The forebodings of the prophets of evil came to pass. We had placed Shah Sujah on the throne of his fathers, but it was not in our power to enthrone him in the hearts of his people. Expedition after expedition was undertaken to punish tribes which refused to accept his rule, and who in doing so showed active hostility to ourselves. In 1841 it was determined to evacuate the country, but a rising of the tribes in the Khyber Pass effectually cut off all communication between Kabul and India. Sir Robert Sale was despatched with a brigade to open the pass, but he found that he was compelled to fight his way at every step, and finally threw himself into Jelalabad, a semi-fortified town midway between Kabul and Peshawur. Shortly after his arrival he learnt of the murder of the Envoy, Sir William Macnaghten, and of the attempt of the Kabul garrison to reach the shelter of Jelalabad. Of the army which left Kabul, but one man reached the shelter of Sale's defences, the 44th Foot being absolutely annihilated. Lady Butler's picture, "The Remnant of an Army," depicts Dr. Bryden riding, sorely wounded, into the snowed-in fortress.[21]
Jelalabad.
This battle honour, with a mural crown, is borne by the Somerset Light Infantry, and commemorates their gallant defence of Jelalabad in the winter of 1841-42. As a feat of arms the defence was not of any striking value. The garrison suffered from want of food, and they were exposed to attack on the part of the Afghan tribes; but as a matter of fact they were left pretty much undisturbed, their casualties during the six months' siege being but 4 men killed, 2 officers and 14 men wounded. On April 5 Sale made a sortie, driving off the besiegers, and so relieving himself before the arrival of the avenging army under Pollock. In this action the 13th lost their gallant Colonel Dennie, a soldier whose loss would have dimmed a far more glorious victory than that won under the walls of Jelalabad; the losses on this day were, in addition to the Colonel, 8 men killed, 2 officers and 31 men wounded. As the native infantry regiment which shared with the 13th the glories of the defence of Jelalabad no longer exists, I have not given the casualties incurred by any corps but the Somerset Light Infantry. The total casualties of the 13th throughout the campaign amounted to 4 officers and 62 men killed, 19 officers and 238 non-commissioned officers and men wounded.
Khelat-i-Ghilzai.
This honour, with the word "Invicta," is borne by the 12th Pioneers (the Khelat-i-Ghilzai Regiment). During our occupation of Afghanistan certain strategic points had necessarily been held in order to maintain our communications with India. Amongst these were the forts of Ghuznee and Khelat-i-Ghilzai, between the capital and Kandahar. The former was entrusted to a Colonel Palmer, of the 27th Bengal Infantry; the latter to Captain Craigie, with a regiment of infantry raised in Hindustan for the army of the Shah Sujah. Unfortunately, the Ghuznee garrison was compelled to surrender, but Craigie and his men weathered the storm, and though besieged for four long months, and reduced to sore straits for food, they repelled more than one assault. For its gallant defence of Khelat-i-Ghilzai the Shah's regiment was brought on the establishment of the Bengal army, and now remains with us as the 12th Pioneers (the Khelat-i-Ghilzai Regiment). In addition to the name "Khelat-i-Ghilzai," the regiment is allowed to carry an honorary standard, and bears on its colours the proud motto "Invicta."
Candahar, 1842.
This battle honour was conferred on the troops which, advancing from Kandahar under General Nott, aided in the release of the captives in Kabul, and in the punishment of the Afghans for the murder of our Envoy in 1841. The regiments still entitled to bear this honour are the
South Lancashire.
Welsh.
1st Skinner's Horse.
34th Poona Horse.
5th Light Infantry.
6th Light Infantry.
12th Pioneers (Khelat-i-Ghilzai Regiment).
Throughout the winter of 1841-42 General Nott had been subject to considerable annoyance from the tribes of Southern Afghanistan. On two occasions he had been attacked at Kandahar, and he had experienced some difficulty in keeping open his communications with India by the Bolan Pass. It was not until he had heard that General Pollock was at Jelalabad that he was able to commence his advance towards Kabul. His force was divided into two brigades of infantry, with a small, but very efficient, force of cavalry, consisting of the 3rd Bombay Cavalry (now the 33rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry), and two regiments of irregular cavalry, one of which is still with us as Skinner's Horse. His artillery comprised two batteries of horse and two of field artillery. The First Infantry Brigade was under Brigadier Wymer, and consisted of the 40th (South Lancashire Regiment), the 16th and 38th Regiments of Bengal Infantry, and the 12th Khelat-i-Ghilzai Regiment, this last alone being with us.
The Second Brigade comprised the 41st (Welsh Regiment), the 42nd and 43rd Regiments of Bengal Infantry (now the 5th and 6th Regiments of Light Infantry).