Sometimes my varied readings supplement each other in a serendipitous way (and hey, you get the benefit). In chapter one of Moby Dick, Ishmael imagines a newspaper of the day:

'Grand Contested Election for the Presidency of the United States.
'WHALING VOYAGE BY ONE ISHMAEL.
'BLOODY BATTLE IN AFGHANISTAN'

Here is the rest of the story on the third point:

Throughout the 19th cent. the British and the Russians each attempted to create favorable economic/political/military relations with the small city-states lying between Russia and India. The Russsian were hoping to eventually mount an attack on India, the Brits hoped to forestall the same.

One of these small nations, with which we all have gained a bit a familiarity recently, is the Afgan capital of Kabul. The first reconnaisance of Kabul revealed that it was being ruled by one Dost Mohammed, and the scout/diplomat who met him suggested to the powers in Calcutta that he would be an ideal ally. Calcutta had other plans though. It was discovered that there was an exiled Afgan king in Persia, Shah Shujah; Calcutta figured that restoring the "rightful" ruler would win the hearts of the local.

Thus, the brits sent a military expedition to Kabul, defeated and took captive Dost Mohammed, and installed Shah Shujah on the throne. Unfortunately, the citizens of Kabul much prefered Dost Mohammed, and began to rally around his son, Akbar. In addition to this, a number of brits set up shop in Kabul to establish trade and were greatl yoffensive to the locals, not least due to stealing many of their wives.

In any case, in 1841 a riot broke out in Kabul. The British governor there refused to call in the military, who were stationed not terribly far away, in hopes that he could bribe his way to peace. This was unsuccessful, and he was hacked to death by the crowd. This left British decision making in Kabul to general Elphinstone, who was old, sick and ready to retire. Elphinstone showed no initiative at all, and eventually negotiated a treaty on January 1, 1842, whereby the Afgans would maintain friendly relations in exchange for a full evacuation by the British.

And so, on January 6, 1842, 16,000 British and Indian military and civilians left Kabul for the garrison at Jalalabad, some 80 miles away, and a five day hike through mountain passes. The locals were not content with this arrangement, and opened fire on them from the moment thy left the city. Afgan horsemen also rode in among the troops, plundering and driving of the baggage animals. With all the confusion, the group only managed to cover five miles the first day, and were now badly underequipped. Only one tent remained to be used by senior officers and the more prominent civilians. The rest had to sleep in the snow, with only their own clothes to burn for fuel. Needless to say, many froze to death.

The next day the camp moved on again, again facing sniping from the mountains. Raiders alsostole some of the large guns and forced the destruction of the others. Akbar himself showed up, claming to have come to escort them safely to Jalalabad. For payment, Akbar demanded hostages, and that the group move no further that day, so that things could be arranged in the next pass. Astoudingly and tragically, Elphinstone believed him and complied. The following day the camp moved into the four mile ling narrow mountain pass, but with no sign of an escort, nor of the food and provisions Akbar had also promised. As they moved on, however, they did discover what had been prepared for them, namely gunmen stationed on either side. Three thousand were left dead in the pass that day, with the rest coming through cold, tired, hungry and frost-bitten. Many Brtish officers and wives surrendered to the Afgans, but the attacks continued. By the end of the day only 750 of the troops and a third of the civilians were still alive.

Occasionally Akbar would show up, claiming he was doing all in his power but that the local tribesmen were beyond his control. Again, Elphinstone continued to believe, and pressed on. Two days later, on the 12th, Akbar again claimed to offer them safe passage. By this time they were down to less than 200 troops and about 2000 camp followers. Elphinstone, feeling he had no choice, went to parley with Akbar, but was now taken prisoner. He managed a message to the troops telling them to press on immediately. They discovered a barrier the Afgans had erected in a narrow gorge. The Afgans had apparently meant to finish them off here, but not expecting the brits to move at night, had left it unmanned. The brits immediately began to tear down the wall with their bare hands, but were soon discovered and attacked. This was the end of all discipline, and total confusion reigned. At this time one Dr. Brydon climbed the partially dismantled barricade, took the pony of a dying soldier and made off.

The rest of those who remained fought to the death right there. Dr Brydon, despite three further attacks and a mortal wound to his pony, made it to Jalalabad, the only member of the party to do so. And that, as another Paul would say, is the rest of the story.