The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-23
[Corres pondence Of the Journal of Commerce,
LONDON. March 10th

LONDON, March 10th.
the disastrous intelligence that has just been received
by the Overland Mail from India. The dates are
from Calcutta to January 10Th, Canton, Dec. 18th,
Bombay, Feb. LIST, Alexandria Feb. 23d, and Malta,
March LIST.
The Morning papers have all received expresses,
and their accounts though somewhat conflicting
details agree in the main facts that The severest de-
feat that the British met with in India has been
given to them in Afghanistan. When the previous
official accounts left Cabool the British force was
negotiating terms of capitulation, and Sir William
M Naghten the Envoy and head of the troops, had
ceyed an invitation from the commander of the enemy
to and agree TO terms. The gallant officer,
companied by his staff and nine troopers attended,
and lust he rising to terminate the conference,
the leader of the Afghans drew pistol, shot him,
severed of his head, and placed il trophy on
pole, treating it with every indignity There were
troops in ambush who put the staff to death. General
Ephinsone, who commanded the force, had died Of
govt and fatigue. Its command then devolved upon
Major Pottinger who resolved rather than perish by
famine, to fall by the enemy fighting to the death In
consequence, $3.50 men, with sixteen ladies', pushed
for Jellalabad, through fearful mountain passes For
three DAYS the battle ragged but overpowcred by num-
bes the British Bit the dust and it is feared that
fifty survived to recount the trightul which in
voved the humiliation of 600 men,
These accounts not yet official but they have
been received through native channels which have
reserved, but whether hostages, or for fate
worse than death, conjecture must be left to riot
The camp followers who have been also massacIed,
amounted TO more than 5000.
All eyes and hopes are now turned to the detach-
ment at Jealabad under Sir Robert Sale 1t is
posed OF 1000 men, and was intended to act in con-
junction with the corps at Caboo On its arrival at
the above place, most of the irregular native troops
that the General had taken into pay, deserted and
gathering the population, kept hanging in clouds about
fhac tch Infap cd Inv n al
ming 1000 yalds. Having strengthened the defences,
the women and children allowed to retire, and
as provisions grew scanty and dsaiection began to
show itself in the city, all suspected persons were re-
moved, and finally all men who were not shopkeep-
ers. From 10000 to 10000 AHghans held the Brit
ish in check and prevented a man being seen alive
pistol shot beyond the walls successful sally was
made on the 18th November, and by series of splendid
movements the of the enemy was brought into
action, and 5000 of them fell from the sweepngs Of
the artillery, whilst only "a English were killed and
81 wounded On the LIST December another sally
was mad ,, and the shot and shrapne practice was
terrific The effect was great the Ahghans retreated
from their stronghods in front of the city, and very
fortunately forgot to destroy their powder magazines.
This the position oil Gen Sale on the 9Th of Ja
Duary
Three thousand men had been sent to his relief
with ample stores, together with three Founders and
"a FOUNDER howizer. The knowledge that this de-
iachinent en- route had nspired the garrison of
Jellaabad, and, II they can manage TO iepulse the
Aghans until its arrival fears will be entertained
for the result by this time TO- 900 troops are,
no doubt, marching for the same destination. When
they arrive there will be fghtful system of dire
venge, and the bulchery Of Cabool will be fearfully
explaed. The only dread now can be, from the fear
that the ho were successful at Cabool may
rush towards JtllaIabad join the hordes there and,
flushed with victory, storm the city before
be thrown into it, They not for the loss of thou
sands, and the Afghan merchants at Bombay declare
that their countyme have sworn on the Koran, from
Cabool to Herat, that the Hailed Kafer British So
veregn) shall not hold footing in the country The
next accounts therefore, will be looked forward to
with intense anxiety. In 1889 this Afganistan erpe
dition cost nine millions sterling it has cost three
millions sterling every subsequent year. but what it
will cost for the next three years. would puzzle any
political calculator to predict.