f September
1842, and encamped on the racecourse.

The following morning the British colours were hoisted on the most lofty
pinnacle of the battlements of the Balar Hissar, where they could be
seen from all parts of the city. A royal salute was fired, the national
anthem was played, and the troops gave three cheers. The colours were
hoisted regularly every day on the Balar Hissar as long as the troops
remained at Cabul.

DEFENCE OF CANDAHAR, 1842.

Major-General Sir William Nott, with the 40th Regiment, and other
troops, was stationed at Candahar when the Afghan insurrection broke
out. On the morning of the 12th of January 1842, a large force of the
insurgents, under two powerful chiefs, approaching within eight miles of
the city, Sir William Nott, with his troops, the 40th Regiment forming
the advance, went out to meet them. Although the Afghans were strongly
posted, they were quickly put to flight. From this period up to the 7th
of March the troops remained all night long accoutred and ready for
action. In consequence of the severity of the weather, the British
could not again quit the city to punish the enemy, who swarmed around
and plundered the neighbouring villages. At length the position became
so dangerous, that early in March every Afghan was expelled from the
city, and then the General, leaving a small garrison in the city,
marched on to attack the enemy. As he advanced the Afghans retired, and
so gradually drew him away from the city. Suddenly, on the night of the
10th, a large force doubled back on Candahar and made a furious attack
on the gates, one of which they set on fire and tore down. The garrison
were hard-pressed, but fought valiantly for three hours behind an
improvised rampart, and eventually drove off the enemy. Nott was not
able to return to Candahar till the 12th, but it was now free from the
enemy. Here he had to stay waiting for ammunition and supplies, which
eventually reached him, escorted by a force under Sir R. England, and on
the 10th of August he marched to Cabul, passing on the way the fort of
Ghuznee. This, it will be remembered, had been valiantly taken by storm
by our troops three years before, now it was again in Afghan hands. For
after a siege of three and a half months in the preceding December, the
enemy, aided by treachery, found a way in, and the garrison, few in
number, retired to the citadel. On the 6th of March they at length
surrendered, under a promise of