called upon the soldiery and people of Kabul to rise on his behalf.  Such persons, although enemies to the British Government, were not rebels against their own Sovereign, and the great British Government does not seek for vengeance against enemies who no longer resist.  It may be that few only of those who took up arms were thus led away by the statements of evil-minded men, but rather than punish the innocent with the guilty, I am willing to believe that all were alike deceived.  On behalf of the British Government, therefore, I proclaim a free and complete amnesty to all persons who have fought against the British troops since the 3rd September, provided that they now give up any arms in their possession and return to their homes.  The offer of a reward for the surrender of such persons is now withdrawn, and they will not for the future be molested in any way on account of their opposition to the British advance; but it must be clearly understood that the benefits of this amnesty do not extend to anyone, whether soldier or civilian, who was concerned directly or indirectly in the attack upon the Residency, or who may hereafter be found in possession of any property belonging to members of the Embassy.  To such persons no mercy will be shown.  Further, I hold out no promise of pardon to those who, well knowing the Amir’s position in the British camp, instigated the troops and people of Kabul to take up arms against the British troops.  They have been guilty of wilful rebellion against the Amir’s authority, and they will be considered and treated as rebels wherever found.’]

[Footnote 3:  There was a slight fall of snow on the 11th November, followed by severe frost, and the elephants were beginning to suffer from the cold.  Three of them succumbed on the Lataband Kotal, much to the annoyance of the olfactory nerves of all passers-by.  It was impossible to bury the huge carcasses, as the ground was all rock, and there was not wood enough to burn them.  So intense was the cold that the ink froze in my pen, and I was obliged to keep my inkstand under my pillow at night.]

[Footnote 4:  This party marched towards India on the 14th November, followed by a second convoy of sickly men on the 27th idem.  On this latter date the strength of the 1st and 2nd Divisions, Kabul Field Force, and the Reserve at Peshawar was as follows: 

-------------------------------------------------------

--------
| British Force. |  Native Force.  |Total.|
|----------------+-----------------|      |
|Officers.|Rank &| British |Troops.|      |
|         |File. |Officers.|       |      |
--------------------+---------+------+---------+-------+----

--|
1st Division, at    |         |      |         |       |      |
and around Kabul .. |   100   | 2,783|    71   | 5,060 | 8,014|
2nd Division, on    |         |      |         |       |      |
the Khyber line ... |    90   | 2,385|   118   | 8,590 |11,183|
|---------+------+---------+-------+------|