Category:Retreat from Kabul to Gandamak

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Prelude

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

Brigadier John Shelton
Advance Guard

• 
44th Regiment of Foot
• 4th Irregular Horse
• Horse Artillery (two 6 pounder guns)
• Sappers & Miners Mountain Train
• Envoy’s Escort
  

Main Body

• 5th Native Infantry
• 37th Native Infantry
 (in charge of treasure)
• Anderson’s Horse
• Shah’s 6th Regiment
• Horse Artillery (two 6 pounder guns)
  

Rearguard

• 54th Native Infantry
• 5th Cavalry
• Horse Artillery (two 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.