I shall not further describe the events of that day, more especially as I was not fortunate enough to be in time to take part in the proceedings.  I have only referred to this expedition as being typical of many little frontier fights, and because I remember being much impressed at the time with the danger of trusting our communications in a difficult mountainous country to people closely allied to those against whom we were fighting.  This over-confidence in the good faith of our frontier neighbours caused us serious embarrassments a few years later during the Umbeyla campaign.

The force remained in camp for some time for the protection of the men employed in building the post, which was called Fort Mackeson, after the murdered Commissioner.  When it was completed we returned to Peshawar.

[Footnote 1:  Shortly before my father left Peshawar he received the following letter from Colonel Outram, dated Calcutta, the 23rd October, 1853:  ’As I know that your views as to the policy that should be pursued towards Dost Mahomed must be in accordance with those of the Governor-General, I accordingly showed your letter to Grant, Courtney, and Colonel Low, all of whom were glad to learn that you entertained such sound views, opposed though they be with the general clamour for war with the Kabulese which appears to be the cry of the army.  This, together with the wise forethought you displayed before the Kabul insurrection (which, though at the time it found no favour at Head-Quarters, was subsequently so mournfully established by the Kabul massacre, which would have been prevented had your warnings been attended to), shows how well you would combine the military and political control of the country beyond the Indus.’]

[Footnote 2:  The late General Sir Sydney Cotton, G.C.B.]

[Footnote 3:  Now General Sir Henry Norman, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., lately Governor of Queensland.]

[Footnote 4:  Now General Sir Peter Lumsden, G.C.B.]

[Footnote 5:  1881.]

[Footnote 6: 

’HERE LIES THE BODY OF FREDERICK MACKESON,

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL IN THE BENGAL ARMY, COMPANION OF THE BATH, AND

COMMISSIONER OF PESHAWAR, WHO WAS BORN SEPTEMBER 2ND, 1807, AND DIED

SEPTEMBER 14TH, 1853, OF A WOUND INFLICTED BY A RELIGIOUS FANATIC.

He was the beau-ideal of a soldier—­cool to conceive, brave to dare, and strong to do.  The Indian Army was proud of his noble presence in its ranks—­not without cause.  On the dark page of the Afghan war the name of “Mackeson” shines brightly out; the frontier was his post, and the future his field.  The defiles of the Khyber and the peaks of the Black Mountain alike witness his exploits.  Death still found him in front.  Unconquered enemies felt safer when he fell.  His own Government thus mourn the fall.

’The reputation of Lieutenant-Colonel Mackeson as a soldier is known to and honoured by all.  His value as a political servant of the State is known to none better than to the Governor-General himself, who in a difficult and eventful time had cause to mark his great ability, and the admirable prudence, discretion, and temper, which added tenfold value to the high soldierly qualities of his public character.