15,832
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Add notes
All was comparatively quiet until spring of 1840 when rebel [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghilzai Ghilzai] chiefs brought forces near Khelat-i-Ghilzie intending to cut communications between Kandahar and Kabul. They were defeated at [[Battle of Tazee|Tazee]] by a force under '''Colonel George Wymer'''. Shortly afterwards General Nott moved up to Khelat-i-Ghilzie to complete the reduction of the rebellion.
It was decided to restore the defences of Khelat-i-Ghilzie and this further antagonised the tribesmen. They assembled menacingly around the fort and Nott sent Colonel Wymer to disperse them. On 29 May 1841 the Ghilzais were defeated at [[Battle of Asseer Eelmee|AseerAsseer-Eelmee]].
Aktar Khan continued to foment rebellion amongst the Durrani tribesmen in Helmabnd Province despite profesing professing loyalty to '''Shah Shujah'''. He threatened the garrison at Gereshk and Nott had to send detachments to counter his attacks. There were successful actions at [[Battle before Girishk|Gereshk]], [[Action at Karootoo|Karootoo]] and [[Battle of Khawind|Khawind]] in July and August 1841.
General Nott led a large contingent north east from Kandahar into the districts of Zemindaur, Tireen and Derawut in September. The show of force seemed to subdue the tribes and he returned on 1 November. While he was away Kandahar was reinforced by the arrival of the 40th Foot and on 2 November he reviewed the whole garrison of 5,000 fighting men.
Headquarters in Kabul believed the country to be pacified and instructed Nott to sent part of his troops back to India. On 8 November the 16th, 42nd and 43rd Bengal Native Infantry under Colonel Maclaren set out for [[Quetta]]. They had only gone one march when news came of the [[Battle at Syadabad|death of Captain Woodburn]]. Nott promptly recalled Colonel Maclaren and his troops.
A letter from headquarters with news of the [[Kabul Uprising]] requested Nott to send the three regiments to reinforce the capital. They were dispatched under Colonel Maclaren on 17 November. The [[Siege of Ghazni]] began on 20 November and communication north was cut. Colonel Maclaren turned back in the face of extreme weather <ref>Disputed by some sources. [http://books.google.com/books?id=5NANAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA395&dq=History+of+the+war+in+Afghanistan+On+the+8th+of+December+Maclaren's+brigade&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false ''History of the War in Afghanistan Vol II (1841-1842)'' by John William Kaye (1851) ] </ref> and reached Kandahar again on 8 December. Nott and his garrison remained bottled up in Kandahar until the end of the year. During December two regiments of Shah Shujah's Afghan cavalry ordered to move to quarters outside the city attacked their British officers and made off with ammunition and treasure. They were pursued and many of them cut down.
== Garrison ==
==== Historical books on-line ====
[http://www.google.com/books?id=cpdJAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=label:%221st+afghan+war%22#v=onepage&q&f=false ''History of the War in Afghanistan Vol 1''] by John William Kaye 1851 (Google Books)
==Notes==
<references />
[[Category:1st Afghan War| General Nott at Kandahar]]
[[Category:General Nott at Kandahar| General Nott at Kandahar]]
