Volume of 'true copy' letters and accounts written between April and July 1842, regarding the destruction of the British force which retreated from Kabul in January 1842

Manuscript volume, 1st Afghan War (1839-1843).

These letters and accounts were copied by Captain James Douglas De Wend, 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot, presumably for official purposes. The original authors were mainly men of 44th Regiment who had taken part in the retreat and been taken prisoner. These authors include Brigadier John Shelton, who commanded the regiment and was second in command of the British force, and Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Souter, who notably describes the last stand of a small party of men of the 44th Regiment at Gandamak on 13 January.