Battle of Tunghi Tarika

Battle of Tunghi Tarika
Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42
Date:	10 January 1842
Location:	Tunghi Tarika Pass, Afghanistan
Presidency:	Bengal
Co-ordinates:	approx 34.438208°N 69.440216°E
Result:	British retreat
Combatants
British & Indians	Various Afghan tribes
Commanders
Brigadier John Shelton	Akbar Khan
Strength
Casualties

Tungee Tareekee Pass

January_ 10.--At break of day all was again confusion, every one hurrying to the front, and dreading above all things to be left in the rear. The Europeans were the only efficient men left, the Hindostanees having suffered so severely from the frost in their hands and feet, that few could hold a musket, much less pull a trigger. The enemy had occupied the rocks above the gorge, and thence poured a destructive fire upon the column as it slowly advanced. Fresh numbers fell at every volley. The sepoys, unable to use their arms, cast them away, and, with the followers, fled for their lives.

"The Affghans now rushed down upon their helpless and unresisting victims sword in hand, and a general massacre took place. The last small remnant of the native infantry regiments were here scattered and destroyed; and the public treasure, with all the remaining baggage, fell into the hands of the enemy. Meanwhile, the advance, after pushing through the Tungee with great loss, had reached Kubbur-i-Jubbar, about five miles a-head, without more opposition. Here they halted to enable the rear to join, but, from the few stragglers who from time to time came up, the astounding truth was brought to light, that of all who had that morning marched from Khoord-Cabul they were almost the sole survivors, nearly the whole of the main and rear columns having been cut off and destroyed. About 50 horse-artillerymen, with one twelve-pounder howitzer, 70 files H.M.'s 44th, and 150 cavalry troopers, now composed the whole Cabul force; but, notwithstanding the slaughter and dispersion that had taken place, the camp-followers still formed a considerable body."
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 1843

External Links

Wikipedia - 1st Afghan War
Somerset Record Office - 1st Afghan War
Google Books - History of the War in Afghanistan
British Battles - Retreat to Gandamak
Google Books - Action in the Tungee Tareekee Pass
Google Books - Casualties in the Tungee Turreekee Pass