Difference between revisions of "Battle of Gundamak"

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{{Battles_Infobox
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|partof=[[:Category:1st Afghan War|1st Afghan War 1839-42]]
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|date=13 January 1842
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|location=[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandamak Gandamak, Afghanistan]
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|presidency=[[Bengal]]
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|co-ordinates=[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=34.3000,70.0333&z=9&t=h&hl=en 34.3000°N 70.0333°E] 
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|result=British defeat
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|territory=
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|combatant1=British & Indians
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|combatant2=Ghilzai tribesmen
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|commander1=Major Griffiths
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|commander2=[[Mohammad Akbar|Mohammad Akbar Khan]]
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|strength1=
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|strength2=
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|casualties1=
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|casualties2=
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}}
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'''This was an event during the [[1st Afghan War]]'''<br>
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'''For context see main article [[Retreat from Kabul to Gundamak]]'''
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== The Last Stand ==
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This was the eighth and last day of the [[Retreat from Kabul to Gundamak]]. The remainder of the army and camp followers made a last overnight dash from Jugdulluk during which their commander Brigadier Anquetil was killed. Approaching [[Gundamak]] they were surrounded by a superior force and took up a defensive position on high ground off the road. Major Griffiths with Mr Blewitt interpreting attempted to parley but this failed and they were led away captive. Marksmen began picking off the survivors until there was a final attack which finished the affair. Only Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Souter<ref>Often referred to as Captain Souter. [http://books.google.com/books?id=iGYVAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA157&dq=Historical+record+of+the+Forty-fourth,+or+the+East+Essex+regiment+of+foot+It+was+at+first+intended+to+march&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false The Historical record of the Forty-fourth, or the East Essex regiment of foot] states he was a Lieutenant at the time and only promoted in the following October. Souter was released with the other hostages on 21 September and later transferred to the  22nd Regiment. He is recorded as dead in 1864</ref>, Lance-Sergeant Alexander Fair & six privates of the 44th and three artillerymen survived and were taken into captivity.
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Prior to this twelve officers had ridden on ahead after the barriers at Jugdulluk. Six were killed as they gradually dropped behind. Capts Bellew, Collier and Hopkins with Lieut. Bird and Drs Harpur and Brydon reached Futehabad where they were decoyed by an offer of food. Bellew and Bird were cut down and the others were pursued to within four miles of Jalalabad. Collyer, Hopkins and Harpur were slain but Dr Brydon reached safety, the only one of the whole army to do so.
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HM 44th Regiment consisted of 684 officers and other ranks before the retreat; 36 sick or wounded were left at Kabul of whom 14 died in captivity; 9 were taken prisoner during the march; 8 survived the last stand. The total that perished between Kabul and Gundamak was 632 all ranks.
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== The Remains of the Army ==
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At the last stand on the hill at Gundamak there remained:
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*20 officers
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*50 men of [[44th Regiment of Foot|44th Regiment]]
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*4 or 5 sepoys
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*6 Horse Artillerymen
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*300 camp followers
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== Named casualties ==
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*Capt. Thomas COLLINS, 44th Foot
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*Lieut. Edward Sandford CUMBERLAND, 44th Foot
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*Lieut. John HOBHOUSE, 13th Foot
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*Lieut. Arthur HOGG, 44th Foot
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*Asst Surgeon William PRIMROSE, 44th Foot
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*Lieut. Samuel SWINTON, 44th Foot
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*Brevet-Major Henry BELLEW, 56th N.I.
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*Lieut. Frederick BURKINYOUNG, 5th N.I.
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*Capt. Frederick COLLYER, 5th Light Cavalry
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*Capt. William GRANT, 27th N.I.
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*Lieut. Charles GREENE, Bengal Artillery
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*Capt. Charles William HAIG, 5th N.I.
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*Capt. Percy HAMILTON, 5th Light Cavalry
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*Lieut. Frederick HAWTRY, 37th N.I.
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*Capt. Edward HAY, 35th N.I.
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*Capt. Perin HOPKINS, 27th N.I.
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*Lieut. Charles HORSBURGH, 5th N.I.
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*Lieut. William MORRIESON, 54th N.I.
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*Capt. Nicholas Power PALMER, 54th N.I.
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*Capt. James Nathaniel RIND, 37th N.I.
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*Lieut. Charles STEWART, Bengal Horse Artillery
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*Lieu. Henry WEAVER, 54th N.I.
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== Spelling Variants ==
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Modern name: Gandomak<br>
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Variants: Gandamak/Gundamak/Gundamuck/Gundumuk<br>
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== External Links ==
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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Anglo-Afghan_War 1st Afghan  War] Wikipedia
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*[http://www.britishbattles.com/first-afghan-war/kabul-gandamak.htm The Battle of Kabul and the Retreat to Gandamak] BritishBattles.com
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*[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AF/18/Gandomak.html Gandomak Location] www.fallingrain.com
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*[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/opinion/09dalrymple.html "The Ghosts of Gandamak"], William Dalrymple  ''New York Times'', 8 May 2010
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*[http://www.khyber.org/publications/011-015/brydonreport.shtml Dr Brydon's Account] www.khyber.org
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==== Historical books on-line ====
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*[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=uXYIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA277&dq=A+journal+of+the+disasters+in+Affghanistan+From+Soorkhab+the+remnant+of+the+column&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false Lady Sale's account] Google Books
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*[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Eiduxo3wZEQC&pg=PA120&dq=the%20enemy%20increasing%20in%20numbers%20with%20the%20daylight&cd=2#v=onepage&q=he%20enemy%20increasing%20in%20numbers%20with%20the%20daylight&f=false Captain Souter's account] Google Books
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*''History of the War in Afghanistan: In Three Volumes, Volume 2'' 1857 by John Will Kaye [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=X_FAAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA388&dq=History+of+the+War+in+Afghanistan,+Volume+2&hl=en&sa=X&ei=zgejUbe2NojJ0AW17IGYCA&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=History%20of%20the%20War%20in%20Afghanistan%2C%20Volume%202&f=false Battle at Gandamak] Google Books
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*''Historical record of the Forty-fourth, or the East Essex regiment of foot'' by Thomas Carter 1864 [http://books.google.com/books?id=iGYVAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA151&dq=Historical+record+of+the+Forty-fourth,+or+the+East+Essex+regiment+of+foot+Shortly+after+daylight&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false The Last Stand] Google Books
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*''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 [http://www.google.com/books?id=V8VFAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA230 Google Books]
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*[http://www.google.com/books?id=XiEPAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PR117 "Appendix 7 Narrative of the Events in Cabul between the 2d of November 1841, and the middle of September 1842"] by a Quondan Captive  in  ''Memorials of Affghanistan: being state papers, official documents, dispatches, authentic narratives, etc.'' by  Joachim Hayward Stocqueler, 1843  (Google Books)
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==Notes==
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<references />
 
[[Category:Battles|Gundamak, Battle of]]
 
[[Category:Battles|Gundamak, Battle of]]
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See also [[List of Battles & Actions in British India 1600-1900]]
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[[Category:1st Afghan War|Gundamak, Battle of]]
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== External Links ==
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[[Category:Retreat from Kabul to Gandamak|Gundamak]]
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[http://www.britishbattles.com/first-afghan-war/kabul-gandamak.htm BritishBattles.com - The Battle of Kabul and the retreat to Gandamak]
 

Latest revision as of 22:03, 3 January 2015

Battle of Gundamak
Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42
Date: 13 January 1842
Location: Gandamak, Afghanistan
Presidency: Bengal
Co-ordinates: 34.3000°N 70.0333°E
Result: British defeat
Combatants
British & Indians Ghilzai tribesmen
Commanders
Major Griffiths Mohammad Akbar Khan
Strength
Casualties

This was an event during the 1st Afghan War
For context see main article Retreat from Kabul to Gundamak

The Last Stand

This was the eighth and last day of the Retreat from Kabul to Gundamak. The remainder of the army and camp followers made a last overnight dash from Jugdulluk during which their commander Brigadier Anquetil was killed. Approaching Gundamak they were surrounded by a superior force and took up a defensive position on high ground off the road. Major Griffiths with Mr Blewitt interpreting attempted to parley but this failed and they were led away captive. Marksmen began picking off the survivors until there was a final attack which finished the affair. Only Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Souter[1], Lance-Sergeant Alexander Fair & six privates of the 44th and three artillerymen survived and were taken into captivity.

Prior to this twelve officers had ridden on ahead after the barriers at Jugdulluk. Six were killed as they gradually dropped behind. Capts Bellew, Collier and Hopkins with Lieut. Bird and Drs Harpur and Brydon reached Futehabad where they were decoyed by an offer of food. Bellew and Bird were cut down and the others were pursued to within four miles of Jalalabad. Collyer, Hopkins and Harpur were slain but Dr Brydon reached safety, the only one of the whole army to do so.

HM 44th Regiment consisted of 684 officers and other ranks before the retreat; 36 sick or wounded were left at Kabul of whom 14 died in captivity; 9 were taken prisoner during the march; 8 survived the last stand. The total that perished between Kabul and Gundamak was 632 all ranks.

The Remains of the Army

At the last stand on the hill at Gundamak there remained:

  • 20 officers
  • 50 men of 44th Regiment
  • 4 or 5 sepoys
  • 6 Horse Artillerymen
  • 300 camp followers

Named casualties

  • Capt. Thomas COLLINS, 44th Foot
  • Lieut. Edward Sandford CUMBERLAND, 44th Foot
  • Lieut. John HOBHOUSE, 13th Foot
  • Lieut. Arthur HOGG, 44th Foot
  • Asst Surgeon William PRIMROSE, 44th Foot
  • Lieut. Samuel SWINTON, 44th Foot
  • Brevet-Major Henry BELLEW, 56th N.I.
  • Lieut. Frederick BURKINYOUNG, 5th N.I.
  • Capt. Frederick COLLYER, 5th Light Cavalry
  • Capt. William GRANT, 27th N.I.
  • Lieut. Charles GREENE, Bengal Artillery
  • Capt. Charles William HAIG, 5th N.I.
  • Capt. Percy HAMILTON, 5th Light Cavalry
  • Lieut. Frederick HAWTRY, 37th N.I.
  • Capt. Edward HAY, 35th N.I.
  • Capt. Perin HOPKINS, 27th N.I.
  • Lieut. Charles HORSBURGH, 5th N.I.
  • Lieut. William MORRIESON, 54th N.I.
  • Capt. Nicholas Power PALMER, 54th N.I.
  • Capt. James Nathaniel RIND, 37th N.I.
  • Lieut. Charles STEWART, Bengal Horse Artillery
  • Lieu. Henry WEAVER, 54th N.I.

Spelling Variants

Modern name: Gandomak
Variants: Gandamak/Gundamak/Gundamuck/Gundumuk

External Links


Historical books on-line

Notes

  1. ↑ Often referred to as Captain Souter. The Historical record of the Forty-fourth, or the East Essex regiment of foot states he was a Lieutenant at the time and only promoted in the following October. Souter was released with the other hostages on 21 September and later transferred to the 22nd Regiment. He is recorded as dead in 1864
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