Changes

On 8 january January 1842 a letter was received from Kabul confirming that the British had agreed to capitulate and leave the city under safe escort of the Afghans and ordering Sale to evacuate Jalalabad. Sale and MacGregor sent a reply declining to do so as they were aware that the local tribes were being ordered to attack the retreat. This decision was proved right when on 13 January Dr Brydon arrived wounded and alone to relate the massacre of Elphinstone's army following its departure from Kabul on 9 January. Considerable progress had been made over three months in building up the defences of the city. The ramparts were widened and the parapets raised. In addition cover outside the walls was removed by demolishing building and filling ditches. However a severe earthquake on 19 February threw down two bastions and caused a major breach in the walls. Hurried efforts were made to repair the damage before the Afghans realised their opportunity for attack. At the beginning of March Akbar Khan moved troops closer to the city and began to construct stone [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangar_(fortification) ''sangars'']. A sortie on 11 March led by Col Dennie dispersed them temporarily. Sale was writing regularly to General Pollock in Peshawar warning that if a force from Kabul attacked with artillery, he would not be able to hold out. Pollock however was hampered by disaffection amongst his sepoys and want of supplies. It was not until 5 April that the Army of Retribution left Jamrud.