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Battle of Gundamak

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'''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<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.
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.
*''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. illustrative of the British expedition to, and occupation of, Affghanistan and Scinde, between the years 1838 and 1842'' by Joachim Hayward Stocqueler 1843 [http://www.google.com/books?id=XiEPAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PR117 Google Books]
==Notes==<references />
[[Category:Battles|Gundamak, Battle of]]
[[Category:1st Afghan War|Gundamak, Battle of]]
[[Category:Retreat from Kabul to Gandamak|Gundamak]]

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