The Sun.
London, England, 1842-04-05 00:00:00

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

The Oriental steamer arrived at Marseilles on Thurs-
day evening at five o'clock. She bears the following
disastrous intelligence :

The news from Bombay is to the Ist of February, ac-
cording to which it appears that after the death of Sir
William ITlCaghten negotiations were resumed by Major
Pottinger, and a convention agreed on for the evacuation by
the British forces of Jellalabad, Ghuzni, Cabool, and Can
dahar ; that in pursuance thereof, the troops, to the number
of 10,000, set out, and were, in treacherous defiance of the
treaty, all massacred. Two or three natives alone
escaped. General Sale has refused to surrender Jella-
labad, and is prepared for a vigorous defence. General
Elphinstone is not dead, although wounded. He is a
prisoner in the hands of Ukbar Khap. There is no news
of the unfortunate ladies and other hostages now at the
mercy of such treacherous savages.
The Indian army is to be increased by the addition of
a company to each regiment.
The accounts from China are to the 2d of January,
but add little to what is already known. The Chinese,
notwithstanding the treaty entered into with Sir H. Pot-
tinger, were rebuilding the fortifications of Canton and
Ningpo, and there was question of a second attack upon
the latter place. Another ship of war of 60 guns had
arrived.

(From our Third Edition of Last Night.)

We have received from Marseilles letters and papers
by the Bombay mail of March 1, as well as our cor-
respondence from Constantinople, Alexandria, Smyrna,
Athens, Beyruth, Syria, Corfu, Malta, Toulon, - and
Marseilles.

CABOOL.
('rom the Bombay Times., March 1.)
The Cabool tragedy is over ; the struggle has been a
fearful one, but it is passed. The cup of affliction has been
filled to the brim, and the waters of bitterness contained in
it, have been drained to the drugs. The soldiers, who for
two months so gallantly endured the attacks of overwhelm-
ing numbers, amidst cold, hunger, and fatigue, have now
no more sufferings or humiliations to endure. Of the army,
which on the Ist of November, mustered from twelve
to sixteen thousand, camp followers included, some two
or three hundred only survive in captivity. Nut ten
men in all have as yet escaped from the hands of the
enemy. Since the 28th December, the date to which our
last intelligence from these parts extended at the dispatch
of the February mail, 120 British officers and from 4,000 to
5,000 fighting men are known to have perished; one Eu-
ropean and three Sepoy regiments have been utterly swept
away. A calamity such as this is unknown in the an-
nals of Indian war. We intimated in our last our fears
that Cabool had been evacuated, and its garrison cut to
pieces. Our paper of Ist February had scarcely left the
press when we found our worst apprehensions confirmed.
An outline of the intelligence of which we now possess,
the disastrous details would reach London by the ex-
presses of the London papers, as well as the official de-
spatches of the Government. They reached Bombay too
late for us to avail ourselves of them for our summary."

The following letter from Bombay will be found to
supply full details of the melancholy reverses our arms
had sustained beyond the Indus. The letter is dated
March 1, and brings down the narrative of events to the
departure of the mail :
The insurrection, which is described as participating
in a great measure of the religious enthusiasm to which
the fanatical Moslems can be excited by the preaching of
their Lnauns, broke out on the night of the Ist of Novem-
ber, when Sir Alexander Burnes, and his brother, and
Captain Broadfoot of the 44th were killed, tke house
of the first named, being withing the city, was plundered;
and some money in the treasury of Captain Johnson,
which was close to the former house, was made a prey of.
The Captain having slept in the British cantonments,
escaped the slaughter, as well as Brigadier Anguetil and.
Captain Troup, who were his inmates. Captains Skin-
ner and Drummond, Captain Trevor and his lady and
his children remained for some days concealed in the
city by come of their friends.
Shah Soojah, who had on the 2d sent his son to the
relief of Sir Alexander Burnes, where the Prince
performed prodigies of valour, received on that day a
communication from Sir W. 11. 11PNaghten, then
in the cantonment, about five miles from the town,
requesting leave for Brigadier-General Skelton, with
two regiments, and Captain Nicholl's troop, to enter
the Balla Hissar, and to shell the town. Leave
was given, and the shelling took place. The in•
furiated populace attacked the Commissariat Fort,
which lay immediately to the north of the
town, between it and the cantonment, and as it was
weakly defended soon becamemasters of it This was a
dreadtul blow to the troops, as at the time there was
flour but for two days remaining in the cantonment,
Another fort, in which some Commissariat stores were
kept was also attacked, and after a defence of three days
by Captain Mackenzie, and a few men taken also, a panic
appeared to have seized the troops, who found them-
selves in the beginning of winter shut up in
their cantonments in a valley 200 miles from the
Indus, without sufficient clothing or food, and admidst
a fanatical Mussulman population. Even between
the British leaders a difference of opinion prevailed :
the Envoy being desirous of offensive measures, while
General Elphinstone, from circumstances connected with
the forces, among whom despondency and vacillation are
described as then prevailing, maintained his opinion for
defensive ones. At the solicitation of the Envoy, some
small forts in the neighbourhood, which contained grain,
were captured. In the mean time the news of the dispersion
of several of the Affghan corps in Shah So(tjah's service,
commanded by British officers, reached the besieged,
and contributed to add to their gloomy prognostics.
Various reverses and successes followed during some
days. The troops from the Balla Hissar were
recalled to the -cantonment, and the Envoy urged
a decided attack on the enemy ; the General, however,
maintained that all such attacks would be futile ; the
soldiers began to despond, and all was misery. There
were, nevertheless, skirmishes every day, which did
not tend to raise the spirits of the sepoys and soldiers,
who saw their enemies hourly increase, while they.
themselves had scarcely food and but insufficient raiment
for the season. So greatly were they dispirited that
they were one day driven back to their camp, after
they had during three hours been exposed to a
galling fire. The Ghilzee Chief Osman Khan did
uot- caose to pursue them within their entrenchments,
where they, it was then feared, would have made a feeble
resistance. Their provision was flour, which they ob-
tained by bribery during the night. It was then recom-
mended that all the troops should be concentrated in the
Balla Hissar. Captain Conolly, who was then with the
Shah, advocated the propriety of so doing, but the mili-
tary authorities declareol the movement impossible, as
they could not rely upon the disheartened troops. The
last regiment was then withdrawn from the Balla I lissar,
which is, as every one knows, a citadel on a hill to the
eastward of the town, and Shah Soojah was left to his
own resource. _ _

The insurgents, who were aware of the movement of
succour from Candahar, now appeared disposed to enter
upon negotiations for the withdrawal of the British troops.
The Envoy, on hearing of the retreat of the Candahar
brigade, and learning that no aid could be expected
from General Sale, then at Jellalabad, or from the
Indus, gave a reluctant assent. Conferences took
place, and a long list of articles, drawn up in
Persian by Sir W. H. MTaghten, was agreed to on
both sides. They are 'said to exceed 20 in number.

I The second and favourite son of Dost Mahommed,
Mahommed Akhbar Khan, who, subsequent to his
father's surrender had remained in concealment, and had
even escaped beyond the confines of Affghanistan, having
made his appearance during the insurrection, took a de-
cided part in the negotiation. The insurgent chiefs
exhibited great willingness to have the British troops
removed from Cabool, and arrangements are said to have
been made for that purpose at different meetings which
were held outside the cantonments. After various parlies,
a message was, on the 22d of December, brought from
Akhbar Khan to Sir W. H. M`Naghten to request
an interview on the following morning. The British
Envoy went thither, accompanied by Captains Lawrence,
Trevor, and Mackenzie. They had not been present five
minutes, when a signal was given and all were seized
and forced to mount behind some Ghilzee chiefs. The
British Envoy resisted, and was slain, as also Captain
Trevor, who had slipped off the horse on which he had
been placed. Their murderers are now said to be
" Ghazees," or religious enthusiasts, whO fight as
soldiers for "the sake of God," and who, if killed
in battle, are called " Shuhdees," or martyrs. The
treatment of Sir W. H. ill'Nagten's body has
been described as most barbarous. His lady is
stated to have offered a large sum for its ransom, in or-
der to its being decently interred. The other two offi-
cers were saved by the dr'ad of the Ghazees to tire at
them, lest the Ghilzees,_who rode before then should be
wounded, they returned to the cantonment on the 28th.
Akbbar Khan has, it appears, boasted of his having in
person -killed Sir W. 11. M`Naghten.
Major Pottinger, well known since the defence of He-
rat, took charge of the British mission and the negotia-
tions fur the withdrawal of the troops were continued.
on the 6th of January they moved from their conton-
ments, which were instantly seized by the insurgents and
burnt. The snow was one foot deep on the ground,
when the troops reached Beegroma, three miles distant.
The schemes of Akhbar Khan then became evident ;
he had despatched emissaries throughout the country
through which the unfortunate British soldiers had to
pass, calling on the people to rise en. masse and slay the in-
fidels. His call was not heard in vain. On the first day's
march Cornet Hardyman, of the sth Cavalry, and some
men were killed. Mahommed Akhbar Khan, who had
taken charge of the retreat, contrived to induce the British
to take up stations at night where he chose. On the ith
they moved to Bareckhar, where the three mountain guns
were seized. Their rear-guard were obliged to act
in the defensive during the whole of the day. On the
Bth the camp was nearly surrounded by enemies, and it
became evident that the British soldiers would have to
fiOit their way to Jellalabad. Cap sin Skinner went to
Mahommed Akhbar Khan, who was on a hill close
to the British camp, and inquired why they could not
proceed to the convention. The reply was, that they
had left the Cabool cantonments before the tros destined
to protect them were ready, and that no chief but he
(Akhbar Khan) had the means or power toprotect them,
notwithstanding their convention.

This milita6- convention is not fully known, and
therefore all its provisions cannot. be stated. It is pre-
tended that among the articles there are some declaring
that all the British troops were to evacuate Affghanis:an,
and that notice of such a convention had been sent to
General Nutt at Candahar,.and to General Sale at Jella-
labad. It is said to have been signed by General El-
phinstone, as Commander-in-Chief; and by Major l;ot-
finger as acting Political Agent, and also by Brigadier
Skelton, Brigadier Anguetil, and Colonel Chambers.
Akhbar Khan, whose violent hatred to the British
had been sharpened, not only by the conquest of his
father's territories, but by his own exile and subsequent
imprisonment in Bukhara, and by his wild fanaticism,
demanded then, on the third day of the retreat from
Cabool, that the British should, when surrounded by
the Ghazees tinder his command, make new terms
with him, and promise not to proceed farther
than Tazeen, 'lentil the withdrawal of the force
under *Sir H. Sale from Jellalabad was known,
and he insisted on six hostages. Major Pottinger, who
was lame from a wound, instantly offered to be one, and
at Akhbar Khan's orders Captain M'Kenzie and Law-
rence were included. The Ghazees were, however, not
restrained in their attacks, and a felt' ful slaughter fol-
lowed on the movement towards Khoord Cabool. The
column was attacked on all side. The fourteen ladies
who were in the centre seemed objects of special
desire. Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Boyd had each
a child carried off: Akhbar Khan, while the
Ghazees were thus busy, profes,ed his inability to re-
strain them, and on the 9th of January demanded that
the ladies should be placed under his protection. The
miserable weather, the snowy wastes, the rough moun-
tain tracts, and the month of January in the coldest
regions of Central Asia, compelled them to yield : the
hostages halted for some days in that neighbourhood.
The demand on General Sale to relinquish his
post was made on the 9th of January, and on that
day lie refused to do so unless by orders from the
Supreme Government. This answer was taken back
to Akhbar Khan. The unfortunate Sepoys began
again to move, and were again assailed ; the Sepoys
who form such good soldiers under the broiling sun of
India, being enervated and stupified by the cold, scarcely
offered any resistance, and hundreds of them were
soon despatched ;by the Ghazee cut-throats, but the
Europeans and some brave men kept together until
they reached the pass of Jugdulluk. Here General
Elphinstone and Brigadier Skelton became hostages,
and were detained two miles distant by Akhbar. General
Elphinstone wrote a note in pencil to Brigadier Anguetil
—" March to night ; there is treachery.' The British
troops marched early in the flight ; they came to the
frightful mountain pass; it was barricaded; they forced
the way, and reached Jugdulluk, which they defended
some time, until Brigadier Anquetil was killed. Ail
order was then lost, and con'usion and separation,
slaughter and destruction ensued. Several officers who
were well mounted attempted to make good their way into
Jellalabad. Some of them arrived within three or four
'Liles, when they were murdered and plundered, and their
bodies left on the road. Only one officer, Dr. Brvdon, of
fhe sth Bengal Native Infantry, though wounded in
soveral places and exhausted, succeeded iu reaching
the place of safety in Jellalabad on the 13th. Of the
fate of the other 4,000 soldiers and 6,000 camp followers
nothing certain is Ipown; many have been killed, others
are dispersed, and as yet it is difficult to decide. The
names of thirty-five officers have been published as
killed from the commencement of the insurrection, but
fears are entertained that they may amount to its qua-
druple, out of the great number missing. Some of the
sepoys are said to have been sold as slaves to the Oosbeg
Tartars.

Letters continue to arrive from various quarters re-
presenting the Mate of the prisoners and hostages.
Akhbar Khan is said in a letter received from Major
Pottinger, dated January 23, to be at the fort of Ba-
deeabad, in the Lughman country, where he keep the
following prisoners, viz.:—General Elphinstone and
Skelton, Lieutenant MacKenzie, Captain and Mrs. An-
derson and child, Captain Boyd, Lieutenant Eyre, Lieut.
Waller, Mrs. Trevor, Lady Sale, Lady M'Naghteo,
Mrs. Sturt, Mr. and Mrs. ltyley, Sergeant and Mrs.
Wade, Captains Troop, .Johnson, and G. P. Lawrence,
and Major Pottinger. There are, besides, the six officers
and the sick who were left at a.bul on the departure of
the troops. Akhbar Khan, in the letters from that fort,
which are received unsealed, is described as doing every-
thing" to make them comfortable !"
An attempt of the insurgents to seize Ghuznee is said
to be so far successful as that the town is in their power,
but Colonel Palmer, with his regiment and six months'
provisions is stated to be safe in the citadel. At Can-
dahar an insurgent force showed itself on the 10th of
January, when an attempt was made to carry off the
camels belonging to the 43d Bengal Native Infantry.
On the I 1 th, Prince Suftur Jung, the youngest and
favourite son of Shah Shooja, and Mahommed Atta, the
Chief, came with a large force within about five milt s
distance. General Nott marched against them on the
12th, and in a short time dispersed the whole with a
trifling loss ; the young Prince proved himself a coward,
as he is a traitor to his father's friends. _

✓- -
General Sala has, however, maintained his position at
Jellalabad, which he has fortified with a ditch, and
planted cannon in different places, with a determination
to defend his position to the utmost. Althbar Khan has
attempted to raise the Ooolooses, or heads of the neigh-
bouring clans, in order to attack Jellalabad, but the gal-
lantry and resolution displayed by Sir Robert sale in
October, during his march from Cabool to Jellalabad, had
given them such proofs of his bravery that they have
hitherto rather hesitated. The troops in Jellalabad are
stated to be well provided with food and able to keep
their ground until the beginning of March, particularly
since they have already discomfited two contemplated
attacks.

The celebrated mountain pass, called the Khyber, lies
between Jellalabad and Peshawar, and the inhabitants,
who are in possession, have been long notorious for their
plundering 'propensities. Akhbar Khan sent to offer
money to induce them to resist not only the depar-
ture of the troops under General Sale, but also the
entry of all the troops which may be ordered by
the Supremo Government to relieve the garrison at
Jellalabad. The Khyberries are stated to be highly in-
censed at the small sum offered for their concur-
rence in his plans by Akhbar Khan. It was not more
than 1,500 rupees. They, however, have made pre-
parations to resist on their own account, and a brigade,
Under the command of •Colonel Wild, which was
sent from Sutledge early in December, having
reached Peshawar, made an • attempt to force the
pass. Having left their artillery behind in India,
and the only guns procurable. in that direction be-
ing unservicable• ones from the Sielths, the attempt
made by Colonel Wild was unsuccessful. Two regi-
ments penetrated to• the fort of Ali Musjid, where
a British garrison was stationed ; but, as they found
neither provisions nor ammunition there, they were
obliged to retreat towards Peshawar, having lost an
officer and some men. In the meantime the Supreme
Government has not been idle. General Pollock has
been dispatched at the head of a considerable reinforce-
ment towards Peshawar, which he, with sufficient guns
and abundant ammunition, reached on the 7111 ult., and
is now making preparations for proceeding through the
Khytar pass.
The Supreme Government, on the 31st of January,
published a proclamation admitting the fact of the con-
vention at Cabul. the retreat of the troops, and their
having suffered extreme disaster in consequence of
treacherous 'Attacks, end declaring that the most active
measures had been adopted, and would be most steadily
pursued, for expediting powerful reinforcements to th•
Affghan frontier for assisting such operations as may be
considered necessary for the maintenance of the honour
and interest of the British Government in that quarter.
Orders were also published on the sth of February,
for the purpose of having a 10th company
added to every
regiment in'lndia, which, with other measures adopted,
will cause an increase of about 26,000 men:
succeeded in securing ,the goodwill of all
lailtaesst illigence nte from Cabool that Schah
been appointed Vizier, 9,9 d Ameer Oolla Lag-
tSh°e'f)jialcehhiefs. Newab Mahomed Zeman khan has
haree, one of the leaders in the late Insurrection,
has been named Ameer-ud-llowla. Akhbar Khan
has no power now zu Cabool, and was Bent to attend the