The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals

The Cabul campaign medal to Captain Joseph Greenwood, 31st Regiment, author of ‘Narrative of the late Victorious Campaign in Afghanistan’

Cabul 1842 (Lieut. J. Greenwood, 31st Regt.) fitted with original steel clip and bar suspension, nearly extremely fine £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

View
Collection

Joseph Greenwood was commissioned Ensign in H.M’s 31st Regiment of Foot on 6 May 1836 and was promoted Lieutenant on 27 October 1839. In August 1842 he took part in Brigadier Monteath’s expedition against the Shinwaris, being present at the defeat of the tribesmen at Mazenia. Thereafter he set out with the army under Major-General Pollock for Cabul. No opposition was encountered during the first portion of the advance, but on 8 September, on leaving Surk-ab for Jagdalak, the Afghans attacked the rear guard in force. Greenwood, who was ordered by Monteath to take post in a breastwork over looking the Jagdalak Pass, had a grand view, and was able to write the following account which afterwards appeared in his Narrative of the late Victorious Campaign in Afghanistan:

‘From the sungah (breastwork) of which I had taken possession, I could see our gallant little rear-guard coming leisurely along the road in rear of the long line of camels, literally enveloped in fire and smoke. Clouds of Ghilzees were following it up, and the rattling of their jezails was incessant. Ever and anon a party of the soldiers would be sent out, and I could see them driving the enemy before them like sheep. They again, however, returned to the attack as soon as the pursuit was discontinued, and although numbers of them were continually dropping under the well directed fire of our men, still they came on like so many devils ... In about two hours the whole of the baggage was got through while we kept the enemy off by constant fire on them from our position. The rear-guard, having effectually routed the Afghans with whom they had so long sustained the arduous and bloody contest which I have endeavoured to describe, effected its junction with us. They had suffered severely, and their gallant leader had his horse wounded in two places under him, but the enemy had received a severe lesson.’

A week later on 13 September, Greenwood was present at the successful action in the Tazeane Pass and two days later he entered Cabul with the Army of Revenge. Greenwood’s book was published in London by Henry Colburn in 1844. He became Captain on 23 April 1858, and was on the unattached list the following year. His death is recorded in Hart’s Army List for 1862.

Ref: History of the 31st Foot & 70th Foot subsequently 1st and 2nd Battalions, The East Surrey Regiment, Vol I, (Pearse); Narrative of the late Victorious Campaign in Afghanistan (Greenwood); Hart’s Army List, 1859, 1862.