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By the end of the month Afghan attacks were getting bolder and a second sortie was made on 1st December under [http://www.archive.org/stream/dictionaryofindi00buckuoft#page/117/mode/1up William Dennie] which was equally successful.
On 8 January 1842 a letter was received from Kabul confirming that the British had agreed to capitulate and leave the city under safe escort of the Afghans and ordering Sale to evacuate Jalalabad. Sale and MacGregor sent a reply declining to do so as they were aware that the local tribes were being ordered to attack the retreat. This decision was proved right when on 13 January Dr Brydon arrived wounded and alone to relate the massacre of [[William Elphinstone|Elphinstone's ]] army following its departure from Kabul on 9 January.
Considerable progress had been made over three months in building up the defences of the city. The ramparts were widened and the parapets raised. In addition cover outside the walls was removed by demolishing buildings and filling ditches. However a severe earthquake on 19 February threw down two bastions and caused a major breach in the walls. Hurried efforts were made to repair the damage before the Afghans realised their opportunity for attack.
