1842 retreat from Kabul

The 1842 retreat from Kabul took place during the First Anglo-Afghan War, and saw the retreat of the British East India Company troops, under Major-General William Elphinstone, from Kabul after an uprising in the city forced him to withdraw to the nearby city of Jalalabad close to the Pakistani border. Only a handful of the 16,000 people that set out on the march ever made it to Jalalabad. Considered one of the most disastrous events of English military history, the retreat marked the turning point of the war.Assassin's Creed: Underworld – Chapter 20
==History==
Afghan leader Akbar Khan had promised William Elphinstone safe passage and an escort through the passes, as well as gave assurances that the sick and wounded left in Kabul would be unharmed, in return for the British army handing over the majority of their muskets. After roughly an hour of the start of the retreat, Khan went back on his word and part of his men moved in to loot, burn tents, and kill the wounded in Kabul while another part attacked the rearguard of the march. Civilians and soldiers alike were butchered and, with little or no resistance from the column, the Afghans began mounting more and more attacks. Very few tents were taken on the march, being meant only for women, children, and officers, which resulted in a number of people freezing to death during the first night. Food was also scarce, with the column having only enough for five days of travels prior to the Afghan attacks.
Even so, the march pressed on the following morning, with British Lancers riding against the Afghans in an attempt to deter further attacks. Colonel Walter Lavelle deserted, along with Cavanagh and another soldier. At 2PM, Elphinstone ordered a rest ignoring the advice of his officers for them to press on through the Khord-Kabul Pass. His decision meant giving the Afghans the time for their snipers and their cavalry to prepare for more bloodshed. The following morning, as the column entered the pass, shots began to ring and and the march stopped to attempt negotiations. Akbar Khan agreed to let the column through in exchange for hostages, but resumed hostilities after they had been handed over. Around 3,000 people died on the pass and all British supplies were lost. That night, the survivors camped with only four small tents and hundreds died of exposure.
The killing continued over the following days. Many attempted to escape, by suicide or desertion, though the Afghans only spared those they might ransom later, namely the officers, women, and children. By the fifth day, only 500 soldiers and 2,500 civilians remained alive. Elphinstone surrendered, as did wives and families, later dying in captivity, though the march continued on to Jugdulluk Crest. Constant battles decimated the group, until the survivors got to Gandamak, by which time they numbered fewer than four hundred. Refusing to surrender, they were massacred once again, with six officers escaping from the snipers, only for five of them to be killed on the road to Jalalabad.
On 13 January 1842, arrived in Jalalabad to much rejoicing, being followed by Cavanagh and Lavelle the following day. Their arrival did not receive much acclaim due to widespread belief that their survival had been due to them having deserted the army. On 7 April, the British garrison at Jalalabad attacked Akbar Khan's lines, where Cavanagh proved himself indomitable in combat, dissuading some of the rumors.Assassin's Creed: Underworld – Chapter 22
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India 
*Assassin's Creed: Underworld 
==References==
Category:Battles
Category:Timeline