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pass it was closed in his rear, and he was cut off from Cabul with little ammunition or provision. The return was impossible in the face of the enemy, now grown bold by what must have been to them a victory. He fell back on Jillalabad, and, after giving up the cantonment, shut himself up with his little band in the walled town, where he was beleaguered. He appears to have made a successful sally until the 14th of November, particulars not known; but I learn that a body of 6,000 men were dispersed on the occasion. On the 1st instant (December) Azeez Khan invested the place with 4,000 men, who moved on to a general attack, confining themselves chiefly to the low broken grounds under the river bank. Their skirmishers crossed to within twenty yards. of the walls, and even fired through our loopholes. They taunted us and defied us, (says my correspondent, who is one of the confined at Jillalabad), to come out, little thinking their request would so soon be complied with. At noon of the 15th the Cabul gate was thrown open, and out dashed 800 infantry, followed by 200 cavalry and two guns. The enemy broke ground and fled. The cavalry cut to pieces about 100 on the plain to the left. On the right, the infantry could not catch the fugitives, but, the ground being good, Captain Abbott took his guns forward at a gallop, and crossed their columns with a fire that sent them all down into the river's bed. Had the infantry now been able to close, the whole, or nearly the whole, of Azeez Khan's force, must have been cut to pieces. Captain Abbott now took his guns to the brink of the high bank which falls into the river, and made some excellent practice among the dense masses that crowded the fords. Many were killed, and more drowned by missing

the fords in their haste. Sale now sent a peremptory order for retirement, and the troops fell back upon Jillalabad. The enemy showed symptoms of rallying, and a body of horsemen hovered at a distance upon our rear. The guns moved back to within 1400 yards, at which distance a round shot emptied two saddles, and compelled the whole gang to fly. A few more shot dispersed one or two other bodies, and our little band returned to Jillalabad. Shah Newaz Khan and another chief were killed in the cannonade, and about 300 small fry. The whole force decamped, and our friends expected eight or ten days' peace. Provisions were pouring in, and my correspondent speaks with great confidence of their safety, if means are taken in India for their timely relief. I give you a sketch of the scene, taken on the spot. It is roughly done, but explains affairs very clearly, notwithstanding the passes are not open. I know not how my correspondent's letter came. He says An attempt being made to send letters, &c. &c., I shall keep my journal for a safer opportunity.'

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"P.S. (21st Dec.)-Dost Mahomed has been caught intriguing with the rebels of Avghanistaun, telling them to hold out, for that he has passed through all the chief stations, and seen the troops. Thus the country is so drained for Avghanistaun that we cannot succour our countrymen; so that the rebels have only to put those down who are in the country, and the day is their own.” ”

"The following is a copy of a letter from a private correspondent relative to our reverses in Avghanistaun. We give publicity to his remarks for two reasons-viz., on account of his former residence among the people of whom he speaks, and

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consequent knowledge of their character; and because the subject occupies much public attention at the present crisis:

"The news from India by the last mail is certainly very appalling with respect to affairs in Avghanistaun, but just the style of thing I anticipated, and I do not see how it is possible to remedy the evil without immediate increase to the army.

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My letters from Quettah mention that all is at present quiet there, and that a reinforcement of a wing of a Bombay regiment had arrived with some artillery. I very much fear, however, that the Avghan tribes in that neighbourhood will not remain passive, but join their brethren in rebellion, and render the passage of the Bolan more formidable than ever, and thus prove the policy of keeping an efficient brigade at Quettah. In that position the troops would be at once available for service towards Kandahar, but in their progress from Scinde, if opposed in the Bolan pass, would be sadly crippled before they reached Kandahar. A depôt of stores of every description should, in my opinion, be formed at Quettah in case of future need.

"The tribe of Avghans called the Doomur Kakurs, attached to the Bolan rangers, have, I understand, absconded. This looks bad, and leaves a painful impression on my mind that the religious hatred of the Mahomedans towards the "Infidel Feringees" is more general than the many imagine.'

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