John Shelton (British Army officer)

John Shelton (born c. 1786, died 1845) was a British Army officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and the First Anglo-Afghan War. He is primarily remembered for his controversial role and command during the disastrous retreat from Kabul in 1842.

Shelton entered the army in 1801. He saw active service in the Peninsular War, including engagements at Vimeiro, Talavera, and Busaco. He distinguished himself sufficiently to earn promotions and demonstrate his capabilities as a military leader in the field.

His career took a significant turn when he was assigned to command a brigade in Afghanistan during the First Anglo-Afghan War. He arrived in Kabul in 1841, joining the forces occupying the region. As tensions escalated and a rebellion broke out in Kabul, Shelton was sent to reinforce the garrison. His arrival, however, did little to stabilize the situation.

During the siege of Kabul, Shelton’s leadership was heavily criticized. He was perceived as indecisive and overly cautious, failing to effectively coordinate defenses or decisively engage the Afghan forces. Accusations of incompetence and a lack of tactical acumen plagued him.

Following the disastrous negotiations with Afghan leaders, the British forces, under the overall command of Major-General William Elphinstone, began their retreat from Kabul in January 1842. Shelton commanded a portion of the retreating column. The retreat quickly descended into a massacre. Shelton’s role in the retreat was again criticized; he was accused of failing to provide adequate protection for the retreating troops and their families. He was eventually taken prisoner by the Afghans.

After being held captive for several months, Shelton was released along with other British officers and civilians. He returned to India and faced a court of inquiry into his conduct during the Kabul campaign. While not formally court-martialed, his reputation was severely damaged by the events in Afghanistan.

He died in Jersey in 1845. While Shelton had a long military career, his legacy is primarily defined by his controversial command and perceived failures during the First Anglo-Afghan War, particularly during the retreat from Kabul. His actions continue to be debated by historians assessing the causes of the British defeat.