the parapet instead of being thrown into the passage below. + +The explosion party marched steadily on, headed by Lieutenant Durand; +the powder was placed, the hose laid, the train fired, and the carrying +party had retired to tolerable cover in less than two minutes. The +Artillery opened when the blue lights appeared, and the musketry from +the covering party at the same time. So quickly was the operation +performed, and so little was the enemy aware of the nature of it, that +not a man of the party was hurt. + +As soon as the explosion took place, Captain Peat, although hurt by the +concussion, his anxiety preventing him from keeping sufficiently under +cover, ran up to the gate, accompanied by a small party of her Majesty's +13th Light Infantry, and ascertained that it was completely destroyed. +There was some delay in getting a bugler to sound at the advance, the +signal agreed on for the assaulting column to push on, and this was the +only mistake in the operation. + +The assaulting column, consisting of four European Regiments (her +Majesty's 2nd regiment, Bengal European regiment, her Majesty's 13th +Light Infantry, and her Majesty's 17th regiment) commanded by Brigadier +Sale, the advance under Lieutenant Colonel Dennie, accompanied by +Lieutenant Sturt, Engineers, moved steadily through the gateway, +through a passage inside the gateway, in a domed building, in which the +opening on one side rendered everything very obscure, and making it +difficult to find the outlet into the town. They met with little +opposition; but the party of the enemy seeing a peak in the column, +owing to the difficulty in scrambling over the rubbish in the gateway, +made a rush, sword in hand, and cut down a good many men, wounding the +Brigadier and several other officers. These swordsmen were repulsed, and +there was no more regular opposition; the surprise and alarm of the +Governor and Sirdars being so great when they saw the column occupying +the open space inside the gate, and firing upon them, that they fled, +accompanied by their men, even the garrison of the Citadel following +their example. Parties of the Affghans took refuge in the houses, firing +on the column as it made its way through the streets, and a good deal of +desultory fighting took place in consequence, by which some loss was +sustained. The Citadel was occupied as soon as daylight showed that it +had been abandoned by the enemy, and the whole of the works were in our +possession before 5 A. M. + +We lost seventeen men, six European and eleven Natives killed--eighteen +officers, and one hundred and seventeen Europeans, and thirty Natives +wounded--total one hundred and eighty-two. Of the Affghans more than +five hundred and fourteen were killed in the town, that number of bodies +having been buried, and about one thousand outside by the Cavalry, one +thousand six hundred prisoners were taken, but I have no means of +estimating the number of wounded. + +There were nine guns of different calibres found in the place, a large +quantity of good powder, considerable stores of shot, lead, &c., &c., +and a large supply of attar and other provisions. + + GEO. THOMSON, Capt. Engrs. + _Chief Engineer Army of the Indus._ + + +The following report by Captain Peat, of the Bombay Civil Engineers, +gives a more detailed account of the operations for blowing up the gate, +which, it will be seen, were attended with difficulties of no ordinary +nature. + +"During the reconnaissance the wall pieces were particularly +troublesome. This weapon is almost unknown in our service, but it is a +very efficient one, especially in the defence of works, and its use +should not be neglected. Every fortified post should be supplied with a +proportion of them, and a certain number of men in every regiment +practised in firing them. + +The charge recommended by Colonel Pasley, for blowing open gates is from +sixty to one hundred and twenty pounds, and this is, doubtless, +sufficient in ordinary cases; but in this instance we were apprehensive +that the enemy might have taken alarm at our being so much on that side +of the place, and in consequence, partially or wholly, built up the +gateway. It was afterwards found that some attempts of the kind had +been made by propping up the gate with beams. + +The charge was so heavy, that it not only destroyed the gate, but +brought down a considerable portion of the roof of the square building +in which it was placed, which proved a very considerable obstacle to the +assaulting column, and the concussion acted as far as the tower, under +which an officer's party of her Majesty's 13th regiment were standing at +the time, but without occasioning any casualties. In cases of this +nature it is of course the first object to guard against any chance of +failure; and it is impossible, even now, to say how much the charge +might have been reduced with safety. + +The enemy appeared so much on the alert, and the faussebraye was so much +in advance of the gate that we never contemplated being able to effect +our object by surprise. The only question was, whether it ought to be +done by day or night. It was argued in favor of the former, that the +Artillery would be able to make so much more correct practice that the +defences would be in a considerable degree destroyed, and the fire so +completely kept under as to enable the explosion party to advance with +but little loss, and with the advantage of being able to see exactly +what they were about. Captain Thompson, however, adhered to the latter, +and we were afterwards convinced it was the most judicious plan; for +although the fire of the Artillery was necessarily more general than it +would have been in daylight, still it was so well directed as to take up +a good deal of the attention of the besieged, and draw upon their +batteries a portion of the fire, which in daylight would have been +thrown down upon the explosion party and assaulting columns. It would +also, even in daylight, have been difficult, with our Light Artillery, +to have kept down the fire so completely but that a few matchlock men +might have kept their position near the gateway; and in that narrow +space a smart fire from a few pieces might have obliged the party to +retire. The obscurity of the night, to say nothing of the confusion +which it must occasion among undisciplined troops, is certainly the best +protection to a body of men engaged in an enterprise of this nature. +Blue lights certainly render objects distinctly visible, but their light +is glaring and uncertain, especially to men firing through loopholes. + +The party consisted of eighteen officers, twenty-eight sergeants, seven +buglers, and two hundred and seventy-six rank and file. + +It was made of this strength, not only to keep up a heavy fire upon the +parapets, and thereby divert attention from the party at the gateway, +but also because we were not aware whether the faussebraye was occupied +or not, and as it extends so much in advance as to take the gate +completely in reverse, it would have been necessary, had a fire opened +from it, to have carried it by assault before the party with the bags +could have advanced. The party with Lieutenant Durand was accompanied +by six men of the 13th, without their belts, the better to secure them +from observation, to protect them from any sortie that might be made +from the postern of the faussebraye on the right, or even from the gate +itself, while another party under an officer, Lieutenant Jennings, +accompanied me as far as the tower so as to check any attempts that +might have been made from the faussebraye on the left, and at the same +time keeping up a fire on such of the enemy as showed their heads above +the parapet; of this party one man was killed and a few wounded. + +Nothing could have been more gallant than the conduct of Lieutenants +Durand and McLeod, and the men under their command; or more efficient +than the manner in which they executed their duty. + +The powder being in sand bags of a very coarse open texture, a long hose +and port fire was thought to be the safest method of firing it. The end +of the hose fortunately just reached the small postern. The casualties, +however, during this operation were much fewer than was expected, being +in all one private killed, two sergeants, and twenty-three rank and file +wounded. + +The heaviest fire was certainly outside the bridge, for the enemy near +the gateway being marked, whenever they attempted to shew their heads +above the parapet, were obliged to confine themselves to the loop-holes, +the range from which is very uncertain and limited against men moving +about. A high loop-holed wall, although imposing in appearance, is a +profile but ill adapted to resist attacks of this nature. + +The enemy were perfectly aware that we were in the gateway, but appeared +to have no idea of the nature of our operations. Had they been so they +might easily have rendered it impossible to place the powder bags, by +throwing over blue lights, of which they had a large quantity in store. +The powder pots and other fire works so much used by the natives of +Hindoostan would certainly have rendered the confined space leading to +the gate much too hot for such an operation; but the ignorance of the +besieged was known and calculated upon, the result shows how justly. + +Their attempts at resistance were confined to the fire from the +loopholes and throwing over large pieces of earth, some of which +appeared to be intended to knock off the port fire. + +I on this occasion received an excellent lesson on the necessity of not +allowing preconceived opinions to lead to any carelessness, in +accurately ascertaining the result of any operation of this nature. The +gateway appeared, from what I had seen from the hills to the north, to +lead straight into the town, and on running in to examine it after the +explosion I was so much impressed with this idea and so much convinced +of the probability of the gateway having been blocked up during the day, +that I was led to believe that it had actually been done, from seeing, +in front of the gate that had been destroyed, the outline of an arch +filled up with brick masonry. The true entrance turned to the right and +would have been discovered by advancing a few paces, and that in perfect +safety, for the interior was secure from all fire. Lieutenant Durand on +first going up saw from through the chinks of the gate that there was a +light and a guard immediately behind it, and from that circumstance was +convinced that no interior obstacles of importance existed. + +My mistake therefore was luckily immediately corrected without any bad +consequence resulting. + +A party of sappers with felling axes, and commanded by Lieutenant +Wemyss, and two scaling ladders in charge of Lieutenant Pigan, +accompanied the assaulting column. + +Of ten Engineer Officers engaged in this attack, only one, Lieutenant +Marriot, was slightly wounded. Captain Thompson however had a very +narrow escape, having been thrown down by a rush of some swordsmen into +the gateway, and nearly sabred while upon the ground." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +An Affghan Heroine.--Capture of Hyder Khan the Commandant of +Ghuznee.--Escape of Ghool Mahommed Khan.--Discovery of a Map on the +person of an Affghan Chief.--Description of the Affghan Women.--The +Ruling Passion.--Treasuretrove.--The Golden Shield.--Chase of the +Enemy.--Just Retribution. + + +The Cavalry taking no part in these operations I was an idle, but not +the less an anxious spectator of the scene. I had never before witnessed +effects so awfully grand, or so intensely exciting in their nature as +those which immediately preceded and followed the explosion at the +gates. The atmosphere was illuminated by sudden and powerful flashes of +various coloured light which exposed the walls and bastions of the +fortress to view, and revealed the dusky figures of the garrison, in the +act of pointing their guns, or endeavouring to penetrate the denseness +of the obscurity beneath, in order to assure themselves of the position +of their assailants. Then followed the din and roar of artillery--the +terrific explosion of the gates--the crash of woodwork and masonry--the +hollow rumbling of the old towers as they came in huge masses to the +ground--the rush of the storming party through the breach, and the +deafening cheers and shouts of besiegers and besieged. It seemed as if +all the elements of destruction had been let loose at once, and yet I +panted to be in the midst of them. I hardly dared to breathe from the +very intenseness of my anxiety, and it was not till I saw the British +flag floating from the citadel, that I could respire freely. To the +soldier there is nothing more trying or chafing than to be condemned to +a state of inaction during the progress of such spirit-stirring events +as these. + +While the Affghans were disputing our entrance into the citadel an +incident occurred, which for a moment diverted the attention of the +combatants and turned their fury into pity. Amongst the foremost of the +party who signalised themselves by their desperate gallantry was an aged +Chieftain, the richness of whose costume excited general attention, his +turban and weapons being resplendent with jewels. The hope of plunder +immediately marked him out as an object of attack, and numbers at once +assailed him. He defended himself like a man who knew there was no +chance of life, but who was resolved to sell it as dearly as he could. +He had killed several of the Queen's Royals and severely wounded Captain +Robinson, when a grenadier of the company to which the latter belonged, +seeing his officer in danger, rushed to his assistance, and with a +thrust of his bayonet brought the gallant old Chieftain to the ground. +The grenadier was about to despatch him, when a beautiful girl, about +seventeen, threw herself into the _mźlée_ and plunged a dagger in his +breast. She then cast herself on the body of the Chieftain, for the +purpose of protecting it, and the Affghans, forming a sort of rampart +before them, maintained their ground until the heroic girl succeeded in +getting it conveyed into the interior of the citadel. Shortly after the +place was taken she was found weeping over the remains of the brave old +man, who, on enquiry, we learned was her father. She was treated with +the utmost respect and tenderness by our men, who neither obtruded +themselves on her grief nor offered any interruption to the preparations +which she made for his interment. + +Amongst the prisoners who fell into our hands was Hyder Khan, a son of +Dost Mahommed, and late commandant of the fortress. This Chief was +discovered hiding in a privy by a soldier of the Queen's Royals, who +would have bayonetted him but for the timely interference of one of his +officers, who chanced to be near the spot. The Affghan leader was +immediately brought before Sir John Keane, and the Shah being present +rated him soundly for his treachery. He replied only by a haughty look +of defiance, and was consigned to a tent closely guarded by Sepoys. The +sword found upon this Chief, and which is at present in the possession +of Sir John Keane, was valued at 14,000 rupees. + +Of the many prisoners we had taken, the capture of none afforded such +gratification as that of Ghool Mahommed Khan, to whose bad faith some of +our past privations had been owing. This Chief had entered into a +contract with Sir Alexander Burnes, to establish magazines of provisions +and corn at Quettah, for the use of the British troops, and five +thousand rupees were paid over to him for the purpose. He purchased up +all the corn of the surrounding districts, but instead of fulfilling his +agreement he forwarded it to Ghuznee for the use of the garrison, and +was amongst the most conspicuous defenders of the fortress. On being +brought before the Shah his Majesty ordered him to be bowstringed, but +before the sentence could be carried into effect he managed to escape. +His treachery failed in its object, for the greater portion of the flour +and grain which he had supplied now fell into our hands. We also found +from five to six hundred horses in the stables of the fortress, all of +which were in excellent condition, and ranging in value from seventy to +a hundred pounds each. + +I entered the fort shortly after it surrendered and at every step +spectacles of the most shocking and revolting nature met the eye. Round +a long twenty pounder, which was planted to the right of the entrance, +lay heaps of dead Affghans, who appeared to have attached the greatest +importance to the service of this piece from the numbers who crowded to +perform the duty whenever our fire killed those engaged in it. The +agonising cries and groans of the wounded wretches who lay stretched at +every side, and who craved drink to sate their burning thirst, struck +those who had not been engaged in the fearful excitement of the scene +with horror and pity, whilst at every turning a horse, wild with the +injuries he had received, was to be met galloping furiously along the +narrow streets, and treading the bodies of the dying and dead under +foot. Advancing through the bazaar, my attention was drawn towards a +venerable looking Affghan, who was seated on the ground with his back +propped against a wall, and whose richly ornamented muslin robes were +stained with blood, which flowed profusely from a wound in his breast. A +fine looking youth of about fourteen years of age was attempting to +stanch it, and I hastened to proffer my assistance. The old man, +however, pushed me back, and would not let me approach him, plainly +indicating by his gestures that he held me and my countrymen in +abhorrence. Whilst standing at a short distance from him, a straggling +ball came whizzing past me, whether intentionally or accidentally I +cannot say, and put an end to his sufferings. Some soldiers, who +afterwards examined the person of this old chief, for such from his +attire I took him to be, discovered amongst other things an extremely +well executed map, on which the whole of the route of our troops from +the point at which we had disembarked to our arrival at Ghuznee was +plainly indicated. + +Some of the Affghan women were occasionally to be met turning over the +bodies of the dead, in the hope of being able to discover their +relations or friends, and giving way to their grief in the most +heart-rending lamentations. They were the most superior class of women I +had as yet seen amongst the Asiatics, their features being regular, and +finely formed, and their eyes piercing, but at the same time soft in +their expression. Although nothing like violence was used towards them, +they did not escape some incivilities at the hands of our men, owing to +the fact that a number of Affghan soldiers had attempted to escape in +female disguise. + +Various were the adventures related amongst us, as having occurred on +the first entrance of our troops into the fortress. A Scotchman, +belonging to my own regiment, named James Hamilton, who was known to be +an inveterate snuff-taker was discovered in a tobacconist's shop in the +bazaar literally covered from head to foot with the contents of the +_chatties_ or jars with which it was filled, and testing the qualities +of each with an air of the most exquisite relish, his nose having been +long a stranger to its favourite aliment. The ruling passion was +exemplified in different ways in others. Some sought for drink, of which +there was little to be obtained and others for gold, which we had every +reason to believe was plentiful, if we knew but where to find it. A +soldier of the 13th Light Infantry, more fortunate than his fellows, lit +unexpectedly on a jar which was filled to the brim with gold pieces to +the value it is said of £600 sterling, and conveyed it secretly to the +camp. Becoming apprehensive that this large sum would be discovered on +him, and that he would be obliged to give it up to the prize agent, he +distributed it amongst several of his comrades in order that they might +take care of it. The possession of so much wealth turning the heads of +his trustees they thought they might allow themselves a few indulgences +at his expence, but their excesses ultimately betrayed the secret and +they were compelled to hand over the money to the common fund. + +As the soldiers severally left the fortress to return to the camp they +were stripped of the plunder which they had obtained, and a goodly heap +of armour and weapons of every kind was soon piled before the entrance. +Amongst the number of curious articles obtained in this way was an old +shield, which had belonged to one of the Affghan chiefs and which, +though remarkable for the oddness of its construction, presented little +else to attract the eye. Its material appeared to be a compound of +copper and some white metal, and it was thrown aside by the prize agent +amongst the most valueless of the objects which fell under his care. A +soldier of the Bengal European regiment, who had been a jeweller by +trade, happened to observe the circumstance, and carelessly taking up +the shield, as if to examine the devices with which it was ornamented, +scrutinized it for some time, and went away without making the slightest +observation. He immediately repaired to the Captain of his company, and +told him to bid for the shield at the prize sale which was to take place +a few days afterwards, advising him not to stop at any reasonable price +for it. The officer acted on the hint, and obtained the article for +about thirty or forty rupees. The shield turned out to be of the purest +and finest gold, and the fortunate possessor felt so grateful to his +informant that he made him a present sufficient to purchase his +discharge, and carry him home to England. + +Amongst the different ensigns captured from the enemy on this occasion +were two banners of green and crimson silk, trimmed with gold lace and +inscribed with precepts from the Koran. They were desperately defended, +the Affghans appearing to attach great importance to their safety. They +are, I believe, at present in the possession of her Majesty's 17th Light +Infantry, and the Bengal European Regiment. + +Shortly after the breach had been effected intelligence was brought to +the Commander-in-Chief, that numbers of the enemy were making their +escape through one of the back gates. He immediately dispatched the 1st +Bombay Light Cavalry in pursuit. The Affghans being daring horsemen, +and better mounted than our men, made at once for the hills, where they +knew our Cavalry could not follow. Aware of this our men put their +horses to their utmost speed, in order to intercept them before they got +entangled in the defiles. The chase soon assumed a character of lively +interest. An Affghan, worse mounted, or less skilled in horsemanship +than his fellows, was overtaken and cut down, and the pursuers pressed +hard on the heels of another. The cheers of his enemies, and the clatter +of their horses' hoofs sounding fearfully near in the ears of the +pursued he put the noble animal on which he was mounted to its utmost +speed, and cleared the space between him and his companions at a bound +rather than a gallop. Again he was almost within reach of the sabres of +our men, and again did the fleetness of his horse place him for a time +in safety. As he was about to plunge into a deep ravine after the other +fugitives a shot brought his horse upon its knees, and the rider was +flung upon his head. All now seemed over with him. Starting, however, to +his feet, he turned upon his pursuers, and single handed opposed a host +of them. Warding off the blows which rained on him from every side, he +kept rapidly retreating until he gained the brow of a steep declivity +over which he flung himself and was instantly lost to view. Disappointed +in their pursuit, our men took an unmanly revenge on some peasants who +were peaceably engaged in agricultural occupations near the spot. One of +these wanton acts of cruelty met with a just retribution. A havildar or +serjeant, seeing a young Affghan following the plough at a little +distance, galloped up, and made several cuts at him with his sabre. The +young man ran to the other side of the plough, and placed the serjeant +at bay. The latter drew a pistol from his holster, and was about to +shoot him, when his horse stumbled over the plough and fell on his +side, breaking the leg of the havildar and pinning him at the same time +firmly to the ground. The Affghan seized the sword which had fallen from +his grasp, and dealt him a blow on the head which instantly killed him. +The comrades of the dead man riding up surrounded and captured the +peasant, and he was brought into camp to abide the decision of the +Commander-in-Chief. A representation having been made to Sir John Keane +of the wanton and unprovoked attack which had been made upon the +prisoner, he immediately ordered him to be liberated. The havildar was +interred on the spot where he fell and there were few in the army who +pitied or regretted him. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Attempt to Assassinate the Shah.--Court Martial on an Affghan +Chief.--Visit to the Hospital at Ghuznee.--Hatred of the Affghans +towards the Native Troops.--Departure from Ghuznee.--Capture of a +Battery and Fatal Accident.--Summary Punishment.--Arrival at +Cabul.--Pursuit of Dost Mahommed and Treachery of a Native +Chief.--Description of Cabul.--The Balar Hissar.--Mosque of the Emperor +Baber.--The Bazaar. + + +A few days after the taking of Ghuznee a tragical scene occurred, which +pretty clearly indicated how the tide of popular feeling ran with regard +to the restored monarch. There is a poetical superstition that +approaching events are often foreshadowed, and the circumstance to +which I allude seemed to impress every man's mind at the time with the +result that has since happened. + +The majority of the prisoners who fell into our hands were released on +condition of their serving in the Shah's army, but there remained about +thirty who refused to accept of their liberty on such terms. They +consisted for the most part of the immediate followers of Dost +Mahommed's father-in-law, and were devotedly attached to that prince. +The Shah, on learning the circumstance ordered them to be brought before +him, and expostulated with them on the folly of their conduct. A Chief +of haughty bearing stepped from amongst the prisoners, and after +overwhelming his Majesty with reproaches, told him that nothing should +induce him to enter the service of a man who had brought the horrors of +foreign invasion on his country. Then suddenly snatching a dagger from +one of the attendants, he rushed with uplifted arm towards the Shah, and +would have pierced him to the heart had not one of his Majesty's +servants interposed his person, and received the blow intended for his +master. The faithful domestic fell dead at the feet of the Shah, and the +officers and attendants instantly rushed towards the assassin with drawn +swords; but he had already anticipated their intention by plunging the +poniard in his breast. The Shah, alarmed and exasperated, ordered the +whole of the prisoners to be immediately executed, and in a few minutes +their heads were rolling in the dust. This terrible scene created great +alarm in the camp, it being at first reported that his Majesty had been +assassinated, but the apprehensions to which it gave rise were soon +dispelled, by his publicly making his appearance amongst us. + +A Chief, named Walla Mahommed, who had persisted in firing on the troops +several hours after the taking of the fort, and in spite of repeated +summonses to surrender, was brought to a court martial by order of the +Commander-in-Chief, and sentenced to be shot within the walls of the +fortress. He had killed three or four of our men, and wounded one of the +Native officers by his obstinate folly. He met his fate with the most +perfect indifference, for the fear of death cannot be said to be one of +the weaknesses of the Affghan character. + +I one day paid a visit, with some of my comrades, to the hospital where +the wounded Affghans had been carried by their friends. It was situated +in the old town, and consisted of a mud hut, whose thatched roof was +broken in several places, and afforded little or no shelter against the +heat of the sun. The interior was as filthy and disgusting as it is +possible to conceive. Into a space of about thirty feet by twelve, were +crowded from seventy to a hundred patients, who were disabled by wounds +of every description, their sufferings being aggravated tenfold, by the +intolerable heat and stench of the place. They were attended by two +elderly men and a youth about fifteen years of age, who were busily +engaged dressing their wounds, whilst a Faquir was performing certain +charms, by which he pretended he could restore them to health. Pitiable +and disgusting as the scene was I could not help laughing at the +mummeries of the fellow. He first placed some cow dung in the hand of +the sufferer, and holding it in his, saturated it with water and +compelled the patient to smell it. He then wound up the ceremony by +repeating some prayers over the fumes of a charcoal pan, the patient +repeating after him certain responses which he directed him to make. +This done, he covered him up with an old blanket, and ordered him to lay +quiet for several hours, when the cure would be complete. Having of +course received a consideration for all this trouble, he left his +patients to the progress of the charm, and the discovery, when too late, +that they had been grossly duped. + +Happening to have a quantity of apples with me which I had just plucked +from one of the orchards in the vicinity, I offered them to the +sufferers in the hope that they would in some degree refresh them. They +accepted them with eagerness which induced some sepoys who were with me +to follow my example. The Affghans indignantly refused to receive +anything at their hands, and so great was their hatred of the native +troops, that they actually spat upon the men who showed them this +kindness. + +Early in August we resumed our march towards Cabul, leaving the whole of +our sick and wounded in garrison at Ghuznee. It was reported that Dost +Mahommed intended to dispute every inch of ground to the capital, but +these valiant resolutions were abandoned as soon as formed. The only +indication of a preconcerted plan of defence which we met with on the +route, was a battery of sixteen field pieces which we found planted on +an eminence commanding the entrance to a formidable pass about midway +between Ghuznee and Cabul, but which had been deserted by the enemy as +soon as our advanced columns made their appearance. A party of the Horse +Artillery having been sent to secure the guns and ammunition, an +accident took place which was attended with fatal consequences. One of +the men having approached a tumbrel with a lighted pipe a spark fell +into it and the whole blew up with a tremendous explosion, killing two +of the party and severely injuring another. + +The conduct of the inhabitants of the different villages along this +route, whether influenced by good will or fear, I cannot take upon +myself to say, was friendly and well disposed towards us. This did not +however prevent some excesses on the part of the native troops, which +Sir John Keane sought to repress by issuing an order forbidding the men +from robbing the villagers on pain of death. At Chesgow, about two days +march from Ghuznee, a soldier belonging to the 2nd Bengal Light Cavalry +was observed thieving in the immediate vicinity of the staff lines, and +one of Sir John's aides de camps who watched his proceedings took a gun +from his tent and deliberately lodged its contents in his side. The +unfortunate man died of the wound, after lingering a few days. The +extreme severity of the punishment and its informal nature, were +bitterly canvassed amongst the native troops, but it nevertheless had +the effect of preventing a repetition of the offence. + +Early on the morning of the 7th of August, we encamped without +opposition under the walls of Cabul, Dost Mahommed and his forces having +fled to the hills at the first news of our approach. The +Commander-in-Chief being desirous of securing the person of the usurper, +immediately despatched Captain Outram, and Hadji Khan, a chief supposed +to be well affected towards Shah Soojah, with a thousand Affghans and a +hundred native cavalry in pursuit. They had not proceeded far from the +camp when it became evident to Captain Outram that treachery was +secretly at work, the Affghans deserting daily, until their number was +diminished to about five hundred. Hadji Khan, to whose guidance the +force was entrusted, led it by long and circuitous routes, under +pretence that they would thereby more easily intercept the fugitives, +and turned a deaf ear to the Captain's entreaties that they should +proceed directly across the hills. Wherever a rapid movement became +necessary, the Affghan managed so that his followers should be delayed +on the route, and there was no sort of impediment that craft or +ingenuity could suggest that he did not employ to retard the progress of +the troops. Captain Outram having no authority to act without the aid of +the Khan was obliged to shut his eyes to these manoeuvres, and succeeded +after the most urgent persuasion in inducing the Affghan Chief to +proceed at once to the hills, with a small detachment. + +After traversing the highest parts of the Hindoo Kosh, a chain of +mountains, fifteen thousand feet above the level of the sea, and +extending as far as Bamean, Captain Outram found that Dost Mahommed had +taken refuge in the territories of an independent Uzbeck Chieftain then +at enmity with the Shah. Whilst crossing the heights several blue lights +were thrown up by the orders of Hadji Khan, which the British had reason +to believe were intended to give warning to the enemy. Further pursuit +through a difficult and hostile territory became of course out of the +question, and the horses being worn out from want of forage and rest, +orders were given for the return of the party to Cabul. During the march +homeward Hadji Khan contrived to give the British the slip, and made off +to the hills, rightly calculating that his equivocal conduct would be +severely punished by the Shah. He was, however, captured before the +British left Cabul, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. It was said +that the Commander-in-Chief was dissatisfied with the conduct of Captain +Outram in this affair, and that he pointedly passed over his name in +the official despatches to mark his displeasure. + +As several descriptions of Cabul have been published it will only be +necessary for me to give such of its leading features as are essential +to the completeness of my narrative. The city lies almost in the centre +of a semicircular chain of hills, the valley in which it is situated +being watered by a noble river which pursues a serpentine and +picturesque route through it, and divides the town in nearly equal +parts. The bazaar stands at the base of a lofty mountain, up whose +rugged sides straggle rude and irregular fortifications of no great +strength or importance. The town itself covers a considerable extent of +ground, and the streets are in general regular and well built as +compared with the other cities of Asia. Towering high above the other +buildings may be observed the mosque and Balar Hissar or palace of the +sovereign. The latter is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is entered +by a large flagged court-way leading to the principal portal of the +edifice. The proportions of the building are on a scale commensurate +with royalty, the centre being surmounted by a lofty dome, and the wings +of vast extent. The right wing contains the stabling of the Shah and +chambers of the household, and the left is appropriated to the +sovereign's own use. The general effect of this building is heavy, and +it conveys the idea of a prison rather than a palace. + +About half a mile to the right of the palace stands the mosque which +contains the remains of the Emperor Baber. This temple is one of the +finest I have seen in this part of Asia, being of great architectural +beauty and noble proportions. It is entirely composed of richly carved +stone-work, and is crowned by a number of graceful spires and minarets. +The interior is magnificently ornamented with gilding and sculpture, and +the pavement is composed of rich Mosaics of various coloured marbles. +The tomb containing the remains of the Emperor occupies the centre of +the mosque, and is less elaborately ornamented than any other part of +it, being composed of plain slabs of white marble on which some extracts +from the Koran are inscribed. + +The bazaar is of circular form, the streets composing it radiating from +an open space in its centre, and presenting a thronged and busy aspect. +The principal articles of merchandize which attracted our notice were +cashmere shawls of the richest and most expensive patterns, and costly +silks of every description. A considerable trade is also carried on in +preserved fruits, which find their way from here to the most distant +parts of Hindostan. In the fruit market we observed grapes which +measured nearly two inches in circumference; peaches, whose rich bloom +and luscious quality gratified at once the eye and the palate; and +strawberries, such as the hot houses of Europe, and all the inventions +of horticultural science could not force into existence. As to apples +and pears, fruits prized in the western hemisphere, they were in such +abundance and of such low price, that they were only deemed worthy of +furnishing food for cattle. Almost all the necessaries of life were in +equal profusion, beef fetching only a penny, and mutton twopence the +pound. It may be readily imagined that to the tired and half-starved +soldier, Cabul appeared almost a second land of promise. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Triumphant Entry of Shah Soojah into Cabul.--The Cabul Races.--Death of +Brigadier General Arnold.--Sale of the General's effects.--Arrival of +Prince Timour.--The Sikhs.--Murder of Colonel Herring.--Arrival of money +and supplies from the Upper Provinces. + + +It having been announced that early on the morning of the 8th of August +the Shah would take formal possession of the Balar Hissar, the troops +were under arms and in review order at ten o'clock. The +Commander-in-Chief, the Politicals, and the whole of the general +officers and staff rode up, shortly after, to the tent of his Majesty, +at which I happened that morning to be stationed as orderly, and were +kept waiting some time. Sir William McNaghten and Sir Alexander Burnes +were at length summoned to the Shah's presence, and having remained with +him a few minutes, they came out and informed the Commander-in-Chief, it +was his Majesty's pleasure that the ceremony should be postponed until +three o'clock the same afternoon. The reason assigned for this +alteration was understood to be an augury pronounced by his Majesty's +priests or soothsayers, that the hour was unpropitious, an opinion in +which the troops devoutly concurred, the prospect of broiling for +several hours under a meridian sun not being extremely agreeable. + +At the appointed hour the troops were again under arms, and salvoes of +artillery announced the Shah's departure from his tent. His Majesty was, +as usual, borne on an elephant, the howdah of which was of silver, and +the caparisons crimson and gold. On each side of him sat Sir William Mc +Naghten and Sir Alexander Burnes, the former attired in the same court +dress which he had worn at Candahar. His Majesty appeared in excellent +health and spirits, and addressed much of his conversation to Sir +Alexander Burnes, who seemed to be high in his favour. The Shah's +costume was, as usual, magnificent, his turban being ornamented with a +single diamond, whose value was estimated at £100,000. Immediately after +came six elephants, containing the ministers and household of the Shah, +and then followed the Commander-in-Chief, with the whole of the general +officers and staff in brilliant uniforms, and decorated with their +various orders. The next feature in the procession, and a ludicrous one +it was, was the appearance of two burly-looking fellows, dressed in red +and yellow, and wearing conical caps, out of which shot two large +horns. We at first supposed they were his Highness's jesters, but +instead of that they turned out to be his executioners, functionaries +far more essential to the comfort of an Asiatic prince. The Shah's +troops, consisting of two thousand infantry, brought up the rear, our +own lining the route along which the procession passed. On approaching +the city his Highness was received with loud acclamations by the +populace, who gave expression to their satisfaction in barbarous music +and salvoes of small fire arms. Many of the houses were decorated with +flowers, and the windows were crowded with spectators. At the entrance, +and in the courts of the palace, was stationed a body of about 250 +horsemen, whose steel armour and splendid horses gave them a martial and +imposing appearance. They received us with stern and scowling looks, +which plainly indicated that their hearts were not in the ceremony which +they were compelled to sanction by their presence. On the Shah's +entrance into the palace he held a durbar, at which all the British +officers were presented to him, and his Majesty took the opportunity of +expressing to them individually and collectively his thanks for the +exertions which they had made to replace him on his throne. + +We had several reviews of the troops during our stay at Cabul, and on +each occasion we were honoured by the Shah's presence. In order to give +his Highness some notion of an English horse race, it was agreed that +the officers should get up sweepstakes amongst themselves, which the +Shah no sooner heard of, than he added a splendid gold hilted sword with +Damascus blade. This increased the spirit of competition, and the Derby +or Oaks was never looked forward to with more eager interest. The place +selected for the course was a level plain immediately beyond our lines, +and about a mile and a half from the city. + +From sixteen to twenty horses belonging to the officers of the different +regiments were entered for the sword, and it was resolved that three +heats should be run for it, the first six horses of the first heat being +privileged to run the second, and the third heat being limited to the +first and second horses of the second heat. It was agreed that the +sweepstakes, which amounted to a considerable sum, should be divided +into three parts, for the different breeds and ages of cattle so as to +prolong the sport for three or four days. + +Six o'clock in the evening being the time fixed for the commencement of +the races, the course became crowded, long before that hour, with +anxious spectators, the natives not being amongst the least eager +lookers on at this, to them, novel scene. The Shah took up his position +near the winning post, attended by the Politicals, and the +Commander-in-Chief, but his Majesty did not appear to take much +interest in the sport, and he left the course before it was half over. + +The officers rode their own horses and turned out in gay striped jackets +and jockey caps; so that but for the dark faces and turbaned heads which +every where encountered the eye it would not have been difficult to +imagine ourselves suddenly transported to Ascot or Epsom. The word +having been given, away started the competitors in high blood and +spirits; and as the rider belonging to some particular regiment passed +the others in his career, the men composing it enthusiastically cheered +and hurraed him, others taking up their shouts as their favourite passed +him in turn, this military favouritism imparting to the contest a degree +of wild excitement such as I have never witnessed on any similar +occasion. + +The second heat was still more warmly contested, as, according to the +regulations above mentioned only the two foremost horses could be +entered for the third. Major Daly of the 4th Light Dragoons, and an +officer of the 16th Lancers, whose name I now forget, obtained the +precedence, after a hard struggle, the race being a neck and neck one +the entire way. + +As the two successful officers belonged to different divisions, one to +the Bengal and the other to the Bombay army, the partizanship which +before had been only regimental now extended to the two armies, and +"Bravo Bengal," "Bravo Bombay," burst at every moment from the eager +multitudes assembled, as the riders alternately passed or repassed each +other in the final heat. + +After a contest in which the competitors themselves almost appeared to +feel the influence which pervaded the crowd, and to think that the honor +of their respective divisions depended upon their success, Major Daly +gained the race by about a neck, and was handed the sword amid the +delighted cheers of the Bombay troops and the congratulations of his +brother officers. The races continued two days longer, and afforded a +pleasant recreation to the men after the fatiguing and harassing duties +of the last few months. + +Brigadier General Arnold of the army of the Indus, having been long +suffering under a liver complaint, breathed his last at Cabul shortly +after our arrival there. This officer was distinguished for his +qualities as a _bon vivant_, and having laid in a good store of +necessaries for the campaign, was the only one almost who fared well +amidst the general privations. He kept an excellent table along the +route, and an invitation to it, was always regarded as amongst the lucky +chances by which fortune signified her favour. Good living could not +however protect the General against disease, and he fell ill at Candahar +of a malady which is often said to be the result of it. He was carried +from Candahar to Cabul in a palankeen, and took no part whatever in the +events which occurred between those places. His remains were interred in +the Armenian burial ground, outside the walls of the city, and his +effects were publicly sold by auction a few days after. The General had +left Bengal with about eighty camels laden with baggage and necessaries, +of which about five and twenty remained at the time of the sale. His +trunks were filled with quantities of plate, a goodly provision of snuff +and cigars, and such an immense stock of linen that it occupied two days +of the sale. His cooking apparatus was most elaborate and ingenious, and +we could not help wondering at the uses to which the infinite varieties +of small and curious articles of which it was composed were devoted. The +prices at which these effects were sold will appear incredible to the +European reader, but it must be remembered that it was the scarcity, in +fact the almost total impossibility of getting them, that enhanced their +value. The cigars sold at the rate of about two shillings and six pence +each, the snuff at ten shillings an ounce, a few bottles of beer, a +liquor of which no other officer in the army possessed a drop, at thirty +shillings each, and some choice wines at from three to four pounds the +bottle. The other things brought proportionate prices, the shirts +fetching from thirty to forty shillings each. The amount realised at +this sale must have been enormous. + +Prince Timour, the eldest son of Shah Soojah, arrived at Cabul early in +September, escorted by the troops of Runjeet Singh. We expected to find +the Sikhs an undisciplined horde of barbarians, but they turned out on +the contrary to be nearly as well organized as ourselves, being +disciplined by French officers, and marching with the same order and +regularity as a European regiment. Each division was headed by an +excellent military band and officered by the same number of grades as +ourselves. The men were in general about the middle height, and not so +muscular or well formed as the Affghans. They are made, however, of the +right material for the soldier, being brave, orderly, and tractable, and +though they may be considered in some respects inferior to the European +troops, they are in my opinion, equal if not superior, to the Sepoys. A +detachment consisting of the 4th Light Dragoons, the 16th Lancers, and +her Majesty's Queen's Royals, under the command of Major-General Sir +Thomas Wiltshire, was despatched to receive the Prince with fitting +honors. He was met at a short distance from the town by the British +escort, and conducted to the palace amid salvoes of Artillery. The +Prince was a fine youth about one or two and twenty, with a frank +expression of countenance and affable manners. The meeting between him +and his royal father was said to be extremely affecting, and the Prince +was unceasing in his expressions of gratitude to the British for +bringing about this happy reunion. + +Large supplies of arrack, biscuits, and rice, together with money to pay +the troops, having been promised from the Upper Provinces, their arrival +was looked forward to with some anxiety in the camp, as we could not +leave Cabul without them. Information was at length received that +Colonel Herring was on his way through the Punjaub, and after a tedious +and harassing journey, in which he had to encounter frequent opposition +to his progress from the mountain tribes, he at length reached Hyder +Khail within one day's march of Cabul. Riding out alone next morning, +for the purpose of inspecting the country, the Colonel was set upon by a +body of Affghans and barbarously murdered, his body being plundered of +every article of value he had about him, and his horse carried off. His +mutilated remains were found in the course of the day by some troopers, +who had been sent out in search of him, and brought to Cabul along with +the stores, which reached that place in safety the same night. He was +interred with military honours in the Armenian burial-ground, on the +following day. The deceased had been long in the service, and was a +gallant and experienced officer. We heard that his murderers were +captured shortly after we left Cabul, and put to a dreadful death, by +order of the Shah. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Institution of the Order of the Doorannee Empire.--Murder of a Private +of the 13th Light Infantry.--Departure from Cabul.--Return to +Ghuznee.--Accident to the Revd. Mr. Pigot.--Discovery of the Skeletons +of British Soldiers.--Horse-steaks.--Treachery of some Ghiljie Chiefs +and destruction of their Fort.--Adventure of a Dragoon.--Loss of a Cook. + + +In order to testify his gratitude towards the British, the Shah resolved +to institute an order of merit, to be called the order of the Doorannee +Empire, and to confer its respective grades upon three classes of +officers, namely, Generals, Brigadier Generals, and Field Officers. A +durbar having been summoned, at which the Ministers of State, the +Politicals, and a number of British Officers were present, a chapter of +the order was held, and his Majesty, as Sovereign, invested the +Commander-in-Chief, several general and field officers, and the +Politicals with the decoration, which consisted of a sort of Maltese +cross with a jewel in the centre. His Majesty was also pleased to +express his desire that every officer, non-commissioned officer, and +private soldier in the army should receive a silver medal, commemorative +of the campaign, and for this purpose placed a large sum of money at the +disposal of Sir John Keane. The Queen's sanction has been obtained to +the measure, but the medal has not as yet been issued. + +Leave had been given by the officers in command of the different +regiments to men entering the town to carry their side arms, as a +protection in case of chance collision with the inhabitants. The +facility of obtaining intoxicating liquors rendered this a contingency +of not unlikely occurrence, and our men soon got themselves into +unpleasant and in some instances dangerous scrapes. On one occasion, a +private of the 13th Light Infantry having been drinking rather freely, +forced himself into the apartments of the wife of a respectable +inhabitant. Proceeding to offer her some violence, her screams alarmed +the neighbourhood, and the soldier was soon surrounded by a host of +angry husbands and fathers, armed with every description of weapon. He +defended himself with his bayonet for some time, contenting himself with +merely parrying their blows, and had fought his way into the street, +when he was met by several others of the townspeople, who set upon the +unfortunate fellow and instantly despatched him. They secreted the body +until night-fall, and then threw it outside the walls of the town, where +it was discovered next morning. + +It having been determined that early in September part of the forces +should set out on their return homeward, the choice fell upon her +Majesty's 17th Foot, the 2nd or Queen's Royals, one Company of Foot +Artillery, a detachment of the 4th Light Dragoons, the 1st regiment of +Bombay Light Cavalry, and two troops of Bombay Horse Artillery, the +whole under the command of Major General Sir Thomas Wiltshire. It would +naturally be supposed that after so long an absence from quarters, we +hailed this intimation with something like pleasure, but such was far +from being the fact. We had rioted in profusion and luxury, and did not +relish the idea of again encountering the privations of the long and +dreary route which lay between us and India. Added to this we had seen +but little of actual fighting, and the promotions had been consequently +few. + +Promotion and prize money are the all engrossing subjects of a soldier's +ambition, and this speedy return put an end at once to our long +cherished hopes. We well knew that the restless and turbulent spirit of +the Affghan Chiefs would not permit them to remain long in subjection to +Shah Soojah, and that there would consequently be more work for the +British troops. Regret and envy of our more fortunate comrades were +therefore the predominant feelings which pervaded nearly the whole of +the departing troops. + +We left Cabul on the 14th of September, and arrived at Ghuznee, the +scene of our former exploits, after eight days' march, during which +nothing worthy of mention occurred. It is astonishing how soon the +traces of war disappear, and the living gaps caused by its ravages are +filled up. The fortress appeared as perfect in its outline as if the +hand of the destroyer had not recently passed over it, new gates having +been substituted for those which had been damaged, and the breach +immediately above them re-filled with masonry. The inhabitants of the +bazaar had resumed their accustomed occupations, and scolded, and +chaffered, and jested, and laughed, as if they had neither lost +relatives nor friends, nor dabbled through mire freshly reeking with +their blood. Familiarity, they say, breeds contempt and blunts the +feelings, and the Asiatic, before whose eyes such scenes pass almost +daily, thinks of them only as the immutable decrees of fate, which +cannot be shunned, and ought not to be repined at. + +The sick and wounded, of whom we had left numbers at Ghuznee, had almost +all died, and were interred in an open space selected for the purpose +outside the walls of the fortress. The last resting-place of our brave +fellows is situated at the foot of one of the adjacent mountains, but +neither stone nor inscription indicates the spot. + +The Bengal regiment of Native Infantry, whom we found in garrison at +Ghuznee on our return, and whom we left after us, appeared to be quite +as well reconciled to their quarters as we were at Cabul, although the +two places appeared to me vastly different in point of health and +comfort. The majority of the inhabitants regarded the troops with a sort +of sullen indifference, but the trading classes seemed civil enough. The +quantities of fish and game with which the neighbourhood abounded, +afforded the officers a ready means of dissipating their time, and we +would have been well content to have remained here. Orders were however +given that we should pursue our route, and we left Ghuznee on the 25th +of September, after a stay of only two or three days. + +Instead of diverging to the right towards Candahar, we took the direct +route to Quettah, over the Ghiljie hills. The weather had become +intensely cold, and the rivers and streams were covered with ice, +several inches in thickness. The Rev. Mr. Pigot, our chaplain, happened +to be crossing one of them on a pony, when the ice gave way with his +weight, and the worthy clergyman was immersed in the water. The stream +was not, however, so deep as to occasion any alarm for his safety, and +he was speedily rescued from his embarrasment, with no other +inconvenience than being kept shivering several hours in his wet +clothes, his baggage being at a considerable distance in advance. The +rascally native who preceded us as guide grinned maliciously, and told +him that if he had not forgotten to say his prayers setting out the +accident would not have happened. + +On encamping, at the close of the first day's march, from Ghuznee, some +soldiers belonging to the 17th Infantry and Queen's Royals, went out in +search of water, and met with a draw well, which proved to be dry. One +of them descended in order to examine it more closely, and an +exclamation of horror escaped him as he reached the bottom. On his +companions enquiring the occasion of it, they learned that he had fallen +upon several skeletons, the identity of which with some soldiers we had +lost on the route upwards was placed beyond doubt by fragments of +military clothing and regimental buttons which lay scattered about. +Singular to relate, a lark had built its nest in one of the skulls, and +was found innocently reposing with its young in this curious receptacle. + +The annoyances to which we had been subjected during our route upwards, +from the thieving system of warfare pursued by the Affghans, seemed now +at an end. Our road lay through bleak and desolate hills, where only a +solitary, and timid mountaineer was occasionally to be seen. Numerous +rivers and streams traversed this wild country in every direction, and +relieved us from all apprehensions on the score of water. Provisions +were also plentiful, as the Commissariat had taken care to lay in +sufficient supplies, and the only inconvenience which we might be said +to have experienced was the severe cold of the nights. The barren nature +of the country rendered fuel difficult of obtainment, and the +consequence was that numbers of the troops were carried off by +dysentery. + +The march from Ghuznee to Quettah occupied about five weeks, and we +thought we should never reach the end of these long chains of hills. +Always ascending and descending heights of no inconsiderable elevation, +the horses became regularly knocked up with fatigue, and we were obliged +to shoot numbers of them on the way. + +In a recess in one of these hills, I one day came upon a singular scene. +About nine or ten of the natives were assembled around a dead horse and +while part of them were cutting steaks from his haunches, the others +were engaged cooking them. Revolting as such a sight is to European +stomachs, I have seen the time when, on our march upwards, I could have +partaken of these same horse steaks with infinite relish. + +A few days before our arrival at Quettah, we requited an atrocious act +of treachery, which had been committed towards us by some Ghiljie +chiefs, with the punishment it richly merited. About one hundred camel +drivers, who had left us at Candahar, on our way to Cabul, for the +purpose of returning homewards, took their route over the hills we were +now crossing in order to shorten the journey. They were met by the +Ghiljies with professions of friendship, and seduced into a mountain +fort under the pretence of hospitality. They had no sooner entered its +walls than their throats were all cut, and their bodies flung into deep +wells for the purpose of concealing the massacre from the eyes of the +British. + +Information of the fact having been received, Sir Thomas Wiltshire +despatched a Squadron of her Majesty's 4th Light Dragoons, two companies +of Native Infantry, and two pieces of artillery to raze the fortress to +the ground. The cavalry started at two o'clock in the morning, and after +a hard gallop of eighteen miles we arrived in front of the Ghiljie +strong-hold. It was a small but strongly constructed fortress, situated +on the brow of a steep declivity and defended by strong wooden gates. +The entrance was commanded by an old iron carronade, and a number of +loopholes for the discharge of musketry. Not a living soul was to be +seen on the walls, and fearing some artifice, Major Daly, our commanding +officer, resolved to suspend operations until the artillery came up. As +soon as the latter made its appearance, and the guns were placed in a +position to command the fort, Major Daly ordered part of the cavalry to +dismount and proceed with loaded carbines to the gate, under cover of +their fire. No opposition was, however, offered to us, the enemy having +fled to the mountains, and the gates were forced open in a few minutes. + +The only inhabitants we found in the place were a few women and +children, but we discovered quantities of the richest silks and carpets, +beside arms and money (consisting principally of silver coins) the +fortress being a sort of depot for the booty obtained by these highland +marauders. + +One of the cavalry having entered a dwelling in search of plunder, was +suddenly seized by two or three Ghiljies, who unexpectedly made their +appearance through a sort of trap, with which almost every house in the +fort was furnished. They placed a bandage over his eyes, and were in +the act of passing a rope round his arms, when the timely approach of +some of his comrades saved him from being carried off as a prisoner, the +enemy disappearing through the trap the moment they heard the noise of +their footsteps at the entrance. The troopers would have willingly +pursued them, but the depth and darkness of the subterraneous passage +convinced them it was something more than a mere cellar, and they knew +that if they once got involved in its windings they would be completely +at the mercy of the enemy. It is probable that these passages had +outlets without the walls, and that it was through them the enemy made +their escape at the first news of our approach, the suddenness and +quickness of our movements preventing them from taking their valuables +with them. There was also abundance of cattle and grain, of which we +brought off large supplies to the camp. Orders having been given to the +Artillery to blow up the fortress, the women and children were sent out +of it, and at five o'clock the same day the walls were breached, so as +to render them completely useless, and the houses fired in all +directions. After remaining to see that the work of destruction was +complete, we quitted the place at three o'clock in the morning, and +arrived the same day at the encampment. The enemy were not entirely +without their revenge, for, following on our footsteps, and watching us +closely, they contrived to carry off the cook, and three camels laden +with the cooking utensils of the squadron, a loss which was severely +felt, and by some thought ill compensated by the booty we had obtained. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Arrival at Quettah.--Storming of the Fortress of Khelat.--Suicide +of a Trooper belonging to the Horse Artillery.--Departure from +Quettah.--The Bholun Pass.--Dadur.--Bagh.--Breaking out of the +Cholera.--Death of Doctor Forbes.--Shikarpoor.--Death of Captain +Ogle.--Sukkur-Bukkur.--Death of Lieutenant Janvrin.--Wedding Ceremonies +of the Natives.--Breaking up of the Bombay Column.--Departure of +Brigadier Scott.--Boar Hunt.--Larkhana.--Sehwan.--Kurrachee.--Feast of +the Mohurrum.--Embarkation and Arrival at Bombay. + + +We reached Quettah on the 29th of October, and the army separated into +two divisions there, one to proceed by the fortress of Khelat, to punish +the Khan for the treacherous trick which he had played us on our way up, +and the other to return homeward through the Bholun Pass. The force +destined for military operations against Khelat consisted of her +Majesty's 2nd or Queen's Royals, her Majesty's 17th regiment of Foot, +the 35th Bengal Native Infantry, one company of Foot Artillery, one +troop of Horse Artillery, with the Poona Irregular Horse, the whole +under the command of Major-General Sir Thomas Wiltshire. As my +detachment was not included in this expedition, owing to the fatigued +condition of the horses, and the difficulty of procuring forage on the +route, I can only describe the storming of Khelat from the reports of +those who were present at it. + +The fortress of Khelat was very little inferior to Ghuznee in point of +strength, being defended by strong breastworks and mounted with large +cannon. The garrison consisted of from twelve to fourteen hundred men, +and there was abundance of provisions and ammunition in the place. After +reconnoitring its position Sir Thomas Wiltshire resolved on carrying it +by storm, and the affair was a short but brilliant one. A battery was +erected on one of the neighbouring heights, and a well directed fire +soon brought the gates down. The stormers then rushed up the causeway +under cover of our guns; but before they had reached the gateway, a +heavy fire from the loopholes of the fortress killed from twenty to +thirty of our troops, amongst whom was Lieutenant Gravatt, who was +gallantly leading them on. A desperate hand to hand fight then ensued, +the enemy resisting in dense masses, and disputing every inch of ground; +but our men carried all before them, at the point of the bayonet, and +drove the enemy into the interior of the fortress, where they were +headed by the Khan himself. The old Chieftain fought with desperation +and though frequently offered quarter, indignantly refused to accept it. +He and the followers by whom he was surrounded were all bayonetted on +the spot, and in about four hours the whole of the fortress was in the +possession of our troops. In the immediate vicinity of the place where +the Khan was killed, a shocking spectacle presented itself. His favorite +women, about twelve or fourteen in number, lay heaped together in a pool +of blood, their throats having been cut by order of the Khan, to prevent +their falling into our hands. A large quantity of treasure, consisting +of specie and jewels, was found in the citadel, and had the Cavalry been +present more would have fallen into the hands of our troops, as the +enemy were observed despatching it to the hills, on camels, through one +of the back gates, during the heat of the assault. Amongst the various +effects which were captured on this occasion were several boxes of arms +and accoutrements, which had been plundered from us on our way to Cabul, +and a telescope and some books, which had belonged to one of our +officers. Cattle and grain were also found in great abundance, and +proved of no small service to the division, on its route homeward, +through the Gundava pass. The fortress was completely dismantled before +the departure of the troops, and the Chiefs and other prisoners +liberated on promising allegiance to the Shah. + +Amongst the residents whom we found at Quettah on our arrival was a +Bombay Parsee, who had ventured up to that place with supplies, +consisting of tea, sugar, hams, brandy, beer, wines, and other +necessaries. To the soldier as well as the officer these articles were a +welcome treat, and having plenty of money to purchase them we soon +exhausted the stores of the enterprising trader who had reason to +congratulate himself on the successful issue of his trip. + +The morning previous to our departure a suicide occurred under +circumstances which gave rise to the suspicion that the wretched +perpetrator of it intended to have preluded it by the crime of murder. A +trooper belonging to the Horse Artillery was placed under arrest for +some trifling neglect of duty, and as soon as he was liberated he took a +loaded pistol and went directly to the tent of the adjutant of his corps +who had fortunately quitted it a few minutes before. The disappointed +trooper returned to his lines and immediately blew his own brains out. + +We left Quettah on the 1st of November, about nine o'clock at night, +taking with us the sick who had been left behind on our way to Cabul, +and who were now sufficiently restored to proceed homeward. In +consequence of the scarcity of water on the route we were obliged to +make a forced march of eight and twenty miles, and reached the entrance +to the Bholun Pass at six o'clock the next morning. We entertained a +lively recollection of the reception we had met with on our former +passage through this defile, and now felt some misgivings that we should +not be allowed to retrace our steps without a repetition of the favours +which were then so liberally showered upon us. To our great +gratification and contentment, however, the Belochees offered us no sort +of obstruction, and could they have facilitated our progress through +their country, would, I have little doubt, been well inclined to do so. +We occasionally caught glimpses of them watching our movements at a +respectful distance, but they never ventured within musket shot during +the whole of our passage. We lost two or three men from sickness before +we cleared the defile, and found it almost impossible to inter them from +the stony nature of the strata with which the whole of this district is +covered. + +Quitting the Bholun we proceeded to Dadur, and thence to Bagh, through a +jungle abounding with every sort of game, but more particularly deer and +wild boar. The troops made their way with considerable difficulty +through the intricacies of this entangled route, the pioneers being in +constant requisition to clear a passage for them. + +On the 24th of November we arrived at Bagh, a village situated at the +Cabul side of the desert, elsewhere described. The place consists of a +few miserable huts, surrounded by fields of joharra, and containing only +one tank of stagnant water. Doctor Forbes, of the 1st Light Cavalry, an +officer universally esteemed for his benevolence, hearing that the +Natives were dying in numbers of the cholera, immediately hastened to +the village to tender his services. He was seized by the epidemic and +returned to his quarters in a dying state. The unfortunate gentleman +expired in a few hours afterwards, and was interred the same day. Five +or six of the European troops were attacked in like manner, and were +immediately hurried to the hospital tents, where two of them died, but +the others struggled successfully against the disease. Brigadier Scott, +taking alarm at these unequivocal evidences of malaria, gave orders that +we should proceed across the desert without a moment's delay, and we +accordingly struck our tents at four o'clock the same day, carrying our +sick along with us. On reaching the extremity of the desert we found the +1st regiment of Bombay Grenadiers, with a large convoy of provisions and +stores for the use of the army. These supplies should have reached us at +the other side of the Bholun, but the escort had been attacked by the +cholera on the route, and were obliged to remain stationary until the +disease had abated. We found them nearly all convalescent and about to +continue their route. We took from them a stock of provisions, and +pursued our march. + +We arrived at Shikarpoor with a great number of sick who had fallen ill +of the epidemic on the way, and it was resolved that we should remain +here a few days. Shikarpoor is a large well built town, and contains +two fine mosques, several roofed bazaars, and two or three large +manufactories. The British Resident has a fine house here, the gardens +of which are tastefully laid out in the European style. Notwithstanding +the clean looking appearance of the town it is far from being healthy, +and from ten to twelve of our troops were daily carried off by the +cholera during our stay. Amongst the number was Captain Ogle of the 4th +Light Dragoons, who fell a victim to his humanity in visiting the sick +of his troop. This lamented gentleman was only in his thirtieth year, +and was a great favourite with his corps. He was unfortunately a married +man, and had been looking forward with feelings of eager anticipation to +his reunion with his family. Being of a buoyant and joyous temperament, +his loss was felt severely in the circle of his brother officers; his +ready jest and imperturbable good humour rendering him the life and +soul of the mess table. Captain Ogle looked upon the private soldier as +something more than a mere automaton placed at his disposal, and whilst +he had always a due regard for the discipline of the service, he +exercised the power entrusted to him with humanity and judgment, the act +in which he lost his life being but the last of a countless series of +generous and disinterested offices which he was in the habit of +performing for those under his command. Few men have left behind them a +memory so associated with every thing that is valuable and estimable in +social and military life. + +Leaving Shikarpoor, on the 27th of November, we arrived on the following +day at Sukkur Bukkur, a town situated on the banks of the Indus, and +having its citadel on a rock in the centre of the river. The cholera +rapidly disappeared here; but we sustained another loss in the person of +Lieutenant Janvrin, the acting Quarter-Master of our detachment, who +was carried off by the small-pox. On the opposite bank of the river lies +Roree, a village remarkable only for its manufactures, which consist +principally of silks. Several of us having obtained leave to visit the +place, we were strolling through the bazaar, when we observed +preparations for a wedding in progress. Taking up a position which +enabled us to see what was passing, without obtruding on the parties +concerned, we waited patiently until the ceremonies commenced. At the +expiration of about a quarter of an hour the bridegroom made his +appearance in front of the house which contained his betrothed, and both +in person and attire he was all that a native belle could have desired. +He was a fine, muscular looking fellow of about seven or eight and +twenty, with handsome features and bold and jaunty air. He was dressed +in a loose robe, of spotless white, and without any ornaments or +weapons whatsoever. Proceeding directly to the door of the house which +contained his Dulcinea he knocked at it three times with the knuckles of +his right hand and once with his left. He then threw himself prostrate +on a mat which had been made for the purpose, by the lady's own hands, +and there waited her coming forth. The door presently opened, and a +number of musicians immediately struck up a wild and discordant air. A +timid and pretty looking maiden, about fourteen years of age, showily +dressed in different coloured silks, and ornamented with a nose ring and +bangles of pure gold, at length stepped forth, followed by her relatives +and friends, who formed themselves into a circle around her. The +bridegroom starting to his feet made a formal claim to the hand of his +affianced and presented her with a garland of flowers, which she +gracefully threw across her shoulders, in token that she accepted him, +and then suffered him to embrace her. Lifting her in his arms he placed +her on the back of a donkey, and they went in procession to pay visits +of ceremony through the town, the bride distributing sweetmeats to the +crowd, as she passed along. The bridegroom showered his favours about in +the form of some red powder, which he flung in the faces of all near +him, and especially in those of the Europeans, of whom there were a good +many present. He half blinded some of us, and conferred as dark a hue as +his own upon others--freaks that appeared to give infinite delight and +amusement to the natives, but which were not taken in quite as good part +by some testy fellows amongst us. Having arrived at the house of the +bridegroom's father, the old gentleman graciously descended, and taking +the bride in his arms, bore her into his dwelling. The bridegroom +remained a few minutes after them, and flinging some cowries to the +musicians and crowd, he made a salaam and darted in after his +_inamorata_. + +We remained at Sukkur about six weeks, in consequence of an order +forwarded after us by Sir William Mc Naghten, under the apprehension +that our services would be again wanted at Cabul. The Indus being +navigable up to the town, we had plentiful supplies of provisions and +other necessaries at moderate prices, and felt tolerably satisfied with +our quarters. As to the probability of our having to return to Cabul, +the Cavalry felt at ease regarding the rumours which prevailed, for they +well knew that the condition of their horses put such a thing completely +out of the question. An order at length arrived that the various +brigades of the Bombay column should be broken up, and that the troops +composing them should return to their respective quarters. Brigadier +General Scott, and his aides de camp, accordingly left us by one of the +first boats which sailed down the Indus for Bombay, and we remained +under the command of the officers of our respective regiments. + +We passed our time hunting in the jungles, in the vicinity of the camp, +or in fishing in the river, both of which proved prolific sources of +amusement. I went out several times to chase the wild boar, and on one +of these occasions the sport nearly proved fatal to me. Proceeding with +two of my comrades, and a native for guide, through a dense and almost +impenetrable part of the jungle, we suddenly roused a huge boar, which +turned fiercely upon us, and made directly at the nearest of its +pursuers, which, as chance would have it, happened to be me. He had me +down on the earth in a twinkling, and would have made short work of me +had not a well-directed shot from one of my companions struck him right +between the eyes, and tumbled him lifeless on the ground. The man to +whom I owed my safety exhibited admirable coolness, and +self-possession, for the slightest deviation in his aim would have sent +the bullet through me instead of the object for which it was intended. +It was with the greatest difficulty we contrived to drag our prize into +camp, for he weighed no less than from twenty-five to thirty stone, and +supplied the troop with pork chops until we were tired of them. + +The importance of Sukkur as a military position cannot be exaggerated. +It forms the key to Scinde, and the Indus being navigable up to the +fortress, its supplies do not depend on season or circumstance. These +advantages have not been overlooked, for it has since been retained in +the possession of our troops, and will always serve as a _point d'appui_ +in any future operations we may undertake at that side of the Indus. + +After passing nearly six weeks at Sukkur, we took the route to Larkhana +along the right bank of the Indus. The road lay, as before, through a +jungle, and the occasional glimpses which we caught of the river through +the clearances gave a picturesque effect to the scenery. We arrived at +Larkhana on the 19th of January, and remained there only one day. +Proceeding thence to Sehwan we reached the latter place in about four +days, and found a gun boat belonging to the Hon. Company lying at +moorings in the river. We left Sehwan on the following day, and taking a +farewell of the River Indus we proceeded towards the coast through a +wild and deserted district, in which we found neither villages nor +inhabitants. + +Within one day's march of Kurrachee we found a number of tombs richly +sculptured and covered with inscriptions from the Koran, which were said +to contain the remains of some of the native princes. There being +abundance of excellent water here, and Kurrachee having the reputation +of not being extremely healthy, it was determined that we should +remained encamped here until the Khelat division formed a junction with +us. It was not till the end of February, however, that the Khelat forces +made their appearance, having kept us waiting about five weeks, and on +the day after their arrival we marched into Kurrachee where we found her +Majesty's 40th regiment. + +Kurrachee is situated on the Coast of Belochistan, and its natural +advantages entitle it to the rank of a first rate sea-port town. It +possesses a fine harbour, in which a seventy-four gun ship may ride in +safety, and which is protected by the batteries of the town, and the +guns of a fortress occupying an island about midway between the mainland +and the promontory which forms the harbour. On our arrival at Scinde, +instructions had been forwarded to Commodore Pepper, by the +Commander-in-Chief, to invest the place, and we accordingly found it in +possession of our troops on our return. + +The town is large but irregularly built, and is surrounded by walls and +bastions, on which we saw some pieces of cannon, but they were of small +calibre, and of the worst possible construction. To the north of the +town we observed a superb banyan tree, which extended its foliage to +such a distance, that it formed a pavilion capable of containing a small +stone mosque for the accommodation of a number of Faquirs or priests. Of +the many curious specimens of this class that I have met with in Asia, I +have seen none so utterly degraded and isolated from every thing like +humanity. Their bodies were thickly coated over with ashes and red +paint, and their hair clotted with filthy moisture. They were surrounded +by every sort of abomination, and howled and whined like a set of wild +beasts. That they had not reduced themselves to this savage state +merely from fanaticism we had abundant opportunities of discovering, for +we saw the inhabitants of Kurrachee daily pouring into the temple with +rich presents and offerings, and propitiating their good will by +sacrifices of their most precious and valuable effects. To the left of +the Mosque lies a tank, or reservoir, about fifty feet long by thirty +broad, in which we saw a number of live alligators, which are carefully +fed by the priests, and held in the greatest possible veneration and awe +by the deluded votaries who repair there. + +The feast of the Mohurrum had commenced a few hours before our arrival, +but we were in time to witness the greater part of it. A short +description of these singular rites may not be uninteresting to the +reader. A hole being dug in the ground to the depth of about six or +eight feet, fire is placed in it, and the devotees dance round it, with +the most extravagant exclamations and gestures, some dashing square +pieces of iron or brass together, to add to the effect. According as one +set of dancers becomes fatigued they are replaced by another, and thus +the ceremonies are kept up without intermission from sunset to daybreak. +When the moon is at its full they march in procession to the water's +side, preceded by their Taboots, a sort of fantastical temple, +constructed of bamboo and gilt paper. I have seen one of these temples, +at Poona, of such large dimensions that it required an elephant to draw +it, and cost no less a sum than a thousand rupees. On reaching the +water's side the taboots are thrown in and allowed to float away with +the tide. This concludes the ceremonies and the wearied performers are +glad to return to their homes. + +On returning towards the lines, from the Mohurrum, we saw a miserable +looking wretch squatted at the side of the road, who appeared to be in +deep affliction, for he was weeping bitterly and lamenting his hard +fate. I addressed him and inquired into the cause of his grief. He told +me that he had been induced to become a convert to Christianity by one +of the missionaries, and had been thrust out of the pale of social +intercourse from the moment the fact became known. He deplored his +having yielded to the arguments of the missionary, since they had +debarred him from participating in the religious ceremony which had just +terminated, its pomp and circumstance having evidently made a deeper +impression on his imagination than his conviction. We gave him some +relief and passed on, when our attention was again directed to him by +one of our companions, who had lingered behind. Several of the natives +had surrounded the poor convert, and were spitting upon him, and loading +him with the vilest reproaches. We returned to the spot and compelled +them to leave him in peace. + +Amongst the British whom we found on our arrival at Kurrachee was Mr. +Masson, the author of an interesting work on Affghanistan, which has +been lately published. This gentleman had been originally a private +soldier in the Honourable Company's service, and had risen through +various grades to the profitable civil employ which he at present holds. +He rendered some important services to the company, for which they +awarded him a pension of £100 a-year, and much to his credit he settled +the whole of it on his aged mother. + +After remaining at Kurrachee about ten days, the order was at length +issued for the embarkation of the Cavalry, which was now limited to my +own detachment. Upwards of thirty _pattemars_ were hired for the voyage, +and from twelve to fourteen men, and an equal number of horses, were +stowed in each. We had a quick and favourable passage, and arrived at +Bombay on the 10th of March, after an absence of nearly eighteen months. + +THE END. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +FROM THE DELHI GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, OCTOBER 1, 1842. + +"The Right Hon. the Govenor-General of India having with the concurrence +of the Supreme Council, directed the assemblage of a British force for +service across the Indus, his Lordship deems it proper to publish the +following exposition of reasons which have led to this important +measure. + +"It is a matter of notoriety that the treaties entered into by the +British Government in the year 1832 with the Ameers of Scinde, the +Nawab of Bahawulpore, and Maharaja Runjeet Singh, had for their object, +by opening the navigation of the Indus, to facilitate the extension of +commerce, and to gain for the British nation in Central Asia that +legitimate influence which an interchange of benefits would naturally +produce. + +"With a view to invite the aid of the _de facto_ rulers of Afghanistan +to the measures necessary for giving full effect to those treaties, +Captain Burnes was deputed, towards the close of the year 1836, on a +mission to Dost Mahomed Khan, chief of Cabul: the original objects of +that officer's mission were purely of a commercial nature. + +"Whilst Captain Burnes, however, was on his journey to Cabul, +information was received by the Governor-General that the troops of Dost +Mahomed Khan had made a sudden and unprovoked attack on those of our +ancient ally, Maharaja Runjeet Singh. It was naturally to be +apprehended that his Highness the Maharaja would not be slow to avenge +this aggression, and it was to be feared that the flames of war being +once kindled in the very regions into which we were endeavouring to +extend our commerce, the peaceful and beneficial purposes of the British +Government would be altogether frustrated. In order to avert a result so +calamitous, the Governor-General resolved on authorising Captain Burnes +to intimate to Dost Mahomed Khan, that if he should evince a disposition +to come to just and reasonable terms with the Maharaja, his Lordship +would exert his good offices with his Highness for the restoration of an +amicable understanding between the two Powers. The Maharaja, with the +characteristic confidence which he has uniformly placed in the faith and +friendship of the British nation, at once assented to the proposition of +the Governor-General, to the effect that in the mean time hostilities +on his part should be suspended. + +"It subsequently came to the knowledge of the Govenor-General that a +Persian army was besieging Herat; that intrigues were actively +prosecuted throughout Affghanistan, for the purpose of extending Persian +influence and authority to the banks of, and even beyond, the Indus; and +that the Court of Persia had not only commenced a course of injury and +insult to the officers of Her Majesty's mission in the Persian +territory, but had afforded evidence of being engaged in designs wholly +at variance with the principles and objects of its alliance with Great +Britain. + +"After much time spent by Captain Burnes in fruitless negotiation at +Cabul, it appeared that Dost Mahomed Khan, chiefly in consequence of his +reliance upon Persian encouragement and assistance, persisted, as +respected his misunderstanding with the Sikhs, in urging the most +unreasonable pretensions, such as the Governor-General could not, +consistently with justice and his regard for the friendship of Maharajah +Runjeet Singh, be the channel of submitting to the consideration of his +Highness; that he avowed schemes of aggrandizement and ambition +injurious to the security and peace of the frontiers of India; and that +he openly threatened, in furtherance of these schemes, to call in every +foreign aid which he could command. Ultimately, he gave his undisguised +support to the Persian designs in Affghanistan, of the unfriendly and +injurious character of which, as concerned the British power in India, +he was well apprised; and by his utter disregard of the views and +interests of the British Government compelled Captain Burnes to leave +Cabul without having effected any of the objects of his mission. + +"It was now evident that no further interference could be exercised by +the British Government to bring about a good understanding between the +Sikh ruler and Dost Mahomed Khan; and the hostile policy of the latter +chief showed too plainly that so long as Cabul remained under his +government we could never hope that the tranquillity of our +neighbourhood would be secured, or that the interests of our Indian +empire would be preserved inviolate. + +"The Governor-General deems it in this place necessary to revert to the +siege of Herat and the conduct of the Persian nation. The siege of that +city had now been carried on by the Persian army for many months. The +attack upon it was a most unjustifiable and cruel aggression, +perpetrated and continued notwithstanding the solemn and repeated +remonstrances of the British Envoy at the Court of Persia, and after +every just and becoming offer of accommodation had been made and +rejected. The besieged have behaved with gallantry and fortitude worthy +of the justice of their cause, and the Govenor-General would yet +indulge the hope that their heroism may enable them to maintain a +successful defence until succours shall reach them from British India. +In the mean time the ulterior designs of Persia, affecting the interests +of the British Government, have been by a succession of events, more and +more openly manifested. The Governor-General has recently ascertained, +by an official despatch from Mr. M'Neil, Her Majesty's Envoy, that his +Excellency has been compelled, by the refusal of his just demands, and +by a systematic course of disrespect adopted towards him by the Persian +Government, to quit the court of the Schah, and to make a public +declaration of the cessation of all intercourse between the two +Governments. The necessity under which Great Britain is placed of +regarding the present advance of the Persian arms into Affghanistan as +an act of hostility towards herself, has also been officially +communicated to the Schah, under the express order of Her Majesty's +Government. + +"The chiefs of Candahar (brothers of Dost Mahomed Khan, of Cabul) have +avowed their adherence to the Persian policy, with the same full +knowledge of its opposition to the rights and interests of the British +nation in India, and to have been openly assisting in the operations +against Herat. + +"In the crisis of affairs consequent upon the retirement of our Envoy +from Cabul, the Governor-General felt the importance of taking immediate +measures for arresting the rapid progress of foreign intrigue and +aggression towards our own territories. + +"His attention was naturally drawn, at this conjuncture, to the position +and claims of Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk, a monarch who, when in power, had +cordially acceded to the measures of united resistance to external +enmity which were, at that time judged necessary by the British +Government, and who, on his empire being usurped by its present rulers, +had found an honourable asylum in the British dominions. + +"It had clearly been ascertained, from the information furnished by the +various officers who have visited Afghanistan, that the Barukzye chiefs, +from their disunion and unpopularity, were ill-fitted, under any +circumstances, to be useful allies to the British Government, and to aid +us in our just and necessary measures of national defence. Yet so long +as they refrained from proceedings injurious to our interests and +security, the British Government acknowledged and respected their +authority. But a different policy appeared to be now more than justified +by the conduct of those chiefs, and to be indispensable to our own +safety. The welfare of our possessions in the East requires that we +should have on our western frontier an ally who is interested in +resisting aggression and establishing tranquillity, in the place of +chiefs ranging themselves in subservience to a hostile Power, and +seeking to promote schemes of conquest and aggrandisement. + +"After a serious and mature deliberation, the Governor-General was +satisfied that pressing necessity, as well as every consideration of +policy and justice, warranted us in espousing the cause of Schah +Sooja-ool-Moolk, whose popularity throughout Affghanistan had been +proved to his Lordship by the strong and unanimous testimony of the best +authorities. Having arrived at this determination, The Governor-General +was further of opinion that it was just and proper, no less from the +position of Maharaja Runjeet Singh, than from his undeviating friendship +towards the British Government, that his Highness should have the offer +of becoming a party to the contemplated operations. Mr. Macnaghten was +accordingly deputed in June last to the Court of his Highness, and the +result of his mission has been the conclusion of a tripartite treaty by +the British Government, the Maharaja, and Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk, whereby +his Highness is guaranteed in his present possessions, and has bound +himself to co-operate for the restoration of the Schah to the throne of +his ancestors. The friends and enemies of any one of the contracting +parties have been declared to be the friends and enemies of all. Various +points have been adjusted which had been the subject of discussion +between the British Government and his Highness the Maharaja, the +identity of whose interests with those of the hon. Company has now been +made apparent to all the surrounding States. A guaranteed independence +will, upon favourable conditions, be tendered to the Ameers of Scinde; +and the integrity of Herat, in the possession of its present ruler, will +be fully respected; whilst, by the measures completed or in progress it +may reasonably be hoped that the general freedom and security of +commerce will be promoted; that the name and just influence of the +British Government will gain their proper footing among the nations of +central Asia; that tranquillity will be established upon the most +important frontier in India, and that a lasting barrier will be raised +against hostile intrigue and encroachment. + +"His Majesty Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk will enter Affghanistan surrounded by +his own troops, and will be supported against foreign interference and +factious opposition by a British army. The Governor-General confidently +hopes that the Schah will be speedily replaced on his throne by his own +subjects and adherents; and when once he shall be secured in power, and +the independence and integrity of Affghanistan established, the British +army will be withdrawn. + +"The Governor-General has been led to these measures by the duty which +is imposed upon him of providing for the security of the British Crown; +but he rejoices that in the discharge of his duty he will be enabled to +assist in restoring the union and prosperity of the Affghan people. +Throughout the approaching operations British influence will be +sedulously employed to further every measure of general benefit, to +reconcile differences, to secure oblivion of injuries, and to put an end +to the distractions by which, for so many years, the welfare and +happiness of the Affghans have been impaired. + +"Even to the chiefs whose hostile proceedings have given just cause of +offence to the British Government, it will seek to secure liberal and +honourable treatment, on their tendering early submission, and ceasing +from opposition to that course of measures which may be judged the most +suitable for the general advantage of their country. + +"By order of the Right Hon. the Governor-General of India, + + "W. H. MACNAGHTEN, + + "Secretary to the Government of India, + "with the Governor-General. + + * * * * * + + +"NOTIFICATION + +"With reference to the preceding declaration, the following appointments +are made;-- + +"Mr. W. H. Macnaghten, secretary to Government, will assume the +functions of Envoy and Minister, on the part of the Government of India, +at the Court of Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk; Mr. Macnaghten will be assisted +by the following officers:-- + +"Captain Alexander Burnes, of the Bombay establishment, who will be +employed under Mr. Macnaghten's direction, as Envoy to the chief of +Khelat, or other states. + +"Lieutenant E. D'Arcy Todd, of the Bengal Artillery, to be political +assistant and military secretary to the Envoy and Minister. + +"Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger, of the Bombay Artillery; Lieutenant R. +Leech, of the Bombay Engineers; Mr. P. B. Lord, of the Bombay Medical +Establishment, to be political assistants to ditto ditto. + +"Lieutenant E. R. Conolly, of the 6th Regiment Bengal Cavalry, to +command the escort of the Envoy and Minister, and to be military +assistant to ditto ditto. + +"Mr. G. J. Berwick, of the Bengal Medical Establishment, to be surgeon +to ditto ditto. + + "W. H. MACNAGHTEN, + + "Secretary to the Governor of India, + with the Governor-General." + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +The following modifications have been made to the text. + +Contents, CHAPTER III: 'Candahah' replaced with Candahar. + +Contents, CHAPTER IV: 'Khelet' replaced with Khelat. + +Contents, CHAPTER VIII: Comma after 'Commandant of Ghuznee' replaced +with a period. + +Contents, CHAPTER XII: 'Cott' replaced with Scott. + +Page 1: Missing emdashes added to the chapter description. + +Page 3: 'Soojah-Ool-Moolk' replaced with Sooja-ool-Moolk. + +Page 25: Period removed from between 'Lieutenant' and 'Nixon'. + +Page 36: 'Schwan' replaced with Sehwan. + +Page 37: 'und' replaced with and. + +Page 52: 'Candahah' replaced with Candahar. + +Page 58: 'couutrymen' replaced with countrymen. + +Page 104: 'Khelat-i-Giljie' replaced with Khelat-i-Ghiljie. + +Page 104: 'precints' replaced with precincts. + +Page 110: 'and and' replaced with and. + +Page 128: 'immedialely' replaced with immediately. + +Page 130: Comma after 'Commandant of Ghuznee' replaced with period. + +Page 133: 'mélée' replaced with mźlée. + +Page 141: Missing hyphen added in Commander-in-Chief. + +Page 142: 'then' replaced with than. + +Page 146: 'circumstanee' replaced with circumstance. + +Page 148: Missing hyphen added in Commander-in-Chief. + +Page 149: 'pretented' replaced with pretended. + +Page 184: 'strong hold' replaced with strong-hold. + +Page 185: Comma inserted after 'however'. + +Page 188: 'Ccott' replaced with Scott. + +Page 195: 'epedemic replaced with epidemic. + +Page 215: 'EXTRAORINARY' replaced with EXTRAORDINARY. + +Page 216: 'Nawah' replaced with Nawab. + +Page 219: 'inteference' replaced with interference. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN +AFFGHANISTAN*** + + +******* This file should be named 33496-8.txt or 33496-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/3/4/9/33496 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = +"http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Scenes and Adventures in Affghanistan</p> +<p>Author: William Taylor</p> +<p>Release Date: August 23, 2010 [eBook #33496]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN +AFFGHANISTAN***</p> +<p> </p> +<h4>E-text prepared by Asad Razzaki<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href=" http://www.pgdp.net/c/">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + Internet Archive/American Libraries<br /> + (<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/americana"> + http://www.archive.org/details/Americana</a>)</h4> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/scenesadventures00taylrich"> + http://www.archive.org/details/scenesadventures00taylrich</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<div class="notebox"> +<p>Transcriber's Notes:</p> + +<p>Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been retained as +in the original.</p> + +<p>A few typographical errors have been corrected. They are +shown in the text with <ins class="corr" title= +"like this">mouse-hover popups</ins>. Position your mouse over +the word to see the correction.</p> + +<p>The pagination is a little unorthodox. After page 211 there +are three unnumbered pages and then the numbering starts from page 225.</p> +</div> +<p> </p> +<hr class="pg" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1><span id="title">SCENES AND ADVENTURES<br /><br /> +IN<br /><br /> +<big>AFFGHANISTAN,</big></span> +<span id="by">BY</span> +<span id="author">WILLIAM TAYLOR,</span></h1> + +<p class="center"><br /><small>LATE<br /><br /> +<span class="smcap">Troop Serjeant-Major of the Fourth Light +Dragoons.</span></small></p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="center"><br />LONDON:<br /><br /> +<small>T. C. NEWBY, 65, MORTIMER <span class="smcap">St.</span>, CAVENDISH <span +class="smcap">Sq.</span> +<br /><small>AND</small><br /> +T. & W. BOONE, 29, NEW BOND STREET.</small></p> + +<p class="center">1842.</p> +<hr /> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">T.C. Newby</span>, Printer, 65, Mortimer +Street, Cavendish Square.</p> +<hr /> + +<p class="center"><small>TO</small><br /> +<br /> +<big>FLORENTINE LADY SALE,</big><br /> +<br /> +THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE INSCRIBED<br /> +<br /> +<small>AS A</small><br /> +<br /> +TRIBUTE OF RESPECT AND ADMIRATION<br /> +<br /> +<small>FOR THE</small><br /> +<br /> +HEROISM BY HER DISPLAYED<br /> +<br /> +<small>DURING THE LATE</small><br /> +<br /> +CAMPAIGN IN AFFGHANISTAN.</p> +<hr /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_i">[Pg I]</a></span></p> +<h2><a id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><td class="pgno" colspan="2">Page.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc"><a href="#PREFACE">Preface.</a></td><td +class="pgno">i</td></tr> +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Proclamation of Lord Auckland. The Ghauts. +Fatal Practical Joke. Embarkation at Bombay. Mishap +at Sea. Landing at Bominacote. Review of +the troops by Sir John Keane. Suicide of Lieutenant +Fyers. Advance upon Scinde. Tattah. The Moslems +and Hindoos. Tombs of Tattah. Hindoo Superstition. +Adventure of a Dak, or Native Postman. +Death of a Smuggler. Jurruk. Belochee Thefts. +Feat of a Native Trooper.</td><td class="pgno">1</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Singular fate of Three Officers of the Queen's +Royals. Evacuation of Jurruk by the Inhabitants. +Desertion of Camel Drivers. Preparations for the +attack and defence of Hyderabad. Submission of the +Ameers. Consternation of the Natives at the arrival +of a Steamer in the Indus. Baida. Accident to a +Dragoon. The Lukkee Pass. Kotiah. Loss of Two +Soldiers of the 17th Foot. Sehwan. Arrival of Sir +Henry Fane. Asiatic Jugglers. Conversion of a +European Soldier to the Mahommedan Faith.</td><td class="pgno">23</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a><span +class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ii">[Pg II]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Larkhana. Departure of the Commander-in-Chief +for <ins class="corr" title="Candahah">Candahar</ins>. Capture of Belochee +Thieves. Ludicrous +scene in the Bazaar. Tremendous Hurricane. +An Irish Colonel's appeal to his men. Murder of +Cooks belonging to the Army. A Native Funeral. +The Bholun Pass. Massacre of Camp Followers. +Ill-timed Merriment. Animal Instinct.</td><td class="pgno">42</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Skirmish with the Enemy. Belochee Waggery. +Cleverly planned Capture of a Bruhee. Sufferings +from want of water. Valley of Shawle. Quettah. +Belochee Cruelties. Adventures in a Stone Quarry. +Treachery of the Khan of <ins class="corr" title="Khelet">Khelat</ins>. Murder +of another +Cook. Poisoning of the Wells. Fortunate Discovery.</td><td +class="pgno">61</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">The Khojuck Pass. Descent of the Troops. Shocking +Death of a Camel Driver. Detection and Escape +of an Affghan Thief. Loss of Cavalry Horses. Candahar. +Arrival of Shah Soojah. Condition of the +Troops. Attempt of the Natives to cut off a Convoy +of Provisions. Asiatic Mendicants. The Mosque at +Candahar. Arrival of Affghan Auxiliaries.</td><td class="pgno">77</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Installation of Shah Soojah. Attack on the Camel +Guards. Heroism of an Affghan Youth. Murder of +Cornet Inverarity of the 16th Lancers. Departure +from Candahar. The Ghiljie Hills. Locusts. Arrival +of new Auxiliaries. Camel Batteries. Hyder Khail. +Arrival at Ghuznee. Tomb of Mahommed. Remains +of the Old Town of Ghuznee. </td><td class="pgno">92</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iii">[Pg III]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Reconnaisance of the Fortress. Skirmish with the +Enemy. Rejoicing of the Garrison at our Supposed +Defeat. Preparation for a Coup de Main. Engineer +Operations. Storming and Taking of the Fortress.</td><td +class="pgno">108</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER +VIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">An Affghan Heroine. Capture of Hyder Khan the +Commandant of Ghuznee<ins class="corr" title=",">.</ins> Escape of Ghool +Mahommed +Khan. Singular Discovery of a Map on the person +of an Affghan Chief. Description of the Affghan +Women. The Ruling Passion. Treasuretrove. The +Golden Shield. Chase of the Enemy. Just Retribution.</td><td +class="pgno">130</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Attempt to Assassinate the Shah. Court Martial +on an Affghan Chief. Visit to the Hospital at +Ghuznee. Hatred of the Affghans towards the Native +Troops. Departure from Ghuznee. Capture of a +Battery. Fatal Accident. Summary Punishment. +Arrival at Cabul. Pursuit of Dost Mahommed and +Treachery of a Native Chief. Description of Cabul. +The Balar Hissar. Mosque of the Emperor Baber. +The Bazaar.</td><td class="pgno">145</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Triumphant Entry of Shah Soojah into Cabul. The +Cabul Races. Death of Brigadier General Arnold. +Sale of the General's effects. Arrival of Prince Timour. +The Sikhs. Murder of Colonel Herring. Arrival of +money and supplies from the Upper Provinces.</td><td class="pgno">159</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iv">[Pg IV]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Institution of the Order of the Doorannee Empire. +Murder of a Private of the 13th Light Infantry. +Departure from Cabul. Return to Ghuznee. Accident +to the Revd. Mr. Pigot. Discovery of the Skeletons +of British Soldiers. Horse-steaks. Treachery of +some Ghiljie Chiefs and destruction of their Fort. +Adventure of a Dragoon. Loss of a Cook.</td><td class="pgno">173</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER +XII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc">Arrival at Quettah. Storming of the Fortress of +Khelat. Suicide of a Trooper belonging to the Horse +Artillery. Departure from Quettah. The Bholun +Pass. Dadur. Bagh. Breaking out of the Cholera. +Death of Doctor Forbes. Shikarpoor. Death of +Captain Ogle. Sukkur-Bukkur. Death of Lieutenant +Janvrin. Wedding Ceremonies of the Natives. Breaking +up of the Bombay Column. Departure of Brigadier +<ins class="corr" title="Cott">Scott</ins>. Boar Hunt. Larkhana. Sehwan. +Kurrachee. +Feast of the Mohurrum. Embarkation and Arrival +at Bombay.</td><td class="pgno">188</td></tr> +<tr><td class="desc"><a href="#APPENDIX">Appendix.</a></td><td +class="pgno">225</td></tr> +</table></div> +</div> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_i_">[Pg i]</a></span></p> +<h2><a id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p>The following narrative is put forth with all +the diffidence and apprehension that a mind +unaccustomed to literary pursuits, and limited +in its opportunities of improvement, naturally +feels on presenting itself for the first time to +the notice of the public. The doubts I entertain, +regarding the prudence of the step I have +taken, are in no small degree increased by the +circumstances under which the work has been +executed, the details having been entirely furnished +from memory, and without the aid of +any sort of data or memoranda. I should never +have dreamt of undertaking such a task, had +not the partiality of good natured, though perhaps +misjudging friends, overcame the scruples +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ii_">[Pg ii]</a></span> +which a consciousness of my own deficiencies +excited, and induced me to commit to paper +the scenes with which they professed themselves +to have been amused.</p> + +<p>Having candidly admitted the demerits +of the work, I may now be allowed to say a +few words in its favour. Should it be taken up +in the expectation of supplying materials for +the defence of an erroneous policy, or the +gratification of party spleen, it will fall short of +the hopes of the reader, for I have endeavoured +to steer clear of every thing like political allusion +in the fear of adding to difficulties, which +already appeared sufficiently formidable, and of +wrecking my little bark on a stormy and +troubled sea. Mine is the simple, straightforward +narrative of a soldier, more accustomed to +wield the sword than the pen, and caring little +for the conflicting interests or animosities of +party. With such a small amount of profession, +it is not unreasonable to hope that the +public will extend towards it some portion of +that generous indulgence with which it is ever +wont to regard the literary efforts of the humbler +classes.</p> + +<p><i>London, December 10th, 1842.</i></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_1"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><a +id="AFFGHANISTAN"></a><big><big><big>AFFGHANISTAN.</big></big></big></p> + +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Proclamation of Lord Auckland.—The Ghauts.—Fatal +Practical Joke.—Embarkation at Bombay.—Mishap at Sea.<ins +class="corr" title="emdash was missing">—</ins>Landing +at Bominacote.—Review of the troops by Sir John +Keane.—Suicide of Lieutenant Fyers.—Advance upon Scinde.<ins +class="corr" title="emdash was missing">—</ins>Tattah.—The +Moslems and Hindoos.—Tombs of Tattah.<ins class="corr" title="emdash was +missing">—</ins>Hindoo +Superstition.—Adventure of a Dak, or native Postman.—Death +of a Smuggler.—Jurruk—Belochee Thefts.—Feat +of a Native Trooper.</p> + +<p>Towards the latter end of August 1838, rumours +reached Bombay and the various military +stations in the Deccan, that the troops were +about to be called into active service, and that +the scene of operations was to be at a distance +from our Indian territories. The extensive +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +preparations soon after set on foot, and the +unusual activity observable in the various +arsenals of the Presidency, left no doubt as to +the truth of these reports, and the only subject +of speculation that remained was, the precise +destination of the forces. Public curiosity was +at length set at rest, by the arrival of a proclamation +from the Governor General, directing +the assemblage of an army for service across +the Indus, and explaining at length the intentions +of Government. It will not be necessary +for the purposes of this narrative that I should +canvass the merits of this remarkable document, +or enter upon a discussion of the policy on +which it was founded. Sufficient is it for me +to say that the objects which it professed, were +the protection of our commerce, and the safety +of our Indian frontiers, both of which were +menaced by the intrigues and aggressions of +Persia. Having detailed the steps taken by +Dost Mahommed in furtherance of the views +of that power, and expressed its conviction, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> +that as long as Cabul remained under his government +there was no hope that the interests of +our Indian empire would be preserved inviolate, +the proclamation proceeded to state, that pressing +necessity, as well as every consideration of +policy and justice, justified us in replacing on +the throne of Afghanistan, Shah <ins class="corr" title="Soojah-Ool- +Moolk">Sooja-ool-Moolk</ins>, +a monarch who, when in power, had +cordially acceded to the measures of joint resistance +to external aggression which were at +that time judged necessary by the British +government; and who on his empire being +usurped by its present rulers had found an +honorable asylum in the British dominions. +Such in a few words were the objects set forth +in Lord Auckland's proclamation and never +has unfortunate state paper been assailed with +such hostility and bitterness. Whether the +censures with which it has been visited are +deserved or not I will leave to others to +decide, contenting myself with the observation, +that failure and success are but too apt to sway +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +men's judgments and to give a character to the +circumstances that have led to them.</p> + +<p>The Bombay troops ordered to form part of +the army of the Indus consisted of her Majesty's +2nd, or Queen's Royals, the 17th +regiment of Foot, 307 of her Majesty's 4th +Light Dragoons, the 1st regiment of Bombay +Light Cavalry, two troops of the Honorable +Company's Horse Artillery, one company of +Foot Artillery, the 19th regiment of Native +Infantry, the Poona Irregular Horse, with the +Sappers and Miners, the whole constituting an +effective force of about 6,000 men, under the +command of Lieutenant-General Sir John +Keane.</p> + +<p>The 4th Light Dragoons were stationed at +Kirkee, about 70 miles from Bombay, when +orders arrived that the detachment should proceed +to the Presidency, for the purpose of +embarking for its destination. We left our +cantonments early in November, and overtook +the Artillery, which had preceded us from +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +Poona, at the Ghauts. We halted here two +days, and were joined by her Majesty's 17th +regiment of Foot, shortly after our arrival. +Short as was our stay, it was signalised by one +of those practical jokes which so often terminate +in fatal results, but which, unfortunately, seem +to have no effect in rendering people cautious. +Some artillerymen having been out shooting +game, one of them brought home a loaded gun +and carelessly left it in his tent. Several +of his comrades came in, in the afternoon, and +in the course of a carousal one of them took the +loaded piece, and presenting it at the nearest +soldier, jestingly threatened to shoot him. He +had scarcely uttered the word when the gun +went off and stretched his unfortunate comrade +dead at his feet. Nothing could equal the +distress and remorse of the homicide at the +thoughtless act by which he had deprived a +fellow creature of life, and it had a marked effect +on his future character and conduct.</p> + +<p>The passage through the Ghauts is romantic +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +and picturesque in the extreme, the road lying +over stupendous mountains and through deep +ravines for the length of about seven or eight +miles. Some beautiful country houses have +been lately erected here by a wealthy Parsee +of Bombay, on sites which command the +finest and most extensive views in the +neighbourhood. These delightful summer retreats +are surrounded by every luxurious accessory +that wealth and taste can supply, and +the Governor is occasionally glad to fly to them +for a short respite from the cares of office.</p> + +<p>We arrived at Bombay on the 15th of +November, and found it a scene of busy excitement. +The streets were filled with troops +and artillery proceeding to the place of embarkation, +and the inhabitants flocked in +thousands to the Bunder Head, to witness +their departure. The harbour was literally +alive with the numerous small craft employed +in conveying the troops to the different +transports, while the blue Peter flying at the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +mast head of the latter announced that we had +very little time for delay. We accordingly +hurried down to the beach, and were immediately +put on board the Cambridge. We +found it so crowded that Major Daly, +our commanding officer, was compelled +to remonstrate with the authorities on the subject, +and after some trouble, he succeeded in +getting from seventy to eighty men removed +to the other vessels. This did not sufficiently +lessen the inconvenience to prevent sickness +breaking out amongst us, and we lost one of +the Horse Artillery before we were many +days at sea.</p> + +<p>The passage was short, but not unattended +with danger. The Cambridge struck on a +sand bank, off the Gulf of Cutch, and it was +with considerable difficulty that she was relieved +from her perilous position. We were +kept on the bank about four hours, and it may +easily be conceived that no small degree of +alarm and uneasiness prevailed amongst the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +landsmen, who were unaccustomed to dangers +of this description. The night was pitch dark, +and the breakers sounded unpleasantly near us. +Captain Douglass the commander of the vessel, +appeared however all confidence, and after trying +a variety of experiments to get her off, he +hit upon one which luckily proved successful. +The whole of the troops on board having been +ordered upon deck, the Captain directed them +to jump three times simultaneously. This was +done by our fellows with a hearty good will, +and had the instant effect of loosening the +vessel from the bank, and enabling her to float +again into deep water.</p> + +<p>We arrived off the mouth of the Indus in +about fourteen days after our departure from +Bombay. The troops were immediately disembarked +in <i>pattemars</i>, small and clumsy coasting +vessels peculiar to the country. We +reached Bominacote the next evening without +any other accident than the sinking of three +boats, two containing artillery horses, and the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +other officers' supplies, to the value it was said +of Ā£10,000 which had been sent on speculation +with the army by an eminent Parsee firm at +Bombay.</p> + +<p>Bominacote forms a sort of harbour of refuge +for the vessels which carry on a trade along +this line of coast. The village itself consists +of a few filthy huts, and its inhabitants spend +their lives in hunting and fishing. Both males +and females are in a state of almost savage +nature little covering being used by them +beyond the loin <i>goity</i> or covering for the loins +common to the natives of these parts. The +proverbial vanity of the weaker sex was, however, +displayed in the eagerness with which +they bartered their most precious articles for a +few handkerchiefs of Manchester make that we +happened to have with us.</p> + +<p>As soon as the horses belonging to the +cavalry, and the military stores had been landed, +it was decided that we should advance upon +Scinde in two divisions; the infantry under +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +the command of Brigadier Sir Thomas Wiltshire, +and the Cavalry under Brigadier Scott. +Previous to our departure the troops were reviewed +by Lieutenant-General Sir John Keane, +who had followed us from Bombay in the +Victoria steamer. Sir John expressed himself +in terms of warm satisfaction at the high state +of discipline and ardour of the men, who were +eager to be led against the enemy. The usual +precautions on entering hostile territories were +now taken, the Cavalry being ordered to +sharpen their sabres, and the Infantry served +with sixty rounds of ball cartridge.</p> + +<p>Before we took our departure from Bominacote, +a melancholy circumstance occurred, +which threw a temporary gloom over us. As +the men were sitting down to dinner the report +of a pistol was heard in the officers' lines. +Suspecting some accident I ran to the spot, +accompanied by two of my comrades, and discovered +Lieutenant Fyers, one of the officers of +my own regiment, lying dead in his tent, with +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +a freshly discharged pistol in his right hand. +The unfortunate gentleman had placed the +muzzle of it to his mouth, and the ball, taking +a slanting direction, had passed out over the +left ear. For several days previous he had +been observed to labour under great depression +of spirits, but no immediate cause could be +assigned for the fatal act. His loss was generally +lamented, for he was both a good officer +and an estimable member of society.</p> + +<p>Our route lay through a country barren in +the extreme, scarcely a vestige of vegetation +being any where to be met with. Of the +natives we saw or heard nothing, for as we +advanced they fell back, deserting the villages +and betaking themselves to their mountain +fastnesses. It being now near Christmas the +men suffered some inconvenience from the +sudden transitions of temperature, the days +being sultry and the nights extremely cold. +The consequence was that the dysentery broke +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +out amongst us, and several fatal cases occurred.</p> + +<p>At the close of the third days' march reports +became current through the camp that we +should soon see the enemy. It was said that +a force of ten thousand horse and foot was +about to take the field against us, and Captain +Outram was despatched towards Hyderabad, +to ascertain the truth of the story. He brought +back information that the enemy were ensconced +within the walls of that town, and +appeared to have little disposition to leave them. +We now began to find the difference between +quarters and camp, for the General thought it +necessary to send out frequent reconnoitering +parties and pickets, in order to guard against +surprise.</p> + +<p>Early on the morning of the fifth day, we +arrived at Tattah, a place of considerable antiquity, +and, I believe, mentioned in Holy +Writ. The Indus formerly washed the walls +of this town, but owing to some natural or +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +artificial ingredient the course of the river has +been completely changed, and it now runs at +about four miles distance.</p> + +<p>Emerging from one of the most barren and +desolate tracts of country that it is possible to +imagine, even the tombs of Tattah, or City of +the Dead, as it is called in the language of the +natives, proved an agreeable distraction to us. +Tattah itself is a small, wretchedly built town, +containing little more than a thousand inhabitants, +who are for the most part of the Moslem +religion. The few Hindoos who reside here +constitute the wealthier part of the trading +community, but influential as this fact would +pre-suppose them, they are a persecuted and +oppressed race, the privilege of erecting places +of worship within the precincts of the town +being not only denied them, but even the free +exercise of their religious rites. Aggressions +of the most wanton and tyrannical nature, and +murders committed under circumstances of the +most shocking barbarity, and having their origin +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +solely in religious jealousy, are matters of no +unfrequent occurrence here.</p> + +<p>The Hindoos are consequently obliged to +resort to the caves of the neighbouring mountains, +to practise their religious ceremonies, but +the relentless intolerance of their persecutors +pursues them even there. During our short +stay we saw the bodies of two of the proscribed +race, who had been found murdered in one of +their concealed temples.</p> + +<p>The tombs of Tattah stand on a gentle +eminence, at a short distance from the town: +they are of circular construction, and are, as +nearly as I could judge, from seventy to eighty +feet in circumference, and from thirty to forty +feet in height. They are capped with domes, +but their external appearance presents nothing +graceful or ornamental to the eye. The interior +is gained by a staircase, which ascends to an +aperture forming the entrance, about midway +in the building, and a rudely constructed ladder +conducts the visitor downward to the basement, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +where the bodies lie. The interior of the dome +is lined with blue tiles richly ornamented with +arabesques and inscriptions from the Koran. +There are about a dozen of these remarkable +monuments and they are clustered together, +without arrangement or regard for effect. Of +the many sketches taken at the time I have not +seen one which conveys a correct idea of their +details. Although visited by nearly the whole +of the troops, it is a fact highly creditable to +their good taste and feeling that no mischief or +desecration of any sort was committed. Sir +John Keane, in a general order issued before +our departure, took occasion expressly to allude +to this circumstance, in terms alike honourable +to himself and to us.</p> + +<p>A curious, and I must say revolting, instance +of the gross superstition of the Hindoos fell +under my observation whilst at Tattah. At +the northern extremity of the bazaar I was +shown some of the most miserable specimens of +humanity that can well be imagined. In a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +filthy mud hut, the very aspect of which +threatened contagion, sat two living skeletons +rocking themselves to and fro. They were without +covering of any sort, except the old blanket +on which they sat, and their deep sunk eyes +and contracted features told a tale of long but +patiently endured privation. I was informed +that these poor wretches were undergoing a +self-inflicted penance, for the non-performance +of some religious rite. They had condemned +themselves for a period of seven years to a +daily allowance of rice and water, barely sufficient +to prevent the extinction of the vital +powers. We offered them food, but they +sternly rejected it. This lamentable fanaticism +on the part of a simple and inoffensive people +is, after all, but another and more harmless +phase of the fierce bigotry, which still continues +to exist amongst European nations.</p> + +<p>A <i>dĆ¢k</i>, or native postman, who had crossed +the river from Bhooj with letters for the camp, +was waylaid by two Belochees as he was +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +descending towards it, by the left bank, and the +letter bag taken from him. His captors, having +brought him to their retreat in the hills, secured +his hands behind his back, and lay down to +sleep, one of them using the letter bag as a +pillow. The <i>dĆ¢k</i> remained quiet, until their +snoring satisfied him they were sound +asleep, and then slipping his hands out of the +ligatures, he stole over to the fellow who had +the post-bag under him, and placing his knee +on his breast, cut his throat from ear to ear +with a knife, which he took from the +mountaineer's person, and made off with the +bag. In about ten minutes after, he heard the +Belochee close upon his heels, and, redoubling +his speed, a chase of nearly ten miles ensued, +in the course of which, the poor fellow had +two or three times nearly yielded from fatigue. +The dreadful fate which awaited him, should +he fall into his pursuer's hands, flashed however +across his mind, and plucking up +fresh strength and courage, he at length succeeded +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +in reaching the camp, but in so weak +and exhausted a state that nature was near +sinking under the effort.</p> + +<p>On the eve of our departure, a circumstance +occurred which created a very angry feeling +between the inhabitants and the troops, and +occasioned much regret to the Commander-in-Chief, +who was desirous that our advance should +not be marked by any thing which savoured of +cruelty. In consequence of the great increase +of drunkenness amongst the European troops, +owing to the cheapness and abundance of +liquor, strict orders were issued against its +being allowed into camp. One of the inhabitants +of Tattah, who was engaged in smuggling +the prohibited article, was stopped about dusk +by a serjeant, who happened to be going his +rounds. The fellow took to his heels, and a +sepoy, who was stationed as sentry in the staff +lines, mistaking him for a thief, and seeing him +pass at a speed which rendered capture out of +the question, levelled his musket, and shot him +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +dead on the spot. He was a fine muscular +fellow, about two or three and twenty, and +belonged to a respectable family in the town. +His friends immediately repaired to the scene +in a numerous body, and carried him off amidst +the wailing and lamentation of the women. +After this it was considered dangerous for any +of us to venture into the town when nightfall +had set in.</p> + +<p>The army was now ordered to advance upon +Jurruk, a town situated on the banks of the +Indus, at about a day's march from Tattah. It +is better built and cleaner than the latter place, +and some of the streets are covered over with +thatched roofs, forming a series of rude arcades, +illuminated by oil lamps. Opthalmia is a +common disease amongst the natives, and several +of the troops were attacked by it. Some of us +also suffered severely from the guinea worm, +a malady, common in some parts of Hindostan, +and which, although not considered dangerous, +is attended with great pain. It generally +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +attacks the feet, and has the effect of effectually +crippling the patient for the time. I have had +one drawn out of my right foot, which measured +nearly half a yard in length, and I have known +others to have had no less than from seven +to eight of them at once. It being impossible +for persons thus affected to march on +foot or even to mount on horseback, they were +usually carried along with the army in kajarvees, +a sort of double-chair strung across the +back of a camel, and swinging with a see-saw +movement that occasioned no small additional +suffering to the unfortunate occupant.</p> + +<p>The spot selected for the encampment was +extremely lovely, being encircled by hills, and +having the River Indus running on its right. +As the different regiments wound their way +round the heights, and descended into the plain +where the tents were to be pitched, the scene +would have made a beautiful subject for a +sketch. How often during a progress through +this wild and romantic country have I regretted +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +the want of a sufficient acquaintance with the +art of design, to enable me to convey to paper +some of its more striking and characteristic +features.</p> + +<p>In consequence of the numerous thefts committed +by the Belochees, who daily carried off +numbers of our camels, it became necessary to +provide them with guards whilst at pasturage. +This, however, did not prevent the plunderers +from continuing their descents, and they became +so hardy that they sometimes even +ventured to attack or carry off the guards +themselves. One day, whilst a party of the +Poona Auxiliary Horse were in charge of some +camels about two miles from camp, the Belochees +came suddenly upon them. There +were only six of our men, whilst the enemy +numbered twelve or fifteen. Nothing daunted, +however, a gallant fellow dashed out from +amongst our men, and cut down three or four +of the marauders. Being quickly seconded by the +others, the Belochees took to flight, and the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +black hero dismounted, and cutting off the +head of one of his dead antagonists, strung it +by the hair to his crupper, and triumphantly rode +into camp with it, amidst the acclamations of +his comrades. A more substantial reward was +conferred upon him for this daring exploit a +few days afterwards by his promotion to the +rank of havildar or serjeant. This may be +said to have been the first occasion on which +any of our troops came into actual collision +with the enemy, but the example which was +made had little or no effect in restraining the +thefts of the Belochees who appeared to have +an incorrigible taste for this sort of adventure.</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_2"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Singular fate of three Officers of the Queen's +Royals.—Evacuation +of Jurruk by the Inhabitants.—Desertions of +Camel Drivers.—Preparations for the attack and defence of +Hyderabad.—Submission of the Ameers.—Consternation of +the Natives at the arrival of a Steamer in the +Indus.—Baida.—Accident +to a Dragoon.—The Lukkee Pass.—Kotiah.—Loss +of two Soldiers of the 17th Foot.—Sehwan.—Arrival of Sir +Henry Fane.—Asiatic Jugglers.—Conversion of a European +Soldier to the Mahommedan faith.</p> + +<p>A melancholy incident occurred at Jurruk, +but whether it was occasioned by accident or +treachery we never could satisfactorily trace. +Some officers belonging to the Queen's Royals +applied for leave to go hunting in the preserves +of the Ameers of Scinde, and having obtained +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +it, Lieutenant Sparkes Lieutenant Nixon and +Dr. Hibbert, who constituted the party, left the +camp on foot at an early hour of the morning. +Their leave of absence expired at six o'clock +the same evening, but none of them had made +their appearance at that hour. About half +past eight a dog belonging to Dr. Hibbert was +observed returning into camp without his +master, which gave rise to gloomy apprehensions +amongst his brother officers, and the non +return of any of the party by next morning, +confirmed their worst fears. It was immediately +determined to send out a troop of native +cavalry to scour the country in search of them, +and the preserves were of course the first spot to +which they directed their horses. Part of the +force dismounted at the Shirkagh or Royal +Preserves, and proceeded on foot for a considerable +distance. Observing smoke ascending +in dense volumes to the right they made their +way towards it, and on gaining the spot a +shocking sight presented itself. A large area +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +had been cleared by the flames, and not a blade +of grass or brushwood had been left. The body +of Lieutenant Sparkes lay, dreadfully scorched +and mutilated, upon the ground, while that of +Dr. Hibbert was found in a tree, into which he +had evidently climbed to escape the devouring element. +A little further on lay Lieutenant<ins class="corr" title="period +removed"></ins> Nixon +whose features were so withered and defaced, +that it was almost impossible to recognize him, +and from the contracted and distorted position +in which his limbs were found it was evident +that he had suffered a more agonizing death +than the others. The remains of the three +unfortunate officers were borne back to the +camp and interred with military honours. +They were all talented and spirited young men +and their untimely fate was a source of universal +regret and discussion. By some it was +contended that the natives had observed them +entering the preserves, and inspired by hate had +fired the woods in different places, so as effectually +to surround them and cut off all chance +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +of escape. To such a degree did this supposition +obtain credence, that the soldiers of the +Queen's Royals loudly demanded to be allowed +to take revenge on the inhabitants of the +district. This of course could not be permitted, +and the clamour that had been raised +about the matter soon died away.</p> + +<p>Shortly after our arrival an order came down +from the Ameers of Scinde, that the inhabitants +of Jurruk should vacate the town and retreat +to Hyderabad. It was obeyed with great +reluctance, the love of home being stronger +with these poor people than their fear of the +British. Their removal was one of the most +distressing and painful scenes I have ever +witnessed, both men and women giving way +to wild bursts of passionate grief, and casting +back long and lingering regards at the habitations +they had abandoned. They left in bodies +of between two and three hundred, carrying +with them all their portable effects, and at +night the town was completely deserted. We +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +neither interfered with, nor molested them +during their preparations for departure, but +immediately on their quitting, a strong picket +was posted in some of the empty houses.</p> + +<p>Provisions became extremely scarce in the +camp, and owing to the remissness of the Commissariat +in forwarding the stores from Tattah, +our grog was reduced from two drams +daily, to one dram on halting days. This was +attended with the worst possible effects, for it +encouraged the troops to search after the liquor +of the country; which proved not only injurious +to the constitution of the soldier, but to +the discipline of the service. Desertion became +of frequent occurrence, and from one hundred +to one hundred and fifty camel drivers from +India, together with some Ghorra Wallars, or +native horsekeepers, succeeded in making their +way across the river to Cutch Bhooj. A few +were caught, and from six to twelve dozen +lashes each were inflicted on the delinquents.</p> + +<p>Captain Outram was again sent forward to +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +Hyderabad on a mission to the Ameers of +Scinde, but they received him in the haughtiest +manner and refused to come to any sort of +terms. The Captain found them fortifying the +hills round the city, under the superintendence +of an European officer, and he observed a +battery of twenty pieces of cannon, posted on +the banks of the river. Twenty thousand +Belochees armed with talwar, shield, and +matchlock, and two thirds of whom were dismounted, +occupied a position on the right bank, +so as to protect the battery. Half of this force +subsequently moved across the river and took +up a strong position on the western bank, +where we lay. The city was reported to be +full of armed men, and the idea of attacking it +previous to our junction with the Bengal army +was regarded as worse than folly, the river +being eighteen hundred feet wide and our pontoons +of insufficient length to traverse it. The +enemy, triumphing in our seeming inaction, sent +vaunting and threatening messages to us. The +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +Commander-in-Chief took no notice of their +bravadoes, but silently made all the necessary +preparations for attacking the city as soon as he +was joined by the Bengal army. Strong +cavalry pickets were thrown out on the hills to +the right, which commanded an extensive view +of the surrounding country, and the sound of +drums and other military instruments was +strictly prohibited in camp.</p> + +<p>On the 25th, Sir Henry Pottinger came into +camp from Hyderabad, the Ameers not only +refusing to pay the arrears of tribute that were +due, but treating the Envoy with every sort +of indignity. The Bengal army having come +through the Punjaub, and crossed the Indus at +Roree was now ready to act in conjunction +with us on the right bank of the river, and the +Commander-in-Chief resolved to lose no further +time in investing the city. He accordingly +commenced operations by planting a battery on +some heights which commanded its walls, but +which were at too great a distance for the guns +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +to do much damage. To the great disappointment +of both officers and men, who already +revelled in the anticipation of prize money, +the Ameers became alarmed at these demonstrations +and came to terms. An envoy, whose +appearance created no small amusement in the +camp, was despatched from Hyderabad to adjust +the necessary preliminaries. He was a short, +thick set old fellow, with a merry twinkling +eye, and as little as possible of what is called +official dignity about him. He brought with +him from twenty to thirty lacs of rupees, but +the reception which he met with from Sir John +Keane was not calculated to elevate the worthy +functionary in his own estimation.</p> + +<p>Positive orders having been issued that +neither officers nor men should be allowed to +enter Hyderabad on any pretence whatsoever, +I am unable to give my readers a description +of the town. It appeared to be of considerable +extent, but of such little strength, that had +the Ameers driven matters to extremities, I +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +have no doubt we should have carried the place +in an hour.</p> + +<p>We were exceedingly amused at the surprise +and consternation displayed by the inhabitants +of Hyderabad at the arrival of one of the iron +steamers in the Indus, with supplies for the +troops from Bombay. Nearly the whole of +the population flocked down to the banks of +the river to behold this surprising phenomenon; +they threw their arms in the air, and flung +themselves prostrate on the earth in perfect +ecstacies of wonder at every movement of the +mysterious power which propelled the vessel. +The scene was nearly as ridiculous as that +which greeted Columbus when the first notions +of European power and civilisation burst upon +the astonished minds of the simple aborigines +of America.</p> + +<p>After remaining a few days at Hyderabad +the army resumed its march, and arrived next +evening at Baida. An accident occurred here, +by which a trooper of the 4th Light Dragoons +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +lost his life. The banks of the river were extremely +steep, and as we were watering our +horses the pressure from behind forced a man +named Helm into the river. He was instantly +carried away by the current, and was soon lost +to view, although we strained every effort to +save him. His body floated down to Hyderabad, +and was recovered by the natives, who +restored it to his commanding officer, together +with a belt full of rupees, which was found +round his waist.</p> + +<p>Continuing our route we arrived at the +Lukkee Pass, where we found some thermal +springs, from which the sick derived considerable +benefit. A noble lake at the further +extremity of the defile afforded our officers +several days shooting and fishing, while the +beautiful scenery, by which it was surrounded +on every side, furnished such of them as were +artists with fine subjects for the exercise of +their pencil. Precipitous heights, assuming +every variety of fantastic form, stretched downward +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +to the water's edge, some in graceful +sweeps, and others in bold and threatening +attitudes, whilst their bases were hid in rich +woods or washed by the waters of the lake.</p> + +<p>Leaving this romantic spot with regret, we +proceeded to Kotiah, where we lost two soldiers +belonging to her Majesty's 17th regiment of +Foot. They went out in search of some camels +which were at pasturage and were never afterwards +seen or heard of. A party which was +sent in search of them found the marks of footsteps +and some traces of blood on the spot +where the camels had been grazing, and from +the torn up appearance which the ground presented +there was little doubt that they had +made a desperate struggle for their lives.</p> + +<p>Not satisfied with carrying off our camels, the +Belochees frequently ventured within the lines +after nightfall, and made off with any thing +they could lay their hands upon. Sir Keith +Jackson, the Captain of my own troop, detected +a fellow with a bridle in his hand, which he +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +was watching an opportunity to slip off with +unperceived, and taking his hand whip he +inflicted a most unmerciful castigation upon +him. The rascal whined and moaned like a +corrected child during the progress of the +punishment, but as soon as he was let loose he +stuck his tongue in his cheek, and went laughing +out of camp.</p> + +<p>Our next destination was Sehwan, a thickly +populated village, about seventy English miles +from Hyderabad. Here we were joined by the +ever to be lamented Sir Henry Fane, who was +to have assumed the command of the combined +forces at their junction at Candahar, but who +declined it in disgust at the wretchedly organised +state of the commissariat, and the neglect which +had been shown in providing for the contingencies +of the route. Sir Henry foresaw, and +subsequent events justified his views, that +although supplies might be regularly forwarded +from time to time, it was extremely doubtful, +nay almost next to impossible, that they could +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +reach an army always on the advance, through +distant and mountainous regions, and having +enemies hanging on its rear who were but too +deeply interested in preventing their safe +arrival.</p> + +<p>Before Sir Henry left us he inspected the +troops, and appeared satisfied with the condition +of the men, who had not as yet encountered +hardships sufficient to affect their appearance. +There have been few men in command whose +personal qualities have more endeared him to +those who served under him than Sir Henry +Fane. He was between sixty and seventy +years of age, at the time I speak of, and his +venerable countenance, beaming with the +kindliest and most benevolent feelings, and +manners that had a parental touch about them, +combined to render him one of the most +respected and popular officers in the army. +We viewed his departure from amongst us with +the deepest regret, for though we felt the fullest +confidence in our then leader, this gallant +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +veteran had so won upon our affections that a +comparison with him must have proved invidious +to any one.</p> + +<p>The ingenuity of the Asiatic jugglers is well +known, and I believe our European exhibitors +derive their proficiency, in a great measure, +from them, our soldiery carrying back with +them the rudiments of this respectable branch +of knowledge, and turning their swords, if not +into ploughshares, at least into as peaceable and +innocent a mode of gaining a livelihood. An +exhibition which took place during our short +stay at <ins class="corr" title="Schwan">Sehwan</ins> made many of the +"greenhorns" +amongst us gape, and impressed them +with a very high notion of the favour in which +the professors of the art are held by his +Satanic Majesty. Returning one day from +the bazaar, I observed a crowd of soldiers and +natives assembled near the lines of the Artillery. +Elbowing my way through them I found a +conjuror at his tricks, and from the expensive +and elaborate nature of the paraphernalia by +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +which he was surrounded, at once perceived +that his pretensions were of the highest order. +He was attired in loose flowing robes, covered +with mystic characters; and a long white beard +descended to his waist, contrasting oddly with his +jet black locks and piercing hazel eyes. Surrounded +by the various emblems and accessories +of his art, he looked a very imposing figure, and +every movement which he made was regarded +with as much interest as if destiny really rested +on his fiat. His only assistants were a man +who beat a <i>tom-tom</i>, or drum, to collect +an audience, and a beautifully formed girl +about five or six years of age, whose supple <ins class="corr" +title="und">and</ins> +graceful movements excited general admiration. +Having made a clear space of about thirty feet +in diameter, the conjuror took an oblong basket, +about two feet in length, and one in breadth, +the interior of which he exhibited to the spectators, +in order to convince them that nothing +was concealed in it. After performing a variety +of common-place tricks, such as balancing a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +sword upon a pipe and then swallowing the blade, +he suddenly turned towards the child and addressed +her in an angry tone of voice. She made some +reply which appeared to make him still more +choleric, for his features became swollen with +rage, and his eyes shot glances of fire. The +discussion continuing in the same violent strain +he appeared no longer able to control his fury, +and suddenly seizing the child by the waist, he +opened the basket and crammed her into it. +The half stifled cries of the girl were distinctly +heard, but they only appeared to enrage him +the more. Snatching a sword, which lay near +him, he plunged it to the hilt in the basket, +twice or thrice, and every time he drew it out it +was reeking with gore. The half smothered +groans and sobs of the dying child at length +convinced several of the spectators that a +murder had been committed, and two or three +soldiers rushed into the circle for the purpose of +seizing the criminal. Triumphantly smiling at +the success of the cheat, he held them at bay +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +with the sword for a few minutes, when, to our +great surprise, the child bounded into the circle, +unscathed, from amidst the crowd, though we +had kept our eyes attentively fixed on the +basket all the time. Suspecting that two +children had been employed, I examined the +basket, but found no trace of an occupant, and +saw nothing in its construction which could +have aided the deception. This clever trick +was loudly applauded, and brought its author a +plentiful harvest of pice and cowries, while +many there were who went away with the firm +conviction that it could only have been effected +through the agency of the devil himself.</p> + +<p>We had left a number of sick behind us at +Tattah, with instructions that they should be +conveyed in pattemars up the river Indus, and +rejoin us at Sehwan. A boat containing a +corporal and five men was stranded on the +banks of the river, and was with some difficulty +got off. The soldiers were so prostrated with +fever that they could scarcely move, and in this +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +state they arrived at Sehwan. To their great +distress they found that the army had proceeded +on its route, and one of their companions +expired immediately after their arrival. The +heat of the sun was intolerable, and the corpse +began to putrify. In vain they implored the +native boatmen to inter it or cast it in the river, +but they preferred running the risk of infection +to touching the dead body of an infidel. The +corporal, who was well acquainted with the language +of the country, entreated some of the +natives who crowded to the banks to remove +the body, but they remained deaf to his prayers. +Resorting to a stratagem which he thought +would have the effect of removing their religious +scruples, he asserted that the deceased had +died in the Mahommedan faith, and commanded +them on pain of the displeasure of the Prophet, +to give him decent interment. At first they +looked incredulous, but the corporal swore loud +and fast, and they were at length convinced. +They removed the body, and placing it on a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +sort of bier, somewhat similar to a sailor's hammock, +carried it on shore. Having swathed it +in cotton cloths, and laid it with the feet towards +the setting sun, they decked the head +and breast with flowers, and bore it in procession +to the place of interment, which was +situated in a romantic spot on the banks of +the Indus. The companions of the deceased +proceeded on their route, rejoicing in the success +of the corporal's trick, and rejoined the +main body without further accident.</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_3"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Larkhana.—Departure of the Commander-in-Chief for <ins +class="corr" title="Candahah">Candahar</ins>.—Capture +of Belochee Thieves.—Ludicrous scene in +the Bazaar.—Tremendous Hurricane.—An Irish Colonel's +appeal to his men.—Murder of cooks belonging to the Army.—A +native funeral.—The Bholun Pass.—Massacre of Camp +Followers.—Ill-timed Merriment.—Animal Instinct.</p> + +<p>Leaving Sehwan we crossed the Indus in pontoons, +and entered a fertile tract of country. +Our route lay through rich pasturage and +waving fields of corn, occasionally diversified +by rivers and lakes, the latter of which we +found well stocked with fish and game. The +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +natives did not exhibit any symptoms of fear at +our approach, but continued peaceably tilling +and cultivating their lands. Proceeding by +rapid marches we at length reached Larkhana, +the boundary which divides Upper and Lower +Scinde. It is a place of considerable importance, +and contains from seven to eight thousand +inhabitants. Long cloths are manufactured +here in considerable quantities, and a brisk +trade is carried on, in various other articles with +the mountain tribes. Sir John Keane now quitted +us to proceed to Candahar, where he was +to assume the command of the Grand Army of +the Indus. He was accompanied by two +squadrons of Native Cavalry, one resselah of +Local Horse, a regiment of Native Infantry, +and two pieces of artillery. The command of +this division consequently devolved upon Major +General Wiltshire.</p> + +<p>The Belochees again favoured us with a +visit and carried away about a dozen camels +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +from the encampment. A troop of cavalry was +ordered out in pursuit, and after a hot chase +succeeded in coming up with the marauders. +They immediately abandoned their prey and +made off to the hills, but not before they had +left three or four of their party in our hands. +Resolved to make an example which would +deter them from repeating the offence, General +Wiltshire ordered the cat to be liberally administered +to them in the Bazaar. The senior of +the party was first tied up, and it was evident, +from the trepidation he was in, that he expected +no less than the punishment of death. He +begged and implored for mercy, and finding +that no attention was paid to his supplications, +he took leave of one of the other culprits, who +turned out to be his son, and resigned himself +to die. Tied up, as he was, and unable to +observe the expression of our countenances, +which were convulsed with laughter, in anticipation +of the scene that was about to follow, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +he every moment expected to hear the report of +the musket, or feel the blow of the sabre that +was to deal out his doom. The moment, however, +the cat descended on his shoulders, +the terrified expression of his face changed into +that of the most extravagant joy. He smiled +and nodded at his son, and bore his four dozen +lashes with the joyful patience of a martyr, +suffering in the vindication of some holy +cause.</p> + +<p>On being set loose the culprits were informed +that if they were ever again detected in the +commission of similar offences they would be +shot, without mercy, and they were ordered to +disseminate this useful piece of information +amongst their comrades of the hills.</p> + +<p>Pursuing our route from Larkhana we encamped +the same evening at Dooson, and were +visited during the night by a terrific hurricane. +Arising without any previous indication, the +tempest came suddenly upon us in our sleep, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +sweeping the tents before it, and enveloping +us in whirlwinds of white sand. The night +being pitch dark we were soon in the greatest +distress and confusion, and to add to our embarrassments +the horses broke loose and ran +wild amongst us. They killed two of the +camp followers, and injured several others by +treading them under foot, and the alarm which +they created was as great as if the enemy had +made a sudden irruption amongst us. To this +succeeded a scene of rioting and squabbling, one +having lost a shaco, another a jacket, and another +his shoes. Accusations and denials, oaths, +vociferations, and complaints of injuries received, +formed altogether a pleasant medley; +and glad enough we were when the first streak +of dawn threw some light on this scene of horrible +confusion. After lasting about two +hours, heavy drops of rain announced the approaching +cessation of the tempest, but we +only exchanged one discomfort for another, +being soon drenched to the skin. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> + +<p>After two days further march we arrived at +a wretched village, which separates Upper +Scinde from Belochistan, and which is only +entitled to notice as forming the boundary of +a desert plain, about fifty miles in extent, and +completely divested of vegetation, the white +soil lying exposed to, and reflecting back with +intensity, the scorching rays of the sun. There +were only two wells at the village, and there +was a fierce contest for precedence at them, it +being known that there was neither spring nor +stream of any kind in the desert which we +were about to traverse. The Infantry entered +on this cheerless waste about three in the +afternoon and the Cavalry followed about five. +The former were fully accoutred, and carried +sixty rounds of ball cartridge each. At two +o'clock the following morning the cavalry overtook +them and the general halt sounded. So +great was the fatigue of the infantry that +numbers threw themselves upon the ground +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +in despair, declaring, it was impossible for +human nature to sustain more, and they could +proceed no further. It must be borne in mind +that our rations had, for two months previous, +consisted of only half a pound of flour and an +equal quantity of red rice, with about four +ounces of meat, and the latter was in some +instances of no use to us, from the difficulty of +procuring fuel to cook it. The order of march +having been again given, several refused to +move from sheer exhaustion, and their situation +became one of great embarrassment to their +colonel, who was aware that if he left them +behind, they would be instantly sabred by +the enemy, who were always hovering on our +rear. Recollecting it was St. Patrick's Day, +and that most of the recusants were Irishmen, +he ordered, as a last resource, that the band of +the regiment should strike up their national +anthem. The effect was electrical, the poor +devils, whose limbs, a short time previous, had +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +refused to perform their accustomed office, +and whose countenances wore the aspect of +the most abject despondency, seemed at once +to have new life and energy infused into +them. They felt that this was an appeal to +their proverbial bravery and powers of endurance, +and gratified vanity did that which +threats and remonstrances had failed to +effect. A faint smile lit up their features, and +slowly rising from the ground they tottered +on their way. Had they adhered to their +first determination they would have fallen +victims to the most savage cruelties, as the +following circumstance will soon convince +the reader:—</p> + +<p>Three of the cooks belonging to our division, +who followed with the camp kettles at a short +distance in its wake, lost their way in the darkness +of the night, and as chance would have it, +stumbled upon a party of the enemy. They +were immediately seized, and each man was +bound by the wrist to the saddle of a Belochee +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +horseman. The cries of the unfortunate men +having reached the rear-guard, which consisted +of the Native Auxiliary Horse, they turned +in pursuit, and soon came in sight of the +enemy, whose figures were dimly visible in the +obscurity which prevailed. As soon as they +heard them galloping up the Belochees spurred +their horses to their utmost speed, dragging +their prisoners along with them at a terrific +pace. Finding their pursuers gained upon +them they stooped down, and with their broad +knives ripped up two of their victims from the +abdomen to the throat, and then cast them +loose. The third, more fortunate, escaped with +life, the Belochee to whose saddle he was +attached having freed him by cutting off his +left arm with a blow of his sabre: then wheeling +round on our horse, who were now almost +up with them, the enemy took deliberate aim at +the advancing troopers, and having killed two, +and severely wounded another, they plunged into +the darkness and succeeded in baffling pursuit. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p>We reached the extremity of this barren +waste by seven o'clock next morning, and encamped +at the bottom of a steep hill where there +was abundance of excellent water. The cupidity +of the inhabitants of the neighbouring +villages, having got the better of their apprehensions, +several of them ventured into the +camp with supplies of flour, which was +eagerly purchased from them by the soldiery, +at the rate of about half a crown the lb. The +risk which they ran was great, for if the +fact had been discovered, they would, in all +probability, have been massacred by the mountain +chief. The profits which they realised by +the adventure, must however, have well repaid +them for the hazard.</p> + +<p>Descending the hills to our right, we +one day observed a funeral procession; and +curious to witness the ceremonies performed on +those occasions I followed at a little distance. +The corpse was swathed in cotton bandages like +a mummy, the head only being left exposed, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +and it was borne on a bamboo bier, or stretcher, +on the shoulders of four men. The relations +and friends of the deceased gave vent to their +grief in the bitterest lamentations, and there +appeared a depth and sincerity in their woe +which is but too often wanting at our European +rites. The procession was headed by a Faquir +or priest, whose rolling eyes, and long dishevelled +locks, gave him a wild and unearthly +appearance. His costume was no less singular +than his looks, for it consisted of a motley sort +of garment, composed of patches of almost +every colored cloth, with a cap or rather a +crown of peacock's feathers. Arrived at the +place of interment, which was situated in the +valley, the procession halted at a freshly dug +grave, and the bier was laid beside it. The +crowd formed themselves into a circle round it, +and the Faquir holding up a small idol, commenced +an oration in which he expatiated on +the merits of the deceased. The crowd having +prostrated themselves, the Faquir took a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +reddish sort of powder, and made a large mark +with it on the forehead of the dead man; then +taking a basket of freshly pulled flowers and +herbs he scattered them over the body and into +the grave. The mourners rising from the +ground, and walking in single files round the +bier made a respectful salaam towards it, after +which the corpse was lowered perpendicularly +into the earth, and the grave filled up. At the +conclusion, the Faquir sat himself on a stone +at a short distance from the grave, and remained +there quietly smoking his hookah, and +philosophising, as all good Faquirs should do, +on the uncertainty of mundane things.</p> + +<p>Our next destination was Dadur, where we +were to form a junction with a portion of the +Bengal forces. The distance is only a day's +march, and nothing of interest occurred +on the route. On approaching the encampment +of the Bengal troops, I could not +help being struck with their superior appearance. +It was evident that their commissariat +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +was better organized than ours, for their camp +equipage and other appointments were in all +respects complete, and they were abundantly +supplied with necessaries of every kind. This +disparity was, in some degree, removed before +we left Dadur, by the arrival of additional +supplies from Bombay.</p> + +<p>A few days having been passed in recruiting +our strength after these fatiguing marches, we +at length received orders to advance on the +celebrated Bholun Pass. Nothing could be +more calculated to awaken us to the difficulties +of our position, or to impress us with the uncertainty +of the fate that awaited us, than the +imposing grandeur of the scenery on which we +now entered. Let the reader picture to himself +a gloomy looking gorge winding through +two ranges of stupendous hills, whose rugged +masses of rock and hanging declivities impend +over the narrow route as if about to choke it +up, or recede a short distance to some fortress-like +looking freak of nature from whose imaginary +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +bastions and parapets it seemed easy to +hurl down destruction and death on the passenger, +and he may easily imagine that our +feelings were not of the liveliest or most comfortable +nature. A handful of men could have +effectually stopped our progress had there been +but another Leonidas amongst the wild inhabitants +of this magnificent defile, whose military skill +and resolution would have enabled him to seize +upon, and maintain its many points of defence. +We could not conceal from ourselves difficulties +so apparent, and a general and undefined feeling +of uneasiness pervaded us all. We felt that +if the enemy had any intention of resisting us +they would not lose opportunities which nature +herself appeared to indicate; and it was but +too obvious that if they only knew how to +avail themselves of the formidable barriers +which she had placed against invasion, our situation +would become critical in the extreme. +Once involved in the intricacies of the Pass, the +superior knowledge of the country possessed by +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +the natives, and their familiarity with mountain +warfare would enable them to harrass us at every +step, and a well planned and daring attack +might at once overwhelm us. Such were the +reflections that suggested themselves to almost +every man's mind, and many there were, I dare +say, who just then thought of home, and speculated +whether it would ever be his lot to revisit its +peaceful fireside, and recount the dangers of +which he had been the hero.</p> + +<p>The Bengal troops who preceded us through +the Pass left behind them sad proofs of the +justice of some of these conclusions. We +found from five and twenty to thirty camp +followers lying dead upon their track, the +throats of several having been cut, and the +others bearing on their mutilated persons the +unequivocal evidence of a desperate hand to +hand struggle. As we advanced through the +gorge we could observe the Belochees peering +at us over the jutting points of the precipices, +and the sharp report of their gingalls and +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +matchlocks, which, luckily for us, were not +very sure in their aim, usually followed the +brief inspection by which we were favoured. +Observing a camp follower leading a camel at +some distance in the rear, three of the +mountaineers suddenly darted from a fissure +in the rock in which they had lain concealed, +and having cut the poor fellow down, led the +animal up the ascent by one of those diverging +tracks like sheep walks, with which these hills +abound. A serjeant belonging to the Horse +Artillery, who happened to witness the circumstance, +instantly galloped back, and gallantly +dashing his horse up the mountain succeeded in +sabreing the nearest of the thieves, and brought +back the camel amidst a shower of balls from +the neighbouring heights.</p> + +<p>Within a few miles of the Affghanistan +boundary the gorge is traversed by a stream +which winds like a snake through the sinuosities +of the Pass, and crosses it no less than sixteen +times. Although it presents for the most part, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +the appearance of an insignificant mountain +rivulet, it is, in many places studded with +deep and dangerous holes, into which the +cavalry often plunged, and got a good sousing +before they were aware of it. Shouts of laughter +usually escaped the comrades of the luckless +wight who became thus involved, and on +one occasion a tragedy had nearly resulted from +their ill-timed merriment. An Irish trooper, +named Dwyer, a brave, but hot-blooded fellow, +like most of his <ins class="corr" title="couutrymen">countrymen</ins>, was +feeling his +way cautiously through the stream, when both +horse and rider stumbled, and became instantly +lost to view. Some alarm was at first experienced +for their safety, but it gave way to a +roar of laughter when we beheld them again +emerging from the water. After several successive +attempts to disengage himself, the horse +at length obtained a secure footing, and Dwyer, +wheeling him suddenly round upon us with a +countenance furious with rage, drew a pistol +from his holster and fired at a group of seven or +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +eight men, who stood close to the spot, but fortunately +without effect. The madman was immediately +placed under arrest, but was released +after a few days' confinement.</p> + +<p>On approaching Beebenaunce towards the +close of the fourth day's march, we found +another stream where the Cavalry dismounted, +for the purpose of filling their canteens with +water, while the Infantry were distributed so +as to protect them. We had been marching for +several hours under a scorching sun, and over a +stony and rugged road, which rendered constant +watchfulness and exertion necessary to prevent +the horses from falling on their knees. Tormented +by an insatiable thirst, we were about +to slake it, when it was discovered that the +stream was polluted by the putrifying bodies +of several of dead Affghans, and followers of +the Bengal Army; the spot having been the +scene of a deadly contest which had occurred +some days previous. The struggle between +the loathing which this circumstance created +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +and the pressing calls of nature was however of +short duration. Not a man of us hesitated to +drink from the contaminated liquid, but the +horse which I rode, being imbued with keener +senses than his master, positively refused to +partake of it, though almost dropping with +fatigue and thirst. I took him lower down +the stream, where his fastidiousness being no +longer offended he indulged in a long and +copious draught.</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_4"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Skirmish with the Enemy.—Belochee +Waggery.—Cleverly +planned Capture of a Bruhee.—Sufferings from want +of water.—Valley of Shawle.—Quettah.—Belochee +cruelties.—Adventure +in a Stone Quarry.—Treachery of the Khan of +Khelat.—Murder of another Cook.—Poisoning of the +Wells.—Fortunate +Discovery.</p> + +<p>We were about to quit the Pass at the close of +the eighth day's march, when the enemy made +another and more successful attempt at plunder. +Emboldened by the absence of the Infantry, +which was at a considerable distance in the +rear, they descended the heights in greater +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +numbers than usual, and attacked the camp +followers in charge of the officers' baggage. +The latter took to flight, and the Belochees +commenced pillaging the trunks and cases. +Amongst the property carried off was a camel +belonging to Brigadier Scott, which was laden +with the whole of the general's kit. A party +of the 4th Dragoons, under the command of +Lieutenant Gillespie, at length galloped up +and put the enemy to flight. There were only +three men wounded and three horses killed on +our side, whilst the Belochees left great numbers +of dead on the ground.</p> + +<p>During the heat of the firing a mistake occurred, +which at first occasioned some alarm, +but was soon converted into a burst of uncontrollable +merriment. Our men had driven the +last of the enemy up the hill, the latter peppering +away at them from every rock or crevice +where they could find shelter, when our attention +was arrested by the appearance of a general +officer on the heights to our left, who appeared +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +to be making signs to us. It was at first supposed +that one of our leaders had fallen into +the hands of the enemy, and universal consternation +prevailed. The General at length took +off his shaco, and advancing to the very +edge of the precipice, waved it in the air as if +to cheer us on to his rescue, when to our +infinite amusement we discovered it was the +fellow who had made off with the Brigadier's +kit, and who, after examining the contents of +it, had rigged himself out in full uniform. The +rocks echoed with laughter, and the <i>pseudo</i> +general appeared to enjoy the fun as much as +any of us, for he capered about in a perfect +ecstacy of delight, and gave expression to his contentment +in the most delectable yells. A shower +of balls was at length directed against him, and +the Brigadier's swarthy representative came +tumbling down the precipice to render himself +and his briefly enjoyed honours into our hands.</p> + +<p>Amongst the booty carried off upon this +occasion were the wind instruments belonging +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +to the 1st Bombay Cavalry, and a bullock, carrying +two packages of ball ammunition, which +contained 500 rounds each. Some amusement +was created amongst us by speculations as to +the probable use that would be made of the +former, the humour displayed in the appropriation +of General Scott's kit having given us a +high idea of the waggish propensities of +the enemy. Our fun was however turned into +mortification when we beheld them cutting our +ball ammunition into slugs to fit the bore of +their gingalls, and sending it back to us from +the heights in as wholesale quantities as they +had taken it.</p> + +<p>In the course of the skirmish a feat was performed +by two of the native troops, which was +watched with the most intense interest. A +Bruhee (a fierce and warlike tribe, distinguished +by their inveterate hostility towards the black +troops in our service,) had taken shelter behind +a rock, about midway up the mountain, and +kept up a constant fire on some native cavalry +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +beneath. Two of the Sepoys belonging to the +Bombay Native Infantry observing the circumstance, +determined on effecting his capture, +and laying down their muskets at the foot of +the hill, they crept stealthily up. Whenever +the fellow's flashing eyes were observed on a +line with the rock, searching for an object for +his aim, they crouched under cover until the +discharge of his gingall satisfied them he +was about to reload. They then rapidly advanced +to his lurking place, and pouncing +suddenly upon him conveyed him down the +hill. The prisoner had such a horror of falling +into our hands that he several times implored +his captors to put an end to him on the spot. +They took no notice of his entreaties until they +had reached the bottom of the hill, where they +had laid their arms, when a havildar meeting +them inquired if they had not heard of the +orders, that no prisoners should be brought +into camp. "I knew nothing about it," replied +one of the soldiers; "but this I do know +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +that he is a stout-hearted fellow, and deserves +a better fate." "<i>I</i> understand you," exclaimed +the other Sepoy, and taking his musket he +placed the muzzle of it to the prisoner's head, +and literally covered the serjeant with his +brains.</p> + +<p>The quantity of carrion which we every +where left upon our route attracted numbers +of the ravening beasts of prey with +which these hills abound, and we could not rest +at night from the dismal howling which surrounded +us. Even the new made graves of our +comrades did not escape the keen and hungering +scent of the jackall, their remains being +scarcely interred before we found them again +torn up, their whitening bones alone attesting +the nature of the visitation. Amongst the +greatest of our annoyances, however, was the +intolerable stench which proceeded from the +putrefying bodies of the camels, that lay +scattered every where upon our track, and +which was enough to breed a mortality. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> + +<p>As we emerged from the Pass into the open +country, the heights became literally alive with +Belochees, who gave expression to their rage +and disappointment in the most absurd and +violent gesticulations. We bivouacked late at +night in the open plain, after a fatiguing and +harassing march of twelve hours, during which +we had been unable to procure a drop of water. +The same privation awaited us in the place +where we passed the night, and the sufferings +of both men and cattle were dreadful. It was +not until six o'clock next day that we fell in +with a stream that traversed the road to Quettah, +and were able to satisfy the thirst which consumed +us. We were now in the valley of +Shawle, which presented a most agreeable contrast +to the barren hills through which we had +just passed: here we found a succession of vast +orchards, whose fruit trees bursting into blossom +and gladdening the wearied eye with a variety +of the most beautiful tints recalled to most of +us the pleasant scenery of dear old England. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> + +<p>On our arrival at Quettah the troops underwent +a medical inspection, and it was determined +that the sick should be left behind. A depĆ“t +was accordingly established here, consisting of +one regiment of Bengal Infantry, one company +of European Foot Artillery, some heavy +ordnance, and some Gikwar, or native horsemen, +the whole under the command of +Brigadier-General Nott. This arrangement +was reported to have given rise to some angry +altercation between the latter officer and Sir +John Keane previous to the departure of the +Commander-in-Chief for Candahar, General +Nott being indignant at being thus invalided +and debarred his share in the danger and glories +of the campaign. We remained at Quettah +about a week, the condition of both men and +horses being such as to render rest necessary. +The supplies which we obtained from the Bengal +column and the rich pasturage of the +surrounding country soon refreshed and re-invigorated +us, and we pursued our route in +renewed health and spirits. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<p>Leaving Quettah, we again entered a barren +and mountainous district which presented few +traces of cultivation, and which afforded little or +no pasturage for our cattle. In order to embarrass +us the more the Belochees lay on the watch +for the parties who were sent out to cut grass, +and maimed and mutilated them in the most +shocking manner. One poor fellow had his ears +slit, and another received injuries which rendered +the amputation of an arm necessary. The +thefts of cattle, however, became less numerous, +the cutting off the supplies of forage being +deemed a less hazardous and equally effectual +mode of impeding our progress.</p> + +<p>So serious became this change in the tactics +of the enemy that it was resolved to increase +the number of men sent out on the foraging +expeditions. This did not, however, deter the +Belochees from repeating their attacks, and on +one occasion they drove in a party consisting +of a considerable number of native soldiers, and +succeeded in making three or four of the grass-cutters +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +prisoners. A squadron of her Majesty's +4th Light Dragoons was immediately ordered +out in pursuit under the command of Major +Daly. We proceeded towards the hills at full +gallop, and at length came in sight of the enemy +who were in a close body of from three to four +hundred. They suddenly disappeared from +view, although the country was still a perfect +level, and presented no apparent means of concealment. +On reaching the spot we found +they had ensconced themselves in a large stone +pit or quarry, into which it was impossible for +cavalry to penetrate, and a sharp and well +directed fire from all the salient points of the +rocks affording the least shelter, indicated to us +their different lurking places. Patiently watching +our opportunities we sent a volley into +every recess or cavity where a rag was to be +seen fluttering, and Major Daly observing a +party of about ten or twelve clustered in some +bushes which lay almost within a bound of his +horse gallantly dashed the animal down the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +descent, followed by Lieutenant Janvrin, +the quarter-master of the regiment, and with a +couple of hog spears, which they happened to +have with them they dispatched several of the +party. The others made their escape by +plunging deeper into the recesses of the +quarry.</p> + +<p>The night now setting in, the Belochees +took advantage of the obscurity to steal out of +their lair and creep through our lines one by +one. They did not get off, however, without +further loss. Hearing a rustling noise within a +few feet of me, whilst on the watch, I listened +attentively and felt convinced that some of +them were endeavouring to effect their escape +by crawling along the ground on their hands +and knees. I plunged my spurs in my horse +and clearing the distance at a bound, just as I +observed two men rising from the ground, +I cut them both down, notwithstanding a most +determined resistance, in the course of which +they fired twice at me. Several others were +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +disposed of in like manner, but no prisoners +were made. We returned to camp about nine +o'clock, well satisfied with the issue of our adventure.</p> + +<p>The grass cutters who had been made +prisoners, and who were abandoned when it was +found that our pursuit was likely to prove +successful, had received no other injury at the +hands of the enemy, than a severe thrashing with +a bamboo. The poor fellows were terribly frightened, +and felt most grateful for their deliverance.</p> + +<p>Major Daly and two privates were severely +wounded in this affair. Beside a thrust of a +sabre in the chest the Major received a musket +ball in the left foot, which disabled him for +some time from active service. We also found +that several of the horses had been injured, it +being a favourite trick of the enemy to hamstring +them, or rip their bellies open, whenever +they could get within reach of the animals.</p> + +<p>A treacherous trick played us by one of the +neighbouring chiefs, the Khan of Khelat, added +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +in no small degree to the difficulties we had to +encounter. The Khan had promised allegiance +to Shah Soojah, and undertook to facilitate the +progress of the British troops through his +territories. Instead of fulfilling the friendly +professions he had made towards us, he interdicted +the villagers from bringing supplies +to the camp, and cut off almost all the mountain +streams. Several of the camp followers who +ventured out in search of water, were either +carried off or murdered, and our situation +became distressing in the extreme. In one +day's march of fifteen miles, we left upon our +track the bodies of nearly one hundred men, +who died from sheer physical exhaustion.</p> + +<p>Continuing our progress towards the Khojuck +heights, where we expected to meet with determined +opposition, we lost a number of men on the +route from their own imprudence in venturing +at a distance from the camp after dusk. One +of them, a Portuguese cook, belonging to my +own regiment, lost his way in proceeding to the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +bazaar for necessaries, and fell into the hands +of the Belochees, who were always hanging on +our rear. His cries being heard by some +soldiers returning from the bazaar, they ran +towards the spot from whence the noise proceeded, +and were received with a volley of +bullets. They did not of course venture farther, +being ignorant of the number of the enemy, +but on procuring assistance from the camp, +they discovered the cook with his throat +cut, the head being nearly severed from the +shoulders.</p> + +<p>Sickness now increased alarmingly amongst +us, owing to the bad quality of the attar or +flour, as well as the reduction in our usual +quantity of rations. The cattle were little +better off, and the difficulties of the route increased +at almost every step. Water continued +as scarce as ever, for the natives filled up or +concealed part of the wells and poisoned the +remainder. Of the latter fact, we received +intimation in time to prevent accidents, and +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +chance befriended us as regarded the former. +After a harassing day's march some soldiers of +the 17th Infantry, who had set out in search +of water, were unsuccessful and were bewailing +their hard fate, when the unusual moistness +of the place where they had pitched their tent +attracted their notice. They sounded the +ground and finding it hollow, immediately +arrived at the conclusion that it was a well that +had been freshly covered over. Further examination +confirmed this supposition, and about +half an hour's work revealed a deep hole to +their sight, in which they found a spring of +excellent water. This discovery created such +joy and frantic eagerness in the camp that the +authorities were obliged to place a strong guard +with loaded muskets over it in order to keep +back the pressure of the crowds who flocked +to it.</p> + +<p>In the course of the next day's march we +came upon a part of the road which was literally +strewn with human skeletons and broken +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +matchlocks. Of the various surmises current +amongst us as to the occasion of this wholesale +butchery, the most probable was, that one of +the caravans travelling to Candahar had been +attacked and overpowered by one of the marauding +tribes of the district.</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_5"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">The Khojuck Pass.—Descent of the +Troops.—Shocking +Death of a Camel Driver.—Detection and Escape of an +Affghan Thief.—Loss of Cavalry Horses.—Candahar.—Arrival +of Shah Soojah.—Condition of the Troops.—Attempt of +the Natives to cut off a Convoy of Provisions.—Asiatic +Mendicants.—The Mosque at Candahar.—Arrival of Affghan +Auxiliaries.</p> + +<p>We reached the Khojuck Pass in the expectation +of finding it occupied by the forces of Dost +Mahommed, but contrary to general anticipation +it was abandoned. We learned that the Dost +had visited the place a few days before, in company +with several of his chiefs, when the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +prudence of disputing our passage was discussed. +Owing to some violent differences of +opinion amongst the subordinate chiefs, the +idea was abandoned, and the enemy fell back +towards Candahar. How different might have +been the fate of the expedition but for this +impolitic and cowardly step. To enable the +reader to judge of its importance a brief description +of the Pass will be necessary.</p> + +<p>Ascending an eminence of no great height +a platform of rock is gained, from which a +glorious view bursts upon the sight. Immediately +beneath is a steep declivity, along whose +rugged sides winds the narrow road, while a +chasm of immense depth yawns beneath, and +threatens to engulph the luckless passenger +should he chance to slip as he treads his way +down the difficult and dangerous descent. +Receding into the far distance lie long ranges +of blue mountains broken at intervals into open +plains and valleys, whose calm and smiling +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +aspect contrasts well with the frowning majesty +of the neighbouring heights.</p> + +<p>Nothing could be finer than the view which +presented itself as our troops wound round the +brow of this tremendous precipice, their arms +glittering in the sun, and their uniforms imparting +a gay and dazzling variety to the sober +hues of the stunted herbage with which its sides +were clad. The Infantry, consisting of several +companies of the Queen's Royals and a party +of the 17th regiment were ordered to line the +heights in order to protect the descent of the +Artillery and Cavalry, together with the heavy +baggage. So steep was the road (if road it +could be called) that the Cavalry were obliged +to dismount and lead their horses, bridle in +hand, and the Artillery to unlimber their guns +and drag them down the precipice, a task, as +the reader may conceive, of no small labour and +difficulty. About half way down, a camel, +laden with camp equipage, missed its footing +and was precipitated into the abyss with its +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +conductor, and both were of course, immediately +dashed to pieces. We reached the plain +without any further mishap about six o'clock the +same evening, and had every reason to congratulate +ourselves that the cowardice or +negligence of the enemy had prevented them +from disputing our passage.</p> + +<p>Having halted at the bottom of the Pass +two days so as to enable the remainder of the +heavy ordnance and baggage to descend we +proceeded towards Candahar. The enemy +occasionally made their appearance, and though +not caring to face us in the field, continued to +harass us severely by hanging on our rear, and +cutting off the stragglers. Nor did they abate in +the least in their love of thieving, robberies +being just as frequent, and characterised by as +much ingenuity and daring as ever. Late +one night I was on sentry before the tent of +Lieutenant Kemp when a rustling noise attracted +my notice; on looking attentively +towards the spot from whence it proceeded, I +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +perceived an Affghan crawling towards the tent +on his hands and knees, and suffering him to +enter, in order the more easily to secure him, I +surprised him as he was in the act of plundering +it. The fellow was completely naked, and +on my attempting to lay hold of him he slipped +through my fingers like an eel, owing to the +quantity of grease with which his person was +smeared, and succeeded in clearing the lines in +safety. I did not shoot him because positive +orders had been issued against shots being fired +in camp, which had before given rise to many +groundless alarms.</p> + +<p>The weather now became excessively hot, +the thermometer being 125 degrees in the +shade, which rendered it necessary that we +should prosecute our way either in the +cool of the morning or at night. The nights +were so beautiful that the latter could not be +deemed a hardship, and had the scenery been +but equal to that through which we had just +passed, it could not have been seen to greater +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +advantage than under these clear delicious +moonlights. Nothing, however, can be more +flat or uninteresting than the country between +the Khojuck Pass and Candahar. The only +thing that might be said to have broken the +monotony of the route was an occasional shot +which told the fate of some poor horse, who, +having been broken down by fatigue and privation, +and rendered incapable of further exertion, +was mercifully put out of pain by its +rider. There were nearly fifty head of cattle +disposed of in this way between the Pass and +Candahar, a pretty item in the expenses of the +campaign, when it is borne in mind that each +of them had cost from fifty to sixty pounds in +India. Had we come in contact with the +enemy at Candahar as we expected, I have no +doubt the Cavalry would have been found +wholly ineffective from the jaded and worn-out +condition of their horses.</p> + +<p>We arrived at Candahar on the 4th. of May, +and effected a junction with the remainder of +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +the Bengal forces under Sir Willoughby +Cotton. Here we were also joined by Shah +Soojah in company with Sir William McNaghten +and Sir Alexander Burnes. The +dethroned monarch immediately took possession +of his ancestral palace, which had just been +evacuated by the enemy. The reverses of +fortune to which these Asiatic sovereigns are +subject have so steeled them against adversity, +that I doubt if his Majesty was agitated, even +by a passing emotion, at this important event. +If he felt at all, it was perhaps more a sensation +of fear than joy, for he could not conceal from +himself the fact, that the opinions of his subjects +were arraigned to a man against him, and +that under such circumstances his tenure of +sovereignty would in all probability be terminated +by a bloody death.</p> + +<p>Tired as we were of the harassing mountain +warfare in which we had been engaged, and +anxious to strike a blow which would decide +the fate of the Campaign, we were yet agreeably +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +disappointed at the evacuation of Candahar +by the enemy. We were greatly in need of +rest after the long and fatiguing marches, +which we had made; and the deplorable condition +in which we found ourselves, as regarded supplies, +rendered it highly impolitic to bring us +just then in face of the enemy. Sickness had +increased alarmingly amongst us, but in this +respect we did not find our position improved, for +the excessive heat which prevailed during our +stay here carried off great numbers of the +men.</p> + +<p>Although the bazaar was plentifully supplied +with meat and fruit, flour was difficult +to be obtained, the stock on hand having +been eagerly bought up by the troops on their +arrival. The traders turned the scarcity of this +necessary article to profitable account, for they +only gave 2ā. to the rupee instead of 40ā., +the usual proportion. We had been living on +half rations, and these not of the best quality, +for nearly a month previous, and had looked +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +forward to our arrival at Candahar for some +addition to the quantity, but so far was this +from being the case, that it was found necessary +to put the camp followers on the same allowance, +and it was not until three weeks after our +arrival that an increase and that not the full +one, was served out to us.</p> + +<p>We were in daily expectation of the arrival +of a convoy of six hundred camels laden with +provisions and grain, but intelligence having +been brought us that the Affghans lay in way +to intercept it, it was thought advisable to send +out a force consisting of two squadrons of +native cavalry, a party of her Majesty's 13th +Light Infantry and two field pieces for its +protection. The enemy being informed by +their spies of this movement, fell back to the +hills, and the supplies were brought in safety to +the camp. The native contractor who furnished +them, was offered a bribe of 10,000 rupees by +Dost Mahommed to direct his camels another +way, but much to his credit refused it. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + +<p>Candahar is a place of considerable importance +in a commercial point of view, but its +military advantages are scarcely deserving of +notice. It is surrounded by an old wall and +ditch, some efforts to strengthen which had +been made by throwing up a few parapets, but +they were abandoned at the first news of our +approach. The principal entrance faces the +south and leads directly into the bazaar, which +presents rather an animated scene to the eyes +of the stranger, in consequence of the varied +and picturesque costumes of the multitudes +who resort to it, and who are composed of +Asiatics of almost every race. The merchandize +exposed for sale is no less heterogeneous +in its character than its vendors, and much to +our surprise and gratification it included good +broad-cloths and Whitechapel needles, articles +which, in the dilapidated and transparent +state of our clothing, proved of no small service +to us.</p> + +<p>Common and disgusting as mendicancy has +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +become through all parts of Asia, I have never +seen it carried to such an annoying extent as +here. Our ears were assailed on all sides by +whining petitions, and our eyes offended by +the exhibition of festering sores or simulated +deformities. The ingenuity displayed in twisting +a straight and well made limb into some +hideous distortion, or in painting up an ugly +case of cancer, would have excited the admiration +and envy of the importunate cripples who +beset the chapels of Catholic countries.</p> + +<p>At the further extremity of the bazaar +stands a noble mosque, in which are interred +the remains of Shah Soojah's father and grandfather. +A lofty gilt dome and graceful minarets +distinguish it above the other buildings of +the town, and the effect, as it is approached +from the distance, is extremely imposing. On +entering this beautiful temple the visitor is +conducted up a flight of marble steps to a +platform within the dome, where the remains +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +of the deceased princes lie. The tombs are +covered with palls of blue velvet, fringed with +gold, and illuminated by about two hundred +lamps, which are kept burning night and day, +while forty Faquirs, or priests, watch perpetually +over them. Two magnificent folio +editions of the Koran, bound in velvet and +ornamented with characters of gold, were also +shown to us with a degree of reverence that +proved the estimation in which they were held. +A few pigeons which were flying round the +interior of the building appeared to divide with +these costly exemplars of the Book of Life +the regard and veneration of the votaries of +the temple, this bird being held sacred, and +any invasion of its privileges visited by the +punishment of death.</p> + +<p>Several of the Affghan Chiefs who were +known to be devoted to the interests of Dost +Mahommed becoming alarmed at the turn +affairs were taking, or, as some said, being dissatisfied +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +with that prince for refusing to guarantee +the safety of their women, now came +into camp and tendered their allegiance to +Shah Soojah. These reluctant auxiliaries were +warmly received by the Politicals, who hailed +their adhesion as an omen of the success of the +expedition; and I observed Sir Alexander +Burnes carry his joy so far as cordially to embrace +one of them. The Chief smiled grimly, +but said but little. I had an opportunity however +of ascertaining his real feelings, on getting +amongst his followers a few days afterwards. +They openly expressed their regret at +being compelled to join the invaders of their +country, and stated, that they could not have +a braver leader, or a better prince, than Dost +Mahommed. They described him as being of +a just and generous nature, whilst they +represented the Shah as being cruel and unprincipled.</p> + +<p>These Affghan horsemen were a fine athletic +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +set of men, and capitally mounted, their +breed of cattle being much superior to ours, +and exhibiting proofs of the most careful +grooming. The riders wore coats of mail with +steel gauntlets, and their arms consisted of a +sabre, heavier and longer than ours, a dagger, +and in some instances shields and matchlocks. +I have no hesitation in saying that the Affghan +Cavalry, if these were a fair sample of +them, are a most effective body of men. They +may not be equal to ours in the field, but for +a harassing system of mountain warfare where +they are required to make sudden descents +upon Infantry, hemmed in between defiles, and +embarrassed by ignorance of the country, no +body of troops can be better adapted. Their +horses are light limbed, but strong and wiry, +and capable of undergoing incredible fatigue +while the trooper himself, practised from infancy +in the management of the animal, can +ride him over places where no European horseman +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +would venture. Had these wild mountaineers +but the advantages of discipline and +proper organization their country would be +inaccessible to any troops in the world.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_6"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Installation of Shah Soojah.—Attack on the camel +guards.—Heroism +of an Affghan Youth.—Murder of Cornet +Inverarity of the 16th Lancers.—Departure from Candahar.—The +Ghiljie Hills.—Locusts.—Arrival of new Auxiliaries.—Camel +Batteries.—Hyder Khail.—Arrival at Ghuznee.—Tomb +of Mahommed.—Remains of the Old Town of Ghuznee.</p> + +<p>In order to give a sort of political eclat to the +steps taken to reinstate Shah Soojah on the +throne of his ancestors, it was resolved that he +should be solemnly inaugurated at Candahar, +and nothing was omitted that could possibly +tend to render the ceremony imposing. On +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +the morning fixed for its celebration, the whole +of the British forces were paraded in review +order on a large plain to the north of the city, +whilst the Shah's troops were drawn up at a +little distance. In the centre of the field stood +a platform canopied with crimson silk, and +ornamented with numerous banners and devices, +the seat reserved for the Shah being ascended +by a broad flight of tapestried steps, and covered +with cushions of crimson and gold. The other +accessories of the pageant were got up in similar +costly style, but the effect, on the whole, conveyed +to the mind rather the unsatisfied feeling +which attends the hollow show and glitter of +the theatre, than the idea of substantial power. +The weather was beautiful, the sun shedding its +gorgeous rays full upon us, and finding innumerable +reflections in the military panoply +beneath. The heat was however excessive, and +the majority of us would have willingly exchanged +our places in the ceremonial for the +shade and repose of our tents. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> + +<p>As early as six o'clock the Commander-in-Chief +took up his position in front of the line, +and was received with a general salute. The +Shah was soon after observed leaving the gates +of the city on an elephant, the howdah of which +was of solid silver. His Majesty appeared to +me to be between fifty and sixty years of age; +of middle stature, and somewhat inclined to +corpulency. His features were large, but regular, +and the expression which played about +them was not calculated to leave a favourable +impression on the physiognomist. It had a +mingled character of vaccillation and cruelty +about it, which impressed one with the notion +that the possessor could sink with ease from +the extreme of tyrannical self-will to the +abject and fawning humility of the slave. +His Majesty was accompanied by his Vizier, +a tall, spare looking man of a thoughtful and +rather melancholy cast of features, and somewhat +older than his master. Immediately behind +the Shah rode Sir William McNaghten, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +in full court dress, such as is usually worn by +officials at her Majesty's levees in England, +and he was followed by Sir Alexander Burnes, +in a plain suit, and surrounded by the Affghan +chiefs, with whom he appeared to be in close +and friendly converse. The winning smile and +frank and courteous manner of the latter gentleman +appeared to have gained for him a degree +of consideration amongst the natives, which no +other European could boast of, and which was +principally attributable to the talismanic influence +of qualities that have a never failing +effect in softening down and subduing even the +most rugged and intractable natures. Nothing +could exceed the splendour of the costumes in +which these chiefs were clad, their turbans and +weapons being studded with diamonds and +other precious stones; whilst the horses on +which they were mounted were perfect models +of animal beauty.</p> + +<p>As soon as the Shah arrived on the ground +the bands of the different regiments struck up +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +"God save the King," and his Majesty was +conducted to his throne by the Politicals. The +troops then marched past the platform in slow +and quick time each regiment lowering its +colors as it arrived before it. A proclamation +was afterwards read, declaring and confirming the +Shah's title to the throne, and all persons subject +to his authority having been required to +yield him fealty, the Affghan Chiefs present +tendered their homage. The troops were +marched back to their lines immediately after, +and a Durbar concluded the ceremonies of the +day.</p> + +<p>It must not be imagined that during all this +time our ever watchful enemies had abated +their vigilance or lost any opportunity of annoying +us. They did not dare to attack the +camp, itself, precautionary measures having +been adopted to prevent their near approach, +by stationing inlying and outlying pickets +round it. We were compelled, however, to +send our camels to graze at some distance from +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +the encampment, and the soldiers in charge of +them were frequently surprised and driven in. +On one occasion a party of the 13th Light +Infantry, consisting of a serjeant and six privates, +who had been entrusted with the care of +from fifteen to eighteen camels, fell asleep on +their posts, being overcome by the excessive +heat, and the Affghans, stealing upon them +whilst in this state, put one man to death, and +severely wounded two others, the whole of the +camels of course falling into their hands. The +serjeant escaped but was broken for neglect of +duty.</p> + +<p>Shortly after this occurrence, two of the +marauders fell into our hands. In order to put +an end to, or diminish these vexatious losses it +was determined to make a terrible example of +the prisoners, in the hope that it would have +some effect upon their companions. They were +accordingly tried by a court martial, composed +of native officers, and sentenced to be blown +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +from the mouth of a gun. Having been led +into the market-place at Candahar, they were +ordered to draw lots as to who should first +undergo this dreadful doom. The younger of +the prisoners, a stripling of about nineteen +years of age, whose firm and gallant bearing excited +universal sympathy and admiration, responded +to this command by at once embracing +the mouth of the gun from which he was +instantly blown to atoms. His companion, a +grey-headed man, upwards of sixty years of +age, sat looking on, unmoved at this terrible +scene, and coolly smoking his hookah. On +being ordered to take his place at the gun he +did not exhibit the least appearance of fear, and +just as the match was about being applied, the +officer in command arrested it and directed the +prisoner to be taken away, the Shah influenced, +it is said, by the entreaties of Sir Alexander +Burnes, having granted his pardon. This unexpected +release from the very jaws of death +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +produced as little emotion on the part of this +stout old man, as its near approach or the fate +of his youthful companion had elicited.</p> + +<p>The mysterious and premature death of +Cornet Inverarity, of the 16th Lancers, formed, +whilst here, the universal topic of discussion in +the military circles. The circumstances, as +far as I could collect them, were these:—A +pic-nic party had been given by the officers of +the regiment at a pleasant rural retreat, within +a few miles of Candahar, and the Cornet, +being fond of fishing, took his rod and +strayed a short distance from his companions in +search of sport. His prolonged absence having +given rise to remark, some of the party went +in search of him, and found the unfortunate +gentleman lying dead on the banks of a neighbouring +stream. The wounds he had received +were of such a nature as to preclude the idea +that they were self-inflicted, and there can be +but little doubt that he was murdered by the +Affghans. The deceased was an officer of considerable +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +acquirements, and was regretted by +all who had the honour of his acquaintance. +He was only in his 26th year, and had been +about five in the service.</p> + +<p>I gladly avail myself of the opportunity +which presents itself of paying a tribute to the +good conduct and friendly feeling of the native +troops, who testified on all occasions the utmost +willingness, and indeed the most anxious desire +to render all the aid and service in their power +to their European comrades. Their knowledge +of the language of the country, and their acquaintance +with the value of its produce, proved +of no small advantage to us in our daily traffic +with the cunning and thievish traders of the +bazaar. Let me add that the general feeling +amongst us was that, in privation or danger, +we might always count with certainty on the +generosity and bravery of the Sepoy.</p> + +<p>Having passed nearly seven weeks at Candahar, +it was determined that we should next +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +proceed to Ghuznee, where it was reported that +Dost Mahommed and his followers had resolved +on making a stand. The army quitted the +encampment on the 27th of June, preceded by +a squadron of European cavalry, two squadrons +of the native troops, and two field pieces loaded +with canister and grape shot. The route from +Candahar to Ghuznee lies through a wild and +mountainous country, and over roads extremely +difficult, and at times almost impassable. The +Ghiljies fled on our approach to the numerous +mud forts with which these hills abound, and +seldom ventured on our track. In the +dwellings they had abandoned we found only +a few old crones and hungry dogs, both of +whom received us with a sort of howling +welcome. The Ghiljie huts are constructed +somewhat like a bee hive, being of circular and +conical form, with interior accommodations of +the most wretched description. The few males +whom we caught a glimpse of were clad in the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +same substitute for broad cloth that served the +famous Bryan O'Lynn, who having—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"No breeches to wear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cut up a sheepskin to make him a pair."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>We were lucky enough to discover the stores +of corn and <i>bussorah</i> (a sort of provender for +cattle) which the natives had buried at the +first news of our approach. We were also well +supplied with water the country being traversed +in all directions by rivers and streams. To +counterbalance these advantages we were annoyed +with shoals of locusts, which literally +darkened the atmosphere and kept up a perpetual +buzzing and humming in our ears. The +locust appears to be a favorite article of food +with the natives, who roast it on a slow fire and +devour it with eagerness. We could not bring +ourselves to relish this equivocal dainty, +although our rations were not of the best or +most varied description. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> + +<p>As we advanced on Khelat-i-Ghiljie scarcely +a day passed without some Chief coming into +camp from Cabul, with a retinue of from one +to two hundred men, in order to tender his +allegiance to the Shah. They were immediately +sent to the rear and incorporated with his +Majesty's levies. Many of these new auxiliaries +brought camel batteries, which created a +good deal of curiosity and amusement amongst +the European troops, to whom they were a +novelty. Each camel carried a sort of rampart +on his back, which mounted from four to six +swivel guns of small calibre, the conductor both +driving the animal and serving the guns. We +were surprised at the rapidity and accuracy +with which these portable batteries were served +and brought to bear, the animal dropping on its +knees wherever it became necessary to bring +the guns within range, and rising the moment +they were discharged.</p> + +<p>At Hyder Khail we were plundered of several +camels laden with bedding, belonging to her +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +Majesty's 2nd, or Queen's Royals, and the party +in charge of them disappeared and was not +again heard of before we left. As we passed +<ins class="corr" title="Khelat-i-Giljie">Khelat-i-Ghiljie</ins> the country +began to improve in +its character, and large tracts, covered with +corn and beans, betokened the presence of a +more civilized tribe than that through whose +inhospitable territories we had just passed. The +villagers came daily into camp with fruit and +vegetables, which they parted with at reasonable +prices, and their conduct to us on the +whole was civil and peaceable.</p> + +<p>On the 21st. of July we arrived in sight of +Ghuznee, the strength of which we found +underrated rather than exaggerated. Ghuznee +may be said to form the key to Cabul since it +commands the only direct route to that place. +The citadel is of great extent, and includes +within its <ins class="corr" title="precints">precincts</ins>, three or four +bazaars and +several streets. It is surrounded on every side +by strong bastions and substantial walls, the +whole of which had been recently put in repair, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +and it mounted nine guns (one a 48 pounder) +besides innumerable wall pieces, gingals, and +matchlocks. The principal entrance is at the +North side, on the road to Cabul, and is approached +by a bridge of slight construction, +thrown across a deep ditch or moat. To +the right and left stretch long chains of lofty +hills, which approach the walls so closely on +the North side, as to command a view of the +interior of the citadel. The enemy, sensible of +the importance of these heights, had lined +them with troops in order to prevent our +planting batteries on them. At the distance +of about three quarters of a mile from the fort, +and situated in an amphitheatre of hills, lies +the town of Ghuznee, which consists of only a +few narrow, straggling streets. A narrow, but +deep and rapid river, whose banks are studded +with rich corn fields, winds its devious route +through the pleasant valley in which the town +is situate, and half encircles its walls. Nearly +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +equidistant from the town and the fort, and +surrounded by luxuriant orchards and vineyards, +stands the famous tomb of Mahommed +of Ghuznee. It consists of an oblong building +36 ft. by 18, and about 30 feet in height, and +is crowned by a mud cupola. The gates are +said to be of sandal-wood, and were taken from +the temple of Somnath by the conqueror, whose +remains lie entombed here. The grave stone +in the interior is made of the finest white +marble, but its once rich sculpture is now +nearly defaced, and it presents but few traces +of the Arabic characters with which it was +formerly inscribed. Over the last resting +place of the hero, and in a sadly decayed state, +are suspended the banner of green silk, and the +enormous mace which he had so often borne in +battle.</p> + +<p>In the plain to the south of the hills stand +two pillars, or obelisks, of brickwork, about +one hundred feet in height, and twelve in +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +diameter at the base, which are said to have +marked the limits of the bazaar of ancient +Ghuznee, and which at present form serve only +as conspicuous landmarks for the traveller.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_7"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Reconnaisance of the Fortress.—Skirmish with the +Enemy.—Rejoicings +of the Garrison at our Supposed Defeat.—Preparation +for a Coup de Main.—Engineer Operations.—Storming +and Taking of the Fortress.</p> + +<p>We debouched on the plain in front of the +fort about eight o'clock in the morning, and +advanced upon it in three columns—the Cavalry +on the right, the Artillery in the centre, and +the Infantry on the left. The Commander-in-Chief +determined to reconnoitre the place in +force, and make the enemy show their strength. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +On approaching the orchards and walled gardens +before described, we found them occupied +by the enemy, and the 1st Brigade having +been immediately thrown into them, drove the +Affghans out of the enclosures in capital style, +and forced them to take shelter behind the +defences, with a comparatively trifling loss +on our side. Our guns were now brought +to bear upon the fortress, which had kept up +a sharp fire on us from the moment of our +appearance, but owing to our having left our +heavy battering train behind us at Candahar +we did but little or no damage. About eleven +o'clock we drew off, and pitched our camp out +of range of the fire of the foot. On our +skirmishers retiring from the gardens they were +immediately occupied by the enemy, who commenced +cheering our retreating parties, in the +conviction that they had obtained a victory. +Under this impression they instantly sent off +expresses to Cabul, to announce the fact, and +state that if the whole of the surrounding +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +country could be raised, they had little doubt +of being able to cut us off to a man. The garrison +spent the night in rejoicings, and blue +lights were constantly sent up as signals to +their friends on the neighbouring hills.</p> + +<p>Next morning the Shah's camp was threatened +on the left by large bodies of horse and +foot who were driven off by the Cavalry <ins class="corr" title="and +and">and</ins> +some of his Highness's troops; whilst +another force, consisting chiefly of horse, under +the command of one of Dost Mahommed's +sons; and at a short distance from him a +Ghiljie Chief, with about fifteen hundred +Cavalry, who had hung upon our flank all the +way from Khelat-i-Ghiljie, menaced us to the +right. This determined the Commander-in-Chief +to expedite matters, and the engineers +having made a careful inspection of the fortress, +he resolved on carrying it by storm. The +whole of the 22nd was consumed in making +the necessary preparations, the field hospital +being got ready while strong detachments of +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +Cavalry scoured the country around, in order +to keep the enemy from our lines.</p> + +<p>In order to give my readers a correct idea +of the strength of the fortifications, and the +difficulties overcome by the intelligence and +courage of the officers and men of the British +Army, I cannot do better than to copy the +official reports made by the principal Engineer +officers on the subject. They contain a full +detail of the operations up to the moment when +the citadel fell into our possession.</p> + +<p><i>Memorandum of the Engineers' operations +before Ghuznee, in July, 1839, by Captain George +Thompson, Bengal Engineers, Chief Engineer +Army of the Indus.</i></p> + +<p>The accounts of the Fortress of Ghuznee, +received from those who had seen it, were such +as to induce his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief +to leave in Candahar the very small +battering train then with the Army, there being +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +a scarcity of transport cattle. The place was +described as very weak, and completely commanded +from a range of hills to the north.</p> + +<p>When we came before it on the morning of +the 21st of July we were very much surprised +to find a rampart, in good repair, built on a +scarped mound about thirty-five feet high, +flanked by numerous towers, and surrounded +by a faussebraye and wet ditch. The irregular +figure of the "enceinte" gave a good flanking +fire, whilst the height of the citadel covered +the interior from the commanding fire of the +hills to the north, rendering it nugatory. In +addition to this, the towers, at the angles, had +been enlarged, screen walls had been built before +the gates, the ditch cleared out and filled +with water, stated to be unfordable, and an outwork +built on the right bank of the river so as +to command the bed of it.</p> + +<p>The garrison was variously stated from three +to four thousand strong, including five hundred +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +Cavalry, and from subsequent information we +found that it had not been overrated.</p> + +<p>On the approach of the army, a fire of artillery +was opened from the body of the place, +and of musketry from the neighbouring gardens. +A detachment of Infantry cleared the +latter, and the former was silenced for a short +time by shrapnells from the Horse Artillery, +but the fire from the new outwork on the bank +of the river was in no way checked. A nearer +view of the works was, however, obtained from +the gardens which had been cleared. This was +not at all satisfactory. The works were evidently +much stronger than we had been led to +expect, and such as our army could not venture +to attack in a regular manner. We had no +battering train, and to besiege Ghuznee in +form, a much larger one would be required +than the army ever possessed. The great command +of the parapets from sixty to seventy +feet, with the wet ditch, were insurmountable +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +obstacles to an attack, either by mining or +escalading.</p> + +<p>It therefore became necessary to examine +closely the whole <i>contour</i> of the place, to discover +if any other mode of attack could be +adopted. The engineers, with an escort, went +round the works, approaching as near as they +could find cover. The garrison were on the +alert, and kept up a hot and well regulated fire +upon the officers whenever they were obliged +to show themselves. However, by keeping +the Infantry beyond musket range, and the +Cavalry at a still greater distance, only one +man was killed, and another wounded; the +former being hit by men sent out of the place +to drive off the reconnoitring party.</p> + +<p>The fortifications were found equally strong, +all round, the only tangible point observed +being the Cabul gateway, which offered the +following advantages for a <i>coup-de-main</i>. The +road to the Gate was clear, the bridge over the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +ditch unbroken, there were good positions for +the Artillery within three hundred yards of +the walls on both sides of the road, and we had +information that the Gateway was not built +up, a reinforcement from Cabul being expected.</p> + +<p>The result of this reconnaisance was a report +to His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, +that if he decided upon the immediate attack +on Ghuznee, the only feasible mode of proceeding, +and the only one which held out a prospect +of success was a dash at the Cabul gateway, +blowing the gate open by bags of powder.</p> + +<p>His Excellency decided upon the attempt, +the camp was moved that evening to the Cabul +road, and the next morning, the 22nd, Sir John +Keane in person reconnoitred the proposed point +of attack, approved of the plan, and gave orders +for its execution. Preparations were made +accordingly, positions for the artillery were +carefully examined, which excited the jealousy +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +of the garrison, who opened a smart fire upon +the party.</p> + +<p>It was arranged that an explosion party, consisting +of three officers of Engineers, Captain +Peat, Lieutenants Durand and McLeod, three +Serjeants, and eighteen men of the Sappers in +working dresses, carrying 300ās. of powder in +twelve sand bags, with a hose seventy-two feet +long, should be ready to move down to the +gateway at daybreak.</p> + +<p>At midnight the first battery left camp, +followed by the other four, at intervals of half +an hour. Those to the right of the road were +conducted to their positions by Lieutenant +Stuart, those to the left by Lieutenant Anderson. +The ground for the guns was prepared +by the Sappers and Pioneers, taking advantage +of the irregularities of the ground to the right, +and of some old garden walls to the left.</p> + +<p>The Artillery was all in position, and ready +by 3 A. M. of the 23rd, and shortly after, at +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +the first dawn, the party under Captain Peat +moved down to the gateway, accompanied by +six men of her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, +without their belts, and supported by a detachment +of the same regiment, which extended to +the right and left of the road; when they +arrived at the ditch, taking advantage of what +cover they could find, and endeavouring to keep +down the fire from the ramparts, which became +heavy on the approach of the party, though it +had been remarkably slack during the previous +operations; blue lights were shown, which rendered +surrounding objects distinctly visible, +but luckily they were buried on the top of the +parapet instead of being thrown into the passage +below.</p> + +<p>The explosion party marched steadily on, +headed by Lieutenant Durand; the powder +was placed, the hose laid, the train fired, and +the carrying party had retired to tolerable cover +in less than two minutes. The Artillery opened +when the blue lights appeared, and the musketry +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +from the covering party at the same time. +So quickly was the operation performed, and +so little was the enemy aware of the nature of +it, that not a man of the party was hurt.</p> + +<p>As soon as the explosion took place, Captain +Peat, although hurt by the concussion, his +anxiety preventing him from keeping sufficiently +under cover, ran up to the gate, accompanied +by a small party of her Majesty's 13th +Light Infantry, and ascertained that it was +completely destroyed. There was some delay +in getting a bugler to sound at the advance, the +signal agreed on for the assaulting column to +push on, and this was the only mistake in the +operation.</p> + +<p>The assaulting column, consisting of four +European Regiments (her Majesty's 2nd regiment, +Bengal European regiment, her Majesty's +13th Light Infantry, and her Majesty's 17th +regiment) commanded by Brigadier Sale, the +advance under Lieutenant Colonel Dennie, +accompanied by Lieutenant Sturt, Engineers, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +moved steadily through the gateway, through a +passage inside the gateway, in a domed building, +in which the opening on one side rendered +everything very obscure, and making it difficult +to find the outlet into the town. They +met with little opposition; but the party of +the enemy seeing a peak in the column, owing +to the difficulty in scrambling over the rubbish +in the gateway, made a rush, sword in hand, +and cut down a good many men, wounding +the Brigadier and several other officers. +These swordsmen were repulsed, and there was +no more regular opposition; the surprise and +alarm of the Governor and Sirdars being so +great when they saw the column occupying the +open space inside the gate, and firing upon +them, that they fled, accompanied by their +men, even the garrison of the Citadel following +their example. Parties of the Affghans took +refuge in the houses, firing on the column as +it made its way through the streets, and a good +deal of desultory fighting took place in consequence, +by which some loss was sustained. The +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +Citadel was occupied as soon as daylight showed +that it had been abandoned by the enemy, and +the whole of the works were in our possession +before 5 <span class="smcap">A. M.</span></p> + +<p>We lost seventeen men, six European and +eleven Natives killed—eighteen officers, and +one hundred and seventeen Europeans, and +thirty Natives wounded—total one hundred +and eighty-two. Of the Affghans more than +five hundred and fourteen were killed in the +town, that number of bodies having been +buried, and about one thousand outside by the +Cavalry, one thousand six hundred prisoners +were taken, but I have no means of estimating +the number of wounded.</p> + +<p>There were nine guns of different calibres +found in the place, a large quantity of good +powder, considerable stores of shot, lead, &c., +&c., and a large supply of attar and other +provisions.</p> + +<p> +GEO. THOMSON, Capt. Engrs.<br /> +<i>Chief Engineer Army of the Indus.</i><br /> +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> +<p>The following report by Captain Peat, of +the Bombay Civil Engineers, gives a more +detailed account of the operations for blowing +up the gate, which, it will be seen, were attended +with difficulties of no ordinary nature.</p> + +<p>"During the reconnaissance the wall pieces +were particularly troublesome. This weapon is +almost unknown in our service, but it is a very +efficient one, especially in the defence of works, +and its use should not be neglected. Every +fortified post should be supplied with a proportion +of them, and a certain number of men in +every regiment practised in firing them.</p> + +<p>The charge recommended by Colonel Pasley, +for blowing open gates is from sixty to one +hundred and twenty pounds, and this is, doubtless, +sufficient in ordinary cases; but in this +instance we were apprehensive that the enemy +might have taken alarm at our being so much +on that side of the place, and in consequence, +partially or wholly, built up the gateway. It +was afterwards found that some attempts of the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +kind had been made by propping up the gate +with beams.</p> + +<p>The charge was so heavy, that it not only +destroyed the gate, but brought down a considerable +portion of the roof of the square +building in which it was placed, which proved a +very considerable obstacle to the assaulting +column, and the concussion acted as far as the +tower, under which an officer's party of her +Majesty's 13th regiment were standing at the +time, but without occasioning any casualties. +In cases of this nature it is of course the first +object to guard against any chance of failure; +and it is impossible, even now, to say how much +the charge might have been reduced with +safety.</p> + +<p>The enemy appeared so much on the alert, +and the faussebraye was so much in advance of +the gate that we never contemplated being able +to effect our object by surprise. The only +question was, whether it ought to be done by +day or night. It was argued in favor of the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +former, that the Artillery would be able to +make so much more correct practice that the +defences would be in a considerable degree +destroyed, and the fire so completely kept under +as to enable the explosion party to advance with +but little loss, and with the advantage of being +able to see exactly what they were about. +Captain Thompson, however, adhered to the +latter, and we were afterwards convinced it +was the most judicious plan; for although the +fire of the Artillery was necessarily more +general than it would have been in daylight, +still it was so well directed as to take up a good +deal of the attention of the besieged, and draw +upon their batteries a portion of the fire, which +in daylight would have been thrown down upon +the explosion party and assaulting columns. +It would also, even in daylight, have been +difficult, with our Light Artillery, to have kept +down the fire so completely but that a few +matchlock men might have kept their position +near the gateway; and in that narrow space a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +smart fire from a few pieces might have obliged +the party to retire. The obscurity of the night, +to say nothing of the confusion which it must +occasion among undisciplined troops, is certainly +the best protection to a body of men engaged +in an enterprise of this nature. Blue lights +certainly render objects distinctly visible, but +their light is glaring and uncertain, especially to +men firing through loopholes.</p> + +<p>The party consisted of eighteen officers, +twenty-eight sergeants, seven buglers, and two +hundred and seventy-six rank and file.</p> + +<p>It was made of this strength, not only to keep +up a heavy fire upon the parapets, and thereby +divert attention from the party at the gateway, +but also because we were not aware whether +the faussebraye was occupied or not, and as it +extends so much in advance as to take the gate +completely in reverse, it would have been +necessary, had a fire opened from it, to have +carried it by assault before the party with the +bags could have advanced. The party with +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +Lieutenant Durand was accompanied by six +men of the 13th, without their belts, the better +to secure them from observation, to protect +them from any sortie that might be made from +the postern of the faussebraye on the right, +or even from the gate itself, while another +party under an officer, Lieutenant Jennings, +accompanied me as far as the tower so as to +check any attempts that might have been +made from the faussebraye on the left, and at +the same time keeping up a fire on such of the +enemy as showed their heads above the parapet; +of this party one man was killed and a few +wounded.</p> + +<p>Nothing could have been more gallant than +the conduct of Lieutenants Durand and McLeod, +and the men under their command; or +more efficient than the manner in which they +executed their duty.</p> + +<p>The powder being in sand bags of a very +coarse open texture, a long hose and port fire +was thought to be the safest method of firing +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +it. The end of the hose fortunately just +reached the small postern. The casualties, +however, during this operation were much fewer +than was expected, being in all one private +killed, two sergeants, and twenty-three rank +and file wounded.</p> + +<p>The heaviest fire was certainly outside the +bridge, for the enemy near the gateway being +marked, whenever they attempted to shew their +heads above the parapet, were obliged to confine +themselves to the loop-holes, the range +from which is very uncertain and limited +against men moving about. A high loop-holed +wall, although imposing in appearance, is a +profile but ill adapted to resist attacks of this +nature.</p> + +<p>The enemy were perfectly aware that we +were in the gateway, but appeared to have no +idea of the nature of our operations. Had they +been so they might easily have rendered it +impossible to place the powder bags, by +throwing over blue lights, of which they had a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +large quantity in store. The powder pots and +other fire works so much used by the natives of +Hindoostan would certainly have rendered the +confined space leading to the gate much too hot +for such an operation; but the ignorance of +the besieged was known and calculated upon, +the result shows how justly.</p> + +<p>Their attempts at resistance were confined +to the fire from the loopholes and throwing +over large pieces of earth, some of which +appeared to be intended to knock off the port +fire.</p> + +<p>I on this occasion received an excellent lesson +on the necessity of not allowing preconceived +opinions to lead to any carelessness, in accurately +ascertaining the result of any operation +of this nature. The gateway appeared, from +what I had seen from the hills to the north, to +lead straight into the town, and on running in +to examine it after the explosion I was so much +impressed with this idea and so much convinced +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +of the probability of the gateway having been +blocked up during the day, that I was led to +believe that it had actually been done, from +seeing, in front of the gate that had been +destroyed, the outline of an arch filled up with +brick masonry. The true entrance turned to +the right and would have been discovered by +advancing a few paces, and that in perfect +safety, for the interior was secure from all fire. +Lieutenant Durand on first going up saw from +through the chinks of the gate that there was +a light and a guard <ins class="corr" title="immedialely">immediately</ins> +behind it, and +from that circumstance was convinced that no +interior obstacles of importance existed.</p> + +<p>My mistake therefore was luckily immediately +corrected without any bad consequence +resulting.</p> + +<p>A party of sappers with felling axes, and +commanded by Lieutenant Wemyss, and two +scaling ladders in charge of Lieutenant Pigan, +accompanied the assaulting column. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<p>Of ten Engineer Officers engaged in this +attack, only one, Lieutenant Marriot, was +slightly wounded. Captain Thompson however +had a very narrow escape, having been thrown +down by a rush of some swordsmen into the +gateway, and nearly sabred while upon the +ground."</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_8"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">An Affghan Heroine.—Capture of Hyder Khan the +Commandant +of Ghuznee<ins class="corr" title=",">.</ins>—Escape of Ghool Mahommed +Khan.—Discovery +of a Map on the person of an Affghan Chief.—Description +of the Affghan Women.—The Ruling +Passion.—Treasuretrove.—The Golden Shield.—Chase of the +Enemy.—Just Retribution.</p> + +<p>The Cavalry taking no part in these operations +I was an idle, but not the less an anxious +spectator of the scene. I had never before +witnessed effects so awfully grand, or so intensely +exciting in their nature as those which +immediately preceded and followed the explosion +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +at the gates. The atmosphere was +illuminated by sudden and powerful flashes of +various coloured light which exposed the walls +and bastions of the fortress to view, and revealed +the dusky figures of the garrison, in the +act of pointing their guns, or endeavouring to +penetrate the denseness of the obscurity beneath, +in order to assure themselves of the position +of their assailants. Then followed the din and +roar of artillery—the terrific explosion of the +gates—the crash of woodwork and masonry—the +hollow rumbling of the old towers as they +came in huge masses to the ground—the rush +of the storming party through the breach, and +the deafening cheers and shouts of besiegers +and besieged. It seemed as if all the elements +of destruction had been let loose at once, and +yet I panted to be in the midst of them. I +hardly dared to breathe from the very intenseness +of my anxiety, and it was not till I saw +the British flag floating from the citadel, that I +could respire freely. To the soldier there is +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +nothing more trying or chafing than to be condemned +to a state of inaction during the progress +of such spirit-stirring events as these.</p> + +<p>While the Affghans were disputing our +entrance into the citadel an incident occurred, +which for a moment diverted the attention of +the combatants and turned their fury into +pity. Amongst the foremost of the party who +signalised themselves by their desperate gallantry +was an aged Chieftain, the richness of +whose costume excited general attention, his +turban and weapons being resplendent with +jewels. The hope of plunder immediately +marked him out as an object of attack, and +numbers at once assailed him. He defended +himself like a man who knew there was no +chance of life, but who was resolved to sell it +as dearly as he could. He had killed several of +the Queen's Royals and severely wounded +Captain Robinson, when a grenadier of the +company to which the latter belonged, seeing +his officer in danger, rushed to his assistance, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +and with a thrust of his bayonet brought the +gallant old Chieftain to the ground. The +grenadier was about to despatch him, when a +beautiful girl, about seventeen, threw herself +into the <i><ins class="corr" title="mĆ©lĆ©e">mĆŖlĆ©e</ins></i> and plunged a dagger +in his +breast. She then cast herself on the body of +the Chieftain, for the purpose of protecting it, +and the Affghans, forming a sort of rampart +before them, maintained their ground until the +heroic girl succeeded in getting it conveyed +into the interior of the citadel. Shortly after +the place was taken she was found weeping +over the remains of the brave old man, who, on +enquiry, we learned was her father. She was +treated with the utmost respect and tenderness +by our men, who neither obtruded themselves +on her grief nor offered any interruption to +the preparations which she made for his +interment.</p> + +<p>Amongst the prisoners who fell into our +hands was Hyder Khan, a son of Dost +Mahommed, and late commandant of the fortress. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +This Chief was discovered hiding in a +privy by a soldier of the Queen's Royals, who +would have bayonetted him but for the timely +interference of one of his officers, who chanced +to be near the spot. The Affghan leader was +immediately brought before Sir John Keane, +and the Shah being present rated him soundly +for his treachery. He replied only by a +haughty look of defiance, and was consigned to +a tent closely guarded by Sepoys. The sword +found upon this Chief, and which is at present +in the possession of Sir John Keane, was +valued at 14,000 rupees.</p> + +<p>Of the many prisoners we had taken, the +capture of none afforded such gratification as +that of Ghool Mahommed Khan, to whose bad +faith some of our past privations had been +owing. This Chief had entered into a contract +with Sir Alexander Burnes, to establish magazines +of provisions and corn at Quettah, for +the use of the British troops, and five thousand +rupees were paid over to him for the purpose. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +He purchased up all the corn of the surrounding +districts, but instead of fulfilling his agreement +he forwarded it to Ghuznee for the use +of the garrison, and was amongst the most +conspicuous defenders of the fortress. On +being brought before the Shah his Majesty +ordered him to be bowstringed, but before the +sentence could be carried into effect he managed +to escape. His treachery failed in its object, +for the greater portion of the flour and +grain which he had supplied now fell into our +hands. We also found from five to six hundred +horses in the stables of the fortress, all of which +were in excellent condition, and ranging in +value from seventy to a hundred pounds +each.</p> + +<p>I entered the fort shortly after it surrendered +and at every step spectacles of the most +shocking and revolting nature met the eye. +Round a long twenty pounder, which was +planted to the right of the entrance, lay heaps +of dead Affghans, who appeared to have attached +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +the greatest importance to the service +of this piece from the numbers who crowded +to perform the duty whenever our fire killed +those engaged in it. The agonising cries and +groans of the wounded wretches who lay +stretched at every side, and who craved drink +to sate their burning thirst, struck those who +had not been engaged in the fearful excitement +of the scene with horror and pity, whilst at +every turning a horse, wild with the injuries he +had received, was to be met galloping furiously +along the narrow streets, and treading the +bodies of the dying and dead under foot. +Advancing through the bazaar, my attention +was drawn towards a venerable looking Affghan, +who was seated on the ground with his back +propped against a wall, and whose richly ornamented +muslin robes were stained with blood, +which flowed profusely from a wound in his +breast. A fine looking youth of about fourteen +years of age was attempting to stanch it, and +I hastened to proffer my assistance. The old +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +man, however, pushed me back, and would not +let me approach him, plainly indicating by his +gestures that he held me and my countrymen +in abhorrence. Whilst standing at a short +distance from him, a straggling ball came +whizzing past me, whether intentionally or accidentally +I cannot say, and put an end to his +sufferings. Some soldiers, who afterwards examined +the person of this old chief, for such +from his attire I took him to be, discovered +amongst other things an extremely well executed +map, on which the whole of the route of +our troops from the point at which we had +disembarked to our arrival at Ghuznee was +plainly indicated.</p> + +<p>Some of the Affghan women were occasionally +to be met turning over the bodies of the +dead, in the hope of being able to discover +their relations or friends, and giving way to +their grief in the most heart-rending lamentations. +They were the most superior class of +women I had as yet seen amongst the Asiatics, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +their features being regular, and finely formed, +and their eyes piercing, but at the same time +soft in their expression. Although nothing +like violence was used towards them, they did +not escape some incivilities at the hands of our +men, owing to the fact that a number of Affghan +soldiers had attempted to escape in female +disguise.</p> + +<p>Various were the adventures related amongst +us, as having occurred on the first entrance of +our troops into the fortress. A Scotchman, +belonging to my own regiment, named James +Hamilton, who was known to be an inveterate +snuff-taker was discovered in a tobacconist's +shop in the bazaar literally covered from head to +foot with the contents of the <i>chatties</i> or jars +with which it was filled, and testing the +qualities of each with an air of the most exquisite +relish, his nose having been long a stranger +to its favourite aliment. The ruling passion +was exemplified in different ways in others. +Some sought for drink, of which there was +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +little to be obtained and others for gold, which +we had every reason to believe was plentiful, if +we knew but where to find it. A soldier of the +13th Light Infantry, more fortunate than his +fellows, lit unexpectedly on a jar which was +filled to the brim with gold pieces to the value +it is said of Ā£600 sterling, and conveyed it +secretly to the camp. Becoming apprehensive +that this large sum would be discovered on +him, and that he would be obliged to give it up +to the prize agent, he distributed it amongst +several of his comrades in order that they +might take care of it. The possession of +so much wealth turning the heads of his +trustees they thought they might allow themselves +a few indulgences at his expence, but +their excesses ultimately betrayed the secret +and they were compelled to hand over the +money to the common fund.</p> + +<p>As the soldiers severally left the fortress to +return to the camp they were stripped of the +plunder which they had obtained, and a goodly +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +heap of armour and weapons of every kind +was soon piled before the entrance. Amongst +the number of curious articles obtained in +this way was an old shield, which had belonged +to one of the Affghan chiefs and +which, though remarkable for the oddness of +its construction, presented little else to attract +the eye. Its material appeared to be a compound +of copper and some white metal, and it +was thrown aside by the prize agent amongst +the most valueless of the objects which fell +under his care. A soldier of the Bengal European +regiment, who had been a jeweller by +trade, happened to observe the circumstance, +and carelessly taking up the shield, as if to +examine the devices with which it was ornamented, +scrutinized it for some time, and went +away without making the slightest observation. +He immediately repaired to the Captain of his +company, and told him to bid for the shield +at the prize sale which was to take place a few +days afterwards, advising him not to stop at +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +any reasonable price for it. The officer acted +on the hint, and obtained the article for about +thirty or forty rupees. The shield turned out +to be of the purest and finest gold, and the +fortunate possessor felt so grateful to his informant +that he made him a present sufficient +to purchase his discharge, and carry him home +to England.</p> + +<p>Amongst the different ensigns captured from +the enemy on this occasion were two banners +of green and crimson silk, trimmed with gold +lace and inscribed with precepts from the +Koran. They were desperately defended, the +Affghans appearing to attach great importance +to their safety. They are, I believe, at present +in the possession of her Majesty's 17th Light +Infantry, and the Bengal European Regiment.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the breach had been effected +intelligence was brought to the <ins class="corr" title="Commander-in +Chief">Commander-in-Chief</ins>, +that numbers of the enemy were making +their escape through one of the back gates. +He immediately dispatched the 1st Bombay +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +Light Cavalry in pursuit. The Affghans +being daring horsemen, and better mounted than +our men, made at once for the hills, where +they knew our Cavalry could not follow. +Aware of this our men put their horses to their +utmost speed, in order to intercept them before +they got entangled in the defiles. The chase +soon assumed a character of lively interest. +An Affghan, worse mounted, or less skilled in +horsemanship <ins class="corr" title="then">than</ins> his fellows, was +overtaken +and cut down, and the pursuers pressed hard +on the heels of another. The cheers of his +enemies, and the clatter of their horses' hoofs +sounding fearfully near in the ears of the pursued +he put the noble animal on which he was +mounted to its utmost speed, and cleared the +space between him and his companions at a +bound rather than a gallop. Again he was +almost within reach of the sabres of our men, +and again did the fleetness of his horse place +him for a time in safety. As he was about to +plunge into a deep ravine after the other fugitives +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +a shot brought his horse upon its knees, +and the rider was flung upon his head. All +now seemed over with him. Starting, however, +to his feet, he turned upon his pursuers, +and single handed opposed a host of them. +Warding off the blows which rained on him +from every side, he kept rapidly retreating +until he gained the brow of a steep declivity +over which he flung himself and was instantly +lost to view. Disappointed in their pursuit, +our men took an unmanly revenge on some +peasants who were peaceably engaged in agricultural +occupations near the spot. One of +these wanton acts of cruelty met with a just +retribution. A havildar or serjeant, seeing a +young Affghan following the plough at a little +distance, galloped up, and made several cuts at +him with his sabre. The young man ran to the +other side of the plough, and placed the serjeant +at bay. The latter drew a pistol from his holster, +and was about to shoot him, when his horse +stumbled over the plough and fell on his side, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +breaking the leg of the havildar and pinning +him at the same time firmly to the ground. +The Affghan seized the sword which had fallen +from his grasp, and dealt him a blow on the +head which instantly killed him. The comrades +of the dead man riding up surrounded +and captured the peasant, and he was brought +into camp to abide the decision of the Commander-in-Chief. +A representation having +been made to Sir John Keane of the wanton and +unprovoked attack which had been made upon the +prisoner, he immediately ordered him to be +liberated. The havildar was interred on the +spot where he fell and there were few in the +army who pitied or regretted him.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_9"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Attempt to Assassinate the Shah.—Court Martial on an +Affghan Chief.—Visit to the Hospital at Ghuznee.—Hatred +of the Affghans towards the Native Troops.—Departure from +Ghuznee.—Capture of a Battery and Fatal Accident.—Summary +Punishment.—Arrival at Cabul.—Pursuit of Dost +Mahommed and Treachery of a Native Chief.—Description of +Cabul.—The Balar Hissar.—Mosque of the Emperor +Baber.—The Bazaar.</p> + +<p>A few days after the taking of Ghuznee a +tragical scene occurred, which pretty clearly +indicated how the tide of popular feeling ran +with regard to the restored monarch. There +is a poetical superstition that approaching +events are often foreshadowed, and the circumstance +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +to which I allude seemed to impress +every man's mind at the time with the result +that has since happened.</p> + +<p>The majority of the prisoners who fell into +our hands were released on condition of their +serving in the Shah's army, but there remained +about thirty who refused to accept of their +liberty on such terms. They consisted for the +most part of the immediate followers of Dost +Mahommed's father-in-law, and were devotedly +attached to that prince. The Shah, on learning +the <ins class="corr" title="circumstanee">circumstance</ins> ordered them to be +brought before +him, and expostulated with them on the folly +of their conduct. A Chief of haughty bearing +stepped from amongst the prisoners, and +after overwhelming his Majesty with reproaches, +told him that nothing should induce him to +enter the service of a man who had brought +the horrors of foreign invasion on his country. +Then suddenly snatching a dagger from one +of the attendants, he rushed with uplifted arm +towards the Shah, and would have pierced him +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +to the heart had not one of his Majesty's servants +interposed his person, and received the +blow intended for his master. The faithful +domestic fell dead at the feet of the Shah, +and the officers and attendants instantly rushed +towards the assassin with drawn swords; but +he had already anticipated their intention by +plunging the poniard in his breast. The Shah, +alarmed and exasperated, ordered the whole of +the prisoners to be immediately executed, and +in a few minutes their heads were rolling in +the dust. This terrible scene created great +alarm in the camp, it being at first reported +that his Majesty had been assassinated, but +the apprehensions to which it gave rise were +soon dispelled, by his publicly making his +appearance amongst us.</p> + +<p>A Chief, named Walla Mahommed, who +had persisted in firing on the troops several +hours after the taking of the fort, and in spite +of repeated summonses to surrender, was +brought to a court martial by order of the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +<ins class="corr" title="Commander-in Chief">Commander-in-Chief</ins>, and +sentenced to be shot +within the walls of the fortress. He had +killed three or four of our men, and wounded +one of the Native officers by his obstinate +folly. He met his fate with the most perfect +indifference, for the fear of death cannot be +said to be one of the weaknesses of the Affghan +character.</p> + +<p>I one day paid a visit, with some of my comrades, +to the hospital where the wounded Affghans +had been carried by their friends. It +was situated in the old town, and consisted of +a mud hut, whose thatched roof was broken in +several places, and afforded little or no shelter +against the heat of the sun. The interior was +as filthy and disgusting as it is possible to +conceive. Into a space of about thirty feet by +twelve, were crowded from seventy to a hundred +patients, who were disabled by wounds of +every description, their sufferings being aggravated +tenfold, by the intolerable heat and stench +of the place. They were attended by two +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +elderly men and a youth about fifteen years +of age, who were busily engaged dressing their +wounds, whilst a Faquir was performing certain +charms, by which he <ins class="corr" title="pretented">pretended</ins> he could +restore +them to health. Pitiable and disgusting as the +scene was I could not help laughing at the +mummeries of the fellow. He first placed +some cow dung in the hand of the sufferer, and +holding it in his, saturated it with water and +compelled the patient to smell it. He then +wound up the ceremony by repeating some +prayers over the fumes of a charcoal pan, the +patient repeating after him certain responses +which he directed him to make. This done, +he covered him up with an old blanket, and +ordered him to lay quiet for several hours, +when the cure would be complete. Having of +course received a consideration for all this +trouble, he left his patients to the progress of +the charm, and the discovery, when too late, +that they had been grossly duped.</p> + +<p>Happening to have a quantity of apples +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +with me which I had just plucked from one of +the orchards in the vicinity, I offered them to +the sufferers in the hope that they would in +some degree refresh them. They accepted +them with eagerness which induced some sepoys +who were with me to follow my example. The +Affghans indignantly refused to receive anything +at their hands, and so great was their hatred +of the native troops, that they actually spat +upon the men who showed them this kindness.</p> + +<p>Early in August we resumed our march +towards Cabul, leaving the whole of our sick +and wounded in garrison at Ghuznee. It was +reported that Dost Mahommed intended to +dispute every inch of ground to the capital, but +these valiant resolutions were abandoned as +soon as formed. The only indication of a preconcerted +plan of defence which we met with +on the route, was a battery of sixteen field +pieces which we found planted on an eminence +commanding the entrance to a formidable pass +about midway between Ghuznee and Cabul, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +but which had been deserted by the enemy as +soon as our advanced columns made their appearance. +A party of the Horse Artillery +having been sent to secure the guns and ammunition, +an accident took place which was attended +with fatal consequences. One of the +men having approached a tumbrel with a lighted +pipe a spark fell into it and the whole blew up +with a tremendous explosion, killing two of the +party and severely injuring another.</p> + +<p>The conduct of the inhabitants of the +different villages along this route, whether +influenced by good will or fear, I cannot take upon +myself to say, was friendly and well disposed +towards us. This did not however prevent some +excesses on the part of the native troops, which +Sir John Keane sought to repress by issuing +an order forbidding the men from robbing the +villagers on pain of death. At Chesgow, about +two days march from Ghuznee, a soldier +belonging to the 2nd Bengal Light Cavalry +was observed thieving in the immediate vicinity +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +of the staff lines, and one of Sir John's aides +de camps who watched his proceedings took a +gun from his tent and deliberately lodged its +contents in his side. The unfortunate man +died of the wound, after lingering a few days. +The extreme severity of the punishment and +its informal nature, were bitterly canvassed +amongst the native troops, but it nevertheless +had the effect of preventing a repetition of +the offence.</p> + +<p>Early on the morning of the 7th of August, +we encamped without opposition under the +walls of Cabul, Dost Mahommed and his forces +having fled to the hills at the first news of our +approach. The Commander-in-Chief being +desirous of securing the person of the usurper, +immediately despatched Captain Outram, and +Hadji Khan, a chief supposed to be well affected +towards Shah Soojah, with a thousand Affghans +and a hundred native cavalry in pursuit. +They had not proceeded far from the camp +when it became evident to Captain Outram +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +that treachery was secretly at work, the Affghans +deserting daily, until their number was +diminished to about five hundred. Hadji Khan, +to whose guidance the force was entrusted, led +it by long and circuitous routes, under pretence +that they would thereby more easily intercept +the fugitives, and turned a deaf ear to the +Captain's entreaties that they should proceed +directly across the hills. Wherever a rapid +movement became necessary, the Affghan +managed so that his followers should be delayed +on the route, and there was no sort of impediment +that craft or ingenuity could suggest that +he did not employ to retard the progress of +the troops. Captain Outram having no authority +to act without the aid of the Khan was +obliged to shut his eyes to these manœuvres, +and succeeded after the most urgent persuasion +in inducing the Affghan Chief to proceed at +once to the hills, with a small detachment.</p> + +<p>After traversing the highest parts of the +Hindoo Kosh, a chain of mountains, fifteen +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +thousand feet above the level of the sea, and +extending as far as Bamean, Captain Outram +found that Dost Mahommed had taken refuge +in the territories of an independent Uzbeck +Chieftain then at enmity with the Shah. +Whilst crossing the heights several blue lights +were thrown up by the orders of Hadji Khan, +which the British had reason to believe were +intended to give warning to the enemy. Further +pursuit through a difficult and hostile +territory became of course out of the question, +and the horses being worn out from want of +forage and rest, orders were given for the +return of the party to Cabul. During the +march homeward Hadji Khan contrived to give +the British the slip, and made off to the hills, +rightly calculating that his equivocal conduct +would be severely punished by the Shah. He +was, however, captured before the British left +Cabul, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. +It was said that the Commander-in-Chief was +dissatisfied with the conduct of Captain Outram +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +in this affair, and that he pointedly passed over +his name in the official despatches to mark his +displeasure.</p> + +<p>As several descriptions of Cabul have been +published it will only be necessary for me to +give such of its leading features as are essential +to the completeness of my narrative. The +city lies almost in the centre of a semicircular +chain of hills, the valley in which it is situated +being watered by a noble river which pursues +a serpentine and picturesque route through it, +and divides the town in nearly equal parts. +The bazaar stands at the base of a lofty mountain, +up whose rugged sides straggle rude and +irregular fortifications of no great strength or +importance. The town itself covers a considerable +extent of ground, and the streets are in +general regular and well built as compared with +the other cities of Asia. Towering high above +the other buildings may be observed the mosque +and Balar Hissar or palace of the sovereign. +The latter is surrounded by beautiful gardens +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +and is entered by a large flagged court-way +leading to the principal portal of the edifice. +The proportions of the building are on a scale +commensurate with royalty, the centre being +surmounted by a lofty dome, and the wings of +vast extent. The right wing contains the +stabling of the Shah and chambers of the +household, and the left is appropriated to the +sovereign's own use. The general effect of this +building is heavy, and it conveys the idea of a +prison rather than a palace.</p> + +<p>About half a mile to the right of the palace +stands the mosque which contains the remains +of the Emperor Baber. This temple is one of +the finest I have seen in this part of Asia, +being of great architectural beauty and noble +proportions. It is entirely composed of richly +carved stone-work, and is crowned by a number +of graceful spires and minarets. The interior +is magnificently ornamented with gilding and +sculpture, and the pavement is composed of rich +Mosaics of various coloured marbles. The +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +tomb containing the remains of the Emperor +occupies the centre of the mosque, and is less +elaborately ornamented than any other part of +it, being composed of plain slabs of white +marble on which some extracts from the Koran +are inscribed.</p> + +<p>The bazaar is of circular form, the streets +composing it radiating from an open space in +its centre, and presenting a thronged and busy +aspect. The principal articles of merchandize +which attracted our notice were cashmere shawls +of the richest and most expensive patterns, +and costly silks of every description. A considerable +trade is also carried on in preserved +fruits, which find their way from here to the +most distant parts of Hindostan. In the fruit +market we observed grapes which measured +nearly two inches in circumference; peaches, +whose rich bloom and luscious quality gratified +at once the eye and the palate; and strawberries, +such as the hot houses of Europe, and +all the inventions of horticultural science could +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +not force into existence. As to apples +and pears, fruits prized in the western +hemisphere, they were in such abundance +and of such low price, that they were +only deemed worthy of furnishing food for +cattle. Almost all the necessaries of life were +in equal profusion, beef fetching only a penny, +and mutton twopence the pound. It may be +readily imagined that to the tired and half-starved +soldier, Cabul appeared almost a second +land of promise.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_10"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Triumphant Entry of Shah Soojah into Cabul.—The Cabul +Races.—Death of Brigadier General Arnold.—Sale of the +General's effects.—Arrival of Prince Timour.—The Sikhs.—Murder +of Colonel Herring.—Arrival of money and supplies +from the Upper Provinces.</p> + +<p>It having been announced that early on the +morning of the 8th of August the Shah would +take formal possession of the Balar Hissar, the +troops were under arms and in review order at +ten o'clock. The Commander-in-Chief, the +Politicals, and the whole of the general officers +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +and staff rode up, shortly after, to the tent of +his Majesty, at which I happened that morning +to be stationed as orderly, and were kept +waiting some time. Sir William McNaghten +and Sir Alexander Burnes were at length summoned +to the Shah's presence, and having +remained with him a few minutes, they came out +and informed the Commander-in-Chief, it was +his Majesty's pleasure that the ceremony should +be postponed until three o'clock the same +afternoon. The reason assigned for this alteration +was understood to be an augury pronounced +by his Majesty's priests or soothsayers, +that the hour was unpropitious, an opinion in +which the troops devoutly concurred, the +prospect of broiling for several hours under a +meridian sun not being extremely agreeable.</p> + +<p>At the appointed hour the troops were +again under arms, and salvoes of artillery announced +the Shah's departure from his tent. +His Majesty was, as usual, borne on an elephant, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +the howdah of which was of silver, and +the caparisons crimson and gold. On each +side of him sat Sir William Mc Naghten and +Sir Alexander Burnes, the former attired in +the same court dress which he had worn at +Candahar. His Majesty appeared in excellent +health and spirits, and addressed much of his +conversation to Sir Alexander Burnes, who +seemed to be high in his favour. The Shah's +costume was, as usual, magnificent, his turban +being ornamented with a single diamond, whose +value was estimated at Ā£100,000. Immediately +after came six elephants, containing the ministers +and household of the Shah, and then followed +the Commander-in-Chief, with the whole +of the general officers and staff in brilliant +uniforms, and decorated with their various +orders. The next feature in the procession, +and a ludicrous one it was, was the appearance +of two burly-looking fellows, dressed in red +and yellow, and wearing conical caps, out of +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +which shot two large horns. We at first supposed +they were his Highness's jesters, +but instead of that they turned out to be his +executioners, functionaries far more essential +to the comfort of an Asiatic prince. The +Shah's troops, consisting of two thousand infantry, +brought up the rear, our own lining the +route along which the procession passed. On +approaching the city his Highness was received +with loud acclamations by the populace, who +gave expression to their satisfaction in barbarous +music and salvoes of small fire arms. Many +of the houses were decorated with flowers, and +the windows were crowded with spectators. At +the entrance, and in the courts of the palace, was +stationed a body of about 250 horsemen, whose +steel armour and splendid horses gave them a +martial and imposing appearance. They received +us with stern and scowling looks, which +plainly indicated that their hearts were not in +the ceremony which they were compelled to +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +sanction by their presence. On the Shah's +entrance into the palace he held a durbar, at +which all the British officers were presented to +him, and his Majesty took the opportunity of +expressing to them individually and collectively +his thanks for the exertions which they had +made to replace him on his throne.</p> + +<p>We had several reviews of the troops during +our stay at Cabul, and on each occasion we +were honoured by the Shah's presence. In order +to give his Highness some notion of an English +horse race, it was agreed that the officers +should get up sweepstakes amongst themselves, +which the Shah no sooner heard of, than he +added a splendid gold hilted sword with Damascus +blade. This increased the spirit of +competition, and the Derby or Oaks was +never looked forward to with more eager +interest. The place selected for the course +was a level plain immediately beyond our +lines, and about a mile and a half from the city. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> + +<p>From sixteen to twenty horses belonging to +the officers of the different regiments were +entered for the sword, and it was resolved that +three heats should be run for it, the first six +horses of the first heat being privileged to run +the second, and the third heat being limited to +the first and second horses of the second heat. +It was agreed that the sweepstakes, which +amounted to a considerable sum, should be +divided into three parts, for the different breeds +and ages of cattle so as to prolong the sport for +three or four days.</p> + +<p>Six o'clock in the evening being the time +fixed for the commencement of the races, the +course became crowded, long before that hour, +with anxious spectators, the natives not being +amongst the least eager lookers on at this, to +them, novel scene. The Shah took up his +position near the winning post, attended by +the Politicals, and the Commander-in-Chief, +but his Majesty did not appear to take much +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +interest in the sport, and he left the course +before it was half over.</p> + +<p>The officers rode their own horses and turned +out in gay striped jackets and jockey caps; +so that but for the dark faces and turbaned +heads which every where encountered the eye +it would not have been difficult to imagine +ourselves suddenly transported to Ascot or +Epsom. The word having been given, away +started the competitors in high blood and +spirits; and as the rider belonging to some +particular regiment passed the others in his +career, the men composing it enthusiastically +cheered and hurraed him, others taking up +their shouts as their favourite passed him in +turn, this military favouritism imparting to the +contest a degree of wild excitement such as I +have never witnessed on any similar occasion.</p> + +<p>The second heat was still more warmly +contested, as, according to the regulations +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +above mentioned only the two foremost horses +could be entered for the third. Major Daly +of the 4th Light Dragoons, and an officer of +the 16th Lancers, whose name I now forget, +obtained the precedence, after a hard struggle, +the race being a neck and neck one the entire +way.</p> + +<p>As the two successful officers belonged to +different divisions, one to the Bengal and the +other to the Bombay army, the partizanship +which before had been only regimental now +extended to the two armies, and "Bravo +Bengal," "Bravo Bombay," burst at every +moment from the eager multitudes assembled, +as the riders alternately passed or repassed +each other in the final heat.</p> + +<p>After a contest in which the competitors +themselves almost appeared to feel the influence +which pervaded the crowd, and to think that +the honor of their respective divisions depended +upon their success, Major Daly gained the race +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +by about a neck, and was handed the sword +amid the delighted cheers of the Bombay troops +and the congratulations of his brother officers. +The races continued two days longer, and +afforded a pleasant recreation to the men after +the fatiguing and harassing duties of the last +few months.</p> + +<p>Brigadier General Arnold of the army of the +Indus, having been long suffering under a liver +complaint, breathed his last at Cabul shortly +after our arrival there. This officer was distinguished +for his qualities as a <i>bon vivant</i>, and +having laid in a good store of necessaries for +the campaign, was the only one almost who +fared well amidst the general privations. He +kept an excellent table along the route, and an +invitation to it, was always regarded as +amongst the lucky chances by which fortune +signified her favour. Good living could +not however protect the General against disease, +and he fell ill at Candahar of a malady which +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +is often said to be the result of it. He was +carried from Candahar to Cabul in a palankeen, +and took no part whatever in the events which +occurred between those places. His remains +were interred in the Armenian burial ground, +outside the walls of the city, and his effects +were publicly sold by auction a few days after. +The General had left Bengal with about eighty +camels laden with baggage and necessaries, of +which about five and twenty remained at the +time of the sale. His trunks were filled with +quantities of plate, a goodly provision of snuff +and cigars, and such an immense stock of linen +that it occupied two days of the sale. His cooking +apparatus was most elaborate and ingenious, +and we could not help wondering at the uses to +which the infinite varieties of small and curious +articles of which it was composed were devoted. +The prices at which these effects were sold will +appear incredible to the European reader, but +it must be remembered that it was the scarcity, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +in fact the almost total impossibility of getting +them, that enhanced their value. The cigars +sold at the rate of about two shillings and six +pence each, the snuff at ten shillings an ounce, +a few bottles of beer, a liquor of which no +other officer in the army possessed a drop, at +thirty shillings each, and some choice wines at +from three to four pounds the bottle. The +other things brought proportionate prices, the +shirts fetching from thirty to forty shillings +each. The amount realised at this sale must +have been enormous.</p> + +<p>Prince Timour, the eldest son of Shah +Soojah, arrived at Cabul early in September, +escorted by the troops of Runjeet Singh. We +expected to find the Sikhs an undisciplined +horde of barbarians, but they turned out on the +contrary to be nearly as well organized as ourselves, +being disciplined by French officers, and +marching with the same order and regularity +as a European regiment. Each division was +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +headed by an excellent military band and officered +by the same number of grades as ourselves. +The men were in general about the middle +height, and not so muscular or well formed as +the Affghans. They are made, however, of the +right material for the soldier, being brave, orderly, +and tractable, and though they may be +considered in some respects inferior to the European +troops, they are in my opinion, equal if not +superior, to the Sepoys. A detachment consisting +of the 4th Light Dragoons, the 16th +Lancers, and her Majesty's Queen's Royals, +under the command of Major-General Sir +Thomas Wiltshire, was despatched to receive +the Prince with fitting honors. He was met at +a short distance from the town by the British +escort, and conducted to the palace amid salvoes +of Artillery. The Prince was a fine youth +about one or two and twenty, with a frank +expression of countenance and affable manners. +The meeting between him and his royal +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +father was said to be extremely affecting, and +the Prince was unceasing in his expressions of +gratitude to the British for bringing about this +happy reunion.</p> + +<p>Large supplies of arrack, biscuits, and rice, +together with money to pay the troops, having +been promised from the Upper Provinces, their +arrival was looked forward to with some +anxiety in the camp, as we could not leave +Cabul without them. Information was at +length received that Colonel Herring was on +his way through the Punjaub, and after a +tedious and harassing journey, in which he had +to encounter frequent opposition to his progress +from the mountain tribes, he at length reached +Hyder Khail within one day's march of Cabul. +Riding out alone next morning, for the purpose +of inspecting the country, the Colonel was set +upon by a body of Affghans and barbarously +murdered, his body being plundered of every +article of value he had about him, and his horse +carried off. His mutilated remains were found +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +in the course of the day by some troopers, who +had been sent out in search of him, and brought +to Cabul along with the stores, which reached +that place in safety the same night. He was +interred with military honours in the Armenian +burial-ground, on the following day. The +deceased had been long in the service, and was +a gallant and experienced officer. We heard +that his murderers were captured shortly after +we left Cabul, and put to a dreadful death, by +order of the Shah.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_11"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Institution of the Order of the Doorannee +Empire.—Murder +of a Private of the 13th Light Infantry.—Departure from +Cabul.—Return to Ghuznee.—Accident to the Revd. Mr. +Pigot.—Discovery of the Skeletons of British Soldiers.—Horse- +steaks.—Treachery +of some Ghiljie Chiefs and destruction +of their Fort.—Adventure of a Dragoon.—Loss of a +Cook.</p> + +<p>In order to testify his gratitude towards the +British, the Shah resolved to institute an order +of merit, to be called the order of the Doorannee +Empire, and to confer its respective grades +upon three classes of officers, namely, Generals, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +Brigadier Generals, and Field Officers. A +durbar having been summoned, at which the +Ministers of State, the Politicals, and a number +of British Officers were present, a chapter of +the order was held, and his Majesty, as +Sovereign, invested the Commander-in-Chief, +several general and field officers, and the Politicals +with the decoration, which consisted of +a sort of Maltese cross with a jewel in the +centre. His Majesty was also pleased to express +his desire that every officer, non-commissioned +officer, and private soldier in the army +should receive a silver medal, commemorative +of the campaign, and for this purpose placed a +large sum of money at the disposal of Sir John +Keane. The Queen's sanction has been obtained +to the measure, but the medal has not +as yet been issued.</p> + +<p>Leave had been given by the officers in command +of the different regiments to men entering +the town to carry their side arms, as a protection +in case of chance collision with the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +inhabitants. The facility of obtaining intoxicating +liquors rendered this a contingency of +not unlikely occurrence, and our men soon got +themselves into unpleasant and in some instances +dangerous scrapes. On one occasion, a +private of the 13th Light Infantry having been +drinking rather freely, forced himself into the +apartments of the wife of a respectable inhabitant. +Proceeding to offer her some violence, +her screams alarmed the neighbourhood, and +the soldier was soon surrounded by a host of +angry husbands and fathers, armed with every +description of weapon. He defended himself with +his bayonet for some time, contenting himself +with merely parrying their blows, and had +fought his way into the street, when he +was met by several others of the townspeople, +who set upon the unfortunate fellow and instantly +despatched him. They secreted the +body until night-fall, and then threw it outside +the walls of the town, where it was discovered +next morning. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<p>It having been determined that early in +September part of the forces should set out on +their return homeward, the choice fell upon +her Majesty's 17th Foot, the 2nd or Queen's +Royals, one Company of Foot Artillery, a +detachment of the 4th Light Dragoons, the 1st +regiment of Bombay Light Cavalry, and two +troops of Bombay Horse Artillery, the whole +under the command of Major General Sir +Thomas Wiltshire. It would naturally be +supposed that after so long an absence from +quarters, we hailed this intimation with something +like pleasure, but such was far from +being the fact. We had rioted in profusion +and luxury, and did not relish the idea of +again encountering the privations of the long +and dreary route which lay between us and +India. Added to this we had seen but little +of actual fighting, and the promotions had been +consequently few.</p> + +<p>Promotion and prize money are the all engrossing +subjects of a soldier's ambition, and +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +this speedy return put an end at once to our +long cherished hopes. We well knew that the +restless and turbulent spirit of the Affghan +Chiefs would not permit them to remain long +in subjection to Shah Soojah, and that there +would consequently be more work for the +British troops. Regret and envy of our more +fortunate comrades were therefore the predominant +feelings which pervaded nearly the +whole of the departing troops.</p> + +<p>We left Cabul on the 14th of September, +and arrived at Ghuznee, the scene of our former +exploits, after eight days' march, during +which nothing worthy of mention occurred. +It is astonishing how soon the traces of war +disappear, and the living gaps caused by its +ravages are filled up. The fortress appeared +as perfect in its outline as if the hand of the +destroyer had not recently passed over it, new +gates having been substituted for those which +had been damaged, and the breach immediately +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +above them re-filled with masonry. The inhabitants +of the bazaar had resumed their +accustomed occupations, and scolded, and chaffered, +and jested, and laughed, as if they had +neither lost relatives nor friends, nor dabbled +through mire freshly reeking with their blood. +Familiarity, they say, breeds contempt and +blunts the feelings, and the Asiatic, before +whose eyes such scenes pass almost daily, thinks +of them only as the immutable decrees of fate, +which cannot be shunned, and ought not to be +repined at.</p> + +<p>The sick and wounded, of whom we had +left numbers at Ghuznee, had almost all died, +and were interred in an open space selected for +the purpose outside the walls of the fortress. +The last resting-place of our brave fellows is +situated at the foot of one of the adjacent +mountains, but neither stone nor inscription +indicates the spot.</p> + +<p>The Bengal regiment of Native Infantry, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +whom we found in garrison at Ghuznee on our +return, and whom we left after us, appeared to +be quite as well reconciled to their quarters +as we were at Cabul, although the two +places appeared to me vastly different in point +of health and comfort. The majority of the +inhabitants regarded the troops with a sort of +sullen indifference, but the trading classes +seemed civil enough. The quantities of fish +and game with which the neighbourhood +abounded, afforded the officers a ready means of +dissipating their time, and we would have been +well content to have remained here. Orders +were however given that we should pursue our +route, and we left Ghuznee on the 25th of +September, after a stay of only two or three +days.</p> + +<p>Instead of diverging to the right towards +Candahar, we took the direct route to Quettah, +over the Ghiljie hills. The weather had +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +become intensely cold, and the rivers and +streams were covered with ice, several inches in +thickness. The Rev. Mr. Pigot, our chaplain, +happened to be crossing one of them on a pony, +when the ice gave way with his weight, and +the worthy clergyman was immersed in the +water. The stream was not, however, so deep +as to occasion any alarm for his safety, and +he was speedily rescued from his embarrasment, +with no other inconvenience than being kept +shivering several hours in his wet clothes, his +baggage being at a considerable distance in advance. +The rascally native who preceded us as +guide grinned maliciously, and told him that +if he had not forgotten to say his prayers +setting out the accident would not have happened.</p> + +<p>On encamping, at the close of the first day's +march, from Ghuznee, some soldiers belonging +to the 17th Infantry and Queen's Royals, went +out in search of water, and met with a draw +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +well, which proved to be dry. One of them +descended in order to examine it more closely, +and an exclamation of horror escaped him +as he reached the bottom. On his companions +enquiring the occasion of it, they +learned that he had fallen upon several skeletons, +the identity of which with some soldiers +we had lost on the route upwards was placed +beyond doubt by fragments of military clothing +and regimental buttons which lay scattered +about. Singular to relate, a lark had +built its nest in one of the skulls, and was +found innocently reposing with its young in +this curious receptacle.</p> + +<p>The annoyances to which we had been subjected +during our route upwards, from the +thieving system of warfare pursued by the +Affghans, seemed now at an end. Our road +lay through bleak and desolate hills, where +only a solitary, and timid mountaineer was +occasionally to be seen. Numerous rivers and +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +streams traversed this wild country in every direction, +and relieved us from all apprehensions +on the score of water. Provisions were also +plentiful, as the Commissariat had taken care +to lay in sufficient supplies, and the only inconvenience +which we might be said to have +experienced was the severe cold of the nights. +The barren nature of the country rendered +fuel difficult of obtainment, and the consequence +was that numbers of the troops were +carried off by dysentery.</p> + +<p>The march from Ghuznee to Quettah occupied +about five weeks, and we thought we +should never reach the end of these long chains +of hills. Always ascending and descending +heights of no inconsiderable elevation, the +horses became regularly knocked up with +fatigue, and we were obliged to shoot numbers +of them on the way.</p> + +<p>In a recess in one of these hills, I one day +came upon a singular scene. About nine or +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +ten of the natives were assembled around a +dead horse and while part of them were cutting +steaks from his haunches, the others were +engaged cooking them. Revolting as such a +sight is to European stomachs, I have seen the +time when, on our march upwards, I could +have partaken of these same horse steaks with +infinite relish.</p> + +<p>A few days before our arrival at Quettah, +we requited an atrocious act of treachery, +which had been committed towards us by some +Ghiljie chiefs, with the punishment it richly +merited. About one hundred camel drivers, +who had left us at Candahar, on our way to +Cabul, for the purpose of returning homewards, +took their route over the hills we were +now crossing in order to shorten the journey. +They were met by the Ghiljies with professions +of friendship, and seduced into a mountain +fort under the pretence of hospitality. +They had no sooner entered its walls than +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +their throats were all cut, and their bodies +flung into deep wells for the purpose of concealing +the massacre from the eyes of the +British.</p> + +<p>Information of the fact having been received, +Sir Thomas Wiltshire despatched a Squadron +of her Majesty's 4th Light Dragoons, two +companies of Native Infantry, and two pieces +of artillery to raze the fortress to the ground. +The cavalry started at two o'clock in the +morning, and after a hard gallop of eighteen +miles we arrived in front of the Ghiljie <ins class="corr" title="strong +hold">strong-hold</ins>. It was a small but strongly constructed +fortress, situated on the brow of a steep declivity +and defended by strong wooden gates. +The entrance was commanded by an old iron +carronade, and a number of loopholes for the +discharge of musketry. Not a living soul was +to be seen on the walls, and fearing some +artifice, Major Daly, our commanding officer, +resolved to suspend operations until the artillery +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +came up. As soon as the latter made its +appearance, and the guns were placed in a position +to command the fort, Major Daly ordered +part of the cavalry to dismount and +proceed with loaded carbines to the gate, under +cover of their fire. No opposition was, however<ins class="corr" title="missing +comma added">,</ins> +offered to us, the enemy having fled to +the mountains, and the gates were forced open +in a few minutes.</p> + +<p>The only inhabitants we found in the place +were a few women and children, but we +discovered quantities of the richest silks and +carpets, beside arms and money (consisting +principally of silver coins) the fortress being a +sort of depot for the booty obtained by these +highland marauders.</p> + +<p>One of the cavalry having entered a dwelling +in search of plunder, was suddenly seized +by two or three Ghiljies, who unexpectedly +made their appearance through a sort of trap, +with which almost every house in the fort was +furnished. They placed a bandage over his +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +eyes, and were in the act of passing a rope +round his arms, when the timely approach of +some of his comrades saved him from being +carried off as a prisoner, the enemy disappearing +through the trap the moment they heard +the noise of their footsteps at the entrance. +The troopers would have willingly pursued +them, but the depth and darkness of the subterraneous +passage convinced them it was +something more than a mere cellar, and they +knew that if they once got involved in its +windings they would be completely at the mercy +of the enemy. It is probable that these passages +had outlets without the walls, and that it was +through them the enemy made their escape at +the first news of our approach, the suddenness +and quickness of our movements preventing +them from taking their valuables with them. +There was also abundance of cattle and grain, +of which we brought off large supplies to the +camp. Orders having been given to the Artillery +to blow up the fortress, the women and +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +children were sent out of it, and at five o'clock +the same day the walls were breached, so as to +render them completely useless, and the houses +fired in all directions. After remaining to see +that the work of destruction was complete, we +quitted the place at three o'clock in the morning, +and arrived the same day at the encampment. +The enemy were not entirely without +their revenge, for, following on our footsteps, +and watching us closely, they contrived to carry +off the cook, and three camels laden with the +cooking utensils of the squadron, a loss which +was severely felt, and by some thought ill compensated +by the booty we had obtained.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="chapter_12"> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<p class="chapdesc">Arrival at Quettah.—Storming of the Fortress of +Khelat.—Suicide +of a Trooper belonging to the Horse Artillery.—Departure +from Quettah.—The Bholun Pass.—Dadur.—Bagh.—Breaking +out of the Cholera.—Death of Doctor +Forbes.—Shikarpoor.—Death of Captain Ogle.—Sukkur- +Bukkur.—Death +of Lieutenant Janvrin.—Wedding Ceremonies +of the Natives.—Breaking up of the Bombay Column.—Departure +of Brigadier <ins class="corr" title="Ccott">Scott</ins>.—Boar +Hunt.—Larkhana.—Sehwan.—Kurrachee.—Feast +of the Mohurrum.—Embarkation +and Arrival at Bombay.</p> + +<p>We reached Quettah on the 29th of October, +and the army separated into two divisions +there, one to proceed by the fortress of Khelat, +to punish the Khan for the treacherous trick +which he had played us on our way up, and the +other to return homeward through the Bholun +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +Pass. The force destined for military operations +against Khelat consisted of her Majesty's 2nd +or Queen's Royals, her Majesty's 17th regiment +of Foot, the 35th Bengal Native Infantry, one +company of Foot Artillery, one troop of Horse +Artillery, with the Poona Irregular Horse, the +whole under the command of Major-General +Sir Thomas Wiltshire. As my detachment +was not included in this expedition, owing to +the fatigued condition of the horses, and the +difficulty of procuring forage on the route, I +can only describe the storming of Khelat from +the reports of those who were present at it.</p> + +<p>The fortress of Khelat was very little inferior +to Ghuznee in point of strength, being defended +by strong breastworks and mounted with +large cannon. The garrison consisted of from +twelve to fourteen hundred men, and there was +abundance of provisions and ammunition in the +place. After reconnoitring its position Sir +Thomas Wiltshire resolved on carrying it by +storm, and the affair was a short but brilliant +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +one. A battery was erected on one of the +neighbouring heights, and a well directed fire +soon brought the gates down. The stormers +then rushed up the causeway under cover of +our guns; but before they had reached the +gateway, a heavy fire from the loopholes of the +fortress killed from twenty to thirty of our +troops, amongst whom was Lieutenant Gravatt, +who was gallantly leading them on. A desperate +hand to hand fight then ensued, the enemy +resisting in dense masses, and disputing every +inch of ground; but our men carried all before +them, at the point of the bayonet, and drove +the enemy into the interior of the fortress, +where they were headed by the Khan himself. +The old Chieftain fought with desperation and +though frequently offered quarter, indignantly +refused to accept it. He and the followers by +whom he was surrounded were all bayonetted +on the spot, and in about four hours the whole +of the fortress was in the possession of our +troops. In the immediate vicinity of the place +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +where the Khan was killed, a shocking spectacle +presented itself. His favorite women, about +twelve or fourteen in number, lay heaped +together in a pool of blood, their throats +having been cut by order of the Khan, to prevent +their falling into our hands. A large +quantity of treasure, consisting of specie and +jewels, was found in the citadel, and had the +Cavalry been present more would have fallen +into the hands of our troops, as the enemy +were observed despatching it to the hills, on +camels, through one of the back gates, during +the heat of the assault. Amongst the various +effects which were captured on this occasion +were several boxes of arms and accoutrements, +which had been plundered from us on our way +to Cabul, and a telescope and some books, +which had belonged to one of our officers. +Cattle and grain were also found in great +abundance, and proved of no small service to +the division, on its route homeward, through +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +the Gundava pass. The fortress was completely +dismantled before the departure of the troops, +and the Chiefs and other prisoners liberated on +promising allegiance to the Shah.</p> + +<p>Amongst the residents whom we found at +Quettah on our arrival was a Bombay Parsee, +who had ventured up to that place with supplies, +consisting of tea, sugar, hams, brandy, +beer, wines, and other necessaries. To the +soldier as well as the officer these articles were +a welcome treat, and having plenty of money +to purchase them we soon exhausted the stores of +the enterprising trader who had reason to congratulate +himself on the successful issue of his +trip.</p> + +<p>The morning previous to our departure a +suicide occurred under circumstances which gave +rise to the suspicion that the wretched perpetrator +of it intended to have preluded it by the +crime of murder. A trooper belonging to the +Horse Artillery was placed under arrest for +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +some trifling neglect of duty, and as soon as he +was liberated he took a loaded pistol and went +directly to the tent of the adjutant of his corps +who had fortunately quitted it a few minutes +before. The disappointed trooper returned to +his lines and immediately blew his own brains +out.</p> + +<p>We left Quettah on the 1st of November, +about nine o'clock at night, taking with us the +sick who had been left behind on our way to +Cabul, and who were now sufficiently restored +to proceed homeward. In consequence of the +scarcity of water on the route we were obliged +to make a forced march of eight and twenty +miles, and reached the entrance to the Bholun +Pass at six o'clock the next morning. We +entertained a lively recollection of the reception +we had met with on our former passage +through this defile, and now felt some misgivings +that we should not be allowed to retrace +our steps without a repetition of the favours +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +which were then so liberally showered upon +us. To our great gratification and contentment, +however, the Belochees offered us no +sort of obstruction, and could they have facilitated +our progress through their country, +would, I have little doubt, been well inclined +to do so. We occasionally caught glimpses of +them watching our movements at a respectful +distance, but they never ventured within musket +shot during the whole of our passage. We +lost two or three men from sickness before we +cleared the defile, and found it almost impossible +to inter them from the stony nature of the +strata with which the whole of this district is +covered.</p> + +<p>Quitting the Bholun we proceeded to Dadur, +and thence to Bagh, through a jungle abounding +with every sort of game, but more particularly +deer and wild boar. The troops made +their way with considerable difficulty through +the intricacies of this entangled route, the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +pioneers being in constant requisition to clear +a passage for them.</p> + +<p>On the 24th of November we arrived at +Bagh, a village situated at the Cabul side of +the desert, elsewhere described. The place +consists of a few miserable huts, surrounded by +fields of joharra, and containing only one tank +of stagnant water. Doctor Forbes, of the 1st +Light Cavalry, an officer universally esteemed +for his benevolence, hearing that the +Natives were dying in numbers of the +cholera, immediately hastened to the village +to tender his services. He was seized by the +<ins class="corr" title="epedemic">epidemic</ins>, and returned to his quarters +in a +dying state. The unfortunate gentleman expired +in a few hours afterwards, and was +interred the same day. Five or six of the +European troops were attacked in like manner, +and were immediately hurried to the hospital +tents, where two of them died, but the others +struggled successfully against the disease. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +Brigadier Scott, taking alarm at these unequivocal +evidences of malaria, gave orders that +we should proceed across the desert without a +moment's delay, and we accordingly struck our +tents at four o'clock the same day, carrying our +sick along with us. On reaching the extremity +of the desert we found the 1st regiment of +Bombay Grenadiers, with a large convoy of +provisions and stores for the use of the army. +These supplies should have reached us at the +other side of the Bholun, but the escort had +been attacked by the cholera on the route, and +were obliged to remain stationary until the +disease had abated. We found them nearly all +convalescent and about to continue their route. +We took from them a stock of provisions, and +pursued our march.</p> + +<p>We arrived at Shikarpoor with a great number +of sick who had fallen ill of the epidemic +on the way, and it was resolved that we should +remain here a few days. Shikarpoor is a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +large well built town, and contains two fine +mosques, several roofed bazaars, and two or +three large manufactories. The British Resident +has a fine house here, the gardens of which +are tastefully laid out in the European style. +Notwithstanding the clean looking appearance +of the town it is far from being healthy, and +from ten to twelve of our troops were daily +carried off by the cholera during our stay. +Amongst the number was Captain Ogle of the +4th Light Dragoons, who fell a victim to his +humanity in visiting the sick of his troop. +This lamented gentleman was only in his +thirtieth year, and was a great favourite with +his corps. He was unfortunately a married +man, and had been looking forward with feelings +of eager anticipation to his reunion with +his family. Being of a buoyant and joyous +temperament, his loss was felt severely in the +circle of his brother officers; his ready jest +and imperturbable good humour rendering him +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +the life and soul of the mess table. Captain +Ogle looked upon the private soldier as something +more than a mere automaton placed at +his disposal, and whilst he had always a due +regard for the discipline of the service, he exercised +the power entrusted to him with humanity +and judgment, the act in which he +lost his life being but the last of a countless +series of generous and disinterested offices +which he was in the habit of performing for +those under his command. Few men have left +behind them a memory so associated with +every thing that is valuable and estimable in +social and military life.</p> + +<p>Leaving Shikarpoor, on the 27th of November, +we arrived on the following day at Sukkur +Bukkur, a town situated on the banks of the +Indus, and having its citadel on a rock in the +centre of the river. The cholera rapidly disappeared +here; but we sustained another loss in +the person of Lieutenant Janvrin, the acting +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +Quarter-Master of our detachment, who was +carried off by the small-pox. On the opposite +bank of the river lies Roree, a village remarkable +only for its manufactures, which consist +principally of silks. Several of us having +obtained leave to visit the place, we were +strolling through the bazaar, when we observed +preparations for a wedding in progress. Taking +up a position which enabled us to see what was +passing, without obtruding on the parties concerned, +we waited patiently until the ceremonies +commenced. At the expiration of about a +quarter of an hour the bridegroom made his +appearance in front of the house which contained +his betrothed, and both in person and +attire he was all that a native belle could have +desired. He was a fine, muscular looking +fellow of about seven or eight and twenty, +with handsome features and bold and jaunty air. +He was dressed in a loose robe, of spotless +white, and without any ornaments or weapons +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +whatsoever. Proceeding directly to the door +of the house which contained his Dulcinea he +knocked at it three times with the knuckles of +his right hand and once with his left. He then +threw himself prostrate on a mat which had +been made for the purpose, by the lady's own +hands, and there waited her coming forth. The +door presently opened, and a number of musicians +immediately struck up a wild and discordant +air. A timid and pretty looking +maiden, about fourteen years of age, showily +dressed in different coloured silks, and ornamented +with a nose ring and bangles of pure +gold, at length stepped forth, followed by her +relatives and friends, who formed themselves +into a circle around her. The bridegroom starting +to his feet made a formal claim to the hand +of his affianced and presented her with a +garland of flowers, which she gracefully threw +across her shoulders, in token that she accepted +him, and then suffered him to embrace her. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +Lifting her in his arms he placed her on the +back of a donkey, and they went in procession +to pay visits of ceremony through the town, +the bride distributing sweetmeats to the crowd, +as she passed along. The bridegroom showered +his favours about in the form of some red +powder, which he flung in the faces of all near +him, and especially in those of the Europeans, +of whom there were a good many present. He +half blinded some of us, and conferred as dark +a hue as his own upon others—freaks that appeared +to give infinite delight and amusement +to the natives, but which were not taken in +quite as good part by some testy fellows +amongst us. Having arrived at the house of +the bridegroom's father, the old gentleman +graciously descended, and taking the bride in +his arms, bore her into his dwelling. The +bridegroom remained a few minutes after them, +and flinging some cowries to the musicians and +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +crowd, he made a salaam and darted in after +his <i>inamorata</i>.</p> + +<p>We remained at Sukkur about six weeks, in +consequence of an order forwarded after us by +Sir William Mc Naghten, under the apprehension +that our services would be again +wanted at Cabul. The Indus being navigable +up to the town, we had plentiful supplies of provisions +and other necessaries at moderate prices, +and felt tolerably satisfied with our quarters. +As to the probability of our having to return +to Cabul, the Cavalry felt at ease regarding +the rumours which prevailed, for they well +knew that the condition of their horses put +such a thing completely out of the question. +An order at length arrived that the various +brigades of the Bombay column should be +broken up, and that the troops composing them +should return to their respective quarters. +Brigadier General Scott, and his aides de camp, +accordingly left us by one of the first boats +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +which sailed down the Indus for Bombay, and +we remained under the command of the officers +of our respective regiments.</p> + +<p>We passed our time hunting in the jungles, +in the vicinity of the camp, or in fishing in the +river, both of which proved prolific sources of +amusement. I went out several times to chase +the wild boar, and on one of these occasions +the sport nearly proved fatal to me. Proceeding +with two of my comrades, and a native for +guide, through a dense and almost impenetrable +part of the jungle, we suddenly roused a huge +boar, which turned fiercely upon us, and made +directly at the nearest of its pursuers, which, +as chance would have it, happened to be me. He +had me down on the earth in a twinkling, and +would have made short work of me had not a +well-directed shot from one of my companions +struck him right between the eyes, and tumbled +him lifeless on the ground. The man to +whom I owed my safety exhibited admirable +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +coolness, and self-possession, for the slightest +deviation in his aim would have sent the bullet +through me instead of the object for which it +was intended. It was with the greatest difficulty +we contrived to drag our prize into +camp, for he weighed no less than from twenty-five +to thirty stone, and supplied the troop +with pork chops until we were tired of them.</p> + +<p>The importance of Sukkur as a military position +cannot be exaggerated. It forms the +key to Scinde, and the Indus being navigable +up to the fortress, its supplies do not depend +on season or circumstance. These advantages +have not been overlooked, for it has since +been retained in the possession of our troops, +and will always serve as a <i>point d'appui</i> in any +future operations we may undertake at that +side of the Indus.</p> + +<p>After passing nearly six weeks at Sukkur, +we took the route to Larkhana along the right +bank of the Indus. The road lay, as before, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +through a jungle, and the occasional glimpses +which we caught of the river through the +clearances gave a picturesque effect to the +scenery. We arrived at Larkhana on the 19th +of January, and remained there only one day. +Proceeding thence to Sehwan we reached the +latter place in about four days, and found a +gun boat belonging to the Hon. Company +lying at moorings in the river. We left +Sehwan on the following day, and taking a +farewell of the River Indus we proceeded towards +the coast through a wild and deserted +district, in which we found neither villages nor +inhabitants.</p> + +<p>Within one day's march of Kurrachee we +found a number of tombs richly sculptured +and covered with inscriptions from the Koran, +which were said to contain the remains of +some of the native princes. There being abundance +of excellent water here, and Kurrachee +having the reputation of not being extremely +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +healthy, it was determined that we should +remained encamped here until the Khelat division +formed a junction with us. It was not +till the end of February, however, that the +Khelat forces made their appearance, having +kept us waiting about five weeks, and on the +day after their arrival we marched into Kurrachee +where we found her Majesty's 40th +regiment.</p> + +<p>Kurrachee is situated on the Coast of Belochistan, +and its natural advantages entitle it to +the rank of a first rate sea-port town. It possesses +a fine harbour, in which a seventy-four +gun ship may ride in safety, and which is protected +by the batteries of the town, and the +guns of a fortress occupying an island about +midway between the mainland and the promontory +which forms the harbour. On our +arrival at Scinde, instructions had been forwarded +to Commodore Pepper, by the Commander-in-Chief, +to invest the place, and we +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +accordingly found it in possession of our troops +on our return.</p> + +<p>The town is large but irregularly built, and +is surrounded by walls and bastions, on which +we saw some pieces of cannon, but they were +of small calibre, and of the worst possible +construction. To the north of the town we +observed a superb banyan tree, which extended +its foliage to such a distance, that it formed a +pavilion capable of containing a small stone +mosque for the accommodation of a number of +Faquirs or priests. Of the many curious specimens +of this class that I have met with in +Asia, I have seen none so utterly degraded +and isolated from every thing like humanity. +Their bodies were thickly coated over with +ashes and red paint, and their hair clotted with +filthy moisture. They were surrounded by +every sort of abomination, and howled and +whined like a set of wild beasts. That they +had not reduced themselves to this savage +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +state merely from fanaticism we had abundant +opportunities of discovering, for we saw the +inhabitants of Kurrachee daily pouring into +the temple with rich presents and offerings, +and propitiating their good will by sacrifices +of their most precious and valuable effects. +To the left of the Mosque lies a tank, or +reservoir, about fifty feet long by thirty broad, +in which we saw a number of live alligators, +which are carefully fed by the priests, and +held in the greatest possible veneration and +awe by the deluded votaries who repair +there.</p> + +<p>The feast of the Mohurrum had commenced +a few hours before our arrival, but we were in +time to witness the greater part of it. A short +description of these singular rites may not be +uninteresting to the reader. A hole being dug +in the ground to the depth of about six or eight +feet, fire is placed in it, and the devotees dance +round it, with the most extravagant exclamations +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +and gestures, some dashing square pieces +of iron or brass together, to add to the effect. +According as one set of dancers becomes +fatigued they are replaced by another, and thus +the ceremonies are kept up without intermission +from sunset to daybreak. When the moon is +at its full they march in procession to the +water's side, preceded by their Taboots, a sort +of fantastical temple, constructed of bamboo +and gilt paper. I have seen one of these +temples, at Poona, of such large dimensions +that it required an elephant to draw it, and +cost no less a sum than a thousand rupees. On +reaching the water's side the taboots are thrown +in and allowed to float away with the tide. +This concludes the ceremonies and the wearied +performers are glad to return to their homes.</p> + +<p>On returning towards the lines, from the +Mohurrum, we saw a miserable looking wretch +squatted at the side of the road, who appeared +to be in deep affliction, for he was weeping +bitterly and lamenting his hard fate. I addressed +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +him and inquired into the cause of his +grief. He told me that he had been induced to +become a convert to Christianity by one of +the missionaries, and had been thrust out of the +pale of social intercourse from the moment +the fact became known. He deplored his +having yielded to the arguments of the missionary, +since they had debarred him from +participating in the religious ceremony which +had just terminated, its pomp and circumstance +having evidently made a deeper impression on +his imagination than his conviction. We gave +him some relief and passed on, when our +attention was again directed to him by one of our +companions, who had lingered behind. Several of +the natives had surrounded the poor convert, and +were spitting upon him, and loading him with +the vilest reproaches. We returned to the spot +and compelled them to leave him in peace.</p> + +<p>Amongst the British whom we found on our +arrival at Kurrachee was Mr. Masson, the +author of an interesting work on Affghanistan, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> +which has been lately published. This gentleman +had been originally a private soldier in the +Honourable Company's service, and had risen +through various grades to the profitable civil +employ which he at present holds. He rendered +some important services to the company, +for which they awarded him a pension of Ā£100 +a-year, and much to his credit he settled the +whole of it on his aged mother.</p> + +<p>After remaining at Kurrachee about ten +days, the order was at length issued for the +embarkation of the Cavalry, which was now +limited to my own detachment. Upwards of +thirty <i>pattemars</i> were hired for the voyage, and +from twelve to fourteen men, and an equal +number of horses, were stowed in each. We +had a quick and favourable passage, and arrived +at Bombay on the 10th of March, after an +absence of nearly eighteen months.</p> + +<p class="center"><br /><br />THE END.</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212"></a></span></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_213"></a></span></p> +<p class="center"><big><big>APPENDIX.</big></big></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_214"></a></span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> +<h2><a id="APPENDIX"></a>APPENDIX.</h2> + +<p class="center">FROM THE DELHI GAZETTE <ins class="corr" +title="EXTRAORINARY">EXTRAORDINARY</ins>, +OCTOBER 1, 1842.</p> + +<p><br /><br />"The Right Hon. the Govenor-General of +India having with the concurrence of the +Supreme Council, directed the assemblage of +a British force for service across the Indus, +his Lordship deems it proper to publish the +following exposition of reasons which have led +to this important measure.</p> + +<p>"It is a matter of notoriety that the treaties +entered into by the British Government in the +year 1832 with the Ameers of Scinde, the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +<ins class="corr" title="Nawah">Nawab</ins> of Bahawulpore, and Maharaja Runjeet +Singh, had for their object, by opening the +navigation of the Indus, to facilitate the extension +of commerce, and to gain for the British +nation in Central Asia that legitimate influence +which an interchange of benefits would naturally +produce.</p> + +<p>"With a view to invite the aid of the <i>de facto</i> +rulers of Afghanistan to the measures necessary +for giving full effect to those treaties, +Captain Burnes was deputed, towards the close +of the year 1836, on a mission to Dost Mahomed +Khan, chief of Cabul: the original +objects of that officer's mission were purely +of a commercial nature.</p> + +<p>"Whilst Captain Burnes, however, was on his +journey to Cabul, information was received by +the Governor-General that the troops of Dost +Mahomed Khan had made a sudden and unprovoked +attack on those of our ancient ally, +Maharaja Runjeet Singh. It was naturally to +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +be apprehended that his Highness the Maharaja +would not be slow to avenge this aggression, +and it was to be feared that the flames of war +being once kindled in the very regions into +which we were endeavouring to extend our +commerce, the peaceful and beneficial purposes +of the British Government would be altogether +frustrated. In order to avert a result so +calamitous, the Governor-General resolved on +authorising Captain Burnes to intimate to Dost +Mahomed Khan, that if he should evince a disposition +to come to just and reasonable terms +with the Maharaja, his Lordship would exert +his good offices with his Highness for the +restoration of an amicable understanding between +the two Powers. The Maharaja, with +the characteristic confidence which he has uniformly +placed in the faith and friendship of the +British nation, at once assented to the proposition +of the Governor-General, to the effect +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> +that in the mean time hostilities on his part +should be suspended.</p> + +<p>"It subsequently came to the knowledge of +the Govenor-General that a Persian army was +besieging Herat; that intrigues were actively +prosecuted throughout Affghanistan, for the +purpose of extending Persian influence and +authority to the banks of, and even beyond, the +Indus; and that the Court of Persia had not +only commenced a course of injury and insult +to the officers of Her Majesty's mission in the +Persian territory, but had afforded evidence of +being engaged in designs wholly at variance +with the principles and objects of its alliance +with Great Britain.</p> + +<p>"After much time spent by Captain Burnes +in fruitless negotiation at Cabul, it appeared +that Dost Mahomed Khan, chiefly in consequence +of his reliance upon Persian encouragement +and assistance, persisted, as respected his +misunderstanding with the Sikhs, in urging the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +most unreasonable pretensions, such as the +Governor-General could not, consistently with +justice and his regard for the friendship of +Maharajah Runjeet Singh, be the channel of +submitting to the consideration of his Highness; +that he avowed schemes of aggrandizement +and ambition injurious to the security and +peace of the frontiers of India; and that he +openly threatened, in furtherance of these +schemes, to call in every foreign aid which he +could command. Ultimately, he gave his +undisguised support to the Persian designs in +Affghanistan, of the unfriendly and injurious +character of which, as concerned the British +power in India, he was well apprised; and by +his utter disregard of the views and interests of +the British Government compelled Captain +Burnes to leave Cabul without having effected +any of the objects of his mission.</p> + +<p>"It was now evident that no further +<ins class="corr" title="inteference">interference</ins> could be exercised by +the British +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> +Government to bring about a good understanding +between the Sikh ruler and Dost Mahomed +Khan; and the hostile policy of the latter +chief showed too plainly that so long as Cabul +remained under his government we could never +hope that the tranquillity of our neighbourhood +would be secured, or that the interests of our +Indian empire would be preserved inviolate.</p> + +<p>"The Governor-General deems it in this +place necessary to revert to the siege of Herat +and the conduct of the Persian nation. The +siege of that city had now been carried on by +the Persian army for many months. The +attack upon it was a most unjustifiable and +cruel aggression, perpetrated and continued +notwithstanding the solemn and repeated remonstrances +of the British Envoy at the Court +of Persia, and after every just and becoming +offer of accommodation had been made and +rejected. The besieged have behaved with +gallantry and fortitude worthy of the justice of +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +their cause, and the Govenor-General would +yet indulge the hope that their heroism may +enable them to maintain a successful defence +until succours shall reach them from British +India. In the mean time the ulterior designs +of Persia, affecting the interests of the British +Government, have been by a succession of +events, more and more openly manifested. +The Governor-General has recently ascertained, +by an official despatch from Mr. M'Neil, Her +Majesty's Envoy, that his Excellency has been +compelled, by the refusal of his just demands, +and by a systematic course of disrespect adopted +towards him by the Persian Government, to +quit the court of the Schah, and to make a public +declaration of the cessation of all intercourse +between the two Governments. The necessity +under which Great Britain is placed of regarding +the present advance of the Persian arms +into Affghanistan as an act of hostility towards +herself, has also been officially communicated +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +to the Schah, under the express order of Her +Majesty's Government.</p> + +<p>"The chiefs of Candahar (brothers of Dost +Mahomed Khan, of Cabul) have avowed their +adherence to the Persian policy, with the same +full knowledge of its opposition to the rights +and interests of the British nation in India, +and to have been openly assisting in the +operations against Herat.</p> + +<p>"In the crisis of affairs consequent upon the +retirement of our Envoy from Cabul, the +Governor-General felt the importance of taking +immediate measures for arresting the rapid +progress of foreign intrigue and aggression +towards our own territories.</p> + +<p>"His attention was naturally drawn, at this +conjuncture, to the position and claims of Schah +Sooja-ool-Moolk, a monarch who, when in +power, had cordially acceded to the measures +of united resistance to external enmity which +were, at that time judged necessary by the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +British Government, and who, on his empire +being usurped by its present rulers, had found +an honourable asylum in the British dominions.</p> + +<p>"It had clearly been ascertained, from the +information furnished by the various officers +who have visited Afghanistan, that the Barukzye +chiefs, from their disunion and unpopularity, +were ill-fitted, under any circumstances, +to be useful allies to the British Government, +and to aid us in our just and necessary measures +of national defence. Yet so long as they +refrained from proceedings injurious to our +interests and security, the British Government +acknowledged and respected their authority. +But a different policy appeared to be now more +than justified by the conduct of those chiefs, +and to be indispensable to our own safety. +The welfare of our possessions in the East +requires that we should have on our western +frontier an ally who is interested in resisting +aggression and establishing tranquillity, in the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +place of chiefs ranging themselves in subservience +to a hostile Power, and seeking to +promote schemes of conquest and aggrandisement.</p> + +<p>"After a serious and mature deliberation, +the Governor-General was satisfied that pressing +necessity, as well as every consideration of +policy and justice, warranted us in espousing +the cause of Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk, whose +popularity throughout Affghanistan had been +proved to his Lordship by the strong and +unanimous testimony of the best authorities. +Having arrived at this determination, The +Governor-General was further of opinion that +it was just and proper, no less from the position +of Maharaja Runjeet Singh, than from his +undeviating friendship towards the British +Government, that his Highness should have the +offer of becoming a party to the contemplated +operations. Mr. Macnaghten was accordingly +deputed in June last to the Court of his +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> +Highness, and the result of his mission has +been the conclusion of a tripartite treaty by +the British Government, the Maharaja, and +Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk, whereby his Highness +is guaranteed in his present possessions, and has +bound himself to co-operate for the restoration +of the Schah to the throne of his ancestors. +The friends and enemies of any one of the contracting +parties have been declared to be the +friends and enemies of all. Various points +have been adjusted which had been the subject +of discussion between the British Government +and his Highness the Maharaja, the identity +of whose interests with those of the hon. +Company has now been made apparent to all the +surrounding States. A guaranteed independence +will, upon favourable conditions, be +tendered to the Ameers of Scinde; and the +integrity of Herat, in the possession of its +present ruler, will be fully respected; whilst, by +the measures completed or in progress it may +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +reasonably be hoped that the general freedom +and security of commerce will be promoted; +that the name and just influence of the British +Government will gain their proper footing +among the nations of central Asia; that +tranquillity will be established upon the most +important frontier in India, and that a lasting +barrier will be raised against hostile intrigue and +encroachment.</p> + +<p>"His Majesty Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk will +enter Affghanistan surrounded by his own +troops, and will be supported against foreign +interference and factious opposition by a British +army. The Governor-General confidently hopes +that the Schah will be speedily replaced on +his throne by his own subjects and adherents; +and when once he shall be secured in power, +and the independence and integrity of Affghanistan +established, the British army will be +withdrawn.</p> + +<p>"The Governor-General has been led to +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +these measures by the duty which is imposed +upon him of providing for the security of the +British Crown; but he rejoices that in the +discharge of his duty he will be enabled to +assist in restoring the union and prosperity of +the Affghan people. Throughout the approaching +operations British influence will be sedulously +employed to further every measure of +general benefit, to reconcile differences, to +secure oblivion of injuries, and to put an end +to the distractions by which, for so many years, +the welfare and happiness of the Affghans +have been impaired.</p> + +<p>"Even to the chiefs whose hostile proceedings +have given just cause of offence to the +British Government, it will seek to secure +liberal and honourable treatment, on their tendering +early submission, and ceasing from opposition +to that course of measures which may +be judged the most suitable for the general +advantage of their country. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> + +<p>"By order of the Right Hon. the Governor-General +of India,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="rind">"W. H. MACNAGHTEN,</span><br /> +<br /> +"Secretary to the Governor of India,<br /> +<span class="rind">with the Governor-General."</span></p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p class="center">"NOTIFICATION</p> + +<p>"With reference to the preceding declaration, +the following appointments are made;—</p> + +<p>"Mr. W. H. Macnaghten, secretary to +Government, will assume the functions of +Envoy and Minister, on the part of the Government +of India, at the Court of Schah +Sooja-ool-Moolk; Mr. Macnaghten will be +assisted by the following officers:—</p> + +<p>"Captain Alexander Burnes, of the Bombay +establishment, who will be employed under +Mr. Macnaghten's direction, as Envoy to the +chief of Khelat, or other states. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Lieutenant E. D'Arcy Todd, of the +Bengal Artillery, to be political assistant and +military secretary to the Envoy and Minister.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger, of the Bombay +Artillery; Lieutenant R. Leech, of the +Bombay Engineers; Mr. P. B. Lord, of the +Bombay Medical Establishment, to be political +assistants to ditto ditto.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant E. R. Conolly, of the 6th +Regiment Bengal Cavalry, to command the +escort of the Envoy and Minister, and to be +military assistant to ditto ditto.</p> + +<p>"Mr. G. J. Berwick, of the Bengal Medical +Establishment, to be surgeon to ditto ditto.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="rind">"W. H. MACNAGHTEN,</span><br /> +<br /> +"Secretary to the Governor of India,<br /> +<span class="rind">with the Governor-General."</span></p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN +AFFGHANISTAN***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 33496-h.txt or 33496-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a +href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/3/4/9/33496">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/ +4/9/33496</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Scenes and Adventures in Affghanistan + + +Author: William Taylor + + + +Release Date: August 23, 2010 [eBook #33496] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN +AFFGHANISTAN*** + + +E-text prepared by Asad Razzaki and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images +generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries +(http://www.archive.org/details/americana) + + + +Note: Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + http://www.archive.org/details/scenesadventures00taylrich + + +Transcriber's note: + + Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been retained as in + the original. + + Some typographical and punctuation errors have been corrected. A + complete list follows the text. + + Text italicized in the original are surrounded by underscores + (_italics_). + + The 'oe' ligature is represented as oe. + + Pound symbol (lb with a bar) represented as lb. + + + + + +SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN AFFGHANISTAN, + +by + +WILLIAM TAYLOR, + +Late Troop Serjeant-Major of the Fourth Light Dragoons. + + + + + + + +London: +T. C. Newby, 65, Mortimer St., Cavendish Sq. +And +T. & W. Boone, 29, New Bond Street. +1842. + +T. C. Newby, Printer, 65, Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square. + + + + + TO + + FLORENTINE LADY SALE, + + THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE INSCRIBED + + AS A + + TRIBUTE OF RESPECT AND ADMIRATION + + FOR THE + + HEROISM BY HER DISPLAYED + + DURING THE LATE + + CAMPAIGN IN AFFGHANISTAN. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + Preface. + + CHAPTER I. + + Proclamation of Lord Auckland. The Ghauts. Fatal + Practical Joke. Embarkation at Bombay. Mishap at + Sea. Landing at Bominacote. Review of the troops + by Sir John Keane. Suicide of Lieutenant Fyers. + Advance upon Scinde. Tattah. The Moslems and + Hindoos. Tombs of Tattah. Hindoo Superstition. + Adventure of a Dak, or Native Postman. Death of + a Smuggler. Jurruk. Belochee Thefts. Feat of a + Native Trooper. + + CHAPTER II. + + Singular fate of Three Officers of the Queen's + Royals. Evacuation of Jurruk by the Inhabitants. + Desertion of Camel Drivers. Preparations for the + attack and defence of Hyderabad. Submission of + the Ameers. Consternation of the Natives at the + arrival of a Steamer in the Indus. Baida. + Accident to a Dragoon. The Lukkee Pass. Kotiah. + Loss of Two Soldiers of the 17th Foot. Sehwan. + Arrival of Sir Henry Fane. Asiatic Jugglers. + Conversion of a European Soldier to the + Mahommedan Faith. + + CHAPTER III. + + Larkhana. Departure of the Commander-in-Chief + for Candahar. Capture of Belochee Thieves. + Ludicrous scene in the Bazaar. Tremendous + Hurricane. An Irish Colonel's appeal to his men. + Murder of Cooks belonging to the Army. A Native + Funeral. The Bholun Pass. Massacre of Camp + Followers. Ill-timed Merriment. Animal Instinct. + + CHAPTER IV. + + Skirmish with the Enemy. Belochee Waggery. + Cleverly planned Capture of a Bruhee. Sufferings + from want of water. Valley of Shawle. Quettah. + Belochee Cruelties. Adventures in a Stone + Quarry. Treachery of the Khan of Khelat. Murder + of another Cook. Poisoning of the Wells. + Fortunate Discovery. + + CHAPTER V. + + The Khojuck Pass. Descent of the Troops. + Shocking Death of a Camel Driver. Detection and + Escape of an Affghan Thief. Loss of Cavalry + Horses. Candahar. Arrival of Shah Soojah. + Condition of the Troops. Attempt of the Natives + to cut off a Convoy of Provisions. Asiatic + Mendicants. The Mosque at Candahar. Arrival of + Affghan Auxiliaries. + + CHAPTER VI. + + Installation of Shah Soojah. Attack on the Camel + Guards. Heroism of an Affghan Youth. Murder of + Cornet Inverarity of the 16th Lancers. Departure + from Candahar. The Ghiljie Hills. Locusts. + Arrival of new Auxiliaries. Camel Batteries. + Hyder Khail. Arrival at Ghuznee. Tomb of + Mahommed. Remains of the Old Town of Ghuznee. + + CHAPTER VII. + + Reconnaisance of the Fortress. Skirmish with the + Enemy. Rejoicing of the Garrison at our Supposed + Defeat. Preparation for a Coup de Main. Engineer + Operations. Storming and Taking of the Fortress. + + CHAPTER VIII. + + An Affghan Heroine. Capture of Hyder Khan the + Commandant of Ghuznee. Escape of Ghool Mahommed + Khan. Singular Discovery of a Map on the person + of an Affghan Chief. Description of the Affghan + Women. The Ruling Passion. Treasuretrove. The + Golden Shield. Chase of the Enemy. Just + Retribution. + + CHAPTER IX. + + Attempt to Assassinate the Shah. Court Martial + on an Affghan Chief. Visit to the Hospital at + Ghuznee. Hatred of the Affghans towards the + Native Troops. Departure from Ghuznee. Capture + of a Battery. Fatal Accident. Summary + Punishment. Arrival at Cabul. Pursuit of Dost + Mahommed and Treachery of a Native Chief. + Description of Cabul. The Balar Hissar. Mosque + of the Emperor Baber. The Bazaar. + + CHAPTER X. + + Triumphant Entry of Shah Soojah into Cabul. The + Cabul Races. Death of Brigadier General Arnold. + Sale of the General's effects. Arrival of Prince + Timour. The Sikhs. Murder of Colonel Herring. + Arrival of money and supplies from the Upper + Provinces. + + CHAPTER XI. + + Institution of the Order of the Doorannee + Empire. Murder of a Private of the 13th Light + Infantry. Departure from Cabul. Return to + Ghuznee. Accident to the Revd. Mr. Pigot. + Discovery of the Skeletons of British Soldiers. + Horse-steaks. Treachery of some Ghiljie Chiefs + and destruction of their Fort. Adventure of a + Dragoon. Loss of a Cook. + + CHAPTER XII. + + Arrival at Quettah. Storming of the Fortress + of Khelat. Suicide of a Trooper belonging to the + Horse Artillery. Departure from Quettah. The + Bholun Pass. Dadur. Bagh. Breaking out of the + Cholera. Death of Doctor Forbes. Shikarpoor. + Death of Captain Ogle. Sukkur-Bukkur. Death of + Lieutenant Janvrin. Wedding Ceremonies of the + Natives. Breaking up of the Bombay Column. + Departure of Brigadier Scott. Boar Hunt. + Larkhana. Sehwan. Kurrachee. Feast of the + Mohurrum. Embarkation and Arrival at Bombay. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The following narrative is put forth with all the diffidence and +apprehension that a mind unaccustomed to literary pursuits, and limited +in its opportunities of improvement, naturally feels on presenting +itself for the first time to the notice of the public. The doubts I +entertain, regarding the prudence of the step I have taken, are in no +small degree increased by the circumstances under which the work has +been executed, the details having been entirely furnished from memory, +and without the aid of any sort of data or memoranda. I should never +have dreamt of undertaking such a task, had not the partiality of good +natured, though perhaps misjudging friends, overcame the scruples which +a consciousness of my own deficiencies excited, and induced me to commit +to paper the scenes with which they professed themselves to have been +amused. + +Having candidly admitted the demerits of the work, I may now be allowed +to say a few words in its favour. Should it be taken up in the +expectation of supplying materials for the defence of an erroneous +policy, or the gratification of party spleen, it will fall short of the +hopes of the reader, for I have endeavoured to steer clear of every +thing like political allusion in the fear of adding to difficulties, +which already appeared sufficiently formidable, and of wrecking my +little bark on a stormy and troubled sea. Mine is the simple, +straightforward narrative of a soldier, more accustomed to wield the +sword than the pen, and caring little for the conflicting interests or +animosities of party. With such a small amount of profession, it is not +unreasonable to hope that the public will extend towards it some portion +of that generous indulgence with which it is ever wont to regard the +literary efforts of the humbler classes. + +_London, December 10th, 1842._ + + + + +AFFGHANISTAN. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +Proclamation of Lord Auckland.--The Ghauts.--Fatal Practical +Joke.--Embarkation at Bombay.--Mishap at Sea.--Landing at +Bominacote.--Review of the troops by Sir John Keane.--Suicide of +Lieutenant Fyers.--Advance upon Scinde.--Tattah.--The Moslems and +Hindoos.--Tombs of Tattah.--Hindoo Superstition.--Adventure of a Dak, or +native Postman.--Death of a Smuggler.--Jurruk--Belochee Thefts.--Feat of +a Native Trooper. + + +Towards the latter end of August 1838, rumours reached Bombay and the +various military stations in the Deccan, that the troops were about to +be called into active service, and that the scene of operations was to +be at a distance from our Indian territories. The extensive +preparations soon after set on foot, and the unusual activity observable +in the various arsenals of the Presidency, left no doubt as to the truth +of these reports, and the only subject of speculation that remained was, +the precise destination of the forces. Public curiosity was at length +set at rest, by the arrival of a proclamation from the Governor General, +directing the assemblage of an army for service across the Indus, and +explaining at length the intentions of Government. It will not be +necessary for the purposes of this narrative that I should canvass the +merits of this remarkable document, or enter upon a discussion of the +policy on which it was founded. Sufficient is it for me to say that the +objects which it professed, were the protection of our commerce, and the +safety of our Indian frontiers, both of which were menaced by the +intrigues and aggressions of Persia. Having detailed the steps taken by +Dost Mahommed in furtherance of the views of that power, and expressed +its conviction, that as long as Cabul remained under his government +there was no hope that the interests of our Indian empire would be +preserved inviolate, the proclamation proceeded to state, that pressing +necessity, as well as every consideration of policy and justice, +justified us in replacing on the throne of Afghanistan, Shah +Sooja-ool-Moolk, a monarch who, when in power, had cordially acceded to +the measures of joint resistance to external aggression which were at +that time judged necessary by the British government; and who on his +empire being usurped by its present rulers had found an honorable asylum +in the British dominions. Such in a few words were the objects set forth +in Lord Auckland's proclamation and never has unfortunate state paper +been assailed with such hostility and bitterness. Whether the censures +with which it has been visited are deserved or not I will leave to +others to decide, contenting myself with the observation, that failure +and success are but too apt to sway men's judgments and to give a +character to the circumstances that have led to them. + +The Bombay troops ordered to form part of the army of the Indus +consisted of her Majesty's 2nd, or Queen's Royals, the 17th regiment of +Foot, 307 of her Majesty's 4th Light Dragoons, the 1st regiment of +Bombay Light Cavalry, two troops of the Honorable Company's Horse +Artillery, one company of Foot Artillery, the 19th regiment of Native +Infantry, the Poona Irregular Horse, with the Sappers and Miners, the +whole constituting an effective force of about 6,000 men, under the +command of Lieutenant-General Sir John Keane. + +The 4th Light Dragoons were stationed at Kirkee, about 70 miles from +Bombay, when orders arrived that the detachment should proceed to the +Presidency, for the purpose of embarking for its destination. We left +our cantonments early in November, and overtook the Artillery, which had +preceded us from Poona, at the Ghauts. We halted here two days, and +were joined by her Majesty's 17th regiment of Foot, shortly after our +arrival. Short as was our stay, it was signalised by one of those +practical jokes which so often terminate in fatal results, but which, +unfortunately, seem to have no effect in rendering people cautious. Some +artillerymen having been out shooting game, one of them brought home a +loaded gun and carelessly left it in his tent. Several of his comrades +came in, in the afternoon, and in the course of a carousal one of them +took the loaded piece, and presenting it at the nearest soldier, +jestingly threatened to shoot him. He had scarcely uttered the word when +the gun went off and stretched his unfortunate comrade dead at his feet. +Nothing could equal the distress and remorse of the homicide at the +thoughtless act by which he had deprived a fellow creature of life, and +it had a marked effect on his future character and conduct. + +The passage through the Ghauts is romantic and picturesque in the +extreme, the road lying over stupendous mountains and through deep +ravines for the length of about seven or eight miles. Some beautiful +country houses have been lately erected here by a wealthy Parsee of +Bombay, on sites which command the finest and most extensive views in +the neighbourhood. These delightful summer retreats are surrounded by +every luxurious accessory that wealth and taste can supply, and the +Governor is occasionally glad to fly to them for a short respite from +the cares of office. + +We arrived at Bombay on the 15th of November, and found it a scene of +busy excitement. The streets were filled with troops and artillery +proceeding to the place of embarkation, and the inhabitants flocked in +thousands to the Bunder Head, to witness their departure. The harbour +was literally alive with the numerous small craft employed in conveying +the troops to the different transports, while the blue Peter flying at +the mast head of the latter announced that we had very little time for +delay. We accordingly hurried down to the beach, and were immediately +put on board the Cambridge. We found it so crowded that Major Daly, our +commanding officer, was compelled to remonstrate with the authorities on +the subject, and after some trouble, he succeeded in getting from +seventy to eighty men removed to the other vessels. This did not +sufficiently lessen the inconvenience to prevent sickness breaking out +amongst us, and we lost one of the Horse Artillery before we were many +days at sea. + +The passage was short, but not unattended with danger. The Cambridge +struck on a sand bank, off the Gulf of Cutch, and it was with +considerable difficulty that she was relieved from her perilous +position. We were kept on the bank about four hours, and it may easily +be conceived that no small degree of alarm and uneasiness prevailed +amongst the landsmen, who were unaccustomed to dangers of this +description. The night was pitch dark, and the breakers sounded +unpleasantly near us. Captain Douglass the commander of the vessel, +appeared however all confidence, and after trying a variety of +experiments to get her off, he hit upon one which luckily proved +successful. The whole of the troops on board having been ordered upon +deck, the Captain directed them to jump three times simultaneously. This +was done by our fellows with a hearty good will, and had the instant +effect of loosening the vessel from the bank, and enabling her to float +again into deep water. + +We arrived off the mouth of the Indus in about fourteen days after our +departure from Bombay. The troops were immediately disembarked in +_pattemars_, small and clumsy coasting vessels peculiar to the country. +We reached Bominacote the next evening without any other accident than +the sinking of three boats, two containing artillery horses, and the +other officers' supplies, to the value it was said of L10,000 which had +been sent on speculation with the army by an eminent Parsee firm at +Bombay. + +Bominacote forms a sort of harbour of refuge for the vessels which carry +on a trade along this line of coast. The village itself consists of a +few filthy huts, and its inhabitants spend their lives in hunting and +fishing. Both males and females are in a state of almost savage nature +little covering being used by them beyond the loin _goity_ or covering +for the loins common to the natives of these parts. The proverbial +vanity of the weaker sex was, however, displayed in the eagerness with +which they bartered their most precious articles for a few handkerchiefs +of Manchester make that we happened to have with us. + +As soon as the horses belonging to the cavalry, and the military stores +had been landed, it was decided that we should advance upon Scinde in +two divisions; the infantry under the command of Brigadier Sir Thomas +Wiltshire, and the Cavalry under Brigadier Scott. Previous to our +departure the troops were reviewed by Lieutenant-General Sir John Keane, +who had followed us from Bombay in the Victoria steamer. Sir John +expressed himself in terms of warm satisfaction at the high state of +discipline and ardour of the men, who were eager to be led against the +enemy. The usual precautions on entering hostile territories were now +taken, the Cavalry being ordered to sharpen their sabres, and the +Infantry served with sixty rounds of ball cartridge. + +Before we took our departure from Bominacote, a melancholy circumstance +occurred, which threw a temporary gloom over us. As the men were sitting +down to dinner the report of a pistol was heard in the officers' lines. +Suspecting some accident I ran to the spot, accompanied by two of my +comrades, and discovered Lieutenant Fyers, one of the officers of my own +regiment, lying dead in his tent, with a freshly discharged pistol in +his right hand. The unfortunate gentleman had placed the muzzle of it to +his mouth, and the ball, taking a slanting direction, had passed out +over the left ear. For several days previous he had been observed to +labour under great depression of spirits, but no immediate cause could +be assigned for the fatal act. His loss was generally lamented, for he +was both a good officer and an estimable member of society. + +Our route lay through a country barren in the extreme, scarcely a +vestige of vegetation being any where to be met with. Of the natives we +saw or heard nothing, for as we advanced they fell back, deserting the +villages and betaking themselves to their mountain fastnesses. It being +now near Christmas the men suffered some inconvenience from the sudden +transitions of temperature, the days being sultry and the nights +extremely cold. The consequence was that the dysentery broke out +amongst us, and several fatal cases occurred. + +At the close of the third days' march reports became current through the +camp that we should soon see the enemy. It was said that a force of ten +thousand horse and foot was about to take the field against us, and +Captain Outram was despatched towards Hyderabad, to ascertain the truth +of the story. He brought back information that the enemy were ensconced +within the walls of that town, and appeared to have little disposition +to leave them. We now began to find the difference between quarters and +camp, for the General thought it necessary to send out frequent +reconnoitering parties and pickets, in order to guard against surprise. + +Early on the morning of the fifth day, we arrived at Tattah, a place of +considerable antiquity, and, I believe, mentioned in Holy Writ. The +Indus formerly washed the walls of this town, but owing to some natural +or artificial ingredient the course of the river has been completely +changed, and it now runs at about four miles distance. + +Emerging from one of the most barren and desolate tracts of country that +it is possible to imagine, even the tombs of Tattah, or City of the +Dead, as it is called in the language of the natives, proved an +agreeable distraction to us. Tattah itself is a small, wretchedly built +town, containing little more than a thousand inhabitants, who are for +the most part of the Moslem religion. The few Hindoos who reside here +constitute the wealthier part of the trading community, but influential +as this fact would pre-suppose them, they are a persecuted and oppressed +race, the privilege of erecting places of worship within the precincts +of the town being not only denied them, but even the free exercise of +their religious rites. Aggressions of the most wanton and tyrannical +nature, and murders committed under circumstances of the most shocking +barbarity, and having their origin solely in religious jealousy, are +matters of no unfrequent occurrence here. + +The Hindoos are consequently obliged to resort to the caves of the +neighbouring mountains, to practise their religious ceremonies, but the +relentless intolerance of their persecutors pursues them even there. +During our short stay we saw the bodies of two of the proscribed race, +who had been found murdered in one of their concealed temples. + +The tombs of Tattah stand on a gentle eminence, at a short distance from +the town: they are of circular construction, and are, as nearly as I +could judge, from seventy to eighty feet in circumference, and from +thirty to forty feet in height. They are capped with domes, but their +external appearance presents nothing graceful or ornamental to the eye. +The interior is gained by a staircase, which ascends to an aperture +forming the entrance, about midway in the building, and a rudely +constructed ladder conducts the visitor downward to the basement, where +the bodies lie. The interior of the dome is lined with blue tiles richly +ornamented with arabesques and inscriptions from the Koran. There are +about a dozen of these remarkable monuments and they are clustered +together, without arrangement or regard for effect. Of the many sketches +taken at the time I have not seen one which conveys a correct idea of +their details. Although visited by nearly the whole of the troops, it is +a fact highly creditable to their good taste and feeling that no +mischief or desecration of any sort was committed. Sir John Keane, in a +general order issued before our departure, took occasion expressly to +allude to this circumstance, in terms alike honourable to himself and to +us. + +A curious, and I must say revolting, instance of the gross superstition +of the Hindoos fell under my observation whilst at Tattah. At the +northern extremity of the bazaar I was shown some of the most miserable +specimens of humanity that can well be imagined. In a filthy mud hut, +the very aspect of which threatened contagion, sat two living skeletons +rocking themselves to and fro. They were without covering of any sort, +except the old blanket on which they sat, and their deep sunk eyes and +contracted features told a tale of long but patiently endured privation. +I was informed that these poor wretches were undergoing a self-inflicted +penance, for the non-performance of some religious rite. They had +condemned themselves for a period of seven years to a daily allowance of +rice and water, barely sufficient to prevent the extinction of the vital +powers. We offered them food, but they sternly rejected it. This +lamentable fanaticism on the part of a simple and inoffensive people is, +after all, but another and more harmless phase of the fierce bigotry, +which still continues to exist amongst European nations. + +A _dak_, or native postman, who had crossed the river from Bhooj with +letters for the camp, was waylaid by two Belochees as he was descending +towards it, by the left bank, and the letter bag taken from him. His +captors, having brought him to their retreat in the hills, secured his +hands behind his back, and lay down to sleep, one of them using the +letter bag as a pillow. The _dak_ remained quiet, until their snoring +satisfied him they were sound asleep, and then slipping his hands out of +the ligatures, he stole over to the fellow who had the post-bag under +him, and placing his knee on his breast, cut his throat from ear to ear +with a knife, which he took from the mountaineer's person, and made off +with the bag. In about ten minutes after, he heard the Belochee close +upon his heels, and, redoubling his speed, a chase of nearly ten miles +ensued, in the course of which, the poor fellow had two or three times +nearly yielded from fatigue. The dreadful fate which awaited him, should +he fall into his pursuer's hands, flashed however across his mind, and +plucking up fresh strength and courage, he at length succeeded in +reaching the camp, but in so weak and exhausted a state that nature was +near sinking under the effort. + +On the eve of our departure, a circumstance occurred which created a +very angry feeling between the inhabitants and the troops, and +occasioned much regret to the Commander-in-Chief, who was desirous that +our advance should not be marked by any thing which savoured of cruelty. +In consequence of the great increase of drunkenness amongst the European +troops, owing to the cheapness and abundance of liquor, strict orders +were issued against its being allowed into camp. One of the inhabitants +of Tattah, who was engaged in smuggling the prohibited article, was +stopped about dusk by a serjeant, who happened to be going his rounds. +The fellow took to his heels, and a sepoy, who was stationed as sentry +in the staff lines, mistaking him for a thief, and seeing him pass at a +speed which rendered capture out of the question, levelled his musket, +and shot him dead on the spot. He was a fine muscular fellow, about two +or three and twenty, and belonged to a respectable family in the town. +His friends immediately repaired to the scene in a numerous body, and +carried him off amidst the wailing and lamentation of the women. After +this it was considered dangerous for any of us to venture into the town +when nightfall had set in. + +The army was now ordered to advance upon Jurruk, a town situated on the +banks of the Indus, at about a day's march from Tattah. It is better +built and cleaner than the latter place, and some of the streets are +covered over with thatched roofs, forming a series of rude arcades, +illuminated by oil lamps. Opthalmia is a common disease amongst the +natives, and several of the troops were attacked by it. Some of us also +suffered severely from the guinea worm, a malady, common in some parts +of Hindostan, and which, although not considered dangerous, is attended +with great pain. It generally attacks the feet, and has the effect of +effectually crippling the patient for the time. I have had one drawn out +of my right foot, which measured nearly half a yard in length, and I +have known others to have had no less than from seven to eight of them +at once. It being impossible for persons thus affected to march on foot +or even to mount on horseback, they were usually carried along with the +army in kajarvees, a sort of double-chair strung across the back of a +camel, and swinging with a see-saw movement that occasioned no small +additional suffering to the unfortunate occupant. + +The spot selected for the encampment was extremely lovely, being +encircled by hills, and having the River Indus running on its right. As +the different regiments wound their way round the heights, and descended +into the plain where the tents were to be pitched, the scene would have +made a beautiful subject for a sketch. How often during a progress +through this wild and romantic country have I regretted the want of a +sufficient acquaintance with the art of design, to enable me to convey +to paper some of its more striking and characteristic features. + +In consequence of the numerous thefts committed by the Belochees, who +daily carried off numbers of our camels, it became necessary to provide +them with guards whilst at pasturage. This, however, did not prevent the +plunderers from continuing their descents, and they became so hardy that +they sometimes even ventured to attack or carry off the guards +themselves. One day, whilst a party of the Poona Auxiliary Horse were in +charge of some camels about two miles from camp, the Belochees came +suddenly upon them. There were only six of our men, whilst the enemy +numbered twelve or fifteen. Nothing daunted, however, a gallant fellow +dashed out from amongst our men, and cut down three or four of the +marauders. Being quickly seconded by the others, the Belochees took to +flight, and the black hero dismounted, and cutting off the head of one +of his dead antagonists, strung it by the hair to his crupper, and +triumphantly rode into camp with it, amidst the acclamations of his +comrades. A more substantial reward was conferred upon him for this +daring exploit a few days afterwards by his promotion to the rank of +havildar or serjeant. This may be said to have been the first occasion +on which any of our troops came into actual collision with the enemy, +but the example which was made had little or no effect in restraining +the thefts of the Belochees who appeared to have an incorrigible taste +for this sort of adventure. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Singular fate of three Officers of the Queen's Royals.--Evacuation of +Jurruk by the Inhabitants.--Desertions of Camel Drivers.--Preparations +for the attack and defence of Hyderabad.--Submission of the +Ameers.--Consternation of the Natives at the arrival of a Steamer in the +Indus.--Baida.--Accident to a Dragoon.--The Lukkee Pass.--Kotiah.--Loss +of two Soldiers of the 17th Foot.--Sehwan.--Arrival of Sir Henry +Fane.--Asiatic Jugglers.--Conversion of a European Soldier to the +Mahommedan faith. + + +A melancholy incident occurred at Jurruk, but whether it was occasioned +by accident or treachery we never could satisfactorily trace. Some +officers belonging to the Queen's Royals applied for leave to go hunting +in the preserves of the Ameers of Scinde, and having obtained it, +Lieutenant Sparkes Lieutenant Nixon and Dr. Hibbert, who constituted the +party, left the camp on foot at an early hour of the morning. Their +leave of absence expired at six o'clock the same evening, but none of +them had made their appearance at that hour. About half past eight a dog +belonging to Dr. Hibbert was observed returning into camp without his +master, which gave rise to gloomy apprehensions amongst his brother +officers, and the non return of any of the party by next morning, +confirmed their worst fears. It was immediately determined to send out a +troop of native cavalry to scour the country in search of them, and the +preserves were of course the first spot to which they directed their +horses. Part of the force dismounted at the Shirkagh or Royal Preserves, +and proceeded on foot for a considerable distance. Observing smoke +ascending in dense volumes to the right they made their way towards it, +and on gaining the spot a shocking sight presented itself. A large area +had been cleared by the flames, and not a blade of grass or brushwood +had been left. The body of Lieutenant Sparkes lay, dreadfully scorched +and mutilated, upon the ground, while that of Dr. Hibbert was found in a +tree, into which he had evidently climbed to escape the devouring +element. A little further on lay Lieutenant Nixon whose features were so +withered and defaced, that it was almost impossible to recognize him, +and from the contracted and distorted position in which his limbs were +found it was evident that he had suffered a more agonizing death than +the others. The remains of the three unfortunate officers were borne +back to the camp and interred with military honours. They were all +talented and spirited young men and their untimely fate was a source of +universal regret and discussion. By some it was contended that the +natives had observed them entering the preserves, and inspired by hate +had fired the woods in different places, so as effectually to surround +them and cut off all chance of escape. To such a degree did this +supposition obtain credence, that the soldiers of the Queen's Royals +loudly demanded to be allowed to take revenge on the inhabitants of the +district. This of course could not be permitted, and the clamour that +had been raised about the matter soon died away. + +Shortly after our arrival an order came down from the Ameers of Scinde, +that the inhabitants of Jurruk should vacate the town and retreat to +Hyderabad. It was obeyed with great reluctance, the love of home being +stronger with these poor people than their fear of the British. Their +removal was one of the most distressing and painful scenes I have ever +witnessed, both men and women giving way to wild bursts of passionate +grief, and casting back long and lingering regards at the habitations +they had abandoned. They left in bodies of between two and three +hundred, carrying with them all their portable effects, and at night the +town was completely deserted. We neither interfered with, nor molested +them during their preparations for departure, but immediately on their +quitting, a strong picket was posted in some of the empty houses. + +Provisions became extremely scarce in the camp, and owing to the +remissness of the Commissariat in forwarding the stores from Tattah, our +grog was reduced from two drams daily, to one dram on halting days. This +was attended with the worst possible effects, for it encouraged the +troops to search after the liquor of the country; which proved not only +injurious to the constitution of the soldier, but to the discipline of +the service. Desertion became of frequent occurrence, and from one +hundred to one hundred and fifty camel drivers from India, together with +some Ghorra Wallars, or native horsekeepers, succeeded in making their +way across the river to Cutch Bhooj. A few were caught, and from six to +twelve dozen lashes each were inflicted on the delinquents. + +Captain Outram was again sent forward to Hyderabad on a mission to the +Ameers of Scinde, but they received him in the haughtiest manner and +refused to come to any sort of terms. The Captain found them fortifying +the hills round the city, under the superintendence of an European +officer, and he observed a battery of twenty pieces of cannon, posted on +the banks of the river. Twenty thousand Belochees armed with talwar, +shield, and matchlock, and two thirds of whom were dismounted, occupied +a position on the right bank, so as to protect the battery. Half of this +force subsequently moved across the river and took up a strong position +on the western bank, where we lay. The city was reported to be full of +armed men, and the idea of attacking it previous to our junction with +the Bengal army was regarded as worse than folly, the river being +eighteen hundred feet wide and our pontoons of insufficient length to +traverse it. The enemy, triumphing in our seeming inaction, sent +vaunting and threatening messages to us. The Commander-in-Chief took no +notice of their bravadoes, but silently made all the necessary +preparations for attacking the city as soon as he was joined by the +Bengal army. Strong cavalry pickets were thrown out on the hills to the +right, which commanded an extensive view of the surrounding country, and +the sound of drums and other military instruments was strictly +prohibited in camp. + +On the 25th, Sir Henry Pottinger came into camp from Hyderabad, the +Ameers not only refusing to pay the arrears of tribute that were due, +but treating the Envoy with every sort of indignity. The Bengal army +having come through the Punjaub, and crossed the Indus at Roree was now +ready to act in conjunction with us on the right bank of the river, and +the Commander-in-Chief resolved to lose no further time in investing the +city. He accordingly commenced operations by planting a battery on some +heights which commanded its walls, but which were at too great a +distance for the guns to do much damage. To the great disappointment of +both officers and men, who already revelled in the anticipation of prize +money, the Ameers became alarmed at these demonstrations and came to +terms. An envoy, whose appearance created no small amusement in the +camp, was despatched from Hyderabad to adjust the necessary +preliminaries. He was a short, thick set old fellow, with a merry +twinkling eye, and as little as possible of what is called official +dignity about him. He brought with him from twenty to thirty lacs of +rupees, but the reception which he met with from Sir John Keane was not +calculated to elevate the worthy functionary in his own estimation. + +Positive orders having been issued that neither officers nor men should +be allowed to enter Hyderabad on any pretence whatsoever, I am unable to +give my readers a description of the town. It appeared to be of +considerable extent, but of such little strength, that had the Ameers +driven matters to extremities, I have no doubt we should have carried +the place in an hour. + +We were exceedingly amused at the surprise and consternation displayed +by the inhabitants of Hyderabad at the arrival of one of the iron +steamers in the Indus, with supplies for the troops from Bombay. Nearly +the whole of the population flocked down to the banks of the river to +behold this surprising phenomenon; they threw their arms in the air, and +flung themselves prostrate on the earth in perfect ecstacies of wonder +at every movement of the mysterious power which propelled the vessel. +The scene was nearly as ridiculous as that which greeted Columbus when +the first notions of European power and civilisation burst upon the +astonished minds of the simple aborigines of America. + +After remaining a few days at Hyderabad the army resumed its march, and +arrived next evening at Baida. An accident occurred here, by which a +trooper of the 4th Light Dragoons lost his life. The banks of the river +were extremely steep, and as we were watering our horses the pressure +from behind forced a man named Helm into the river. He was instantly +carried away by the current, and was soon lost to view, although we +strained every effort to save him. His body floated down to Hyderabad, +and was recovered by the natives, who restored it to his commanding +officer, together with a belt full of rupees, which was found round his +waist. + +Continuing our route we arrived at the Lukkee Pass, where we found some +thermal springs, from which the sick derived considerable benefit. A +noble lake at the further extremity of the defile afforded our officers +several days shooting and fishing, while the beautiful scenery, by which +it was surrounded on every side, furnished such of them as were artists +with fine subjects for the exercise of their pencil. Precipitous +heights, assuming every variety of fantastic form, stretched downward +to the water's edge, some in graceful sweeps, and others in bold and +threatening attitudes, whilst their bases were hid in rich woods or +washed by the waters of the lake. + +Leaving this romantic spot with regret, we proceeded to Kotiah, where we +lost two soldiers belonging to her Majesty's 17th regiment of Foot. They +went out in search of some camels which were at pasturage and were never +afterwards seen or heard of. A party which was sent in search of them +found the marks of footsteps and some traces of blood on the spot where +the camels had been grazing, and from the torn up appearance which the +ground presented there was little doubt that they had made a desperate +struggle for their lives. + +Not satisfied with carrying off our camels, the Belochees frequently +ventured within the lines after nightfall, and made off with any thing +they could lay their hands upon. Sir Keith Jackson, the Captain of my +own troop, detected a fellow with a bridle in his hand, which he was +watching an opportunity to slip off with unperceived, and taking his +hand whip he inflicted a most unmerciful castigation upon him. The +rascal whined and moaned like a corrected child during the progress of +the punishment, but as soon as he was let loose he stuck his tongue in +his cheek, and went laughing out of camp. + +Our next destination was Sehwan, a thickly populated village, about +seventy English miles from Hyderabad. Here we were joined by the ever to +be lamented Sir Henry Fane, who was to have assumed the command of the +combined forces at their junction at Candahar, but who declined it in +disgust at the wretchedly organised state of the commissariat, and the +neglect which had been shown in providing for the contingencies of the +route. Sir Henry foresaw, and subsequent events justified his views, +that although supplies might be regularly forwarded from time to time, +it was extremely doubtful, nay almost next to impossible, that they +could reach an army always on the advance, through distant and +mountainous regions, and having enemies hanging on its rear who were but +too deeply interested in preventing their safe arrival. + +Before Sir Henry left us he inspected the troops, and appeared satisfied +with the condition of the men, who had not as yet encountered hardships +sufficient to affect their appearance. There have been few men in +command whose personal qualities have more endeared him to those who +served under him than Sir Henry Fane. He was between sixty and seventy +years of age, at the time I speak of, and his venerable countenance, +beaming with the kindliest and most benevolent feelings, and manners +that had a parental touch about them, combined to render him one of the +most respected and popular officers in the army. We viewed his departure +from amongst us with the deepest regret, for though we felt the fullest +confidence in our then leader, this gallant veteran had so won upon our +affections that a comparison with him must have proved invidious to any +one. + +The ingenuity of the Asiatic jugglers is well known, and I believe our +European exhibitors derive their proficiency, in a great measure, from +them, our soldiery carrying back with them the rudiments of this +respectable branch of knowledge, and turning their swords, if not into +ploughshares, at least into as peaceable and innocent a mode of gaining +a livelihood. An exhibition which took place during our short stay at +Sehwan made many of the "greenhorns" amongst us gape, and impressed them +with a very high notion of the favour in which the professors of the art +are held by his Satanic Majesty. Returning one day from the bazaar, I +observed a crowd of soldiers and natives assembled near the lines of the +Artillery. Elbowing my way through them I found a conjuror at his +tricks, and from the expensive and elaborate nature of the paraphernalia +by which he was surrounded, at once perceived that his pretensions were +of the highest order. He was attired in loose flowing robes, covered +with mystic characters; and a long white beard descended to his waist, +contrasting oddly with his jet black locks and piercing hazel eyes. +Surrounded by the various emblems and accessories of his art, he looked +a very imposing figure, and every movement which he made was regarded +with as much interest as if destiny really rested on his fiat. His only +assistants were a man who beat a _tom-tom_, or drum, to collect an +audience, and a beautifully formed girl about five or six years of age, +whose supple and graceful movements excited general admiration. Having +made a clear space of about thirty feet in diameter, the conjuror took +an oblong basket, about two feet in length, and one in breadth, the +interior of which he exhibited to the spectators, in order to convince +them that nothing was concealed in it. After performing a variety of +common-place tricks, such as balancing a sword upon a pipe and then +swallowing the blade, he suddenly turned towards the child and addressed +her in an angry tone of voice. She made some reply which appeared to +make him still more choleric, for his features became swollen with rage, +and his eyes shot glances of fire. The discussion continuing in the same +violent strain he appeared no longer able to control his fury, and +suddenly seizing the child by the waist, he opened the basket and +crammed her into it. The half stifled cries of the girl were distinctly +heard, but they only appeared to enrage him the more. Snatching a sword, +which lay near him, he plunged it to the hilt in the basket, twice or +thrice, and every time he drew it out it was reeking with gore. The half +smothered groans and sobs of the dying child at length convinced several +of the spectators that a murder had been committed, and two or three +soldiers rushed into the circle for the purpose of seizing the criminal. +Triumphantly smiling at the success of the cheat, he held them at bay +with the sword for a few minutes, when, to our great surprise, the child +bounded into the circle, unscathed, from amidst the crowd, though we had +kept our eyes attentively fixed on the basket all the time. Suspecting +that two children had been employed, I examined the basket, but found no +trace of an occupant, and saw nothing in its construction which could +have aided the deception. This clever trick was loudly applauded, and +brought its author a plentiful harvest of pice and cowries, while many +there were who went away with the firm conviction that it could only +have been effected through the agency of the devil himself. + +We had left a number of sick behind us at Tattah, with instructions that +they should be conveyed in pattemars up the river Indus, and rejoin us +at Sehwan. A boat containing a corporal and five men was stranded on the +banks of the river, and was with some difficulty got off. The soldiers +were so prostrated with fever that they could scarcely move, and in +this state they arrived at Sehwan. To their great distress they found +that the army had proceeded on its route, and one of their companions +expired immediately after their arrival. The heat of the sun was +intolerable, and the corpse began to putrify. In vain they implored the +native boatmen to inter it or cast it in the river, but they preferred +running the risk of infection to touching the dead body of an infidel. +The corporal, who was well acquainted with the language of the country, +entreated some of the natives who crowded to the banks to remove the +body, but they remained deaf to his prayers. Resorting to a stratagem +which he thought would have the effect of removing their religious +scruples, he asserted that the deceased had died in the Mahommedan +faith, and commanded them on pain of the displeasure of the Prophet, to +give him decent interment. At first they looked incredulous, but the +corporal swore loud and fast, and they were at length convinced. They +removed the body, and placing it on a sort of bier, somewhat similar to +a sailor's hammock, carried it on shore. Having swathed it in cotton +cloths, and laid it with the feet towards the setting sun, they decked +the head and breast with flowers, and bore it in procession to the place +of interment, which was situated in a romantic spot on the banks of the +Indus. The companions of the deceased proceeded on their route, +rejoicing in the success of the corporal's trick, and rejoined the main +body without further accident. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Larkhana.--Departure of the Commander-in-Chief for Candahar.--Capture of +Belochee Thieves.--Ludicrous scene in the Bazaar.--Tremendous +Hurricane.--An Irish Colonel's appeal to his men.--Murder of cooks +belonging to the Army.--A native funeral.--The Bholun Pass.--Massacre of +Camp Followers.--Ill-timed Merriment.--Animal Instinct. + + +Leaving Sehwan we crossed the Indus in pontoons, and entered a fertile +tract of country. Our route lay through rich pasturage and waving fields +of corn, occasionally diversified by rivers and lakes, the latter of +which we found well stocked with fish and game. The natives did not +exhibit any symptoms of fear at our approach, but continued peaceably +tilling and cultivating their lands. Proceeding by rapid marches we at +length reached Larkhana, the boundary which divides Upper and Lower +Scinde. It is a place of considerable importance, and contains from +seven to eight thousand inhabitants. Long cloths are manufactured here +in considerable quantities, and a brisk trade is carried on, in various +other articles with the mountain tribes. Sir John Keane now quitted us +to proceed to Candahar, where he was to assume the command of the Grand +Army of the Indus. He was accompanied by two squadrons of Native +Cavalry, one resselah of Local Horse, a regiment of Native Infantry, and +two pieces of artillery. The command of this division consequently +devolved upon Major General Wiltshire. + +The Belochees again favoured us with a visit and carried away about a +dozen camels from the encampment. A troop of cavalry was ordered out in +pursuit, and after a hot chase succeeded in coming up with the +marauders. They immediately abandoned their prey and made off to the +hills, but not before they had left three or four of their party in our +hands. Resolved to make an example which would deter them from repeating +the offence, General Wiltshire ordered the cat to be liberally +administered to them in the Bazaar. The senior of the party was first +tied up, and it was evident, from the trepidation he was in, that he +expected no less than the punishment of death. He begged and implored +for mercy, and finding that no attention was paid to his supplications, +he took leave of one of the other culprits, who turned out to be his +son, and resigned himself to die. Tied up, as he was, and unable to +observe the expression of our countenances, which were convulsed with +laughter, in anticipation of the scene that was about to follow, he +every moment expected to hear the report of the musket, or feel the blow +of the sabre that was to deal out his doom. The moment, however, the cat +descended on his shoulders, the terrified expression of his face changed +into that of the most extravagant joy. He smiled and nodded at his son, +and bore his four dozen lashes with the joyful patience of a martyr, +suffering in the vindication of some holy cause. + +On being set loose the culprits were informed that if they were ever +again detected in the commission of similar offences they would be shot, +without mercy, and they were ordered to disseminate this useful piece of +information amongst their comrades of the hills. + +Pursuing our route from Larkhana we encamped the same evening at Dooson, +and were visited during the night by a terrific hurricane. Arising +without any previous indication, the tempest came suddenly upon us in +our sleep, sweeping the tents before it, and enveloping us in +whirlwinds of white sand. The night being pitch dark we were soon in the +greatest distress and confusion, and to add to our embarrassments the +horses broke loose and ran wild amongst us. They killed two of the camp +followers, and injured several others by treading them under foot, and +the alarm which they created was as great as if the enemy had made a +sudden irruption amongst us. To this succeeded a scene of rioting and +squabbling, one having lost a shaco, another a jacket, and another his +shoes. Accusations and denials, oaths, vociferations, and complaints of +injuries received, formed altogether a pleasant medley; and glad enough +we were when the first streak of dawn threw some light on this scene of +horrible confusion. After lasting about two hours, heavy drops of rain +announced the approaching cessation of the tempest, but we only +exchanged one discomfort for another, being soon drenched to the skin. + +After two days further march we arrived at a wretched village, which +separates Upper Scinde from Belochistan, and which is only entitled to +notice as forming the boundary of a desert plain, about fifty miles in +extent, and completely divested of vegetation, the white soil lying +exposed to, and reflecting back with intensity, the scorching rays of +the sun. There were only two wells at the village, and there was a +fierce contest for precedence at them, it being known that there was +neither spring nor stream of any kind in the desert which we were about +to traverse. The Infantry entered on this cheerless waste about three in +the afternoon and the Cavalry followed about five. The former were fully +accoutred, and carried sixty rounds of ball cartridge each. At two +o'clock the following morning the cavalry overtook them and the general +halt sounded. So great was the fatigue of the infantry that numbers +threw themselves upon the ground in despair, declaring, it was +impossible for human nature to sustain more, and they could proceed no +further. It must be borne in mind that our rations had, for two months +previous, consisted of only half a pound of flour and an equal quantity +of red rice, with about four ounces of meat, and the latter was in some +instances of no use to us, from the difficulty of procuring fuel to cook +it. The order of march having been again given, several refused to move +from sheer exhaustion, and their situation became one of great +embarrassment to their colonel, who was aware that if he left them +behind, they would be instantly sabred by the enemy, who were always +hovering on our rear. Recollecting it was St. Patrick's Day, and that +most of the recusants were Irishmen, he ordered, as a last resource, +that the band of the regiment should strike up their national anthem. +The effect was electrical, the poor devils, whose limbs, a short time +previous, had refused to perform their accustomed office, and whose +countenances wore the aspect of the most abject despondency, seemed at +once to have new life and energy infused into them. They felt that this +was an appeal to their proverbial bravery and powers of endurance, and +gratified vanity did that which threats and remonstrances had failed to +effect. A faint smile lit up their features, and slowly rising from the +ground they tottered on their way. Had they adhered to their first +determination they would have fallen victims to the most savage +cruelties, as the following circumstance will soon convince the +reader:-- + +Three of the cooks belonging to our division, who followed with the camp +kettles at a short distance in its wake, lost their way in the darkness +of the night, and as chance would have it, stumbled upon a party of the +enemy. They were immediately seized, and each man was bound by the wrist +to the saddle of a Belochee horseman. The cries of the unfortunate men +having reached the rear-guard, which consisted of the Native Auxiliary +Horse, they turned in pursuit, and soon came in sight of the enemy, +whose figures were dimly visible in the obscurity which prevailed. As +soon as they heard them galloping up the Belochees spurred their horses +to their utmost speed, dragging their prisoners along with them at a +terrific pace. Finding their pursuers gained upon them they stooped +down, and with their broad knives ripped up two of their victims from +the abdomen to the throat, and then cast them loose. The third, more +fortunate, escaped with life, the Belochee to whose saddle he was +attached having freed him by cutting off his left arm with a blow of his +sabre: then wheeling round on our horse, who were now almost up with +them, the enemy took deliberate aim at the advancing troopers, and +having killed two, and severely wounded another, they plunged into the +darkness and succeeded in baffling pursuit. + +We reached the extremity of this barren waste by seven o'clock next +morning, and encamped at the bottom of a steep hill where there was +abundance of excellent water. The cupidity of the inhabitants of the +neighbouring villages, having got the better of their apprehensions, +several of them ventured into the camp with supplies of flour, which was +eagerly purchased from them by the soldiery, at the rate of about half a +crown the lb. The risk which they ran was great, for if the fact had +been discovered, they would, in all probability, have been massacred by +the mountain chief. The profits which they realised by the adventure, +must however, have well repaid them for the hazard. + +Descending the hills to our right, we one day observed a funeral +procession; and curious to witness the ceremonies performed on those +occasions I followed at a little distance. The corpse was swathed in +cotton bandages like a mummy, the head only being left exposed, and it +was borne on a bamboo bier, or stretcher, on the shoulders of four men. +The relations and friends of the deceased gave vent to their grief in +the bitterest lamentations, and there appeared a depth and sincerity in +their woe which is but too often wanting at our European rites. The +procession was headed by a Faquir or priest, whose rolling eyes, and +long dishevelled locks, gave him a wild and unearthly appearance. His +costume was no less singular than his looks, for it consisted of a +motley sort of garment, composed of patches of almost every colored +cloth, with a cap or rather a crown of peacock's feathers. Arrived at +the place of interment, which was situated in the valley, the procession +halted at a freshly dug grave, and the bier was laid beside it. The +crowd formed themselves into a circle round it, and the Faquir holding +up a small idol, commenced an oration in which he expatiated on the +merits of the deceased. The crowd having prostrated themselves, the +Faquir took a reddish sort of powder, and made a large mark with it on +the forehead of the dead man; then taking a basket of freshly pulled +flowers and herbs he scattered them over the body and into the grave. +The mourners rising from the ground, and walking in single files round +the bier made a respectful salaam towards it, after which the corpse was +lowered perpendicularly into the earth, and the grave filled up. At the +conclusion, the Faquir sat himself on a stone at a short distance from +the grave, and remained there quietly smoking his hookah, and +philosophising, as all good Faquirs should do, on the uncertainty of +mundane things. + +Our next destination was Dadur, where we were to form a junction with a +portion of the Bengal forces. The distance is only a day's march, and +nothing of interest occurred on the route. On approaching the encampment +of the Bengal troops, I could not help being struck with their superior +appearance. It was evident that their commissariat was better organized +than ours, for their camp equipage and other appointments were in all +respects complete, and they were abundantly supplied with necessaries of +every kind. This disparity was, in some degree, removed before we left +Dadur, by the arrival of additional supplies from Bombay. + +A few days having been passed in recruiting our strength after these +fatiguing marches, we at length received orders to advance on the +celebrated Bholun Pass. Nothing could be more calculated to awaken us to +the difficulties of our position, or to impress us with the uncertainty +of the fate that awaited us, than the imposing grandeur of the scenery +on which we now entered. Let the reader picture to himself a gloomy +looking gorge winding through two ranges of stupendous hills, whose +rugged masses of rock and hanging declivities impend over the narrow +route as if about to choke it up, or recede a short distance to some +fortress-like looking freak of nature from whose imaginary bastions and +parapets it seemed easy to hurl down destruction and death on the +passenger, and he may easily imagine that our feelings were not of the +liveliest or most comfortable nature. A handful of men could have +effectually stopped our progress had there been but another Leonidas +amongst the wild inhabitants of this magnificent defile, whose military +skill and resolution would have enabled him to seize upon, and maintain +its many points of defence. We could not conceal from ourselves +difficulties so apparent, and a general and undefined feeling of +uneasiness pervaded us all. We felt that if the enemy had any intention +of resisting us they would not lose opportunities which nature herself +appeared to indicate; and it was but too obvious that if they only knew +how to avail themselves of the formidable barriers which she had placed +against invasion, our situation would become critical in the extreme. +Once involved in the intricacies of the Pass, the superior knowledge of +the country possessed by the natives, and their familiarity with +mountain warfare would enable them to harrass us at every step, and a +well planned and daring attack might at once overwhelm us. Such were the +reflections that suggested themselves to almost every man's mind, and +many there were, I dare say, who just then thought of home, and +speculated whether it would ever be his lot to revisit its peaceful +fireside, and recount the dangers of which he had been the hero. + +The Bengal troops who preceded us through the Pass left behind them sad +proofs of the justice of some of these conclusions. We found from five +and twenty to thirty camp followers lying dead upon their track, the +throats of several having been cut, and the others bearing on their +mutilated persons the unequivocal evidence of a desperate hand to hand +struggle. As we advanced through the gorge we could observe the +Belochees peering at us over the jutting points of the precipices, and +the sharp report of their gingalls and matchlocks, which, luckily for +us, were not very sure in their aim, usually followed the brief +inspection by which we were favoured. Observing a camp follower leading +a camel at some distance in the rear, three of the mountaineers suddenly +darted from a fissure in the rock in which they had lain concealed, and +having cut the poor fellow down, led the animal up the ascent by one of +those diverging tracks like sheep walks, with which these hills abound. +A serjeant belonging to the Horse Artillery, who happened to witness the +circumstance, instantly galloped back, and gallantly dashing his horse +up the mountain succeeded in sabreing the nearest of the thieves, and +brought back the camel amidst a shower of balls from the neighbouring +heights. + +Within a few miles of the Affghanistan boundary the gorge is traversed +by a stream which winds like a snake through the sinuosities of the +Pass, and crosses it no less than sixteen times. Although it presents +for the most part, the appearance of an insignificant mountain rivulet, +it is, in many places studded with deep and dangerous holes, into which +the cavalry often plunged, and got a good sousing before they were aware +of it. Shouts of laughter usually escaped the comrades of the luckless +wight who became thus involved, and on one occasion a tragedy had nearly +resulted from their ill-timed merriment. An Irish trooper, named Dwyer, +a brave, but hot-blooded fellow, like most of his countrymen was feeling +his way cautiously through the stream, when both horse and rider +stumbled, and became instantly lost to view. Some alarm was at first +experienced for their safety, but it gave way to a roar of laughter when +we beheld them again emerging from the water. After several successive +attempts to disengage himself, the horse at length obtained a secure +footing, and Dwyer, wheeling him suddenly round upon us with a +countenance furious with rage, drew a pistol from his holster and fired +at a group of seven or eight men, who stood close to the spot, but +fortunately without effect. The madman was immediately placed under +arrest, but was released after a few days' confinement. + +On approaching Beebenaunce towards the close of the fourth day's march, +we found another stream where the Cavalry dismounted, for the purpose of +filling their canteens with water, while the Infantry were distributed +so as to protect them. We had been marching for several hours under a +scorching sun, and over a stony and rugged road, which rendered constant +watchfulness and exertion necessary to prevent the horses from falling +on their knees. Tormented by an insatiable thirst, we were about to +slake it, when it was discovered that the stream was polluted by the +putrifying bodies of several of dead Affghans, and followers of the +Bengal Army; the spot having been the scene of a deadly contest which +had occurred some days previous. The struggle between the loathing which +this circumstance created and the pressing calls of nature was however +of short duration. Not a man of us hesitated to drink from the +contaminated liquid, but the horse which I rode, being imbued with +keener senses than his master, positively refused to partake of it, +though almost dropping with fatigue and thirst. I took him lower down +the stream, where his fastidiousness being no longer offended he +indulged in a long and copious draught. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Skirmish with the Enemy.--Belochee Waggery.--Cleverly planned Capture +of a Bruhee.--Sufferings from want of water.--Valley of +Shawle.--Quettah.--Belochee cruelties.--Adventure in a Stone +Quarry.--Treachery of the Khan of Khelat.--Murder of another +Cook.--Poisoning of the Wells.--Fortunate Discovery. + + +We were about to quit the Pass at the close of the eighth day's march, +when the enemy made another and more successful attempt at plunder. +Emboldened by the absence of the Infantry, which was at a considerable +distance in the rear, they descended the heights in greater numbers +than usual, and attacked the camp followers in charge of the officers' +baggage. The latter took to flight, and the Belochees commenced +pillaging the trunks and cases. Amongst the property carried off was a +camel belonging to Brigadier Scott, which was laden with the whole of +the general's kit. A party of the 4th Dragoons, under the command of +Lieutenant Gillespie, at length galloped up and put the enemy to flight. +There were only three men wounded and three horses killed on our side, +whilst the Belochees left great numbers of dead on the ground. + +During the heat of the firing a mistake occurred, which at first +occasioned some alarm, but was soon converted into a burst of +uncontrollable merriment. Our men had driven the last of the enemy up +the hill, the latter peppering away at them from every rock or crevice +where they could find shelter, when our attention was arrested by the +appearance of a general officer on the heights to our left, who +appeared to be making signs to us. It was at first supposed that one of +our leaders had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and universal +consternation prevailed. The General at length took off his shaco, and +advancing to the very edge of the precipice, waved it in the air as if +to cheer us on to his rescue, when to our infinite amusement we +discovered it was the fellow who had made off with the Brigadier's kit, +and who, after examining the contents of it, had rigged himself out in +full uniform. The rocks echoed with laughter, and the _pseudo_ general +appeared to enjoy the fun as much as any of us, for he capered about in +a perfect ecstacy of delight, and gave expression to his contentment in +the most delectable yells. A shower of balls was at length directed +against him, and the Brigadier's swarthy representative came tumbling +down the precipice to render himself and his briefly enjoyed honours +into our hands. + +Amongst the booty carried off upon this occasion were the wind +instruments belonging to the 1st Bombay Cavalry, and a bullock, +carrying two packages of ball ammunition, which contained 500 rounds +each. Some amusement was created amongst us by speculations as to the +probable use that would be made of the former, the humour displayed in +the appropriation of General Scott's kit having given us a high idea of +the waggish propensities of the enemy. Our fun was however turned into +mortification when we beheld them cutting our ball ammunition into slugs +to fit the bore of their gingalls, and sending it back to us from the +heights in as wholesale quantities as they had taken it. + +In the course of the skirmish a feat was performed by two of the native +troops, which was watched with the most intense interest. A Bruhee (a +fierce and warlike tribe, distinguished by their inveterate hostility +towards the black troops in our service,) had taken shelter behind a +rock, about midway up the mountain, and kept up a constant fire on some +native cavalry beneath. Two of the Sepoys belonging to the Bombay +Native Infantry observing the circumstance, determined on effecting his +capture, and laying down their muskets at the foot of the hill, they +crept stealthily up. Whenever the fellow's flashing eyes were observed +on a line with the rock, searching for an object for his aim, they +crouched under cover until the discharge of his gingall satisfied them +he was about to reload. They then rapidly advanced to his lurking place, +and pouncing suddenly upon him conveyed him down the hill. The prisoner +had such a horror of falling into our hands that he several times +implored his captors to put an end to him on the spot. They took no +notice of his entreaties until they had reached the bottom of the hill, +where they had laid their arms, when a havildar meeting them inquired if +they had not heard of the orders, that no prisoners should be brought +into camp. "I knew nothing about it," replied one of the soldiers; "but +this I do know that he is a stout-hearted fellow, and deserves a better +fate." "_I_ understand you," exclaimed the other Sepoy, and taking his +musket he placed the muzzle of it to the prisoner's head, and literally +covered the serjeant with his brains. + +The quantity of carrion which we every where left upon our route +attracted numbers of the ravening beasts of prey with which these hills +abound, and we could not rest at night from the dismal howling which +surrounded us. Even the new made graves of our comrades did not escape +the keen and hungering scent of the jackall, their remains being +scarcely interred before we found them again torn up, their whitening +bones alone attesting the nature of the visitation. Amongst the greatest +of our annoyances, however, was the intolerable stench which proceeded +from the putrefying bodies of the camels, that lay scattered every where +upon our track, and which was enough to breed a mortality. + +As we emerged from the Pass into the open country, the heights became +literally alive with Belochees, who gave expression to their rage and +disappointment in the most absurd and violent gesticulations. We +bivouacked late at night in the open plain, after a fatiguing and +harassing march of twelve hours, during which we had been unable to +procure a drop of water. The same privation awaited us in the place +where we passed the night, and the sufferings of both men and cattle +were dreadful. It was not until six o'clock next day that we fell in +with a stream that traversed the road to Quettah, and were able to +satisfy the thirst which consumed us. We were now in the valley of +Shawle, which presented a most agreeable contrast to the barren hills +through which we had just passed: here we found a succession of vast +orchards, whose fruit trees bursting into blossom and gladdening the +wearied eye with a variety of the most beautiful tints recalled to most +of us the pleasant scenery of dear old England. + +On our arrival at Quettah the troops underwent a medical inspection, and +it was determined that the sick should be left behind. A depot was +accordingly established here, consisting of one regiment of Bengal +Infantry, one company of European Foot Artillery, some heavy ordnance, +and some Gikwar, or native horsemen, the whole under the command of +Brigadier-General Nott. This arrangement was reported to have given rise +to some angry altercation between the latter officer and Sir John Keane +previous to the departure of the Commander-in-Chief for Candahar, +General Nott being indignant at being thus invalided and debarred his +share in the danger and glories of the campaign. We remained at Quettah +about a week, the condition of both men and horses being such as to +render rest necessary. The supplies which we obtained from the Bengal +column and the rich pasturage of the surrounding country soon refreshed +and re-invigorated us, and we pursued our route in renewed health and +spirits. + +Leaving Quettah, we again entered a barren and mountainous district +which presented few traces of cultivation, and which afforded little or +no pasturage for our cattle. In order to embarrass us the more the +Belochees lay on the watch for the parties who were sent out to cut +grass, and maimed and mutilated them in the most shocking manner. One +poor fellow had his ears slit, and another received injuries which +rendered the amputation of an arm necessary. The thefts of cattle, +however, became less numerous, the cutting off the supplies of forage +being deemed a less hazardous and equally effectual mode of impeding our +progress. + +So serious became this change in the tactics of the enemy that it was +resolved to increase the number of men sent out on the foraging +expeditions. This did not, however, deter the Belochees from repeating +their attacks, and on one occasion they drove in a party consisting of a +considerable number of native soldiers, and succeeded in making three or +four of the grass-cutters prisoners. A squadron of her Majesty's 4th +Light Dragoons was immediately ordered out in pursuit under the command +of Major Daly. We proceeded towards the hills at full gallop, and at +length came in sight of the enemy who were in a close body of from three +to four hundred. They suddenly disappeared from view, although the +country was still a perfect level, and presented no apparent means of +concealment. On reaching the spot we found they had ensconced themselves +in a large stone pit or quarry, into which it was impossible for cavalry +to penetrate, and a sharp and well directed fire from all the salient +points of the rocks affording the least shelter, indicated to us their +different lurking places. Patiently watching our opportunities we sent a +volley into every recess or cavity where a rag was to be seen +fluttering, and Major Daly observing a party of about ten or twelve +clustered in some bushes which lay almost within a bound of his horse +gallantly dashed the animal down the descent, followed by Lieutenant +Janvrin, the quarter-master of the regiment, and with a couple of hog +spears, which they happened to have with them they dispatched several of +the party. The others made their escape by plunging deeper into the +recesses of the quarry. + +The night now setting in, the Belochees took advantage of the obscurity +to steal out of their lair and creep through our lines one by one. They +did not get off, however, without further loss. Hearing a rustling noise +within a few feet of me, whilst on the watch, I listened attentively and +felt convinced that some of them were endeavouring to effect their +escape by crawling along the ground on their hands and knees. I plunged +my spurs in my horse and clearing the distance at a bound, just as I +observed two men rising from the ground, I cut them both down, +notwithstanding a most determined resistance, in the course of which +they fired twice at me. Several others were disposed of in like manner, +but no prisoners were made. We returned to camp about nine o'clock, well +satisfied with the issue of our adventure. + +The grass cutters who had been made prisoners, and who were abandoned +when it was found that our pursuit was likely to prove successful, had +received no other injury at the hands of the enemy, than a severe +thrashing with a bamboo. The poor fellows were terribly frightened, and +felt most grateful for their deliverance. + +Major Daly and two privates were severely wounded in this affair. Beside +a thrust of a sabre in the chest the Major received a musket ball in the +left foot, which disabled him for some time from active service. We also +found that several of the horses had been injured, it being a favourite +trick of the enemy to hamstring them, or rip their bellies open, +whenever they could get within reach of the animals. + +A treacherous trick played us by one of the neighbouring chiefs, the +Khan of Khelat, added in no small degree to the difficulties we had to +encounter. The Khan had promised allegiance to Shah Soojah, and +undertook to facilitate the progress of the British troops through his +territories. Instead of fulfilling the friendly professions he had made +towards us, he interdicted the villagers from bringing supplies to the +camp, and cut off almost all the mountain streams. Several of the camp +followers who ventured out in search of water, were either carried off +or murdered, and our situation became distressing in the extreme. In one +day's march of fifteen miles, we left upon our track the bodies of +nearly one hundred men, who died from sheer physical exhaustion. + +Continuing our progress towards the Khojuck heights, where we expected +to meet with determined opposition, we lost a number of men on the route +from their own imprudence in venturing at a distance from the camp after +dusk. One of them, a Portuguese cook, belonging to my own regiment, lost +his way in proceeding to the bazaar for necessaries, and fell into the +hands of the Belochees, who were always hanging on our rear. His cries +being heard by some soldiers returning from the bazaar, they ran towards +the spot from whence the noise proceeded, and were received with a +volley of bullets. They did not of course venture farther, being +ignorant of the number of the enemy, but on procuring assistance from +the camp, they discovered the cook with his throat cut, the head being +nearly severed from the shoulders. + +Sickness now increased alarmingly amongst us, owing to the bad quality +of the attar or flour, as well as the reduction in our usual quantity of +rations. The cattle were little better off, and the difficulties of the +route increased at almost every step. Water continued as scarce as ever, +for the natives filled up or concealed part of the wells and poisoned +the remainder. Of the latter fact, we received intimation in time to +prevent accidents, and chance befriended us as regarded the former. +After a harassing day's march some soldiers of the 17th Infantry, who +had set out in search of water, were unsuccessful and were bewailing +their hard fate, when the unusual moistness of the place where they had +pitched their tent attracted their notice. They sounded the ground and +finding it hollow, immediately arrived at the conclusion that it was a +well that had been freshly covered over. Further examination confirmed +this supposition, and about half an hour's work revealed a deep hole to +their sight, in which they found a spring of excellent water. This +discovery created such joy and frantic eagerness in the camp that the +authorities were obliged to place a strong guard with loaded muskets +over it in order to keep back the pressure of the crowds who flocked to +it. + +In the course of the next day's march we came upon a part of the road +which was literally strewn with human skeletons and broken matchlocks. +Of the various surmises current amongst us as to the occasion of this +wholesale butchery, the most probable was, that one of the caravans +travelling to Candahar had been attacked and overpowered by one of the +marauding tribes of the district. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +The Khojuck Pass.--Descent of the Troops.--Shocking Death of a Camel +Driver.--Detection and Escape of an Affghan Thief.--Loss of Cavalry +Horses.--Candahar.--Arrival of Shah Soojah.--Condition of +the Troops.--Attempt of the Natives to cut off a Convoy of +Provisions.--Asiatic Mendicants.--The Mosque at Candahar.--Arrival of +Affghan Auxiliaries. + + +We reached the Khojuck Pass in the expectation of finding it occupied by +the forces of Dost Mahommed, but contrary to general anticipation it was +abandoned. We learned that the Dost had visited the place a few days +before, in company with several of his chiefs, when the prudence of +disputing our passage was discussed. Owing to some violent differences +of opinion amongst the subordinate chiefs, the idea was abandoned, and +the enemy fell back towards Candahar. How different might have been the +fate of the expedition but for this impolitic and cowardly step. To +enable the reader to judge of its importance a brief description of the +Pass will be necessary. + +Ascending an eminence of no great height a platform of rock is gained, +from which a glorious view bursts upon the sight. Immediately beneath is +a steep declivity, along whose rugged sides winds the narrow road, while +a chasm of immense depth yawns beneath, and threatens to engulph the +luckless passenger should he chance to slip as he treads his way down +the difficult and dangerous descent. Receding into the far distance lie +long ranges of blue mountains broken at intervals into open plains and +valleys, whose calm and smiling aspect contrasts well with the frowning +majesty of the neighbouring heights. + +Nothing could be finer than the view which presented itself as our +troops wound round the brow of this tremendous precipice, their arms +glittering in the sun, and their uniforms imparting a gay and dazzling +variety to the sober hues of the stunted herbage with which its sides +were clad. The Infantry, consisting of several companies of the Queen's +Royals and a party of the 17th regiment were ordered to line the heights +in order to protect the descent of the Artillery and Cavalry, together +with the heavy baggage. So steep was the road (if road it could be +called) that the Cavalry were obliged to dismount and lead their horses, +bridle in hand, and the Artillery to unlimber their guns and drag them +down the precipice, a task, as the reader may conceive, of no small +labour and difficulty. About half way down, a camel, laden with camp +equipage, missed its footing and was precipitated into the abyss with +its conductor, and both were of course, immediately dashed to pieces. +We reached the plain without any further mishap about six o'clock the +same evening, and had every reason to congratulate ourselves that the +cowardice or negligence of the enemy had prevented them from disputing +our passage. + +Having halted at the bottom of the Pass two days so as to enable the +remainder of the heavy ordnance and baggage to descend we proceeded +towards Candahar. The enemy occasionally made their appearance, and +though not caring to face us in the field, continued to harass us +severely by hanging on our rear, and cutting off the stragglers. Nor did +they abate in the least in their love of thieving, robberies being just +as frequent, and characterised by as much ingenuity and daring as ever. +Late one night I was on sentry before the tent of Lieutenant Kemp when a +rustling noise attracted my notice; on looking attentively towards the +spot from whence it proceeded, I perceived an Affghan crawling towards +the tent on his hands and knees, and suffering him to enter, in order +the more easily to secure him, I surprised him as he was in the act of +plundering it. The fellow was completely naked, and on my attempting to +lay hold of him he slipped through my fingers like an eel, owing to the +quantity of grease with which his person was smeared, and succeeded in +clearing the lines in safety. I did not shoot him because positive +orders had been issued against shots being fired in camp, which had +before given rise to many groundless alarms. + +The weather now became excessively hot, the thermometer being 125 +degrees in the shade, which rendered it necessary that we should +prosecute our way either in the cool of the morning or at night. The +nights were so beautiful that the latter could not be deemed a hardship, +and had the scenery been but equal to that through which we had just +passed, it could not have been seen to greater advantage than under +these clear delicious moonlights. Nothing, however, can be more flat or +uninteresting than the country between the Khojuck Pass and Candahar. +The only thing that might be said to have broken the monotony of the +route was an occasional shot which told the fate of some poor horse, +who, having been broken down by fatigue and privation, and rendered +incapable of further exertion, was mercifully put out of pain by its +rider. There were nearly fifty head of cattle disposed of in this way +between the Pass and Candahar, a pretty item in the expenses of the +campaign, when it is borne in mind that each of them had cost from fifty +to sixty pounds in India. Had we come in contact with the enemy at +Candahar as we expected, I have no doubt the Cavalry would have been +found wholly ineffective from the jaded and worn-out condition of their +horses. + +We arrived at Candahar on the 4th. of May, and effected a junction with +the remainder of the Bengal forces under Sir Willoughby Cotton. Here we +were also joined by Shah Soojah in company with Sir William McNaghten +and Sir Alexander Burnes. The dethroned monarch immediately took +possession of his ancestral palace, which had just been evacuated by the +enemy. The reverses of fortune to which these Asiatic sovereigns are +subject have so steeled them against adversity, that I doubt if his +Majesty was agitated, even by a passing emotion, at this important +event. If he felt at all, it was perhaps more a sensation of fear than +joy, for he could not conceal from himself the fact, that the opinions +of his subjects were arraigned to a man against him, and that under such +circumstances his tenure of sovereignty would in all probability be +terminated by a bloody death. + +Tired as we were of the harassing mountain warfare in which we had been +engaged, and anxious to strike a blow which would decide the fate of the +Campaign, we were yet agreeably disappointed at the evacuation of +Candahar by the enemy. We were greatly in need of rest after the long +and fatiguing marches, which we had made; and the deplorable condition +in which we found ourselves, as regarded supplies, rendered it highly +impolitic to bring us just then in face of the enemy. Sickness had +increased alarmingly amongst us, but in this respect we did not find our +position improved, for the excessive heat which prevailed during our +stay here carried off great numbers of the men. + +Although the bazaar was plentifully supplied with meat and fruit, flour +was difficult to be obtained, the stock on hand having been eagerly +bought up by the troops on their arrival. The traders turned the +scarcity of this necessary article to profitable account, for they only +gave 2lb. to the rupee instead of 40lb., the usual proportion. We had +been living on half rations, and these not of the best quality, for +nearly a month previous, and had looked forward to our arrival at +Candahar for some addition to the quantity, but so far was this from +being the case, that it was found necessary to put the camp followers on +the same allowance, and it was not until three weeks after our arrival +that an increase and that not the full one, was served out to us. + +We were in daily expectation of the arrival of a convoy of six hundred +camels laden with provisions and grain, but intelligence having been +brought us that the Affghans lay in way to intercept it, it was thought +advisable to send out a force consisting of two squadrons of native +cavalry, a party of her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry and two field +pieces for its protection. The enemy being informed by their spies of +this movement, fell back to the hills, and the supplies were brought in +safety to the camp. The native contractor who furnished them, was +offered a bribe of 10,000 rupees by Dost Mahommed to direct his camels +another way, but much to his credit refused it. + +Candahar is a place of considerable importance in a commercial point of +view, but its military advantages are scarcely deserving of notice. It +is surrounded by an old wall and ditch, some efforts to strengthen which +had been made by throwing up a few parapets, but they were abandoned at +the first news of our approach. The principal entrance faces the south +and leads directly into the bazaar, which presents rather an animated +scene to the eyes of the stranger, in consequence of the varied and +picturesque costumes of the multitudes who resort to it, and who are +composed of Asiatics of almost every race. The merchandize exposed for +sale is no less heterogeneous in its character than its vendors, and +much to our surprise and gratification it included good broad-cloths and +Whitechapel needles, articles which, in the dilapidated and transparent +state of our clothing, proved of no small service to us. + +Common and disgusting as mendicancy has become through all parts of +Asia, I have never seen it carried to such an annoying extent as here. +Our ears were assailed on all sides by whining petitions, and our eyes +offended by the exhibition of festering sores or simulated deformities. +The ingenuity displayed in twisting a straight and well made limb into +some hideous distortion, or in painting up an ugly case of cancer, would +have excited the admiration and envy of the importunate cripples who +beset the chapels of Catholic countries. + +At the further extremity of the bazaar stands a noble mosque, in which +are interred the remains of Shah Soojah's father and grandfather. A +lofty gilt dome and graceful minarets distinguish it above the other +buildings of the town, and the effect, as it is approached from the +distance, is extremely imposing. On entering this beautiful temple the +visitor is conducted up a flight of marble steps to a platform within +the dome, where the remains of the deceased princes lie. The tombs are +covered with palls of blue velvet, fringed with gold, and illuminated by +about two hundred lamps, which are kept burning night and day, while +forty Faquirs, or priests, watch perpetually over them. Two magnificent +folio editions of the Koran, bound in velvet and ornamented with +characters of gold, were also shown to us with a degree of reverence +that proved the estimation in which they were held. A few pigeons which +were flying round the interior of the building appeared to divide with +these costly exemplars of the Book of Life the regard and veneration of +the votaries of the temple, this bird being held sacred, and any +invasion of its privileges visited by the punishment of death. + +Several of the Affghan Chiefs who were known to be devoted to the +interests of Dost Mahommed becoming alarmed at the turn affairs were +taking, or, as some said, being dissatisfied with that prince for +refusing to guarantee the safety of their women, now came into camp and +tendered their allegiance to Shah Soojah. These reluctant auxiliaries +were warmly received by the Politicals, who hailed their adhesion as an +omen of the success of the expedition; and I observed Sir Alexander +Burnes carry his joy so far as cordially to embrace one of them. The +Chief smiled grimly, but said but little. I had an opportunity however +of ascertaining his real feelings, on getting amongst his followers a +few days afterwards. They openly expressed their regret at being +compelled to join the invaders of their country, and stated, that they +could not have a braver leader, or a better prince, than Dost Mahommed. +They described him as being of a just and generous nature, whilst they +represented the Shah as being cruel and unprincipled. + +These Affghan horsemen were a fine athletic set of men, and capitally +mounted, their breed of cattle being much superior to ours, and +exhibiting proofs of the most careful grooming. The riders wore coats of +mail with steel gauntlets, and their arms consisted of a sabre, heavier +and longer than ours, a dagger, and in some instances shields and +matchlocks. I have no hesitation in saying that the Affghan Cavalry, if +these were a fair sample of them, are a most effective body of men. They +may not be equal to ours in the field, but for a harassing system of +mountain warfare where they are required to make sudden descents upon +Infantry, hemmed in between defiles, and embarrassed by ignorance of the +country, no body of troops can be better adapted. Their horses are light +limbed, but strong and wiry, and capable of undergoing incredible +fatigue while the trooper himself, practised from infancy in the +management of the animal, can ride him over places where no European +horseman would venture. Had these wild mountaineers but the advantages +of discipline and proper organization their country would be +inaccessible to any troops in the world. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Installation of Shah Soojah.--Attack on the camel guards.--Heroism of an +Affghan Youth.--Murder of Cornet Inverarity of the 16th +Lancers.--Departure from Candahar.--The Ghiljie +Hills.--Locusts.--Arrival of new Auxiliaries.--Camel Batteries.--Hyder +Khail.--Arrival at Ghuznee.--Tomb of Mahommed.--Remains of the Old Town +of Ghuznee. + + +In order to give a sort of political eclat to the steps taken to +reinstate Shah Soojah on the throne of his ancestors, it was resolved +that he should be solemnly inaugurated at Candahar, and nothing was +omitted that could possibly tend to render the ceremony imposing. On +the morning fixed for its celebration, the whole of the British forces +were paraded in review order on a large plain to the north of the city, +whilst the Shah's troops were drawn up at a little distance. In the +centre of the field stood a platform canopied with crimson silk, and +ornamented with numerous banners and devices, the seat reserved for the +Shah being ascended by a broad flight of tapestried steps, and covered +with cushions of crimson and gold. The other accessories of the pageant +were got up in similar costly style, but the effect, on the whole, +conveyed to the mind rather the unsatisfied feeling which attends the +hollow show and glitter of the theatre, than the idea of substantial +power. The weather was beautiful, the sun shedding its gorgeous rays +full upon us, and finding innumerable reflections in the military +panoply beneath. The heat was however excessive, and the majority of us +would have willingly exchanged our places in the ceremonial for the +shade and repose of our tents. + +As early as six o'clock the Commander-in-Chief took up his position in +front of the line, and was received with a general salute. The Shah was +soon after observed leaving the gates of the city on an elephant, the +howdah of which was of solid silver. His Majesty appeared to me to be +between fifty and sixty years of age; of middle stature, and somewhat +inclined to corpulency. His features were large, but regular, and the +expression which played about them was not calculated to leave a +favourable impression on the physiognomist. It had a mingled character +of vaccillation and cruelty about it, which impressed one with the +notion that the possessor could sink with ease from the extreme of +tyrannical self-will to the abject and fawning humility of the slave. +His Majesty was accompanied by his Vizier, a tall, spare looking man of +a thoughtful and rather melancholy cast of features, and somewhat older +than his master. Immediately behind the Shah rode Sir William +McNaghten, in full court dress, such as is usually worn by officials at +her Majesty's levees in England, and he was followed by Sir Alexander +Burnes, in a plain suit, and surrounded by the Affghan chiefs, with whom +he appeared to be in close and friendly converse. The winning smile and +frank and courteous manner of the latter gentleman appeared to have +gained for him a degree of consideration amongst the natives, which no +other European could boast of, and which was principally attributable to +the talismanic influence of qualities that have a never failing effect +in softening down and subduing even the most rugged and intractable +natures. Nothing could exceed the splendour of the costumes in which +these chiefs were clad, their turbans and weapons being studded with +diamonds and other precious stones; whilst the horses on which they were +mounted were perfect models of animal beauty. + +As soon as the Shah arrived on the ground the bands of the different +regiments struck up "God save the King," and his Majesty was conducted +to his throne by the Politicals. The troops then marched past the +platform in slow and quick time each regiment lowering its colors as it +arrived before it. A proclamation was afterwards read, declaring and +confirming the Shah's title to the throne, and all persons subject to +his authority having been required to yield him fealty, the Affghan +Chiefs present tendered their homage. The troops were marched back to +their lines immediately after, and a Durbar concluded the ceremonies of +the day. + +It must not be imagined that during all this time our ever watchful +enemies had abated their vigilance or lost any opportunity of annoying +us. They did not dare to attack the camp, itself, precautionary measures +having been adopted to prevent their near approach, by stationing +inlying and outlying pickets round it. We were compelled, however, to +send our camels to graze at some distance from the encampment, and the +soldiers in charge of them were frequently surprised and driven in. On +one occasion a party of the 13th Light Infantry, consisting of a +serjeant and six privates, who had been entrusted with the care of from +fifteen to eighteen camels, fell asleep on their posts, being overcome +by the excessive heat, and the Affghans, stealing upon them whilst in +this state, put one man to death, and severely wounded two others, the +whole of the camels of course falling into their hands. The serjeant +escaped but was broken for neglect of duty. + +Shortly after this occurrence, two of the marauders fell into our hands. +In order to put an end to, or diminish these vexatious losses it was +determined to make a terrible example of the prisoners, in the hope that +it would have some effect upon their companions. They were accordingly +tried by a court martial, composed of native officers, and sentenced to +be blown from the mouth of a gun. Having been led into the market-place +at Candahar, they were ordered to draw lots as to who should first +undergo this dreadful doom. The younger of the prisoners, a stripling of +about nineteen years of age, whose firm and gallant bearing excited +universal sympathy and admiration, responded to this command by at once +embracing the mouth of the gun from which he was instantly blown to +atoms. His companion, a grey-headed man, upwards of sixty years of age, +sat looking on, unmoved at this terrible scene, and coolly smoking his +hookah. On being ordered to take his place at the gun he did not exhibit +the least appearance of fear, and just as the match was about being +applied, the officer in command arrested it and directed the prisoner to +be taken away, the Shah influenced, it is said, by the entreaties of Sir +Alexander Burnes, having granted his pardon. This unexpected release +from the very jaws of death produced as little emotion on the part of +this stout old man, as its near approach or the fate of his youthful +companion had elicited. + +The mysterious and premature death of Cornet Inverarity, of the 16th +Lancers, formed, whilst here, the universal topic of discussion in the +military circles. The circumstances, as far as I could collect them, +were these:--A pic-nic party had been given by the officers of the +regiment at a pleasant rural retreat, within a few miles of Candahar, +and the Cornet, being fond of fishing, took his rod and strayed a short +distance from his companions in search of sport. His prolonged absence +having given rise to remark, some of the party went in search of him, +and found the unfortunate gentleman lying dead on the banks of a +neighbouring stream. The wounds he had received were of such a nature as +to preclude the idea that they were self-inflicted, and there can be but +little doubt that he was murdered by the Affghans. The deceased was an +officer of considerable acquirements, and was regretted by all who had +the honour of his acquaintance. He was only in his 26th year, and had +been about five in the service. + +I gladly avail myself of the opportunity which presents itself of paying +a tribute to the good conduct and friendly feeling of the native troops, +who testified on all occasions the utmost willingness, and indeed the +most anxious desire to render all the aid and service in their power to +their European comrades. Their knowledge of the language of the country, +and their acquaintance with the value of its produce, proved of no small +advantage to us in our daily traffic with the cunning and thievish +traders of the bazaar. Let me add that the general feeling amongst us +was that, in privation or danger, we might always count with certainty +on the generosity and bravery of the Sepoy. + +Having passed nearly seven weeks at Candahar, it was determined that we +should next proceed to Ghuznee, where it was reported that Dost +Mahommed and his followers had resolved on making a stand. The army +quitted the encampment on the 27th of June, preceded by a squadron of +European cavalry, two squadrons of the native troops, and two field +pieces loaded with canister and grape shot. The route from Candahar to +Ghuznee lies through a wild and mountainous country, and over roads +extremely difficult, and at times almost impassable. The Ghiljies fled +on our approach to the numerous mud forts with which these hills abound, +and seldom ventured on our track. In the dwellings they had abandoned we +found only a few old crones and hungry dogs, both of whom received us +with a sort of howling welcome. The Ghiljie huts are constructed +somewhat like a bee hive, being of circular and conical form, with +interior accommodations of the most wretched description. The few males +whom we caught a glimpse of were clad in the same substitute for broad +cloth that served the famous Bryan O'Lynn, who having-- + + "No breeches to wear, + Cut up a sheepskin to make him a pair." + +We were lucky enough to discover the stores of corn and _bussorah_ (a +sort of provender for cattle) which the natives had buried at the first +news of our approach. We were also well supplied with water the country +being traversed in all directions by rivers and streams. To +counterbalance these advantages we were annoyed with shoals of locusts, +which literally darkened the atmosphere and kept up a perpetual buzzing +and humming in our ears. The locust appears to be a favorite article of +food with the natives, who roast it on a slow fire and devour it with +eagerness. We could not bring ourselves to relish this equivocal dainty, +although our rations were not of the best or most varied description. + +As we advanced on Khelat-i-Ghiljie scarcely a day passed without some +Chief coming into camp from Cabul, with a retinue of from one to two +hundred men, in order to tender his allegiance to the Shah. They were +immediately sent to the rear and incorporated with his Majesty's levies. +Many of these new auxiliaries brought camel batteries, which created a +good deal of curiosity and amusement amongst the European troops, to +whom they were a novelty. Each camel carried a sort of rampart on his +back, which mounted from four to six swivel guns of small calibre, the +conductor both driving the animal and serving the guns. We were +surprised at the rapidity and accuracy with which these portable +batteries were served and brought to bear, the animal dropping on its +knees wherever it became necessary to bring the guns within range, and +rising the moment they were discharged. + +At Hyder Khail we were plundered of several camels laden with bedding, +belonging to her Majesty's 2nd, or Queen's Royals, and the party in +charge of them disappeared and was not again heard of before we left. As +we passed Khelat-i-Ghiljie the country began to improve in its +character, and large tracts, covered with corn and beans, betokened the +presence of a more civilized tribe than that through whose inhospitable +territories we had just passed. The villagers came daily into camp with +fruit and vegetables, which they parted with at reasonable prices, and +their conduct to us on the whole was civil and peaceable. + +On the 21st. of July we arrived in sight of Ghuznee, the strength of +which we found underrated rather than exaggerated. Ghuznee may be said +to form the key to Cabul since it commands the only direct route to that +place. The citadel is of great extent, and includes within its precincts +three or four bazaars and several streets. It is surrounded on every +side by strong bastions and substantial walls, the whole of which had +been recently put in repair, and it mounted nine guns (one a 48 +pounder) besides innumerable wall pieces, gingals, and matchlocks. The +principal entrance is at the North side, on the road to Cabul, and is +approached by a bridge of slight construction, thrown across a deep +ditch or moat. To the right and left stretch long chains of lofty hills, +which approach the walls so closely on the North side, as to command a +view of the interior of the citadel. The enemy, sensible of the +importance of these heights, had lined them with troops in order to +prevent our planting batteries on them. At the distance of about three +quarters of a mile from the fort, and situated in an amphitheatre of +hills, lies the town of Ghuznee, which consists of only a few narrow, +straggling streets. A narrow, but deep and rapid river, whose banks are +studded with rich corn fields, winds its devious route through the +pleasant valley in which the town is situate, and half encircles its +walls. Nearly equidistant from the town and the fort, and surrounded by +luxuriant orchards and vineyards, stands the famous tomb of Mahommed of +Ghuznee. It consists of an oblong building 36 ft. by 18, and about 30 +feet in height, and is crowned by a mud cupola. The gates are said to be +of sandal-wood, and were taken from the temple of Somnath by the +conqueror, whose remains lie entombed here. The grave stone in the +interior is made of the finest white marble, but its once rich sculpture +is now nearly defaced, and it presents but few traces of the Arabic +characters with which it was formerly inscribed. Over the last resting +place of the hero, and in a sadly decayed state, are suspended the +banner of green silk, and the enormous mace which he had so often borne +in battle. + +In the plain to the south of the hills stand two pillars, or obelisks, +of brickwork, about one hundred feet in height, and twelve in diameter +at the base, which are said to have marked the limits of the bazaar of +ancient Ghuznee, and which at present form serve only as conspicuous +landmarks for the traveller. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Reconnaisance of the Fortress.--Skirmish with the Enemy.--Rejoicings of +the Garrison at our Supposed Defeat.--Preparation for a Coup de +Main.--Engineer Operations.--Storming and Taking of the Fortress. + + +We debouched on the plain in front of the fort about eight o'clock in +the morning, and advanced upon it in three columns--the Cavalry on the +right, the Artillery in the centre, and the Infantry on the left. The +Commander-in-Chief determined to reconnoitre the place in force, and +make the enemy show their strength. On approaching the orchards and +walled gardens before described, we found them occupied by the enemy, +and the 1st Brigade having been immediately thrown into them, drove the +Affghans out of the enclosures in capital style, and forced them to take +shelter behind the defences, with a comparatively trifling loss on our +side. Our guns were now brought to bear upon the fortress, which had +kept up a sharp fire on us from the moment of our appearance, but owing +to our having left our heavy battering train behind us at Candahar we +did but little or no damage. About eleven o'clock we drew off, and +pitched our camp out of range of the fire of the foot. On our +skirmishers retiring from the gardens they were immediately occupied by +the enemy, who commenced cheering our retreating parties, in the +conviction that they had obtained a victory. Under this impression they +instantly sent off expresses to Cabul, to announce the fact, and state +that if the whole of the surrounding country could be raised, they had +little doubt of being able to cut us off to a man. The garrison spent +the night in rejoicings, and blue lights were constantly sent up as +signals to their friends on the neighbouring hills. + +Next morning the Shah's camp was threatened on the left by large bodies +of horse and foot who were driven off by the Cavalry and some of his +Highness's troops; whilst another force, consisting chiefly of horse, +under the command of one of Dost Mahommed's sons; and at a short +distance from him a Ghiljie Chief, with about fifteen hundred Cavalry, +who had hung upon our flank all the way from Khelat-i-Ghiljie, menaced +us to the right. This determined the Commander-in-Chief to expedite +matters, and the engineers having made a careful inspection of the +fortress, he resolved on carrying it by storm. The whole of the 22nd was +consumed in making the necessary preparations, the field hospital being +got ready while strong detachments of Cavalry scoured the country +around, in order to keep the enemy from our lines. + +In order to give my readers a correct idea of the strength of the +fortifications, and the difficulties overcome by the intelligence and +courage of the officers and men of the British Army, I cannot do better +than to copy the official reports made by the principal Engineer +officers on the subject. They contain a full detail of the operations up +to the moment when the citadel fell into our possession. + + +_Memorandum of the Engineers' operations before Ghuznee, in July, 1839, +by Captain George Thompson, Bengal Engineers, Chief Engineer Army of the +Indus._ + +The accounts of the Fortress of Ghuznee, received from those who had +seen it, were such as to induce his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief to +leave in Candahar the very small battering train then with the Army, +there being a scarcity of transport cattle. The place was described as +very weak, and completely commanded from a range of hills to the north. + +When we came before it on the morning of the 21st of July we were very +much surprised to find a rampart, in good repair, built on a scarped +mound about thirty-five feet high, flanked by numerous towers, and +surrounded by a faussebraye and wet ditch. The irregular figure of the +"enceinte" gave a good flanking fire, whilst the height of the citadel +covered the interior from the commanding fire of the hills to the north, +rendering it nugatory. In addition to this, the towers, at the angles, +had been enlarged, screen walls had been built before the gates, the +ditch cleared out and filled with water, stated to be unfordable, and an +outwork built on the right bank of the river so as to command the bed of +it. + +The garrison was variously stated from three to four thousand strong, +including five hundred Cavalry, and from subsequent information we +found that it had not been overrated. + +On the approach of the army, a fire of artillery was opened from the +body of the place, and of musketry from the neighbouring gardens. A +detachment of Infantry cleared the latter, and the former was silenced +for a short time by shrapnells from the Horse Artillery, but the fire +from the new outwork on the bank of the river was in no way checked. A +nearer view of the works was, however, obtained from the gardens which +had been cleared. This was not at all satisfactory. The works were +evidently much stronger than we had been led to expect, and such as our +army could not venture to attack in a regular manner. We had no +battering train, and to besiege Ghuznee in form, a much larger one would +be required than the army ever possessed. The great command of the +parapets from sixty to seventy feet, with the wet ditch, were +insurmountable obstacles to an attack, either by mining or escalading. + +It therefore became necessary to examine closely the whole _contour_ of +the place, to discover if any other mode of attack could be adopted. The +engineers, with an escort, went round the works, approaching as near as +they could find cover. The garrison were on the alert, and kept up a hot +and well regulated fire upon the officers whenever they were obliged to +show themselves. However, by keeping the Infantry beyond musket range, +and the Cavalry at a still greater distance, only one man was killed, +and another wounded; the former being hit by men sent out of the place +to drive off the reconnoitring party. + +The fortifications were found equally strong, all round, the only +tangible point observed being the Cabul gateway, which offered the +following advantages for a _coup-de-main_. The road to the Gate was +clear, the bridge over the ditch unbroken, there were good positions +for the Artillery within three hundred yards of the walls on both sides +of the road, and we had information that the Gateway was not built up, a +reinforcement from Cabul being expected. + +The result of this reconnaisance was a report to His Excellency the +Commander-in-Chief, that if he decided upon the immediate attack on +Ghuznee, the only feasible mode of proceeding, and the only one which +held out a prospect of success was a dash at the Cabul gateway, blowing +the gate open by bags of powder. + +His Excellency decided upon the attempt, the camp was moved that evening +to the Cabul road, and the next morning, the 22nd, Sir John Keane in +person reconnoitred the proposed point of attack, approved of the plan, +and gave orders for its execution. Preparations were made accordingly, +positions for the artillery were carefully examined, which excited the +jealousy of the garrison, who opened a smart fire upon the party. + +It was arranged that an explosion party, consisting of three officers of +Engineers, Captain Peat, Lieutenants Durand and McLeod, three Serjeants, +and eighteen men of the Sappers in working dresses, carrying 300lbs. of +powder in twelve sand bags, with a hose seventy-two feet long, should be +ready to move down to the gateway at daybreak. + +At midnight the first battery left camp, followed by the other four, at +intervals of half an hour. Those to the right of the road were conducted +to their positions by Lieutenant Stuart, those to the left by Lieutenant +Anderson. The ground for the guns was prepared by the Sappers and +Pioneers, taking advantage of the irregularities of the ground to the +right, and of some old garden walls to the left. + +The Artillery was all in position, and ready by 3 A. M. of the 23rd, and +shortly after, at the first dawn, the party under Captain Peat moved +down to the gateway, accompanied by six men of her Majesty's 13th Light +Infantry, without their belts, and supported by a detachment of the same +regiment, which extended to the right and left of the road; when they +arrived at the ditch, taking advantage of what cover they could find, +and endeavouring to keep down the fire from the ramparts, which became +heavy on the approach of the party, though it had been remarkably slack +during the previous operations; blue lights were shown, which rendered +surrounding objects distinctly visible, but luckily they were buried on +the top of the parapet instead of being thrown into the passage below. + +The explosion party marched steadily on, headed by Lieutenant Durand; +the powder was placed, the hose laid, the train fired, and the carrying +party had retired to tolerable cover in less than two minutes. The +Artillery opened when the blue lights appeared, and the musketry from +the covering party at the same time. So quickly was the operation +performed, and so little was the enemy aware of the nature of it, that +not a man of the party was hurt. + +As soon as the explosion took place, Captain Peat, although hurt by the +concussion, his anxiety preventing him from keeping sufficiently under +cover, ran up to the gate, accompanied by a small party of her Majesty's +13th Light Infantry, and ascertained that it was completely destroyed. +There was some delay in getting a bugler to sound at the advance, the +signal agreed on for the assaulting column to push on, and this was the +only mistake in the operation. + +The assaulting column, consisting of four European Regiments (her +Majesty's 2nd regiment, Bengal European regiment, her Majesty's 13th +Light Infantry, and her Majesty's 17th regiment) commanded by Brigadier +Sale, the advance under Lieutenant Colonel Dennie, accompanied by +Lieutenant Sturt, Engineers, moved steadily through the gateway, +through a passage inside the gateway, in a domed building, in which the +opening on one side rendered everything very obscure, and making it +difficult to find the outlet into the town. They met with little +opposition; but the party of the enemy seeing a peak in the column, +owing to the difficulty in scrambling over the rubbish in the gateway, +made a rush, sword in hand, and cut down a good many men, wounding the +Brigadier and several other officers. These swordsmen were repulsed, and +there was no more regular opposition; the surprise and alarm of the +Governor and Sirdars being so great when they saw the column occupying +the open space inside the gate, and firing upon them, that they fled, +accompanied by their men, even the garrison of the Citadel following +their example. Parties of the Affghans took refuge in the houses, firing +on the column as it made its way through the streets, and a good deal of +desultory fighting took place in consequence, by which some loss was +sustained. The Citadel was occupied as soon as daylight showed that it +had been abandoned by the enemy, and the whole of the works were in our +possession before 5 A. M. + +We lost seventeen men, six European and eleven Natives killed--eighteen +officers, and one hundred and seventeen Europeans, and thirty Natives +wounded--total one hundred and eighty-two. Of the Affghans more than +five hundred and fourteen were killed in the town, that number of bodies +having been buried, and about one thousand outside by the Cavalry, one +thousand six hundred prisoners were taken, but I have no means of +estimating the number of wounded. + +There were nine guns of different calibres found in the place, a large +quantity of good powder, considerable stores of shot, lead, &c., &c., +and a large supply of attar and other provisions. + + GEO. THOMSON, Capt. Engrs. + _Chief Engineer Army of the Indus._ + + +The following report by Captain Peat, of the Bombay Civil Engineers, +gives a more detailed account of the operations for blowing up the gate, +which, it will be seen, were attended with difficulties of no ordinary +nature. + +"During the reconnaissance the wall pieces were particularly +troublesome. This weapon is almost unknown in our service, but it is a +very efficient one, especially in the defence of works, and its use +should not be neglected. Every fortified post should be supplied with a +proportion of them, and a certain number of men in every regiment +practised in firing them. + +The charge recommended by Colonel Pasley, for blowing open gates is from +sixty to one hundred and twenty pounds, and this is, doubtless, +sufficient in ordinary cases; but in this instance we were apprehensive +that the enemy might have taken alarm at our being so much on that side +of the place, and in consequence, partially or wholly, built up the +gateway. It was afterwards found that some attempts of the kind had +been made by propping up the gate with beams. + +The charge was so heavy, that it not only destroyed the gate, but +brought down a considerable portion of the roof of the square building +in which it was placed, which proved a very considerable obstacle to the +assaulting column, and the concussion acted as far as the tower, under +which an officer's party of her Majesty's 13th regiment were standing at +the time, but without occasioning any casualties. In cases of this +nature it is of course the first object to guard against any chance of +failure; and it is impossible, even now, to say how much the charge +might have been reduced with safety. + +The enemy appeared so much on the alert, and the faussebraye was so much +in advance of the gate that we never contemplated being able to effect +our object by surprise. The only question was, whether it ought to be +done by day or night. It was argued in favor of the former, that the +Artillery would be able to make so much more correct practice that the +defences would be in a considerable degree destroyed, and the fire so +completely kept under as to enable the explosion party to advance with +but little loss, and with the advantage of being able to see exactly +what they were about. Captain Thompson, however, adhered to the latter, +and we were afterwards convinced it was the most judicious plan; for +although the fire of the Artillery was necessarily more general than it +would have been in daylight, still it was so well directed as to take up +a good deal of the attention of the besieged, and draw upon their +batteries a portion of the fire, which in daylight would have been +thrown down upon the explosion party and assaulting columns. It would +also, even in daylight, have been difficult, with our Light Artillery, +to have kept down the fire so completely but that a few matchlock men +might have kept their position near the gateway; and in that narrow +space a smart fire from a few pieces might have obliged the party to +retire. The obscurity of the night, to say nothing of the confusion +which it must occasion among undisciplined troops, is certainly the best +protection to a body of men engaged in an enterprise of this nature. +Blue lights certainly render objects distinctly visible, but their light +is glaring and uncertain, especially to men firing through loopholes. + +The party consisted of eighteen officers, twenty-eight sergeants, seven +buglers, and two hundred and seventy-six rank and file. + +It was made of this strength, not only to keep up a heavy fire upon the +parapets, and thereby divert attention from the party at the gateway, +but also because we were not aware whether the faussebraye was occupied +or not, and as it extends so much in advance as to take the gate +completely in reverse, it would have been necessary, had a fire opened +from it, to have carried it by assault before the party with the bags +could have advanced. The party with Lieutenant Durand was accompanied +by six men of the 13th, without their belts, the better to secure them +from observation, to protect them from any sortie that might be made +from the postern of the faussebraye on the right, or even from the gate +itself, while another party under an officer, Lieutenant Jennings, +accompanied me as far as the tower so as to check any attempts that +might have been made from the faussebraye on the left, and at the same +time keeping up a fire on such of the enemy as showed their heads above +the parapet; of this party one man was killed and a few wounded. + +Nothing could have been more gallant than the conduct of Lieutenants +Durand and McLeod, and the men under their command; or more efficient +than the manner in which they executed their duty. + +The powder being in sand bags of a very coarse open texture, a long hose +and port fire was thought to be the safest method of firing it. The end +of the hose fortunately just reached the small postern. The casualties, +however, during this operation were much fewer than was expected, being +in all one private killed, two sergeants, and twenty-three rank and file +wounded. + +The heaviest fire was certainly outside the bridge, for the enemy near +the gateway being marked, whenever they attempted to shew their heads +above the parapet, were obliged to confine themselves to the loop-holes, +the range from which is very uncertain and limited against men moving +about. A high loop-holed wall, although imposing in appearance, is a +profile but ill adapted to resist attacks of this nature. + +The enemy were perfectly aware that we were in the gateway, but appeared +to have no idea of the nature of our operations. Had they been so they +might easily have rendered it impossible to place the powder bags, by +throwing over blue lights, of which they had a large quantity in store. +The powder pots and other fire works so much used by the natives of +Hindoostan would certainly have rendered the confined space leading to +the gate much too hot for such an operation; but the ignorance of the +besieged was known and calculated upon, the result shows how justly. + +Their attempts at resistance were confined to the fire from the +loopholes and throwing over large pieces of earth, some of which +appeared to be intended to knock off the port fire. + +I on this occasion received an excellent lesson on the necessity of not +allowing preconceived opinions to lead to any carelessness, in +accurately ascertaining the result of any operation of this nature. The +gateway appeared, from what I had seen from the hills to the north, to +lead straight into the town, and on running in to examine it after the +explosion I was so much impressed with this idea and so much convinced +of the probability of the gateway having been blocked up during the day, +that I was led to believe that it had actually been done, from seeing, +in front of the gate that had been destroyed, the outline of an arch +filled up with brick masonry. The true entrance turned to the right and +would have been discovered by advancing a few paces, and that in perfect +safety, for the interior was secure from all fire. Lieutenant Durand on +first going up saw from through the chinks of the gate that there was a +light and a guard immediately behind it, and from that circumstance was +convinced that no interior obstacles of importance existed. + +My mistake therefore was luckily immediately corrected without any bad +consequence resulting. + +A party of sappers with felling axes, and commanded by Lieutenant +Wemyss, and two scaling ladders in charge of Lieutenant Pigan, +accompanied the assaulting column. + +Of ten Engineer Officers engaged in this attack, only one, Lieutenant +Marriot, was slightly wounded. Captain Thompson however had a very +narrow escape, having been thrown down by a rush of some swordsmen into +the gateway, and nearly sabred while upon the ground." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +An Affghan Heroine.--Capture of Hyder Khan the Commandant of +Ghuznee.--Escape of Ghool Mahommed Khan.--Discovery of a Map on the +person of an Affghan Chief.--Description of the Affghan Women.--The +Ruling Passion.--Treasuretrove.--The Golden Shield.--Chase of the +Enemy.--Just Retribution. + + +The Cavalry taking no part in these operations I was an idle, but not +the less an anxious spectator of the scene. I had never before witnessed +effects so awfully grand, or so intensely exciting in their nature as +those which immediately preceded and followed the explosion at the +gates. The atmosphere was illuminated by sudden and powerful flashes of +various coloured light which exposed the walls and bastions of the +fortress to view, and revealed the dusky figures of the garrison, in the +act of pointing their guns, or endeavouring to penetrate the denseness +of the obscurity beneath, in order to assure themselves of the position +of their assailants. Then followed the din and roar of artillery--the +terrific explosion of the gates--the crash of woodwork and masonry--the +hollow rumbling of the old towers as they came in huge masses to the +ground--the rush of the storming party through the breach, and the +deafening cheers and shouts of besiegers and besieged. It seemed as if +all the elements of destruction had been let loose at once, and yet I +panted to be in the midst of them. I hardly dared to breathe from the +very intenseness of my anxiety, and it was not till I saw the British +flag floating from the citadel, that I could respire freely. To the +soldier there is nothing more trying or chafing than to be condemned to +a state of inaction during the progress of such spirit-stirring events +as these. + +While the Affghans were disputing our entrance into the citadel an +incident occurred, which for a moment diverted the attention of the +combatants and turned their fury into pity. Amongst the foremost of the +party who signalised themselves by their desperate gallantry was an aged +Chieftain, the richness of whose costume excited general attention, his +turban and weapons being resplendent with jewels. The hope of plunder +immediately marked him out as an object of attack, and numbers at once +assailed him. He defended himself like a man who knew there was no +chance of life, but who was resolved to sell it as dearly as he could. +He had killed several of the Queen's Royals and severely wounded Captain +Robinson, when a grenadier of the company to which the latter belonged, +seeing his officer in danger, rushed to his assistance, and with a +thrust of his bayonet brought the gallant old Chieftain to the ground. +The grenadier was about to despatch him, when a beautiful girl, about +seventeen, threw herself into the _melee_ and plunged a dagger in his +breast. She then cast herself on the body of the Chieftain, for the +purpose of protecting it, and the Affghans, forming a sort of rampart +before them, maintained their ground until the heroic girl succeeded in +getting it conveyed into the interior of the citadel. Shortly after the +place was taken she was found weeping over the remains of the brave old +man, who, on enquiry, we learned was her father. She was treated with +the utmost respect and tenderness by our men, who neither obtruded +themselves on her grief nor offered any interruption to the preparations +which she made for his interment. + +Amongst the prisoners who fell into our hands was Hyder Khan, a son of +Dost Mahommed, and late commandant of the fortress. This Chief was +discovered hiding in a privy by a soldier of the Queen's Royals, who +would have bayonetted him but for the timely interference of one of his +officers, who chanced to be near the spot. The Affghan leader was +immediately brought before Sir John Keane, and the Shah being present +rated him soundly for his treachery. He replied only by a haughty look +of defiance, and was consigned to a tent closely guarded by Sepoys. The +sword found upon this Chief, and which is at present in the possession +of Sir John Keane, was valued at 14,000 rupees. + +Of the many prisoners we had taken, the capture of none afforded such +gratification as that of Ghool Mahommed Khan, to whose bad faith some of +our past privations had been owing. This Chief had entered into a +contract with Sir Alexander Burnes, to establish magazines of provisions +and corn at Quettah, for the use of the British troops, and five +thousand rupees were paid over to him for the purpose. He purchased up +all the corn of the surrounding districts, but instead of fulfilling his +agreement he forwarded it to Ghuznee for the use of the garrison, and +was amongst the most conspicuous defenders of the fortress. On being +brought before the Shah his Majesty ordered him to be bowstringed, but +before the sentence could be carried into effect he managed to escape. +His treachery failed in its object, for the greater portion of the flour +and grain which he had supplied now fell into our hands. We also found +from five to six hundred horses in the stables of the fortress, all of +which were in excellent condition, and ranging in value from seventy to +a hundred pounds each. + +I entered the fort shortly after it surrendered and at every step +spectacles of the most shocking and revolting nature met the eye. Round +a long twenty pounder, which was planted to the right of the entrance, +lay heaps of dead Affghans, who appeared to have attached the greatest +importance to the service of this piece from the numbers who crowded to +perform the duty whenever our fire killed those engaged in it. The +agonising cries and groans of the wounded wretches who lay stretched at +every side, and who craved drink to sate their burning thirst, struck +those who had not been engaged in the fearful excitement of the scene +with horror and pity, whilst at every turning a horse, wild with the +injuries he had received, was to be met galloping furiously along the +narrow streets, and treading the bodies of the dying and dead under +foot. Advancing through the bazaar, my attention was drawn towards a +venerable looking Affghan, who was seated on the ground with his back +propped against a wall, and whose richly ornamented muslin robes were +stained with blood, which flowed profusely from a wound in his breast. A +fine looking youth of about fourteen years of age was attempting to +stanch it, and I hastened to proffer my assistance. The old man, +however, pushed me back, and would not let me approach him, plainly +indicating by his gestures that he held me and my countrymen in +abhorrence. Whilst standing at a short distance from him, a straggling +ball came whizzing past me, whether intentionally or accidentally I +cannot say, and put an end to his sufferings. Some soldiers, who +afterwards examined the person of this old chief, for such from his +attire I took him to be, discovered amongst other things an extremely +well executed map, on which the whole of the route of our troops from +the point at which we had disembarked to our arrival at Ghuznee was +plainly indicated. + +Some of the Affghan women were occasionally to be met turning over the +bodies of the dead, in the hope of being able to discover their +relations or friends, and giving way to their grief in the most +heart-rending lamentations. They were the most superior class of women I +had as yet seen amongst the Asiatics, their features being regular, and +finely formed, and their eyes piercing, but at the same time soft in +their expression. Although nothing like violence was used towards them, +they did not escape some incivilities at the hands of our men, owing to +the fact that a number of Affghan soldiers had attempted to escape in +female disguise. + +Various were the adventures related amongst us, as having occurred on +the first entrance of our troops into the fortress. A Scotchman, +belonging to my own regiment, named James Hamilton, who was known to be +an inveterate snuff-taker was discovered in a tobacconist's shop in the +bazaar literally covered from head to foot with the contents of the +_chatties_ or jars with which it was filled, and testing the qualities +of each with an air of the most exquisite relish, his nose having been +long a stranger to its favourite aliment. The ruling passion was +exemplified in different ways in others. Some sought for drink, of which +there was little to be obtained and others for gold, which we had every +reason to believe was plentiful, if we knew but where to find it. A +soldier of the 13th Light Infantry, more fortunate than his fellows, lit +unexpectedly on a jar which was filled to the brim with gold pieces to +the value it is said of L600 sterling, and conveyed it secretly to the +camp. Becoming apprehensive that this large sum would be discovered on +him, and that he would be obliged to give it up to the prize agent, he +distributed it amongst several of his comrades in order that they might +take care of it. The possession of so much wealth turning the heads of +his trustees they thought they might allow themselves a few indulgences +at his expence, but their excesses ultimately betrayed the secret and +they were compelled to hand over the money to the common fund. + +As the soldiers severally left the fortress to return to the camp they +were stripped of the plunder which they had obtained, and a goodly heap +of armour and weapons of every kind was soon piled before the entrance. +Amongst the number of curious articles obtained in this way was an old +shield, which had belonged to one of the Affghan chiefs and which, +though remarkable for the oddness of its construction, presented little +else to attract the eye. Its material appeared to be a compound of +copper and some white metal, and it was thrown aside by the prize agent +amongst the most valueless of the objects which fell under his care. A +soldier of the Bengal European regiment, who had been a jeweller by +trade, happened to observe the circumstance, and carelessly taking up +the shield, as if to examine the devices with which it was ornamented, +scrutinized it for some time, and went away without making the slightest +observation. He immediately repaired to the Captain of his company, and +told him to bid for the shield at the prize sale which was to take place +a few days afterwards, advising him not to stop at any reasonable price +for it. The officer acted on the hint, and obtained the article for +about thirty or forty rupees. The shield turned out to be of the purest +and finest gold, and the fortunate possessor felt so grateful to his +informant that he made him a present sufficient to purchase his +discharge, and carry him home to England. + +Amongst the different ensigns captured from the enemy on this occasion +were two banners of green and crimson silk, trimmed with gold lace and +inscribed with precepts from the Koran. They were desperately defended, +the Affghans appearing to attach great importance to their safety. They +are, I believe, at present in the possession of her Majesty's 17th Light +Infantry, and the Bengal European Regiment. + +Shortly after the breach had been effected intelligence was brought to +the Commander-in-Chief, that numbers of the enemy were making their +escape through one of the back gates. He immediately dispatched the 1st +Bombay Light Cavalry in pursuit. The Affghans being daring horsemen, +and better mounted than our men, made at once for the hills, where they +knew our Cavalry could not follow. Aware of this our men put their +horses to their utmost speed, in order to intercept them before they got +entangled in the defiles. The chase soon assumed a character of lively +interest. An Affghan, worse mounted, or less skilled in horsemanship +than his fellows, was overtaken and cut down, and the pursuers pressed +hard on the heels of another. The cheers of his enemies, and the clatter +of their horses' hoofs sounding fearfully near in the ears of the +pursued he put the noble animal on which he was mounted to its utmost +speed, and cleared the space between him and his companions at a bound +rather than a gallop. Again he was almost within reach of the sabres of +our men, and again did the fleetness of his horse place him for a time +in safety. As he was about to plunge into a deep ravine after the other +fugitives a shot brought his horse upon its knees, and the rider was +flung upon his head. All now seemed over with him. Starting, however, to +his feet, he turned upon his pursuers, and single handed opposed a host +of them. Warding off the blows which rained on him from every side, he +kept rapidly retreating until he gained the brow of a steep declivity +over which he flung himself and was instantly lost to view. Disappointed +in their pursuit, our men took an unmanly revenge on some peasants who +were peaceably engaged in agricultural occupations near the spot. One of +these wanton acts of cruelty met with a just retribution. A havildar or +serjeant, seeing a young Affghan following the plough at a little +distance, galloped up, and made several cuts at him with his sabre. The +young man ran to the other side of the plough, and placed the serjeant +at bay. The latter drew a pistol from his holster, and was about to +shoot him, when his horse stumbled over the plough and fell on his +side, breaking the leg of the havildar and pinning him at the same time +firmly to the ground. The Affghan seized the sword which had fallen from +his grasp, and dealt him a blow on the head which instantly killed him. +The comrades of the dead man riding up surrounded and captured the +peasant, and he was brought into camp to abide the decision of the +Commander-in-Chief. A representation having been made to Sir John Keane +of the wanton and unprovoked attack which had been made upon the +prisoner, he immediately ordered him to be liberated. The havildar was +interred on the spot where he fell and there were few in the army who +pitied or regretted him. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Attempt to Assassinate the Shah.--Court Martial on an Affghan +Chief.--Visit to the Hospital at Ghuznee.--Hatred of the Affghans +towards the Native Troops.--Departure from Ghuznee.--Capture of a +Battery and Fatal Accident.--Summary Punishment.--Arrival at +Cabul.--Pursuit of Dost Mahommed and Treachery of a Native +Chief.--Description of Cabul.--The Balar Hissar.--Mosque of the Emperor +Baber.--The Bazaar. + + +A few days after the taking of Ghuznee a tragical scene occurred, which +pretty clearly indicated how the tide of popular feeling ran with regard +to the restored monarch. There is a poetical superstition that +approaching events are often foreshadowed, and the circumstance to +which I allude seemed to impress every man's mind at the time with the +result that has since happened. + +The majority of the prisoners who fell into our hands were released on +condition of their serving in the Shah's army, but there remained about +thirty who refused to accept of their liberty on such terms. They +consisted for the most part of the immediate followers of Dost +Mahommed's father-in-law, and were devotedly attached to that prince. +The Shah, on learning the circumstance ordered them to be brought before +him, and expostulated with them on the folly of their conduct. A Chief +of haughty bearing stepped from amongst the prisoners, and after +overwhelming his Majesty with reproaches, told him that nothing should +induce him to enter the service of a man who had brought the horrors of +foreign invasion on his country. Then suddenly snatching a dagger from +one of the attendants, he rushed with uplifted arm towards the Shah, and +would have pierced him to the heart had not one of his Majesty's +servants interposed his person, and received the blow intended for his +master. The faithful domestic fell dead at the feet of the Shah, and the +officers and attendants instantly rushed towards the assassin with drawn +swords; but he had already anticipated their intention by plunging the +poniard in his breast. The Shah, alarmed and exasperated, ordered the +whole of the prisoners to be immediately executed, and in a few minutes +their heads were rolling in the dust. This terrible scene created great +alarm in the camp, it being at first reported that his Majesty had been +assassinated, but the apprehensions to which it gave rise were soon +dispelled, by his publicly making his appearance amongst us. + +A Chief, named Walla Mahommed, who had persisted in firing on the troops +several hours after the taking of the fort, and in spite of repeated +summonses to surrender, was brought to a court martial by order of the +Commander-in-Chief, and sentenced to be shot within the walls of the +fortress. He had killed three or four of our men, and wounded one of the +Native officers by his obstinate folly. He met his fate with the most +perfect indifference, for the fear of death cannot be said to be one of +the weaknesses of the Affghan character. + +I one day paid a visit, with some of my comrades, to the hospital where +the wounded Affghans had been carried by their friends. It was situated +in the old town, and consisted of a mud hut, whose thatched roof was +broken in several places, and afforded little or no shelter against the +heat of the sun. The interior was as filthy and disgusting as it is +possible to conceive. Into a space of about thirty feet by twelve, were +crowded from seventy to a hundred patients, who were disabled by wounds +of every description, their sufferings being aggravated tenfold, by the +intolerable heat and stench of the place. They were attended by two +elderly men and a youth about fifteen years of age, who were busily +engaged dressing their wounds, whilst a Faquir was performing certain +charms, by which he pretended he could restore them to health. Pitiable +and disgusting as the scene was I could not help laughing at the +mummeries of the fellow. He first placed some cow dung in the hand of +the sufferer, and holding it in his, saturated it with water and +compelled the patient to smell it. He then wound up the ceremony by +repeating some prayers over the fumes of a charcoal pan, the patient +repeating after him certain responses which he directed him to make. +This done, he covered him up with an old blanket, and ordered him to lay +quiet for several hours, when the cure would be complete. Having of +course received a consideration for all this trouble, he left his +patients to the progress of the charm, and the discovery, when too late, +that they had been grossly duped. + +Happening to have a quantity of apples with me which I had just plucked +from one of the orchards in the vicinity, I offered them to the +sufferers in the hope that they would in some degree refresh them. They +accepted them with eagerness which induced some sepoys who were with me +to follow my example. The Affghans indignantly refused to receive +anything at their hands, and so great was their hatred of the native +troops, that they actually spat upon the men who showed them this +kindness. + +Early in August we resumed our march towards Cabul, leaving the whole of +our sick and wounded in garrison at Ghuznee. It was reported that Dost +Mahommed intended to dispute every inch of ground to the capital, but +these valiant resolutions were abandoned as soon as formed. The only +indication of a preconcerted plan of defence which we met with on the +route, was a battery of sixteen field pieces which we found planted on +an eminence commanding the entrance to a formidable pass about midway +between Ghuznee and Cabul, but which had been deserted by the enemy as +soon as our advanced columns made their appearance. A party of the Horse +Artillery having been sent to secure the guns and ammunition, an +accident took place which was attended with fatal consequences. One of +the men having approached a tumbrel with a lighted pipe a spark fell +into it and the whole blew up with a tremendous explosion, killing two +of the party and severely injuring another. + +The conduct of the inhabitants of the different villages along this +route, whether influenced by good will or fear, I cannot take upon +myself to say, was friendly and well disposed towards us. This did not +however prevent some excesses on the part of the native troops, which +Sir John Keane sought to repress by issuing an order forbidding the men +from robbing the villagers on pain of death. At Chesgow, about two days +march from Ghuznee, a soldier belonging to the 2nd Bengal Light Cavalry +was observed thieving in the immediate vicinity of the staff lines, and +one of Sir John's aides de camps who watched his proceedings took a gun +from his tent and deliberately lodged its contents in his side. The +unfortunate man died of the wound, after lingering a few days. The +extreme severity of the punishment and its informal nature, were +bitterly canvassed amongst the native troops, but it nevertheless had +the effect of preventing a repetition of the offence. + +Early on the morning of the 7th of August, we encamped without +opposition under the walls of Cabul, Dost Mahommed and his forces having +fled to the hills at the first news of our approach. The +Commander-in-Chief being desirous of securing the person of the usurper, +immediately despatched Captain Outram, and Hadji Khan, a chief supposed +to be well affected towards Shah Soojah, with a thousand Affghans and a +hundred native cavalry in pursuit. They had not proceeded far from the +camp when it became evident to Captain Outram that treachery was +secretly at work, the Affghans deserting daily, until their number was +diminished to about five hundred. Hadji Khan, to whose guidance the +force was entrusted, led it by long and circuitous routes, under +pretence that they would thereby more easily intercept the fugitives, +and turned a deaf ear to the Captain's entreaties that they should +proceed directly across the hills. Wherever a rapid movement became +necessary, the Affghan managed so that his followers should be delayed +on the route, and there was no sort of impediment that craft or +ingenuity could suggest that he did not employ to retard the progress of +the troops. Captain Outram having no authority to act without the aid of +the Khan was obliged to shut his eyes to these manoeuvres, and succeeded +after the most urgent persuasion in inducing the Affghan Chief to +proceed at once to the hills, with a small detachment. + +After traversing the highest parts of the Hindoo Kosh, a chain of +mountains, fifteen thousand feet above the level of the sea, and +extending as far as Bamean, Captain Outram found that Dost Mahommed had +taken refuge in the territories of an independent Uzbeck Chieftain then +at enmity with the Shah. Whilst crossing the heights several blue lights +were thrown up by the orders of Hadji Khan, which the British had reason +to believe were intended to give warning to the enemy. Further pursuit +through a difficult and hostile territory became of course out of the +question, and the horses being worn out from want of forage and rest, +orders were given for the return of the party to Cabul. During the march +homeward Hadji Khan contrived to give the British the slip, and made off +to the hills, rightly calculating that his equivocal conduct would be +severely punished by the Shah. He was, however, captured before the +British left Cabul, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. It was said +that the Commander-in-Chief was dissatisfied with the conduct of Captain +Outram in this affair, and that he pointedly passed over his name in +the official despatches to mark his displeasure. + +As several descriptions of Cabul have been published it will only be +necessary for me to give such of its leading features as are essential +to the completeness of my narrative. The city lies almost in the centre +of a semicircular chain of hills, the valley in which it is situated +being watered by a noble river which pursues a serpentine and +picturesque route through it, and divides the town in nearly equal +parts. The bazaar stands at the base of a lofty mountain, up whose +rugged sides straggle rude and irregular fortifications of no great +strength or importance. The town itself covers a considerable extent of +ground, and the streets are in general regular and well built as +compared with the other cities of Asia. Towering high above the other +buildings may be observed the mosque and Balar Hissar or palace of the +sovereign. The latter is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is entered +by a large flagged court-way leading to the principal portal of the +edifice. The proportions of the building are on a scale commensurate +with royalty, the centre being surmounted by a lofty dome, and the wings +of vast extent. The right wing contains the stabling of the Shah and +chambers of the household, and the left is appropriated to the +sovereign's own use. The general effect of this building is heavy, and +it conveys the idea of a prison rather than a palace. + +About half a mile to the right of the palace stands the mosque which +contains the remains of the Emperor Baber. This temple is one of the +finest I have seen in this part of Asia, being of great architectural +beauty and noble proportions. It is entirely composed of richly carved +stone-work, and is crowned by a number of graceful spires and minarets. +The interior is magnificently ornamented with gilding and sculpture, and +the pavement is composed of rich Mosaics of various coloured marbles. +The tomb containing the remains of the Emperor occupies the centre of +the mosque, and is less elaborately ornamented than any other part of +it, being composed of plain slabs of white marble on which some extracts +from the Koran are inscribed. + +The bazaar is of circular form, the streets composing it radiating from +an open space in its centre, and presenting a thronged and busy aspect. +The principal articles of merchandize which attracted our notice were +cashmere shawls of the richest and most expensive patterns, and costly +silks of every description. A considerable trade is also carried on in +preserved fruits, which find their way from here to the most distant +parts of Hindostan. In the fruit market we observed grapes which +measured nearly two inches in circumference; peaches, whose rich bloom +and luscious quality gratified at once the eye and the palate; and +strawberries, such as the hot houses of Europe, and all the inventions +of horticultural science could not force into existence. As to apples +and pears, fruits prized in the western hemisphere, they were in such +abundance and of such low price, that they were only deemed worthy of +furnishing food for cattle. Almost all the necessaries of life were in +equal profusion, beef fetching only a penny, and mutton twopence the +pound. It may be readily imagined that to the tired and half-starved +soldier, Cabul appeared almost a second land of promise. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Triumphant Entry of Shah Soojah into Cabul.--The Cabul Races.--Death of +Brigadier General Arnold.--Sale of the General's effects.--Arrival of +Prince Timour.--The Sikhs.--Murder of Colonel Herring.--Arrival of money +and supplies from the Upper Provinces. + + +It having been announced that early on the morning of the 8th of August +the Shah would take formal possession of the Balar Hissar, the troops +were under arms and in review order at ten o'clock. The +Commander-in-Chief, the Politicals, and the whole of the general +officers and staff rode up, shortly after, to the tent of his Majesty, +at which I happened that morning to be stationed as orderly, and were +kept waiting some time. Sir William McNaghten and Sir Alexander Burnes +were at length summoned to the Shah's presence, and having remained with +him a few minutes, they came out and informed the Commander-in-Chief, it +was his Majesty's pleasure that the ceremony should be postponed until +three o'clock the same afternoon. The reason assigned for this +alteration was understood to be an augury pronounced by his Majesty's +priests or soothsayers, that the hour was unpropitious, an opinion in +which the troops devoutly concurred, the prospect of broiling for +several hours under a meridian sun not being extremely agreeable. + +At the appointed hour the troops were again under arms, and salvoes of +artillery announced the Shah's departure from his tent. His Majesty was, +as usual, borne on an elephant, the howdah of which was of silver, and +the caparisons crimson and gold. On each side of him sat Sir William Mc +Naghten and Sir Alexander Burnes, the former attired in the same court +dress which he had worn at Candahar. His Majesty appeared in excellent +health and spirits, and addressed much of his conversation to Sir +Alexander Burnes, who seemed to be high in his favour. The Shah's +costume was, as usual, magnificent, his turban being ornamented with a +single diamond, whose value was estimated at L100,000. Immediately after +came six elephants, containing the ministers and household of the Shah, +and then followed the Commander-in-Chief, with the whole of the general +officers and staff in brilliant uniforms, and decorated with their +various orders. The next feature in the procession, and a ludicrous one +it was, was the appearance of two burly-looking fellows, dressed in red +and yellow, and wearing conical caps, out of which shot two large +horns. We at first supposed they were his Highness's jesters, but +instead of that they turned out to be his executioners, functionaries +far more essential to the comfort of an Asiatic prince. The Shah's +troops, consisting of two thousand infantry, brought up the rear, our +own lining the route along which the procession passed. On approaching +the city his Highness was received with loud acclamations by the +populace, who gave expression to their satisfaction in barbarous music +and salvoes of small fire arms. Many of the houses were decorated with +flowers, and the windows were crowded with spectators. At the entrance, +and in the courts of the palace, was stationed a body of about 250 +horsemen, whose steel armour and splendid horses gave them a martial and +imposing appearance. They received us with stern and scowling looks, +which plainly indicated that their hearts were not in the ceremony which +they were compelled to sanction by their presence. On the Shah's +entrance into the palace he held a durbar, at which all the British +officers were presented to him, and his Majesty took the opportunity of +expressing to them individually and collectively his thanks for the +exertions which they had made to replace him on his throne. + +We had several reviews of the troops during our stay at Cabul, and on +each occasion we were honoured by the Shah's presence. In order to give +his Highness some notion of an English horse race, it was agreed that +the officers should get up sweepstakes amongst themselves, which the +Shah no sooner heard of, than he added a splendid gold hilted sword with +Damascus blade. This increased the spirit of competition, and the Derby +or Oaks was never looked forward to with more eager interest. The place +selected for the course was a level plain immediately beyond our lines, +and about a mile and a half from the city. + +From sixteen to twenty horses belonging to the officers of the different +regiments were entered for the sword, and it was resolved that three +heats should be run for it, the first six horses of the first heat being +privileged to run the second, and the third heat being limited to the +first and second horses of the second heat. It was agreed that the +sweepstakes, which amounted to a considerable sum, should be divided +into three parts, for the different breeds and ages of cattle so as to +prolong the sport for three or four days. + +Six o'clock in the evening being the time fixed for the commencement of +the races, the course became crowded, long before that hour, with +anxious spectators, the natives not being amongst the least eager +lookers on at this, to them, novel scene. The Shah took up his position +near the winning post, attended by the Politicals, and the +Commander-in-Chief, but his Majesty did not appear to take much +interest in the sport, and he left the course before it was half over. + +The officers rode their own horses and turned out in gay striped jackets +and jockey caps; so that but for the dark faces and turbaned heads which +every where encountered the eye it would not have been difficult to +imagine ourselves suddenly transported to Ascot or Epsom. The word +having been given, away started the competitors in high blood and +spirits; and as the rider belonging to some particular regiment passed +the others in his career, the men composing it enthusiastically cheered +and hurraed him, others taking up their shouts as their favourite passed +him in turn, this military favouritism imparting to the contest a degree +of wild excitement such as I have never witnessed on any similar +occasion. + +The second heat was still more warmly contested, as, according to the +regulations above mentioned only the two foremost horses could be +entered for the third. Major Daly of the 4th Light Dragoons, and an +officer of the 16th Lancers, whose name I now forget, obtained the +precedence, after a hard struggle, the race being a neck and neck one +the entire way. + +As the two successful officers belonged to different divisions, one to +the Bengal and the other to the Bombay army, the partizanship which +before had been only regimental now extended to the two armies, and +"Bravo Bengal," "Bravo Bombay," burst at every moment from the eager +multitudes assembled, as the riders alternately passed or repassed each +other in the final heat. + +After a contest in which the competitors themselves almost appeared to +feel the influence which pervaded the crowd, and to think that the honor +of their respective divisions depended upon their success, Major Daly +gained the race by about a neck, and was handed the sword amid the +delighted cheers of the Bombay troops and the congratulations of his +brother officers. The races continued two days longer, and afforded a +pleasant recreation to the men after the fatiguing and harassing duties +of the last few months. + +Brigadier General Arnold of the army of the Indus, having been long +suffering under a liver complaint, breathed his last at Cabul shortly +after our arrival there. This officer was distinguished for his +qualities as a _bon vivant_, and having laid in a good store of +necessaries for the campaign, was the only one almost who fared well +amidst the general privations. He kept an excellent table along the +route, and an invitation to it, was always regarded as amongst the lucky +chances by which fortune signified her favour. Good living could not +however protect the General against disease, and he fell ill at Candahar +of a malady which is often said to be the result of it. He was carried +from Candahar to Cabul in a palankeen, and took no part whatever in the +events which occurred between those places. His remains were interred in +the Armenian burial ground, outside the walls of the city, and his +effects were publicly sold by auction a few days after. The General had +left Bengal with about eighty camels laden with baggage and necessaries, +of which about five and twenty remained at the time of the sale. His +trunks were filled with quantities of plate, a goodly provision of snuff +and cigars, and such an immense stock of linen that it occupied two days +of the sale. His cooking apparatus was most elaborate and ingenious, and +we could not help wondering at the uses to which the infinite varieties +of small and curious articles of which it was composed were devoted. The +prices at which these effects were sold will appear incredible to the +European reader, but it must be remembered that it was the scarcity, in +fact the almost total impossibility of getting them, that enhanced their +value. The cigars sold at the rate of about two shillings and six pence +each, the snuff at ten shillings an ounce, a few bottles of beer, a +liquor of which no other officer in the army possessed a drop, at thirty +shillings each, and some choice wines at from three to four pounds the +bottle. The other things brought proportionate prices, the shirts +fetching from thirty to forty shillings each. The amount realised at +this sale must have been enormous. + +Prince Timour, the eldest son of Shah Soojah, arrived at Cabul early in +September, escorted by the troops of Runjeet Singh. We expected to find +the Sikhs an undisciplined horde of barbarians, but they turned out on +the contrary to be nearly as well organized as ourselves, being +disciplined by French officers, and marching with the same order and +regularity as a European regiment. Each division was headed by an +excellent military band and officered by the same number of grades as +ourselves. The men were in general about the middle height, and not so +muscular or well formed as the Affghans. They are made, however, of the +right material for the soldier, being brave, orderly, and tractable, and +though they may be considered in some respects inferior to the European +troops, they are in my opinion, equal if not superior, to the Sepoys. A +detachment consisting of the 4th Light Dragoons, the 16th Lancers, and +her Majesty's Queen's Royals, under the command of Major-General Sir +Thomas Wiltshire, was despatched to receive the Prince with fitting +honors. He was met at a short distance from the town by the British +escort, and conducted to the palace amid salvoes of Artillery. The +Prince was a fine youth about one or two and twenty, with a frank +expression of countenance and affable manners. The meeting between him +and his royal father was said to be extremely affecting, and the Prince +was unceasing in his expressions of gratitude to the British for +bringing about this happy reunion. + +Large supplies of arrack, biscuits, and rice, together with money to pay +the troops, having been promised from the Upper Provinces, their arrival +was looked forward to with some anxiety in the camp, as we could not +leave Cabul without them. Information was at length received that +Colonel Herring was on his way through the Punjaub, and after a tedious +and harassing journey, in which he had to encounter frequent opposition +to his progress from the mountain tribes, he at length reached Hyder +Khail within one day's march of Cabul. Riding out alone next morning, +for the purpose of inspecting the country, the Colonel was set upon by a +body of Affghans and barbarously murdered, his body being plundered of +every article of value he had about him, and his horse carried off. His +mutilated remains were found in the course of the day by some troopers, +who had been sent out in search of him, and brought to Cabul along with +the stores, which reached that place in safety the same night. He was +interred with military honours in the Armenian burial-ground, on the +following day. The deceased had been long in the service, and was a +gallant and experienced officer. We heard that his murderers were +captured shortly after we left Cabul, and put to a dreadful death, by +order of the Shah. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Institution of the Order of the Doorannee Empire.--Murder of a Private +of the 13th Light Infantry.--Departure from Cabul.--Return to +Ghuznee.--Accident to the Revd. Mr. Pigot.--Discovery of the Skeletons +of British Soldiers.--Horse-steaks.--Treachery of some Ghiljie Chiefs +and destruction of their Fort.--Adventure of a Dragoon.--Loss of a Cook. + + +In order to testify his gratitude towards the British, the Shah resolved +to institute an order of merit, to be called the order of the Doorannee +Empire, and to confer its respective grades upon three classes of +officers, namely, Generals, Brigadier Generals, and Field Officers. A +durbar having been summoned, at which the Ministers of State, the +Politicals, and a number of British Officers were present, a chapter of +the order was held, and his Majesty, as Sovereign, invested the +Commander-in-Chief, several general and field officers, and the +Politicals with the decoration, which consisted of a sort of Maltese +cross with a jewel in the centre. His Majesty was also pleased to +express his desire that every officer, non-commissioned officer, and +private soldier in the army should receive a silver medal, commemorative +of the campaign, and for this purpose placed a large sum of money at the +disposal of Sir John Keane. The Queen's sanction has been obtained to +the measure, but the medal has not as yet been issued. + +Leave had been given by the officers in command of the different +regiments to men entering the town to carry their side arms, as a +protection in case of chance collision with the inhabitants. The +facility of obtaining intoxicating liquors rendered this a contingency +of not unlikely occurrence, and our men soon got themselves into +unpleasant and in some instances dangerous scrapes. On one occasion, a +private of the 13th Light Infantry having been drinking rather freely, +forced himself into the apartments of the wife of a respectable +inhabitant. Proceeding to offer her some violence, her screams alarmed +the neighbourhood, and the soldier was soon surrounded by a host of +angry husbands and fathers, armed with every description of weapon. He +defended himself with his bayonet for some time, contenting himself with +merely parrying their blows, and had fought his way into the street, +when he was met by several others of the townspeople, who set upon the +unfortunate fellow and instantly despatched him. They secreted the body +until night-fall, and then threw it outside the walls of the town, where +it was discovered next morning. + +It having been determined that early in September part of the forces +should set out on their return homeward, the choice fell upon her +Majesty's 17th Foot, the 2nd or Queen's Royals, one Company of Foot +Artillery, a detachment of the 4th Light Dragoons, the 1st regiment of +Bombay Light Cavalry, and two troops of Bombay Horse Artillery, the +whole under the command of Major General Sir Thomas Wiltshire. It would +naturally be supposed that after so long an absence from quarters, we +hailed this intimation with something like pleasure, but such was far +from being the fact. We had rioted in profusion and luxury, and did not +relish the idea of again encountering the privations of the long and +dreary route which lay between us and India. Added to this we had seen +but little of actual fighting, and the promotions had been consequently +few. + +Promotion and prize money are the all engrossing subjects of a soldier's +ambition, and this speedy return put an end at once to our long +cherished hopes. We well knew that the restless and turbulent spirit of +the Affghan Chiefs would not permit them to remain long in subjection to +Shah Soojah, and that there would consequently be more work for the +British troops. Regret and envy of our more fortunate comrades were +therefore the predominant feelings which pervaded nearly the whole of +the departing troops. + +We left Cabul on the 14th of September, and arrived at Ghuznee, the +scene of our former exploits, after eight days' march, during which +nothing worthy of mention occurred. It is astonishing how soon the +traces of war disappear, and the living gaps caused by its ravages are +filled up. The fortress appeared as perfect in its outline as if the +hand of the destroyer had not recently passed over it, new gates having +been substituted for those which had been damaged, and the breach +immediately above them re-filled with masonry. The inhabitants of the +bazaar had resumed their accustomed occupations, and scolded, and +chaffered, and jested, and laughed, as if they had neither lost +relatives nor friends, nor dabbled through mire freshly reeking with +their blood. Familiarity, they say, breeds contempt and blunts the +feelings, and the Asiatic, before whose eyes such scenes pass almost +daily, thinks of them only as the immutable decrees of fate, which +cannot be shunned, and ought not to be repined at. + +The sick and wounded, of whom we had left numbers at Ghuznee, had almost +all died, and were interred in an open space selected for the purpose +outside the walls of the fortress. The last resting-place of our brave +fellows is situated at the foot of one of the adjacent mountains, but +neither stone nor inscription indicates the spot. + +The Bengal regiment of Native Infantry, whom we found in garrison at +Ghuznee on our return, and whom we left after us, appeared to be quite +as well reconciled to their quarters as we were at Cabul, although the +two places appeared to me vastly different in point of health and +comfort. The majority of the inhabitants regarded the troops with a sort +of sullen indifference, but the trading classes seemed civil enough. The +quantities of fish and game with which the neighbourhood abounded, +afforded the officers a ready means of dissipating their time, and we +would have been well content to have remained here. Orders were however +given that we should pursue our route, and we left Ghuznee on the 25th +of September, after a stay of only two or three days. + +Instead of diverging to the right towards Candahar, we took the direct +route to Quettah, over the Ghiljie hills. The weather had become +intensely cold, and the rivers and streams were covered with ice, +several inches in thickness. The Rev. Mr. Pigot, our chaplain, happened +to be crossing one of them on a pony, when the ice gave way with his +weight, and the worthy clergyman was immersed in the water. The stream +was not, however, so deep as to occasion any alarm for his safety, and +he was speedily rescued from his embarrasment, with no other +inconvenience than being kept shivering several hours in his wet +clothes, his baggage being at a considerable distance in advance. The +rascally native who preceded us as guide grinned maliciously, and told +him that if he had not forgotten to say his prayers setting out the +accident would not have happened. + +On encamping, at the close of the first day's march, from Ghuznee, some +soldiers belonging to the 17th Infantry and Queen's Royals, went out in +search of water, and met with a draw well, which proved to be dry. One +of them descended in order to examine it more closely, and an +exclamation of horror escaped him as he reached the bottom. On his +companions enquiring the occasion of it, they learned that he had fallen +upon several skeletons, the identity of which with some soldiers we had +lost on the route upwards was placed beyond doubt by fragments of +military clothing and regimental buttons which lay scattered about. +Singular to relate, a lark had built its nest in one of the skulls, and +was found innocently reposing with its young in this curious receptacle. + +The annoyances to which we had been subjected during our route upwards, +from the thieving system of warfare pursued by the Affghans, seemed now +at an end. Our road lay through bleak and desolate hills, where only a +solitary, and timid mountaineer was occasionally to be seen. Numerous +rivers and streams traversed this wild country in every direction, and +relieved us from all apprehensions on the score of water. Provisions +were also plentiful, as the Commissariat had taken care to lay in +sufficient supplies, and the only inconvenience which we might be said +to have experienced was the severe cold of the nights. The barren nature +of the country rendered fuel difficult of obtainment, and the +consequence was that numbers of the troops were carried off by +dysentery. + +The march from Ghuznee to Quettah occupied about five weeks, and we +thought we should never reach the end of these long chains of hills. +Always ascending and descending heights of no inconsiderable elevation, +the horses became regularly knocked up with fatigue, and we were obliged +to shoot numbers of them on the way. + +In a recess in one of these hills, I one day came upon a singular scene. +About nine or ten of the natives were assembled around a dead horse and +while part of them were cutting steaks from his haunches, the others +were engaged cooking them. Revolting as such a sight is to European +stomachs, I have seen the time when, on our march upwards, I could have +partaken of these same horse steaks with infinite relish. + +A few days before our arrival at Quettah, we requited an atrocious act +of treachery, which had been committed towards us by some Ghiljie +chiefs, with the punishment it richly merited. About one hundred camel +drivers, who had left us at Candahar, on our way to Cabul, for the +purpose of returning homewards, took their route over the hills we were +now crossing in order to shorten the journey. They were met by the +Ghiljies with professions of friendship, and seduced into a mountain +fort under the pretence of hospitality. They had no sooner entered its +walls than their throats were all cut, and their bodies flung into deep +wells for the purpose of concealing the massacre from the eyes of the +British. + +Information of the fact having been received, Sir Thomas Wiltshire +despatched a Squadron of her Majesty's 4th Light Dragoons, two companies +of Native Infantry, and two pieces of artillery to raze the fortress to +the ground. The cavalry started at two o'clock in the morning, and after +a hard gallop of eighteen miles we arrived in front of the Ghiljie +strong-hold. It was a small but strongly constructed fortress, situated +on the brow of a steep declivity and defended by strong wooden gates. +The entrance was commanded by an old iron carronade, and a number of +loopholes for the discharge of musketry. Not a living soul was to be +seen on the walls, and fearing some artifice, Major Daly, our commanding +officer, resolved to suspend operations until the artillery came up. As +soon as the latter made its appearance, and the guns were placed in a +position to command the fort, Major Daly ordered part of the cavalry to +dismount and proceed with loaded carbines to the gate, under cover of +their fire. No opposition was, however, offered to us, the enemy having +fled to the mountains, and the gates were forced open in a few minutes. + +The only inhabitants we found in the place were a few women and +children, but we discovered quantities of the richest silks and carpets, +beside arms and money (consisting principally of silver coins) the +fortress being a sort of depot for the booty obtained by these highland +marauders. + +One of the cavalry having entered a dwelling in search of plunder, was +suddenly seized by two or three Ghiljies, who unexpectedly made their +appearance through a sort of trap, with which almost every house in the +fort was furnished. They placed a bandage over his eyes, and were in +the act of passing a rope round his arms, when the timely approach of +some of his comrades saved him from being carried off as a prisoner, the +enemy disappearing through the trap the moment they heard the noise of +their footsteps at the entrance. The troopers would have willingly +pursued them, but the depth and darkness of the subterraneous passage +convinced them it was something more than a mere cellar, and they knew +that if they once got involved in its windings they would be completely +at the mercy of the enemy. It is probable that these passages had +outlets without the walls, and that it was through them the enemy made +their escape at the first news of our approach, the suddenness and +quickness of our movements preventing them from taking their valuables +with them. There was also abundance of cattle and grain, of which we +brought off large supplies to the camp. Orders having been given to the +Artillery to blow up the fortress, the women and children were sent out +of it, and at five o'clock the same day the walls were breached, so as +to render them completely useless, and the houses fired in all +directions. After remaining to see that the work of destruction was +complete, we quitted the place at three o'clock in the morning, and +arrived the same day at the encampment. The enemy were not entirely +without their revenge, for, following on our footsteps, and watching us +closely, they contrived to carry off the cook, and three camels laden +with the cooking utensils of the squadron, a loss which was severely +felt, and by some thought ill compensated by the booty we had obtained. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Arrival at Quettah.--Storming of the Fortress of Khelat.--Suicide +of a Trooper belonging to the Horse Artillery.--Departure from +Quettah.--The Bholun Pass.--Dadur.--Bagh.--Breaking out of the +Cholera.--Death of Doctor Forbes.--Shikarpoor.--Death of Captain +Ogle.--Sukkur-Bukkur.--Death of Lieutenant Janvrin.--Wedding Ceremonies +of the Natives.--Breaking up of the Bombay Column.--Departure of +Brigadier Scott.--Boar Hunt.--Larkhana.--Sehwan.--Kurrachee.--Feast of +the Mohurrum.--Embarkation and Arrival at Bombay. + + +We reached Quettah on the 29th of October, and the army separated into +two divisions there, one to proceed by the fortress of Khelat, to punish +the Khan for the treacherous trick which he had played us on our way up, +and the other to return homeward through the Bholun Pass. The force +destined for military operations against Khelat consisted of her +Majesty's 2nd or Queen's Royals, her Majesty's 17th regiment of Foot, +the 35th Bengal Native Infantry, one company of Foot Artillery, one +troop of Horse Artillery, with the Poona Irregular Horse, the whole +under the command of Major-General Sir Thomas Wiltshire. As my +detachment was not included in this expedition, owing to the fatigued +condition of the horses, and the difficulty of procuring forage on the +route, I can only describe the storming of Khelat from the reports of +those who were present at it. + +The fortress of Khelat was very little inferior to Ghuznee in point of +strength, being defended by strong breastworks and mounted with large +cannon. The garrison consisted of from twelve to fourteen hundred men, +and there was abundance of provisions and ammunition in the place. After +reconnoitring its position Sir Thomas Wiltshire resolved on carrying it +by storm, and the affair was a short but brilliant one. A battery was +erected on one of the neighbouring heights, and a well directed fire +soon brought the gates down. The stormers then rushed up the causeway +under cover of our guns; but before they had reached the gateway, a +heavy fire from the loopholes of the fortress killed from twenty to +thirty of our troops, amongst whom was Lieutenant Gravatt, who was +gallantly leading them on. A desperate hand to hand fight then ensued, +the enemy resisting in dense masses, and disputing every inch of ground; +but our men carried all before them, at the point of the bayonet, and +drove the enemy into the interior of the fortress, where they were +headed by the Khan himself. The old Chieftain fought with desperation +and though frequently offered quarter, indignantly refused to accept it. +He and the followers by whom he was surrounded were all bayonetted on +the spot, and in about four hours the whole of the fortress was in the +possession of our troops. In the immediate vicinity of the place where +the Khan was killed, a shocking spectacle presented itself. His favorite +women, about twelve or fourteen in number, lay heaped together in a pool +of blood, their throats having been cut by order of the Khan, to prevent +their falling into our hands. A large quantity of treasure, consisting +of specie and jewels, was found in the citadel, and had the Cavalry been +present more would have fallen into the hands of our troops, as the +enemy were observed despatching it to the hills, on camels, through one +of the back gates, during the heat of the assault. Amongst the various +effects which were captured on this occasion were several boxes of arms +and accoutrements, which had been plundered from us on our way to Cabul, +and a telescope and some books, which had belonged to one of our +officers. Cattle and grain were also found in great abundance, and +proved of no small service to the division, on its route homeward, +through the Gundava pass. The fortress was completely dismantled before +the departure of the troops, and the Chiefs and other prisoners +liberated on promising allegiance to the Shah. + +Amongst the residents whom we found at Quettah on our arrival was a +Bombay Parsee, who had ventured up to that place with supplies, +consisting of tea, sugar, hams, brandy, beer, wines, and other +necessaries. To the soldier as well as the officer these articles were a +welcome treat, and having plenty of money to purchase them we soon +exhausted the stores of the enterprising trader who had reason to +congratulate himself on the successful issue of his trip. + +The morning previous to our departure a suicide occurred under +circumstances which gave rise to the suspicion that the wretched +perpetrator of it intended to have preluded it by the crime of murder. A +trooper belonging to the Horse Artillery was placed under arrest for +some trifling neglect of duty, and as soon as he was liberated he took a +loaded pistol and went directly to the tent of the adjutant of his corps +who had fortunately quitted it a few minutes before. The disappointed +trooper returned to his lines and immediately blew his own brains out. + +We left Quettah on the 1st of November, about nine o'clock at night, +taking with us the sick who had been left behind on our way to Cabul, +and who were now sufficiently restored to proceed homeward. In +consequence of the scarcity of water on the route we were obliged to +make a forced march of eight and twenty miles, and reached the entrance +to the Bholun Pass at six o'clock the next morning. We entertained a +lively recollection of the reception we had met with on our former +passage through this defile, and now felt some misgivings that we should +not be allowed to retrace our steps without a repetition of the favours +which were then so liberally showered upon us. To our great +gratification and contentment, however, the Belochees offered us no sort +of obstruction, and could they have facilitated our progress through +their country, would, I have little doubt, been well inclined to do so. +We occasionally caught glimpses of them watching our movements at a +respectful distance, but they never ventured within musket shot during +the whole of our passage. We lost two or three men from sickness before +we cleared the defile, and found it almost impossible to inter them from +the stony nature of the strata with which the whole of this district is +covered. + +Quitting the Bholun we proceeded to Dadur, and thence to Bagh, through a +jungle abounding with every sort of game, but more particularly deer and +wild boar. The troops made their way with considerable difficulty +through the intricacies of this entangled route, the pioneers being in +constant requisition to clear a passage for them. + +On the 24th of November we arrived at Bagh, a village situated at the +Cabul side of the desert, elsewhere described. The place consists of a +few miserable huts, surrounded by fields of joharra, and containing only +one tank of stagnant water. Doctor Forbes, of the 1st Light Cavalry, an +officer universally esteemed for his benevolence, hearing that the +Natives were dying in numbers of the cholera, immediately hastened to +the village to tender his services. He was seized by the epidemic and +returned to his quarters in a dying state. The unfortunate gentleman +expired in a few hours afterwards, and was interred the same day. Five +or six of the European troops were attacked in like manner, and were +immediately hurried to the hospital tents, where two of them died, but +the others struggled successfully against the disease. Brigadier Scott, +taking alarm at these unequivocal evidences of malaria, gave orders that +we should proceed across the desert without a moment's delay, and we +accordingly struck our tents at four o'clock the same day, carrying our +sick along with us. On reaching the extremity of the desert we found the +1st regiment of Bombay Grenadiers, with a large convoy of provisions and +stores for the use of the army. These supplies should have reached us at +the other side of the Bholun, but the escort had been attacked by the +cholera on the route, and were obliged to remain stationary until the +disease had abated. We found them nearly all convalescent and about to +continue their route. We took from them a stock of provisions, and +pursued our march. + +We arrived at Shikarpoor with a great number of sick who had fallen ill +of the epidemic on the way, and it was resolved that we should remain +here a few days. Shikarpoor is a large well built town, and contains +two fine mosques, several roofed bazaars, and two or three large +manufactories. The British Resident has a fine house here, the gardens +of which are tastefully laid out in the European style. Notwithstanding +the clean looking appearance of the town it is far from being healthy, +and from ten to twelve of our troops were daily carried off by the +cholera during our stay. Amongst the number was Captain Ogle of the 4th +Light Dragoons, who fell a victim to his humanity in visiting the sick +of his troop. This lamented gentleman was only in his thirtieth year, +and was a great favourite with his corps. He was unfortunately a married +man, and had been looking forward with feelings of eager anticipation to +his reunion with his family. Being of a buoyant and joyous temperament, +his loss was felt severely in the circle of his brother officers; his +ready jest and imperturbable good humour rendering him the life and +soul of the mess table. Captain Ogle looked upon the private soldier as +something more than a mere automaton placed at his disposal, and whilst +he had always a due regard for the discipline of the service, he +exercised the power entrusted to him with humanity and judgment, the act +in which he lost his life being but the last of a countless series of +generous and disinterested offices which he was in the habit of +performing for those under his command. Few men have left behind them a +memory so associated with every thing that is valuable and estimable in +social and military life. + +Leaving Shikarpoor, on the 27th of November, we arrived on the following +day at Sukkur Bukkur, a town situated on the banks of the Indus, and +having its citadel on a rock in the centre of the river. The cholera +rapidly disappeared here; but we sustained another loss in the person of +Lieutenant Janvrin, the acting Quarter-Master of our detachment, who +was carried off by the small-pox. On the opposite bank of the river lies +Roree, a village remarkable only for its manufactures, which consist +principally of silks. Several of us having obtained leave to visit the +place, we were strolling through the bazaar, when we observed +preparations for a wedding in progress. Taking up a position which +enabled us to see what was passing, without obtruding on the parties +concerned, we waited patiently until the ceremonies commenced. At the +expiration of about a quarter of an hour the bridegroom made his +appearance in front of the house which contained his betrothed, and both +in person and attire he was all that a native belle could have desired. +He was a fine, muscular looking fellow of about seven or eight and +twenty, with handsome features and bold and jaunty air. He was dressed +in a loose robe, of spotless white, and without any ornaments or +weapons whatsoever. Proceeding directly to the door of the house which +contained his Dulcinea he knocked at it three times with the knuckles of +his right hand and once with his left. He then threw himself prostrate +on a mat which had been made for the purpose, by the lady's own hands, +and there waited her coming forth. The door presently opened, and a +number of musicians immediately struck up a wild and discordant air. A +timid and pretty looking maiden, about fourteen years of age, showily +dressed in different coloured silks, and ornamented with a nose ring and +bangles of pure gold, at length stepped forth, followed by her relatives +and friends, who formed themselves into a circle around her. The +bridegroom starting to his feet made a formal claim to the hand of his +affianced and presented her with a garland of flowers, which she +gracefully threw across her shoulders, in token that she accepted him, +and then suffered him to embrace her. Lifting her in his arms he placed +her on the back of a donkey, and they went in procession to pay visits +of ceremony through the town, the bride distributing sweetmeats to the +crowd, as she passed along. The bridegroom showered his favours about in +the form of some red powder, which he flung in the faces of all near +him, and especially in those of the Europeans, of whom there were a good +many present. He half blinded some of us, and conferred as dark a hue as +his own upon others--freaks that appeared to give infinite delight and +amusement to the natives, but which were not taken in quite as good part +by some testy fellows amongst us. Having arrived at the house of the +bridegroom's father, the old gentleman graciously descended, and taking +the bride in his arms, bore her into his dwelling. The bridegroom +remained a few minutes after them, and flinging some cowries to the +musicians and crowd, he made a salaam and darted in after his +_inamorata_. + +We remained at Sukkur about six weeks, in consequence of an order +forwarded after us by Sir William Mc Naghten, under the apprehension +that our services would be again wanted at Cabul. The Indus being +navigable up to the town, we had plentiful supplies of provisions and +other necessaries at moderate prices, and felt tolerably satisfied with +our quarters. As to the probability of our having to return to Cabul, +the Cavalry felt at ease regarding the rumours which prevailed, for they +well knew that the condition of their horses put such a thing completely +out of the question. An order at length arrived that the various +brigades of the Bombay column should be broken up, and that the troops +composing them should return to their respective quarters. Brigadier +General Scott, and his aides de camp, accordingly left us by one of the +first boats which sailed down the Indus for Bombay, and we remained +under the command of the officers of our respective regiments. + +We passed our time hunting in the jungles, in the vicinity of the camp, +or in fishing in the river, both of which proved prolific sources of +amusement. I went out several times to chase the wild boar, and on one +of these occasions the sport nearly proved fatal to me. Proceeding with +two of my comrades, and a native for guide, through a dense and almost +impenetrable part of the jungle, we suddenly roused a huge boar, which +turned fiercely upon us, and made directly at the nearest of its +pursuers, which, as chance would have it, happened to be me. He had me +down on the earth in a twinkling, and would have made short work of me +had not a well-directed shot from one of my companions struck him right +between the eyes, and tumbled him lifeless on the ground. The man to +whom I owed my safety exhibited admirable coolness, and +self-possession, for the slightest deviation in his aim would have sent +the bullet through me instead of the object for which it was intended. +It was with the greatest difficulty we contrived to drag our prize into +camp, for he weighed no less than from twenty-five to thirty stone, and +supplied the troop with pork chops until we were tired of them. + +The importance of Sukkur as a military position cannot be exaggerated. +It forms the key to Scinde, and the Indus being navigable up to the +fortress, its supplies do not depend on season or circumstance. These +advantages have not been overlooked, for it has since been retained in +the possession of our troops, and will always serve as a _point d'appui_ +in any future operations we may undertake at that side of the Indus. + +After passing nearly six weeks at Sukkur, we took the route to Larkhana +along the right bank of the Indus. The road lay, as before, through a +jungle, and the occasional glimpses which we caught of the river through +the clearances gave a picturesque effect to the scenery. We arrived at +Larkhana on the 19th of January, and remained there only one day. +Proceeding thence to Sehwan we reached the latter place in about four +days, and found a gun boat belonging to the Hon. Company lying at +moorings in the river. We left Sehwan on the following day, and taking a +farewell of the River Indus we proceeded towards the coast through a +wild and deserted district, in which we found neither villages nor +inhabitants. + +Within one day's march of Kurrachee we found a number of tombs richly +sculptured and covered with inscriptions from the Koran, which were said +to contain the remains of some of the native princes. There being +abundance of excellent water here, and Kurrachee having the reputation +of not being extremely healthy, it was determined that we should +remained encamped here until the Khelat division formed a junction with +us. It was not till the end of February, however, that the Khelat forces +made their appearance, having kept us waiting about five weeks, and on +the day after their arrival we marched into Kurrachee where we found her +Majesty's 40th regiment. + +Kurrachee is situated on the Coast of Belochistan, and its natural +advantages entitle it to the rank of a first rate sea-port town. It +possesses a fine harbour, in which a seventy-four gun ship may ride in +safety, and which is protected by the batteries of the town, and the +guns of a fortress occupying an island about midway between the mainland +and the promontory which forms the harbour. On our arrival at Scinde, +instructions had been forwarded to Commodore Pepper, by the +Commander-in-Chief, to invest the place, and we accordingly found it in +possession of our troops on our return. + +The town is large but irregularly built, and is surrounded by walls and +bastions, on which we saw some pieces of cannon, but they were of small +calibre, and of the worst possible construction. To the north of the +town we observed a superb banyan tree, which extended its foliage to +such a distance, that it formed a pavilion capable of containing a small +stone mosque for the accommodation of a number of Faquirs or priests. Of +the many curious specimens of this class that I have met with in Asia, I +have seen none so utterly degraded and isolated from every thing like +humanity. Their bodies were thickly coated over with ashes and red +paint, and their hair clotted with filthy moisture. They were surrounded +by every sort of abomination, and howled and whined like a set of wild +beasts. That they had not reduced themselves to this savage state +merely from fanaticism we had abundant opportunities of discovering, for +we saw the inhabitants of Kurrachee daily pouring into the temple with +rich presents and offerings, and propitiating their good will by +sacrifices of their most precious and valuable effects. To the left of +the Mosque lies a tank, or reservoir, about fifty feet long by thirty +broad, in which we saw a number of live alligators, which are carefully +fed by the priests, and held in the greatest possible veneration and awe +by the deluded votaries who repair there. + +The feast of the Mohurrum had commenced a few hours before our arrival, +but we were in time to witness the greater part of it. A short +description of these singular rites may not be uninteresting to the +reader. A hole being dug in the ground to the depth of about six or +eight feet, fire is placed in it, and the devotees dance round it, with +the most extravagant exclamations and gestures, some dashing square +pieces of iron or brass together, to add to the effect. According as one +set of dancers becomes fatigued they are replaced by another, and thus +the ceremonies are kept up without intermission from sunset to daybreak. +When the moon is at its full they march in procession to the water's +side, preceded by their Taboots, a sort of fantastical temple, +constructed of bamboo and gilt paper. I have seen one of these temples, +at Poona, of such large dimensions that it required an elephant to draw +it, and cost no less a sum than a thousand rupees. On reaching the +water's side the taboots are thrown in and allowed to float away with +the tide. This concludes the ceremonies and the wearied performers are +glad to return to their homes. + +On returning towards the lines, from the Mohurrum, we saw a miserable +looking wretch squatted at the side of the road, who appeared to be in +deep affliction, for he was weeping bitterly and lamenting his hard +fate. I addressed him and inquired into the cause of his grief. He told +me that he had been induced to become a convert to Christianity by one +of the missionaries, and had been thrust out of the pale of social +intercourse from the moment the fact became known. He deplored his +having yielded to the arguments of the missionary, since they had +debarred him from participating in the religious ceremony which had just +terminated, its pomp and circumstance having evidently made a deeper +impression on his imagination than his conviction. We gave him some +relief and passed on, when our attention was again directed to him by +one of our companions, who had lingered behind. Several of the natives +had surrounded the poor convert, and were spitting upon him, and loading +him with the vilest reproaches. We returned to the spot and compelled +them to leave him in peace. + +Amongst the British whom we found on our arrival at Kurrachee was Mr. +Masson, the author of an interesting work on Affghanistan, which has +been lately published. This gentleman had been originally a private +soldier in the Honourable Company's service, and had risen through +various grades to the profitable civil employ which he at present holds. +He rendered some important services to the company, for which they +awarded him a pension of L100 a-year, and much to his credit he settled +the whole of it on his aged mother. + +After remaining at Kurrachee about ten days, the order was at length +issued for the embarkation of the Cavalry, which was now limited to my +own detachment. Upwards of thirty _pattemars_ were hired for the voyage, +and from twelve to fourteen men, and an equal number of horses, were +stowed in each. We had a quick and favourable passage, and arrived at +Bombay on the 10th of March, after an absence of nearly eighteen months. + +THE END. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +FROM THE DELHI GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, OCTOBER 1, 1842. + +"The Right Hon. the Govenor-General of India having with the concurrence +of the Supreme Council, directed the assemblage of a British force for +service across the Indus, his Lordship deems it proper to publish the +following exposition of reasons which have led to this important +measure. + +"It is a matter of notoriety that the treaties entered into by the +British Government in the year 1832 with the Ameers of Scinde, the +Nawab of Bahawulpore, and Maharaja Runjeet Singh, had for their object, +by opening the navigation of the Indus, to facilitate the extension of +commerce, and to gain for the British nation in Central Asia that +legitimate influence which an interchange of benefits would naturally +produce. + +"With a view to invite the aid of the _de facto_ rulers of Afghanistan +to the measures necessary for giving full effect to those treaties, +Captain Burnes was deputed, towards the close of the year 1836, on a +mission to Dost Mahomed Khan, chief of Cabul: the original objects of +that officer's mission were purely of a commercial nature. + +"Whilst Captain Burnes, however, was on his journey to Cabul, +information was received by the Governor-General that the troops of Dost +Mahomed Khan had made a sudden and unprovoked attack on those of our +ancient ally, Maharaja Runjeet Singh. It was naturally to be +apprehended that his Highness the Maharaja would not be slow to avenge +this aggression, and it was to be feared that the flames of war being +once kindled in the very regions into which we were endeavouring to +extend our commerce, the peaceful and beneficial purposes of the British +Government would be altogether frustrated. In order to avert a result so +calamitous, the Governor-General resolved on authorising Captain Burnes +to intimate to Dost Mahomed Khan, that if he should evince a disposition +to come to just and reasonable terms with the Maharaja, his Lordship +would exert his good offices with his Highness for the restoration of an +amicable understanding between the two Powers. The Maharaja, with the +characteristic confidence which he has uniformly placed in the faith and +friendship of the British nation, at once assented to the proposition of +the Governor-General, to the effect that in the mean time hostilities +on his part should be suspended. + +"It subsequently came to the knowledge of the Govenor-General that a +Persian army was besieging Herat; that intrigues were actively +prosecuted throughout Affghanistan, for the purpose of extending Persian +influence and authority to the banks of, and even beyond, the Indus; and +that the Court of Persia had not only commenced a course of injury and +insult to the officers of Her Majesty's mission in the Persian +territory, but had afforded evidence of being engaged in designs wholly +at variance with the principles and objects of its alliance with Great +Britain. + +"After much time spent by Captain Burnes in fruitless negotiation at +Cabul, it appeared that Dost Mahomed Khan, chiefly in consequence of his +reliance upon Persian encouragement and assistance, persisted, as +respected his misunderstanding with the Sikhs, in urging the most +unreasonable pretensions, such as the Governor-General could not, +consistently with justice and his regard for the friendship of Maharajah +Runjeet Singh, be the channel of submitting to the consideration of his +Highness; that he avowed schemes of aggrandizement and ambition +injurious to the security and peace of the frontiers of India; and that +he openly threatened, in furtherance of these schemes, to call in every +foreign aid which he could command. Ultimately, he gave his undisguised +support to the Persian designs in Affghanistan, of the unfriendly and +injurious character of which, as concerned the British power in India, +he was well apprised; and by his utter disregard of the views and +interests of the British Government compelled Captain Burnes to leave +Cabul without having effected any of the objects of his mission. + +"It was now evident that no further interference could be exercised by +the British Government to bring about a good understanding between the +Sikh ruler and Dost Mahomed Khan; and the hostile policy of the latter +chief showed too plainly that so long as Cabul remained under his +government we could never hope that the tranquillity of our +neighbourhood would be secured, or that the interests of our Indian +empire would be preserved inviolate. + +"The Governor-General deems it in this place necessary to revert to the +siege of Herat and the conduct of the Persian nation. The siege of that +city had now been carried on by the Persian army for many months. The +attack upon it was a most unjustifiable and cruel aggression, +perpetrated and continued notwithstanding the solemn and repeated +remonstrances of the British Envoy at the Court of Persia, and after +every just and becoming offer of accommodation had been made and +rejected. The besieged have behaved with gallantry and fortitude worthy +of the justice of their cause, and the Govenor-General would yet +indulge the hope that their heroism may enable them to maintain a +successful defence until succours shall reach them from British India. +In the mean time the ulterior designs of Persia, affecting the interests +of the British Government, have been by a succession of events, more and +more openly manifested. The Governor-General has recently ascertained, +by an official despatch from Mr. M'Neil, Her Majesty's Envoy, that his +Excellency has been compelled, by the refusal of his just demands, and +by a systematic course of disrespect adopted towards him by the Persian +Government, to quit the court of the Schah, and to make a public +declaration of the cessation of all intercourse between the two +Governments. The necessity under which Great Britain is placed of +regarding the present advance of the Persian arms into Affghanistan as +an act of hostility towards herself, has also been officially +communicated to the Schah, under the express order of Her Majesty's +Government. + +"The chiefs of Candahar (brothers of Dost Mahomed Khan, of Cabul) have +avowed their adherence to the Persian policy, with the same full +knowledge of its opposition to the rights and interests of the British +nation in India, and to have been openly assisting in the operations +against Herat. + +"In the crisis of affairs consequent upon the retirement of our Envoy +from Cabul, the Governor-General felt the importance of taking immediate +measures for arresting the rapid progress of foreign intrigue and +aggression towards our own territories. + +"His attention was naturally drawn, at this conjuncture, to the position +and claims of Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk, a monarch who, when in power, had +cordially acceded to the measures of united resistance to external +enmity which were, at that time judged necessary by the British +Government, and who, on his empire being usurped by its present rulers, +had found an honourable asylum in the British dominions. + +"It had clearly been ascertained, from the information furnished by the +various officers who have visited Afghanistan, that the Barukzye chiefs, +from their disunion and unpopularity, were ill-fitted, under any +circumstances, to be useful allies to the British Government, and to aid +us in our just and necessary measures of national defence. Yet so long +as they refrained from proceedings injurious to our interests and +security, the British Government acknowledged and respected their +authority. But a different policy appeared to be now more than justified +by the conduct of those chiefs, and to be indispensable to our own +safety. The welfare of our possessions in the East requires that we +should have on our western frontier an ally who is interested in +resisting aggression and establishing tranquillity, in the place of +chiefs ranging themselves in subservience to a hostile Power, and +seeking to promote schemes of conquest and aggrandisement. + +"After a serious and mature deliberation, the Governor-General was +satisfied that pressing necessity, as well as every consideration of +policy and justice, warranted us in espousing the cause of Schah +Sooja-ool-Moolk, whose popularity throughout Affghanistan had been +proved to his Lordship by the strong and unanimous testimony of the best +authorities. Having arrived at this determination, The Governor-General +was further of opinion that it was just and proper, no less from the +position of Maharaja Runjeet Singh, than from his undeviating friendship +towards the British Government, that his Highness should have the offer +of becoming a party to the contemplated operations. Mr. Macnaghten was +accordingly deputed in June last to the Court of his Highness, and the +result of his mission has been the conclusion of a tripartite treaty by +the British Government, the Maharaja, and Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk, whereby +his Highness is guaranteed in his present possessions, and has bound +himself to co-operate for the restoration of the Schah to the throne of +his ancestors. The friends and enemies of any one of the contracting +parties have been declared to be the friends and enemies of all. Various +points have been adjusted which had been the subject of discussion +between the British Government and his Highness the Maharaja, the +identity of whose interests with those of the hon. Company has now been +made apparent to all the surrounding States. A guaranteed independence +will, upon favourable conditions, be tendered to the Ameers of Scinde; +and the integrity of Herat, in the possession of its present ruler, will +be fully respected; whilst, by the measures completed or in progress it +may reasonably be hoped that the general freedom and security of +commerce will be promoted; that the name and just influence of the +British Government will gain their proper footing among the nations of +central Asia; that tranquillity will be established upon the most +important frontier in India, and that a lasting barrier will be raised +against hostile intrigue and encroachment. + +"His Majesty Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk will enter Affghanistan surrounded by +his own troops, and will be supported against foreign interference and +factious opposition by a British army. The Governor-General confidently +hopes that the Schah will be speedily replaced on his throne by his own +subjects and adherents; and when once he shall be secured in power, and +the independence and integrity of Affghanistan established, the British +army will be withdrawn. + +"The Governor-General has been led to these measures by the duty which +is imposed upon him of providing for the security of the British Crown; +but he rejoices that in the discharge of his duty he will be enabled to +assist in restoring the union and prosperity of the Affghan people. +Throughout the approaching operations British influence will be +sedulously employed to further every measure of general benefit, to +reconcile differences, to secure oblivion of injuries, and to put an end +to the distractions by which, for so many years, the welfare and +happiness of the Affghans have been impaired. + +"Even to the chiefs whose hostile proceedings have given just cause of +offence to the British Government, it will seek to secure liberal and +honourable treatment, on their tendering early submission, and ceasing +from opposition to that course of measures which may be judged the most +suitable for the general advantage of their country. + +"By order of the Right Hon. the Governor-General of India, + + "W. H. MACNAGHTEN, + + "Secretary to the Government of India, + "with the Governor-General. + + * * * * * + + +"NOTIFICATION + +"With reference to the preceding declaration, the following appointments +are made;-- + +"Mr. W. H. Macnaghten, secretary to Government, will assume the +functions of Envoy and Minister, on the part of the Government of India, +at the Court of Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk; Mr. Macnaghten will be assisted +by the following officers:-- + +"Captain Alexander Burnes, of the Bombay establishment, who will be +employed under Mr. Macnaghten's direction, as Envoy to the chief of +Khelat, or other states. + +"Lieutenant E. D'Arcy Todd, of the Bengal Artillery, to be political +assistant and military secretary to the Envoy and Minister. + +"Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger, of the Bombay Artillery; Lieutenant R. +Leech, of the Bombay Engineers; Mr. P. B. Lord, of the Bombay Medical +Establishment, to be political assistants to ditto ditto. + +"Lieutenant E. R. Conolly, of the 6th Regiment Bengal Cavalry, to +command the escort of the Envoy and Minister, and to be military +assistant to ditto ditto. + +"Mr. G. J. Berwick, of the Bengal Medical Establishment, to be surgeon +to ditto ditto. + + "W. H. MACNAGHTEN, + + "Secretary to the Governor of India, + with the Governor-General." + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +The following modifications have been made to the text. + +Contents, CHAPTER III: 'Candahah' replaced with Candahar. + +Contents, CHAPTER IV: 'Khelet' replaced with Khelat. + +Contents, CHAPTER VIII: Comma after 'Commandant of Ghuznee' replaced +with a period. + +Contents, CHAPTER XII: 'Cott' replaced with Scott. + +Page 1: Missing emdashes added to the chapter description. + +Page 3: 'Soojah-Ool-Moolk' replaced with Sooja-ool-Moolk. + +Page 25: Period removed from between 'Lieutenant' and 'Nixon'. + +Page 36: 'Schwan' replaced with Sehwan. + +Page 37: 'und' replaced with and. + +Page 52: 'Candahah' replaced with Candahar. + +Page 58: 'couutrymen' replaced with countrymen. + +Page 104: 'Khelat-i-Giljie' replaced with Khelat-i-Ghiljie. + +Page 104: 'precints' replaced with precincts. + +Page 110: 'and and' replaced with and. + +Page 128: 'immedialely' replaced with immediately. + +Page 130: Comma after 'Commandant of Ghuznee' replaced with period. + +Page 133: 'melee' replaced with melee. + +Page 141: Missing hyphen added in Commander-in-Chief. + +Page 142: 'then' replaced with than. + +Page 146: 'circumstanee' replaced with circumstance. + +Page 148: Missing hyphen added in Commander-in-Chief. + +Page 149: 'pretented' replaced with pretended. + +Page 184: 'strong hold' replaced with strong-hold. + +Page 185: Comma inserted after 'however'. + +Page 188: 'Ccott' replaced with Scott. + +Page 195: 'epedemic replaced with epidemic. + +Page 215: 'EXTRAORINARY' replaced with EXTRAORDINARY. + +Page 216: 'Nawah' replaced with Nawab. + +Page 219: 'inteference' replaced with interference. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN +AFFGHANISTAN*** + + +******* This file should be named 33496.txt or 33496.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/3/4/9/33496 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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