Chapter I: Preface

In the military history of this country there is no darker page than the destruction of a considerable British force in the terrible defiles between Cabul and Jellalabad in January, 1842. Of all the wars in which our troops have taken part never was one entered upon so recklessly or so unjustifiably. The ruler of Afghanistan, Dost Mahomed, was sincerely anxious for our friendship. He was alarmed at the menacing attitude of Russia, which, in conjunction with Persia, was threatening his dominions and intriguing with the princes at Candahar. Our commissioner at Cabul, Mr. Burnes, was convinced of the Ameer's honesty of intention, and protested most strongly against the course taken by the Indian government, who determined upon setting up a discredited prince, who had for many years been a fugitive in India, in place of Dost Mahomed.

In spite of his remonstrances, the war was undertaken. Nothing could have been worse than the arrangements for it, and the troops suffered terribly from thirst and want of transport. However, they reached Cabul with comparatively little fighting. Dost Mahomed fled, and the puppet Shah Soojah was set up in his place; but he was only kept there by British bayonets, and for two years he was so protected. Gradually, however, the British force was withdrawn, until only some five thousand troops remained to support him. Well led, they would have been amply sufficient for the purpose, for though the Afghan tribesmen were dangerous among their mountains, they could not for a moment have stood against them in the open field. Unhappily the general was old and infirm, incapable of decision of any kind, and in his imbecile hands the troops, who in October could have met the whole forces of Afghanistan in fight, were kept inactive, while the Afghans pillaged the stores with the provisions for the winter, and insulted and bearded them in every way. Thus a fine body of fighting men were reduced to such depths of discontent and shame that when the unworthy order for retreat before their exulting enemy was given they had lost all confidence in themselves or their officers, and, weakened by hunger and hampered by an enormous train of camp followers, they went as sheep to the slaughter in the trap the Afghans had prepared for them. It would almost seem that their fate was a punishment for the injustice of the war. Misfortunes have befallen our arms, but never one so dark and disgraceful as this. The shame of the disaster was redeemed only by the heroic garrison of Jellalabad, which, although but one-fourth of the strength of that at Cabul, sallied out after a noble defence and routed the army which Dost Mahomed's son Akbar had assembled for their destruction.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I. Alone in the World 1

II. An Unexpected Meeting 19

III. The Siege of Herat 36

IV. A Sturdy Defence 54

V. In Candahar 72

VI. An Escape 89

VII. In the Service 108

VIII. The Advance 126

IX. Just in Time 144

X. A Mission 161

XI. A Dangerous Journey 180

XII. Troubles Thicken 198

XIII. The Murder of Sir A. Burnes 216

XIV. A Series of Blunders 232

XV. A Doomed Army 249

XVI. Annihilation of the Army 267

XVII. Jellalabad 286

XVIII. The Advance on Cabul 301

XIX. The British Captives 321

ILLUSTRATIONS

Angus and Pottinger watching the fight from the
walls of Herat _Frontispiece_

PAGE

"A man walking just in front of him ... was knocked
down" 26

Azim surprises the spy 96

"He took down the prop, and thrust it suddenly with
all his force through the hole" 150

"There, lying close under a rock, was a young Afghan" 166

"As they passed the corner ... some men sprang on
them" 218

"Angus was half-mad with grief and with fury that
he was not in his place among the troops" 272

Angus shows his goods to the prisoners 330

* * * * *

Map of Afghanistan and North-west Frontier of India 50

TO HERAT AND CABUL