The Weekly Gazette for Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Cleveland District. — 1880-07-31 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

PREVIOUS MASSACRES IN AFGHANISTAN. In view of the terrible news just received from Afghanistan, the following, with regard to previous occurrences of a similar nature in that country, will be perused with interest :—On the 2nd November, 1841, a rising took place against the British in Cabul, and Sir Alex. Burns and others were murdered. On the 25th December, in the same year, Sir William McNaughton was assassinated. In 1842 the British, under convention, evacuated Cabal, placing Lady Sale and others as hostages with Akbar Khan. When the rearguard left the cantonments they were fired upon by the Afghans, and a dreadful massacre ensued,lasting some days. Of the whole British party, the total strength of which was estimated at 16,500 persons, only one—Dr. Brydone—reached Jellalabad alive. The massacre of Major Cavagnari and his party occurred so recently that it will be recollected by all. The Treaty of Gundamuk had been signed on the 25th of May, 1879, and Sir Louis Cavagnari was despatched to Cabal as British Resident. No doubts were entertained of the good faith of Yakonb Khan, which seemed to be confirmed by the cordial reception be accorded the British Envoy. However, on the kJ of September last year some regiments of the Ameer's army at Cabal revolted and attacked the British Residency, killing the Envoy, with his suite and egoort. Orders were at once given for an advance on Cabul, and the war thus brought on was thought to have terminated by the arrangement come to with Abdurrahman only a day or two ago. ,  THE OANDAHAE OAMPAIGN Il 1841. The following extract from a recent letter on the Afghan War of 1841 shows how General Nott upheld the honour and interests of this country at Candahar :—At the end of October, 1841, General Nott was joined at Candshar by the 40th Foot and four guns of Blood's Bombay European ninepounder batttery from Quettah, and shortly afterwards by two ressalahs of Skinner's Horse. At this time it was oontemplated to send back the 16th, 42nd, and 43rd Native Infantry to Indio', but, owing to alarming reports from the north, Nott decided to retain them with him. Shortly afterwards a requisition was received from the Envoy for the despatch of this native brigade to Cabal, and at the beginning of November they oommenoed their march under Colonel Maolaren for the north. When within four marches of Ghnznee that officer, owing to the heavy falls of snow, found it impossible to proceed, and returned to Candahar. The General had therefore at his disposal the 40th Foot, the 2nd, 16th, 88th, 42nd, and 43rd Regiments of Bengal Native Infantry, a Bengal European 18-pounder battery, Blood's Bombay European 9-pounder battery, Anderson's and another troop of Native Horse Artillery (late Shah's), part of Skinner's Horse under Haldane, and Christie's Irregular Horse (lata Shah's), in which Sir Neville Chamberlain then nerved as subaltern. Part of this force was in the city, and part in the cantonments outside of it. Prince Suftur Jiang, a " son of Shah Shsojshi, left Candalmrerre aloes of 1841, and joined Akhtar Muhammad (Miss insurgent Aid.  I Mao,