The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 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 18th, Canton, Dec. 18th,
Bombay, Feb 1st, Alexandra, 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 severes de-
feat that the British met with 10 India, has been
given to them in Afghanistan. When the previous
official accounts left Cabool the British force was
negotiating terms of captulation, and Sir William
M Naghten the Envoy and head of the troops had
ceived an invitation from the commander of the enemy
to meet and agree to terms The gallant officer
companied by his staff and nine troopers, attended,
and lust as he rising to terminate the conference
The leader Of the Afghans drew pistol, shot him,
severed off his head, and placed it a trophy
pole, treating it with every indignity There were
troops in ambush who put the staff to DEATH General
Elphnstone, who commanded the force, had died of
govt and fatigue. Its command then devolved upon
Major Pottnger, who resolved rather than perish by
famine to fall by the enemy, fighting to the death In
consequen $3.50 men, with sixteen ladies' pushed
for Jelalabad through fearful mountain passes. For
three days the battle ragged but overpowered by
bers the British bit the dust, and it is feared that
fifty survived recount the rghtul scenes which in
volved the humiliation of 600 men.
These accounts not yet official, but they have
been received through native channels which have
hitherto proved faithful and expeditions The ladies
were reserved but whether hostages, for fate
worse than DEATH conjecture must be left to riot
The camp followers, who have been also massacred,
amounted 10 more than 5000.
| All eyes and hopes turned to the detach-
ment at Jealabad under Sir Robert Sale 1t is COM
posed of 1000 men, and was intended to act in
junction with the corps at Cabool. 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 clouds about
the city, which was only defended by mud wall run
ming 1000 yards Having strengthened the offences
the women and children were allowed to retire, and
| provisions grew scanty and disafection began to
show itself in the city, all suspected persons
moved, and finally all men who not shopkeep-
ers. From 10000 to 10000 Afghans held the Brit
ish in check, and prevented man being seen alive
pistol shot beyond the walls. A successful sally was
made on the 18th November and by series of splendid
| movements the mass of the enemy brought into
action and 5000 of them fell from the sweepings of
the artillery whilst only Sd English killed and
81 wounded. On the LIST December another sally
was made, and the shot and shrapnel practice
terrific. The effect great the Ahghans rereated
from their strongholds in front of the city, and very
fortunately forgot to destroy their powder magazines
This the position of Gen. Sale on the 9Th of ia
nuary.
Three thousand men had been sent to his relief
with ample stores together with three Founders and
"a FOUNDER howitzer The knowledge that this de-
tachment route had inspirited the garrison of
Jellalabad, and, if they manage to repulse the
Ahghans until its arrival fears will be entertained
for the result by this time 10000 more troops are,
no doubt, marching for the destination. When
they arrive, there will be frighfu system of dire
venge, and the butchery of Cabool will be fearfully
expated The only dread now be- from the fear
that the who were successful at Cabool may
rush towards Jealabad, join the hordes there, and,
flushed with victory storm the city before can
be thrown into it. They not for the loss of thou
sands, and the afghan merchants at Bombay declare
that their countrymen have the Koran, from
Cabool to Herat that the Hailed Kairer british So
vereign) shall not hold footing in the country. The
next accounts, therefore, will be looked forward to
with intense anxiety. In 1889 this Aganistan expe-
dion cost nine millions sterling it has cost three
millions sterling every subsequent year. but what it
will cost for the three years, would puzzle any
political calculator to predict.