Departure from Kabul
| Departure from Kabul | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42 | ||
| Date: | 6 January 1842 | |
| Location: | Kabul, Afghanistan | |
| Presidency: | Bengal | |
| Co-ordinates: | 34.528456°N 69.171705°E | |
| Result: | British retreat | |
| Combatants | ||
| British & Indians | Various Afghan tribes | |
| Commanders | ||
| Maj-Gen William Elphinstone | Akbar Khan | |
| Strength | ||
| Casualties | ||
See main article Retreat from Kabul to Gandamak
Summary
After terms had been agreed for safe passage of Elphinstone's army to Peshawar (see Kabul Uprising), the Afghan chiefs made various excuses for delaying the departure. Eventually on 6 January 1842 4,500 fighting men and 12,000 followers began to leave the Sherpur Cantonment where they had been besieged for two months. In bitter weather with a foot of snow on the ground, the retreating army moved out into the countryside with only five days supplies and no sign of the promised Afghan escort. As they left, the Afghans started to plunder and destroy the cantonment. At evening the main column was still passing out of the gate and the rearguard was having to defend itself against sniper fire which killed Lt Hardyman of 5th Light Cavalry and fifty other ranks. Eventually all were across the river but two Horse Artillery guns and a quantity of baggage had been abandoned. It was 2 am before the rearguard reached the night halt at Bagrame 5 miles down the road.
External Links
1st Afghan War Wikipedia
1st Afghan War Somerset Record Office
History of the War in Afghanistan Google Books
Retreat to Gandamak British Battles
The army leaves Kabul Google Books
Historical books on-line
The Kabul insurrection of 1841-42, ed. by G.B. Malleson - The Departure www.archive.org