Retreat from Kabul to Gundamak
Prelude
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See our interactive map of Retreat from Kabul to Gandamak locations and routes on Google Maps | |
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Sir William Macnaghten the political agent in Kabul was murdered at a conference by Muhammad Akbar Khan the son of Dost Muhammad on 23 December 1841. On 24 December 1841 Major Eldred Pottinger took up negotiations with the Afghans. He agreed to give up most artillery pieces, spare rifles, ammunition, money and six hostages for safe passage to Jalalabad.
Retreating Army
4,500 fighting men under Brigadier John Shelton
Advance Guard
Brigadier Anquetil commanding
- 44th Regiment of Foot (600)
- 4th Irregular Horse (70)
- Horse Artillery (two 6 pounder guns)
- Sappers & Miners (20)
- Mountain Train (3 guns)
Main Body
Brigadier Shelton commanding
- 5th Native Infantry with baggage (700)
- 37th Native Infantry in charge of treasure (600)
- Anderson’s Horse (70)
- Horse Artillery (two 6 pounder guns)
- Envoy’s Escort with the ladies
- Invalids and sick
Rearguard
Colonel Chambers commanding
- 54th Native Infantry (650)
- 6th Shah's Infantry (600)
- 5th Cavalry (260)
- Horse Artillery (four 6 pounder guns)
Total 4,500 fighting men and 12,000 followers
The Retreat
In bitter winter weather the retreating army was continually attacked and in a series of rearguard actions the majority of the troops and camp followers perished. Muhammad Akbar took 120 men, women and children hostage. The remnants of the 44th Regiment, 20 officers and 45 European soldiers, made a last stand at Gundamak. All were killed except Captain Thomas Alexander Souter who was taken prisoner and Dr William Brydon who escaped on horseback to the besieged city of Jalalabad.
Refer Battle of Gundamak
External Links
Retreat from Kabul to Gandamak www.britishbattles.com
Massacre of Elphinstone's Army Wikipedia
Dr Brydon's Account www.khyber.org
Historical Books on-line
The Kabul Insurrection of 1841-42 by Maj-Gen Sir Vincent Eyre 1879 (archive.org)
Battles of the Nineteenth Century - The Utter Destruction of a British Army by Archibald Forbes (archive.org)
The military operations at Cabul: which ended in the retreat and destruction of the British army, January 1842 by Sir Vincent Eyre 2nd edition 1843 (Google Books) Appendix 7 Narrative of the Events in Cabul between the 2nd of November 1841, and the middle of September 1842 by a Quondan Captive, page lx