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CHAPTER XVI
January to April 1880
APPROACHING CLOSE OF THE AFGHAN WAR
Note: I have been so bold as to borrow pictures of some of the people mentioned, from a useful
website on the Second Anglo-Afghan War, 1878-1880.
Shia and Sunni
A curious foreshadowing of the modern 'open-air' treatment, hardly thought of at that time, is found in letters of January, 1880.
'JUGDALAK,
'19 Jan., 1880.
'It is very cold here, but we all keep well. Fine healthy weather for tents. I dare say you would be better if you lived in tents. Yesterday (Sunday) two inches of snow. Could not have service. Last night heavy frost.
'I fear you'll be many mails without a letter, as it is hard to know when they should go from here, and posts are very irregular.
'I expect we shall all be out of this country by May, as England won't stand our keeping it, which I say we ought to do. A great number of the inhabitants would, I believe, like us to stay. The Hindus, of course, would. The Hazaras living about Ghazni we believe would, also the Kazil-bashes, who are, I think, Shiah Mussulmans, and therefore hated and oppressed by the Sunni Mussulmans, which the Afghans are. Then, no doubt, there are many dwellers in the plains who would like us, if it was only settled our rule should continue. But, of course, this won't be, and we go where we stopped last year nearly, only giving up a Resident at Kabul, and having suffered the massacre of our envoy and troops and made the people hate us a little more. Everyone seems quite tired of this work, and general rejoicing will arise when we are ordered back to India.'
Talking about the weather
'Pezwan,
'28 Jan., 1880.
'You are quite right; there has been much more risk apparently of suffering from the weather than the enemy. However, everyone has been very well - generally. I have had but one or two slight colds : one I got the moment we had a fire in our mess-tent. I believe that, living as we do always in the open air and in airy tents, we are much better and more free from colds than if we were living in houses or than you are. Of course, if one unfortunately gets pneumonia, it is bad not having a warm place, and people go off quick sometimes; but, then, really there is not much taking colds. However, no doubt this is a splendid climate, and your wretched English climate might not suit tent-life so well. We have had a few lovely spring days, and I think we shan't have much more hard frost; so I do not think I'll want the chest-protectors you so kindly sent me. Indeed, why you should imagine I want them I don't know, for I am always well, thank God. They'll do for next campaign.'
Evidently, however, the cold at night was sometimes very severe, as may be seen from the following:
'Pezwan,
4th Feb., 1880.
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'I pity you in that dreadful climate ; here we are very well. I manage to keep warm at night. When I know it's going to be cold I put on two flannel shirts, two jerseys and a flannel sleeping suit, two pairs of drawers, and thick worsted socks ; then, wrapped round me are four blankets and a counterpane and sheet, and overall, great-coat and whatever comes to hand. I used to have a waterproof besides, which keeps out the cold wind ; but my Fattoo had only one sheet, and was shivering, so I lent him that.'
The 'wretched English climate,' which avoids such extremes as this, would almost seem preferable, at least at night, to the 'splendid climate' where such precautions against cold were necessary.
Wolseley as commander
It is interesting to read Colonel Ball-Acton's opinion of
Sir Garnet (now Lord) Wolseley. Since the writing of the following letter, the question of Lord Wolseley's being 'a great commander' has been very fully settled, as no doubt Colonel Ball-Acton foresaw that it would be.
'Pezwan,
2nd March, '80.
'Sir G. Wolseley got himself on. I do not think he had any interest. I think I have told you how he said to me in March, '53, "Acton, I shall be killed to-day or mentioned in despatches." He was leading the storming-party, and was mentioned in D. This showed he knew what to do to get on, and did it. Then he always knew everything, and worked hard. About ten or more years ago I heard it used to be said whenever there was anything tough at the H. Guards, "What does Wolseley say?" No amount of interest ever got that said of any man.
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'I don't suggest that he is a great Commander, but that is to be proved. But what ability he has is made the very utmost of by his study and his work, and if everyone in life did that alone they would make their mark.'
Speculations about the next orders
The war still lingered on, and there seemed little chance of a speedy settlement, in spite of many hopes of ending it. But the treachery of the Afghans and their constant attacks prevented this. 'It is not child's play,' Colonel Acton remarks in his diary apropos of the death in action of one of his fellow-officers, and the records of the fighting and the accounts in his letters fully prove the truth of these words.
'Pezwan, 'St. Patrick's Day, 1880.
'This day last year we marched from Ali Musjid. Now, though we are farther on, we are, as then, speculating on our future movements. One day they say we are to escort heavy battery to Kabul and remain there ; another that all the 1st Div. are coming down, and we going in their place ; then that we are to stay here and at Jugdalak Kotal, and orders are issued for tents for 500 Europeans being chappered (having thatched roofs put over them) — now they say it is to be done for natives; then that 25th K.O.B. are to replace us, and we go back to Safaid Sang and form part of a flying column there; then that all Europeans of 2nd Division will camp for the summer on some elevated site near Safaid Sang or near Terakai or Appletartabad, where we went last May, and this, I believe, is most likely. They say our positions are being settled from Army Headquarters. Again, I know Roberts wanted to have us and 12th Regiment at Kabul, and replace us by native regiments. But you will know our moves nearly as soon as we shall. We would like to go to Kabul, but, anyhow, we'll be glad to get out of Pezwan.'
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'28th. — At 4.15 a.m. received orders to go to Jugdalak instead of Safaid Sang, so we have to repack all our things and leave half here as a depol Troubles up the line are anticipated. Two months ago Roberts told Massy there would not be another shot fired. We are always fooled by these Afghans Attacks are threatened on the posts, so we an moving up to be ready to assist. I believe we'll have to annex Kabul in the end, and if we only said so now, half our trouble would be over.
'This sudden move has prevented me writing many things, but next time I hope to write more completely.'
Hisarak,
near Pezwan, 14. 4. '80.
'Here we are fighting again, 6.10 a.m. All of us officers in a sort of Baradari, as the native houses are open verandah sort of places. We are very fortunate to have a roof, as it has rained a good deal, and it is unpleasant in the rain, as 31st N.I. are.
General Bright sees the troops off
'On Sunday the 11th our movable column assembled at Pezwan, and we moved out of standing camp, so we had no church parade. On the 12th marched through Mardardaud to this — 450 5th, 400 each 1st Gurkhas and 31st, 6 mountain guns, and cavalry and sappers, all under Arbuthnot, with Bright and all his staff as spectators.
Having arrived within 2 miles of this place — Mosalla Khan — enemy began to fire. Burnaby, commander, advance guard with two companies of the 51st. Here we reinforced him by two companies — Kennett's and Milton's; G, Sparkes'. We then crossed a valley half a mile wide, and went up a very steep hill — so steep enemy at top could not see us to fire on us after we had begun the ascent. A Company was on right, and Milton got at some of the enemy before they could run away, and killed, they say, five.
We then all turned to our left and came here. Had a few shots fired at us. One of our men had a graze on the leg; no other casualty.
Sergeant McCarthy killed
Quartered in village, where I command the Headquarters, being in Mosalla Khan's fort. Enemy fired on us all night, crying, "Allah! Allah!" Poor Sergeant McCarthy was shot in mouth and killed; no other casualty. Did you know his wife? Two mules wounded; a sepoy of 8th wounded in thigh by one of 31st. Fortifying post all day. Attack promised. Wet night damped their ardour. Fired on us now and then. No casualties.
We are all very well, and, except for loss of sergeant, Very happy. Stay about three days more.'
Mardardaud,
near Pezwan,
20 April, '80.
Here we are in peace and quietness once more.
From about 12 o'clock on Monday to 3 p.m. on Friday these rascally Afghans were firing at us, except the daytime of 5th and 13th. We were fortunate indeed not to lose more — only 1 sergeant 51st, McCarthy, killed, and Sergeant Palmer, Commissariat, died of his wounds; a sepoy of 8th shot by one of our own pickets (31st) because he would not answer the challenge; 4 or 5 sepoys wounded, also a Kahur; 6 of ours wounded slightly. Nugent and Kennett contusions from spent bullets. I dare say we killed about 50.
Politicas far away
What a surprise
these Liberals getting in so easily! I don't suppose, however, it will make much difference to us here.
We expect to have plenty to do before long. We returned from Hisarak to Pezwan on Friday, 16th. Halted there 17th and marched here Sunday, 18th, and have not been molested; indeed, I believe they fear another visit, and so are on their good behaviour.
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