Peshawar

[capt_facepalm]

Author: capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom:  Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight)
Characters:  Dr John H. Watson, Sherlock Holmes
Summary:  Never let the facts get in the way of a good story
Warnings:  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was no geographer; and I am no historian
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes:  Dr Brandiss is not historical; he is my own creation; July 15th writing prompt


January 1882
Baker Street


‘Peshawar? Goodness no, we were evacuated to Kabul.’

‘Didn’t you contract typhoid in Peshawar?’

‘Yes, but that was later. Where possible, those wounded at Maiwand were evacuated to Kabul.  The severe cases remained in Khandahar and were besieged with the remaining forces. My commander thought it best to evacuate me, against my wishes.

‘They fixed my leg in Kabul but sent me on to a specialist, Dr Brandiss in Peshawar, for the delicate surgery on my shoulder.  Brandiss was drunk and botched the job, I’m afraid. Then the fever took me…’

‘Watson?’

‘I’m sorry… I really should be more grateful.’

.oOOo.

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Background:  If the wounded casualties from the Battle of Maiwand could have been evacuated, they would have gone to either Kabul, or Quetta. Those too injured to move, and those well enough to return to duty, remained in Kandahar and were beseiged.  Although Quetta was closer, safe passage through the mountain pass was not assured.  The road between Kandahar and Kabul was controlled by British forces and those loyal to them. Nobody was evacuated to Peshawar, and since Dr Watson would not lie, an explanation had to be found...

.oOOo.

 

Comments

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I didn't know any of that! Brilliant way of bending canon into something that makes sense!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Meh! It makes about as much sense as the original!
Thanks for commenting!

[sabrinaphynn.livejournal.com]

Ding!
upload to head!ACDCanon complete.

:)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That's a lovely thing to say, but I am no historian. More research is required.
To the bookmobile!!!

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

:-) I like it. :-)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks!
:D

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

ACD fandom. Trying to reconcile the irreconcilable since forever :-)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

So much to do; so little time!
Thanks for commenting!

[methylviolet10b]

Eeee! I love this. :-D 100 words to address a historical glitch - now that's fabulous!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

History and ACD are at odds a lot! My explanation is about as credible as his is (but least my geography is correct). I'm glad you liked it though! Thanks!

[methylviolet10b]

History, logic, geography, fangirls and fanboys...yup. ;-)

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

I thought all the wounded from the battle got caught by the siege, actually. But you're right, they wouldn't have gone to Peshawar, regardless.

I do like this explanation, though!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

In reality, all the casualties were likely caught in the seige. But Watson said Peshawar. If he was sick in Peshawar he would have had to have been evacuated. There was about a one week window in which this could have happened. Argh!
*shakes fist at ACD*

Glad you liked the explanation!

[dork-nerd.livejournal.com]

You fixed it! All better now(Well... not Watson...)! Well done!
*back story magic wand wave* :)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

I fixed it a bit. For now. To suit my headcanon. But it's far from fixed!
*shakes fist at ACD*

(Thanks for commenting!)