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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 buildings 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 [[George Pollock|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.
On 1 April a sortie was able to bring in a flock of 500 sheep and on 7 April Sale mounted a major assault on Akbar Khan's forces and defeated them convincingly though Colonel Dennie was killed. Akbar retreated towards Kabul and the district chiefs tendered their submission. Sale had effectively raised the siege. Pollock's army reached Jalalabad on 16th April.
