Loss of the Commissariat Fort
| Loss of the Commissariat Fort | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part of Category:1st Afghan War | ||
| Date: | 4 November 1841 | |
| Location: | Sherpur Cantonment, Kabul, Afghanistan | |
| Presidency: | Bengal | |
| Co-ordinates: | 34.529159°N 69.198913°E | |
| Result: | British defeat | |
| Combatants | ||
| British & Indians | Afghans | |
| Commanders | ||
| Brigadier John Shelton | ||
| Strength | ||
| Casualties | ||
This was an event during the 1st Afghan War
For context see main article Kabul Uprising
Synopsis
Inexplicably the supplies for the British were in a fort manned by 100 men of the 5th Native Infantry under Ensign Warren outside the Sherpur Cantonment perimeter. This fort held large quantities of wheat and animal feed, and all stores of rum, medicine and clothing. On 4 November it was attacked by the Afghan insurgents and Warren called for help. After an abortive rescue attempt by a company of 37th Bengal Native Infantry in which Ensign Gordon was killed, two companies of HM 44th Regiment under Captain Swayne were dispatched. Destructive fire from a neighbouring fort drove them back Capts Swayne and Robinson being killed. In the evening a further rescue attempt with the 5th Light Cavalry was also repulsed with heavy loss. Before another party could be sent Ensign Warren evacuated the fort on the assumption that rescue would not be coming. The British thus loss their supplies which was another fatal blow to their hopes of quelling the insurrection.
Garrison
- 5th Native Infantry 100 men under Ensign Warren
Relief Detachment
- Two Coys HM 44th Regiment under Captain Swayne
External Links
Maps
- Plan of the Cantonment and Surrounding Country, facing page xx The military operations at Cabul: which ended in the retreat and destruction of the British army, January 1842. With a journal of imprisonment in Affghanistan by Lieut. Vincent Eyre, Bengal Artillery. 2nd edition 1843 Archive.org
- Plan of the Cantonments and Surrounding Country , following page 453 A Journal of the Disasters in Affghanistan 1841-2 by Lady Sale 1843 Archive.org. This map appears to be an enlarged view of section of the map above by Lieut. Vincent Eyre.
Historical books online
- The Kabul insurrection of 1841-42 by G.B. Malleson (archive.org). Loss of the Commissariat Fort