Photocopy of a typescript of a letter written by Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Souter, 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot, to his wife describing the retreat from Kabul, 1842

In this letter Lieutenant Souter describes the bitter retreat of the British from Kabul in January 1842 during the 1st Afghan War (1839-1842). This gruelling march was undertaking in appalling conditions and nearly the entire force of over 16,000 soldiers and civilians died due to exposure or enemy attack. The letter notably recounts the last stand of a small party of men of the 44th (East Essex) Regiment on a hill at Gandamak. Surrounded by their Afghan enemies and fearing surrender, the men fought desperately to the end. Souter was one of only a handful of men to be taken prisoner. He ascribed his survival to the fact that he was wearing the Regimental Colour under his Posteen (sheepskin coat), writing 'in the conflict my posteen fell open and exposed the colour. Thinking I was some great man from looking so flash, I was seised by two fellows (after my sword dropped from my hand by a severe cut on the shoulder, and my pistol missing fire), who hurried me from this spot to a distance, took my clothes from off me, except my trousers and cap, led me away to a village, by command of some horsemen that were on the road, and I was made over to the head man of the village, who treated me well'. On Souter's release from captivity, the Regimental Colour was returned to him and now hangs in the now hangs in the Regimental Chapel at Warley.