CHAPTER XIII

Summary

SECTION I

LORD ELLENBOROUGH'S ADMINISTRATION—ADVANCE OF THE ARMY ON CABUL

Lord Ellenborough, who now assumed the charge of the Government, was a statesman of high repute, and an eloquent speaker, and had for several years taken a special interest in the affairs of India, more particularly during the discussion on the last charter. Like Lord Wellesley and Lord Minto, he had served an apprenticeship at the Board of Control, where he had acquired an ample knowledge of the principles and policy of the Indian administration. He was known to possess great energy and decision of character, and the community in India augured a happy relief from the weak and vacillating policy of his predecessor.

General Pollock arrived at Peshawur on the 5th February, and found the four regiments in a state of complete insubordination. Many of the sepoys had deserted their colours and meetings were nightly held to encourage each other in the determination not to enter the Khyber Pass. Efforts were also made to debauch the regiments which the general had brought with him, but he put down these machinations with promptitude and energy. The officers manifested scarcely less reluctance to encounter the danger of the passes. Sir Robert Sale was importuning the general to hasten to his relief, but he felt that, with a force so completely demoralised, he could not advance without the certain risk of failure.