JOURNAL OF MAJOR GEORGE BROOKE. 
509 
The following extract from the journal of the late General Sir Geo. 
Brooke, Bengal list, Royal Artillery, describing the interviews between 
Lord Auckland and the Maharaja Runjeet Singh at the commencement 
of the first Afghan war will be found interesting. It is published with 
the kind permission of the representatives of the writer, two ladies, in 
whose possession the journal is. 
The peculiarity of the style is characteristic, partly of the individual, 
partly of his French education. 
A few explanatory notes are added which may be found useful by 
some readers.— F.1F.S. 
September 23rd, 1838. —Arrived at Meerut, ordered to do duty with 
2nd and 3rd Troops, 1 per G.O. 
October 1st. —Heard of Pollock's appointment to Agra, 2 and that 
Faithful will keep the Regiment as Major-General. 3 
October 3rd. —Shakespear, J. Brind, and Lawrence 4 join Regiment. 
Latter our squadron. 
October 4th .—Sir W. Cotton arrived. Mackinnon off to contingent. 
Barrett 5 appointed to us from Simla. Dunlop says .... that 
folks think the force will not cross the Indus, but all depends on the 
arrival of next mail from England, although Lord Auckland had heard 
from Lord Palmerston that his measures were approved of, and would 
be supported.2nd Company 2nd Battalion ordered to 
Almorah. Hodgson has moved to frontier. 6 Civilians all alarmed, 
make things worse than in reality; but until November Goorkahs 
cannot act, and then our troops will be at hand. 
October 27th. —Marched into Kurnal. Fn passant viewed by Sir 
Willoughby Cotton and General Duncan; both express much appro¬ 
bation at our appearance. Colonel Graham met us, he is much pleased. 
November 2nd. —Camp full. Inspections in all directions. Rumours 
of Persians having withdrawn from Herat; of Dost Mahomed being 
willing to take pension; of the Scinds 7 protesting against our invading 
their territories, and Afghanistan disputing the passage of the Indus. 
November 4th. —-1st Troop 1st Brigade 8 warned to march with escort, 
and 4th Troop 3rd Brigade 9 to accompany Shah Shoojah. 
November 13th.-— Umballa. 
November 20th. —Lordianah. Heard of Commander-in-Chiefs resig¬ 
nation, and dawk being laid; probability of army breaking up at 
Ferozepore. 10 
1 Of the 2nd Brigade Horse Artillery. 
2 Major-General G. Pollock to command the Agra Division. 
3 The post of Commandant of the Bengal Artillery was not held by a Major-General. Faithful 
vacated the command in consequence in December. 
4 Afterwards Sir It. C. Shakespear, Sir James Brind, and Sir Henry Lawrence. The last posted 
to 3rd Troop, 2nd Brigade, Horse Artillery (Captain Alexander’s). 
5 W. P. Barrett, Veterinary Surgeon, 2nd Brigade, Horse Artillery. 
6 Hostilities from the side of Nipal were apprehended, Hodgson was Political Officer there. 
7 The Sind Amirs whom we forced to pay us for invading their country. 
8 Captain T. Nicholl’s 
9 Captain Timings’. 
10 The withdrawal of the Persian army removed the alleged casus belli, 
