.#^>oe^= ..fT .^^^ jSJ^S. "-^ IS-^^: T^-^^^ ^^itJ-^ <*--.-:^\ ^^^^ ^^.jf^^,^ '"-y.^. '^Kj-.j-^-^^e-- ^"^.^ ^' U' NOTES RELATIVE TO THE LATE TRANSACTIONS IN THE MAEHATTA EMPIRE. NOTES RELATIVE TO THE LATE TRANSACTIONS IN ^ THE MARHATTA EMPIRE, FORT WILLIAM, DECEMBER 15, 1803. WITH AN APPENDIX OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, AND ALSO ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE SEVERAL BATTLES, FROM DRAWINGS TAKEN ON THE SPOT. LONDON.- FEINTED FOR J. DEBRETT, PICCADILLY. 1804. R.Tatlbh, 1 flack-Iijiio-Court.J •1 05 in NOTES RELATIVE TO THE LATE TRANSACTIONS IN THE MARHATTA EMPIRE. t'A J. HE predatory states composing the Marhatta power have never been united under any regular form of confederation, or by any system 5 of constitutional laws, or of established treaties, which can be com- pared to any imperial constitution or general confederation existing in Europe. A vague and indefinite sentiment of common interest how- ever, foimded principally upon their common origin and civil and religious usages, and upon their common habits of conquest and de- predation, has established a certain degree of union amongst them, from the period of their first success, throughout every stage of the decline of the Moghul empire: the same indefinite but acknowledged confederacy has subsisted between the Marhattas since the entire de- struction of the Moghul empire, and, together with other causes, has enabled several of these adventurers to erect states of considerable mihtary resource and political power. The power of the peishwah however for many years past has been For an account • I 11 1 of the consti- acknowledged by all the Marhatta states*, and universally by all the tuuonof the * The rajah of Berar does not deny the nominal supremacy of the rajah of Sattarah, whose authority is represented by the peishwah, nor the sovereign executive powers an- nexed to the hereditary office of peishwah; but he claims the office of peishwah for h.msclf lO), in right of his descent from the family of Sevajee, the ancestor of the rajah of Sattarah, and the founder of the Marhatta power, , B Other Mnrhattaem- otlicr statcs of liiclia, to bc thc coustitutional representative of the pire, and of the _ . i-riT\/ri • ii peisiiwah's fa- sovercum executive authority or the Marhatta einpire, and the prin- niily, %Hc!c Ap- ° ^ . . . pen'dixA. cipal chieftaiiis have been considered ostensibly as the subjects and officers of the peishAVah's government. The British government therefore has concluded its general treaties with theMarhattas through the authority of the peishwah; and although in some of those engagements individual chieftains have been admitted to act as guarantees, the independent right of the peishwah to con- clude treaties with any power in India has never been denied; nor has it ever been attempted to assert a claim on the part of any of the chieftains, to limit the independent right of the peishwah to form treaties and alliances without the advice or consent of any chieftain of the Marhatta einpirc. On the other hand, these chieftains have exercised the right of con- cluding treaties and alliances, independently of the peishwah's autho- rity, and without his sanction or concurrence; and the British go- vernment recently concluded a treaty of s\ibsidy with the guikwar, without the previovis sanction of the peishwah; reserving, however, all the peishwah's rights in thc state of the guikwar. At the commencement of the war against Tippoo Sultaun, in the year 1789, lord Cornwallis, in forming a defensive alliance with thc Marhatta power against the power of Mysore, resorted to the peishwah's acknowledged authority as the best security for such an alliance, and accordingly negotiated, and concluded on the 1st of June 1790, the treaty of Poonah with the peishwah, without reference to any of the subordinate chieftains. In that war, the assistance which lord Cornwallis derived from the Marhuttas proceeded exclusively from the peishwah's authority, aided by by the feudal tributaries immediately subject to the state of Poonah. Neither Scindiah nor the rajah of Berar were parties to that alhance; and it is well known that Mahdajee Scindia was adverse to its prin- ciples and objects; and that at the close of that war in 1792 Mahdajee Scindiah moved his army towards Poonah, with intentions unfavour- able to the British interests. At the conclusion of the war in 1792 the peishwah was a party to the treaty of peace at Seringapatam; nor was any attempt made at that time to assert a claim on the part of the subordinate chieftains of the Marhatta empire to be consulted in that iniportant arrangement, which established a new balance of power throughout India, by the reduc- tion of the power of Mysore, by the augmentation of the British ter- ritories and of those of the nizara, a:id finally of the separate here- ditary territories of the peishwah. In the division therefore of Tippoo Sultaun's territory, and of his treasure, which followed the treaty of Seringapatam in 1792, the peish- wah obtained a considerable accession of territory to his hereditary' dominions, and a large sum of money, withovit the advice, consent, or participation of any subordinate chieftain of the Marhatta empire. When lord ComwalHs, in the course of the year 1793, proposed a general defensive alliance to the Marhatta power and to the nizam, his lordship addressed the proposition to the peishwah, and received, as conclusive, a reply from tlie peishwah through the durbar of Poonah, without any reference to the subordinate cliieftains.. The policy of considering the authority of the peishwah as the le- gitimate and constitutional representative of the Marhatta power was wise and just. It is evident that the acknowledged authority of the peishwah furnished the most secvire basis of an amicable alliance be- B 2 tween tweeii the British government in India and the Marhatta power, and at the same time afforded the most just and effectual means of con- trolling the predatory spirit of the subordinate chieftains, and of checking any disposition which might arise amongst them of a ten- dency adverse to the British interests, or to the general tranquillity of India. Some of these chieftains, however, appear to have considered the alliance between the British government and the pelshwah to be adverse to their Interests; and although its tendency at all times has been rather to secure than to disturb the feudatory Mai'hatta states in the pos- session of their separate territories and distinct rights, their characte- ristic spirit of habitual rapacity and lawless ambition has inclined them to view wuth jealousy an alliance, the vigour and efficiency of which must always have opposed obstacles to any invasion of the legitimate authority of the peishwahi During the period of time which elapsed between the conclusion of the peace of Seringapatajn in 1792 and the commencement of lord Wellesley's administration in India in May 1798, the rapacity and ambition of Dowlut Rao Scindiah * had Impaired the authority of the pelshwah to such a degree, as to have frustrated every benefit wliich lord Cornwallis intended to secure to tlie British Interests by the alliance with the pelshwah. * Rajiojee Scindiah, an officer in the service of Bajee Rao the first peishwah, had five sons, one of whom died young; the other four were Jye Appa Scindiah, Dutta Jce Puttail, Kiddar Rao Scindiah, and Madhajee Scindiah. Jye Appa Scindiah was killed in Jodepoor. Dutta Jce Puttail was killed in the vicinity of Delhi, in a battle with Nujeeb-oo-Dowlah, the governor of the district of Seharanpoor. Kiddar Rao Scindiah died a natural death. Madhajee Scindiah died on the 12th of February 1791, without male issue, and was suc- ceeded on the 3d of March following by his adopted son Dowlut Rao Scindiah, who is the son of Kiddar Rao Schidiah. Dowlut Dowlut Rao Scindiali had absolutely usurped the government of Poonah, and had established hunself in the vicinity of that city with a powerful army, the regular infantry and artillery of which had been disciplined, and were then commanded principally, by French officers. When lord Wellesley, at the close of the year 1798, required the peishwah, in consequence of Tippoo Sultaun's aggression, to fulfill the conditions of the subsisting defensive alliance against Mysore, the justice of that demand was deemed irresistible, even by the perverse counsels of Poonah \inder the undue influence of Dowlut Rao Scin- diali. The peishwah's ministers therefore ostensibly acquiesced in the demand; and tliat experienced statesman Nana Furnavees, who was then verging to the close of his career, would certainly have fulfilled the conditions of the alliance, had not the wisdom of his advice been overborne by the violence -of Dowlut Rao Scindiah. Under this overbearing influence, notwithstanding the acquiescence of the court of Poonah in the justice and necessity of the war against Tippoo Sultaunin 1798, and notwithstanding the peishwali's declaration of his intention to co-operate in that war according to the terms of the subsisting alliance, tlie Marhattas not only afforded no assistance to the British government in the prosecution of the war, which terminated on the fourth of May 1799, btit actually maintained a secret and treacherous correspondence with Tippoo Sultaun and his ministers and officers down to the period of the fall of Seringapatam ; and even after that memorable event, the emissaries of the Marhatta government (under the domination of Scindiah, who then governed the durbar of Poonah,) attempted to excite the family and remaining officers of the deceased sultaun to resist the settlement of Mysore. Notwithstanding the entire failure of the peishwah in discharging the obligations of public faith to the British government under the al- liance liance cone fueled by ford Cornwallis with the Marhatta power, ford Welleslev, in dividing Tippoo S\iltaun's dominions in the year 1799, offered a considerable share of territory to the peishwah. The go- vernor general, however, annexed to this liberal grant conditions cal- culated to revive the alliance with the peishwah on a secure basis. The peishwah, therefore, was induced by Dowlut Rao Scindiah to reject the proffered gi-ant ; and conseqxiently the territory which had been des- tined for the Marhattas was divided between the remaining allies, the nizam and the British government. Propositions of the most amicable nature were at the same time of- fered to Dowlut Rao Scindiah : but when it is recollected that the most efficient part of his military power was under the command and in- fluence of French adventurers, his rejection of all friendly overtures from the British government may be traced to otlier causes, in addi- tion to that spirit of usurpation and plunder which urged him to seize the government of Poonah, to prohibit the peishwah from cementing the ties of amity wdth his highness's antient ally the company, and even to compel that unfortunate prince to violate his public faith with tlie company, at the expense not only of reputation and honour, but of every interest which the peishwah could be supposed to feel as a sove- reign prince, in the independence of his own authority, in the security of his own power, and in the extension of his hereditary territory and revenue. Previously, therefore, to the commencement of the last war in Mysore, the usurpation of a subordinate chieftain of the Marhatta empire had in effect dissolved the alliance formed by lord Cornwallis with the Marhatta power, upon the basis of the pcishwah's authority ; and Dowlut Rao Scindiah, the chieftain by whose usurpation the al- liance between the Marhatta power and the British governinent had been dissolved, had effected that object by the presence of a powerful army army formed under die command of French adventurers, and consi- derably advanced in discipline, military skill and science, under a system of wliich the further progress will appear in the narrative of the events of the present vv^ar. The destruction of the hostile power of Mysore, accompanied by the consolidation of our alliances with the court of Hyderabad, had left no antagonist to the British government among the native states in India, excepting the Marhatta power. The Marhatta stales, unconnected with any European ally, could never become formidable to the British government, excepting in the event of an actual union of the feudal chiefs of the empire under an efficient sovereign power, or in the event of a revolution, which should unite the command of the resoiirces of a large portion of the Marhatta territory in the hands of an active and enterprising chief. Such events, however to be deprecated, might have been encountered without ap- prehension by the British government, in the commanding position of its foreign relations, and in the vigorous condition of its internal re- sources and concentrated strength. But it was obviously prudent to employ every endeavour to effect such an arrangement as should preclude the union of the Marhatta states under any circumstances which inight inenace interruption to the tranquillity of our possessions, or of those of our allies. With this view, it appeared to be expedient to receive under the protection of the general defensive system, of which the foundation was laid by the treaty with the nizam concluded in 1800, such of the Marhatta states as might be disposed to enter into subsidiary engagements with the British government. On this principle, a subsidiary treaty was con- cluded with the guikwar in 1802, the operation of which attached that state I state to the company, and secured to the company a vaUiablc and im- portant territorial establishment in the maritime province of Guzerat. Ihc most effectual arrangement, however, for securing the British go- vernment against any danger from the Marhatta states, appeared to be an intimate alliance with the acknowledged sovereign power of the Marhatta empire, founded upon principles which should render the British influence and military force the main support of that power. Such an arrangement appeared to afford the best security for preserving a due balance between the several states constituting the confederacy of the Marhatta empire, as well as for preventing any dangerous union or diversion of the resources of tliat empire. It has always been a principal object of the British government, to prevent the sovereign power of the Marhatta state, or the power of any great branch of the Marhatta empire, from passing into the hands of France. While the views of the government of France shall be di- rected to the establishment of its authority within the peninsula of Kindostan, it is manifestly the policy of the British government to ac- eon>plish such a system of alliances with the pow^ers of India, as may preclude the occurrence of those internal convulsions which would afford to France the most favourable opportunity of effecting her am- bitious purpose.. The disturbed state of the Marhatta empire would have afforded an advantageous opportunity to the government of France for the successful prosecution of its fivourite object, of establishing a domi- nion within due peninsula of Hindostan, by the introduction of a mi.- litary force, for tlie purpose of aiding the cause of one of the contend- ing parties; and the views of France would have been materially For an account favourcd by the strength and efficiency of monsieur Perron's force, ron's force, as established with a great territorial dominion extending towards the left bank whole of Srin- Jiah's army, si Appendix B. 9 bank of the Indus through the Punjaub*, and comprehending Agra, l^^{^^^\ Delhi, and a large portion of the doab of the Jumna and Ganges, on j^^^',"™^-"* the most vulnerable part of our north-western frontier of Hindostan ; and holding the person and nominal authority of the unfortunate Shah Aulum (the deposed Moghul emperor) in the most abject and de- grading subjection"}". The endeavours of the governor general have therefore been em- ployed, for some years past, to establish, betvvreen the peishwali and the * Punjaul, (or the country of the Five Rivers,) the countr}' contained between the five branches of the river Indus, from the 30th to the 32d degree of north latitude, and from tlie 70th to the 75th degree of cast longitude. t The annual revenue of the countries subject to monsieur Perron, derived from the ter- ritorial possessions as well as from other resources, arc stated to have amounted to one crore and thirty -Jive lacs of rupees, or about 1,700,000/. sterling. Although the regular corps in Scindiah's service were first formed by monsieur de Boignc, it was his practice to admit into the service British as well as French officers ; but since his resignation, the object of monsieur Perron (who succeeded to his authority) has been di- rected to the exclusion of British officers, and to the establishment of a military power exclusively commanded by Frenchmen. This plan had been carried into effect with con- siderable success ; and monsieur Perron, it is supposed, only waited the arrival of French officers, to dismiss the wholebody of British officers remaining in the service of Scindiah. Dowlut Rao Scindiah holds the appointment of deputy to the vaquel ul mutuluk, which last is an office similar to that of a regent or viceroy, exercising almost independent powers of sovereignty vmder the great moghul. The office of vaquel ul mutuluk being holdcn by the peishwah, Scindiah in his quality of deputy administered the affairs of the nominal Moghul empire ; and the fiction was car- ried to so great a length, that monsieur Perron called his army the " imperial army," and himself a servant and subject of the emperor or great moghul. There is every reason to believe that the government of France intended to make the un- fortunate emperor of Hindostan the main instrument of their designs in India, and to avail tlitmselves of the authority of his majesty's name to re-establish their influence and power. A plan to this effect was actually submitted to the chief consul of France, in ISOl, by an officer who afterwards accompanied general Decaen to India in 1S03. A copy of this plan is now in the possession of the governor general. c British 10 British government, such a connection as might secure the stabihty and efficiency of the peishwah's authority, under the protection of the- British power, without injury to the rights of the feudatory chieftams of tlie Marhatta empire. The efforts of the governor general for that purpose were renewed at those seasons of difficvilty and danger when the peishwah's inde- pendence was controlled, and when the existence of his government was exposed to hazard, by the violence, rapacity, and ambition of his feudatory chieftains. Had the pcishwah then assented to the moderate and salutary propositions which were offered to his acceptance, he could not have been exposed to the disastroiis event by which (on the 25th of October 1802) he was expelled from Poonah, by which his authority was subverted, his person endangered, and his country and capital abandoned to devastation and plunder. Notwithstanding the fi-equent disappointments which occurred in the accomplishment of his sakitary views, the governor general de- IS(K!. tcrmined, in the month of June 1802, to I'enew his negotiations for the iJ^ conclusion of an improved system of alliance with the court of c.f'the"J'even"', Poonah. The increased distractions of the Marhatta state,* and the A. Vhicrcon- successes of Jeswnnt Rao Holkar, (an illegitimate son of the late count of the Tuckojec Holkar,) against the forces of Scindiah, appeared to constitute Holicar family. . . -^ . a crisis of affairs favourable to the complete establishment of the in- terests of the British power in the Marhatta empire, without the hazard of involving it in a contest with any party. The danger to which Scindiah's separate dominions and hereditary interests had been exposed by the success of Plolkar, and the ruin which must have ensued to Scindiah's affairs if Holkar had been able to establish himself in the usurpation of the peishwah's government, appeared to constitute sufficient motives to cotu:itcrbalancc both Scin- diah's 11 diah's jealousy of the British power, and his inordinate desire of 1802. usurping the same authority at Poonah, which Holkar was prepared to seize. Scindiah's immediate personal safety was endangered, and the restoration of the pcishwah under the British protection at that moment offered the only probable means of affording Scindiah a respite from the violence of Holkar. On the other hand, Holkar, being a mere adventurer, and his resources and power altogether precarious, might have been expected to relinquish without regret his pursuits of irregular ambition and temporary rapine at Poonah, for the mors secure and substantial benefit of a permanent establishment under the British protection. In the course of the discussions which ensued between his highness the peishwah and the British resident, in consequence of the governor general's instructions of the 23d of June 1802, the peishwah mani- june2a. fested considerable anxiety to contract engagements with the British government, but continued (under the terror of that ascendancy which Scindiah, although absent, still continued to maintain over the counsels of the peishwah, and with the habitual irresolution of a Mar- hatta,) to withhold his consent to any admissible modification of the governof general's propositions, until Jeswunt Rao Holkar actually ar- rived at the head of a large army in the neighbourhood of Poonah. The combined army of the peishwah and of Scindiah marched from Poonah under the command of Suddasheo Bhow, for the purpose of encountering Holkar's force. On the 25th of October 1802 the two October j armies engaged ; and on the same day the peishwah sent his minister to the British resident with a paper, desiring the establishment of a subsidiary force of six battalions of sepoys, with the usual comple- ment of artillery, and conveying a siumud (or grant) for territory to the annual amount of twenty-five lacks of rupees, proposed to be ceded in perpetuity to the honourable company, for the payment of that force. The minister at the same time assured the resident of the c 2 peishwah's 12 ISO?. peish wall's earnest desire that a general defensive alliance should be ^""^^ concluded and carried into effect, at the earliest practicable period of time, between his highness and the company, on the principles of the treaty concluded at Hyderabad in the month of October 1800. No reason existed to warrant a doubt of the Peishwah's sincerity to the ex- tent compatible with the timidity of his character. His highness might be deemed to be indifferent to the success of either contending party, and to be equally menaced by the usurpation of Scindiah and by that df Holkar. The approach of Holkar, however, relieved the Peishwah from any immediate fear of Scindiah, and left his highness at hberty to embrace the British protection. November 15, The govcmor general ratified this engagement on the day on which he received it, and signified to the peishwah his determination to em- ploy every effort of the British power for the restoration of his liigh- ness's just authority. With a view to include the several branches of the Marhatta empire in the proposed general alliance, the governor ge- neral availed himself of tliis opportunity to renew his invitation to Dowlut Rao Scindiali to partake the benefits of the treaty proposed to be concluded with the peishwah, and accordingly directed colonel Collins to proceed from Futty Ghur to Scindiah's camp, for the pur- pose of proposing the terms on which Scindiali might be admitted to the benefits of the general defensive engagements already concluded with the peishwah. The engagement between the combined army of the peishwah and Scindiah, and that commanded by Holkar, terminated in the total de- feat of the former with considerable loss. After the action, the peishwah retired with an inconsiderable body of cavalry to a fortress in the vicinity of Poonah, whence he prosecuted his march towards the Cokan*. * The narrow tract of countr)' along the western coast of India, contained between the province of Canara and Bombay, and bounded by the western a;hauts. 4 ' ^ The IS The object of Holkar was to obtain possession of the person of his '902. highness the peishwah, and to compel his highness to estabUsh such an administration as might secure Holkar's ascendancy, to the exckision of Scindiah's power. In the event of the faihire of this project, the second plan of Holkar was to invite to Poonah Amrut Rao, (the adopted son of the late Ragobah,) to place the son of Amrvit Rao on the musnud, and invest Amrut Rao with the ofEce of prime minister. Holkar himself was to assume the general command of the troops of the state. Finding that the peishwah had effected liis retreat to Mhar, a fort in the Cokan^ sitviated on the river of Bancoote, Holkar detached a force to Jejoory, a fort about thirty miles south-east of Poonah, and the actual residence of Amrut Rao, and brought that chieftain to Poonah for the purpose of carrying this plan into execution ; and although Amrvit Rao appears to have been adverse to the arrangement, the af- fairs of government were, in conformity to Holkar's plan, conducted at Poonah under the authority of Amrut Rao's name. In the mean while the peishwah signified to the government of Bombay^ that it was his highness's intention to seek refuge at that pre- sidency; and his highness actvially availed himself of the offer which had been made to him of the sliip Herculean, for the purpose of con- veying him from Mhar to a strong fort in another part of the Cokan, named Savendroog, where his person was likely to be perfectly secure against the attempts of the rebels and usurpers. In the existing state of the afTairs of the Marhatta empire, it would ' have been a measure of indispensable precaution to have assembled a considerable army of observation upon the frontier of the Marhatta territories, for the pvirpose of securing our own provinces, and tliose of our allies the nizam and the rajah of Mysore, against the attack of the 14 ISOJ the chiefs at Poonah, as well as of repelling the predatory incursion of any vagrant freebooter, whom the issue of the contest might compel to seek subsistence in the British dominions, or in those of our alhes. These important considerations, combined with the application made to the governor of Fort St. George by the resident at Poonah, acting under the orders of the governor general, induced lord Clive, early in the month of November 1802, to assemble a considerable force at Hurryhur*, on the nprth-western frontier of Mysore, witliout waiting the arrival of direct instructions from the governor general for that purpose. The governor of Bombay pursued the same wise and salu- tary course of vigilance and precaution, by preparing for immediate service the disposable force at that presidency. A considerable detach- ment of the subsidiary force at Hyderabad was also ordered, by the re- sident at that court, to be prepared for eventual service in the field, in conformity to a requisition for that purpose from the resident at Poonah. During these transactions several conferences were holden at Poonah between the resident lieutenant-colonel Close, Holkar, and Amrut Rao, in which both these chieftains expressed their solicitude * Force assembled at Hurryhur under tlie command of licutcnant-sjeneral Stuart. Abstract. "] Ei/r. 975 390 Cavalry H. M. 1 9th dra- goons, 25th do. Artillery Gun lascars Infantry 5 companies of H. M. " 33d regiment, H. M. 73d ditto, H. M. 74th ditto, H. M. Scotch brigade^ 12 batts. of sepoys. Nat. Total. 2606 — 35S1 — 30O 563 > 2,845 )2,182 15,027 Total 18^998 Cavalrv, Artillery, European infantry. Native infantry, 3581 390 2845 12,182 18,998 With 800 pioneers, and 563 gun las- cars; with 4 iron twelve- and 4 ironeighteen- pounders; 4 brass twcKc-poundcrs ; 40 field- piccesj 12 galloper gunSj and 4 howitzers. for 15 for the preservation of the friendship of the British government, and isoa. directly and earnestly applied to the resident for his advice and me- diation in effecting an accommodation with the peishwah. About the same time the governor general also received a letter from Dowlut Rao Scindiah, \mder date the 24th of November, soliciting the con- tinuance of the friendship of the British government towards his state and that of the peishwah, and containing a request that the governor general would act in concert with Scindiah during the existing crisis of affairs at Poonah. Having with difficulty obtained permission to quit Poonah, lieu- tenant-colonel Close, the British resident, left that capital on the 28th November os. of November, and reached Bombay on the 3d of December. The December 3. capital of the Marhatta empire remained in the possession of the re- bels and usurpers. Towards the end of the month of November the peishwah embarked from Savendroog under convoy of the Herculean, and arrived at Bassein on the 16th of December, attended by a small December ia. escort of about one htindred and thirty followers. His highness was immediately waited upon by lieutenant-colonel Close, and the IStli of December was fixed for the day on which the peishwah would enter on the discussion of the definitive treaty with the British government. Accordingly, early in the morning of the 18th of December 1802, lieu- December is. tenant-colonel Close attended the peishwah at his highness's place of residence on the island of Bassein, and submitted to his highness's consideration a draft of the definitive treaty of alliance proposed to be concluded. The discussion lasted until sun-set, by which time the peishwah and his ministers agreed to the draft, with some alterations which were admitted by colonel Close. The treaty was signed, sealed, Trt'^^^^of eL and delivered on the 31st December 1802 at Bassein, and on the 18th '"" ""''"''^'' of March 1803 the peishwah received the coimterpart of the treaty, 's^^- ratified by the governor general in council, with demonstrations of the Treaty of Bas- , . , . ~ . sein ratiJied by highest satisiactiom la 16 1603. the governor general pn council, I'Jth February. Re- ceived by, the peishwah on thclSthMarch. Vide Appendix C. February la conformity to the plan of operations which the governor general had directed to be adopted for the restoration of the peishwah to the musnud at Poonah, tlie whole of the subsidiary force * stationed with his highness the nizam, amounting to about 8368 men, marched from Hyderabad at the close of the month of February, and on the 25th of March reached the town of Paraindah, a station on the western fron- tier of the nizam's dominions, situated at the distance of one hundred and sixteen miles from Poonah. The subsidiary force was accom- panied by 6,000 of the nizam's disciplined infantry, and about 9,000 cavalry, imder leaders of approved valour and attachment. February 2. Under instructlons from the governor general of the 2d of February 1803, lord Clive, aided by the judgment of lieutenant-general Stuart, was empowered to determine the time at which it inight be proper for the British troops to advance into the Marhatta territories, and the amount of the force to be detached from the main army assembled on the frontier of Mysore for that purpose. February 27. Adverting to the importance and expediency of securing the early arrival of the British troops at Poonah, lord Clive on the 27th of Febru- ary instructed lieutenant-general Stuart, then present with the army on the frontier of Mysore, to adopt the necessary measures for the march of the British troops into the Marhatta territory, leaving it to the judgment of lieu'.eriant -general Stuart to determine the amount of the force necessary to be detached from the main body of the army. The command of the advanced detachment necessarily required the united exertion of considei-able military skill and of great political * Subsidiary force: two regimtnts of native cavalry, si.x battalions of sepoys, and two companies of artiller)-. experience 17 experience and discretion; and lord Clive was therefore of opinion, isos. that it could not be confided with equal prospects of advantage to any other person than the honourable major-general Wellesley, whose ex- tensive local knoAvledge, and personal influence among the Marhatta chieftains (acquired by his conduct in the command of Mysore, and by his victories over Doondiah and other refractory chiefs), were pe- culiarly calculated to ensure success to the intended operations. Lord Clive accordingly desired that general Wellesley might be appointed to the command of the advanced detachment, under instructions to be furnished to him by liexxtenant-general Stuart, according to the spirit of the governor general's orders of the 2d of February 1803. In conformity to those instructions, lieutenant-general Stuart di- rected a detachment from the main army assembled at Hurryhur, to be formed under the command of major-general Wellesley, for the purpose of advancing into the Marhatta territory. The detachment consisted of one regiment of European and three regiments of native cavalry, two regiments of European and six battalions of native infan- try, with a due proportion of artillery, amounting altogether to about 9707 men; and to this force were added 2500 of the rajah of Mysore's horse *. Major-general Wellesley commenced his march from Hurryhur on Thedetach- the 9th of March, and crossed the Tumbudra river on the 12th. 7 he maj"or-gen«rai progress of the British troops through the Marhatta territories was most mcnccsiis ^ " . . march towards successful. They were every where received as friends, and almost all poonahomhe ' ' p;h of March. March 12ih. *Here it may be obscned that the power and resources of Mysore, which had hitherto been opposed to us in every contest with the native states of India, were now, in conse- quence of the conquest of Seringapatani in 1799, appUcd to the aid of the British govern- ment, and afforded essential assistance. By the subsidiary treaty of Seringapatani, con- chided in 1799, the rajah of Mysore is bound to co-operate in t!ie most eiVectual manner with tlic British government when engaged in hostilities. D the 18 itiu3. the chiefs in the vicinity of the route of the detachment joined ^^""^ wiih their forces, and accompanied the British army to Poonah. The amicable conduct of the jagheerdars and of the inhabitants (arising principally from the fame which the British arms had acquired in the campaign vmder major-general Wellesley's command against Doondiah Waugh,) contributed to enable our army to perform this long march, at a most unfavourable season of the year, without loss or distress. Great merit is also to be ascribed to the ability, temper, activity, and skill of major-general Wellesley, in directing the system of the supply and movement of the troops, in preventing plunder and all excess, and in conciUating the inhabitants of the districts throiigh which his route was directed. The nizam's subsidiary force, under colonel Stevenson, arrived within a short distance of major-general Wellesley's force at Aklooss, Apru 15. a town within eight miles of the Neera river, on the 15th of April, and was the next day reinforced from major-general Wellesley's army by his majesty's Scotch brigade. Jeswunt Rao Holkar had left Poonah some time previous to this period, and the native officers who com- manded the corps which he had detached to the southward retreated with precipitation as general Wellesley advanced. On the 15th of April Holkar had reached Chandore (abovit one hundred and thirty miles N. N. E. from Poonah), and Amrut Rao alone remained at Poonah with about 1500 men. Under these circumstances, it appeared to major-general Wellesley unnecessary to advance to Poonah all the troops destined to effect the restoration of the peishwah: and as the country was much exhausted, and a general deficiency of forage prevailed, general Wellesley deter- mined to dispose of the troops in such situations that the whole might procure forage and subsistence, and might easily form a junction in case that measure should appear to be advisable. Accordingly, general 19 general Wellesley ordered colonel Stevenson to march from his i^os. position near Aklooss to Gardoon, to leave near that place, within the nizam's dominions, all his highness's troops, and to place liimself with the British subsidiary troops in a position on the Beemah river towards Poonah, near its junction with the Mota Mola river. After having completed these arrangements, general Wellesley con- tinued his march towards Poonah by the road of Baramooty. The general had received repeated intimations from colonel Close, that Amrut Rao, who still remained at Poonah, intended to plunder and burn that city on the approach of the British troops; and at last major- general Wellesley received an urgent request from the peishwah, then at Bassein, to detach some of his highness's troops in order to provide for the safety of his highness's family still remaining at Poonah. It was obvious that even if general Wellesley could have prevailed on the officers of the peishwah's troops to march to Poonah, the force was not of a description or strength to prevent die execution of Amrut Rao's design; and general Wellesley determined, tlierefore, to move forward with the British cavalry and the Marhatta troops belonging to the peishwah, as soon as the British army should arrive within the distance of a forced march from Poonah. In the mean time intelh- gence was received that Amrut Rao was still in the neighbourhood of Poonah on the 18th of April, and that he had removed the peishwah's Aprins. family to the fortress of Saogur, a measure which was generally sup- posed to be preparatory to the destruction of the city. Major-general Wellesley therefore marched on the 19th of April 1803, at night, over a April 19. most rugged covintry, and through a difficult pass (the Little Bhoor- ghaut), about forty miles, to Poonah, which city he reached at the head of the cavalry on the 20th, making the total distance marched by the April 20. cavalry, with major-general Wellesley in person at their head, since the weiicsiey morning of the 19th (thirty-two hours), about sixty miles. miles in thiriy- Ami-ut D 2 20 i?03. Amriit Rao heard of the march of the British troops early on the twoiT^and mornhig of the 20th, and retired with precipitation, leaving the city in Poonah"'rro;n° Safety. Major-gcneral Wollesley and the British troops were welcomed A.4"^t'Ra"o. ^ as die deliverers of the city by the few inhabitants who remained; and those who deserted their habitations, and had fled to the adjoining hills during the usurpation of Holkar, afforded a proof of their confidence in the British government, by immediately returning to their houses and by resuming their different occupations. It is a circumstance equally honourable to the British character, and propitious to the British interests in that quarter of India, that the first effects of the British in- fluence in the Marhatta dominions should have been displayed in rescuing the capital of the empire from impending ruin, and its in- habitants from violence and rapine. Arranfrements Duriug the progrcss of tliese transactions, arrangements were made -the return of at Bombay for the march of the peishwah towards Poonah. A de- the pelbhwah ^ . . - . to Poonah. tachment*,consisting of his majesty s 78th regiment (which the go- vernor general embarked from Fort William on the 7th of February, and which arrived at Bombay on the 5th of April 1803,) five com- panies of his majesty's 84th regiment, a proportion of artillery, and 1035 sepoys, was formed and placed under the cominand of colonel Murrray of his majesty's 84th regiment, as an escort to his highness, who left Bassein, attended by the resident, lieutenant-colonel Close, on April 2T. the 27th of April 1803. * Detachment forming the peishwah's escort under the command of colonel Murray, of his majesty's 84th regiment: Europeans, - - - - 1 1 70 Natives, - . . _ io35 Artillery, - - _ _ _ 93 Total - - 2298 With 177 gun lascars. On STORAMON Oi HE PEISHWAB TO THP MUS- 21 1802. On the 6th of May the peishwah passed major-general Wellesley's ^— v— ^ camp near Poonah; and on the 13th of the same month his highness, May is r ' attended by his brother Chimnajee Appa, and by a numerous train of t the principal chiefs of the Marhatta empire, proceeded towards the city >."d at poar of Poonah. Having entered his palace, his highness resumed his seat upon the musnud, and received presents from his principal servants. During the procession, the British resident, lieutenant-colonel Close, accompanied by his suite, paid his compliments to his highness, when a salute was fired by the British troops encamped in the vicinity of Poonah, under the command of major-general Wellesley: this salute was immediately answered from the fortress of Saogluir. While the procession passed the bridge leading into tlie city, a se- cond salute was fired from the British camp ; and as the peishwah ap- proached the palace, salutes were fired from the several posts of the Marhatta troops. At sun-set salutes were fired from all the hill forts in the vicinity of Poonah. While these transactions passed at Poonah, Dowlut Rao Scindiah had Transactions at ^ ■ the court of collected a large force at Ougein* with the professed view of opposing ^^'^"j,"',,^*'' Jeswunt Rao Holkar, and, having commenced his march from that capital towards Poonah, crossed die Nerbudda river on the 4th of February 1 803, and arrived in the vicinity of Boorhanpoor on the February sj 23d of that montli. Colonel Collins, the British resident, dispatched by the governor general from Futty-Ghur, arrived at the camp of Dowlut Rao Scin- * Ougein is Scindiah's capital, situated near the antient city of Mundu, the capital of the Chillingi kings of Malvva. Ougein is about forty miles north or north-west of Indore, Holkar's capital. These two cities are situated in the province of Malwa, which is di- tided between the peishwah, Scindiah, and Holkar. 1 diah 22 18113. veh^^^-2-:. diah on the 27th of February 1 803. The advices which the governor general had received from colonel Collins, and from other quarters, induced his lordship to entertain suspicions that Scindiah, notwith- standing his specious professions, being now delivered by the inter- position of die British power from the immediate fear of the supe- riority of Holkar, meditated an accommodation with Holkar, and a confederacy with that chieftain and with the raj all of Berar, for the purpose of subverting the treaty concluded by the British government w4th the peishwah at Bassein. This suspicion was corroborated by the artifices practised at the camp of Scindiah upon the arrival of colonel Collins, with a view of eluding the communication of the pro- positions with which colonel Collins was charged under tlie authority of the governor general. The intricacy, perverse policy, and treachery of such an intrigue, however contrary to every principle of true wisdom and justice, are habitual to the low cunning and captious jealousy of March 24. the Marliattas. Colonel Collins therefore, on the 24th of March 1803, demanded and obtained an audience of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, for the purpose of requiring an explanation of the suspected intrigue; when that chieftain, in the presence of all his principal ministers, positively assured colonel Collins, that he haJ no ititeiitioii -whatever to obstruct the completion of the arrangements concluded between the peishwali and the British government, and that it was his wish to improve the friendship then subsisting between the peishwah, the British government, and liis own state. Notwithstanding this amicable declaration, the governor general had great cause to doubt the sincerity of Scindiah's professions, while tlie increasing rumours of the supposed confederacy between that chieftain, Jeswunt Rao Holkar, and the rajah of Berar, rendered it absolutely necessary for the British government to bring the question of the sup- posed confederacy to a determination ; and, in die event of the actual 2 formadon 23 formation of such a confederacy, to prepare the British government isos. and its aUies for a contest witli the confederated cliieftains. ^-~v— ^ Colonel Collins therefore, in a conference on the 28th of May, com- May 28. municated to Scindiah the representations wloich he had been directed to maj:e in confornuty to instructions from the governor general under date the 5th of May ; by which colonel Collins was desired to require the immediate return to Hindostan of Scindiah with his army, because Dowlut Rao Scindiah possessed no right to impede the accomplishment of the treaty of Bassein, unless his own security was endangered by that arrangement ; because the advance of liis army must necessarily have prevented the due execution of that treaty ; and because (Scindiah having on tlie 24th of March, formally disavowed an intention of ob- structing the engagements concluded between the peishwah and the British government,) his march to Poonah, or his continuance south of die Nerbudda river*, were incompatible with that declaration, and could not be reconciled to any other policy than a determined inten- tion to disturb those engagements, and to re-establish his former usurped ascendancy in the government of Poonah. Colonel Collins at the same time delivered to Scindiah a copy of the treaty of Bassein. Scindiah, after having considered the articles of the treaty, declared that " it contained no stipulations injurious to his just rights. In conformity to the governor general's instructions, colonel Collins reqiiired Scindiah to state the nature of his late negotiations with the rajah of Berar and with Jeswunt Rao Holkar, intimating alsd to Scindiah the resolution of the governor general to resist any attempt on the part of any state or power to obstruct the complete execution of the treaty of Bassein. * The Nerbudda river forms the southern boundary of Hindostan Pix)pcr, The 24 !S03. 1\^^Q ix'bident (colonel Collins) also apprised Dowlut Rao Sclndiah, that, in the event of his refusing to afford the just and reasonable ex- planations and assurances which the resident demanded, and of his continuing to prosecute military operations in opposition to the resi- dent's remonstrances, the British government would be compelled to adopt measures of precaution on every boundary of that chieftain's do- minions. The resident added, agreeably to the governor general's in- structions, that certain intelligence of the accession of Dowlut Rao Scindiah to any confederacy against the British power woidd produce immediate hostility on all parts of his frontier. In reply, Scindiah repeatedly declared, in public durbar, that he could not afford the satisfaction demanded, until a ineeting should have taken place between him and the rajah of Berar, — when the British resident should be informed " li-hcthcr it "would be peace or war" It is impossible not to contrast this unprovoked menace of hostility with the temperate declaration of the governor general, intimating a conditional Intention to adopt measures of precaution on every boun- dary of Scindiah's dominions, in the event only of that chieftain con- tinuing to prosecute military operations, in opposition to the remon- strances of the resident, and refusing to afford the reasonable explana- tions which the resident had demanded. In the seqviel of the governor general's declaration, which adverted to the extreme case of ultimate hostility, that eventual case is stated to have been contemplated by the governor general in the single event of Scindiah having actually ac- ceded to a confederacy against the British power, which act on the part of Scindiah would alone liiive constituted a positive aggression. 1 he insult offered to the British government by a reference of the question of peace or war to the result of a conference with j:he rajah of Berar, who, at the head of a considerable army, had reached the vicinity of Dowlut 25 Dowlut Rao Scindiah's camp at Eidalabad, together with the indication 1803. which Scindiah's abrupt declaration, and the approaching junction ^"v—' of his army with that of the rajah of Berar afforded, of a disposition on the part of those chieftains to prosecute the supposed objects of their confederacy, rendered it the duty of the British government to adopt without delay the most effectual measures for the vindication of its dignity, and for the security of its rights and interests, and those of its allies, against any attempt on the part of the confederates to injure or invade them. The governor general accordingly (on the 28th of June) issued private instructions to general Lake at Cawnpoor to make the necessary arrangements for assembling the army on the north-west frontier of the company's dominions, in order to counteract the designs of Dowlut Rao Scindiah and tlie rajah of Berar, and to derive every possible benefit to the British interests in the event of war. On the 3d of June the rajah of Berar arrived within one march of June the sd. - -, , , , .9 . Junction of the Scindiah's camp* at Checkly, on the fronuer ot the mzam s tern- forces of do%v- ■*■ ' . lut Rao Scin- tOrieS, diah and the rajah of Berar. * It appears from the report of Mr. Stuart, a British officer who was then in Scindiah's service, and afterwards quitted it on the commencement of hostihties, that Scindiah's force in the vicinity of the nizam's frontier at this period of time (June l, 1803) amounted to twenty-eight battalions of regular infantry (about seventeen or eighteen thousand men), and a well-appointed train of artillery, amounting to one hundred and seventy guns. The regular infantry consisted of monsieur Pohlman's brigade, eight battalions; monsieur Dudernaigue's brigade, seven battalions; the brigade under major Brownrigg, five batta- lions ; monsieur Dupont's briiradc, four battalions; and four battalions belonging to Begum Sumroo. Ambajee Inglia'sbrisrade, consisting, it is stated, of sixteen battalions, had a few days before been detached to Ilindostan. Scindiah's cavalry amounted to about eighteen thousand men, and was encamped a short distance from his infantry at Mulkaporr, at which place Mr. Siuart believes the army of the rajah of Berar, aniountinc to six thousand infantry, twenty thousand cavalry, and forty guns, to have been at that time stationed. The united armies of the confederate chieftains amounted therefore to twenty-three or twenty-four thousand infantrv, thirty-eight thousand cavahy, and about two lumdred and E ten 26 1S03. tories, and was met by Scindlah on die following morning. From this ^^'""^ time the conduct of those chieftains afforded the strongest indication of a resolution on their part to evade the just and reasonable demands of the British government, that they should witlidraw their armies from the menacing position which those armies had occupied on the frontier of our ally the nizam. Although Scindiah had distinctly admitted, that the treacy of Bassein contained no stipulations injurious to his just rights, both chieftains continued their negotiations with Jeswunt Rao Holkar, in order to induce him to join the confederacy against tlie British government and its allies. At the same time both chieftains employed every endeavour to detach the court of his highness the peishwah, and that of his highness the nizain, from their alliance with the honourable company, by intimidation, inenaces, and promises of booty and aggrandisement in war against the company. The belief that those chieftains entertained designs hostile to the British government at the earliest stages of the negotiation between the resident and Dowlut Rao Scindiah, is supported by the information which the governor general has from time to time received of the pro- ceedings of that chieftain. ten guns, and were encamped within twenty-five or ihiity miles of the nizam's frontier, and of two principal passes (the Adjuntee and Badowly ghauts), leading into that prince's teriitorics. This commanding position not only afforded the confederate chieftains the means of me- nacing the tranquillity and security of the nizam's dominions, but would have enabled them (if they had not been checked by the British power) to have commenced a successful attack on the nizam's territory as soon as the season should admit the commencement of military operations; to have penetrated to Hyderabad for the purpose of interrupting the regular order of succession to the musnud of the Dckan ; and eventually to have invaded the com- pany's provinces, and to have made those provinces the theatre of their violence and ag- grtssion. 4 In 27 In a letter from colonel Collins, of the 9th of MarcK 1803, the resident leoa apprised the governor general, chat Ambajee Inglia, one of Dowlut Rao Scindiah's principal ministers, had informed one of the resident's native agents, that orders had been issued to general Perron, directing him to place the army under his command in a state of preparation for the field, with a view to an eventual rupture with the British government. At that time Ambajee Inglia was supposed to possess the greatest in- fluence over the mind of Scindiah, whose proceedings were said to be principally regulated by the counsels of that chieftain. It appeared highly improbable, therefore, that Ambajee would have communicated these orders to the resident's agents, if they had really been issued. This circumstance induced the governor general to discredit the dis- patch of those orders, and to believe that the object of the communi- siition was merely to discover the views and intentions of the British government with respect to Dowlut Rao Scindiah. The concurrent testimony of facts, and the state of monsieur Perron's military force, however, which have subseqtiently been ascertained, con- firm the information which the resident communicated in the month of March, respecting tlie dispatch of the orders to general Perron, to the effect above described, even at that early stage of our negotiations with Dowlut Rao Scindiah. The conduct of Ambajee has also been explained by subsequent events ; it has appeared by undoubted evi- dence that Ambajee actually provoked Scindiah to war against the company, and obtained the command in Hindostan with the secret purpose of emancipating himself from Scindiah's power. In pur- ST.iance of this treacherous project, after having given the information stated to colonel Collins, Ambajee actually obtained the command of Scindiah's forces in Hindostan, and immediately upon his arrival at Gualior sent proposals of submission to general Lake. In the true spirit of Marhatta faith, however, a part of Ambiijee's troops engaged general Lake's army in the memorable battle of Laswaree. E 2 Ou ^-y-' 28 1803. On die 17th of June 1803 the governor general received information j^^UcT;. that Dowlut Rao Scindiah had addressed letters to Ghunnee Bahadur and Himmiit Bahadur, the ofBcers exercising the chief aiithority on the part of his highness the peishwah In tlie province of Bundelcund, requiring them to be prepared to co-operate with the confederated Marhatta armies in hostile measures against the British posssesions ; and that Dhurrum Rao, the commanding officer of a considerable body of horse, which had been dispatched by Scindiah in the month of April to Calpee (a station on the right bank of the Jumna, con- tiguous to the British territories), had received orders from Scindiah to the same effect. On receipt of this information, the governor general deemed it proper to direct the resident to reqiiire Dowlut Rao Scindiah to ac- knowledge or to disavow those orders ; and accordingly, at a conference between the resident and Dowlut Rao Scindiah, holden on the 16th of July, the resident stated the substance of that information to Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and required liim to declare whether he had actually issued orders of the nature described. In reply, Dowlut Rao Scindiah assured the resident In the most so- lemn manner, that he had never issued svich orders to the peishwah's officers in Bundelcund, or to Dhurrum Rao, and that the latter chief- tain had been especially directed to respect the British territories. Notwithstanding the solemn disavowal by Scindiah of these orders, the many instances of insincerity manifested by that chieftain, the ge- neral tenor of his conduct, and the authenticity of the source of in- formation xipon tills subject, together with circumstances which have subsequently been ascertained, confirm the Intelhgence originally re- ceived relative to these acts of aggression on the part of Scindiah. The facts were communicated to the collector of Allahabad by the express direction of Himmut Behadur (one of the peishwah's officers in Bun- 2 delcvind) 29 delcund) to whom the letters of Sclndiah were addressed, and who previously transmitted proposals to the governor general for the trans- fer of that province to the authority of the British government. In a letter from colonel Collins, dated the 14th of June, and received on the 6th of July, that officer transmitted a paper of intelligence from his agent at Delhi, stating, that messengers from Dowlut Rao Scin- diah had lately come to the Rohilla chieftain Gholaum Mahomed Khan, who resides at Nadown, and that letters had been received by that chieftain from general Perron, inviting him to proceed with his fol- lowers towards the station of general Perron's army, by the way of Saharunpoor, for the purpose of exciting commotions in the jagheer of Rampoor ; and assuring liim of ample support both from Scindiah and general Perron j and that general Perron had clandestinely addressed letters to the principal persons residing in the jagheer of Rampoor and other places, urging them to employ their exertions in disturbing the tranquillity of the company's possessions. This intelligence was corroborated by information repeatedly received and communicated to the governor general by the resident at Liicknow, and the agent to the governor general in the ceded provinces of Oude, of the preparations of Gholaxim Mahomed Khan for the avowed purpose of complying with the suggestions which he had received from Scindiah and general Perron, to excite distvirbances in the district of Rampoor, and to dis- turb the tranqtiillity of the vizier's and the company's dominions ; and on the 26th of July copies of letters from Dowlut Rao Scindiah to Gholaum Mahomed Khan and Btimboo Khan (the grandson of the late Nujib-oo-Dowlah, who occupies a territory in the vicinity of Saharun- poor), declaring the intention of Scindiali to commence a war of ag- gression against the British power, and instigating those chieftains to co-operate with the forces of general Perron against the British posses- sions, were received by the governor general from Mr. Leycester, the collector atMoradabad, to whom they had been transmitted by Biuuboo Khan. It IS03. 30 isoj. It appears from a passage in these documents, that the letters of Scin- '^'^'^ diah to Gholaum Mahomed Khan and Bumboo Khan were written subsequently to the march of Dowlut Rao Scindiah from Boorhanpoor on the 4th of May. But the dispatch of messengers to Gholaum Mahomed Khan, and the transmission of the instructions to general Perron, under wliich that officer addressed letters to the principal per- sons n Rampoor and other places, as noticed in the preceding para- graphs, must be referred to an earlier period of time. The complete state of preparation in which the army of general Perron was actually nlaced, is a corroborative evidence of the actual transmission of orders to that officer, to tlie effect described in colonel Collins's letter of the 9th of March. These facts reciprocally confirm each point of the evidence of Scln- diah's hostile projects, and, combined with information at various times communicated by the resident with Dowlut Rao Scindiah of the pro- ceedings of that chieftain, with the repeated intelligence received of the actual formation of an hostile confederacy between Dowlut Rao Scin- diah, and the rajah of Berar, and Jeswunt Rao Holkar, and with the tenor and result of the resident's negotiations, amount to full proof of the alleged design, on the part of Scindiah and the rajah of Berar, of subverting the alliance formed between the British government and his highness the peishwah. During the actual crisis of affiiirs, it appeared to the governor gene- ral necessary to unite the control of all political affiiirs n the Dekan, » connected with the negotiation then depending between the British go- vernment and the confederated chieftains, and with the movement of the army, under a distinct local authority, suljject to the governor ge- neral in council, but possessing full powers to conclude upon the spot whatever arrangements might become necessary, either for the final set- tlement of peace or for the active prosecution of war. The governor general 31 general was of" opinion, that those important powers could not be placed isos. with advantage in any other hands than those of the general officer ^"v*^ commanding the troops destined to restore the tranquillity of the Dekan; and accordingly determined on the 26th of June to vest them in miij or-general Wellesley, whose established influence among the Marhatta chiefs, and intimate knowledge of the governor general's sen- timents concerning the British interests in the Marhatta empire, were particularly calculated to enable that officer to execute the arduous trust reposed in him, with the greatest benefit to the ptiblic interests. The same powers were also vested in lieutenant-general Stuart, in the event of his assuming the immediate command of the forces in the Dekan. On the 18th of July major-general Wellesley, having received these July i mi,. powers from the governor general, addressed a letter to the resident, directing him to state to Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and the rajah of Berar, the anxiety with which the British government desired the preservation of peace ; and to observe, that the only proof which could be accepted, of the sincerity of the amicable professions of Scindiah and the rajah of Berar, was the immediate separation and return of their armies from the frontier of the nizam's territories to their respective capitals ; in which case, general Wellesley offered to withdraw the troops under his command to their usual stations. Should however Scindiah and the rajah of Berar be resolved to maintain their positions on the nizam's frontier, the resident was directed to apprise those chieftains, that he had received major-general Wellesley's orders to qvxit the camp of Scindiah without delay. After further evasive attempts, the two chieftains returned answers Juiy 3i«t. on the 31st of July to general Wellesley's requisition, and proposed to retire from the position which they occupied, at the same time that ge- neral Wellesley should commence his march to the usual stations of the British army. This proposition however was accompanied by a con- dition 32 1803. ditlon which furnibhcd a curious example of the deceitful but weak ^'"'^ policy of these Marhatta chiefs f they added to a proposition specious in its first appearance, the inadmissible and absurd condition, that on the same day on which the British troops under general Wellesley should reach the stations of Bombay, Madras, and Serhigapatam*, the Mar- hatta confederates would encamp the united armies of Scindiah and the rajah of Berar at Boorhanpoor, a city belonging to Scindiah, and situated about fifty miles from the nizam's frontier. The manner in which this proposition was conveyed to general Wel- juiysist. lesley deserves particular notice. At the last conference on the 31st of July between the British resident, Dowlut Rao Scindiah and the rajah of Berar, three successive propositions were offered by those chieftains to colonel Collins's acceptance. The first proposition was, that tlie u/iifed forces of Scindiah and the rajah of Berar should i-etire to Boor- hanpoor, and that major-general Wellesley shoxild withdraw the British troops to their usual stations ; or, in other words, that the British army should abandon the means "Which it possessed in its actual position, and in its embodied state, of opposing a seasonable resistance to any hostile attempts on the part of the confederated chieftains, while those chief- tains should retire with their united armies to a short distance from the frontier of our ally, prepared to take advantage of the approaching favourable season, and of the absence and dispersion of the British forces. This unreasonable proposition having been decidedly and Instantly rejected by the resident, the confederated chieftains ofi^ered their second * Distances from Amednuggur (the position of major-general Wellesley's army on the 31st July I803j) To Madras, - - 1049 miles. Seringapatam, - - 341 Bombay, - - 321 From the position which the confederates occupied, Boorhanpoor is distant about fifty miles. proposition, 33 proposition, that the resident sliould appoint a day for the march of the 1803. respective forces of those chieftains from the place of dieir encamp- ^"">'^' ment, and that the resident should pledge the faith of the British go- vernment for the retreat of the army \mder major-general Wellesley, on the day on which the armies of the confederates should commence their march to their usual stations. It is manifest that this proposition afforded no other security for the actual return of the armies of those chieftains to their usual stations, than a precarious dependence on those promises which they had so re- peatedly violated : independently of which consideration, colonel Colhns was not authorised to pledge the faith of the British government to an arrangement inconsistent with the instructions which he had received from major-general Wellesley ; and it soon became evident that this pro- position was merely illusory on the part of the chieftains. Scindiah and the rajah of Berar finally proposed their third proposi- tion, that they should by a letter state to major-general Wellesley, " that *' on the day on which general Wellesley should withdraw his troops " from the station then occupied by the British army, those chieftains " would separate their armies^ and commence their return to their respective " territories in Berar and the north of liindostan^'' This proposed mo- dification of general Wellesley's requisition evidently diminished the security which might have been derived from the previous and imme- diate separation and departure of the confederated armies. Scindiah and the rajah of Berar, however, having declared that unless major- general Wellesley should consent to the third proposition, they could not retire consistently with a due regard to the honour of their respec- tive governments, colonel Collins consented to refer that proposition to major-general Wellesley, and to remain in Scindiah's camp vintil an answer should be received, provided the letters to major-general Wcl- F lesley 1803. 54 lesley ^vere sent to the resident for transmission before the noon of the following day. It now appeared that both the second and third propositions had been absolute evasions for the purpose of gaining time: in direct violation of the terms of both the second and the third propositions, August 1. Scindiah and the rajah of Berar on the 1st of August 1803 transmitted letters to the resident, addressed to major-general Wellesley, proposing not to separate their armies, and to commence their return to Berar and to the northern provinces of Hindostan, on the day on which major- general Wellesley should withdraw the British army, but to continue their armies united; and instead of commencing their '■'■march to their respec- '•'■ live territories in Berar ^ and the north of Hindostan^' to Umit their re- treat to the neighboixring station of Boorhanpoor, precisely according to the terras of the first proposition, wliich had been fully discussed, and positively and instantly rejected by colonel Collins. Augusts. On receipt of the raiah of Berar's letters containing this inadmissible Departure of -^ *• o from thfcamp ^^*^ iusidious proposition, the resident made immediate arrangements fed'erater' f^r quitting the camp of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and commenced liis march towards Aurungabad on tlie 3d of August. Review of the late trans- actions. It may be useful in this place to review, in a distinct and connected form, the leading facts of the late transactions, which have terminated in a dissolution of the relations of amity between the British govern- ment and the confederated chieftains, Dowlut Rao Scindiah and the rajah of Berar. His highness the peishwah was compelled towards the close of the year 1802, by the violence and usurpation of a subject* of his go- * Jeswunt Rao Holkar. vernment. 35 vernment, to abandon his capital city of Poonah; in pursuance of the *^"^- principles of the alliance formed with the peishwah in 1790, and re- vived in 1792 and 1793, and with a view to the establishment of the general system of defensive alliance, commenced with the nizam by the treaties of 1798 and 1800, his highness the peishwah solicited and obtained the aid of the British power for the restoration of his au- thority, and concluded engagements with the British government, cal- culated to secure his highness's rights and independence against the designs of any foreign or domestic enemy. Those engagements not only contained no stipulation injurious to the just rights of the feuda- tory chieftains of the Marhatta empire, but provided additional security for the unmolested exercise of those rights. Reference to the treaty of Bassein will prove this statement. Dowlut Rao Scindlah distinctly expressed his concurrence in the on the 24th or ■' ^ March. propriety' of the measures adopted by the British government for the restoration of the peishwah's authority : he was assured by the resident in the name of the British government, that the treaty of Bassein w^as merely of a defensive nature; and after having received a copy of the treaty of Bassein, he admitted that the treaty of Bassein was not in- jurious to his own rights, or to those of the feudatory chieftains: he also, after some discussion, admitted that the peishwah possessed tlie right to conclude the treaty of Bassein without the concurrence of the Mar- hatta feudatories, stating merely that, as guarantee* to the treaty of Salbyc, * On this subject it may be obscrveil, that to have renderetl the peishwah responsible to Scindiah for the acts of his administration as the acknowledged executive head of the ^larhatta state, would have reversed the relation which subsists between them-. The duty of a guarantee to a tre;)ty cannot be considered to extend to the obligation of jjrccludingany change in the terms of such treaty, or even its entire abrogation, provided the contracting parties have agreed by mutual consent to vary or annul it. In his capacity of guarantee to the treaty of Salbye, Scindiah is merely authorized to bring to a right understanding either of the parties to that treaty which shall deviate from its stipulations. In that ca- r 2 pacity. 1503. Salbye, Iio ought to have been consulted by the peishwah. Dowlut RaoScindiah, however, persisted in soliciting the junction of the rajah of Berar, with the whole body of his forces, for the purpose of deciding the question of war or peace; or, in other words, of eventually employing their united power and resources to invade the territories of the allies and of the company, and to subvert the arrangements concluded between the British government and the peishwah at Basscin. In conformity to Dowluc Rao Scindiiili's solicitations, the rajah of Berar commenced his march for the purpose of eflectmg the proposed junction of their nvunerous armies in a menacing position on the frontier* of the nizam, the ally of the British government. These measures were not adopted by those chieftains with a view, nor even under a pretence, of defending their own rights and interests against any apprehended design on the part of the British government, or of any other state, to injure or to invade those rights or interests, nor with tlie view of securing the protection or internal settlement of their own possessions in tlie vicinity of the nizam's dominions. No such apprehensions w;ere ever stated by either chieftain. These mea- sures were therefore avowedly concerted for the express purpose of enabling those chieftains to carry into effect their eventual resolution of undertaking a war of aggression against the British government and its allies, for the purpose of usurping the authority of the peishwah, pacity, therefore, Scindiah does not possess any authority to prevent the contracting par- ties from conckiding any additional engagements, or even from abrogating the treaty of Salbye by mutual consent : at all events, his interests and station as a member of the Mar- hatta state were sufficiently considered by the offer of admitting him to be a party in the defensive treaty concluded with the peishwah, or of contracting separate engagements between him and the British government on the basis of that treaty. *Near the Adjuntee ghaut, a pass about sixty miles north of Aurungabad, on the ni- zam'B north-western frontierj a»d leading into his territories. and 37 and of destroying a treaty, the tendency of which the confederate isf^'^- chieftains had not arraigned, and which the pelshwah was acknow- ledged to be competent to conclude, even by the direct admission of Dowlut Rao Scindlah. Under these and other indications of hostility on the part of those chieftains, the British government merely required that they should retire with tlieir armies to their us\ial stations, in Berar and the north of Hindostan, proposing that the British army In the Dekan should also retire in a similar manner. At the moment when Dowlut Rao Scindlah, after being apprised of all the stipulations of the treaty of Bassein, acknowledged that it con- tained no provisions injurious to the rights of the feudatory chieftains, that chieftain publicly declared to the resident, that the question of peace inacorferer« or war with :he B itish government depended upon the result of a '^x '^°=^- conference between Scindlah and the rajah of Berar, whose arrival at the head of the whole body of his forces in the vicinity of Sclndiah's camp was daily expected. " The hostile and insulting nature of this declaration deserves par- ticular attention. Occupying a position with the main body of his forces near the frontier of our ally, Scindlah pubhcly declared, in open durbar, to the representative of the British government, that he awaited the arrival of the rajah of Berar, at the head of a nmnerous army, on the frontier of the dominions of our ally, for the purpose of deciding whether the united arms of those confederate chieftains should be employed in a war of aggression against the British government and its allies. After the declaration made by Dowlut Rao Scindlah, that " the British ^government should know whether it would be peace or war as soon as the *' rajab 38 1S03. « rcjabof Berar should have joined Scindlafs army" every principle of the law of nations would have justified the British government in adopting anv measures which might have been deemed necessary to prevent the intended junction between the armies of Dowlut Rao Scindiah and of the rajah of Berar. It would have been justifiable to have emploved force for the purpose of preventing the junccon of the confederate armies, and of diverting the operations of their troops. Those objects constituted a sufficient cause of war, previously to the meeting of the chiefs, and would have warranted the immediate attack of the territories and resources of the confederates, in order to prevent the accomplishment of the avowed purpose of their meeting. The armies of those chieftains however were permitted to effect the Do die sd of proposed juncdoo, and the chieftams met for the p. rpose of dtsidlng o= -Jw 4th o: izkstber it sho:ild be peace or trj'- "uoitb the company. After the junction varkiis tiuies of their armies, those chieftains continued, by systematic delays and evasions, to withhold any declaration with regard to the nature of their designs during a period of two months ; and although, at the expirarion of that period of rime, the confederated chieftains disavowed all inten- tion of obstructing the complete execution of the treaty of Bassein, they refused to abandon the arrangements avowedly adopted, and the po- sition occupied for the eventual prosecution of hostilities against the British government. The proceedings of the confederated chieftains were therefore ma- nifestly of a menacing and aggressive nature, and the position of their united armies on the frontier of our allv enabled them to carrv into immediate execution the hostile designs which their conduct and their language had previously indicated. The temporary change of their language, unaccompanied by any change of conduct, afforded no se- curity against the hostihties which they had menaced j and while they condnued ifierwards. 89 continued to occupy an hostile and menacing position with their united .I803. armies, the contradiction between their professions and their actions af- ^'^'~' forded just ground ot suspicion, especially at that season when it would have been much more difficult for their forces than for the British to have commenced active operations. On the other hand, the movement of the British troops towards Ahmednuggur, as far as it respected the rajah of Berar and Dowlut Rao Scindiah, was purely defensive. The internal condition of his highness the peishwah's government would alone have justified and required the march of the British subsidiary force from Poonah to that position. Under these circumstances those chieftains were not entitled to any corresponding concessions on our part, and their refusal to comply un- conditionally with the requisition of the British government would have justified an immediate resort to arms. The ofl^er of major-ge- neral Wellesley, therefore, on the 1 8th of July, to withdraw die troops xinder his command from the vicinity of Ahmednuggur, and the amicable assurances with which it was accompanied, afforded the most uneqviivocal proof of the pacific intentions of the British government, and deprived the confederated chieftains of every pretext for continuing to maintain their armies in their imited and menacing position on the frontier of our ally. The mere junction of the armies of Scindiah and the rajah of Berar upon the frontier of the dominions of ovir ally, for any purpose un- connected with the security of the rights of those chieftains, would have compelled the British government to demand the removal of those armies from that menacing position, and would have required the adop- tion of measures of precaution on our part ; and the refusal of those chieftains to comply with that demand would have justified an appeal to arms for the security of our interests and those of our allies. B\it Scindiah had publicly declared, that the object of the junction of the confederate 40 1S03. confederate armies was to decide the question of peace or wai" with the ""^^^ company. Under the circumstances of the moment, therefore, no other security for the pacific conduct of those chieftains could have been ac- cepted, than such as should deprive them of the power of prosecuting with success the designs which they manifestly entertained, and had de- clared, against the rights and interests of the British government and its allies. During the v/holc course of the negotiations between the resident and Dowlut Rao Scindiah, (fromtlie 27th of Febraary until the 3d of Au- gust 1803), that chieftain and the rajah of Berar employed their most assiduous endeavours to induce Jeswunt Rao Holkar to unite in the confederacy, and to form a junction with the confederate armies ; and those chieftains even assigned the depending negotiation with Jeswunt Rao Holkar, as a cause for maintaining their united armies in the position from which they were required to retreat. The result established by these facts, which are amply detailed in the governor general's dispatches to the secret committee of the 19th of April, 20th of June, 1st of August, and 25th of September 1803, is — 1st. That according to the evidence of facts, and to the distinct avowal of Scindiah and the rajah of Berar, those chieftains had no cause of complaint against the British government, nor any reason to appre- hend that their just rights and interests were exposed to hazard by the arrangements concluded between the British government and the peishwah. 2dly. That the junction and continuance of the armies of those chieftains on the frontier of thenizam near Adjuntee, were evidently xinnccessary for any purpose connected with the security of their rightS) or with the protection or internal arrangement of any part of tlieir territorial 41 territorial possessions; and that if either Sciadiah or tlie rajah of leos. Berar had really entertained apprehensions of Jiolkar's movements, ^"-^^ they could not have continued in their actual position with coinmon prudence, but must for their own safety have retired in the direction required by major-general Wellesley, since Holkar at that time occu- pied a position in the vicinity of Scindiah's dominions in Malwa. 3dly. That the general conduct and language of those cliieftalns in- dicated designs of a hostile nature against the British government and its allies .the peishwah and the nizam, and that Scindiah had distinctly declared on the 28th of May, that he and the rajah of Berar itieditatcd eventual 'war. 4thly. That those chieftains assembled their armies in a menacing position on the frontier of our ally the nizam., for the purpose of enabling them eventually to carry those designs into execution. 5thly. That the public and insulting menace of vpar against the British government, uttered by Dowlut Rao Scindiah on the 28th of May 1803, was an open avowal of a hostile spirit, and an act of direct hostility, and therefore a sufficient cause of war, unless that menace had been effectually retracted by such a movement of that chieftain's army as should have secured the British interests against the accomplishment of so insolent and wanton a threat ; that the confederate army conti- nued to retain the means of commencii:ig with advantage the war which Scindiah had denounced ; that the same hostile spirit was manifested bv various preparations and arrangements dangerous to the British govern- ment and its allies, and that these acts of aggression were menaced and committed, not only without any cause of complaint deducible from the measures and proceedings of the British government or of its allies, but under a distinct acknowledgement of the pacific nature of our ar- G rangements 42 !803. rangemcnts with the peishwah, and under an avowed conviction of our """^^^ amicable intentions. 6thiy. That the hostile nature of the proceedings of those chief- tains, and their repeated violation of public faith, preckided all reliance on their promises and professions, and rendered it the duty of the British government to require the separation and return of their armies to their respective territories, as the only security for the rights and in- terests of the British government and its allies against the declared de- signs of those confederated chieftains. , 7thly. That this requisition was accompanied by a proposal to with- draw the British army from its advanced position at Ahmednuggur in the Dekan ; and that such a proposal was not only an incontrovertible proof of the jvist and pacific views of the British government, but furnished ample security to the confederated chieftains against the possibility of any danger which could be apprehended by them from a compliance with our requisition to separate and withdraw their armies. It was evident therefore that, after the denial of this just reqiiisition, the defence and security of our rights and those of our allies could only be maintained by resorting to arms against Sclndiah and the rajah of Berar. The season pressed for decision. The actual prevalence of the rainy monsoon in the provinces of India, which must become the theatre of war, was highly favourable to our operations, and equally unpropitlous to any hostile movement of the native powers. To have permitted the confederate chieftains to remain unmolested until the close of the rains, would have sacrificed a principal advantage which we then posessed, and would have enabled and encouraged them to 43 to prosecute with facility and rapidity their operations* against the ter- isoa. ritories of the nizam, of the peishwah, of the rajah of Mysore, and ^-*^ eventually of the company, at the commencement of the favourable season. This policy would have united all the disadvantages of irresolution with the inconvenience of heavy expense, and of the continuance of our army at a remote distance from our own possessions: neither prudence nor honour would have permitted us to retreat under the menacing language and commanding position of the confederate chief- tains. We must therefore have maintained an advanced position in the Dekan ; nor could we have abandoned the nizam, the peishwah, the guikwar, the rajah of Mysore, and our own subjects upon our frontier, to the security of vague professions from a Marhatta durbar. The threats and power of the confederates, the position and force of tlieir army, combined with the general tenor of their conduct and policy, ab- solutely required that our army should remain in the vicinity of the confederate forces, for the preservation of our interests, of our safety, of our public faith, and of our reputation. * The dessarah, which may be considered a militar)' festival among the Marhattas, takes place at the close of the south-west monsoon, about the end of the month of September : the favourable season for the movement of troops then opens. Thejhanda or great standard of the prince is hoisted, a camp is formed, and the operations of the ensuing year are de- termined, whether they may be directed against an open enemy, or to the object of col- lecting the permanent tribute or choute, or to move on a muluk-gherce, or plundering expedition. " In Poonah this festival is celebrated with particular splendour. The peishwah, ^ accompanied by the great members of the empire, marches out of the city, preceded bv ** the state equipages, consisting of elephants superbly caparisoned, led horses, and. In " short, all the pomp of oriental magnificence. Upon this occasion the Marhattas go " through the ceremony of plundering a field ; doubtless to remind them of tlielr piedatorv " orlgiu. The peishwah leads the way, by tearing up a handful of corn; his example is fol- *♦ lo\s.ed by fdl presetit, and the field is pillaged in a moment." G 2 • In 44 iso.T. In addition to otlicr circumstances, the declining state of the nlzam's "^ health, and the designs which the confederate chieftains were known to entertain with respect to the succession to the sovereign authority of the Dekan, rendered it indispensably necessary, that, while the Marhatta army remained on the nizam's frontier, the British troops should occupy a position calculated to secure the regular order of succession on the nizam's death, and to frustrate the attempts which the confederates might make to place on the miisnud of the Dekan one of the younger sons of the nizam, devoted to the cause of the Marhatta chiefs, and ini- mical to the British interests. The same policy which dictated the conclusion of the treaties of Hy- derabad in 1798 and in 1800, required that the British government should be prepared to maintain the stabiUty of its alliance with the prince of the Dekan, and to resist any attempt which might be directed to the subversion of the British influence at Hyderabad, or to the ex- clusion of the legitimate heir from the sovereign power of the Dekan. These considerations therefore rendered it indispensably necessary to maintain an advanced position in the Dekan, while the confederates should persist in the determination of menacing the frontier of our allies. If the British army had continued in an advanced position, leaving to the confederates the vmdisturbed possession of their re- sources and means of attack, the result must have been deeply in- jurious, if not fatal to our cause. After we had sustained the expense and inconvenience of remaining inactive in the field, waiting the pleastire of the Marhatta durbars for . peace or war, the confederate chieftains would ultimately have pos- sessed the opportunity of employing their combined force against our dispirited army with every advantage of season, with increased alacrity and 45 and vigour, and with the probable addition of Holkar's troops, of jgo.i. many of our present Marhatta allies, and even of French auxiliaries. The same considerations of justice and policy, therefore, which abso- kitely required us to maintain our army in an advanced position under the actual aggression and hostile conduct of the confederates, operated with additional force to demand such a seasonable application of our military strength, as should afford us the full benefit of our actual ad- vantages, frustrate the artifices, delays and treachery of the enemy, an- ticipate his insulting menace of war, check Jiis pride, and chastise his insolence. If we had submitted to the insidious propositions of the Marhatta chiefs ; if we had retreated in the face of their united forces, and had withdrawn our army in the Dekan* while they retained their com- manding position; if we had omitted the precautions which involved additional expense on the frontier of Oude and in other quarters ; we should have submitted the honour, dignity and interests, if not the existence, of the British government in India to the most faithless, sanguinary, rapacious, and violent of the Marhatta adventurers ; we should have forfeited the opinion of the native powers, which forms a main pillar of tlie fabric of our empire ; we should have descended to a public acknowledgment of the superiority of the Marhatta arms in the face of all Asia ; and we should have been degraded by the native states of Hindostan and the Dekan to the rank of a secondary power in India ; of a power secondary to Dowlut Rao Scindiah, whose military strength rests upon the support of French adventure, enterprise, and skill. * Dekan, or South, in its general signification, implies the whole of the peninsula of India to the southward of the Nerbudda river, or from the 22d degree of north latitude to Cape Comorin. In its limited sense it is intended to signify the countries now forming the pro- TJnces of Candeish, Dowlutabad, Viziapoor, Golconda, and part of Bcrar. A policy v^^ 46 ifios. A policy so unworthy of British wisdom, honour, and courage, would ^^ have subjected the tranquillity and security of Hindostan and die Dckan, inciudlng all our alliances, dependencies and possessions, to the will of Scindlah, and of a band of French adventurers, armed with a powerful artilleiy, in the critical moment of a renewal of war with France. It appeared to the governor general to be a more safe as well as a more honourable policy, to employ the means which he had prepared, for the purpose of eiFectually averting the present and future projects of the confederates and their French officers, than to confide the security of any part of his arduous trust to the professions of the Marhatta chiefs, contradicted by the spirit of all their actions, and by the uniform tenor of their character, disposition, and views. Colonel Collins therefore left Scindiah's camp on the 3d of August^ and the British government proceeded to carry into execution the plan of operations wliich had been formed, for the eventual defeat of the unjust and unprovoked designs of the confederated chieftains Dowlut Rao Scindlah and the rajah of Berar. Plan of the Tlic compass of these notes will not admit a statement of the de- ag^mt die con- tailed Instructlons issued by the governor general to his excellency the commander in chief (general Lake), and to the honourable major-gene- ral Wellesley, to the governments of Fort St. George and Bombay, and to the public officers at Fort William, relative to the preparation and employment of the forces, and to several points connected with the for- mation of a system of political arrangement with the neighbouring states and chieftains ; calculated to diminish the power and resources of the enemy, and to facilitate the success of the British arms in the event of jour being compelled to proceed to hostilities. Every 47 Every measure was suggested and adopted, which the judgment of 1503. the governor general in council could devise, for the successful ac- '^^•^^ complishment of those political arrangements ; and the preparations for military operations were all made with a view to the commencement of hostilities in every quarter of the possessions of the enemy, before the close of the rainy season. Although this early movement was likely to prove difficult to the British armies, it was well known that these diffi- culties would be inconsiderable in comparison with the almost insur- mountable obstacles which embarrass the operations of the army of a native power during the period of the rains. The forces from the armies of Fort St. George and of Bombay, under the command of major-ge- neral Wellesley, were already in a position to commence hostilities in the Dekan, as soon as intelligence should be received of the rupture of the negotiation with Scindiah and the rajah, of Berar; and arrange- ments had been carried into effect for the early invasion (from Ganjam and from Calcutta, by the armies of Fort Saint George and Bengal) of the valuable province of Cuttack in Orissa, which disjoins the British ten-itory, and interrupts the continuity of o\ir dominions between Bengal and the northern sircars. The government of Bombay was pre- pared to seize at the same time the sea-ports and territory belonging to Scindiah in Guzerat, on the extremity of the western quarter of India. By the indefatigable activity, zeal, ability, and energy of general Lake, (whose personal exertions have surpassed all former example, and have been the main source of the success of the war in that quarter,) the army of Bengal, on the north-west frontier of Oude, was placed, to- wards the close of the month of July, in a state of preparation and equipment favourable to the immediate attack of monsieur Perron's force, as soon as authentic advices should be received of the com- mencement of hostilities in the Dekan. The arrangements adopted by the governor general, during this arduous crisis of affairs, were directed to provide for a general and combined 48 i^oT. combined attack to be made, nearly at the same time, on the united ^^ army of Scindiah and the rajah of Berar under their personal command in the Dekan, and on all their most vulnerable and valuable possessions in every quarter of India. The plan of operations comprehended a tract of country, extending from Delhi* and the presidencies of Fort William, Fort St. George, and Bombay, to Poonah, Hyderabad, Guzerat, and Orissa ; and embraced, together with the security and defence of the British dominions, the important objects of defeating the confe- derate chieftains in the field ; of establishing our allies, their highnesses the peishwah and the nizam, in their respective legitimate governmei\ts j of securing the legitimate succession to the government of the Dekan ; of delivering the unfortunate and aged emperor Shah Allmn and the royal house of Timur from misery, degradation, and bondage ; and of extirpating the last remnant of French influence in India, by res- cuing his imperial niajesty the moghul from the hands of a desperate band of French adventurers ; and by destroying the pow-^erful artillery and military resources of monsieur Perron, and of the French state founded upon the ruins of the authority of the moghul, and under the auspices of Scindiah, on the north-west frontier of Hindostan. The army under major-general Wellesley was directed to the purpose of opposing the confederated force under the command of Scindiah and the rajah of Berar. The effect of major-general Wellesley's success might be expected to deliver from all danger the nizam, the peishwah, and the company's possessions in Mysore, in the western and southern * Delhi to Poonah - - - 013 miles. Fort W iliiani to Bombay - - 1301 miles. Hydcrabud - - - 950 Fort St. George 1030 Baroach, about - - 800 Fort St. George to Poonah 660 Cuttack - - - - 902 Hyderabad - - - 352 Fori WilUani to Poonah - 1289 Boorhanpoor 76<) Hyderabad - - - f)00 Fort St. George to Bombay 759 Baroach - - - 1251 JJaroacl to Cuttack - near 1 000 districts 49 districts of the Dekan, and on the frontier of Berar; and to estabHsh isns. the governments of the guikwar, of Poonah, and of Hyderabad. W-»' By the reduction of Cuttack in Orissa an effectual blow would be struck against the rajah of Berar's resources ; the only maritime terri- tory of the Marhattas on the eastern side of the peninsula of India would be secured from all intercourse with the French, a valuable ad- dition would be made to our revenue, and a strong barrier added to the frontier of Bengal against predatory incursion ; the intercourse be- tween Bengal and the territories of Fort St. George would also be pro- tected from interruption. The seizure of Scindiah's ports in Guzerat would leave no possession on the sea-coast of the western side of the peninsula to the Marhattas, excepting that occupied by our alUes the peishwah and the guikwar, and the confined territories of Angria and other piratical states, through which the communication with Scin- diali's territories is nearly impracticable. The operations on the north-west frontier of Oude, under the im- m.ediate direction of general Lake, embraced a most important branch of the war ; namely, — First, the destruction of the power of the French adventurers established on the banks of the Jumna under mon- sieur Perron. Secondly, the extension of the British frontier to the Jumna, with the possession of Agra, Delhi, and a sufficient chain of posts on the right bank of the Jumna for the protection of the naviga- tion of that river. Thirdly, the protection of the person of the em- peror Shah Allum. Fourthly, the establishment of an efficient system of alliance with the petty states beyond the right bank of the Jumna from Jeynagur to the province of Bundelcund*. Fifthlv, the annexa- * This province is situated to the south-west of the Jumna river, about the 24th and 25th degrees of north latitude. n tion 50 180.^. tion of Bundelcund to the company's dominions ; by which annexa- ^^"""^ tion great additional security would be derived to the rich province and city of Benares, and an effectual check opposed to whatever pov^er might remain to the rajah of Berar, or to any other Marhatta chief in that quarter. The result of tliis plan of operations on the north-west frontier of Oude would destroy the influence of the French and of the Marhattas in the northern districts of Hindostan ; and would enable the British government to commence the foundation of such an intercourse witli the Seiks, and the tribes inhabiting the Punjab, and the banks of the river Attock, as might furnish sufficient means of frustrating any at- tempt of an invading enemy from the western side of the Indus. In addition to these advantages, it was highly important to protect the person and nominal authority of the mogluil against the designs of France. The person and authority of that unhappy monarch were treated by the Marhattas and by the French with the most barbarous indignity and violence ; and it appeared honourable to the repvitation of the British name to afford a secure, respectable, and tranquil asylum to the fallen dignity and declining age of the emperor of Hindostan, It was also necessary fo extend the protection of the British government to his majesty's heir-apparent, and to any of the royal family ; who might otherwise fall into the hands of French adventurers, and, under the direction of French agents, might become a powerful aid to the cause of France in India. By the most accurate accounts which have been received on the subject of the forces of the enemy, it appears that, towards the close July. of the month of July, the troopp opposed to major-general Wellesley, \ander the immediate command of Scindiah and of the rajah of 4 Berar, men. 50,000. 51 Berar, in the field, amounted to about 38,500 cavalry, 10,500 re- isos. gular infantry, 500 matchlock-men, 500 rocket-men, and 190 pieces of Am^ZHIf'the ordnance. Two brigades, under monsieur Dudernaigue and major enemy" alva'rds Brownrigg, amounting to twelve battalions, with a large train of artil- momh ouuiy' lery, had been ordered to Hindostan ; and monsieur Pohlman's bri- ^iear"the"Ad- gade had been directed to return to Boorhanpoor, leaving with Scin- 38,500 cavalry, 1- 1 1 • 1 1 V :4i ■ • r ^ 1 • 10,500infautry, diah only eight battalions*, consisting of about 4500 men : the rajah 500 match- of Berar's infantry amounted to 6000 men. These forces were posted ^<* roc''«- at Julgong, a place at the foot of the Adjuntee ghaut, in the Dckan. In addition to the troops already stated, Scindiah had an advanced party of a few thousand horse dispersed through the Adjuntee hills. The force under the immediate command of monsieur Perron, Scin- Amount of the force under diah's general in the northern provinces of Hindostan, amounted to monsieur Per- ° ^ ' ron in Hin- about 16 or 17,000 regular and disciplined infantry, and a well ap- jg"!^""-^""" pointed and numerous train of artillery ; together with a body of ir- {"^^'[s'to'"* regular troops, and from 15 to 20,000 horse, which it was also expected 20,000 cavalry. would be increased by reinforcements of cavalry from the country of the Seiks, and from the rajahs and petty chiefs on the right bank of the Jumna river, who were tributary to or in alliance with monsieur Perron. The head-quarters of monsieur Perron's force were established near Coel, in a commanding situation on the frontier of our possessions, and on the most vulnerable point of our extensive empire. The local situation of Scindiah's territories, and the nature of his military force in Hindostan, would always have constituted a serious danger to the British interests. Part of those territories was situated * Four battalions under monsieur Dupont, and four belonging to Bcguni Sumroo. H 2 between 52 1803. between the Jumna and the Ganges ; they interrupted our line of de- ""^•^"^ fence in that quarter ; and some of Scindiah's principal posts were in- troduced into the centre of our dominions, while the possession of Agra, Delhi, and of the right bank of the Jumna, enabled that chief- tain to command nearly tlie whole line of our north-western frontier. Formidable as the power of Scindiah might have proved in the event of any accession to his strength by a connection with France, or with any enemy to the British interest, a danger more urgent had grown out of the decline of Scindiah's local authority in Hindostan in the establishment of a regular corps of infantry, under the command of Eviropean officers, supported by funds derivable almost exclusively from the territorial possessions of Scindiah, situated between the Jumna, Ganges, and the mountains of Cumaon. A considerable portion of this territory was assigned to monsieur Perron, who had formed it into an independent state, of which Scin- diah's regular infantry might justly be termed the national army. The inhabitants of this territory considered monsieur Perron as their im- mediate sovereign, while the troops supported from the revenxies of the country regarded monsieur Perron as the immediate executive autho- rity, from which the army was to receive orders, subsistence, and pay. Possessed of such means, monsieur Perron dictated witla the autho- rity of a sovereign state of superior rank, and with the vigour of effi- cient military power, to the petty states occupying the countries on the right bank of the Jumna ; and by the terror of liis name and arms held in abject submission the rajepoot states of Jeynagur and Joud- pore, together with the Jauts and the state of Gohud, extending his influence even to Bundelcund, and to the country occupied by the Seiks. Under 53 Under the influence of a succession of French adventurers the Bri- isos. tish government must have been exposed to every intrigue of the ^"^^ French in India, and even to the ambition and hostile spirit of the person who now rules the French nation ; nor could an instrument of destruction more skilfully adapted to wound the heart of the British empire in India have been presented to the vindictive hand of the chief consul of France. This French state actually held possession of the person and nomi- nal authority of the moghul, maintained the most efhcient army of re- gular infiintry, and the most powerful artillery then existing in India, (with the exception of his majesty's and the company's troops,) and exercised a considerable influence over tlie neighbouring states, from the banks of the Indus to the confluence of the Jumna and the Ganges. Under any circumstances of an intimate connection between Scindiah and the British government, even in the event of that chieftain's acces- sion to the treaty of Bassein, and to the general defensive alliance with the company, the nizam, and the peishwah, it is impossible to suppose that this French state wovild have co-operated with cordiahty in s\;p- port of the British interests. In the event of an attack from France upon the British dominions in India, it could not be expected that a French state, erected under the nominal and ostensible auspices of Scindiah in Hindostan, would have afforded any substantial aid to the ally of the British power in a contest against France, even if that ally should have been disposed to have assisted us in such a crisis. On the other hand, no doubt existed that Scindiah would always re- ceive the most zealous aid from the same state, in any attempt which he might 54 1S03. might make, either for the reduction of the British or for the aggran- disement of the French power in India. The safety of the British dominions in India, either with reference to a contest with Scindiah, to a renewal of war with France, or to both these contingencies, required therefore the reduction of monsieur Per- ron's power ; and it became the duty of the British government to be prepared to assume the protection of its own territories, and to remove with its own hand the proximate cause of insecurity and alarm. •The existence of monsieur Perron's power was not, however, the cause of the present war in India ; although in the event of a conti- nuance of the war with France it might have proved highly dangerous to the British interests, and must have occasioned discussions witli Scindiah. The causes of the war with Scindiah were confined to the military movements, and to the hostile language and conduct, of that chief and of his allies. The destruction of monsiexir Perron's force necessarily became a primar)^ object of the war, commenced on distinct grounds of complaint against Scindiah. Gentral stnte- nieiit of the British forces assembled in Jilfercnt quar- ters of India. The forces assembled in different quarters of India, for the purpose of carrying into effect the governor general's comprehensive plan of operations against the confederate Marhatta chieftains, amounted to about 54,918 men, exclusive of pioneers, gun lascars, and persons attached to the store and ordnance departments. North-west frontier of Uude. The army under the personal command of general Lake consisted of three regiments of European and five regiments of native cavalry, about two hundred European artillery, one regiment of European and eleven battalions of native infantry, amounting* altogether to aboiit 10,500 55 10,500 men. The disposition of this force, towards the commence- igoa. ment of the month of August 1803, is exhibited in the order of battle vXpi^ which is annexed to these Notes. It is necessary however to observe, ^°' ^ that of this force his majesty's 8th regiment of dragoons, the 6th regi- ment of native cavalry, and the 2d brigade of native infantry, had not yet joined the army. The 2d brigade and 6th regiment of na- tive cavalry were at Anopsheer ; and the 8th regiment of dragoons had only at this period received its horses from the Nawaub vizier, and was not yet prepared to move from Cawnpore. In addition to this force, about 3500 men were assembled near Alia- Aiuhai>ad and habad for the purpose of invading the province of Bundelcund ; and about 2000 men were collected at Mirzapoor to cover the province and city of Benares, as well as to guard the passes in that quarter. Mea- sures* were also adopted for the defence of the whole line of the fron- tier from Mirzapoor to Midnapoor. The troops imder the immediate command of major-general Welles- inthtDtk.i.v ley in the Dekan amounted to 16,823 men ; exclusive of wliich a force was left at Poonah, consisting of a detachment of his majesty's 84th regiment, and 1035 sepoys, which were deemed fully sufBcient, in conjunction with such troops as the peishwah himself had at Poonah, to afford complete protection to his highness, and to repell any attack which might be made upon that city. * It has appeared unnecessary to state in this place the detail of these measures, as it would be di^licult to exhibit in a short coinpass the number and disposition of the troop? employed on this service. It will be sufficient to observe, that ever)' arrangement wa^ adopted which could insure the complete attainment of the important objects proposed to be derived from a comprehensive and efficient system of defence. The 36 The force assembled for the invasion of the province of Cuttack amounted to 5216 men. In the doab of It has already been stated that the main body of the army of Fort St. ibmbudra George had been assembled at Hurrylnir, on the north-western frontier' ri vers jt , ^ . _, Moodgui, of Mysore, under the personal command of lieutenant-general Stuart. A part of this army had been detached to Poonah, under tlae command of major-general Wellesley, in the month of March 1803. Political considerations of importance, combined with advantages in a military point of view, had induced general Stuart, at the suggestion of ma- jor-general Wellesley, to move with the remainder, towards the end of May. the month of May, to Moodgul, a town situated in the doab of tlie Kistna and Toombudra rivers, about fourteen marches from Hydera- bad. This position was admirably well calculated to afford protection to the nizam's dominions, to overawe the southern Marhatta jagheer- dars, and to cover the company's territories, by enabling general Stuart to interrupt with more facility the march of any body of troops that might attempt to penetrate into them. The force * at Moodgul amounted to three companies of European artillery, one regiment of European and two regiments of native cavalry, three corps of Eu- * The force under lieutcnant-oeneral Stuart at MoocIp-uI : European cavalry ----- . 431 Native ditto ------ - 846 European infantry : Five companies of the 33d regiment, the 73d regiment, and seven companies of the 80th regiment - 1529 European artillery - - - - - -251 Native infantry _ . _ "_ 4769 7826 535 artillery lascars, and 620 Madras pioneers. ropean 57 ropean Infantry, and five battalions of sepoys, with a large train of isos. artillery, and a proportion of gun iascars and pioneers, amounting to ^■~v-^ 7826 fighting men. The dewan and minister of Mysore, with a con- siderable force, encamped on the frontier of Mysore, in the rear of general Stuart ; and by his position afforded additional protection to that country. In conformity to instructions for that purpose from the governor general, lieutenant-general Stuart detached, on the 29th of March, to Hyderabad two battaUons of sepoys, under the com- mand of major Irton, for the purpose of securing tranquillity in that " capital, in the event of the demise of the nizam, which at that period of time was rendered extremely probable from the declining state of his higloness's healtL Circumstances connected with the arrival of a French armament in Alteration ;« . . r~ r- • 1 ''^^ strength India, and the probability of a renewal of the war with France, ren- and dispositioc , ... of the force at dered an alteration in the streneth and disposition of the force at Moodgiii. *^ -^ august. Moodgul advisable, and induced lieutenant-general Stuart to return to the presidency of Fort St. George. The 73d regiment and a battalion of sepoys were in consequence directed, about the beginning of the month of August, to proceed to the Carnatic ; and the remainder of the army, with the exception of two battahons of sepoys, which at difl^erent periods in the month of July were detached for the purpose of joining the troops under the command of major-general Wellesley, with considerable supplies of treasure, bullocks, and grain, w*as left at Moodgul, under the orders of major-general Campbell, who was directed by lieutenant-general Stuart to detach the force under his command (or a part of it,) to join the troops in advance, or to Hyderabad, on receiving a requisition to that effect from major-general Wellesley, or from major Kirkpatrick, the resident at tiie court of the nizam. I The 58 1803. Corps de re- serve at Mood- gul in the month of Au- The corps de reserve*, under major-general Campbell, consisted of one regiment of European and two regiments of native cavalry, a proportion of European artillerymen, two corps of European and two battalions of native infantry, with a party of pioneers, amounting to about 1277 cavalry, 820 European and 1935 native infantry, exclu- sive of artillery and pioneers. Guzerat. In addition to the troops under the command of major-general Wei- lesley, and those stationed at Hyderabad, Poonah, and Moodgvil, there was a forcef in Guzerat, and in the town and dependencies of Surat, amounting to 2913 Europeans, and 4100 natives ; in all 7352 men. With a view to afford ample security to the valuable and important * Corps de reserve at Moodgul. Cavalry — 25th dragoons, 1st and 2d regiments "» native cavalry Five companies companies of the 80th regiment Infantry — Five companies of the 33d, and seven \ With a proportion of artillery and pioneers. European. 431 Native. Total. — 846 — 1277 820 — 1935 — 2755 About 4032 t Force in Guzerat. Artillery - - European 188 Infantry — His majesty's 6lst regiment 154 65th — 763 75th — 573 84th — 272 86th — 815 88th — 148 Native infantry 2913 — Native 339 4100 4439 7352 province ^ 59 province of Guzcrat, and at the same time to have a disposable force iso.^. that might eventually be employed in active operations against the ^'"~' enemy, major-general Wellesley (after providing garrisons for Surat, Brodera, Cambay, Kareah, Songhur, Purneerah, and eventually for Baroach,) divided the remainder of the force in Guzerat, amounting to '*4281 men, into two detachments ; of which one, amounting to 2187t men, was stationed in front of Brodera, (the residence of the guikwar,) to the northward of the Nerbudda river. The other de- tachmentlj:, consisting of 2094 men, was directed to occupy a position south of the Taptee river, between Songhur and Surat ; two six- pounders were attached to each corps, and each of 'the detachments was ordered to be completed with two twelve-pounders and tw^o five- and-half-inch howitzers. The whole of the force in Guzerat was, at the recommendation of major-general Wellesley, placed under the or- ders of colonel Murray, of his majesty's 84th regiment. * Abstract. Artillery - - European 99 Infantry — His majesty's 65tli regiment 763 » 86th — 815 Native infantry . . - _ _ 2604 1677 2604 1677 Total 4281 t Artillery _ . - . . 50 His majesty's 86th regiment - - - 815 Two battalions of sepoys - - 1322 2187 J Artillery - - - - 49 His majesty's 65th regiment - - - 763 Two battalions of sepoys _ - - 1282 2094 I 2 From 60 ism. Abstrjd state- rictit of the liriiis'li fi>rc<.'S. August. From these details it appears, that the total number of British troops including garrisons in Guzcrat and at Surat (3071 men), pre- pared at the comnjencemcnt of the month of August to support the arrangements concluded with the peishwah, amounted to 54,918* men. Of this nvimber about 10,500 men were assembled in the pro- vinces lately ceded by the Nawaub vizier to the company, under the personal command ot the cominander in chief general Lake ; about 5500 men were prepared to invade the province of Bundelcund, and to cover die province and city of Benares ; 5216 men were assembled for the invasion of the province of Cuttack ; 4281 men were stationed as a field force -in Guzerat ; 16,823 men were under the immediate command of major-general Wellesley, and destined for active opera- tions against the confederated chieftains ; 1997 men were stationed at Hyderabad to ensure the tranquillity of that city, and the regular succession to the musnud on the contingency of the nizam's deatli ; 1598 remained at Poonali for the protection of that capital, and of the * Abstract of the forces prepared at the commencement of August 1803 In Hindostanj under the personal command of the com- mander in chief, general Lake At Allahabad and Mirzapoor - - _ In the Dckan^ under tiie inmiediate personal command of general Wellesley - _ ._ Subsidiary force under colonel Stevenson At Hyderabad - - _ _ _ At Poonah - _ _ _ _ At Moodgul - - _ _ _ On the march from Moodgul _ _ _ Field force in Guzerat - _ _ _ _ Garrisons at ditto, and at Surat - - _ For the invasion of Cuttack . _ . _ Total (exclusive of gun lascars, pioneers, artificers, and store lascars) - 10,500 - 5300 8903 7920 _ ifi fiOl - IXJyO.iO' - 1997 - 1598 - 4032 - 1900 - 4281 - 3071 - 5216 - 54,918 person 61 person of the pcishwah ; 1900 were on their march from Moodgul, to i803. join the troops under major-general Wellesley ; and 4032 men occu- "^"-^ pied a favourable position in the doab of the Kistna and Toombudra rivers, under the command of major-general Campbell. It may be proper to state, in this place, that the expected death of August e. , Tht iiizam his highness the nizam took place at Hyderabad on the 6th of An- 'ii«.d, ami was ' surcetind by gust 1803. His highness's eldest son Mirza Secundcr Jah was his so.., the '-' " prince Miraa immediately proclaimed successor to the soubahdarry of the Dekan. '' "'"^'^^' '"''■ On the 7th of August Mirza Secunder Jah took his seat on the mus- nud, to which he was conducted by the resident at Hyderabad, and by rajah Ragotim Rao, the deputy of his late highness's prime mi- nister Azim-ul-Omra, and received the congratulatory presents of all die principal officers of his government at Hyderabad. The event of the late nizam's death did not occasion any inter- ruption of the public tranquillity ; and the accession of Mirza Secun- der Jah was generally acknowledged by the younger sons of his late highness, and by all the officers and subjects of his highness's government. The preservation of tranqviillity at Hyderabad at that important crisis must be ascribed principally to the position of the British armies under the command of major-general Wellesley and colonel Stevenson, and of the corps de reserve stationed at Moodgul, for the purpose of eventually proceeding to Hyderabad, if the situation of affairs at that capital should render such a movement expedient or necessary for the preservation of tranquillity, and for securing the: regular order of succession on the death of the nizam. The 62 1303. The object of these notes will now be directed to the statement of ^""^^ the progress of the British arms, in the contest in which the British government of India has been unavoidably involved with the confe- derate Marhatta chieftains. -April 2fith. Major-general Wellesley thought it proper, towards the close of the Mirch of the . . i i • i- suhsidiary montli of April, to order colonel Stevenson to collect the subsidiary fo ce under co- lonel Stevenson force and the nizam's troops at Gardoon, and to march to the north- fOi the p otcc- '■ (ion of the ward towards Auruneabad for the protection of that part of the r.izani s fion- or I t^:t- i^i^am's frontier. The detachment under the command of colonel Stevenson*' con- sisted of two companies of European artillery, one regiment of Eu- ropean infantry, two regiments of native cavalry, and six battalions of native infantry, with a fine train of artillery, and a large body of the nizam's cavalry and disciplined infantry. June 4. With a view to the settlement of the peishwah's territories, and to jor-generai await the issvie of the negotiation with the confederate Marhatta W^ellesley fiom . . _ . . t ^ r Poonahforthe chieftains, major-general Wellesley marched from Poonaii with the settlement of the peishwah's main body of the forces under his command on the 4th of June, and teiiitoiies. ^ ' June 11. on the 14th of the same month encamped at Walkee, within a short distance of Ahmednuggur, a strong fort belonging to Dowlut Rao * Abstract of the force under colonel Stevenson, from the return of the 25th June 1803 ; Native cavalry _ _ - goO European artillery - - - 120 Ditto infantry (his majesty's Scotch brigade) 778 Native infantry - - - 6113 7920 With 276 gun lascars and 202 pioneers. 1 Scindiah 6.3 Scindiah at the distance of about eighty miles from Poonah. The isos. force under the command of major-general Wellesley* amounted to '"'^ one regiment of European and three regiments of native cavalry, two companies of European artillery, two regiments of European and six battahons of native infantry, with a considerable train of artillery, a large proportion of artillery lascars and native pioneers, and a body of 2400 horse furnished by the rajah of Mysore. The army under general Wellesley was also accompanied by an inconsiderable propor- tion of the contingent of troops (about 3000 horse) which the peish- wah is required to furnish by the treaty of Bassein. There is no reason however to ascribe this deficiency to any want of inclination on the part of his highness to adhere to the faith of his engagements with the British government. The peishwah's contingent and the rajah of Mysore's cavalry occupied a position at Sargaree, about twenty miles south-east of Ahmednuggur. Maior-general Wellesley received intellfgence of the issue of the commence- •^ *-' ... . MENT of HOS- British resident's negotiation with Scindiah and the rajah of Berar on tilities in th* the 6th of Aiigust 1803, but was prevented from moving by a very heavy fall of rain which lasted for three days, and which had rendered the road from Walkee to Ahmednuggur totally impassable. The weather cleared up however on the 7th ; and on the 8th of Au- Au^st s gust major-general Wellesley commenced his march towards the * Force under major-general Wellesley. Cavalry. — His majesty's igth dragoons and -j the 4th, 5th, and 7th regts. native cavalry,-' Artillery . - - - - Infantry. — His majesty's 74th and 78th regts i and six battalions of sepoys ■' With 357 artillery lascars and 653 Madras pioneers. European. Native. Total. 384 — 1347 — 1731 - 172 1368 ~ 5631 — 6999 Total 8903 fortress 64 1603. fortress of Aliincdnuggur, tlie fortified town of which was on the FoniiwdTowu morning of the same day attacked and carried by escalade. On ar- gur taTeu by^ riving within a short distance of the forti'ess, three parties were im- cscalade 0:1 the i- ^ c 1/-1 r- ^ • t r • r ^ Hth of August, mediately rormed tor the purpose or assaulting the rortmed town. The party on the left, commanded by lieutenant- colonel Harness as brigadier of the day, consisted of two flank companies of his ma- jesty's 78th regiment, and the advanced picquets ; the centre attack ■was composed of eight companies of the 74th regiment with some sepoys, under the orders of lieutenant-colonel Wallace; and the party on the right was commanded by captain Vesey, who had under his orders the two flank companies of the 74th, and the 1st battalion of the 3d regiment native infantry. Fortress of Ahmednug^gur capitulated to eeneral Wel- lesley on the 12th of August. The attack under captain Vesey succeeded without difiiculty ; bvit the scaling ladders of the party on the left, under lieutenant-colonel Harness, were placed against a part of the wall which had no rampart, and the troops were fired upon from the inside of the town as soon as they had reached the top of the ladders, without the possibility of descending into the town to charge the enemy. Colonel Harness, finding that he could not obtain a footing on the wall, drew ofi^ the party, and entered the town at another point. In the mean time, his centre attack under lieutenant-colonel Wallace had moved on and placed the ladders against a bastion, which they carried with great ease. The enemy made some resistance in the streets, and a party of Arabs actually charged the grenadiers of the 78th. They were instantly repulsed, and put to flight ; and the town was soon afterwards eva- cuated by the enemy, who had suffered some loss. On the lOth of August batteries were opened against the fort, which surrendered on the 12th of the same month. The official details of this operation are so complete, that it will be sufficient to refer to the printed copy 3 of CENERAi ORDER OF awTtEfrEFJCAMPMiENT iw THE .\RSm 'COMM.WDED BY IJIS EXCELLESdET GF,T«EIRAI. GEllARU LAKE, .My^ A^ JtM^/mt. 'J'.Ci^j/^, y;f,^M,>r. ./^Xty... . M.^.I^Ai^.-lC: y (rf^,/,. . /?^«•./*/^^. ,fLi^.i-^f^M^. ^fW.^-4^vr(>iit~ . //i:H!/'/A rw..'/'y„„. //.AyK^X.^, 2r-^„j- .-^.y'^r. /cy\.Ui.^-,.»i '/WJ», \.-^.,,j/i/„f. A,ty^,„ . //;. /r,„y ■f-fyr.„y ry.-y/,/,,. //y^. i..;(,.^„.„y„.,, //,„„, r™.,y. .jXyiL.yiM. y&iij/i<,„,„^ /,,,./.v,/iiM'/if./ .i/.lr If lill'l l-t /.Hill." h..il.l'll . ^/-./r// /i/iYi-.if/ih/iy/n'' 't>"i-r//H!'/i/.itt^ //> ■^'/tmy {t/it^r /^>/i>/-f// -/'r/r /„ (///ir,/: //t'/i.i.\ ^■/■jriii.'i T„///i/, Ay,'.}, . '///,^,^////-^. /r,yfyf/'*/,:t. • iiiiaiiviy''-'^J^ >' *<» fe* S'** ..- iiui oC Die Iliilifh .\rim' bel'ore jVllyg-liui' aflci-llic .Aclitm - -Ivepv DAienaivc Su-aiiip covc.iug- iloiieipur Itrrona Camp oniti fli'Bi 17c»V' Swampv Ground «* .VlTlIngx- lalccn pofaeftion ' of In- lite advanced Gourd M.Green dcnoie* iloiis^'cironi. Troops -^rlio i-eltrcd u/idcr ■flie protection of die Fort as Uic Bi-iiish fli-mv atlcBuocd ^ a /«ta>WA/A«rfa^.-«|'y,T^/*rJiW'<* ft-uJ-J/r. C 6S of major-general Wellesley's dispatch of the 12th of August to the J803. governor general, which is annexed to these Notes. t ^7^^lcJeof Ch e oiBcial Ga zettes are con_ The possession of this fortress is of peculiar importance to the pro- pe'udixD. '' secution of our military operations, by securing the communication with Poonah, and by affording a depot for supplies of provisions and military stores. Major-general Wellesley, immediately after the cap- ture of the fort, proceeded to take possession of all the districts depen- dent on Ahmednuggur, yielding an. estimated annual revenue of 6,34,000 rupees. These districts were placed under the temporary management and authority of a British officer. A respectable garrison was also stationed in Ahmednuggur ; and every other arrangement being completed, major-general Wellesley moved to the Godavery river, which he crossed with the whole of his army by the 24th of August. August 24. ■ -i- ' , Mi . . ..,-.,. di% On the 29th of August major-general Wellesley arrived at Aurun- Augusts*. gabad. Dowlut Rao Scindiah and the rajah of Berar had on the 24th of August entered the territories of the nizam by the ghaut of Ad- junteej with a large body of horse. They passed between colonel Ste- venson's corps (which had moved to the eastward towards the Badowly ghaut) and Aurungabad, and reached Jalnapoor, a small fort, the ca- pital of a district of the same name, about forty miles east from Au- rungabad. As soon as the enemy heard of major-general Wellesley's' arrival at Aurungabad, they moved to the southward and eastward, with an intention, as it was reported, to cross the Godavery, and march upon Hyderabad. Major-general Wellesley immediately marched to the banks of that river, and continued to move to the eastward along its left bank. The river, at that period of time, was ford- K able GG i«o?. able In every part; which is a circumstance that was never before ^"''""'^ known to have happened at that season of the year. This movement checked the enemy's operations to the southward, and they immediately returned to the northward of Jalnapoor. It also afforded complete protection to two important convoys of grain - and treasure, which had been detached by Ueutenant-general Stuart fi-ona Moodgul, and of which the last convoy under major Hill joined major-general Wellesley's force on the 18th of September. jr-inapoor Colonel Stcveuson returned from the eastward on the 1st of Sep- takeo on the 2d of September, tcmber, and on the 2d attacked and carried the fort of Jalnapoor. Wliile general Wellesley was engaged in covering the advance of his convoys, and in preventing the enemy fi'om crossing tlie Godavery, river, colonel Stevenson made several attempts to bring the confede- coi. Stevenson Tates to actiou. He was successful in the night of the 9th of Sep- mem/s'camV tcmbcr in surprising tiaeir camp, but the nature of the attack makes it impossible to know the exact amount of the loss which the enemy sxistained on that occasion. During their incursion towards the Godavery river, the enemy's ir- regular horse occasioned Uttle injury to the nizam's territories, and in many places they were defeated by the common peons* stationed in the diflferent villages which they attacked. Finding that this mode of warfare was not attended with success, the confederate chieftains de- termined to change their plan of operations, and moved to the north- ward, near the Adjuntee pass, where they were joined by a detachment * Peons, irregular infantry of the worst kindj generally employed in the collection of the revenue. of 9tb Sept. c / / Fou^t on the 11*^ SepterabeTl803 , and a Divifion of Monfieur Perrons Troops . \f(Uis/iur J^oui's Bourc?uem . ^Vr-fi- j-r .f.^.- Straf44t. Two BaUf mul S (ianj yfjtrd >im li- J^'m^l thr iT>ivif .t P^Jope kt£dMM,iu*/l>.'4^ i/'J>rtU rtttaJUU m EXPLANATION OF THE PLAN or THE BATTLE or ^SSYE; ■ Fought September 23, 1803. Between a Division of the British Anny, iinder the Command of Major General the Honourable A. Wellcsley, and the Combined Armies of Dowlut Rao Scindiah and the Rajah of Berar. REFERENCES. Green denotes the Enemy's Troops. Flags, their Line of Encampment, and first Position, when the British appeared at A. A. British Troops marching to attack the Enemy's Infantry and Guns posted on their Left. B. B. First Position of British and Enemy's Troops The Enemy took up this Position, when they discovered General Wellesley's intention of attacking their Left at X. C. Second Position of British Infantry on the Enemy's retreating to D. E. Charge of the Enemy's Cavalry on the Right of British Infantry. F. Charge of British Cavalry on the Enemy's left Cavalry and Infantry. 1.2. 3. Bodies of Horse be- longing to the Peshwah and the Rajah of Mysore formed to check the Enemy's Cavalry. G. The march of General Wellesley to attack a body of the Enemy, who had recovered some of their Guns, and turned them upon the rear of the British Line. General Wellesley came near I. with the 78th Regiment, just as the Cavalry had formed ; and took tlie 7th Regiment Native Cavalry with him ; a very heavy Fire was kept up from the Enemy's Guns, and the General had his Horse killed under him. H. The last Position of the 78th and 7th Native Cavalry when the Enemy moved off, leaving the British Troops in Possession of all their Artillery, Camp Equipage, Stores, &c. &c. This was the end of the Engagement. EXPLANATION OF THE PLAN BATTLE OF JDELHI, REFERENCES. A. A. The first Position of the British Line of Infantry or Encampment, with their Cavalry on their Right. P. Grand Guard in the Morning. H. M. Tfith Regiment right 1st Battalion ith Native Infiintry next 2d Battalion 12th Native Infantry 2d Battalion 15th Native Infantry 1st Battalion 15th Native Infantry 2d Battalion 2d Native Infantry 1st Battalion Hth Native Infantry 1st Battalion 2d Native Infantry B. The first Movement of the Cavalry from Position A. C. C. The first Formation of the British Line of Infantry, after advancing from the Right of Battalions in open Columns of Companies from Position A. D. D. The Second Position of the British Cavah-y on the arrival of the Line of In- fantry at C. C. H. The 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment of Native Infantry thrown out from the Village to cover the left of the Line with K. Four Guns under Colonel Horsford. E. The first Position of the Enemy. G. G. The second formation of the British Troops after they had advanced in line from Position C. C. and charged and drove the Enemy from their Guns. S. S. s. s. s. s. The Route and last Position of the British Line of Infantry, having put to flight the whole of the Enemy, and obtained entire possession of the Field with all their Guns, &c. &c. Q. Q. Scatter'd Guns and Tumbrils left on the Field by the Enemy. M. A Party of British Cavalry with Gallopers, who put to flight a Body of the Enemy's Troops that had retired to this Village, N. A Party of British Cavalry detached with their Gallopers, who kept in check the Seik Cavalry from charging the Right Flank and Rear of the British Troops. O. A Village with a Corn-field, surrounded by a high Wall and deep Ditch on the right of it. 67 of regular Infantry (under the command of monsieur Pohlman and 'soa. monsieur Dupont), consisting of sixteen battalions*, with a large and well equipped train of artillery. The whole of the enemy's army was collected about Bokerdun, and between that place and JafEerabad. - 'On the 21st of September the two coiips under the command of suts^pt.- Hiajor-generat Wellesley and colonel Stevenson met at Budnapoor ; and it was determined that the two divisions should move separately towards the -enemy, and attack them on the morning of the 24th. The disposition which the confederates had hitherto manifested to ■■avoid an action, and the necessity of m^afcing a- vigorous ejffbrt against their main force,^ afforded no other means of effecting these import- ant objects than the plan adopted on this occasion by major-general Wellesley, Witli this view, the two divisions marched on the 22d, azdsept, ^IbrieT Stevenson by the western route, and niajor-general Welles- ley by the eastern route round the liills between Budnapoor and Jalnsu''^'^ vlaraaiJxo 3hw j rfjl'S orf? no nisdi 3f:>;d}s to 931IJ03 srfj ni -ninjjin: /b vr/nhdiiw Huow yarlj isib ' -The division- under major-general Wellesley marched to Paugy on ih.Q 22d of September, and on the 23d to Naulnair, at which place ihtelligence was received that the combined armies of Scindiah and the rajah of Berar wei'e encamped at the distance of about six jg "io IK r'^^Uff r. '^o i iq 'J'^1 -: 1 .^; Monsieur Pohlman's brigade - r- -, 6ooo , Monsieuf Dupotit s - - - - - 2400 ..A 01^1 ,?rinvli ow ■'F\)uif'lw:lta}tons' belonging 10 Begiim Sitmroo 2000 I 10, 'Ordered back towards the end of August from Boorhaupoor. Two "batfalions had already crossed the Taptee on their way to that place, when the whole brigade . received orders to return and join Scindiah's camp. yjil gaorjs 3B^Vi T» lemlvr — Vide Vlun No. -J, in General Wellesley immediately determined to attack the enemy, instead of waiting until the morning of the 24th for the arrival of the Appcadix. j>QiQrigi Stevenson. If general Wellesley had not adopted this judi- cious and spirited resolution, the enemy would probably have haras- sed him during the whole day of the 23d ; and as he could afford no other security to the baggage of his army, than the intrenchmente which he might be enabled to construct, it must have been exposed to loss if he had waited until the 24th ; at all events, he would have be^n obliged to leave more tlian one battalion for the protection of the baggage. By attacking on the 23d, the enemy would be kept in ig- norance respecting the position of the baggage of our army : and in addition to these circumstances, there was every reason to believe that die enemy would learn that colonel Stevenson was on his march to attack them on the 24th ; in which case, it was extremely probable that they would withdraw their guns and infantry in the course of " the night of the 23d, in order that they might avoid the combined attack of the British armies on the 24th. The immediate attack a£ the enemy, therefore, was a measure of prudence as well as of courage. _ ; :_ , • .^^ off, Having provided for the security of his baggage and stores, which were left at Naulnair, under the protection of a battalion of sepoys and four hundred men taken from the native corps, general Wel- lesley moved on towards the army of the confederates, which he found encamped between and along the course of two rivers, the Kaitna and the Jxiah, towards their junction. Their line extended east and west along the north bank of the Kaitna river, the banks of which are high and rocky, and are impassable for gxxns, excepting at places close to the villages. The J .»'«//<■ ol'MUrs. 4y//f/j//r/' '^rf/d'oj. \ I f — t -f - \ \ Sr.,h ../-J l.i^m hiNMhf.l U„,}l* IS,'i,h, .1 l',l,n'tl Kni.llHr- 69 The rigjic of the enemy, which consisted entirely of cavalry, was »&o3. posted in the vicinity of JBokerdun, and extended in- fantry were posted; and accordingly marched round to their- left flank, covering the march of the column of British infantry by the British cavalry in tlie rear, and by tlie Marhatta (the peishwah's) and Mysore cavalry on the right flank. The British troops passed the river Kaitna at a ford beyond the enemy's left flank, near the village of Pepulgaon. Major-general Wellesley formed the infantry in two lines, with the British cavalry as a reserve in a third, in an open space between tlie Kaitna and the Juah rivers,, which run nearly parallel. The peishwah's and the My- sore cavalry* occupied tlie gromid beyond, or to tlie southward of the Kaitna river on the left flank of the British troops, and kept in check a large body of the enemy's cavalry, which had followed gene- ral Wellesley's rovite from the right of their own position. The first * This corps has performed all ihe duties of light troops with general Welksley's army since its march from Mysore m March 180?, (during which lime lluy were frequently engagedwilh theentmy,) with a degree of alacri-ty and zeal which has seldom been dis- played by troops of this description. To the credit of the govommcnt of Mysore, this body of cavalry is as regularly paid as the British troops. The peishwah's troops have also conducted themselves in a manner to merit approbation, line to isoi. line of rhajor-general Wellesley's infantry consisted of the advanced "'^ picquets to the right, two battaUons of sepoys, and his majesty's 78th regiment ; the second, of his majesty's 74th regiment and two batta- lions of sepoys ; and the third, of his majesty's 19th dragoons with three regiments of native cavah-y. "* « iisniuBW The number of British troops engaged appears to have' amounted to about 1200 cavalry, European and native, 1300 European infantry and' artillery, and 2000 sepoys ; in all about 4500 men'. The force of the enemy consisted of sixteen regular battalions of infantry* (amount- ing to 10,500 men) commanded by European officers, a well equipped train of artillery exceeding in number one hundred guns, and some very large bodies of horse, consisting, it is stated, (and as 'it Wduld appear from a reference to the statement of the forces of the con- federates as they stood at the commencement of the month of Augus^t,) of between 30 and 40,000 men. u nzh'nd c.i i The enemy conunenced a cannonade, but with little ei?ect, as the British troops advanced to the Kaitna river, and, having discovered general Wellesley's intention to attack their left, changed the posi- tion of their infantry and guns, which no longer, as at first, was along the north bank of the Kaitna river, btit extended from that river across to the village of Assye upon the Jviah river, which was upon the right of the British army. A second hn6 was formed nearly at right angles to the rear of the enemy's first line, with its left towards the village of Assye, and its rear to the Juah river, along the bank of which it extended in a westerly direction from the village of Assye. General Wellesley immediately attacked the enemy, * The rajah of Berar's infantry, and Scindiah's irrcgiilar infantry, are not included in this number. and 71 and the British troops advanced under a very severe fire from the jgo3. enemy's cannon, tlie execution of which was terrible. The British ^ — ^^ artillery had opened upon the enemy at the distance of four hundred yards ; but general Wellesley finding that it produced little effect on the enemy's powerful and extensive line of infantry and guns, and that his guns could not advance on account of the niimber of men and bullocks* which had been disabled, ordered his artillery to be left behind, and the whole line to move on : at the same time major- general Wellesley directed licutenaut-colonel Maxwell, with the British, cavalry, to take care of die rigiit of the infantry as tlie hne advanced towards the enemy, who were soon compelled (notwithstanding their tremendoiis cannonade) to fall back upon the second line in front of the Juah river. The picquets of the infantry and the 74tli regiment, which were on the right of general Wellesley's first and second hues, suffered particularly from tlie fire of tlie guns on the left of the enemy's position near Assye. The 74th regiment was so thinned by the enemy's cannonade, that a body of the enemy's ca- valry was encouraged to charge it, at the moment when the regiment was most exposed to this fire : but the enemy were charged in turn by the British cavalry, who had been directed to protect the right of general Wellesley's line, and who drove the enemy with great slaughter into tlie Juah river. At length the enemy's hne, over- awed by the steady advance of the British troops, gave way in every direction ; and the British cavalry, who had crossed to the northward of the Juah river, cut in among their broken infantry, and charged the fugitives along the bank of the river with the greatest effect. General Wellesley's force was not equal in numbers to the duty of securing all his advantages in the heat of the action; and many of the enemy's guns, which had been left in his rear, were turned again upon the British troops by individuals, who having thrown themselves upon the ground near the enemy's guns, had been passed by the British hne under the supposition i'H>3. supposition that they were dead, and who availed themselves of this """^^""^ artilice (which is often practised by the troops composing the armies of native powers in India) to continue for some tiine a very heavy fire. Some of the enemy's corps however went ofF in good order, and lieutenant-colonel Maxwell was killed in charging with the British cavalry (who had recrossed the Juah river) a body of infantry which had retired, and was again formed. Some time elapsed before the fire wlxich the enemy kept up from the guns which they had man- ned in the rear of the British line could be stopped ; and general Wellcsley was himself obliged to take the 78th regiment and the 7th regiment native cavalry to effect this object. In the course of this operation the general's horse was shot vmder him. The enemy's cava'a-y also, which had been hovering round the British troops throughout the action, still continued near general Wellesley's line. In a short time, however, the body of the enemy's infantry, which had formed agairt^ and had been charged by the British cavalry, gave way,; and general \\'^llesley having compelled the parties of the enemy in the rear of his line to abandon the guns which they had seized and turned against the British troops, the victory was decided, and the eneiTiy retreated, leaving twelve hundred men dead on the field of battle, the whole country covered with their wounded, and in the possession of the British troops, ninety-eight pieces of can- non, seven standards, their camp equipage, a great number of bul- locks and camels, and a large quantity of miUtary stores and am- munition. During this severe and brilliant action, tlie conduct of major-general Wellesley united a degree of ability, prudence, and of dauntless spirit, seldom equalled and never surpassed. It is impossible to bestow any coirunendation 73 commendation superior to the sldll, magnanimity, promptitude and isos. judgment displayed by major-general Wellesley on tliis inemorable ^"v— occasion ; nor can any instance be adduced from the annals of our mi- litary glory of more exemplary order, firmness, discipline, and alacrity, tlian was manifested by the British troops in every stage of the arduous contest which preceded the splendid victory of Assye. The whole hne, led by general Wellesley in person, advanced to the charge with the greatest bravery and steadiness, without its guns, against a most severe and destructive fire of round and grape, until v^dthin a very short distance of the enemy; whom the British troops compelled (notwithstanding their superior numbers), at the point of the bayonet, to abandon their guns, and to rehnquish the field of battle, which Scin- diah's infantry had maintained with much obstinacy for more tlian thi'ee hours. Several officers in general Wellesley's army, who have served during the late campaigns in the continent of Europe, have declared, that it is no disparagement to the French aimillery to say, that cannon were never better served than by the enemy at Assye on the 23d of September; but, notwithstanding this circumstance, and the appearance of large bodies of the enemy's cavalry, who several times manifested a disposition to charge general Wellesley's fine, the British troops, animated by the gallant spirit of tlieir general, and emulating, the noble example of his zeal and courage, exhibited a degree of re- solution, firmness, and discipline, which completely overawed the enemy's cavalry and infantry, and forced them both to retire with the loss of 1200 men killed in the field of battle, besides a vast number of wo\inded, scattered over the country in the vicinity of the field of bat- tle. It is reported that Scindiah's principal minister received a wound in the action, of which he afterwards died, and an Exiropean officer (apparently of rank) was also cut down, and afterwards found dead on the field of battle. L The TP03. 74 Tlie loss sustained by the British troops in this glorious and decisive action was very severe, and (as vv^ell as the number and description of the ordnance taken from the enemy) is exhibited in major-general Wellesley's ofEcial dispatch, vi^hich (together witli the general orders issued by the governor general in council, on this memorable occasion) forms a number in the Appendix to these Notes. Colonel Stevenson with the corps under his command joined major-general Wellesley on the evening of the 24th, and was imme- diately detached in pursuit of the enemy. Colonel Stevenson had experienced several impediments, which prevented his joining major- general Wellesley so soon as was expected: b\it no blame can be im- puted to that gallant officer, whose conduct has always been distin- guished by the greatest zeal, activity, and pubUc spirit. October 8. On the 8th of October major-general Wellesley received a letter from 'wtikleTrL the camp of Scindiah, signed by Ballajee Khoonjur*, one of Scindiah's nation of the ministers, requesting that major-general Wellesley would dispatch a desire of the ..,_, . ,y, ^, Viri confederates to British officer, together with an officer of the soubah of the Dekan, to negotiate a peace. the cnemy's camp, for the purpose of negotiating terms of peace between the allies and the confederate Marhatta chieftains. Major- general Wellesley refused to comply with tlie request of Ballajee Khoonjur; first, because in the application of Ballajee Khoonjur no reference was made to the authority cither of Dowlut Rao Scindiah or the rajah of Berar, and consequently that it was not certain that the application proceeded from either of those chieftains, either or both of * Ballajee Khoonjur was originally dispatched by his highness the peishwah fromBassein to Dowlut Rao Scindiah, for the purpose of explaining to that chieftain the natnre of the engagements concluded by the peishwah and the British government ; but, with the ac- customed versatility and treachery of a Marhatta politician, Ballajee Khoonjur has subse- quently attached himself to the service of Scindiah. 2 whom 75 whoil\ might hereafter disavow the act of Ballajee Khoonjur; and, 1803. secondly, because the presence of a British oiEcer in the enemy's camp ^"^'^ at that moment, woiild have tended to raise the spirits of the enemy's troops, and to prevent their dispersion, and would have been represented by the enemy as an attempt on the part of the British government to sue for peace: but signified at the same time his disposition to receive at the British camp, with every mark of honour and respect, any person duly empowered by the direct authority of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, or of the rajah of Berar, to propose terms of peace to tlie allied powers. The confederates having collected the remains of their broken army, and moved to the westward along the bank of the Taptee, probably with a view to proceed to the southward, by the road which leads by the Caserbary ghaut and Alimednuggur, to Poonah, general Wellesley de- termine<,l not to descend the Adjvintee ghaut with tlie division under hi? immediate command, but to remain to the southward, and to re- gulate his movements by those of the enemy. Colonel Stevenson, however, was directed to continue his route to Boorhanpoor*; and Boorhanpoor !• 1 t^ t n t ' n ^ surrendered on there can be little doubt but that the fall of that city, and of the strong ti.e isth.and Asscerghur oil and important hill fort of Asseerghur (which has been denominated tiie qui of oc- the key of the Dekan), will soon add another triumph to the British Appendix d. arms on the western side of India. While major-general Wellesley was employed in watching the move- ments and checking the inroads of the armies of Dowlut Rao Scindiah * Authentic advices have since been received from the resident at Hyderabad, under date the 6th of November, announcing the surrender of this city to the forces under the com- mand of colonel Stevenson on the l6th of October; and the capitulation of the fort of Asseerghur, situated about twenty miles north-east of Coorhanpoor, to colonel Stevenson on the 2lst of the same month. The garrison of Asseerghur are prisoners of war. Avaqueel of high rank from Dowlut Rao Scindiah has also arrived in the camp of major-general Wellesley for the purpose of negotiating a peace. — Vide the official Gazettes in Appen- dix D. L 2 and 76 IS03. and the rajah of Berar, these chieftains received the most severe blows from the successes of the other divisions of the British armies^ who were employed in the operations against the provinces of Guzerat on tlie western, and of Cuttack on the eastern side of India. Augtist. Operations in The province of Cuzcrat. August 21. August 23. Baroarh stormed and carried on the ■J9th of August. In conformity to the plan of operations suggested to the govern- ment of Bombay by major-general Wellesley, under the orders of the governor general, lieutenant-colonel Woodington of the Bombay es- tablishment, with a respectable detachment composed of his majesty's 86th regiment, and a proportion of European artillery and native infantry, marched from Baroda on the 21st of August, and encamped within two miles of the fort of Baroach on the 23d. On the 24th lieutenant-colonel Woodington moved on to Bargood, and found the enemy in front of the pettah, ready to receive him. The enemy was soon compelled to retreat into the fort; and on the following morning lieutenant-colonel Woodington attacked and took possession of the pettah on the western face of the fort of Baroach. - ■ ■- - -•:;'- r-' ■• i:r£if) P5:v/' .•; - The fort of Baroach was stormed and carried on the 29th bf Atigu^t^ the day on which general Lake, on the north-west frontier of Oude (a direct distance of about six hundred miles) attacked and compelled monsieur Perron's forces to qviit the field of battle near Coel. The breach was reported to be practicable at one A. M. on the 29th; but lieutenant-colonel Woodington was induced to delay the assault until three o'clock P. M., not only that he might profit by the assist- ance of the Fury gun-vessel and an armed boat, which it was expected would arrive in time to take their stations opposite to the fort, but that it appeared to colonel Woodington, that the proposed time for the assault was a likely hour to find the enemy off their guard. The vessel and the armed boat however did not arrive in time to afford any assistance. The storming party, consisting of 100 Europeans and 200 1 natives. 77 natives, was led by captain Richardson of his majesty's 86th regiment, ibos, supported by a second party, amounting to one hvmdred and lifty ^ Europeans and two hundred and fifty natives, under the command of major Cuyler of the same regiment. The i^eserve, under captain Be- thune of the Bombay estabUshment, was composed of one hundred Europeans and one hundred sepoys. The enemy opposed a vigorous resistance to the attack of the troops, but were soon compelled to retreat and to abandon the fort, which w^as completely carried with little losson the part of the British troops. After captain Richardson had obtained possession of the first gateway, major Cuyler, with the supporting party, pushed on so rapidly that he over- took a party of Arabs before they could effect their escape out of the fort, and killed about two hundred in the attack. The enemy also lost several horses during the attack on tliis party of Arabs, which was composed of cavalry and infantry. The casualties on the part of the British troops during the siege of Baroach were not severe, and are detailed in the official gazette of the 3d of October 1803, which is an- nexed to these Notes. Together with the fort of Baroach, tlie honour- able company obtained possession of the district of that name, which yields an estimated annual revenvie of eleven lacs of rupees. After the capture of Baroach, lieutenant-colonel Woodington pro- conqueror the ceeded to reduce the district of Champancer, which was the only ter- champaneer ritory remaining to Scindiah in the province of Guzerat; and after- September, wards attacked the fort of Powanghur, a strongly fortified hill, with the town of Champaneer attached, situated about twenty-five miles east of Brodera, on the western confines of the province of Malwa. The town or pettah of Champaneer was attacked and carried by assault with httle loss on the part of the British troops, and the fort was sum- moned to surrender. The killahdar having refused to comply with the summons, preparations were immediately made for the attack of the Cuttack. 78 IS03. t;]-je foi't^ which was to have been stormed on the 17th of September, when the fort capitulated and was immediately occupied by the British troops. The operations of the army of Bombay in G\izerat were all planned and executed with the greatest judgment, spirit, and courage. Operations in It lias already been stated, that a principal object of the goA'ernor general's attention was directed to tlie formation of an arrangement for the occupation of the province of Cuttack. For tliis pitrpose a part of the northern division of the army under the presidency of Fort St. George, commanded by lieutenant-colonel Campbell of his majesty's 74th regiment, was ordered to be holden in readiness to pro- ceed on that expedition from Ganjam; and a detachment, consisting of two companies of his majesty's 22d regiment, and a part of the 20th Bengal regiment, was dispatched from Fort William to reinforce the troops xuider lieutenant-colonel Campbell's command. The whole of that force consisted of five hiindred and seventy-three Europeans of his majesty's and the honourable company's troops, 2408 sepoys, and a party of native cavalry consisting of sixty men. The governor general had also directed a detachment consisting of five lumdred Bengal native volunteers to proceed by sea, under the command of captain Dick, for the purpose of occupying the post of Balasore. Previously, however, to the departure of this detachment from Fort William, intelligence was received, which induced the governor general to consider it possible that the Marhatta forces in Berar had been reinforced, and that a vigorous opposition might he expected at the fort of Cuttack, as well as dtiring the advance of tlie British troops from Ganjam. This circumstance determined the governor general to send captain Dick's detachment, with some additional battering guns, direct to Ganjam, for the purpose of reinforcing the main body of the British troops 79 troops advancing from that quarter; and the detachment accordingly embarked* from Fort WiUiam on the 30th of August. In consequence of a severe illness, Heutenant-colonel Campbell was rendered unable to proceed with the detachment from Ganjam, The governor general therefore, at the express solicitation of lieutenant- colonel Campbell, then confined to his bed by a violent fever, dis- patched on the 28th of Aug\ist his military secretary lieutenant-colonel Harcourt, of his majesty's 12th regiment of foot, to Ganjam, for the purpose of taking the command of the troops assembled at that station. The governor general also directed a second detachment of five hun- dred native volunteers, a proportion of artillery men, four field pieces, and a proportion of stores, to embark under the -command of captain Morgan of the Bengal establishment, on the 13th of September, from Fort William, and to occupy Balasore. Another detachment was at the same time fonned at Jelasore, iinder the command of lieu- tenant-colonel Fergusson of the establishment of Bengal, consisting of 770 sepoys and 84 men of the governor general's body guard, with two galloper gims, for the purpose of advancing into the province of Cuttack, and forming a junction with the detachment at Balasore, when the state of the intermediate country, and the progress of the main division \mder heutenant-colonel Harcourt, should favour that movement. This detachment was supported by a force of eight hun- dred sepoys and some artillery, assembled at Midnapore, wliich was af- terwards reinforced by about five hundred native volunteers, who left Fort WilUam for that p\irpose to\^ards the end of the month of Sep- tember. * Batlering guns, &c. with captain Dick : Four eighteen-pounder iron guns — four twelve ditto — two five and a Iialf inch howit- zers, with a due proportion of shells — 4000 eightecn-poundcr shot — 4000 twelve-poundtr ditto, with aquantity of stores, materials, intrenching tools, 2cc. &c. The IS03. 80 1S03. The total number of troops assembled for the invasion of the pro- ,,''*'X~' , A'ince of Cuttack, therefore, amounted to 4916 men*: of this number lil'jr°roo''p's'^;''- 3041 formed the main detachment, which was to advance from Ganjam iwlon oTthe under the command of lieutenant-colonel Harcourt, who was appointed Cuttack' ° to the general command of all the forces employed on this service; five hundred men were on their way under captain Dick to reinforce lieu. tenant-colonel Harcourt; five hundred and twenty-one (including twenty-one artillery men) under the command of captain Morgan, were destined to occupy Balasore ; 854 were stationed at Jelasore, ready to advance whenever that movement might be deemed advisable; and 1300 remained at Midnapore, to support the troops at Balasore and Jelasore, and to afford at the same time protection to the frontier of the company's territoi-ies against the incursions of any of the rajah of Berar's predatory horse. September 8. On the 8th of September the troops under the command of lieu- tenant-colonel Campbell commenced their march from Gangam. On * Abstract of the force assembled for the invasion of the province of Cuttack, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Harcourt i European infantry. - 573 Native infantry. - 2-108 - Native cavalry. - 60 3041 With captain Dick, - 500 With captain Morgan, - 591 With lieutenant-c olonel Fergusson : Sepoys, - - 770 Cavalry, 84 854 Total actually assembled. _ ^ 4916 At Midnapore, - - 1300 Total that might eventually have been employed 6216 the 81 the 11th of September lieutenant-colonel Harcourt arrived at Gangam, isoa, and took the command of the troops. Lieutenant-colonel Campbell, ^-v-«^ with the zeal and spirit which he has manifested on so many occasions, had endeavoured, notwithstanding his illness, to proceed with the troops from Ganjam, but had been carried back after one day's march in a state whicli menaced his life for several weeks, and rendered him utterly unable to move with the expedition. On the 14th of September the British troops conducted by lieu- September h. tenant-colonel Plarcourt took possession of Manickpatam without any tsken. resistance on the part of the Marhattas, who fled on the approach of colonel Harcourt's force. From that station lieutenant-colonel Harcourt dispatched a letter to the principal bramins of the pagoda of Jaggernaut, encouraging them to place the pagoda under the protection of the British troops. On the 16th a favourable answer was received from the bramins, and a dep\itation was sent to the British camp to claim the protection which had been offered by lieutenant-colonel Haixourt ; and on the 18th the September ik British troops encamped at Jaggernaut, which was immediately evacu- Ee^m,^uoccu-^' ated by the Marhatta forces. pied. The inundated state of the covmtry prevented the march of the British troops from Jaggernaut until the 24th of September. During s ptember 2-. the march from Jaggernaut to Cuttack the advanced corps of colonel Harcourt's division were frequently engaged witii parties of the enemy's troops, v.'ho were always rep\ilsed with loss. Owing, however, to a very heavy fall of rain (which had rendered the roads impassable), and the conscqvient rise of the rivers which intervene between Jaggernaut and the town of Cuttack, lieutenant-colonel Harcourt's progress was much retarded, and the British troops did not reach Cuttack until the M lOch 82 ifios. lOtli of October, when tlie town was immediately taken possession ooTb^o '^^ without opposition on the part of the enemy. Town of Cut- UcIl tctkcu. The detachment under the command of captain Morgan landed at Balasore on the 21st of September, and succeeded in occupying that station after some resistance on die part of the enemy. On the 1st of October captain Morgan detached two companies of sepoys towards Soorong, a post twenty miles south of Balasore, which was then oc- cupied by the enemy. This detachment routed a party posted at a soorongtaken village 2L shoit distance on the north side of Soorone ; and being after- en ti.esd of ° , • ro October. wards reinforced by another company, took possession of boorong on the 3d of October without further resistance. Lieutenant-colonel Fergusson, with the detachment under his com- mand, moved from Jelasore on the 23d of September, and on the 4th of October arrived at Balasore without any opposition. On the 10th of 1 that month lieutenant-colonel Fergusson marched from Balasore widi a force* consisting of about 816 men, in consequence of orders from the governor general, directing that officer to proceed to the southward, for the purpose of forming a junction with the troops under the command of heutenant-colonel Harcourt at Cuttack. During the whole of these transactions the inhabitants of the province of Cuttack afforded every assistance to the British troops on their march, and expressed the utmost * Detachment under lieutenant-colooel Fergusson, which marched from Balasore on the 1 0th of October : European artillery, - - _ - go Native cavalry from the governor general's body-guard, - 76 2d battalion 7th native infantry, - - - 573 5th native infantiy, a detachment, - - - 147 Total - 816 With two field-pieces, two galloper gims, and fifty gun lascars. satisfaction S5 satisfaction at the prospect of being soon placed under the protection isos. of tlie British government. ^-v-* Lieutenant-colonel Harcourt had been actively employed in prepara- Fort of Ban- butty taken by tions for the siege of the fort of Barabutty at Cuttack. This fort is of »'"™' °" ••'« ° ' _ UthofOcto- strength, and has only one entrance by a narrow bridge, leading over a ^"■ wet ditch, twenty feet in depth, and varying in breadth, according to the situation of the bastions, from thirty-five to one hundred and thirty- five-feet. On the night of the 12th of October a spot was marked out for a battery to receive a twelve-pounder, distant about five hundred yards from the outer gate of the fort. This battery was completed on the night of the 13th, and the twelve-pounder placed in it, together with two howitzers and two six pounders, the whole of which opened their fire on the morning of the 1 4th. By eleven o'clock in the fore- noon of that day, most of the defences in the south face of the fort (against which the fire was directed) were taken off, and the enemy's guns silenced. Eveiy thing seemed to promise success to an assault, and Ueutenant-colonel Harcourt accordingly ordered lieiitenant-colonel Clayton to storm the fort, and to advance with one six-poimder, a party of artillery-men, two hundred Europeans from his majesty's 22d and the Madras European regiments, and four hundred sepoys from the 20th Bengal, and the 9th and 19th regiments of Madras native in- fantry. The storming party in passing the bridge were exposed to a heavy but ill-directed fire of mtisquetry from the fort, and forty mi- nutes elapsed before they succeeded in blowing open the wicket (the re- maining part of the gate having been strengthened with thick masses of stone). Having accomplished this object, die storming party passed through the wicket singly ; and although they experienced considerable resistance in entering the fort and forcing two other gates, the British troops were completely victorious, and obtained possession of the fort, which was immediately abandoned by the enemy, whose loss was con- iv M 2 siderable. 84 1903. sidcrable. In the course of the assault the sto?nnng party took four standards of colours, and manifested the same bravery and steadiness- The iUiaii of which has distinguished tlie conduct of the British armies, in every vMi (together, quarter of India, diiring tlie progress of the present campaign against r.ii orders i,. Dowlut Rao Scindiali and the rajah of Berar. By the success of the 5:«1 on Jie oc- _ _ _ - ■' cisi.m hy tlie British anxis in tlie province of Cuttack, the whole of that valuable j^ivernor gene- ^ ' r.ii) is contam- province (which, exclusive of inany other imnortant advantages, is in- "• dispensably necessary to secure a free and uninterrupted communication between the svipreme government of India and the subordinate presi- dencies of Fort St. George and Bombay) has been annexed to the domi- nions of the honourable company. In consequence of the interruption of the communication between Ganjam and Fort William through Cuttack, in the course of the present campaign, after the commence- ment of the north-east monsoon, all correspondence between the go- vernor general, the governments of Fort St. George and Bombay, the honourable major-general Wellesley, and the residents at Poonah and Hyderabad, was absolutely suspended ; and the governor general for se- veral days was entirely ignorant of the progress of events in those parts of India, during a crisis of affairs which, connected with the renewal of war with France, and the probability of hostilities with Holland, may be considered to be the most important which has ever occurred in India. Operations on The rcgukr ordcr of events has been interrupted for the purpose tlie north-west r t • • • frontier of of brmgms: "^to one point of view all the transactions connected Oudc, under ... the personal di- with the iTiilitary operations against the main armies in the Dekan, rection and y i o ' command of his ynder the personal command of Dowlut Rao Scindiah and of the excellency ge- ^ ncra! Lake. fajah of Berar ; and with the destruction of their resources and power in the Dekan, and in the provinces of Guzerat on the western and of Orissa on the eastern side of India. It will now be proper to revert to the transactions which have occurred on the north-west frontier 85 frontier of Oude, and to exhibit tlie result of the operations which mo3. were entrusted to the personal direction and command of his excellency '"^ general Lake. Similar reasons to those which induced the governor general to grant full powers to niajor-gcneral Wellesley, and eventually to lieu- tenant-general Stuart, required that a temporary atithority should also be constituted in the vicinitv of the north-west frontier of Oude. with full authority to conclude upon the spot whatever arrangements might become necessary for the purpose of accomplishing the plan of operations proposed by the governor general to be carried into execti- tion against Dowlut Rao Scindiah's forces in that quarter of Hin- dostan. This power rould not be exercised with proprietv and advantage to the public service by any other person than the com- nfiandcr in chief ; and the governor general determined tlierefore to- vest this important and difficult trust in the hands of general Lake. Accordingly the governor general, on the 27th of July 1803, em- powered the commander in chief to exercise the general chrection and control of all political negotiations connected with the operations of his army; and, in a proclamation under date the 30th July 1803, was further pleased to order and command all civil servants, and military officers, subject to the authority of the presidency of Fort William, " to pay an immediate and prompt obedience to all such " requisitions or orders as they might receive from the commander in *' chief;" declaring at the same time, " that svich requisitions or " orders would be considered as full and sufficient vouchers for any " advance or disbursement of money which such requisitions or orders *' shovild authorise." With a view to occupy a position favourable to the early commence^ Ai-rust ?. General Lai niarciied trt Cawnpore. ment of military operations, in the event of hostiUties with Scindiah^ nil^cUed 0.™ he 86 1803. the commander in chief, general Lake, marched from Cawnpore on A^i^iiri^s. '^l^^- ''f^ of August, and reached the vicinity of Coel on tlie 28th of tlie sam.e month. On the 20th of August the commander in cliief received a letter from colonel Collins, dated Camp near Julgong on the 1st of August, in which that ofEcer states his intention to repair to Aurungabad without delay ; and adds, that he should have marched from Julgong on the morning of the 31st of July, had not the roads been ren- dered impassable by a very heavy and incessant fall of rain since the night of the 30th of July. The commander in chief also received, on the 26th of August, a dispatch from the governor general, dated on tl:ie 16th of August, authorising him to prosecute the most active operations against the forces of Scindiah, monsieur Perron, and their allies, unless the commander in chief should have received certain intelligence of the conclusion of pacific engagements between major- general Wellesley and Scindiah, or should have received from major- general Wellesley a direct expression of his desii'e tliat general Lake should not prosecxite hostilities. On the receipt of colonel Collins's letter of the 1st of August, general Lake was of opinion that the refusal of the confederated cliieftains to comply with general Wellesley's requisition amounted to a positive declaration of war, and conceived himself imder these circumstances to be authorised (by the tenor of the governor general's instructions, prior to the dispatch of the 16th of August) to com- mence hostilities without waiting for further advices from the Dekan. The justice of prosecuting immediate hostilities against Scindiah and the rajah of Berar was unquestionable ; and the letters of the gover- nor general to those chieftains, together with the declarations of colonel CoUins, had distinctly apprised Scindiali and the rajah of Berar 87 Berar'of die probable consequences of their furtlier evasions of the 1803. just and reasonable propositions of the British government, " that ^""v— ^ " they should separate their armies^ and relinquish thtir menacing position " on the frontier of the nizams territories.^* Under these circumstances, the commander in chief, by the direct order of the governor general above stated, on the 29th of August Au^^^st 29. 1803 moved into the Marhatta territories, with the intention of enters the _ 5/- 1-111 Marhatu ter- attackmg monsieur Perron s force, which had been assembled at a "tones, short distance from the fortress of Ally-Ghur. The army reached Aisiir at coei. this point about seven o'clock in tlie morning of the 29th. The enemy immediately struck their tents, and the whole. of their cavalry drew up on the plain close to the fort of Ally-Ghur. Monsieur Perron's position was strong and favourable for repelling vide pian No. !_ - 1 n • • 1 TT- r 3, in the Ap- the attack ot tlie British army. His front was completely covered pendix. by an extensive swamp, which in some parts is not fordable ; the right flank was protected by the fort of Ally-Ghur ; and his left derived considerable strength from the nature of the ground on that side, and from tiie position of some villages which were occupied by parties of his troops. Monsiexir Perron's force was estimated to amount to about fifteen thousand horse, of wliich from four to five thousand were regular cavalry. The commander in chief having determined to turn the left flank of monsieur Perron's force, the British cavalry were formed into two lines, and advanced to the attack supported by the infantry in three and four hnes, according as tlie confined nature of ground would permit. During the advance of the cavalry, the enemy kept up a smart fire of matchlocks from a village which the cavalry had to pass ; and a large column of the enemy's cavalry, headed by a regiilar 2 corps - 88 1603. corps of horse, approached sufBciently near to enable the British ^''^ cavah-y to fire a few rounds from their galloper guns, which succeeded in forcing the enemy to retire. The excellent front displayed by the British cavalry, and the regulai* and determined advance of the whole army, so completely overawed monsieur Perrcui and his troops, that they retired as fast as the British troops advanced, and finally quitted the field without venturing to risk an engagement. Several attempts were made to charge the enemy's cavalry, but the rapidity of tlieir retreat prevented the possibihty of effecting this desirable object. The commander in chief was with the British cavalry die whole day, and charged in person at the head of the 27th dragoons. Although the early retreat of monsieur Perron's force prevented the commander in chief from bringing him to a general engagement, the operations of the 29th of August were attended with beneficial consequences, in establishing the superiority of our arms over the power of the enemy : monsieur Perron's reputation received a pow- vide Appendix erf 111 shock frjom the events of that day ; and the defection of several of his confederates demonstrated at once their doubt of his power, and their conviction of our superiority. After the action the commander in chief took possession of the town of Coel, and the army encamped to the nortliAvard of it, between the town and the fort of Ally-Ghur. Vide Plan No. Tliis fort iS of singular strength: it has a broad and deep ditch*, 4, in the Ap- pendix. * From one hundred to two hundred feet iu breadth, and tliirty-two feet in depth ; of which there are always ten feet of water. 5 * L with V \ :^ ^ "^ ^ "^o •§ -i 1^ ■^. ■ c '^ : > *v -V-; C s- >? -5 3 1 :^ i i t ^ -^ : ^:^ ^.1 ,1 ^ I«i1 5! 4 ^ - ^ K i^ ^ ^ Y.^ ^ ? > ; ; ^* C. -^ V t .^ ^^:^:i. '^4^|« 1^ ^^ <^li^ -1< j'4 89 with a fine glacis, and the country for a mile round is levelled, and isot.' completely exposed in every point to the fire of the fort. There is '^ — •"^ only one entrance, which is very intricate, and over a narrow cause- way, under which the enemy had commenced a mine, but had omitted to construct a drawbridge ; and thus our troops were enabled to pass the ditch on the causeway, and immediately to assail the body of the place. As soon as the army had taken up its ground near Coel, general Lake summoned inonsievir Pedron, the commander of Ally-Gh\ir, to surrender the fort ; but after several unsuccessful efforts to save the efiaision of blood, and to persuade the garrison to evacuate the place, general Lake found himself compelled to adopt more decisive mea- sures, and determined to attempt to carry the fort by assault, rather than by the slower operations of a regular siege. In conformity to this resolution, the fort was stormed on die morn- September 4. ing of the 4th of September. The hono\irable lieutenant-colonel a.lyIghur ■ 111 • • • r» taken by Monson commanded the stornaing party, consisting of a detachment storm. of artillery with two twelve-pounders, four companies of his majesty's ^[*'*-'^pp""' 76th regiment, the first battalion 4th regiment native infantry, four companies of the second battalion 17th regiment, reinforced after- wards by the second battahon 4th regiment native infantry. Lieutenant-colonel Monson conducted the attack with the utmost degree of gallantry, judgment, skill, and fortitvide. The troops moved down to within six lumdred yards of the sortie of the fort about three o'clock A. M. There was only one passage across the ditch into the fort, and this road was followed by lieutenant-colonel Monson. N After 90 icn.?. After waiting until the hour fixed for the assAuk (lialf past four o'clock), the storming party moved on (under cover of a heavy fire from tlie British batteries erected for the purpose), and arrived within one hundred yards of the fort before they were perceived : as soon, however, as colonel Monson saw that he was discovered, he endea- A'oured, by pushing on with the two flank companies of the 76th, to enter the fort along with the guard stationed outside of the gates, behind a strong breastwork which covered the entrance. The colonel succeeded in passing the breastwork, but found the first gate shut. Two ladders were immediately applied, on which major Macleod of the 76th regiment, with two grenadiers, attempted to mount ; but they were forced to desist by a most formidable row of pikemen, who menaced every assailant with certain destruction. A twelve- pounder was then brought up ; b\it some time elapsed before it could be placed opposite the gate, which was situated in an inconvenient direction near the flank of a bastion. Four or five rounds were fired before any effect was produced on the gate ; and during this interval, which lasted about twenty minutes, the storming party was exposed to a most severe and raking fire of grape and wall-pieces and match- locks. Our principal loss was sustained at this place. Colonel Mon- son was wounded here by a pike, discharged, It is thought, from a gun : at this spot were also killed the four grenadier officers and the adjutant of the 16th regiment, with lle\itenant Turton of the 4th regi- ment native infantry. As soon as the first gate was blown open, the troops advanced in a circvilar direction (round a strong bastion of masonry, along a narrow road, and through two gateways, which were easily forced) to a fourth gateway leading into the body of the place; during which time they were much annoyed by a heavy cross fire in every direction. It was a work of great difficulty before the twelve-pounder could be brought up, and 91 and wKen it arrived the gate was too strongly fastened to be forced. I803. Major Macleod, however, pushed through the wicket, and entered the ^""'"'^ fort ; after which very httle opposition ensued, and the fort was com- pletely carried. The general defence of this fort was very vigorous, and lasted for one hour ; and our loss was extremely severe. The French commandant, M. Pedron, was taken prisoner. As soon as the British troops had entered the body of the place, the garrison endea- voured to escape in every direction : many jumped into the ditch, otliers were drowned. About two thousand were killed ; some sur- rendered, and were permitted to quit the fort by the commander in chief, who was close to the fort observing the result of his bold and well-planned attack. A large qiTantity of stores and ordnance was found in the fort, with some tumbrils of money, which the storming party divided ou the spot. The fall of the fort of Ally-Ghur was attended with the acqui- sition of niost of the miUtary stores belonging to the French party. This was the place of residence of monsieur Perron, and it was the grand depot of his military' stores. The necessary arrangements for the security of the fort of Ally- Ghur and for the march of the army having been completed on the 7th of September, the commander in chief moved on that day to- wards Delhi. A battaUon of sepoys was left in Ally-Ghur, and a drawbridge applied to the gateway : the place may now be considered as impregnable to any native power. '' On the 7th of September the commander in cliief received a letter septomber / . . . ^- ^"^f"* so- under date the 5th of September from monsieur Perron, informing 'i^its the pro. * » o tection of tbe N 2 the i*"''* go»Er«- mea:. 92 the commander In chief that he had resigned the service of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and requesting permission to pass with his family, pro- perty, and the officers of his suite, to Lucknow, through the territory of the honourable company and of the Nawaub vizier. Monsieur Perron also applied to the commander In chief for a sufficient escort, to be composed either of Bi'Itish troops or his own body guard. Gene- ral Lake iinmediately coinplied with monsieur Perron's request, and permitted monsieur Perron to proceed throvigh the British territories attended by a British officer, who had been appointed to meet m.on- sieur Perron on the frontier, and to conduct him to Lucknow. Ge- neral Lake also permitted monsieiu* Perron to be escorted by his own body guard, and provided for the reception of monsieur Perron In tlie company's territories and those of the Nawaub vizier with every mark of respect and honour. September Fort of Koor- On the 8th of September the army reached Koorjah, a fort of soine bh abandoned Strength, about thirty miles distant from Ally-Ghur, which had been by the enemy. evacuated by the garrison on receiving the intelligence of the fall of that fortress. It Is also probable that the capture of Ally-Ghur was one of the causes of M. Perron's determination to solicit the protection of the British government. M. Perron, however, stated that liis reason for retiring proceeded from his having received intelligence that his suc- cessor had been appointed, and was actually on his way to take posses- sion of his new charge. M. Perron also observed, that the treachery and ingratitude of his European officers convinced him. that further resist- ance to the British arms was useless. Abovit this period the commander in chief received intelligence of the surrender to the enemy of a detachment of five companies of sepoys with one gun, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Coningham at Shekoabad. This small body of troops was attacked on the 2d of September by a nimierous detachment of cavalry vmder the command 4 of 93 of a Frenchman named Fleury, and svicceeded in compelling the eneiiiy, '''°^* to retreat; but being again attacked on the 4th of September by lii. . same superior force, and having nearly expended its ammvmition, tl\e party of British troops capit\ilated to the enemy. On receipt of this intelligence, the commander in cliief uTimcdiately detached one I'egi- ment of European and two regiments of native cavalry, under colonel Macan, to join colonel Vandeleur, who was in the neighbourhood of Futty-Ghur, witli the 8th regiment Ught dragoons and a detach- ment of iixfantry with a convoy for the army. The 2d brigade of infantry under colonel Clarke was also ordered to reinforce colonel Vandeleur's detachment; but before these two parties could arrive at the place of their destination, the enemy recrossed the Jumna with great precipitation, and afterwards cUspersed. Colonel Macan's de- tachment reached the fort of Fu'ozeabad on the 7th of September, septcmb-r t which the enemy ImmediaLely abandoned, leaving behind tliem nine rbadaL^n™'"' guns, and several of the enemy's troops, who had been wounded in the emmy. ^ ' ° late affair of Shekoabad. This is the only predatory incursion wliich the enemy has attempted upon the company's frontiers. The army under general Lake reached Secundra on the 9th of September. On the morning of the 10th the commander in chief made a short march to the west of -Secundra, and on the 11th a march of eighteen miles beyond Soorajepoor. During the march, intelligence was received that monsieur Louis Bourqulen had crossed tlie Jumna in the night, with sixteen battalions of regular infantry, six thousand cavalry, and a considerable train of oi'dnance, for the purpose of at- tacking the commander in chief. The British army reached its ground of encampment near the Jehnah September n. Nullah (about six miles from Delhi) at eleven o'clock. The troops deihi'!' ° were much fatigued with the length of the march, and the heat of the weather; and the tents were scarcely pitched when the enemy appeared in 1S0.T. in such force in front as to oblige the grand guard and advanced ^"''^ picquets to turn out. The number of the enemy continuing to increase, the commander in chief proceeded in person to reconnoitre them with the whole of the cavalry (three regiments), and found the enemy drawn up on rising ground in order of battle, and in full force. Their position was strong, each flank being covered by a swamp, beyond which was posted the cavalry. Their numerous artillery covered their front, which was further protected by a line of intrenchments; their front was the only direction in which the enemy could be attacked. As the British cavalry approached, the enemy began a very heavy cannonade. As soon as the commander in chief had reconnoitred the enemy's position, orders were sent to camp for the infantry and artillery to join the cavalry. The line was ordered to fall in without delay, and move to the front by columns of grand divisions from each battalion. The camp was left standing ; the advanced picquets, iiicreased by a part of the 17th regiment native infantry, were brought in for its protection. The whole of the British troops who were engaged in this memorable action were his majesty's 76th regiment, seven battalions of sepoys, the artillery, the 27th dragoons, and two regiments of native cavalry, and amounted in number to about four thousand five hundred men. The number of the enemy amounted to about thirteen thousand infantry, and six thousand cavalry ; in all nineteen thousand men. Notwithstanding the alacrity and expedition with which the British troops got under arms, one hour elapsed before the infimtry coiild join the cavalrv, which had advanced about two miles in front, and was exposed to a severe and well-directed cannonade,- which occasioned a considerable loss of men and horses. During this interval the com- mander in chic^^'s hprse was shot under him. 1 Finding 95 FinJIng that it would be difficult to defeat the enemy in the'r actual position, general Lake determined to make a feint, by which the enemy should be induced to quit their intrenchments, and to ad- vance on the plain. With this view the British cavalry was ordered to retire, both for the purpose of drawing the enemy from his strong po- sition and of covering the advance of the British infantry : this retro- grade movement was performed with the greatest order and steadiness, until the British infantry had effected their junction with the cavalry ; when the cavalry immediately opened from the centre, and allowed the infantry to pass on in front. As soon as the cavalry began to retire, the enemy, conceiving this movement to be a real retreat, immediately quitted their strong posi- tion, and advanced with the whole of their guns, shouting, and exhi- biting every demonstration of perfect confidence in superior prowess. They halted, however,on seeing the British infantry, who were instantly formed into one line, with the cavalry in a second line, about forty yards in the rear of the right wing of the infantry. The whole of the British force then advanced towards the enemy, the commander in chief in person leading his majesty's 76th regiment. Notwithstanding a tremendous fire of rotind, grape, and chain shot, the troops led by general Lake advanced with the greatest bravery and steadiness, and without taking their musquets from their shoulders, until they had reached within a hundred paces of the enemy, when the enemy com- menced a heavy fire of grape from all their artillery. Orders were instantly given to charge tlie enemy with bayonets: the whole British line fired a volley, and, witli their illustrious commander in chief at tlieir head, rushed on with such impetuosity, that the enemy gave way and fled in every direction. As soon as the British troops halted after the charge, general Lake, witli his accustomed judgment, ordered the line to break into columns of companies; which manoeuvre being effected, the British cavalry (European and native) charged tlirough the intervals 1803. 96 J 303. intervals with their galloper guns, and completed the victory by pur- ^"^i"^ suing the enemy to the banks of the Juniiia, and driving vast numbers into the middle of the river. The galloper guns attached to the cavalry were opened with considerable effect upon the fugitives in this situ- ation. The commander in chief headed in person the 76th regiment, which exhibited under such a glorious example the most eminent proofs of valour and discipline. AVhile these operations took place to tlie right, under the immediate direction of the commander in chief, the left wing under major-general St. John attacked the enemy with great vigour, and the success of the British arms was complete in every point. The enemy left the whole of their artillery, sixty-eight pieces of ordnance, and thirty-seven tiun- brils laden with ammunition, in our possession; twenty-four tumbrils laden vvith ammvmition were blown up in the field of battle; exclusive of which, many tumbrils and ammunition carriages were left by the enemy in the Jumna, and in the Jehnah Nullah. Two tumbrils con- taining treasure were also taken on the field of battle. The pffici,.! de- The loss of the enemy was very considerable, and has been esti- taiis of the bat- , , i i i j rni • r Ue of Delhi, mated to have amounted to three thousand men. Ihe exertions of and the general -it-,..! • ii-ii- ^ r ^ • ^ orders issued thc Bntish army were proportionate to the bnlhant result or this glo- on this occasion -ii i*i-<~ are contained fious victory, aud the whole army, with the commander in chief, was under arms for seventeen hours. After the action, the army took up fresh ground nearer the river. The battle was fought within view of the minarets of Delhi, and - the whole army encamped the next day close to thc Jumna river, op- posite to that city. The unfortunate emperor Shah Aulum sent to general Lake immediately after the action, to express his anxious desire to place his person and authority under the protection of the vic- torious arms of the British government. On in Appendix D. Shau Aulum. 97 On the 14th of September the army began to cross the Jumna; and isos. on the same day monslevir Botirquien, who commanded the forces of se.^TXT' the enemy in the late action of the 11th of September, together with Bourquien*!^d four other French officers, surrendered themselves as prisoners to ge- omc,.rI"!,'rren. . Y 1 del themselves neral J-ialCe. prisoners to general Lake. X'idc Appen- His excellency the commander in chief had the honour to pay his September first visit to his majesty Shah Aulum on the 16th of September ; and commander , , . . , . . . f. , , , IN CiiiEr visits to congratulate his majesty on his emancipation irom the control or ti-e emperor the French faction which had so long oppressed and degraded him. From the commander in chief's dispatches, and such accounts as have been received from private sources of intelligence, it appears that his majesty was graciously pleased to direct liis eldest son and heir-ap- parent, the prince Mirza Akbar Shah, to conduct the commander in chief to his royal presence. The prince was to have arrived at the commander in chief's tent at twelve o'clock, but did not reach the British camp until half past three o'clock P. M. : by the time liis royal highness had been received, remounted on his elephant, and the whole cavalcade formed, it was half past four o'clock. The distance being five miles, the commander in chief did not reach die palace at Delhi until sunseL The crowd in the city was extraordinary ; and it was with some difficulty that the cavalcade could make its way to the pa- lace. The courts of the palace were full of people, anxioxis to witness the deliverance of their sovereign from a state of degradation and bondage. At length the commander in chief was ushered into the royal presence, and found the unfortunate and venerable emperor — oppressed by the accumulated calamities of old age, degraded authority, extreme poverty, and loss of sight — seated under a small tattered ca- nopy, the remnant of his royal state, with every external appearance of the misery of his condition. o It 98 1603. It is impossible to describe the impression which general Lake's con- ^^^""^ duct on this interesting occasion has made on the minds of the inha- bitants of Delhi, and of all the mussulmans who have had an opportu- nity of being made acquainted with the occurrences of the 16th of September 1803. In the metaphorical language of Asia, the native news-writers, who describe this extraordinary scene, have declared that his majesty Shall Aulum recovered his sight from excess of joy. In addition to many other marks of royal favour and condescension, the emperor was graciously pleased to confer on general Lake the second title in the empire*. The result of the spirited and judicious operations at Coel on the 29th of August, of the gallant assault of Ally-Ghur on the 4th, and of the glorious battle of Delhi on the 11th of September, deeply affected the French infltience and aixthority, and secured to tlie British power the possession of the doab of the Ganges and Jumna. The French ofEcers, deprived of a\uhority, and finding themselves the objects of just indignation to the country wliich they had governed, were compelled to solicit the protection of the British government, while the conqvicred country (rejoicing in the change of masters, and deeply impressed with a just sense of the humane conduct and orderly behaviour of the British troops, of the protection offered by general Lake to the persons and property of the inhabitants, and of the mild treatment which the British government extends to all its subjects) regarded the British troops as friends and deliverers. * The Persian titles conferred on general Lake are, Snni.sa}}! u doiulah ashghah id unilk, khan dowran khan, general Gerard Lake lahadiir, fulteh jung ; signifying in Eng- lish, " The sword of the state, the hero of the land, the lord of the age, and the victorious in war." These 99 These important victories rescued the unfortunate emperor Shah isos. Auhim from the power of his oppressors. By the success of our arms *^~v--' interesting purposes of humanity were accomplished ; and so far as this object is regarded in a pohtical point of view, his majesty Shah Aulum being placed under the protection of tlie British government, no other power can now avail itself of the weight and influence which the emperor's name must evef possess amongst the mussulman inha- bitants of Hindostan. The attention of the governor general is now directed to the forma- tion of a permanent arrangement for the future maintenance of the dignity and comfort of liis imperial majesty, and of the royal family, on principles calcxdated to provide for those desirable objects with the utmost benefit to the reputation of British justice and liberaUty ; and to secure the important advantages to be derived from the connexion, which will now be renewed upon permanent principles, between the royal house of Timur and the British power in India. The governor general has also given directions to provide for the nobility and the great officers of state at Delhi, (whose fortunes have been destroyed by the . successful visurpation of Scindiah and of the French adventurers,) on principles similar to those which in tlie year 1799, after the fall of the fortress of Seringapatam, indviced the governor general to make a liberal and permanent provision for the principal officers and nobility of Tippoo Sultaun. Having made the necessary arrangements for his march from Delhi, scptTO-.ber.'«. the commander in chief moved from that city towards Agra on tjie 2-ith ne.:iri-uicc%«- of September : liexitenant-colonel Ochterlony, depxity adjutant-genenU of the honourable company's army, was stationed at Delhi to attend the person and receive the commands of the emperor Shah AuJum. A garrison was also left at Delhi, consisting of one battalion and four companies of naiive infantry, together witli a corps of mewatties, then o 2 raising: 100 I'soa. raising under the command of Bntish officers who had been in tlie ^^"^^^^ service of Scindiah ; and who, on the commencement of hostiUties with that chieftain, quitted his service, and joined the army under ge- neral Lake. September 30. Monsieur Du- dernaigue and two other ofli- cers in Scin- diah 's service surrender to colonel Vande- leur. Operations in Bundelcund in September. On the 80th of Septeinber monsieur Dudernaigue, and two other officers in Scindiah's service, who had-^had been detached with some regular battalions by Scindiah, in the month of July, from the Dekan, for the purpose of reinforcing monsieur Perron's army in Hindostan, surrendered themselves prisoners to colonel Vandeleur, who, with the detachment* under his command, had. occupied the city of Muttra, on the right bank of the Jumna, in which was established one of m.on- sieur Perron's principal fovxnderies of cannon. During these transactions the detachment of British troops, assem- bled under the command of lieutenant-colonel Powell, of the Bengal establishment, near Allahabad, for the purpose of co-operating with a force under the command of Himmut Bahadur, (one of his highness the peishwah's principal officers in Bundelcund,) in the occupation of that province, crossed the Jumna on the 6th of Septeuiber 1803, and entered the province of Bundelcund : on the 15th of September lieu- tenant-colonel Powell was joined by rajah Himmut Bahadur with his forcesf, amounting to about 13 or 14,000 men. The united detachments arrived on the bank of the river Cane:}: on the 23d of September, and found the troops of Shumshere Ba- * His majesty's 8th and 29th dragoons, the 1st and 4th native cavalry, three battahons and five companies of native infantry. t About 4000 house, 8000 irregular infantry, three regular battalions under the com- mand of an European officer, and twenty-five pieces of ordnance of different calibres. J This river joins the Jumna, a little below the town of Corah; and nms nearly in a north and south direction by the fori of Callinger through the province of Bundelcund. hadur Muttra. 101 hadur* encamped on die opposite bank of the river in considerable ibo3. strength. — v-*' Having reduced several forts in the vicinity of his camp, and having established the British authority in the territory lying between the Jumna and the Cane, lieutenant-colonel Powell, accompanied by Him- mut Bahadur, crossed the latter river on the 10th of October ; and on the 12th of the same month ene:ae;ed Shumshere^Bahadurf, in which October ij. ° ° _ ' ' Shumihere Ba- action that chieftain was compelled to retreat with loss. Accounts hadur deeated. have since been received that Shumshere Bahadur has crossed the river Betwahj;, and was retiring from the province of Bundelcund. The army under general Lake arrived at Muttra on the 2d of Oc- Octobers. r 1 • • •! 1 iTTJl'l 1 General Lake tober. Havmg formed a junction with colonel Vandelevir s detach- arrives at ment, the commander in chief moved on to the fortress of Agra, which place the army reached at about two P. M. on the 4th of October. A summons was immediately sent to the garrison, but no answer was re- turned to general Lake. It appears that all the European officers in the fort had b^en placed in confinement, and that considerable confu- sion prevailed witliin tlie fort. * Shumshere Bahadur is the son of Aly Bahadur; which Aly Bahadur was the son of the first Shumshere Bahadur, the natural son of Bajee Rao, the first peishwah. Aly Bahadur conquered a great part of the province of Bundelcund from the Bundela rajah in the name of the peishvvah. Although he was in fact one of the peishwah's officers, he as'ailed himself of the weakness of the state of Poonah, and of his distance from that government, to render himself nearly independent of the peishwah's authority. t This action is detailed in lieutenant-colonel Powell's official dispatch to the adjutant- general, dated Camp at Capsahj I2lh October, a printed copy of which is annexed to these Notes. X Tlie river Betwah joins the Jumna a little below Calpy, and running in a south-west direction touches the western extrenjity of the province of Bundelcund, near the town of Behut, in about 25 north latitude and 78 east longitude. \ Seven >. 102 1803. ■ tjeven battalions of the enemy's regular infantry, with several guns, "^'^'^ were encamped on the outside of the fort, and occupied the town and principal mosque of Agra, as well as some ravines which led through broken ground from the British camp on the south side of the fort to the ditch and to the Dellii gateway. Finding it impossible to make approaches against the fort of Agra as long as these battalions main- tained their position tb the south and south-west of the fort, general Lake determined to occupy the ravines, and to dislodge the enemy from the town. '"' October 10. With this view, on the morning of the 10th of October, colonel SriTby"^"^* Clarke, v^^ho was encamped in the rear of the town, was directed to take possession of it with his brigade of sepoys, at the same time that' three battalions of sepoys, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Mac Culloch, major Haldane, and captain Worsley, advanced to oc- cupy the ravines. The attacks succeeded completely : after a long and severe contest the enemy evacuated the town and retired, some into the principal mosque and others to the ditch near the gateway, under cover of the guns of the fort. The attack on the ravines was equally suc- cessful ; but owing to the high spirit and bravery of the officers and men of the native battalions, who quitted the ravines and gained the glacis for the purpose of seizing the enemy's guns, the British batta- lions employed on this attack were exposed to a heavy fire of grape and matchlocks from the forr, and suffered a severe loss in men and offi- cers. The enemy were entirely defeated with the loss of six hundred men; and the British troops captured twenty-six guns with several tum- brils. The remainder of the enemy's battaUons, amotmting to about two thousand five hundred men, afterwards agreed to surrender to general Lake, and marched into the British camp on the morning of the 13th . of October. 103 The commander in chief's official details of this gallant action, and i303. of the surrender of the enemy's battalions on the 13th of October, ^'*'"*^ arc contained in the Appendix to these Notes. On the evening of the 13th of October. the garrison of the fort so- licited a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of negotiating the terms of capitulation ; and dispatched an European officer to tlie Bri- tish camp, with a letter signed by the principal native officers in the fort, stating the conditions on which they were disposed to surrender. The commander in chief immediately dispatched a British officer into the fort, for the purpose of finally adjusting the terms of the capitula- tion ; but while that officer was actually engaged in the negotiation, the firing from the fort recommenced, and the British officer returned to camp. In consequence of this treacherous act the breacliing batte- ries of the British army opened on the morning of the 17th, within tliree hundred and fifty yards from the fort. Considerable impression was made on the walls of the fort by the fire of the batteries, (which wovild soon have effected a practicable breach,) and the fort capitulated on the night of the 17th. The garrison, consisting of about five thousand October 17. men, marched out at noon on the following day ; when the place was i-i tiefonof At.RA. immediately occupied by the British troops under the command of vide Appendix colonel Mac Donald. A large quantity of stores and many gxins were found in the fortress of Agra, togetlier with several money-tumbrils, containing twenty-four lacs of rupees. The capture of this fortress, and of the important posts of Delhi and Muttra, secures the navigation of the river Jumna, and the pos- session of a considerable tract of country on the right bank of that river. The independent chieftains in that quarter are favourably dis- posed to the British government : with several of the most powerful of these chieftains the commander in chief has, in conformity to the 2 •> governor 104 TS03. governor general's instructions, already concluded treaties, by wliich their alliance and co-operation are effectually secured. The intelligence of the happy termination of this branch of the brilliant campaign on the north-west frontier of Oude, was received at Fort William with sentiments of joy and admiration proportionate to the public sense of the bravery, spirit, activity, and eminent talents manifested by general Lake, as well as of the valour, discipline, and Prom th» 29th pcrsevering courage of the officers and men of the gallant army, day of "he af-* whicli, Under his personal command', and imitating his* illustrious ex- the i-th of' ° ample, had accomplished with unexampled rapidity all the important day of the fall serviccs prescribcd in the governor general's comprehensive plan of operations for. this branch of the campaign. October 27. The British army marched from Agra"* on the 27th of October in Army march » f r ' r ^ t r r r r from Agra. pursuit of a lorce or the enemy, composed or nrteen or monsieur Perron's regular battalions, (which had been detached by Scindiah from the Dekan in the early part of the campaign, under the com- mand of monsieur Dudernaigu,e,) and of two battalions which had effected their escape from Delhi after the battle of the 11th of Septem- ber. During the siege of Agra this force occupied a position about thirty miles in the rear of the British army, but made no attempt to interrupt the siege of that important fortress. The commander in chief was anxious to defeat tliis force, because it was furnished with a numerous artillery, and because its object was to proceed towards Delhi for the purpose of attempting the recovery of that important post. 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H <&- ?« ^ ^ EXPLANATION OF THE PLAN Of THE BATTLE OF LASSWARY ^. Fought November 1, 1803. Between the Grand Army, commanded hy His Excellency General Lake Commander in Chief in India, and a Division of the Army of Doivlut Row Scindiah, consisting of Seventeen Battalions ofMons. Perron s Regular Infantry, (amounting to 8 or Qooo Men ; 3000 Mahratta Cavalry, and seventy-two Pieces of Cannon; in ?vhich the Enemy were totally defeated, with the loss of all their Artillery, Camp' Equipage, Colours, Stores, Arms, Ammunition, &c. &c. REFERENCES. First Position of the Enemy, when attacked by the British Cavah-y on the Morning of the 1st November. The Right upon the Village of Lasswary, their Left extending to the fortified Village of Mohaulpoor, with 72 Pieces of Cannon, arranged in Divisions in front of the Centre and Flanks. Second Position of the Enemy at Noon drawn up in two Lines, with their Guns in Front. The Enemy took up this Position on the arrival of the British Infantry. Disposition of the British Cavalry (with two Batteries of their Galloper Guns advanced, and covered each by a Squadron, A'. \. ^ K. 2.) in order to divide the Enemy's attention in Front, and to attack them as soon as the Column of British Infantry should turn their Flank. Third Position of the Enemy, in discovering the Movement of the Columns of British Infantry to turn their Flank. Route of the Columns of Infantry led by H. M. 76th Regiment ; to turn the Enemy's; i Right Flank, but not being able to turn it, advanced upon their Lines C C C, which they\^ J broke and routed, taking their Guns, &c. &c. The British Infantry then drove the Enera/ off", towards a small Mosque In the rear of the Village, about which the EncBiy were met and charged by the British Cavalry in various Directions /. iii. n. o....red lines. H. IM. 29th Light Dragoons who advanced and charged the Enemy's Cavalry at S on the on the Left Flank of the Column of British Infantry. A Column of the Enemy'.s Baggage, Infantry, Sec Sec. going off, but tiu-ned by the Charge of the British Cavalry, /. m. ii. o- Shows the Enemy completely broken and routed in various Directions. Two Thousand of the Enemy finding it impossible to succeed in their attempt to escape, threw down their Arms and surrendered themselves Prisoners, with Baggage and every thing belonging to the Enemy's Camp. Encampment of the British Army after tJie Action. Left of the Line of Infantry nt Lasswary ; Right at Impury, or Sengrah, with the Cavalry thrown back on the Right towards the Nullah, and facing the Hills. A Battalion of Infantry left in charge of the Prisoners of War, who were all collected at the Village of Sajepoorah. 105 A heavy fall of rain compelled the army to halt on the 28th at . 1803. Kerowly : on the 29th of October the army marched to the north- o^J^bTas. west of Futtypore Sikree. On the 30th the army made a march of ^oaob^rsa twenty miles, leaving die heavy guns and baggage in Futtypore under "d'bl^ge the protection of two battalions of native infantry from the 4th poresucr'eV brigade. On die 31st of October the army marched twenty miles, and en- October sj. camped a short distance froni the ground which the enemy had quit- ted the same morning. Possessed of tliis intelligence, die commanr der in chief determined to make an effort to overtake the enemy with all the cavalry of the army, intending to delay the enemy by a light engagement until the British infantry should be able to eifect a junction with the cavalry in advance, and to take advantage of any confusion which might be occasioned by this attack to seize the enemy's guns and baggage. With tliis view the commander in chief with the whole of the cavalry marched at twelve o'clock on the night of the 31st of October, and, having performed a march of twenty-five miles in httle more dian six hours, came up with the enemy about seven o'clock on the morning of the 1st of November. The enemy's November i. . Battle of force amounted to seventeen regular battalions of infantry, (about Laswahii. nine thousand men,) seventy-two guns, and from four to five diou- sand cavalry. Previously to the march of the British cavalry, orders were given for the infantry to follow at three o'clock in the morning. When the commander in chief at the head of the cavalry reached the enemy, they appeared to be on their retreat, and in such confusion, that the commander in chief was induced to try the effect of an attack with the cavalry alone, without waiting the arrival of the infanti'y. By cutting the embankment of a large reservoir of water, the enemy had rendered the road difiicxilt to oass, and had availed themselves of this circumstance (w,hich caused a considerable delay in the advance P of in V ,!303. ibr the protection of die doab of the Ganges and Jumna, this brave ^'^''~' and accomphshed officer displayed considerable zeal and ability, and by his judicious movements compelled the enemy to make a preci- pitate retreat from the British territories. His death was universally deplored, and may justly be deemed a pubUc loss. The Britisli infantry, having marched at three o'clock in the morn- ing, arrived upon the banks of the rivulet about twelve o'clock at noon. After so long a march (twenty-five miles), it was absolutely necessary to allow some time for the men to refresh themselves ; du- ring which the enemy sent a message to the commander in chief, offering on certain conditions to surrender their guns. Anxious to prevent tlie further effusion of blood, the commander in chief di- rected a letter to be wricten, acquiescing in their proposals, and allow- ing the enemy one hour to fulfil the conditions of surrender proposed by themselves. In the mean while the necessary arrangements were adopted for a general attack on the enemy as soon as the prescribed time should elapse. The British infantry was formed into two columns on the left : the first, composed of the right wing, under major-general Ware, was destined to assault the village of Mohauipoor, and to turn the enemy's right flank, which since the morning had been thrown back, leaving a considerable space between it and the rivulet. The enemy had formed their infantry into two lines, with their right thrown back, tlie first line to the eastward and covering the village of Mo- hauipoor, and the second to the westward of that village. Their ca- valry was to the right of their position. The second column of Bri- tish infantry, composed of the left wing, under major-general St. John, was ordered to s\ipport the first column. The 3d brigade of cavalry under colonel Macan was directed to support the infantry j , liejijtenant- p 2 • colonel 108 180S. colonel J. Vandelenr with the 2d brigade of cavalry was detached to ^■^''"'^ the right of the British army to watch tlie enemy's left, to avail him- self of any confusion of the enemy's line, and to attack them upon their retreat. The 1st brigade of cavalry under lieiitenant-colonel Gordon (who succeeded to the command on the death of colonel Van- deleur) composed the reserve, and was formed between the 2d and 3d brigades. As many of the field-pieces of the British army is co\ild be brought up, together with the galloper guns attached to the ca- valry, formed four different batteries to support the attack of the infantry. At the expiration of the time which general Lake had allowed the enemy to determine on a surrender of their guns, no reply having been received from the enemy, the British infantry advanced to the attack, moving along the bank of the rivulet through high grass, and broken ground, which afforded cover. As soon as the British infantry became exposed to the enemy's gvins, the four British batteries commenced their fire, and continued to advance, notwithstanding the superiority of the enemy's artillery both in number and weight of metal. The cannonade on both sides was extremely severe, and maintained with grea;t spirit and vigour. The enemy's artillery was exceedingly well served, and they threw grape from large mortars, as well as from guns of a very heavy calibre. When the 76th regiment, which headed the attack, had arrived within one hundred and fifty paces of the enemy, they were so much exposed to the enemy's fire, and were losing men so fast, that the com- mander in chief judged it preferable to proceed to the attack with that regiment, and as many of the native infantry (the 2d battalion of the 12th, and five companies of the 16th) as had closed to the front, rather than to wait until the remainder of the column, which had been much impeded in its advance, should be able to form* As 109 As soon as this small body of brave men arrived within reach of 1803. the enemy's cannister shot, a most tremendous fire opened from the ^"-v— ' enemy's artillery. The loss sustained by the British troops was very severe, and the heavy cannonade from the enemy's line was sufficient alone to prevent a regular advance : at this moment the enemy's ca^. valry also attempted to charge, but was repulsed by the fire of this gallant body of British infantry : the enemy's cavalry however ral- lied at a short distance, and assumed so menacing a posture, that the commander in chief ordered an attack from the British cavalry. Major Griffiths having at that instant been unfortunately killed by a cannon shot, this service was performed by his majesty's 29th dragoons under captain Wade, with the greatest gallantry and suc- cess, and in a manner highly honourable to every officer and trooper in that regiment. The remainder of the first column of the British infantry arrived in time to join in the attack of the enemy's reserve, which was formed in the rear of their first hne, with its left upon the village of Mohaulpoor, and its right thrown back. About this time major-general Ware fell dead by a cannon shot. He was a gallant officer, and his loss was deeply lamented. On his death the command of this column devolved upon colonel Macdonald, who, though wounded, continxied to conduct himself in this impor- tant command in a manner which was highly satisfactory to the com- mander in chief. The enemy opposed a vigorous resistance to the last, and did not abandon their position until they had lost all their gxms. Even tlien tj^eir left wing attempted to retreat in good order, but was frustrated by his majesty's 29th regiment of dragoons, and the 6th regiment of native cavalry under the command of lieutenant-colonel John Vande- leur, of the 8th light dragoons, who broke in upon the enemy's column, 4 cut 110 ^03^ cut several to pieces, and drove the rest in prisoners, with the whole of ^^ the enemy's baggage. ^ "The loss which the British troops sustained in the achievement of this complete victory was severe. Two thovisand of the enemy were taken prisoners, and there is every reason to believe that the remainder of the enemy was destroyed on the field of battle. The enemy left in the possession of the British troops the whole of their bazars, camp equipage and baggage, with a considerable number of elephants, camels, and upwards of 1600 bullocks; seventy-two pieces of cannon of different calibres, forty-four stands of colours, and sixty-four tumbrils completely laden with ammunition. Three tumbrils with money were also captured, together with fifty-seven carts laden with matchlocks, musquets and stores, and some artificers' carts. Several tiunbrils with ammunition were blown up during the action, and five tliousand stand of arms which had been thrown down by the enemy were found in the field of battle. The whole of the ordnance taken, with the exception of eight guns, was in excellent order, and perfectly serviceable, and all the appointments of the enemy's corps were of the first quality. The enemy displayed the most determined obstinacy, and called forth the utmost exertions of the steadiness and valour of the gallant 76th re- giment, siipported by the remainder of the infantry of the first column, and the repeated charges of the cavalry. The resistance opposed by the enemy was more determined than any oppositioia which the army under general Lake had experienced since the commencement of the campaign. His majesty's 76th regiment on this memorable day main- 1 tained l.U[ tained the high reputation which it had acquired on many former oc- \^ji.%, casions, but especially in every. occurrence of this glorious campaign, ^j, ""^^^ . The. victory however must.be principally attribxifcd to the admirable skllli judgment, heroic valour and activity cf the commander in chief, general Lake, whose magnanimous, example, together with the recol- lection of his achievements at Coel,' Al.ly-Ghur, Delhi and Agra, in- spired, general confidence and emulation. In the morning general Lake led the charge of the cavalry, and in the afternoon conducted in person, at the head of the 76th regiment, all the dlilerent attacks on the enemy's- hne, and on their reserve posted in and near the village of Alohaulpoor. Gn this day two horses were killed under the commander in chief. The frhot showered around him in every direction : in the midst of the danger and 'slaughter wliich surrounded him, he displayed not only the, most resolute fortitude and ardent valour, but the utmost degree of pro- fessional ability and knowledge, availing himself with admirable promptitude of every advantage presented by the eneiny, and frus- trating eveiT effort of the enemy's obstinacy and boldness. His mas-, terly plans of attack during the action were carried into instantaneous execution by his unrivalled personal activity ; and he appeared with, matchless co\n-age and alacrity in front of every principal charge, wliich he had planned with eminent judgment and skill. The staff of the army distinguished themselves greatly, axid merit the highest commendation. Among these one of the most distinguished was major G. A. F. Lake, of his majesty's 94th regiment, son to the commander in chief, v^ho had attended his father in the capacity of aide-de-camp and mihtary secretaiy throughout tlie whole campaign, and whose gallantry and activity in executing his father's orders had been conspicuous in every service of difficulty and dangex". ■ ' .V o:i// Tlijs 112 1803. This promising young officer constantly attended his father's person, ^'^'""^ and possessed the highest place in the commander in chief's confidence and esteem. In the heat of the action the commander in chief's horse, pierced by several shot, fell dead under him. Major Lake, who was on horseback close to his father, dismotmted, and offered his horse to the commander in chief. The commander in chief refused, but m^ajor Lake's earnest solicitations prevailed. The commander in chief mounted his son's horse, and major Lake mounted a horse from one of the troops of cavalry : in a moment a shot stnack major Lake, and wounded him severely, in the presence of his affectionate father. At this in- stant the commander in chief found it necessary to lead the troops against the enemy, and to leave his wounded son upon the field. A more affecting scene never was presented to the imagination, nor has Provi- dence ever exposed human fortitude to a more severe trial. Generaj Lake, in this dreadful and distracting moment, prosecuted his victory with unabated ardour. At the close of the battle, the commander in chief had the satisfaction to learn that his son's wound, although ex- tremely severe, was not likely to prove dangerous : a confident hope is now entertained that this gallant and promising young ofHcer will be preserved to enhance the joy of his father's triumph, and to serve his king and country with hereditary honour. This splendid victory completes the subversion of Sclndiah's hostile power and formidable resources in Hindostan, and of the French force, which constituted the main strength of his army in that quarter. The battle was terminated by foiir o'clock P. M. on the 1st of No- vember, when the victorious British army encamped with its left to tlie village of Laswaree, which is on the noi'th bank of the riviilet, and its right to a village called Singrah. A battalion of infantry took charge of the prisoners, who were all assembled at the village of Sagepoorah, which 113 which is a very short distance to the eastward of the village of Mohaul- poor. Great part of the army had been under arms for sixteen hours, and had marched in the course of forty-eight hours a distance of more than sixty-five miles. The details of this important victory, together with the returns of the killed and wounded, and of the ordnance cap- tured, are annexed to tliese Notes. In reviewing the rapid and brilliant events of the campaign against the confederate Marhatta chieftains and their French forces, every loyal subject of the British empire must remark with the most zealous emo- tions of just pride and national triumph, that, in the course of an ex- tensive and complicated system of military operations, the glorious suc- cess of the British arms has been uniform Ln every part of India. The able and gallant officers and troops of his majesty's service, and of the several establishments of the three presidencies, have been actuated by equal sentiments of public spirit and honour, and have co-operated with eqvial ardour and success in an united effort to accomplish tlie ob- jects of the allies. From the 8th of August, the day on which hostilities commenced, to the 1st of November, tlie British army has conquered all the posses- sions of Scindiah in Guzerat, tlie city of Boorhanpoor in Candeish, the province of Cuttack in Orissa, the Marhatta dominions between die Jumna and the Ganges, the city of Delhi and the right bank of the Jumna, the city of Agra, and the adjoining territory ; has reduced by storm the fortified town of Ahmednuggur, the forts of Alyghur, Ba- roach and Cuttack ; and by capitulation, after having opened batteries, the forts of Ahmednuggur, of Powanghur and Champoneer, tlie fort of Asseerghiu, denominated the key of the Dekan, and the fort of Agra, denominated the key of Hindostan ; and has defeated the enemy in three general engagements, at Delhi on the 11th of September, at Q ASSYE 1803. 114 1S03. AssYE on the 23d of September, and at Laswaree on the 1st of No- '""^ vember; having taken, according to the official returns, on the field of battle in those engagements and \inder the walls of Agra, two hvmdred and sixty-eight pieces of ordnance, five thousand stand of arms, two h\indred and fifteen tumbrils, and fifty-one stand of colours, with a large quantity of stores, baggage, camp eqxiipage and ammunition. The official returns of the artillery, stores, &c. taken from the enemy have not yet been received from Ahmednuggur, Baroach, the fort of Delhi, Firozeabad, Champoneer, Powangluir, Jalnahpoor, Cuttack, Boorhanpoor and Asseerghur ; but the amount of the returns actually received of ordnance taken in the several forts, exclusive of that taken on the field of battle, is four hundred and foriy-Jive pieces of ordnance^ exclusive of tumbrils, stores, &c. making the total number of ord- nance, of which returns have been received, captured from the 8th Vide Returns, of Atigust to the Ist of November, seven hundred and thirteen. Appendix E. The progress and result of these successful operations have restored liis highness the peishwah to his sovereign authority at Poonah, and cemented our alliance with that prince ; have secured the succession of the legitimate heir of the sovereign prince of tlie Dekan to the govern- ment of his deceased father the late nizam; have protected the British interests at Hyderabad from injury ; have confirmed the stability of the treaties by which the French were expelled from the Dekan in 1798; and have delivered the aged, venerable, and iinfortunate emperor of Hindostan from misery and ignominy, from indigence and bondage, and from the hands of the French. The achievements of general Lake and major-general Wellesley, combined with the admirable and exemplary conduct of the officers and troops during this campaign, more particularly in the signal and splendid victories of Delhi, of Assye and of Laswaree, must inspire 4 a general 115 a general sentiment of just confidence in the vigour of our military re- i803. sources, and in the stability of our dominion and power. Our uniform ^^-""^ success in frustrating every advantage of sxipcrior numbers, of powerful artillery, and even of obstinate resistance opposed by the enemy, con- stitutes a satisfactory proof of the established superiority of British dis- cipline, skill and valour; and demonstrates, that the glorious progress of our arms is not the accidental result of a temporary or transient ad- vantage, but the natural and certain effect of a permanent cause. A confident expectation may be entertained, that under the pressure of accumulated defeat, with aggravated loss of resources, power, repu- tation, military strength and dominion, in every quarter of India, the confederate Marhatta chieftains, Dowlut Rao Scindiah and the rajah of Berar, mvist speedily be compelled to accede to such terms of paci- fication s shall be calculated to deprive them of the means of disturb- ing our possessions, and of impairing the efficacy and stability of our alliances. Under such a general pacification, it is reasonable to expect, that, with a considerable augmentation of the lustre and glory of the British arms in India, will be combined the accomphshment of a comprehen- sive system of alliance and political connection in Hindostan and the Dekan, calculated to promote the general tranquillity of India; to secure, on the most permanent foundations, the interests and dominion of the British nation against the hostile attempts of any Indian or European power ; and to destroy the last remnant of French influence in India. APPENDIX. R. Taylor, Black-Barse-CmrU APPENDIX TO THE NOTES RELATIVE TO THE LATE TRANSACTIONS M^iJRM^ TT»A EMPIRE. APPENDIX A. NOTES relative to the History and Constitution of the Marhatta Empire, and to the principal Chieftains com- posing the Marhatta Confederacy. HE Marhatta Empire was founded by Sevajee towards the middle of the seventeenth century. Sevajee was the great grandson * of Bhaugha Bhooslah, an illegitimate son (by an obscure woman of a tribe called Bhooslah), of Rana Bhecm, a rana of the Rajpoot State of Oudipoor, who was descended from * RANA BHEEM, Prince of Oudipoor. Bhaugha Bhooslah, Illegitimate Son of Rana Bheem. \ ^^ / Mauloo Jee I Shahjee. \ ^^ ' I Sevajee, ■ Founder ot the Marhatta Empire, born in 1(328, died 1680, aged fift)--two years. * Ai from the Rajahs of Chittore, the most ancient of the Hindoo Princes. Baugha Bhooslah assumed the name of liis mother's tribe, which has since thai period continued to be the family name of his descendants, the rajahs of Sat- tarah, and of Berar. Bhaugha Bhooslah, being neglected and despised by his family on accour.t of his low origin on the female side, retired in disgust from Oudipoor to the province of Candeish, in the Dekan, where he entered into the service of a zemindar, named Rajah Ali Mohun, and became guardian to the rajah's son until he had attained the age of manhood. Bhaugha Bhooslah subsequently quitted Candeish, and purchased a tract of land near the city of Poonah, of which he became the zemindar. In this situation he died, leaving issue Maulo Jee, who entered into the service of a Marhatta chief named Jaddoo Roy, under whom he acquired great rank and influence. Por an Account of the dynasties of the kings of Alimednuggur & Bcejapoore , see Scott'sTransIation of Ferishta's Hist, of tlie Dekan. Soon after this period Mauloo Jee's son, Shah Jee, was married to Jee Jhee, the only daughter of Jaddoo Roy, without the consent of the latter. From this marriage was born, in 1628, Sevajee, the founder of the Marhatta empire. A dispute ensued in consequence of this marriage between Jaddoo Roy, and his son-in-law ; and Shah Jee, being compelled by Jaddoo Roy to quit Ahmednuggur, (forming at that time the territory of Nizam Shah) entered into the service of Ibrahim Adil Shah, king of Beejapoor, who gave him a jagheer in the Carnatic, with the command oi' 10,000 horse. In consequence of some dispute with his first wife, (the daughter of Jaddoo Roy) Shah Jee separated from her, and married Toka Baee, by whom he had one son, Ekojee, afterwards king of Tanjore. Shah Jee was killed in 1667 by a fall from his horse, in hunting at Bednore, where a splendid mausoleum was erected to his memory by his friend Rundowla Klian, minister to the king of of Beejapoor, whose intercession on a former occasion saved Shah Jee from being buried alive, which punishment he had been condemned to suffer by the king of Beejapoor. Shah Jee was succeeded by his son Sevajee, who, disdaining the condition Sevajee, first rajah of Sattarah. of a subject, revolted, and, availing himself of the convulsions which at that time disturbed the kingdom of Beejapoor, became independent. He died on the 5th of April, idSO, leaving the inheritance of his domains to his son Sambajee. At the period of Sevajee's death, his territory extended from near Surat along the sea coast, to the vicinity of the Portuguese districts of Goa, and as far inland as the range of hills which terminate the Table Land, and form the eastern boundary of the Kokan- Sambajee, the second rajah of Sattarah, being at Pamala when his father died, a faction endeavoured to secure the succession to Kajah Ram, a son of Sevajee by another wife. But Sambajee, supported by the greatest part of the troops, who had been the companions of his contests with the forces of the emperor of Hindostan, established his sovereignty, and reigned until the end of June, iSsg, when he was barbarously murdered by order of the emperor Aurungzebe. Sambajee , second rajah. To Sambajee succeeded his son Sahojee, whose minister (the peishwah) Ballajee Bishwanaut, gained such an ascendancy over the mind of his master, as to persuade Sahojee to delegate to him tlie exercise of all authority and power in the state. All orders, and every detail of government, issued immediately from the peishwah, who received from the rajah the title of mookh* pcrdliaun, or chief civil minister. This form of government has subsisted to the present period ; * The word Pundii is a designation exckisively confined to Bramins, and was an adjunct to the family name of Peishwahs. The word Peisliwah is Persian, and is synonymous with Mook'h. The latter term alone is engraved on the Peisliwah's seal. Sahojee, third rajah. period ; and on the death of ;i peishwah, his successor is invested by the rajah of Sattarah with the ensigns of office. Daring the latter part of Sahojee's reign, Sahojee shut himself in Sattarah, and his person and government were almost forgotten. Sahojee married a person named Tara Bace; but, having no children by her, he adopted his brother Pursojee's great grandson, Moodajee Booslah ; whose disposition hovve\'er was considered to be so tyrannical, that Sahojee was compelled to dismiss him ; and he therefore sent for Janojee, the elder brother of Moodajee, who was on his way to Sattarah, when Sahojee died in 1740, after a reign of fifty years. During this period the Marhattas, after having overrun and plundered almost every part of Hindostan, excepting Bengal, extended their territories from the Western Sea to Orissa, and from Agra to the Carnatic, forming a tract of near one thousand miles long, by seven hundred \\ide, and including some of the richest and most fertile pro- vinces of the peninsula of India. The capital of the empire was established at Sattarah, a fortress situated about fifty miles south-east of Poonah, and near the 18th degree of North latitude. The descendants of Sevajee have since been distinguished by the title of the rajahs of Sattarah. SEVAGEE, ^TllE FOUNDER OF THE MARHATTA EMPIRE.^ Sambajee, 2d Rajah of Sattarah. 1. Sahojee, 3d Rajah of Satta- rah, married Tara Baee, who adopted Ram Rajah. 2. Pursojee, Bukshi under his brother Sa- hojee , killed at Delhi. I ViMBAJEE, killed in Oude during his fa- ther's life time. Kagojee BoosLAH, 1st Rajah of Berar. 3. Kanojee, Sambajee, and Ranojee. Rajah Ram attempted to supplant his half-brother Sambajee, but was defeated ; died at Gingec in the Carnatic. Ram Rajah, 4th Rajah of Sattarah, died without issue. Sahojec was succeeded by his cousin Rain Rajah, the fourth Rajah of Sat- tarah, and son of Rajah Ram, \vho has already been noticed as a competitor for power with Sambajec, the son of Sevajee. Ram Rajah was also the adopted son of Sahojee's widow Tara Baee. Ram Rajah being a very weak prince, the peishwah Bajee Rao, the son of Ballajee Bishwahnaut, already mentioned, usurped the whole power of his master. At that time, Ragojee Booslah, the ancestor of the present rajah of Berar, was the bukshi or commander in chief of the forces, and as such, held the province of Berar in Jagheer. When Bajee Rao usurped the authority of the Rajah of Sattarah, Ragojee Bhooslah proceeded to Berar, and there established an independent govern- ment. It appears, however, that he continued to acknowledge the supremacy of the rajah of Sattarah, and the authority of the ofHce of Peishwah, as the civil executive authority of the state. Ram Eajah, fourth rajah. Establishment of tlie power of the peishwah. This violent partition of the empire by its principal ministers, encouraged the visurpation of others, so tliat in a few years, the state, from an absolute monarchy, (as established by Sevajee) became a mere confederacy of chiefs, the principal of whom are the pcishaw, the rajah of Berar, and the families of Scindiah, Holkar, and the Guikwar. There are some Jagheerdars and chieftains of inferior note, to the southward of Poonah, of whom an account will be exhibited, at the conclusion of the Appendix. The family of Scindiah established themselves in Malwa and Candeish, and afterwards extended their conquest over a great part of the rajpoot principalities, and of the northern parts of Hindostan. The largest part of Giizerat was siezed by the Guikwar family, while the Holkar family established themselves in those parts of the province of Malwa, which did not belong to the families of the Peishwah and of Scindiah. Although the chieftains, enumerated in the preceding paragraph, are inde- pendent of each other, they all acknowledge the office of peishwah, to be the legitimate executive authority of the Marhatta empire, and admit the supre- macy of the rajah of Sattarah. Since the accession of Bajec Rao, (the first peishwah) however, the rajah of Sattarah has never been a party to any public acts or alliances ; and foreign states, finding the peishwah in posses- sion of the executive power and authority of the state, have in all transactions of the Marhatta slate, treated with him as the legitimate head of the empire. The descendants of Sevajee however are still treated with attention and respect. No peishwah can enter upon the execution of his office without receiving a dress of honor from the rajah of Sattarah. When the peishwah takes the field in per- son, he must previously receive an audience of leave from the rajah of Sattarah. The country in the vicinity of Sattarah enjoys an exemption from military depredations of all kinds, and whenever any chief enters this district, all the ensigns of power and command are laid aside, and the nagara, or great drum of the empire, ceases to beat. These marks of respect alone distinguish the condition of the nominal sovereign of the Marhatta empire fi-om that of a prisoner of state. The rajah of Sattarah has long been confined in the fortress of that name upon a con- tracted allowance. By the constitution thus established, the exclusive right of concluding treaties and engagements with foreign powers in the name of the Marhatta empire, must be considered to be inherent in the supreme executive authority of the state, and the peishwah acting in the name, and under the ostensible sanction of the nominal head of the empire, has undoubtedly a right to conclude treaties which shall be obligatory upon the subordinate chieftains and feudatories, without their concurrence. But these chieftains have acquired power by the weakness of the peishwah's government, and are in fact become independent, although they continue to acknowledge the peishwah as the executive minister of state. with 9 Tliey possess no acknowledged right, however, to conclude separate engagements with foreign states, unless the tacit permission to make conquests* should be thought to confer that right, but even in this case it must also be inferred, that they have not the right to conclude engagements affecting the peishwah's supre- macy .They are bound to pay allegiance to the peishwah, and are, to every intent, officers and subjects of the Marhatla state, of which the peishwah is the supreme executive authority. Under these circumstances, the least which can be inferred is, that the peishwah has a right to conclude engagements with a foreign state, without consulting the feudatory chieftains, provided those engagements do not affect the separate rights and interests of those chieftains. If the constitution of the Marhatta empire, as established by Bajee Rao, the first peishwah, be referred to as the standard for deciding the question, the peishwah's rights may be considered even more extensive. On the other hand, in proportion as the feudatory chieftains disclaim the supremacy of the peishwah, they have less right to interfere in any degree in the peishwah's concerns ; and the peishwah must be considered as an independent state, at liberty to contract with a foreiign power any engagements which he may deem beneficial to liis own interests. In both cases, the feudatory chieftains can have no pretence to interfere in his arrangements, or to controul liis intercouse with foreign states. The situation of Berar, however, with relation to the peishwah, certainly differs from that of the other provinces comprehended in the Marhatta state. The province of Berah formed a part of the dominion of Sattarah under Ram » When the province of Malwa was assigned to Holkar and Scindiah, for tJie payment of their troops, it was stipulated, that of the conquests which they might atchieve, one portion should belong to iJie peishwahj and another portion to Holkar and Scindiah respectively. *3 RAGOJEE BHOOSLAH, jah of Berar, 10 Ram Kiijah. That province was then assigned to the bukshi, or com- inahder in chief of the forces, for the payment of the arniw At that period of time, Ragojee Booslah, tlie first rajah of Berar, held the office of bukshi ; and it docs not appear that he ever chose to consider himself as totally independent of the state of Sattarah. This ^\'as dictated parth by po- licy, and partly by a dread of the superior power of the peishwah. Ragojec hail aja ^o erar. pretcnsious (fouudcd ou his descent) to the state of Sattarah, after the death of Ram Rajah, uho had no issue. The preservation of his nominal subordination to the state of Sattarah favored the eventual accomplishment of those pre- I ... Ragojee, the present Ra- tcnsious ; but the dread of the superior power ot the peishwah prevented their ultimate success. Under these circumstances, it cannot be supposed that the rajah of Berar considered himself to be subordinate to the peishwah, although it was his interest to act with him on important occasions as a member of that empire, of which the peishwah was the executive civil authority. On oc- casions of meeting between them, the rajah of Berar was treated, in conse- quence of his descent, as a superior in rank ; and in the capacity of the first constituent member of the empire claimed the right of sending to the peishwah a dress of honor on his accession to office. The same system has continued until the present period. The rajah of Berar still maintains his pretensions to be rajah of Sattarah, and, a fortiori, to the office of peishwah on the same grounds as the first rajah of Berar. On these grounds, the rajah of Berar also founds his pretensions to be consulted in the conclusion of an alliance between the peishwah and any foreign state. The justice of these pretensions however has never been admitted. The rajah of Berar must be considered either as the commander in chief of the forces 11 forces of the empire, or as an independent power. As commander of the forces, Ragojee Bhooslah, the first rajah, could not claim the right to be consulted by his sovereign the rajah of Sattarah on the conclusion of foreign alliances ; and the rajah of Sattarah had the power undoubtedly to conclude such alliances without the consent of the commander in chief of his forces. If the question be not tried by the original constitution of the Marhatta empire, (namely that constitution under which the rajah of Sattarah v\'as the head of the empire, and Ragojee Bhooslah the commander in chief of the forces) it must be decided by the rights of long acknowledged and actual power; and under that view of the case, the peishwah's independence must be admitted equally with that of the rajah of Berar....In either case, therefore, the right of the peishwah to contract foreign alliances without the consent of the rajah of Berar cannot be disputed. In concluding this discussion on the nature of the constitution of the Marhatta empire, it may be useful to exhibit some account of the powers who have been mentioned in the Notes to which tliis paper forms an Appendix. 1st. The Peishwah. The wisdom and policy of Bajee Rao, the first peishwah, firmly established in his family the power which he had usurped ; and accordingly, at his death, no opposition was made to the succession to the office of peishwah of his eldest son Ballajee Bajee Rao, who died in 1761, leaving three sons (Bishwas Rao, who was killed in the battle of Panniput in 1762), Madhoo Rao, and Narain Rao. Madhoo Rao, the second son, succeeded to the Musnud of Poonali on his father's death ; and dying in N;)vember 1772, was succeeded by his brother Narain Rao, who, in August 1773, was assassinated by his paternal vmcle Ragonaut Rao, better known by the name of Ragobah. A few months after this event, Narain Rao's widow was delivered of a son, who was named Sevajee Madhoo Rao, B 2 and 12 and who ascended the Musnud, on wliich he . continued until his death, which M-as occasioned in October 1/95, by a fall from the terrace of his palace. Oct. 27, irgs. Accession of Ba- jee Rao (tlie pre- sent peishwali) to the office of peish- wah. On the death of the second Madhoo Rao, Chimnajee Appa, the younger son of Ragobah, was raised to the Musnud, but was afterwards deposed, and succeeded by his elder brother Bajee Rao, the present peishwah, who is the eldest legitimate son of the late Ragobah. During the reign of the second Madhoo Rao, Bajee Rao, the present peishwah, and his brother, were confined in the fort of Juneer, near Poonah. After a calamitous reign of six years, during which Bajee Rao, the present peishwah, was, in the first instance, deprived by the violence and ambition of Dowlut Rao Schindiah of the due exercise of his authority, and kept in a state of the utmost degradation and restraint, and afterwards deposed and compelled by Jeswunt Rao Holkar, on the '25th October, to abandon his capital city of Poonah, and to take refuge in the British territories.. ..the peishwah, by the treaty of Bassein, was restored to the full enjoyment of his rights and legitimate power on the foundation of the support of the British government. The treaty of Bassein being exclusively of a defensive nature, imposes no restraint upon any state or power, which shall respect the rights and possessions of the British government and its allies, nor can any right or power to interfere in the internal concerns of any of the Marhatta chieftains, be derived from the stipulations of that treaty, beyond the limits of the peishwah's legitimate authority ; to maintain which is equally the duty of his subjects, feudatories, and allies. The result of these considerations, combined with an attentive observation of the facts and arguments stated in the Notes to which this paper forms an Appendix, 13 Appendix, of the conduct of the British government towards the peishwah, towards the nizam, and towards all its allies, demonstrates in the most satis- factory and incontrovertible manner, that, in concluding the treaty of Basscin with the peishwah, the views and intentions of the British government have been just, amicable, and moderate; that the real and legitimate power of the peishwah is effectually secured b)' this alliance ; and that, under the operation of his engagements with the British government, the peishwah may confidently expect to enjoy that tranquillity and security, accompanied by respect and honor, which he has never experienced under the oppressive in- fluence of his own subjects, servants, or feudatory chieftains, and which he never could have attained by the aid of any other state or power. 2d. Jeswunt Rao Holkar. Mulhar Rao Holkar, the founder of this family, was an ofRcer in the service of the first peishwah Bajee Rao, and was one of the earliest Marhatta ad- venturers in the expeditions to the northward. He received, about the year 1736, a portion of the province of Malwa in jagheer; and died in 1766, at Mulhar Ghur, a small fortress in one of his jagheers, situated about forty miles from Calpee. Mulhar Rao Holkar* was succeeded by his nephew Tuckojee Holkar, who died on the loth August 17Q7> leaving two legiti- mate sons, the eldest named Cashy Rao, and the younger Mulhar Rao ; and two illegitimate sons Eithojce Holkar, and the present chieftain Jeswunt Rao Holkar. The capital of the Holkar territories in Malwa was established at Indorc, * The ancestor of Mulhar Rao appears to have been too obscure a person to liave excited any enquiries. Mulhar Rao had one son, named Khundeh Rao, who was killed about the year 1754, at Deeg, in a battle against the Jat chief Soorooj Mul. Khundeh Rao had attained tJie twenty- eightli year of his age, and had no issue, but left ^ ^^idow named Aheela Baee, who died about five years ago, at Cholea Meyhasur, on the north bank of the Nerbudda. She had a jagheer allotted to her support, yielding an annual revenue of fifteen lacks of rupees. 14 Indore, a city about thirty miles south east of Ougein. The revenues of the Holkar family, previous to the commencement of the late disturbances in the province of Mahva, were estimated to amount to eighty lacks of rupees, or about one million sterling. Some time previously to the death of Tuckojee Holkar, that chief obtained from the peishwah a khelaut* of investiture for his eldest son Cashy Rao Holkar, as legitimate successor to the territorial possessions of the Holkar family. A jagheer, to the annual amount of ten lacks of rupees, was however settled on Tuckojee's younger legitimate son Mulhar Rao; but no provision was made for the illegitimate children, Jeswunt Rao and Eithojee, who were left entirely dependent on Cashy Rao Holkar. Soon after the decease of Tuckojee Holkar, in 1797, disputes arose between Cashy Rao and Mulhar Rao ; the latter claiming an equal division of his father's territories with Cashy Rao, and both brothers repaired to the court of Poonah, for the purpose of referring their claims to the decision of his highness the peishwah. On their arrival at Poonah, Dowlut Rao Scindiah, with a view of usurping the possessions of the family, and it is said, in consideration of a payment of six lacks of rupees, and of Cashy Rao's renunciation of a claim on the late Madhajee Scindiah to the extent of sixty lacks of rupees, espoused the cause of Cashy Rao Holkar, and made a sudden and unexpected attack in the month of September 1797, on Mulhar Rao, whom he slew with most of his adherents. Jeswunt Rao and Eithojee Holkar had both attached themselves to the interest * Khelaut h a dress of honor, conferred by a superior on an inferior, on occasions of acces- sion to office, or as a mark of honor. interest of Mulhar Rao, and were at Poonah at tlic period of Mulliar Rao's death. Jeswunt Rao immediately fled to Nagpore, where he remained for some time. Eithojec fled to Colapoor, where he was taken while in the commission of hostilities, sent to Poona-h, and put to death. The person of Jeswunt Roa Holkar, at the instance of Dowlut Rao Scindiali, was also secured by the rajah of Berar; but Jeswunt Rao, having found means to effect his escape from Nagpore, fled to Meyhasur on the Nerbudda, and a--sembled forces, with which he gained several ad\'antages against the troops of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, w ho remained at Poonah for the purpose of cairying into execution his violent and ambitious schemes against the peishwah's authority and government. Dowlut Rao Scindiah however seized the person of Khundeh Rao, the infant and posthumous son of Mulhar Rao, (born a short time after Mulhar Roa's death, in September 1797) and pretended to govern the possessions of the Holkar family in the name of Cashy Rao, whom Scindia (since the death Mulhar Roa) had kept in a state of dependence. It is probable however that Scindiah's principal motive in securing the person of Khundeh Rao Holker, was to obtain the entire control of the affairs of the Holkar family, to administer the government of their possessions in the name of the family, but to appropraite the revenues to his own use. Both Cashy Rao and Jeswunt Rao soon became sensible of the views of Scindiah, and were so deeply impressed with the necessity of preventing their accomplish- ment that they agreed to reconcile their differences, as the only means of keeping the Holkar possessions in the family. A long contest ensued between Dowlut Kao Scindiah and Jeswunt Rao Holkar, and continued imtil the commencemet of the year 1 802, when Holkar appears to have determined to change his plan of hostilities, and to make Poonah the theatre of his operations. Cashy Rao Holkar had at this period of time resolved to maintain a strict neutrality in the dispute between Jeswunt Rao and Scindiah, and iG and Jeswunt Kao now asserted, that Khundeh Rao Mulhar, the son of Kao)was the legitimate head ol" the Holkar family. Jeswunt Rao aecordingly insisted, that Khundeh Rao should be relased from confinement, and acknowledged as the head of the family by Scindiah; and that the territory of the Holkar familv should be com- mitted to Jeswunt Rao's management, as minister to his nephew Khundeh Rao. Holkar s ostensible motive in proceeding to Poonah, was to assert the rights of his nephew, and to obtain from tlie pcishwah, as legitimate head of the empire, a decision in his favour. But the real views of Holkar appear to have been directed to a more important object. The weakness of the peisliwah's govern- ment, and the entire annihilation of his authority by Scindiah, had left the peish- wah no means of opposing Holkar, or of compelling Scindiah to surrender the person of Khundeh Rao into the hands of Holkar, and Holkar naturally con- cluded, that the most severe blow which he could strike against vSeindiah's power, was to destroy Scindiah's ascendancy at Poonah, and to convert the authority tf the peishwah's name, into an useful instrument for his own aggrandizement. With these views, towards the middle of the year 1802, Jeswunt Rao Halkar proceeded with a large force towards Poonah. Scindiah had been compelled (in the month of December 1 800, by Holkar's hostile movements,) to quit Poonah for the protection of his possessions in Malwa, and was at Ougein when Holkar commenced his march towards Poonah. Being sensible however of the danger to which he was exposed by Holkar's movement towards Poonah, Scindiah de- tached a force under the command of Suddasheo Bhow, which reached the vicinity of Poonah at the close of the month of September, and afterwards effected a junction with the troops belonging to the Peishwah. A general action ensued on the 25th October 1802, in which Suddasheo Bhow was entirely defeated, and Jeswunt Rao Holkar became master of the city of Poonah, and of the peish- wah's government. Jeswunt Rao Holkar, having committed no act of hostility against the British government, has hitherto been considered as a friend. In the 17 the course of the hilc transactions, Holkar lias more than once solicited the advice and assistance of the British government, and expressly intimated a wish for the mediation of the British resident at the conrt of Poonah for the purpose of effecting an accommodation with the peishwah, and of adjusting his demands on Dowlut Rao Scindiah. Under instructions from the governor general, colonel Close, the resident, actually endeavoured to persuade the peishwah to offer such concessions to Holkar us might induce that chieftain to compromise the subsisting differences; but the peishwah has hitherto manifested an insuperable aversion to offer any concession to Holkar, whom he considers to be a rebel against the legitimate authority of the sovereign executive power of the Marhatta empire. If any argument is required to confirm the policy of the late engage- ments which were concluded at Bassein, between the peishwah and the British 'government, it may be found in a consideration of the actual state of Holkar's power, and of the territories of the peishwah, at the period when the governor general interposed the power of the British government for the recovery of the peishwalVs just authority, and for the security against the dangers of contiguous anarchy and confusion, of the dominions of the Company, and of it allies and dependents, particularly those of the Nizam and the rajah of Mysore. After the ])Owcr of the peishwah had been annihilated by the success of Holkar against the united arms of the peishwah and Dowlut Rao Scindiah, it could not be expected that his highness would have been restored to the efficient exercise of his authority, either by Jeswunt Rao Holkar, or by Dowlut Rao Scindiah. The design of Holkar to engross the whole jjower and authority of * C the 18 the state of Poonah, was demonstrated by liis actual usurpation, and by the project which he formed and endeavoured to accomplish, of placing on the Musnud of Poonah, a new peiswah ; or of restoring Bajee liao to the Mus- nud under circumstances of restraint which would have secured to Holkar the whole military power and civil authority of the state. It cannot be doubted that motives of ambition and of inveterate enmity against Dowlut Rao Scindiah, would in that event have induced Jeswunt Rao Holkar to direct his arms against the possessions of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and the accession of mili- tary power and resources which Holkar would have acquired by the perma- nent establishment of his authority in the state of Poonah, would probably have enabled him to prosecute his views of conquest with success. If on the other hand the arms of Dowlut Rao Scindiah had ultimately triumphed over those of Holkar, the power and resources of the state of Poonah, together with those of Holkar, ^Aould have been added to those of Scindiah ; and a state would have been formed in the hands of Scindiah, compre- hending neai-ly the whole Marhatta dominion, (with the exception of Berar) and possessing the nominal authority of the peishwah, and of the Moghul, with a considerable revenue, abundant military resources, a powerful artillery, and a numerous army, under the discipline and command of French officers. No ultimate issue of the distractions at that time existing in tlie Mar- hatta empire, could therefore reasonably be supposed, which would not have consolidated under one head, a degree of power and dominion dangerous to the British government, to the extent in which the balance of contending interests in the Marhatta empire should have been disturbed, and in propor- tion to the means which a power so consolidated would possess, of eventu- ally co-operating with the government of France in hostile designs against the British empire in India. The H) The convulsions in the Marhatta state might possibly have continued for some time, and might liavc afforded a temporary security to the British govern- ment against any hostile designs on the part of the Marhattas, either singly or united with an European power. But the effects of such confusion must speedily have extended to the contiguous dominions of our ally the Nizam, and ultimately to those of the Company, and would have compelled the British government to engage in the contest. The establishment of Holkar's jjower at Poonah would probably have occa- sioned demands on the part of that chieftain upon his highness the Nizam ; but, even under a contrary supposition, it is demonstrable from the sUitc of the country, that Holkar could not long have maintained an army in the Dekan, without invading the domniions either of the Nizam or of the Com- pany. The territory round Poonah to a considerable extent, having been entirely de- solated by the troops of Holkar, that chieftain would have been compelled to invade the territory of the Nizam ; or to penetrate into the country situated to the southward of the river Kistna, for the subsistance of his numerous troops and followers. The adoption of the latter alternative would have retarded, for some time, the predatory incursions of Holkar's troops into the territory of the Nizam or the Company. But when the immediate resources of peishwah's southern pro- vinces should have been exhausted, Holkar would 4iave been compelled to draw the means of subsistence for his troops from the plunder of the Company's contiguous territories, on the resources of which we must principally have de- pended for the supply of our troops in the contest, which that irruption would have rendered inevitable. If therefore the British government had not adopted measures *D 2 for 20 for the restoration of the peishwah's authority, either the Company's territories, or those of our ally the Nizam, would have been exposed to all the evils of war; while neither the Company nor the Nizam under such circumstances could have possessed the means, which both now command, of averting the w ar from their own dominions, and of accelerating its prosperous conclusion by a vigorous sys- tem of attack upon the enemy. The restoration of the peishwah therefore under the protection of the Bri- tish power, was a measure indispensibly requisite for the defence, not only of the territories of our allies, but of our own possessions bordering on the Marhatta dominions in the peninsula of India. 3d. DowLUT Rao Scindiah. Ranojee Scindiah, the founder of this family, was born at Putteelee near Poonah, and served first under a chief named Bajee Rao, who commanded the body guard of Bajee Rao, the first peishwah, and grandfather to the present peishwah. From this inferior station he gradually rose in the service of Bajee Rao, the peishwah, and aftenvards accompanied him in the expedition \Ahich was undertaken at the close of the reign of rajah Sahoojee against the province of Malwa. This province was afterwards divided into three parts, of which the first was allotted to Bajee Rao, the peishwah ; tlie second to the rajah of Sattarah ; the third to the family of Holkar. As a reward for the services which Ranojee Scindiah rendered in the expe- dition against Malwa, Bajee Rao granted a considerable portion of the shares belonging to himself and to the rajah Sattarah, to Ranojee Scindiah ; which grant was afterwards confirmed in jagheer to his descendants, by the rajah of Sattarah. On the death of Ranojee Scindiah, Madhajee Scindiah, his fifth son, succeeded to the management of his patrimonial inheritance, of which Ougein was the capital ; and b}' a train of successful operations, was enabled to 21 to appropriate to himself a considerable part of the province of Malwa, belonging to the government of Poonah, as well as to extend his domains over a great part of Hindostan, and of the rajpoot states ; and to obtain possession of the person and nominal authority of the great Moghul, of whom he was ostensible minister. Madhajee Scindiah died on the I'ith Februar) 1794, without male issue, and was succeeded on the 3d of March following, by his nephew and adopted son Dowlut Rao Scindiah, whose violence, rapacity, and lawless ambition, have been the main causes of the present war with the confederate Mar- hatta chieftains. 4th. Ragojee Bhooslah. The ancestor of the present rajah of Berar, the first Ragojee Bhooslah^ died in 1740, and transmitted his government* to his son Janojee, who dying in 1772, left his inheritance to the present rajah, the son of Janojee's younger brother Moodhajee Booslah. This occasioned a contention between Janojee's brothers Sab;ijce and Moodhajee. The former claimed the govern- ment in right of priority of birth, and the latter as father and guardian of the adopted child. They were accordingly engaged in hostility until the death , • R^lGOJEE BHOOSEAH, the First R ajah of Berar. ^ ^^ I Janojge, second Sabajee, killed Moodhajee, Rajah, died with- by his Brother third Rajah of out issue, .-.r.d Moodhajee, on Berar. Bembajee, who adopted Rago- 27th of January, .^g^"^ ^-^^ became Soubah- JKE the present 177.3. i r i dar of Ruttiin- RHJah- Raoojee, the K H u n U j e n, poor and Sum- present Rajah. orCH.NNEABA- I bulpoor, about I BOO, died with- MuNNOjEE.or '.'^^^ 31f„^; ,V!'.,' PuRsojEE, out issue, about Venkajee named Balla the year 1795, at Bh oosl a u, the Rajah, Son and Nagpoor. present Soubali- Heir to Rago- dar of Ruttun- jEE. poor, has two Sons, one of whom 13 called Ragojee, after his uncle the present rajah and died about 1788. "9 death of Sabajec, \\'ho was killed in an engagement with his brother on the 27th January 1773. From that period the government of Berar was holden by Moodhajee Bhooslah*, who died at an advanced age on the igth May 1788, and was succeeded by his son Ragojee Bhooslah, the present rajah of Berar. The views which this chieftain and Dowlut Rao Scindiah are knov. n to have entertained with respect to the supreme authority of tiie Marhatta state, afford the means of forming a correct judgment of the motives which may have rendered those chieftains desirous of subverting the treaty of Bassein, although they admitted that treaty to be equitable in its general principle, and to furnish additional security for the just rights of the feu- datory chieftains of the Marhatta empire, and especially of their own. The whole course of Dowlut Rao Scindiah's proceedings since his acces- sion to the dominions of his uncle Madhajee Scindiah, has manifested a systematic design of establishing an ascendancy in the Marhatta state upon the ruins of the peishwah's authority. The government and person of the peishwah have long been placed under a degrading subjection to the oppressive control and unwarrantable usur- pation of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, Vvho had remained with a numerous army in the vicinity of the peishwah's capital for a considerable period of time. The usurpation of Scindiah existed in full force at the commencement of * It appears, however, that Moodhajee Booslah, in all state papers, joined his son's name to his own, and though he did not allow him to interfere in business, yet he treated the youth as the heir apparent. Moodliajee Bhooslah was therefore a regent by right during his son's minorit)', and probably by sufferance, afterwards. Ragojee Bhooslah is about forty-seven years of age ; and has one son, Pursojee Bhooslali, twenty-seven years old. 23 of the last war between the Company and Tippoo Sultaun ; and the undue influence of Scindiah in the Marhatta empire in that crisis, not only de- prived the British government of every benefit from the nominal alliance of the peishwah, at the commencement, and during the progress of the war, but afforded positive encouragement to the cause of Tippoo Sultaun, and menaced the Nizam's dominions, previously to the expulsion of the French from Hyderabad, in October 1798, and subsequently in 1799, while the Nizam's contingent was actually employed with the British army in the common cause of the triple alliance against Tippoo Sultaun. At that time, Scindiah was restrained from the actual invasion of tlie Nizam's dominions, by the direct interposition of the British government. His influence however, and the terror of his violence and power, continued to rule the court of Poonah, and to alarm the court of Hyderabad, until the exigency of his affairs in the north of Hindostan, occasioned principally by the successful progress of Jeswunt Rao Holkar's arms, compelled Dowliit Rao Scindiah to retire from Poonah in the year 1800, for the protection of his own territories. The complete establishment of Holkar's authority at Poonah, by the de- feat of Scindiah's troops in October 1 802, required the utmost exertion of Scindiah's power against that active and powei'ful cnem\'. Had Scindiah succeeded in subverting the power of Holkar, it cannot be doubted that he v.ould have taken advantage of that success, for the complete establishment of his own undue authority in the state of Poonah ; he would probably have reinstated the peishwah Bajee Rao in his government ; or would have raised another to the musnud, to be the pageant of his own power ; or would have usurped the supr^ne ministerial authority in his own name. 24 name, if the disposition of the other chieftains of tlie Marhatta cinpire should liave eneouragcd an cKpcrtatiou of tlieir ac(|uiescence in that ambi- tious project. The uniform tenor of Srindiah's conduct, the invariable principles of Asiatic policy, and the personal character, habits, and disposition of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, preclude the supposition that he \\ould have abandoned the abso- lute power which he would have acquired by the subversion of Holkar's usurpation, and would have adopted the liberal policy of restoring the exiled peishwah, to the exercise of the established executive authority of tlie empire. In the moment of alarm, which succeeded the signal success of Jeswaint Rao Holkar, Dowlut Rao Scindiah solicited the co-operation of the British government, under the pretext of restoring the peishwah's authoi'ity. He probably expected, that the aid of a detachment of British troops would have ensured his success against Holkar, without controlling his project of restoring his own undue ascendancy at Poonah on a more secure and ex- tensive basis. It now appears, that the active and powerful exertions em- ployed by the British government at the express solicitation of the peishwah for his highness's complete restoration to the musnud of Poonah, were nei- ther desired nor expected by Dowlut Rao Scindiah. The actual restoration of the peishwah to the government of Poonah, under the exclusive protec- tion of the British power, and the conclusion of engagements, calculated to secure to his highness the due fexercise of his legitimate authority on a permanent foundation, deprived Dowlut Rao Scindiah of every hope of accomplishing the objects of his ambition, injustice, and rapacity, so long as the alliance should be successfully maintained. This statement of facts sufficiently explains the anxiety of Dowlut Rao Scindiah Sciruliali to effect the subversion of an arrangement, the justice and equity oi" which he was compelled to acknowledge. The motives which must be supposed to ha\e influenced the rajah of Berar in combining his power with that of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, for the subversion of the alliance concluded between the British government and the peishwah, were manifestly similiar to those which actuated the conduct of Dowlut Rao Scindiah. The rajah of Berar has always maintained pretensions to the supreme au- thority in the Marhatta empire, founded on his affinity to the reigning rajah of Sattarah, and in the course of a conference with the native secretary of the resident with Dowlut Rao Scindiah on the 14th of June 1803, dis- tinctly avowed those pretensions. Convinced that the permanency of the defensive alliance concluded be- tween the British government and the peishwah, would preclude all future opportunity of accomplishing the object of his ambition, the rajah of Berar ap- pears to have been equally concerned with Dowlut Row Scindiah, in the subversion of that alliance. Although the views ascribed to those chieftains were manifestly incompa- tible with the accomplishment of their respective designs, the removal of an obstacle which would effectually preclude the success of either chieftain, in obtaining an ascendancy at Poonah, constituted an object of common interest to both. It appears also to be probable, that those chieftains, sensible that the combination of their power afforded the only prospect of subverting the alliance concluded between the British government and the peishwah, agreed to compromise their respective and contradictory projects, by an arrangement for the partition of the whole power and dominion of the Marhatta state. * D But z6 But, whatever may have been tlie specific objects of Scindiah and tlie rajah of Berar, the operation of the treaty of Bassein was evidently calculated to preclude the accomplishment of any ambitious projects on the part of those chieftains, and to confine their power and authority within the just limits of their respective dominions. Under this view of the subject, a sufficient cause will be discovered of the hostile conduct of those chieftains, although no just ground of complaint should even have been alleged by them against the British government, or any design iinputed to us in any degree injurious to the security of the acknowledged rights and independence of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, or of the rajah of Berar. SOUTHERN 27 SOUTHERN JAGHEERDARS of the MARHATFA EMPIRE. The subordinate chieftains occupying temtory to the south of Poonah, may be divided into two classes ; first, tlie rajahs and hereditary jagheer- dars ; and second, ofHcers of the government of Poonah, who command troops or forts. The principal chieftains of the first class are : 1. The rajah of Colapore, who is of the same family as the rajah of Sattarah ; although this chieftain therefore may have submitted to the power of the peishwah, it would be an inversion of the principles on which the authority of the peishwah rests, to suppose that the peishwah could demand personal allegiance from a branch of the family of which he is the osten- sible minister. On this account the peishwah addresses the rajah of Cola- pore as a superior, and treats him as such on all occasions of form or public ceremony. The rajah maintains ],500 horse, and 3,000 peons, and is stated to enjoy a revenue of between twenty and twenty-five lacs of rupees. The account of the Soutliern jaglieerdars is cninpiled from information communicated by Major John Malcohii, resi- dent ill Mysore, 2. The Putwurdun family, who are Cokan bramins. Gopaul Hurry, the father of the late Purseram Bhow, left seven sons, who are all deceased, and of whom the four eldest (namely Gopaul Rao, Purseram Bhow, Ragonaut Rao, and Pan drung Rao) left issue. The property and jagheers of the Putwurdun family are now divided between the sons of these four chiefs, who are, first, Balajee Gopaul Rao, the son of the second Gopaul Rao. As the senior branch of the family, Balajee Gopaul Rao possesses Meritch and the neighbouring districts, yielding a revenue of about four lacs of rupees ; he maintains a force of about two hundred horse, and one thousand five hundred foot. Second, Appah Sahib, the son of * D 2 Purseram 28 Purscram Bhow, resides at Jumcondah, one of his jagheers, and enjoys a revenue of about four lacs of rupees. He maintains a fixed establishment of five hundred horse and one thousand foot, and has occasionally hired other troops for the purpose of ravaging the country of the rajah of Colapore, with whom he has been at war since the death of his father Purseram Bho\v, who was killed in 1 799, in an engagement with the rajah near the town of Colapore. Third, Trimbuck Rao Ragonaut Rao resides at Karandwar, the chief town of his jag- heer, which yields an annual revenue of about two lacs of rupees. His quota is three hundred horse, but he also has enlisted, at difitrent times, troops to assist his cousin Appah Sahib, ngainst the rajah of Colapore. Fourth, Chintamenee Rao Pandrimg, son of Pandrung Rao, has a jagheer yielding four and half lacs of rupees, and resides at Hereepoor ; he maintains a fixed establishment of seven hundred cavalry, and four hundred horse, and lately increased his cavalry for the purpose of plundering the country of Colapore. 3. The Rastia family, Avho are also cokan bramins, have long possessed power and reputation in the state of Poonah. Anund Rao, the father of the present chiefs of the family, left five sons, and derived great influence from his connection with Nana Furnavese, (principal minister under the Peishwah Mad- hoo Rao the second, of the Marhatta empire for near twenty-five years) who married one of Anund Rao's daughters. The power of the Rastia family has since the death of Anund Rao been united in the person of his eldest son, Madhoo Rao Rastia, to whom all the other sons of Anund Rao pay implicit obedience. The Putwurdun and Rastia familcs arc connected by marriage; they have several times been on bad terms since the death of the late peishwah Madhoo Rao in 1795, but are now friends. Madhoo Rao collects a revenue of about twenty lacs of rupees, and resides at Bad- amec; he maintains a force of four thousand horse, and four thousand peons, and lately hired an additional force of plundering horse, whom he employed against the rajah of Sholapore, with whom he constantly carries on a predatory warfare. A. 29 4. Kishcn Rao Appall Dasheo, jaglieerdar of Nepaunee, has a small rC' venue, and maintains only three hundred horse and four hundred peons ; he is at variance with the rajah of Colapore. 5. Malajee Gooparah, who holds in jagheer the towns and districts of Tumba, Indie, and Almil, from which he derives a revenue of one lac of rupees ; he maintains six hundred horse, for which he is allowed pay by government. 6. Purseram Pundit is a chief of some consequence ; he possesses, to the southward of Poonah, Bijapoor Bagawarah, and some land in the Cokan. His revenue is estimated at ten lacs of rupees, and he maintains a force of three thousand horse. 7- Pandrung Bauboo Rao possesses in jagheer the town and district of Baramuttee, and some adjacent villages, from which he derives a revenue sufficient to maintain one thousand horse. 8. Jaun Rao Nemalkur, jagheerdar of Puttun, a town near Panderpoor, on the banks of the Beemah, maintains one thousand and five hundred horse. g. Venketerow, jagheerdar of Nurgoond and Ramdroog, has a revenue of one lac and twenty five thousand rupees : and maintains five hundred peons to garrison his forts. He has obtained some consequence by the marriage of his daughter to the youngest son of the late Purseram Bhow, and of his Fon to the sister of Baupo Ghoklah ; and the latter chief, in consequence of this connection, leaves his family and property in Nurgoond, whenever he is engaged on a distant expedition. 10. Sedasheva Pundit possesses in jagheer the fort and district of Belgham, which yields a revenue of about forty thousand rupees. He maintains a force 30 force of one thousand horse and t\'\o tliousand peons, which is supported by the revenue of his jagheers to the northward of Poonah. 11. Dowlut Rao Goorparah, the brother of the famous Morari * Rao, of Ghooty, is jagheerdar of the town and district of Gujinderghur, which has long been in his family. It was taken by Tippoo Sultaun in 1786, but recovered in 1792, and restored to this family, who are highly respected among the Marhattas, notwithstanding they have lost that pov/er which they formerly possessed. Dowlut Rao Goopara has a revenue of about three lacks of rupees, and maintains a force of three hundred horse and three hundred peonsj which form the garrison of the fort of Gujinderghur. 12. Malaseija Dasheo, the rajah of Khytore, possesses the country of Khytore, which yields a revenvie of four lacs of rupees. He maintains a force of one thousand horse, and four thousand peons, and is bound to pay an annual peishcush, or tribute, to the peishwah, of sixty or seventy thousand rupees. The chiefs of the second class are officers of government commanding troops and garrisons. 1 . Bapoo Ghoklah, who is the son of Dhondiah Punt Ghoklah, a Cokan Bramin, and commander of one hundred horse of the pagah or stable horse of government, which accompanied Purseram Bhow to Seringapatam in 1792. Bapoo Ghoklah commands a force of two thousand horse, besides pindaries, of whom he has at least one thousand. He has also one thou- sand infantry, with two or three guns. The only permanent resources which * A person of this family arrived in Major-genernl Wellesley's camp, on the 11th November, for the purpose of negotiating the terms of peace on tJie part of Dowlut Rao Scindiah. Vide Official gazette, in Appendix D. 31 which Bapoo Ghoklah has for paying this force, are the revenues of the Guduck and Nuwulgund d.-tricts, which his father seized, and which produce near five lacs of rupees per annum. He however derives consi- derable resources from the plunder of the country in the vicinity of his districts. 2. Gunput Rao Paunseh, commander of the artillery, is an old and distinguished officer of the government of Poonah, and enjoys the districts of Matcovee, and Hoongoond, (yielding one lac of rupees per annum) as a personal jagheer. Gunput Rao has also the management of Rannee Bed- nore, and Hungul, which are the personal jagheers of Rapram Choudry, (an officer in the service of the peishwah,) and which produce an annual revenue of about one lac and twenty-five thousand rupees. 3. Bapoojee Wettel, who attended the peishwah to Bassein, and com- mands five hundred horse, 4. Bapoo Wettel Seo Deo commands six hundred horse ; he is not a native of the southern provinces of the Poonah state, but entered the service at the same time as Gunput Rao Paunseh. 5. Ball Kishen Gungadur commands five hundred horse, and entered the service of the peishwah at the same time with Gunput Rao Paunseh and Seo Deo. 6. Bapoojee Rao Scindiah, killadar of Darwar, was placed in charge of that fortress in the year 1794, by the late peishwah. He maintains a garrison of eight hundred peons, and one hundred and twenty horse, for the payment of which and other expences of the fort, he is allowed the districts of Butgerah 32 Butgerah and Mardagy, which yield a revenue of one lac and twenty thousand rupees per annum. Bapoojee Scindiah lately increased his troops to the number of two thousand horse, and three thousand peons, to make war on the rajah of Kythorc, who has attacked the districts committed to his management. 7. The towni and districts of Anagherree and Pursaghur, belong to Amrut Rao, (adopted son of the late Ragobah, father of the present peishwah) to whom they were given by the present peishwah, Bajee Rao, on his as- cending the musnud of Poonah. They produce a revenue of fifty thousand rupees per annum, and are managed for Amrut Rao, by a person named Anund Rao Lullee. In addition to the chieftains and jagheerdars already enumerated, the Pattah family, who so long possessed the extensive province of Savanore, (which consisted of twenty-two talooks or districts, and includes the greatest part of the territory belonging to the Marhattas south of the Kistnah) require to be particularly noticed. Mujud Khan, the grandfather of the present Nawaub of Savanore, was attacked in the year 1756, by the combined forces of the peishwah and Salabut Jung, the soubahdar of the Dekan, and was compelled to purchase a peace, by the surrender of eleven talooks, (one half of his possessions) to his enemies. He died soon after this event, and left his country to his son Hakeem Khan, who contracted an intimate alliance with Hydcr Ally Khan, which was afterwards cemented by several intermarriages. Hyder Ally sup- ported Hakeem Khan so eftlctually against the Marhattas, that Hakeem Khan recovered almost all the talooks which he had lost, and continued in a state of prosperity during the life of Hyder. The 33 The death of the latter prince in 1732, occasioned the ruin of the family of Savanore ; they were attacked and expelled from their country by Tippoo Sultaun, whom they have justly provoked by joining the Marhattas. Hakeem Khan, who had fled towards Poonah, did not long survive his misfortunes. He left several sons ; the eldest, Abdul Kheir Khan, resided at Seringapatam, where he had married the daughter of Hyder Ally Khan. On the conclusion of the peace of 179'2, Savanore came into the possession of the peishwah, who provided for Hussain Khan, the second son of Hakeem Khan, by giving him in jagheer the town and district of Savanore, producing about 50,000 rupees per annum. Tippoo Sultaun, being apprized of this arrangement, permitted Abdul Kheir Khan to proceed from Seringapatam, for the purpose of claiming his pa- trimony. On reaching Savanore, Kheir Khan's younger brother (Hussain Khan) refused to admit his right ; Kheir Khan, therefore, went to Poonah and obtained from the minister Nana Furnavese, a decision in his favor as eldest son of Hakeem Klian. Nana Furnavese granted him . a sunnud to take possession of Savanore, to which he directed Purseram Bhow to enforce obedience. When the rebel Dhoondiah Waugh, in 1800, entered Savanore, Abdul Kheir Khan placed himself under the protection of the British army ; after the death of Dhoondiah, General Wellesley made an arrangement to secure loth September, to Kheir Khan the receipt of the revenues of his jagheer ; but the distracted ^^"^" state of the province of Savanore since that period, not only defeated Major General Wellesley's arrangement, but compelled Kheir Khan to retire to Soondah, where he began to raise troops. Being prevented from completino- his levies by General Wellesley, he has since returned to Savanore, where he now resides with his whole famil)'. * -E Few 34 Few of llie actual jagheerdars have any legal hercditaiy right to their present possessions, which ha\ e in general been granted to their ancestors for military service. The peishwah's government, however, has for some years been too weak to attempt the resumption of their grants, or to insist on the perfor- mance of the conditions of service on which they were originally made ; and the changes of fortune which have befallen the different jagheei'dars, have been occasioned more bv their disputes with each other, than by any ex- ertion of authority on the pail of the government of Poonah, of which they are the nominal servants. The officers of government who have been intrusted with the command of troops and garrisons, have been almost invariably induced by the weakness of the tjovernment of Poonah, bv the convulsions which have so long disturbed the Marhatta empire, and by the example of others, to endeavour to ren- der their authority permanent, and in some cases hereditary in their own family. The accomplishment of this object has been facilitated by the manner in which they are paid by the government of Poonah for their services, which is always done by orders upon the revenues of the coun- tries in which they are employed. This system gradually leads to the com- plete establishment of their personal authority, and the subversion of that of the peishwah. It is also customary to assign the revenues of a district for a stated pe- riod to such jagheerdars as may ha\e incurred an expence in the service of the peishwah, beyond the produce of their jagheers ; and such temporary grants are often jjcnnanently annexed to their former possessions. The temporary allotment of a country to a jrigheerdar, or the assign- ment of revenue to an officer of go\ernment for the paxment of his troops, usually i5 usually terminates in the independent establishment of the jagheedar, or officer in the assigned country, or in a ruinous contest ibr the recovery of the rights of the state. This system makes every province in the Mar- hatta empire a scene of pretty warfare, and has enabled subjects of the state to assume rights to wliich they have no other claim than that of usurpa- tion and violence. From this state of weakness and inefficiency, the government of Poonah may confidently ex{)ect to be relieved by the operation of the ti'caty of Bassien, which, at the same time that it entitles the peishwah to the whole exertion of the British power in the event of any emergency which may recjuire the aid of the Company for the external defence and protection of his government and possessions, is calculated to enforce a due submis- sion to his authority within his immediate dominions, to preserve his ter- ritories from internal anarchy, and to promote the happiness and tranquillity of his subjects, and tlte general prosperity of his countr)'. * E 2 APPENDIX 3() APPENDIX C. TREATY OF BJSSEIN. JL KEATY OF Perpetual, and General Defensive Alliance between the Honorable Englisb East India Company, and his Highness the Peishwah Bajee Rao, Rogonaut Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, his children, heirs and successors, settled by lieutenant-colonel Barry Close, resident at the court of his highness, by virtue of the powers delegated to him by his Excellency the Most Noble Richard Marquis Wellesley, Knight of the most illustrious order of St. Patrick, one of his Britannic Majesty's most hono- rable privy council, governor general in council, appointed by the Hono~ rable Court of Directors of the said Honorable Company, to direct and con- trol all their affairs in the East hidies. Whereas, by the blessing of God, the relations of peace and friendship have uninterruptedly subsisted for a length of time, between the Honorable English East India Company, and his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Ba- haudur, and have been confirmed at different periods, by treaties of amity and union ; the powers aforesaid, adverting to the complexion of the times, have determined, with a view to the preservation of peace and tranquillitv, to enter into a general defensive alliance, for the complete and reciprocal protection of their respective territories, together v.-ith those of their several allies and dependants, against the unprovoked aggressions, or unjust encroachments, of all or any enemies whatever. ARTICLE I. The peace, union, and friendship, so long subsisting between the two states, shall be promoted and increased l)y this treaty, and shall be perpetual. The 37 The iViencIs and enemies of cither, shall be the friends and enemies of both, and the contracting parties agree, that all the former treaties and agreements between the two states, now in force, and not contrary to the tenor of this engagement, shall be confimed by it. ARTICLE II. If any power or state whatever, shall commit any act of unprovoked hostility or aggression, against either of the contracting parties, or against their respective dependants or allies ; and, after due representation, shall refuse to enter into amicable explanation, or shall deny the just satisfaction or indenmity \\hich the contracting parties shall have required, then the con- tracting parties will proceed to concert and prosecute such further measures as the case shall appear to demand. For the more distinct explanation and effect of this agreement, the governor-general in council, on behalf of the honorable Company, hereby declares, that the British government will never permit any jjower or state whatever to commit, with impunity, any act of unprovoked hostility or aggression, against the rights and territories of his highness Rao Pundit Purdham Bahaudur; but will, at all times, main- tain and defend the same, in the same manner as the rights and territories of the honorable Company arc now maintained and defended. ARTICLE in. With a view to fultil this treaty of general defence and protection, his highness Rao Pundit Piirdhaun Bahaudur agrees to receive, and the honorable East India Company to furnish, a permanent subsidiary force of not less than six thousand regular native infantry, v.ith the usual proportion of field pieces, and European artillery men attached, and with the proper equipment of warlike stores and ammunition ; whic'n force is to be accordingly stationed in perpetuity in his said highness's territorico. ARTICLE 88 ARTICLE IV. For the regular payment of the whole expence of the said subsidiary force, his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur hereby assigns and cedes in perpetuity to the honorable East India Company, all the territories detailed in the schedule annexed to this treaty. ARTICLE V. As it may be found, that certain of the territories ceded by the foregoing article to the honorable Company, may be inconvenient from their situation, his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, for the purpose of rendering the boundary line of the honorable Company's possessions a good and well-defined one, agrees, that such exchanges of talooks or lands shall be made hereafter, on terms of a fair valuation of their respective revenues, as the completion of the said purpose may require : and it is agreed and covenanted, tliat the territories to be assigned and ceded to the honorable Company by the fourth article, or in consequence of the exchange stipulated eventually in this article, shall be sub- ject to the exclusi\"e management and authority of the said Company, and of their officers. ARTICLE VI. Notwithstanding the total annual expence of the subsidiary force is estimated at twenty-five lacks of rupees, his said highness hath agreed to cede by Article IV. lands estimated to yield annually the sum of twenty-six lacks of rupees, the additional lack being intended to meet possible deficiences in the revenues of the said lands, and sa\'e the honorable Company from loss. ARTICLE VII. After the conclusion of this treaty, and as soon as the British resident shall signify to his highness Rao Pvmdit Purdhaun Bahaudur, that the honorable Company's 39 Company's officers are prepared to take charge of the districts ceded by Article IV. his liighness will immediately issue the necessary puruannahs or orders to his officers, to deliver over charge of the same to the officers of the honorable Company ; and it is hereby agreed and stipulated, that all collections made by his highness's officers, subsequently to the date of this treaty, and before the officers of the honorable Company shall have taken charge of the said districts shall be carried to the credit of the honorable Company; and all claims to balances from the said districts, referring to periods antecedent to the conclusion of this treaty, shall be considered as null and void. ARTICLE VIII. All forts situated within the districts to be ceded as aforesaid, shall be delivered to the officers of the honorable Company with the said districts : and his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur engages, that the said forts shall be delivered to the honorable Company, without being injured or damaged, and u-ith their ordinary equipment of ordnance, stores, and provisions. ARTICLE IX. Grain and all other articles of consumption, and provisions, and all sorts of materials for wearing apparel, together witli the necessary numbers of cattle, horses, and camels, required for the use of the subsidiary force, shall be entirely exempted from duties; and the commanding officer and officers of the said sub- sidiary force, shall be treated, in all respects, m a manner suitable to the dignity and greatness of both states: the subsidiary force will, at all times, be ready to execute services of importance, such as the protection of the person of his highness, his heirs, and successors ; the overawing and chastisement of rebels, or exciters of disturbance in his highness's dominions, and due correction of his subjects or dependcmts, who may withhold payment of the sircar's just claims ; but it •10 it is not to be eniployed on trifling occasions, nor like sebundy to be stationed in the country to collect the revenues, nor against any of the principal branches of the Marhatta empire, nor in levying contributions from Marhatta dependants in the manner of Moolkgecry. ARTICLE X. Whereas much inconvenience has arisen from certain claims and demands of the Marhatta state, affecting the city of Surat, it is agreed, that a just calculation shall be made of the value of the said claims by his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, and the government of Bombay ; aiid, in consequence of the intimate friendship now established between the contracting parties, his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur agrees, for himself, his heirs and successors, to relinquish for ever, all the rights, claims, and privileges, of the Marhatta state affecting the said city of Surat ; and all collections on that account shall cease and determine from the day on which this treaty shall be concluded ; in consider- ation of which act of friendship, the honorable East India Company agrees, that a piece of land, yielding a sum equal to the estimated value of the said claims of the Marhatta state, shall be deducted from the districts ceded by Article IV ; and on the same principle, and from similar considerations, his highness further agrees, that the amount of the collections made for the Poonah state, under the title of Nogabundy, in the purgunnahs of Chourassy and Chicklcy, shall be ascer- tained by an average taken from the receipts of a certain number of years, or by such other mode of calculation as may be determined on ; and his said highness doth further agree, for himself, his heirs and successors, to relinquish for ever the Nogabundy collections aforesaid ; and they shall accordingly cease from the conclusion of this treaty ; and it is agreed and stipulated, that a piece of land, yielding a sum equal to the amount of the said Nogabundy collections, shall be deducted from the districts ceded by Article IV. in the same manner as stipulated in regard to the choute of Surat. ARTICLE 41 ARTICLE XI. Whereas it has been usual for liis highness Rao Pundit Purtlliaun Bahaudur to enlist and retain in his ser\ice Europeans of different countries, his said highness hereby agrees and stipulates, that in the event of war breaking out between the English and any European nation, and of discovery being made that any European or Europeans in his service, belonging to such nation at war with the English, shall have meditated injury towards the English, or have entered into intrigues hostile to their interests, such European or Europeans so offending, shall be discharged by his said highness, and not suffered to reside in his dominions. ARTICLE XII. Inasmuch as by the present treaty, the contracting parties are bound in a general defensive alliance for mutual defence and protection against all enemies, his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, consequently engages, never to commit any act of hostility or aggression against his highness the nabob Asoph Jah Bahaudur, or any of the honorable Company's allies or dependants, or against any of the principal branches of the Marhatta empire, or against any power whatever: and in the event of differences arising, whatever adjustment the Company's government, weighing matters in the scale of tnitli and justice, may determine, shall meet with full approbation and acquiescence. ARTICLE XIIL And whereas, certain differences referring to past transactions are known to subsist between the sircar of his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, and the sircar of his highness the nabob Asoph Jah Bahaudur ; and whereas, an ami- cable adjustment of those differences must be highly desirable, for the welfare and benefit of both the said sircars, his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, * F ^vith 42 with a view to the above end, agrees, and accordingly binds himself, his heirs and successors, to fiilfil and conform to the stipulations of the treaty of Mhar ; and his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, further agrees, that on the basis of the fulfilment of the said treaty ot Mhar, and of the claim of his highness the nabob Asoph Jah Bahaudur to be totally exempted from the payment of choutc, the honorable Company's government shall be entitled to arbitrate and determine all such points as may be in doubt or difference between the sircars of their highnesses aforementioned : and his highness Rao Pundit Purdaun Bahaudur further agrees, that in the event of any differences arising between his govern- ment and that of his highness the nabob Asoph Jah Bahaudur, at any future period, the particulars of such differences shall be communicated to the honorable East India Company, before any act of hostility shall be committed on either side ; and the said honorable Company, interposing their mediation in a way suitable to rectitude, friendship, and union, and mindful of justice and established usage, shall apply themselves to the adjustment of all such differences conformably to propriety and truth, and shall bring the parties to a right understanding : and it is further agreed, that whatever adjustment of any such differences the Company's government, weighing things in the scale of truth and justice, shall determine, that determination shall, without hesitation or objection, meet with the full approbation and acquiescence of both parties. It is, however, agreed, that this stipulation shall not prevent any amicable negotiations which the honorable Company, and the courts of Poonah and Hyderabad respectively, may be desirous of opening, provided no such negotiation shall be carried on between any of the three parties, without full communication thereof to each other. ARTICLE XIV. Whereas a treaty of friendship and alliance has been concluded between the honorable Company, and rnjah Anund Rao Guikwar Bahaudur, and whereas the said treaty was meditated and executed without any intention that it should infringe 43 infringe any of the just rights or claims of his highness Rao Pandit Purdhaun Bahaudur, affecting the sircar of the said rajah ; his said highness, adverting thereto, and also to the intimate alliance now established between the contracting parties, doth hereby formally acknowledge the existance of the said treaty, between the honorable Company and rajah Anund Rao Guickwar Bahaudur; and in as much as by reason of certain unfinished transactions, the conclusion of which has been suspended from time to time, various demands and papers of accounts are found to subsist between the government of his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, and the sircar of the rajah aforementioned : his said highness, placing full reliance on the impartiality, truth, and justice of the British government, doth hereby agree, that the said government shall examine into, and finally adjust the said demands and papers of accounts, and his said highness further stipulates, and binds himself, his heirs and successors, to abide by such adjustment as the British government shall accordingly determine. ARTICLE XV. The contracting parties will employ all practicable means of conciliation to prevent the calamity of war, and, for that purpose, will at all times be ready to enter into amicable explanations with other states, and to cultivate and improve the general relations of peace. and amity with all the powers of India, according to the true spirit and tenor of this defensive treaty. But if a war should unfor- tunately break out between the contracting parties and any other {jower whatever, then his highness Rao Pundit Piu-dhaun Bahaudur engages, that with the reser\-e of two battalions of Sepoys, which are to remain near his highness's person, the residue of the British subsidiary force, consisting of four battalions of Sepoys, with their artillery, joined by six thousand infantry and ten thousand horse, of his highness's own troops, and making together an army of ten thousand infantry and ten thousand cavalry, with the requisite train of artillery, and warlike stores of every kind, shall be immediately put in motion for the purpose of .opposing the * F 2 enemy; 44 enemy ; and his highness likewise engages to employ every further effort in his power for tlie purpose of bringing into the field, as speedily as possible, the whole force w liich he may be able to supply from his dominions, with a view to the effectual prosecution and speedy termination of the said war. The honorable Company in tlie same manner engage on their parts, in this case, to employ in active operations against the enem)-, the largest force which they may be able to furnish over and above the said subsidiary force. ARTICLE XVT. Whenever war shall appear probable, his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Ba- haudur engages to collect as many Bunjaries as possible, and to store as much grain as may be practicable in his frontier garrisons. ARTICLE XVII. As by the present treaty, the union and friendship of the two states is so firmly cemented, that they may be considered as one and the same, his highness Rao Pundit Purtlhaun B^haudur engages, neither to commence nor to parsue in future, any negotiations wi'th any other power whatever, without giving previous notice, and entering into mutual consultation with the honorable East India Company's government ; and the honorable Company's government on their parts, hereby declare, that they have no manner of concern with any of his highness's children, relations, subjects, or servants, with respect to whom his highness is absolute. ARTICLE XVIII. In as much as by the present treaty of general defensive alliance, the ties of union arc, with the blessing of God, so closely drawn, that the interests of the two states are become identified ; it is further mutually agreed, that if disturbances shall at any time break out in the districts ceded to the honorable Company by this this agreement, his highness Rao Piindit Piirdhaua Bahaudur shalt peiinit such a proportion of the subsidiary troops, as may be requisite to be employed in quelling the same, within the said districts. If disturbances shall at any time break out in any part of his highness's dominions, contigious to the Company's frontier, to which it might be inconvenient to detatch any proportion of the sub- sidinry force, the British government in like manner, if required by his highness Rao Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, shall direct such proportion of the troops of the Company as may be most conveniently stationed for the purpose, to assist in quelling the said disturbances within his highness's dominions. ARTICLE XIX. It is finally declared, that this treaty which, according to the foregoino- articles, is meant for the support and credit of his said highness's government, and to preserve it from loss and decline, shall last as long as the sun and moon shall endure. Signed, sealed, and exchavged at Bassein, the 2\.sl of December, A. D. 1802, or the bih of Ramzaun, A. H. 1217s A TRUE COPY, (Signed) B. CLOSE, Resident at Poonah. A TRUE copy, (Signed) M. WILKS, Private Secretarj/. SCHEDULE 46 SCHEDULE of the Territories ceded in perpetuity by his Highness Baj'ee Rao Ragonaut Pundit Purdhaun Bahaudur, to the Honorable English East India Company Bahaudur, agreeably to the fourth article of the annexed treaty. First. From the province of Guzerat, and territories south thereof. Dundooka, together with Choora, Ranapore, and Gogo, 1,05,000 Cambay Choute and Nagpoor 60,000 South of the Taptee. Purnair 27,000 Bootrar 6,200 Buwanny 8,800 Bulrur 85,000 Panhole 1,07,000 Soopa 51,000 Sarbaun 30,000 Wallore 30,000 Bamdookusba 7,900 Waunsda Choute 7,000 Durumpoory Choute , 9,000 Surat Choute 4'2,100 Customs 83,000 Betivecn the Nerbudda and Taptee. Oolpar 3,16,000 Hansood 85,000 Ocliseer 78,000 Nundavy 65,000 Total, south of the Taptee, and between the Taptee and Nerbudda, 10,38,020 Deducted 47 Deducted 20 per cent on account of decrease of revenue, 2,07,600 Nakabundy of Chourassy and Chickley 20,000 Phoolpara, Coomaria, Cattugaum 5,000 Second. From the territories near the Toombudra. Savanoor twenty-six talooks 10,22,838 From Bankapoor 5,56,762 Grand Total Signed, sealed, and exchanged at Bassein, the 3\st of December, A. D. 1802, or the 5th of Ramzaun, A. H. 1217. 8,30,4.00 25,000 15,79,600 26,00,000 A TRUE COPY. (Signed) B. CLOSE, Resident at Poonah. A TRUE COPY, (Signed) M. WILKS, Private Secretary. APPENDIX 48 APPENDIX D. CALCUTTA GAZEITES EXTRAORDINARY. Fort William, August, 1• [iiB;i ■sjauiaiiuQ ■sjuBafjag ■SUSl'^U^ •sjuBusjnaiq •suiBjciej •z •sXodsg suauiiuiuQ ■S3n5ie\j •PJBPIIAE]-! ■sjEpamaf ■sjBpiqns S\]jI puE >1UBy •saauiLuiuQ •sjuEaQag •suSisug bjuEuajnai';[ ■SUlEjdEJ -^ *~^ ,rz '-^ • O "3 3 ■p. a V ^ S Zi -S '-s J-. CJ '^ • - r": P v^ 1=0 3 t-i ,3 oJO OJ O •5 _=i K *^ n '•^ i .1 § 2 u 1^ •3 P hn CO V*- hn 3 2;S ^ 3 (U ^ ra a &« J3 3 ■5 J3 C >, 00 • o &P ~ l'^ 3 -- f ' "a IL' 3 ^ 3 O ^' 3 t: < H c |- 53 /'Captain Grant, 78th regiment. 1 Captain Huinberstone, 78th ditto. Killed, -; t • . . a i j Lieutenant Anderson, 78th ditto. 'Lieutenant Plendcrleath, 1st bat. 3d regt. N. I. ,j.,. f Lieutenant Wilson, 74lh rcg-irnent. WoUNDED,< ^ . T 1 • (^Lieutenant Larkins, 78th ditto. (Signed) R. BARCLAY, Dcpi/. Acljt. Genl. in Mysore Published by command of his excellency The most noble the governor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. GENERAL ORDERS, Bf/ his Excellency the Most Noble the Governor-General in council. Fort William, September St/i, 1803. The Governor-general in council having received from major-general the honorable Arthur Wellcsley, the official account of the reduction of the im- portant fortress of Ahmednuggur, by the forces under the command of that officer, is pleased to signify the high approbation with which his excellency in council has observed the judgment, prompitude, and skill manifested by major-general Wellesley, in directing the operations of the forces under his command on that critical occision. His excellency in council is pleased to direct major-general Wcllesly to notify to the officers and troops under his command, that the governor-general in council has derived the most cordial satisfaction from the distinguished alacritv, gallantry, and spirit, which they displayed in the attack upon the pettah, and in the subsequent siege of the fort of Ahmednuggur ; and the governor-general in council has remarked with particular approbation, the conduct of lieutenant colonels Harness, Wallace, and Maxwell ; of captain Beauman of the artiller)-; of captain Johnson of the engineers ; and of captain Heitland of the pio- neers. The governor-general in council deeply laments the loss of captains Grant and Humberstonc, of lieutenants Anderson and Plendcrleath, and of the brave soldiers 54 soldiers who fell in the successful contest of the 8th of August. The memory of those gallant officers and soldiers who have fallen with honor in the public service will be regarded with affection and respect, by their sovereign and their country. By command of his Excellency The most noble the Governor general in council, L. HOOK, Sec. to the Govt. Mil. Dept. Fort William, September St/j, 1 803. A Dispatch, of which the following is an extract, has been received this day, by his Excellency the most noble "the governor-general, from liis Excellency the commander in chief. To his Excellency the most noble MARQUIS WELLESLEY, Governor general, &c. &c. &c. My Lord, I Have the honor to inform your lordship, that I attacked Mr. Perron's force this morning, which was strongly posted with their right extending to the fort of Ally Ghur, and their entire front protected by a deep morass, which obliged me to change my original plan of attack, and detour considerably to the right, to turn their left flank, which I completely effected ; dislodging a body of troops which were posted in a village in the enemy's front. On moving forward with the cavalry in two lines, supported by the line of infantry and guns, the enemy immediately retired after a very few shot from the cavalry guns, which did some execution. Several attempts were made to charge some considerable bodies of cavalry, .who made an appearance of standing, but the rapidity of their retreat pre- vented the possibility of effecting it so completely as I could have wished ; but I have reason to believe, that in consequence of the operations of this day, many of his confederates have left him. My loss in men and horses is very inconsiderable, and no officer. I have the pleasure to assure your lordship, that the zeal, activity, and steadiness displayed by both officers and men, afforded me entire satisfaction, and deserve my warmest praise. My My staff afforded me every assistance; and 1 feci myself under great obli- gations to them. From every information I can obtain, immediately on our advancing, Mr. Perron, with his body-guard, retired towards Agra, and has left colonel Pedron m charge of the fort. I am at present encamped to the southward of the fort, and the town of Coel is occupied by one of my battalions. I have the honor to be, my lord. Your lordship's most faithful and humble servant. Head Quarters, (Signed) G. LAKR Camp before Albj Ghur, August IQ, 1803. Published by command of his excellency The most noble the Governor general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to (he Govt. GENERAL ORDERS, Bi/ his Excellency the most nohlc the Governor General in Council. Fort William, September ?ith, 1803. The governor general in council is pleased to offer his most cordial thanks and congratulations to his excellency the commander in chief, upon the distin- guished abilitv, energy, and success of the conduct of the forces imder his excel- lency's personal command, in the judicious and gallant attack of tlie forces under the command of Mr. Perron, in the vicinity of Coel, on the 29th of August. His excellency in council has received, with the most sincere pleasure, the commander in chief's report of the zeal, activity, and steadiness, displayed by the officers and men, and of the meritorious services of the staff on that important occasion. The governor general in council is pleased to direct the commander in chief to signify to the officers and men employed in the action of the 29th of August, that the conduct of the army on that day has obtained the high approbation of 5(3 of his excellency in council ; has confirmed the reputation and honour of the British arms in India ; and has secured the most imjjortant advantages to the cause of the allies, in the prosecution of the war, and in the speedy establishment of permanent peace. By command of his excellency the most noble The governor-general in council, L. HOOK, Sec. to t/ie Gov. Mil. Dept. Fort William, September 9, 1803. A Dispatch, of which the following is an extract, has been received this day, by his excellency the most noble the governor-general, from his excellency the commander in chief: My Lord, It is with infinite satisfaction I inform your lordship, that the inhabitants of this part of the country are coming in fast, and manifest a wish of being protected by the British government, and that in consequence of my having caused it to be made known to the head men of the villages in this neighbourhood, that it is not my intention to molest either the persons or properties of such of the inhabitants as shall claim my protection, I have the pleasure to say, that the people who had deserted the town of Coel on oui' approach yesterday, are returning fast to their houses, and the town is nearly repeopled ; indeed they have every reason to be satisfied, as the instant this position was gained, a battalion was posted in Coel to prevent plunder, by which means very little loss was sustained by the inhabitants. I learn, from all quarters, that most of the enemy's cavalry who opposed us yesterday, have returned to their homes, declaring their inability to oppose the English. From every account I can receive, the number of cavalry opposed to us amounted to fifteen or twenty thousand. The country in our rear is in a state of perfect tranquillity, nor has it been molested by a single horseman. I have 57 I have seat into the fort a summons in English and French, which will, I trust, have the desired effect, I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most faithful And humble servant. Head Quarters, (Signed) G. L A K E. Camp before Ally Ghur, August 30, 1803. Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, chief Sec. to the Gov. Fort William, September lOth, 1803. To CAPTAIN LIONEL HOOK, Sec. to the Govt. Mil. Dept. Sir, I Have the honor, by order of the commander in chief, to forward to you, for the information of his Excellency the most noble the Governor general in council, a return of the killed, and wounded, and missing, in the action which took place yesterday, between the British army and that of general Perron. I have the honor to be, SIR, Your obedient Servant, D. OCHTERLONY, Dep. Adj. Gen. Head Quarters, Camp at Coel, August, 1803. *H 58 Return of the Killed, JFoiinded, and Missing, in the Second and Third Brigades of Cavalry. Camp at Coet, August 29, 1803. 1- 1 1 1 id H-l 're 2; S 3 2 1 a> 1 2 1 4 i 1 2 1 1 5 3 1 1 1 12 C/5 en 5 TOTAL. r Killed 27 th Dragoons ^ Wounded (.Missing rKilled 2d Native Cavalry J Wounded 1 AT;i..-;„rr Killed Men.. 1 Horses 3 ^ r Killed I 3d Native Cavaliy J Wounded • ^ I Missin? Wounded . . Men. . 4 Horses 8 ^ ( ''29th Dragoons Wounded 1st Native Cavalry Wounded ^4thNativeCavalry {{^J^J,^, Missing.. ..HorseslO Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the Governor-general in council. L. HOOK, Sec. to the Govt. Mil. Dept Fort William, September \5tk, 1803. A Dispatch, of which the following is a copy, has been received this day, by his Excellency the most noble the governor general, from his excellency the commander in chief. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MOST NOBLE MARQUIS WELLESLEY, governor general, &c. &c. &c. My Lord, It is with inexpressible satisfaction that I have the honor to report to your lordship, the capture of the fort of Ally Ghur this morning by assault. 59 Having spent some days in fruitless endeavours to save the unnecessary effusion of blood, on finding that the natives persisted obstinately in their determination of resistance, and rejected every o\erturc I made, I found myself under the necessity of determining on some decisive measure, and after maturely considering the probability of success with the obstacles that opposed us, I judged it preferable to carry it by assault, than to lose time by the slower operations of a siege. In consequence of this resolution, I ordered the honorable lieutenant-colonel Monson to lead the attack, composed of four companies of his Majesty's 70th regiment, and the 1st battalion of the 4th regiment native infantry under lieutenant-colonel Browne, with a detachment of the 17th native regiment under captain Bagshaw. Colonel Horsford, of the artillery, covered their advance by a heavy fire from batteries in situations which had been previously determined on. I attribute the success of this attack entirely to the gallantry and steady conduct displayed by the honorable lieutenant-colonel Monson, in leading on his men under a most galling fire of musquetry and grape against a fort hitherto deemed impregnable, and defended on all sides with the utmost obstinacy. It would be injustice in me were I not to mention the distinguished bravery of the men of his Majesty's 76th regiment, who, notwithstanding the loss of many of their officers, steadily persevered till the attainment of their object was effected. To colonel Browne, of the 1st battalion of the 4th regiment, who has re- ceived a severe wound, and to the whole of the officers of that battalion, whose exertions on this occasion were most meritorious, my praise is justly due. To major Mc. Leod, who gallantly led the 76th regiment after colonel Monson was wounded, and to captain Shipton, of the artillerv, who had charge of the guns that forced the gate, both of whom, though wounded, still re- mained at their post, I feel myself much indebted. To colonel Horsford, who commanded the artillery, as well as to captain Robertson and Greene, who commanded the covering batteries, I feel myself under the infinite obligations, and indeed that whole corps merit my warmest praise for the gallantry displayed on this occasion, as well as on every other in which they have been engaged. * H 2 It 6o It is with extreme soitow I lament the loss of many valuable officers of his majesty's 76th regiment, and also of the honorable Company's service. I am sorry to add, that colonel Monson's wound is dangerous ; and I fear I shall at all events, be deprived of the services of this gallant officer for some time. I shall have the honor to forward to your lordship, as soon as possible, returns of the killed and wounded, officers and men, under my command ; which, considering the nature of the attack, are as few as could be expected. I feel I shall be wanting in justice to the merits of Mr. Lucan, an officer, a nati\ e of Great Britain, who lately quitted the service of Scindiah to avoid serving against his country, \\ere I not to recommend him to your lordship's particular attention. He gallantly undertook to lead colonel Monson to the gate, and point out the road through the fort, which he effi^cted in a most gallant manner, and colonel Monson has reported, having received infi- nite benefit from his service. If you deem him worthy of any mark of your Excellency's favor, it will afford me great satisfaction if his services are rewarded by government. I have the honor to be. My Lord, Your lordship's most faithful humble servant. (Signed) G. LAKE. Head QuarUrs, Camp AHy-Ghur, September 4, 1803. P. S. I have the honor to enclose correct returns of the officers killed and wounded in the attack this morning. M. Pedron, who commanded in the fort, is our prisoner. He was the only European in the garrison. (Signed) G. LAKE. Copy of the First Brigade Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, 4th September, 1803. HIS MAJESTY'S 7()th REGIMENT, Killed Captain Cameron, Killed. Oi . Killed. ..Lieutenant Fleming, Browne, Campbell, Lieutenant and adjutant St. Aubin. Number of Men Killed, not knoivn. Wounded.. Honorable Lieut. Col. Monson, Major Mc. Leod. Lieutenant Sinclair, Ensign Fraser, Forty Men as yet ascertained. FIRST BATTALION 4th REGIMENT NATIVE INFANTRY. Killed Lieutenant John Turton, Wounded Lieutenant Col. Browne, Captain Berry, Lieutenant Andre, Ensign Burgess, Number of Sepoys killed and wounded, not yet known. SECOND BATTALION 4th REGIMENT NATIVE INFANTRY. Being in the Fort, as yet not known. SECOND BATTALION 17 th REGIMENT NATIVE INFANTRY. Wounded Captain Bagshaw, Lieutenant Boscowan, Number of Sepoys Killed and JVounded, not yet ascertained. ARTILLERY. Wounded Captain Shipton, Number of Men Killed and JVounded, not yet ascertained. (Signed) G. A. F. LAKE, Mil. Sec. Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the Governor general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec to the Govt. GENERAL & C2 GENERAL ORDERS Bi/ his Exxdlency the most noble the Governor general in council. Fori IViUiam, Sept. 15, 1803. The governor-general in council, under the strongest impressions of public gratitude, notifies to the army, his unfeigned admiration of the distin- guish.ed conduct of the forces employed under the personal command of his excellency general Lake, in the gallant and successful assault of the strong fort of Ally Ghur on the 4th instant. The proposals of surrender offered by the commander in chief to the garri- son iinmediatelv after the retreat of Mr. Perron's forces, afford the most convincing proof, that the humanity of the British character is intimately connected with that spirit of alacrity and valour which marked the comman- der in chief's judicious resolution, to meet the obstinacy of the enemy by an immediate assault of the place. The judgement and energy manifested by the commander in chief in the plan of the attack, correspond with the intrepidity, spirit, and perseverance of his brave officers and soldiers, in executing the orders of their able and gallant general : and the glorious result of the assault has considerably augmented the reputation of the British name and the honor of the British arms in India. The governor-general in council is pleased to direct the commander in chief, to express the particular and most distinguished approbation, ^ith which his Excellency in council has \'iewed the courage, firmness, and ability, dis- played by the honorable lieutenant-colonel Monson in leading the attack, under circumstances of the utmost degree of difficult}' and danger. A strong sense of the interests of the public service, and a desire to witness a con- tinuance of the glorious success of the British arms in India, render the governor general in council sincerely anxious, that this excellent officer (repeatedly distinguished by his conduct in various exigencies of the service) may speedily be enabled to resume the command of his gallant corps, and to augment his claims upon the gratitude and applause of his countr\ . The governor-general in council also directs the commander in chief to signify to lieutenant-colonel Browne, of the 1st battalion 4th regiment native infantry, and to all the officers of that battalion, tliat his excellency in coun- cil entertains the highest sense of their meritorious exertions, and warmly approves their honorable services. The 63 The governor-general in council also desires, (luit his particular approba- tion may be signified to major Mc. Leod ot" tlie 76th regiment, to captain Shipton of the artillery, and also to lieutenant colonel Horsford, captains Robertson and Greene. It is with the greatest satisfaction that the governor-general m council expresses his applause of the bravery, discipline and steadiness, of the men of his Majesty's 76th regiment, and of tlie corps of artillery, as well as of all the soldiers, who were employed on thi-^ brilliant serA'ice The loss of captain Cameron, lieutenants Fleming, Browne, Campbell, St. Aubin, and Turton, is deplored by the governor-general in council. Their country, their friends, and their king, will however receive consolation for thai loss, in reflecting upon the glory of their atchievements, and upon the public advantage of their illustrious example. The governor-general in council directs the commander in chief to signify to Mr. Lucan, the approbation with which his excellency in council lias re- marked the services rendered by that gentleman to the cause of his native country, in the spirited exertion of British courage and public zeal. It is highly satisfactory to his excellency in council to observe, this meritorious example of a just attention to the duty which every British subject owes to the British government in India. The governor-general in council will not fail to reward the services of Mr. Lucan, in such manner as shall be re- commended by the commander in chief. The governor-general in council relies with confidence on the approved character of this army, and of the commander in chief, that their unabated magnanimity, skill, and perseverance will be attended with a continuance of success, proportionate to the justice of our cause, and to the superiority of our arms. By command of his Excellency the most noble The governor-general in council, L. HOOK, Sec. to Govt. Mil. Dept. Fort ()i Fort imiiam, September 16, 1S03. TiiK following: correct return of the killed and wounded at the assault of Ally- Ghur, received this day from His Exce]le;:.i-y the Conunander in Chief, is pub- lished for general information : Return of the Killed and IFonnded, at the Jssault of Ally Ghur, on the Morning of the 4th of September, 1803. 27th Dragoons Artillery 76th Regiment 1st Bat. 4th N.Reg, {^'ded 2d Bat. 4th N. Reg, 4 Comps. 17 th Reg. Wounded (-Killed 1 Wounded. (-Killed.... \ Wounded. Killed . f Killed . \ Wounded. (-Killed.... (.Wounded. Total Killed and Wounded. Total Killed. Total W'ounded. So3 ] li 4 !i5 b c CO w 2 15 2 1! 3 3, 2 c 2 2 7 15 58 161 69I 2 12 8 32 2 223 2 loj 2 43 180 « Names of Officers, killed a7id woimded. Artillery Captain Shipton, wounded 7Cith Regiment Killed — Captain Cameron ; Lieutenants Fleming, Browne, Camp. bell, and Lieutenant and Adjutant St- Aubin. Wounded — The Hon. Lieutenant Colonel Monson, Major Mac Leod, Lieutenant Sinclair, and Ensign Eraser. 1 St Bat- ith Reg Killed — Lieutenant Turton . Wounded — Lieutenant Colonel Browne, Capt- Berrie, Lieutenant Andre, and Ensign Burgess- 4- Comps. iVth Regt Wounded — Captain Bagshaw, and Lieutenant Boscawen. J. GERARD, Adj. Gen. Published by command of his Excellency, The most noble the Governor-general, in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt- 65 Fort William, Sept. IS, 1803. Dispatches were this day received by the Governor general, from his Excellency the commander in chief, dated from camp at Soomna on the 7th of September, by which it appears, that M. Perron, late com- mander of the forces of Dowliit Rao Scindiah, having resigned the ser- vice of that chieftain, had applied by letter dated the 5th September, for permission to pass with his family, property, and the officers of his suite, to Lucnow, through the teiritories of the honorable Company, and of the Nawaub Vizer, and had also applied for a sufficient escort to be composed either of British troops, or of his own body guard. His Excellency general Lake, had immediately complied with M. Perrons request, and had accordingly permitted that officer to proceed through the British territories, attended by a British officer, who had been appointed to meet M. Perron on the frontier, and to conduct him to Lucnow. His Excellency general Lake had also permitted M. Perron to be escorted by his own body guard, and had provided for the reception of M. Perron in the Company's territories, and those of the Nawaub Vizier, with every mark of respect and honour. Published by Command of His Excellency The Most Noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort William, Scpt.2\, 1803. On the 2d instant, a body of predatory horse, commanded by a French officer, attacked the Cantonment of Shekoabad on the frontier of the district of Etawah. The British forces at that post, consisting of five companies of the first battalion eleventh regiment native infantry, with one gun, vmder the command of lieutenant-colonel Coningham, continued to resist the attack of the enemy's cavalry during the greater part of the day, with great resolution and spirit, and at length suc- ceeded in repulsing the enemy. The enemy appear to have suffered considerably, and to have lost several officers on this occasion. The conduct of lieutenant-colonel Coningham, and of the troops under his command, on this occasion, received the high approbation of his Excellency the commander in chief, expressed in general orders. On the 4th instant, lieutenant-colonel Coningham was again attacked *I by 66 by the enem\"s troop;;, to whom he opposed a spirited resistance for some hours ; but having reason to believe that their number was so con- siderable as to render further resistance ineffectual, he surrendered,, on condition that his detachment should be permitted to march to Cawnpore, with their arms and ammunition, and the gun attached to the corpse that all private property should be protectedy and that the detachment should not serve during the war with Dowlut Rao Scindiah. These terms were faithfully observed by the enemy, and the detacliment accordingly marched to Cawnpore. His Excellency the commander in chief on the night of the 4th inst detached a force to Shekoabad. Intelligence has been received of the arrival of that force at the place of its destination ; and the retreat of the whole of the enemy's troops from tlie Company's dominions. The following are the names of the officers wounded in the attack on Shekoabad : Lieutenant colonel Conningham. Captain Lamborne. Captain Winbolt Artillery. Lieutenant Stoneham. Ensign Heysham. The number of Sepoys stated to be killed and wounded, is sixty three. Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the governoi general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort William, September 25, 1803. A Dispatch, of which the following is a copy, has been received this day, by his Excellency the most noble the governor general, from his Excel- lency the commander in chief. To his Excellency the most noble Marquis JVellesley, Gov. gen. &c. &c. Fort William. My Lord, I HAVE the satisfaction to inform your lordship, that after a march of eighteen miles this morning, I learnt that the enemy in great force, under Mr. Louis, had crossed the Jumna from Delhi, with the intention of attacking us. When When we had encamped, we found our outposts were attacked bv a bod\- of the enemy. On reconnoitring to our front, I found that the enemy's whole army were drawn up in order of battle. I immediately ordered out the whole line, and advanced to attack them in front. The enemy opposed to us a tremendous fire from a nr.merous artillery, u hi<:h was uncommonly well served, and caused us considerable loss in officers and men ; but I have the satisfaction to add, that our ad\ance, under a most heavy can- nonade, and actual charge of the enemy, at about one hundred paces distance, caused a most precipitate retreat, and left in our possession the whole of their artillery. The cavalry pursued the fugitives to the Jumna, making great havock, and numbers were drowned in attempting to cross. In short, I have only to express my entire approbation of the gallantry of the troops under my command during tlie whole of tliis most brilliant action, and shall have the honor to detail it more particularly to-mojTOw, w hich tlie lateness of the hour prevents me doing at present. The whole army was under arms from tlu-ee this morning till this moment. I have the honor to be, my lord. Your lordship's most faithful, humble servant. Head Quarters, (Signed) G. LAKE, Camp opposite Delhi, half-past seven, P. M. Sept. 11, 1803. Published by command of his excellency The most noble the governor-genei-al in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Con. FortWUliam, September ^V, 1803. A Dispatch, of which the following is a copv, has been received this day, by his Excellency the most noble the governor-general, from his Excellency the commander in chief. * I '2 T'> 68 To his ExceUenct/ the rnost noble Marquis JFcUeslcy, &c. &c. &fc. My Lord, Fort JflUiam. My letter of yesterday will have informed your lordship of the total defeat of the force under Mr. Louis. The lateness of the hour prevented my detailing the operations of the day as fully as I could have wished. I cannot find terms sufficiently strong to express the high sense I entertain of the gallant services performed by the whole of the officers and men in the army under my command. When the length of our march (upwards of eighteen miles) is considered, the fatigue the whole army underwent, and that we were exposed to a inost galling fire from the enemy of grape and chain shot, while advancing in line, the opera- tions of yesterday must ever reflect the highest credit on all descriptions of troops engaged, and cannot fail of striking the enemy with a dread of our army, and prove to them, that opposition to such superior discipline and courage is useless. To major-general Ware, who commanded the right wing, and to the honorable major-general St. John, who commanded the left, I feel myself under infinite obli- gations. The former, I am sorry to say, received a very severe contusion while advancing with the right wing. Major-general St. John was opposed to the enemy's right. The steadiness and ability displayed by the honorable the major-general, quickly surmounted every difficulty, and forced the enemy to retire in disorder with very heavy loss. To colonel St. Leger, who commanded the cavalry, my warmest praises are due. The steadiness and gallantry of the whole corps, both Europeans and natives, under a formidable fire of artillery, does them infinite honor. After the gallant and steady charge of his Majesty's 76th regiment, led by captain Boyce, and the whole of the infantry line, who advanced to within one hundred paces of the enemy without taking their firelocks from, their shoulders, when they fired a volley, and rushed on with the bayonet with a determination nothing could resist, and forced the enemy to abandon their formidable artillery. Colonel St. Leger, with the cavalry under his command, moved rapidly forward, when a dreadful slaughter ensued. By a well-timed manoeuvre of the colonel's in intercepting their retreat to the Jumna, much execution was done ; the enemy's confusion was such, that many were drowned in attempting to cross the river. To 69 To colonel Horsford, and every officer of the corps of artillery, I feel myself infinitely indebted for their meritorious exertions on this occasion. The number of the enemy's guns already collected, is between fifty and sixty, and I expect many more before the evening. I shall have the honor to forward a regular return of the enemy's ordnance to-morrow. I have to lament the loss of many officers and men killed and wounded in this action, returns of which shall be transmitted for your lordship's information. From the extreme heat and fatigue, that both officers and men experienced, I have to regret the loss of major Middleton of the 3d native cavalry, and cornet Sanguine of the '27 th light dragoons, as well as of several European soldiers, who fell from the effects of the sun. I have to lament the loss of captain Robert Mac Gregor (Persian interpreter in the field), who fell when advancing in a gallant style. The consequences of this victory are the evacuation of the city and forts of Delhi, and the dispersion of the enemy in all directions. At the earnest request of his majesty, who is anxious to put himself under the protection of the British government, I shall cross the river with my army as soon as a sufficient number of boats can be procured. My staff, as usual, conducted themselves to my entire satisfaction, and merit my warmest approbation. I have the h-onor to be, my lord, Your lordship's most faithful, humble servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Quarters, Camp, Delhi Ghaut, September 12, 1803. Killed hy the effects of the Sun. Major Middleton •. 3d Native Cavalry. Cornet Sanguine 27th Light Dragoons. Killed in Action. Lieutenant Hill 12th Native Infantry. Lieutenant Preston „„„.,., 15th Native Infantry. Lieutenant Alden, Captain Mac Gregor. Wounded. 70 Wounded. Captain Covell 27th Light Dragoons, Cornet Crowe 2d Native Cavalry. Cornet Mather 2d Native Cavalry. Cornet Swindell 3d Native Cavalry. Lieutenant Mac Donald 76th Foot. Lieutenant Wrottesley 2d Battalion 2d Regiment. Captain Mathews Artillery. The above is the most correct return that has jTt been received. Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the governor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort WilHavi, September 2Z, 1803. A Dispatch, of which the following is a cop)', has beeen received this day by his Excellency the most noble the governor-general, from his Excellency the commander in chief. To his Excellency the most noble Marquis JFellesley, Gov. gen. Sec. &c. My Lord, For your lordship's information, I have the honor to inclose a list of the killed and wounded, officers and men, of the army under my command, in the action of the 11th instant. Your lordship will perceive, that our loss has been very great ; but, when I consider that we moved on against an immense artillery of nearly one hundred pieces of cannon, and many of a very large calibre, under as hea\y a fire as I have ever been witness too ; and that this fire was directed against a line consisting, on the most correct calculation, of not more than four thousand five hundred men, including cavalry, artillery, and infantry ; and that we were opposed by upwards of four times that number, it is no longer a matter of surprize. It is necessary to remark, that we had only one brigade of cavalry, consisting of the Ciyth light dragoons, and the 2d and 3d regiments of native ca\alry; the other brigades being detatched for the protection of our own provinces. The Tire moi-e I reftecf mi the glorions affair of the i rtFr, ffi'e more forcibly I fecf the bravery and rntrepidity displayed by every hidivicfuar composing my aTmy. I cannot find words to express my feelings on this occasion ; nor can I sufficiently lament the loss of many brave fellows who have fallen. I have the honor to be, my Lord, "iour loi-dship's most faithful', humble servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Qttartersy Camp near Delhi Ghaut ^ Sept. 13, 1803. Return of the Killed, JFoutnled, and Missing, in the action of September 11, 1803. 27th Dragoons. Killed, I cornet, I quarter-master, 1 serjeant, 9 privates ; horses, troop 2?, officer's 1 , quarter-master's 1 — Wounded, 1 captain-lieutenant, 1 serjeant, 1 7 privates ; horses, troop 22, officer's 1 . — Missing, 1 private ; horses, troop 24-, officer's 3. — ^Total killed, wounded, and missing — men 32, horses 74. Artillery. Killed, 1 serjeant, 1 corporal, 1 matross, 1 lascar. — Wounded, 1 captain, 1 serjeant, 1 corporal, 2 gunners, 8 niatrosses, 2 serangs, 13 lascars. — Missing, 1 gunner 1 lascar. — ^Total 34. 2d Regiment Native Cavalry. Killed, 15 horses. — Wounded, 2 cornets, 1 naik. 14 pri- vates, 16 horses. — Missing, 5 horses. — Total killed, wounded, and missing — men 17, horses 36. ?d Regiment Native Cavalry. Killed, 1 major, 1 halvildar, 5 troopers, 28 horses. Wounded, 1 cornet, 1 jemadar, 1 naik, 9 troopers, 20 horses. — Missing, 12 horses. Total killed, wounded, and missing — men 19, horses 60. 76th Foot. Killed 2 Serjeants, 3 corporals, 29 privates. — Wounded, 1 lieutenant, 1 ser- jeant, 3 corporals, 93 privates. — Missing, 1 corporal, 5 privates. — ^Total killed, wounded, and missing, 138. 2nd Battalion 4th Regiment. Killed, 2 havildars, 1 naik, 9 sepoys. — Wounded, 1 lieutenant, 2 subadars, 2 havildars, 4 naiks, 1 drummer, 69 sepoys. — Total killed and wounded 91. 2nd Battalion 12th Regiment. Killed, 1 lieutenant, 1 subadar, 2 havildars, 1 naik, 3 drummers, 1 1 sepoys. — ^Wountled, 1 subadar, 1 havildar, 2 naiks, 32 sepoys, 1 bishty. Total killed and wounded, 56. 1st Battalion 15th Regiment. Killed, 1 subadar, 3 sepoys. — ^Wounded, 3 havildars, 1 naik, 8 sepoys. — Total killed and wounded 16. 2nd Battalion 15th Regiment. Killed 1 Lieutenant, 1 drummer, 5 sepoys — Wound- ed, 9 sepoys. — ^Total killed and wounded 16. 1st 1st Battalion 2nd Regiment. Killed, 1 havildar, 1 naik, 1 sepoy — Wounded, 1 lieu- tenant, 1 havildar, 1 naik, 12 sepoys. — Total killed and wounded 18. 2nd Battalion 2nd Regiment. Killed, 2 havildars, 4 sepoys. — Wounded, 2 lieu- tenants, 1 havildar, 1 naik, 1 8 sepoys. — ^Total killed and wounded 28. 1st Battalion, Mth Regiment. Wounded, 1 havildar, 12 sepoys. Total Europeans Killed, IVuunded, and Missing. Killed. 1 major, 1 captain, 2 lieutenants 1 cornet, 1 quarter-master, 4 Serjeants, 4 corporals, 39 privates. — ^Wounded. 1 captain, 1 captain lieutenant, 4 lieutenants, ;5 comets, 3 Serjeants, 4 corporals, 2 gunners, 118 privates. — Missing, 1 corporal, 1 gunner, 6 privates. — ^Total killed, wounded, and missing 197. Total Natives Killed, Wounded and Missing. Killed. 2 subadars, 8 havildars, 3 naiks, 38 privates, 4 drummers, 1 Lascar. — ^Wounded. 3 subadars, 1 jemadar, 9 havildars, 11 naiks, 191 privates, 1 drummer, 2 serangs, 13 lascars, l bhisty. — Total natives killed and wounded 288. Horses Killed 67 Wounded 59 Missing 47 Total Horses... 173 Names of Officers Killed and Wounded in the Action of the 1 1 th insf. Killed. Major Middleton, 3d regiment cavalry ; — captain Mac Gregor, Persian inter- preter in the field; — lieutenant Hill, 2nd battalion 12th regiment; — lieutenant Preston, 2nd battalion 1 5th regiment ; — cornet Sanguine, 27th dragoons; — and, quartermaster R. Richardson, 27th dragoons. Wounded. Major general Ware ; — captain Mathews, Artillery ; — captain lieutenant Covell, 27th dragoons ; — liejtenant Mc. Donald, 76th regiment ; — lieutenant Wrot- tesley, 2d battalion 4th regiment ; — lieutenants Alden and Harriot, 2d battalion 2d regiment ; — cornets Croswe and Mather, 2nd regiment cavalry ; — cornet Swindell, Sd regiment cavalry. Signed) J. GERRARD, Jdj. Gen. Published by command of his Exellency, The most noble the governor general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort (^£^ 7 9 w' X '-'^/^ /3 Fort William, Septeinkr 18, iS03. A Dispatch, of which the following is an extract, has been received this day by his excellency the mos't noble the governor-general, from his excellency the commander in chief. To His Excellency the Most Noble Marquis iFellesley, Gov. Gen. &c. My Lord, I have the honor to inform your lordship, that the army this morning commenced crossing the Jumma. I trust the whole will be on the opposite bank by the evening of the third day from hence. hi consequence of the delay occasioned in preparing the necessary presents, I shall not visit His Majesty until the l6th instant. I have the pleasure to inform your lordship, that colonel Macan has re- ported to me, that he took possession of the fort of Firozabad on the gth instant. My letter of the 7th will have have informed your lordship of Mr. Perron's application for leave to pass through the honorable Company's territories on his way to Lucknow. I have the honor to inform your lordship, that Mr. Perron, accompanied by Messrs. Beckett and Fleury, passed Sarsnee on the 12th instant; the latter gentleman, who with some difficulty joined Mr. Perron, informed colonel Ball, that the horse he had under his com- mand had dispersed. I learn from all quarters, that the dispersion of the force that opposed me on the 1 1 th, is most complete ; and I expect shortly to have it in my power to inform your lordship, that Monsieur Bourquain, alias Louis, and the other French officers in his armv, have delivered themselves up, as they have already requested to be allowed to tlirow themselves upon the protection of the British government I have the honor to be, My Lohd, Your lordship's most faithful humble senant, (Signed) G. L A K E. Head Quarters, Camp, Delhi, Sep. u, iso.'?. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the governor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chh'f Sec. to the Gov. *K Fort William, September 2?,, 1803. A Dispatch, of which the following is a copy, has been received this day by his Excellency the most noble the governor-general, from His Ex- cellency the commander in chief. To his Excellcncij the Most Noble Marquis JVcllesley, &c. &c. My Lord, I Have the pleasure to inform your lordship, that Messrs. Bourquain, Geslin, Guerinmier, Del. Perron, and Jean Pierre, yesterday delivered them- selves up prisoners. They reside for the present in the fort under a guard. I shall however dispatch them in a few days under an escort to Futty-Ghur, from whence they will embark for the presidency. I have the honor to inform your lordship, that I intend paying my first visit to his Majesty to-morrow inorning. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. Sec. (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Quarters, Delhi, Sep. 15, 1803. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the governor general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort William, October \, 1803. A Dispatch, of which the following is an extract, was yesterday received by His Excellency the most noble the governor-general, from His Excel- lency the commander in chief. To His Excellency the most noble Mm^quis JVellesley Gov. gen. &:c. My Lord, I Have the honor to inform your lordship, that in consequence of the hour fixed upon by his Majesty, I yesterday, attended by the chief officers of the army, waited on his Majesty at his palace in the fort. Akber Shah, His Majesty's eldest son, came to my camp to conduct me. His 75 His Majesty received mc seated on his throne, when the presents were delivered, and the forms usual on those occasions were obser\cd. His Majesty and his whole court were unanimous in testifying their jov at the change that has taken place in their fortunes. I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your lordship's most faithful humble servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. H^ad Quarters, Camp Delhi, Sep. 17, 1803. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the governor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort William, October S, 1803. Dispatches, of which the following are copies, have been received by His Excellency the most noble the governor-general, from His Excellency the commander in chief. To his Excellency the most noble Marquis Wellesley, Gov. Gen. ^c My Lokd, I Have the honor to inclose, for your lordship's information, a return of the ordnance found in the fort of Ally Ghur, captured on the 4th instant. The condition of the guns, number of arms and accoutrements, quantity of powder, military stores, &c. have not yet been ascertained ; but I have left captain Best, an officer of artillery, in tlie garrison, who will, as soon as possible, send mc exact returns, which I shall have the honor to forward to your lordship. I have the honor to be, Mv Loud, Your lordship's most faithful humble servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Quarters, Camp near Coorjah, Sept. S, 1 803. * K 2 3o ;6 Return of the Ordnance, &c. captured in the Fort of Ally Ghur, on the 4fh of September, 1803. PLACES WHERE MOUNTED. Guns 2 o On the Rounee, or Faussebraye ; and circular work before the Gates. Brass guns, from eleven-pounders to nine-pounders Iron ditto, from ten-pounders to two-pounders Brass six-inch howitzers On the Bastions. Brass guns, from twenty-pounders to six-potinders Iron ditto, from seventeen-pounders to three-pounders , On the Curtains. Iron guns (the calibre not taken) Brass mortars, nine-and-one-third-inch In the Arsenal Tard, and not mounted. Brass guns, from three-pounders to two pounders . Ditto, small Iron guns, from thirteen-pounders to two-pounders. Ditto, small Brass mortars, eleven-inch Iron wall pieces Total of the captured guns, &c. 22 '11 21 16 ;53 60 182 182 N B. There was not sufficient time to ascertain the exact condition of the above ordnance, so as to pronounce them serviceable, or unserviceable. In the Arsenal jard is abundance of shot for the above guns, and some stone shells ; but neither of them are jet counted. In the Magazine is a large quantity of gunpowder, not 3et weighed. In the Arsenal is a great number of new arms and some accoutrements. Part of the arms are made after the European, and part after the country fashion ; the exact number of each not yet known. In the Store Rooms are military stores of various kinds, but not at pre- sent examined. (Signed) JOHN HORSFORD, Z. Col Com. Art. in the field. To To his Excellency the most nohle Marquis frdleslei/ Gov. Gen, ^ My Lord, For your Lordship's information I have the honor to transmit a return of ordnance, &c. taken from the enemy on the 11th instant. From the reports of the officer commanding the artillery, the whole of this ordnance is remarkably fine ; as will be more fully pointed out to your lordship by the remarks of colonel Horsford annexed to the return. The whole of this artillery played on our line as we advanced. I have the honor to be. My Lord, Your lordship's most faithful humble servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Quarters, Delhi, Sep/. 18, 1803. Report of the Ordnance, &c. captured opposite Delhi, on the iith of September, 1803; the whole mounted on field carriages, with limbers and traces complete. 2 Brass, 20 pounders, 5 ditto, 18 pounder carronades, 3 ditto, l6 pounder ditto, 3 Iron, 12 pounders, (French), 14 Brass, 6 pounders, 1 Iron, 6 pounder, 23 Brass, 4 pounders, 5 ditto 3 ditto, 4 3 ditto, 1 Brass, 8-inch mortar, 1 ditto 8-inch howitzer, 4 ditto 6-inch ditto, 2 ditto 5^ ditto. 68 Pieces of cannon, of different natures. 37 tumbrils complete, laden with ammunition •24 ditto ditto ditto ditto, blown up on the field of battle. 6l tumbrils complete, laden with ammunition. N. B. Many tumbrils and ammunition carriages abandoned by the enemy in the Jumnah and Nullah, not included above. The 78 REMARKS. The whole of the preceding ordnance appears " serviceable," except one iron I'i-pounder, and one iron 3-pounder, which are burst in firing. The iron guns are of Europe manufacture. The brass guns, mortars, and howitzers have been cast in India : one Portuguese 3-poundcr excepted. Some bear an inscription of being made at Muttra ; others at Ugein, but the whole are evidently from the design and execution of an European artist. The dimensions are, in general, those of the French ; the workmanship is of as high a finish as any in the Company's arsenal. Thirteefii of the 4-pounders have iron cylinders (or bores), over which it would seem the metal was run in casting the piece ; for the adherence is so close, that no slit or chasm appears ; and nothing but the different colours of the two metals' discovers the junction. The iron cylinder (or bore) is composed of four longitudinal pieces of hammered iron, remarkably close, and neatly fitted throughout the bore. The whole of the pieces are furnished with well-made elevating screws ; some are of the latest French improvements ; and to the mortars and howit- zers the same kind of elevating screws arc, by a simple and ingenious ad- justment, made to elevate the piece to any angle, and give either of them the double capacity of mortar and howitzer. The carriages are strong and good ; some are neatly made according to the French pattern. The tumbrils are very stout, but of the clumsy size and shape made by the Company in their arsenal about twenty years ago. Some, however, have the modern draft chain, whilst others have ratained the trace made of green hides. The ammunition, both round and grape, differs from that made in the Company's arsenal ; insomuch as that the bags are of cotton instead of serge, and not fixed to bottoms with the shot ; and also, two sorts of grape are made use of after the Frence ordnance, viz. large balls for great distances, and smaller balls for lesser distances. Chain 79 Chain shot, rolled up into the shape oC a ball, of the size of fhe borft of the piece, either mortar or liowitzer, made part also of the enemy'o ammunition. (Signed) JOHN HORSFORD, Lieut. Col. Com ylri. in the field. A true copy, (Signed) G. A. F. LAKE, Mil. Sec. General orders by his Excellency the most noble the governor-general in council, captain-general and commander in chief of all the land forces serving in the East Indies. Fort William, October I, 1803. The returns received by the governor-general in council of the ordnance taken on the field of battle near Delhi, on the 1 1 th of September 1 803, have completed the official statement of the military operations conducted under the personal command of his excellency general Lake, from the 29th of August to the 18th of September. In reviewing the rapid and brilliant success of our arms within that period of time, every loyal subject of the British empire must be animated by the most zealous emotions of just pride, national triumph, and public glorv. The governor-general in council has already expressed the sentiments of gra- titude and admiration with which he contemplates the conduct of his excellency the commander in chief, and of the officers and troops under his excellency's personal command, in the action of the 29th of August, and in the gallant assault of the fortress of Ally Ghur, on the 4th of September. His excellency in council highly approves the judicious and early movement of the army after that important success towards the principal station of the enemy's infantry and artillery, and the position whence the most speedy relief might be afforded to the unfortunate representative of the house of Timur, and to his majesty's royal family. The decisive victory gained in the battle of Delhi, on the 1 1 th of September, justified the firm confidence reposed by the governor-general in council in the bravery, perseverance, and discipline of the army, and in the skill, judgment, active spirit, and invincible intrepidity of their illustrious commander. The 80 The glorv of that day is not surpassed by any recorded triumph of tlie British arms in India, and is attended by e\ery circumstance calculated to elevate the fame of British valor, to illustrate the character of British humanity, and to secure the stability of the British empire in the East. The governor-general in council acknowledges with the most cordial satisfac- tion, the distinguished services of major-general Wiare, and of the honorable major-general St. John, in the action of the 1 1th of September ; and directs the commander in chief to signify his particular approbation of the conduct of major- general Ware in the command of the right wing of the British army ; and of the conduct of the honorable major-general St. John, in the ability and steadiness which he displavcd in the command of the left wing, by surmounting every difficult V, and by forcing the right wing of the enemy to retire in disorder \\ith hea\y loss. The governor-general in council also directs the commander in chief to notify to colonel St. Leger, and to the corps of cavalrj' employed on this honorable occasion, the high approbation with which His Excellency in council has received the report of their gallantry and finnness, and of the peculiar skill manifested under the able command of colonel St. Leger, in their judi- cious, rapid, and decisive movements during the action, and after the flight of the enemy had commenced. His Excellency in council contemplates with great satisfaction the advanced state of discipline of the native cavalry of Ben- gal, and the splendid proofs which that corps has afforded of its efficiency in activ€ service against the numerous artillery of the enemy. The conduct of captain Boyce,- and of His Majesty's 76th regiment, is noticed with the warmest applause by the governor-general in council : the high reputation established by that respectable corps in various services of difficulty and danger in India, appeared in the battle of Delhi, with a degree of lustre which has never been exceeded even by British troops. His ex- cellency in council signifies his most distinguislicd approbation of the firm- ness and intrepidity of the officers and men of the native infantry, who, with His Majesty's 76th regiment, at the point of the bayonet, forced an enemy, considerably superior in numbers, fiom a powerful and well-served artillery, and opened the way for the successful charge of the cavalrw The conduct of the native troops on this memorable day reflects the highest honor upon the discipline of the armv of Bengal, and confirms the confidence of the 81 the governor-general in council, in the diligence, skill, and courage of the officers of this establishment, and in the eminent character of our native soldiers. To lieutenant-Colonel Horsford and the artillery, the governor general in council repeats the public testimony of approbation which that meritorious corps has uniformly deserved in every exigency of the service. To the staff" of the arm}', the governor-general in council is happy to express the satisfliction with which he learns that they continue, on all occasions, to merit the warmest approbation of the commander in chief. The governor-general in council sincerely laments the loss of major Middleton, captain Mc. Grcgor, lieutenant Mill, lieutenant Preston, cornet Sanguine, and quarter-master Richardson ; and of the brave soliliers who fell in the exemplary exertion of deliberate valour and disciplined spirit, at the battle of Delhi. The names of these brave men will be commemorated with the glorious events of the day on which they fell, and will be honored and revered while the fame of that signal victory shall endure. In testimony of the peculiar honor acquired by the army under the per- sonal command of his excellency general Lake, the governor general in council is pleased to order, that honorary colours, with a device properly suited to commemorate the reduction of the fortress of Ally Ghur, on the -1th, and the victory obtained at Delhi, on the 11th of September, be presented to the corps of cavalry and infantry, European and native, respectively employed on those glorious occasions; and that a public monument be erected at Fort William, to the memory of the brave officers and men, European and native, who have fallen in the public 3ervice during the present campaign. The honorary colours granted by these orders to His Majesty's 27th regiment of dragoons, and to the 76th of foot, are to be used by those corps while they shall continue in India, or until His Majesty's most gracious pleasure be signified through His Excellency the comman- der in chief. In concluding his orders on this memorable occasion, the governor- general in council is pleased to direct, that the public thanks of the supreme government of the British possessions in India, be given to his excel- lency general Lake, commander in chief of His Majesty's and of the # L honorable 82 honorable Company's forces in India, who, with unexampled alacrity, eminent judgment, and indefatigble (Courage, under extraordinary difficulties, has prepared the army of Bengal for the field; has conducted it by a rapid succession of glorious victories to the complete defeat of a power- ful enemy; and has maintained the honour of the British name in India, by a humane attention towards the inhabitants of the conquered provinces, and by a due respect and reverence towards the unfortunate representative of the house of Timur, and towards His Majesty's royal family. His excellency the most noble the governor general in council, captain general and commander in chief of all the forces serving in the East Indies, is pleased to direct, that these orders be publicly read to the troops vmder arms at every station of the land forces in the East Indies, and that the European officers of the Native corps do cause the same to be duly explained to the native officers and troops. By command of His Excellency the most noble The governor-general in council, L. HOOK, Sec. to the Govt. Mil. Dept. By command of His Excellency the captain general and commander in chief of the land forces. J. ARMSTRONG, Act. Mil. Sec. His Excellency the most noble the governor general in council has received authentic advices of the capture of the fort and city of Baroach, by Assault on the 'iQth of August, by the troops under the command of lieutenant colonel Woodington. Authentic intelligence has also been received of the capture of the fort of Jalnapore by the troops under the command of colonel Stevenson. The official detail of these important events have not yet been received from the honorable major-general Wellesly. Published by command of his excellency The most noble the governor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort 83 Fort William, October 3, i803. Dispatches, of which the following are extracts, have been received by his excellency the most noble the governor-general, from the honorable the governor in council of Bombay. The official dispatches on this subject have not yet been received from the honorable major-general Wellesley To the honorable Jonathan Duncan, Esq. President and Governor, &c. &c. in Council. Honorable Sir, I have the honor to inclose a copy of my letter to major-general Wellesley for your information. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. &c. (Signed) HENRY WOODINGTON, Lieut. Col. &c. Camp before Baroach, August 25, 1 803. To the honorable major-geyieral Arthur tfellesley, &c. &c. &c. Sir, I have the honor to acquaint you, that I have this morning attacked and taken possession of the Pettah on the western face of the fort of Baroach. The battery for two eigh teen-pounders I hope to have finished in the course of the night, and that I shall be able to begin to batter to-morrow morning, when I flatter myself a speedy reduction of the fort will ensue. Agreeably to my communication to you, I marched from Baroda on the 21st, and encamped within two coss of Baroach on the 23d. It was my intention to have attacked the Pettah (on the outside of which I was informed they had brought their whole force) on the morning of the 24th, expecting to have found the Fury schooner, with the two cightecn-pounders at anchor, about a coss from the fort, agreeably to the intimation I had received ; but early in the morning of the 24th, one of my cossids, who had been dispatched to lieutenant Hewitson, the commander of the vessel, to give him notice of my approach, brought me information from him, that on account of the shallowness of the water, it would be utterly impracticable to get his vcsslI to Baroach until the springs, and that he was at anchor at Bargood, five coss ofF. * L 2 On 34 On this intelligence I marched to Bargood on the 24th, and made an arrange- ment to bring the eighteen-pounders and stores up in boats, and I am happy to acquaint you they are just arrived. We found the enemy in front of the Pettah, as I expected, to receive us, and with great ease forced them to a precipitate retreat into the fort. Our loss in killed and wounded is not great ; no European officer is hurt. I should have the honor of sending a return of the killed and wounded, but have not had time yet to collect them, from the troops being so much employed. The loss of the enemy I have not ascertained. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. &c. (Signed) H. WOODINGTON, Lieut. Col. Commanding Detachment against Baroach. Camp before Baroach, 25th August, 1803. P. S. My detachment consists of 500 rank and file of Europeans, and about the same number of the grenadier battalion of native infantry ; two howitzers, two six-pounders, and the two eighteen-pounders, brought in the Fury. I marched from Baroda with two twelve-pounders, but I left them behind after the first day's march, on receiving certain information of the Fury's arrival in Baroach river, as our march Mould have been very considerably delayed by bringing them on. TRUE COPIES, (Signed) J. A. GRANT, Sec. to Govt. To the honorable Jonathan Duncan, Esq. President and Governor, &c. &c. in Council. HONOKABLE SlE, I have the honor to enclose for your mformation, a letter I have this day addressed to the honorable major-general Wellesley on the capture of Baroach. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. (Signed) H. WOODINGTON, Lieutenant Colonel, Baroach, 29th August, 1803. To 85 To major-general JFellesley, &c. &c. Sir, I have the honor to acquaint you, that at three o'clock P. M. I stormed the fort of Baroach, and carried it wit'.i little loss, although the Arabs made considerable resistance, particularly on our entering the breach. The Arabs have suffered very considerably, and we have taken a great many stand of colours. A more steep ascent to the breach, and of such length, is seldom seen. I cannot express myself in sufficient terms on the gallantry of the officers and men I have the honor to command. I shall have the honor to address you more fullv to-morrow. I write this for your early information, immediately after we got possession of the place, which will, I hope, be an excuse for haste. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. (Signed) H. WOODINGTON, Lieut. Colanel. Baroach, 29th August, 1 803. TKUE COPIES, (Signed) J. A. GRANT, Sec. to Govt. To the honorable Jonathan Duncan, Esq. HoNoiJABLE Sir, I have the honor to transmit for your information, a copy of my letter of this day's date, with enclosures to the honorable major-general Arthur Wellesley. We have taken at least twenty stands of colours from the Arabs and Scindians. I have only been able to collect ten, at present, which, together with the colours of the fort, I shall have the pleasure to send to the presidency by the earliest opportunity. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, honorable Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, HENRY WOODINGTON, Lieut. Colonel. Barcach, August "iO, 1S03. P. S. Since writing the above, I have three more stands of Arab colours brought to me, besides which, I have, at major Cuyler's particular request, permitted the 86th regiment to keep two, making in all fifteen. To 8(3 To the Hon. Major-general Arthur IFeUesley. On the ivestern side of India- Sir, I wrote you yesterday evening, after we had stormed and taken possession of the fort of Baroach. I have now the honor of acquainting you more fully on the subject. The breach was reported practicable by the engineer at eleven A. M. when I determined to storm, but delayed it until three o'clock, not only that I miglit benefit by the assistance of the Fury, and an armed boat, which I expected would arrive in time to take their stations opposite the fort, but as I thought that a very likely hour to find the enemy off" their guard. The vessel and armed boat, however, did not arrive in time to afford any assistance. The enclosed orders for the storm w ill inform )0u of the disposition I made, as will the accompanying profile and elevation of the western front of the fort. The enemy made a desperate attack in opposing our entrance into the breach, but by the valor and spirit of the troops, were speedily repulsed, and my orders were carried into full execution. After captain Richardson had ob- tained possession of the first gate, major Cuylcr pushed on so rapidly, that he overtook the Arabs before the greatest part, both horse and foot, could get out of the gate, and put to death about two hundred of them. Many horses were also killed. I beg leave to submit to your notice the ready co-operation of major Cuyler throughout every part of the service, his gallantry and conduct in the command of the storm, as also of captain Richardson, who led. The whole of the officers and men employed on this service have con- ducted themselves so much to my satisfaction, that I cannot express myself too strongly in their commendation. I am now employed in establishing some order in the fort, in getting the eighteen-pounder, and every thing we do not want to move with into it; also in burying the enemy's dead, amounting to about two hundred and fifty. I have great pleasure in informing you, that our loss is small. Captain Mc. Laurin of liis Majesty's 86th regiment, is the only officer wounded, and not badly. t 87 badly. A return of the killed and wounded in the storm, as also a general return of the killed and wounded during the siege, I enclose. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) HENRY WOODINGTON, Baroack, August 30, 1803. Lieutenant colonel. Baroach, Monday, August 29, 1803. Field orders, by Lieutenant colonel JVoodinglon. Parole, Britannia Countersign, Success. The breach being reported practicable, the fort will be stormed at tliree o clock. Storming party under the command of major Cuyler. Forlorn Hope A seijeant, and twelve volunteers of his Majesty's 86th regiment. 1st Party to lead under captain Richardson. 100 rank and file of his Majesty's 86th regiment including one flank company, and 100 rank and file of the grenadier battalion including one flank company. 2d Party under major Cuyler. 150 rank and file of his Majesty's 86th regiment including one flank company, and 150 rank and file of the grenadier battalion including one flank company ; each party to have hoes, pickaxes, and crows with them, carried by soldiers ; the scaling ladders (to be used if necessary) to be also carried by soldiers. Reserve under captain Bethune. 100 rank and file of his Majesty's 86th regiment, and 100 rank and file of the grenadier battalion. Tliese parties will parade and be formed in the streets the troops occupy at two o'clock, and then be completed to thirty-six rounds and well flinted; after which they will be marched up to the rear of the battery under cover from the view of the furt, and wait in the utmost silence until the signal from 88 from two six-pounders, fired quick one after the other, directs their advance, to storm the breach. The reserve will follcw the storming party, and after' having entered the breach, captain Bethune will immediately form his men and wait to act as circumstances may direct. Twenty boxes of musquet ammu.- nition to be taken in with captain Bethune's party. On entering the breach, captain Richardson will turn to the left, and march by the \vorks to take- possession of the Cuttoopoor gate. Major Cuyler's party \\ili follo\v, and push on also by the works to take possession of the Jarraseer gate. Wh^n these gates are obtained, the works are to be cleared of any parties of the enemy in their vicinity, and the men to be kept under arms ready to act at a moment's warning. A true copy, (Signed) H. WOODINGTON, Lieut, col. Ftctiirn of the Ttilled, tuoimded, and missing in the Pcttah, arid the storm of Baroach, on the 2Qth of August, under the eommand of Lieut. Colonel Woodington. Baroach, the 2,0th of August, 1803. 'rt a. O 2 o a CO 1 1 2 re •X. X 1 I e g c 3 1 1 1 12 5) C ■J-- O 1 1 .Si d O 1 1 rKiUed Detachment of Artillery. ) Wounded .... L Missing (-Killed Detachment of H. M. Gist Reg.<| Wounded .... LMissing CKilled His Majesty's 86th Regiment. -^ Wounded .... LMissing ( Killed 1 st Grenadier Battalion. <. Wounded .... LMissing Total N. B. Captain James Richardson of H.Jl 86th Regiment, | ^^.^^^^^^ ^j^ 29th Instant. Caotain L. M'Launn. of H. M. 86th ReimTient. J J. BEETE, B. M. Return Captain L. M'Laurin, of H. M. 86th Regiment, {Signed) 89 Return of the killed, tvoimdcd, and missing, during the sicrc of Baroach, under the command of Lieut. Col Henry IFoodington. 'A re 1 2 ■A C O S 2 1 3 2 2 £ H Q ■a « 5 1 1 3 11 5 2 16 1 45 c 3 2 1 1 2 (-Killed Detachment of Artillery. J Wounded .... L Missing rKilled Detachment of H. M. 6lst Reg..| Wounded .... ^Missing (-Killed His Majesty's S6th Regiment. < Wounded L. Missing r Killed 1st Grenadier Battalion. ■; Wounded .... L Missing Total 5 N. B. Captain William Semple, of his Majesty's 86th Regiment, killed on the 25th Instant. Captain James Richardson, of H. M. 86th Regiment, i ,xr j i t o^ i t Captain L. M'Laurin, of H. M. 86th Regiment, I Wounded on the 29th Instant. (Signed) J. BEETE, B. M. Published by command of his Excellency Tlie most noble the Governor-general in Council, J. LUMSDEN, chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort William, October li^, 1803. A Dispatch, of which the following is an extract, has been received this day, by his Excellency the most noble the governor-general, from his Excellency the commander in chief. 7b his Excelleney the Most Noble Alarquis JPcllesley, Gov. Gen. My Lord, I Have the honor to enclose for your lordship's information, extract of a letter just received from colonel Vandcleur, reporting the anival of colonel Dudernaigoc, Messrs. Smith, and Lapanet, in his camp. * M No 90 No French officer of any consequence now remains in Scindiah's ser\-ice ; and those who do, would, I have reason to believe, willingly avail themselves of any opportunity of putting themselves under our protection. I have the honor to be. My Lord, Your lordship's most faithful humble Servant, (Signed) G. LAKE Head Quarters, Camp Choma, \st Sept. 1803. Extract of a letter from colonel Vandeleur, dated camp, Muttra, September the 3oth, 1803. Colonel Dudernaige and Messrs. Smith and Lapanet, having quitted Scin- diah's service, came into camp this day. A true extract, (Signed) G. A. F. LAKE, Military Secretary. A Dispatch, of which the following is a copy, has been received by his Excellency the most noble the governor-general, from his Excellency the honorable major-general Wellesley. Camp, September 12, 1803. My lord, I Have the honor to inclose copies of the papers * which contain a detailed account of the attack upon, and capture of Baroach. I beg to draw your Excellency's notice to the conduct of the troops employed on this service ; particularly to that of lieutenant-colonel Woodington who commanded, to that of major Cuyler and captain Richardson of the sOth regiment, and of captain ClifFe of the Bombay engineers. I have the honor to be. My Lord, With the greatest respect. Your excellency's most obedient And faithful humble Servant, (Signed) ARTHUR WELLESLEY. His Excellency the Governor-General, &c. &c. Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the governor general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Gov. Generai * These Papers were published in the Gazette Extraordinary of the 4tli October. 01 GENERAL ORDERS. By his Excellency the most nohle the Governor general in council. Fort William, Oct. 14, 1803. The Governor-general in council derives great satisfaction from the intelligence which he has received of the reduction of the fort and city of Baroach, on the 2gth of August, and of the ability, promptitude, and gallantry with which that important service was accomplished by the brave officers and troops, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Woodington of the establishment of Bombay. His Excellency in council highly approves the conduct of lieutenant-colonel Woodington in his judicious and spirited exertions for the early reduction of the place ; in directing the operations of the siege ; in his seasonable deter- mination to assault the fort ; and in the disposition which he made of the troops under his command, with a view to secure the rapid success of that gallant attack. The governor-general in council signifies his particular approbation of the valor and judgment manifested by major Cuyler of his Majesty's 86th regiment, throughout the service at Baroach ; and in commanding the storm of the fort ; and by captain Richardson, of the same coq^s, in leading the assault. His Excellency in council also observes with particular satisfaction, the conduct of captain ClifFe, of the engineers of Bombay. To all the officers and troops, European and native, employed on this lionorable occasion, his Excellency in council signifies his high commendation. The governor-general in council laments the loss of captain W. Semple of his Majesty's 86th regiment, killed on the 25th of August, and of tlie few brave men who fell before Baroach. It is a great satisfaction, however, to observe, that an acquisition so important, should have been secured with the loss of only one officer, and of so few soldiers. In bearing a due testimony to the merits of the officers and troops employed in the reduction of Baroach on the 29th of August, the governor-general in council remarks, that on tlie same day, distinguished by the commencement of the victorious career of the army of Bengal, under the personal command of his Excellency general Lake, upon the frontier of Oude, the army of Bombay at the western extremity of the peninsula of India, effi-'cted a service of the most arduous nature, with a similar spirit of alacrity and courage. In the course of an extensive and complicated system of militar\ operations, *M 2 02 the glorious success of our arms since the commencement of this war has been uniform in every part of India ; the able and gallant officers ami troops of his Majesty's service, and of the several establishments of the three presi- dencies, have been actuated by equal sentiments of public spirit and honor, and have co-operated with equal ardor and success, in an united effort to accom- plish the just objects of the allies. The governor-general in council confides in the justice of our cause, in the unanimous zeal of the three precidencics, and in the continued co-operation of their respective resources and power, that the views of the confederate chieftains will be speedily frustated by the complete restoration of peace and tranquillity to the provinces of Hindostan and the Dekan, which have been been disturbed by the ambition and violence of the enemy. The governor-general in council directs, that copies of this order be transmitted to the right honorable the governor in council at Fort St. George, and to the honorable the governor in council at Bombay, to be published to the armies of those presidencies respectively. By command of his Excellency the most noble The govenor-general in council, (Signed) L. HOOK, Sec. to the Govt. Mil. Dept. Fort William, October 18, 1803. Authentic advices have been received by His Excellency the most noble the governor-general, containing the important intelligence, that on the 23d of September, an action took place near the Adjuntee Pass in the Dekan, between the forces under the command of the honorable major general Wellesley and tlie main body of the combined army of the confederate chief- tains Dowlut Rao Scindiah and the rajah of Berar, in which, after a severe engagement which lasted for three hours, the enemy was completely defeated, and ninety pieces of cannon were taken by the British troops at the point of the bayonet. Our loss has been severe in this glorious and brilliant victory. The official dispatches have not yet been received from the honorable major general Wellesley. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the governor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN, chief sec. to tiie govt. Fort 93 Fort William, October 19, 1803. The following dispatch, received last night by express, is published by order of His Excellency the most noble the governor-general in council. To captain ARMSTRONG, Acting military secretary to his Excellency the most noble the. governor-general. SIR, I request you will be pleased to state to His Excellency the most noble the governor-general, that the Barabatty Fort has this instant been taken by assault. Lieutenant-colonel Clayton, of the 20th Bengal regiment, who commanded the attack, not having yet made his report to me, I am not enabled to forward to you for His Excellency's information, the regular details of this success, but I understand his conduct and that of the troops under his orders, to have been most honorable and brilliant. The fortress is of considerable strength, and was vigorously defended, added to which, every possible obstruction was prepared by the enemy. Our loss on this occasion, I trust, has not been very considerable, I shall have the honor of forwarding to you for His Excellency's information re- turns of the whole to-morrow. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) GEO. HARCOURT, Lieut, colmd commanding in Cuitact, and Military Sec. to His Excellency the most noble the governor general. The detailed statement of the combined operations by which the valuable province of Cuttack has been occupied by the British troops, will be pub- lislied in a Gazette extraordinary to-morrow. His Excellency the most noble the governor-general in council is pleased to make the following appointments. Lieutenant colonel George Harcourt, to command the troops in the pro- vince of Cuttack. Lieutenant 94 Lieutenant colonel George Harcourt and John Melvill, Esq. commissioners for the settlement of the province of Cuttack. By command of his Excellency The most noble the governor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN, chief sec. to the Govt. GENERAL ORDERS. By his Excellency the most noble the gov. general and captain general. Fort William, Orf. 18, 1803. A royal salute to be fired to-morrow morning at sun-rise, in honor of the reduction, by assault, of the Barabatty fort at Cuttack, on the 14th instant, by the troops under the command of lieutenant colonel Harcourt, by which gallant action the conquest of the valuable province of Cuttack has been com- pleted. By his Excellency's command, (Signed) JAS. ARMSTRONG, Act. Mil. Sec. Fort William^ Oct. 21, 1803. A Dispatch, of which the following is an extract, has been this day received by his Excellency the most noble the governor-general, from his Excellency the commander in chief. To his excellency the most noble MARQUIS WELLESLEY, gov. gen. &c. &c. &c. My Lord, Finding it impossible to make approaches against this place, as long as the seven battalions of the enemy, who remained here, were in possession of the town of Agra, of an encampment with a large number of guns on the glacis, and of the ravines with which the south and soth-west face of the fort is surrounded, I determined to dislodge the enemy from the town, and occupy the ravines this morning, which will answer as trenchers, and afford complete cover for carrying on our works. With this view I ordered brigadier general Clarke, who was encamped with his brigade in the rear of the town, to take possession of it, at the same time that three battalions advanced to occupy the ravines. The 95 The attacks have succeeded, and the town as well as the ravines are now occupied by our troops. Lieutenant-colonel Mc Cullock, major Haldane, and Captain Worseley, led the battalions that advanced on the ravines. Every praise is due to those officers, who performed every thing required of them, with the greatest alacrity and steadiness. I am sorry to say, that a number of men have been killed and wounded as well as officers, owing to their high spirit and anxiety to possess them- selves of the enemy's guns; they quitted the ravine and gained the glacis, driving the enemy from their position; in effecting which, from being close under the fort, they were exposed to a very heavy fire. My thanks are due to the honorable major-general St. John, for his spirited conduct in advancing at the head of the 2d Battalion of the 2d native infantry, which I found it necessary to order up to support the attack. Brigadier general Clarke, in his attack on the town, met with consider- able resistance ; which, by the gallant conduct of the officers and men under his command, was at length surmounted. I feel myself under particular obligations to lieutenant-colonel White, who commanded five companies of the l6th regiment native infantry, for his judicious and gallant conduct on this day. I feel myself under the greatest obligations to lieutenaut-coloncl Gerard, adjutant general, who undertook to point out lieutenant-colonel Mc Cullock the road he was to pursue ; antl I am sorry to report, that in the per- formance of this duty he received a very severe contusion; but I trust it will not be attended with any serious consequences. Major Thomas, of the 14th native infantry is, I am sorry to add, very severely wounded ; his exertions throughout tiiis day were most meritorious. Lieutenant Hay, of the artillery, who went with a detachment of that corps to bring off the enemy's guns, merits my approbation for his suc- cessful exertions in this service. To Mr. Lucan's information and exertions on this occasions, as well as on every other, I feel mjself much indebted. I liave the honor to be. My Lorti, Your lordship's most faithful humble Servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Quarters, Camp before Agra, October 10, 1803. P. S. A list of the guns taken shall be forwarded to-morrow. LIST 0^3 LIST OF OFFICERS IFOUNDED. First Battalion 14//? Regiment Native Infantry. Major Thomas, and lieutenant Rose, badly. Ensign Oliver, slightly. With Colonel Clarke, Lieutenant Beagham, Artillery. Whitaker, Infantry, severeK". - Grant, Ditto, Ditto, and missinix. Staf. Lieutenant- Col. Gerard, Adjutant General. Fifteenth lleginient Native Injantr}/. Lieutenants Perry and Addisson, slightly. A more correct list shall be sent the moment it can be obtained. (Signed) G. L. Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the go\ernor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Got. Fori Bniliam, Oct. 22, 1803. The following extract of a dispatch, received this day, is published by com- mand of his excellency the most noble the governor-general in council. To eaptain ARMSTRONG, SIR, I had the honor of briefly stating to you yesterday, for the information of His Excellency the most noble the governor-general, that the fort of Barrabutty had been taken by assault, by a party of the troops under my com- mand, directed to perform this service under the orders of lieutenant-colonel Clayton, of the 20th Bengal regiment, I now have the honor to acquaint you, for his Excellency's information, with the further details of this^operation. On the night of the l'2th, a spot was fixed on for a 12-pounder battery, distant about 500 yards from the outer gate of the fort. This battery was completed on the night of the l3th, and the 12-pounder placed in it, together with two howitzers and tv.'O 6-pounders, the whole of which opened their fire on the morning of the 14th. By eleven o'clock in the forenoon most of the defences on the south face of the fort, against which our fire was directed, were' taken off, the enemy's guns silenced, and every appearance promised success : upon \vhich I directed lieutenant-colonel Clayton to 97 to advance with one 6-pounder, and a party of artillery-men, two hundred Europeans ""from his Majesty's 22d, and the Madras European regiment, and four hundred Sepoys from the 20th Bengal, and the Qth and igth re- giments of Madras native infantry. The party had to pass over a narrow bridge, and under a very heavy, but ill-directed fire of musquetry from the fort, to which they were exposed for forty minutes. They at length suc- ceeded in blowing open the wicket, (the remaining part of the Gate having been fortified with thick masses of stone). Having accomplished this, the party entered singly, and although they met with considerable resistance whilst .entering the fort, and passing two other gates, the British troops were soon completely \'ictorious. I cannot too highly praise the conduct of lieutenant-colonel Clajlon and that of the officers and troops under his command : the whole party manifested a degree of persevering steadiness and bravery that does them infinite honor. The fort of Ban'ahjutty is of considerable strength, and, with the ex- ception only of the bridge over which our party passed, is inaccessible, as it is surrounded by a ditch from 35 to 135 feet broad, and twenty feet depth of water in it. I am happy to accjuaint you, that our loss has not been considerable ; but I have to report with regret, that captain Hurlstone of his Majesty's 22d regiment, and lieutenant Faithful, of the Bengal artillery, are wounded, though not dangerously ; their conduct was highly meritorious, as well as that of every other officer on the storming party. Returns of the killed and wounded are enclosed. I cannot omit expressing in the strongest manner the high sense I entertain of the services of captain Blunt, field engineer, who has been throughout our cam- paign indefatigably active ; and of captain Iletzler, of the Bengal artillery, whose well-directed fire from the battery was of eminent service. The loss of the enemy within the fort was ver)'^ considerable, and many were drowTied in the ditch, when endeavouring to escape. I should not omit mentioning, that a stand of colours of the enemy was taken by the detachment of his Majesty's 22d regiment ; a second stand of colours by the 20th Bengal regiment ; a tliird by the gth Madras native regiment, and a fourth by the IQth Madras native regitnent ; and for the disposal of which I hope to be honored with his Excellency's commands. * N Xhe 98 The zealous and efficient services of major of Brigade Thompson, demand my warmest acknowledgments, and I must further beg leave to report to you for his Excellency's information, that the general conduct of the whole force under my command, has been such as to merit the most favorable representation of their services to his Excellency's notice. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. &c. (Signed) GEO. HARCOURT, Lieut. Col. commanding in Cuttack, and Military Sec. to his Excellency the most noble the Gov. Gen. Laul Baug Fort, Cuttack, October \ 5, 1803. Bet urn of the killed and wounded, of his Majesty's and the Hon. Com- pany s troops, in the assault of the fort of Barrabutty, on the 14th October, tinder the command of Lieut. Col. Harcoui^t. Laul Baug Fort, Cuttack, October 1 5, 1 803. KILLED. 1 ir U N D E D. 1 EUROPE.VNS. 1 Natives. | Europeans. N.\TIVES. 1 C 1; ■J- 1 1 2 < O 1 1 2 U5 TO •2 y5 £ ■> l-r- o 2 3 3 .J < O 3 3 'to Oh TO a 1 1 2 1 s 3 1 1 TO a 1 1 •X: > S 8 4 12 1 1 16 2 3 TO ■g "-> 2 2 'j: 1- r: 1 CJ 1 9 m < H O H 1 12 13 Detachment Bengal Artillery .... Detachment H. M. 22d Regiment 1 St Div. Madras European Reg. . . 'ioth Bengal Native Regiment. . . . 1st Bat. gth Reg. Madras N. I. . . 1st Bat. igtli Reg. Madias N. I.. . TOT.-VL N. B. Captain Hurlstone, of his Majesty's 22d Regiment ■^ Captain Kenny, of the 1st bat. 19th Reg. Madras native infantry, >Wounded. Lieutenant Faithful, of the Bengal artillery J (Signed) FRAS. THOMPSON, Major of Brigade. Published by command of His excellency the most noble The governor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. General 99 General Orders, by his Excellency the most noble the Goveror- gencral in council. Fot-t William, October 22, ISO!?. The governor-general in council nolifics to the army, his high approbation of the meritorious services of the officers and troops oiiiployed under the able condu(^t of lieutenant-colonel George Harcourt, in the expedition prepared under the special orders of his Excellency in council, for the occupation of the valuable province of Cuttack. His Excellency in council observed, with great satisfaction, the judgment, skill, and firmness, manifested by lieutenant-colonel Harcourt, in directing the movement of the division of the troops, \\hich entered the province of Cuttack from Ganjam. The difficulties opposed to the progi-ess of the troops by the peculiar nature of the country, by the period of the season, and by the resistance of the eneinv, were surmounted by lieutenant-colonel Harcourt, and by the brave officers and troops under his command, with the same spirit of gallantry and pei*severanco, which has secured the success of every operation of the British armv in ever} part of India during this glorious campaign. The governor-general in council highly approves the judicious arrangenients prepared by lieutenant-colonel Harcourt, for the siege and assault of the fort of Barrabutty at Cuttack, and the spirited exertion, by which that important service was executed with sviccess and honor on the 14th instant. His Excellency in council directs lieutenant-colonel Harcourt to signify his dis- tinguished approbation of the merits of lieutenant-colonel Clayton, of the Bengal 20th regiment native infantry, who commanded the attack, and of the steadiness and bravery of all the officers and troops employed in the assault of the fort. It affiards considerable satisfaction to the governor-general in council to remark, that this important service has been effected with so little loss, and his Excellency trusts, that captain Hurlstone of his Majesty's 22d regiment, captain Kenny of the 19th regiment of Madrnss native infantry, and lieutenant Faithful of the Bengal artillery, will speedily be restored to the public service, in which their courage and resolution have already been distinguished. The governor-genenil in council expresses his sense of the activity, zeal, and useful services of captain Blunt, field engineer in Cuttack, and also of the conduct of captain Hctzler, of the Bengal artillery. * N 2 The 100 The colours taken in the assault of the fort of Cuttadc by the detachments of his Majesty's 22(1 regiment, the 20th Bengal native regiment, and the Qth and IQth Madras native regiments, are to be publicly displayed in the fort of Cuttack, and afterwards lodged in the principal building in the fort, with an inscription signifying the names of the corps by which the standards were respectively taken from the enemy. His Excellency in council expresses the satisfaction with which he has noticed the zealous and efficient services of major of Brigade Thompson. Daring the advance of the force, under the immediate direction of lieutenant- colonel Harcourt from Ganjam, the conduct of the officers and troops employed at Balasore, under the command of captain Morgan of the 7th Bengal native regiment, and of that which marched from Jellasore, imder the command of lieutenant-colonel Fergusson of the same regiment, merits the public approbation of his Excellency in council. The governor-general in council particularly approves the firm and skilful con- duct of captain Morgan, in directing the disembarkation of the troops at Balasore, and in the judicious occupation and maintenance of that position. His Excellency in council also expresses his just sense of the meritorious and useful assistance rendered by captain P. Grant, of the l6th regiment of Bengal native infantry, in the execution of every branch of the service at Balasore, and in aiding the progress of lieutenant-colonel Fergusson's detachment. Great advantage has been derived to the success of our arms in Cuttack, from the respect which has been uniformly observed, by lieutenant-colonel Harcourt, and by all the officers and troops under his immediate command, as well as by the detachments co-operating from Balasore and Jellasore, towards the religious esta- blishments hi Cuttack ; and from the exemplary humanity with which the lives and private property of the inhabitants, and the sanclit)' of the temples, and institutions of the brahmins, have been protected from violation. The governor-general notices with peculiar pleasure the merits of lieutenant- colonel Harcourt, and of tlie officers and troops serving in Cuttack in this respect, as tending to maintain the honor of the British character, and to conciliate the confidence and attachment of the inhabitants of that valuable province. By command of his Excellency the most noble The governor-general in council, L. HOOK, Sec. to the Govt. Mil. Dept. Fort 101 Fort William, October S*, 1803. Dispatches, of which the following are extracts, have been received by his excellency the most noble the governor-general, from his Excellency the com- mander in chief. To his Excellency the most noble Marquis JVellesley, Gov. Gen. &c. My Lord, I have the honor to inclose herewith, for your lordship's information, a return of the killed, wounded, and missing, in the atiair of the 10th instant. I have the honor to be, my lord. Your lordship's most faithful, humble servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Quarters, Camp before Jgra, Oct. l2, 1803. Return of the MUcd, wounded, and missing, ' in the affair of the loth of October, 1803. [Artilleiy 2d battalion gth regiment. . 1st battalion I2tli regiment 1st battalion 14tb regiment 1st battalion 15th regiment 2d battalion 15 th regiment 2d battalion l6th regiment r Killed,. .. . < Wounded . . LMissiiig. . . r Killed . . . . . <; Wounded . (.Missing. . . r Killed. . .. . < Abounded . LMissing. . , r Killed . . . . J^ Wounded . . LMissiiig. . . . r Killed.. .. . < Wounded . . L Missing. . . . r Killed.. .. . < Wounded . . (. Missing. . . . (-Killed .... < Wounded . . LMi-ssins;. . . . Total ■{ Killed . . . \\'ounded . Missing. . . Si's re I wi I rt -u: 4J c c 3 1 2 ill 1-J a 6 44 1 29 135; 7 13 Names 103 Names of the Officers Killed and Wounded. Artillery, Lieutenant Beagham, Wounded. 2d Bat. 12th Regt. Lieutenant Grant, Killed. Lieutenant Whitaker, Wounded — Since dead. 1st Bat. 12th Regt. Lieutenant Woolet, Wounded. 1st Bat. 14th Regt. Major Thomas, Wounded. Lieutenant Rose, Wounded. Ensign Oliver, Wounded. 1st Bat. 15th Regt. Lieutenant Perry, Wounded. (Signed) J. GERRARD, Ad. Gen. To his Excellency the most noble Marquis JFellesley, Gov. gen. &c. &c. My Lord, I Have the satisfaction to inform your lordship, that the battalions, who were opposed to us in the affair of the 10th instant, came over last night, and are now encamped near us. Their number is about two thousand five hundred. I have reason to believe that their compliance with my terms, was chiefly owing to the severe loss, and complete defeat, they experienced in the affair of the 10th instant. By their own accounts the loss they sustained was upwards of six hundred killed. I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your lordship's most faithful humble servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Qtiarters, Camp before Agra, Oct. 13, 1803. Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the governor-general in council, J. LUMSDEN. Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fori William, Oct. 25, 180S. A Dispatch, of which the following is an extract, has been this day received by his Excellency the most noble the governor general, from his Excellency the commander in chief. 103 I received note No. 1, addressed to the officer commanding in the trenches; in consequence of which I ordered all firing to cease till four in the even- ing, and in my answer, No. 1, desired a confidential person might be sent to my camp. About two o'clock, colonel Sutherland, whom they liberated from con- finement for that pui-posc, arrived in my camp with letters No. 3, and No. 4. As it appeared their wish that I should send an officer into the fort, I requested captain Salkeld to accompany colonel Sutherland thither with my replies No. 5, and 6, to explain to the garrison the terms on which they would be allowed to surrender. Captain Salkeld saw all the native chiefs, and found that they were not decided in their opinions on the subject. They started several difficulties, and whilst he was endeavouring to remove these, the firing from the fort recommenced, without any evident cause, which induced him to return to camp. Being desirous from motives of humanity to induce them to listen to my terms, a messenger entrusted with a letter from me was again sent this morning. They have refused however all intercourse, from which I am in- clined to think that their only object yesterday was to gain time. My grand batteries will open on the morning of the iStli, and I have reason to think that soon afterwards a practicable breach will be effected. I have the honor to be, My Loud, Your lordship's most faithful and humble Servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Hdad Qtiarters, Camp before jigra, Oct. l-l, 1803. No. ] . To the Officer Commanding opposite Macler Ghur. Sir, The fort demands a cessation of hostilities, and are going to send terms to camp. October 13, 1803. (Signed) G. W. HESSING. Sir, lot No. II. To Colonel G. W. HESSING, &c. Sir, ■ Hostilities will cease till four o'clock this evening, before which time a con fidential person is expected to be sent into camp with the terms proposed. If he does not arrive before that hour, hostilities will recommence. The person who comes will be treated with every attention, and iillou'cd to return in perfect safety. I have the honor to be, Sir., Your most obedient Servant, (Signed) G..A. F. LAKE, Mil. See. Head Quarters of the British Army, October 13, 1S03. No. 3. To his ExceJlenaj GENERAL LAKE, Commander in Chief, &c. Sir, We have the honor to inform your Excellency, that notwithstanding the past violent and unwarrantable proceedings of the people of the fort, they have at last become a little more reasonable, from our repeatedly telling them that any further resistance on their part would avail them nothing, but on the contrary, would exasperate your Excellency and the troops under your command, so as to ^^exterminate the whole of them, if a storm took place. Their commandants have consequently come to us this forenoon in a body, and requested of us to forward to your Excellency the accompanying pro posal for the surrender of the fort, to which their respective names are affixed. Should any unforeseen deviation from these proposals take place, as we are still their prisoners, we hope your excellency will not impute to us the blame. Their proposal is to deliver up the fort, guns, stores &c. to your Excellency, at any time after the receipt of this you may think proper. Protection to themselves and private property, after delivering up the Sircar's arms and property, and be allowed to remain in the city, or to go wherever their families may be. We have the honor to be. Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servants, (Signed) G. W. HESSING. H. SUTHERLAND. Fort at Agra, Oct. 13, 1803. .105 No. 4. All the officers of the fort of Akberabad give in writing the following engagement : Whereas a misunderstanding had taken place with Colonel George Wil- liam Hessing, at the instigation of the Seapoys,"all the Officers and Seapoys do give in writing this engagement, that we will implictly abide by whatever the said colonel may adjust on our part with General Lake, for the security of our lives, properties, effi;cts, and honor. We have agreed to invest the said colonel with full powers for this purpose. — This engagement is correct. — Dated the 25th Jemmaudee-oo-Saunee 1218, (11th or 12th October) — Signed by fifteen officers, Mahomedans and Hindoos. No. 5. To Colonel GEORGE HESSING, Mr. SUTHERLAND, fc?f. ^c. ^c. Gentiemen, Your letter has been received. On the terms proposed in the last paragraph of your letter, I allow the garrison to march out with protection to themselves and private property.-— After delivering up the Sircar's arms, treasure, or any other public property, those who belong to the city may remain there, the others allowed to go where their families may be. * I have the honor to be. Gentlemen, Your obedient humble Servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Quarters, British Camp, Oc/ober 13, 1803. O No. 6. 106 No. 6. His Excellency General Lake engages, that all the Officers and Sepoys who are within the fort of Akberabad, shall be allowed to proceed in the most honorable manner with their clothes whithersoever they may chuse — no interuption whatever will be given to those Officers and Sepoys, their families and children. But all arms and military weapons, musquets and guns, carts and carriages, and treasure which may be within the fort, shall belong to the Company. They (Officers, &c.) shall not be allowed to carry out of the fort any money or effects of the above description. The Officers, &c. are required to specify in writing the hour at which they may determine with the bearer of this engagement to surrender the fort, in order that the British troops may enter the fort. God is witness to the sincerity of this engagement. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Gov(. Fort William, October 28, 1803. A DISPATCH, of which the following is a copy, has been received this day, by His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, from His Excellency the Commander in Chief. To His Excellency the most noble Marquis Wellesley, Governor General, &c. &c, &c. My Lord, I HAVE the pleasure to inform your lordship, that the important fortress of Agra, termed by the natives " The Key of Hindostan," capitulated last night, and the garrison; consisting of between five and six thousand men, 4 marched 107 marched out at noon this day, when the place was immediately occupied bv our troops under the command of Brigadier General Mac Donald. The only terms required by the garrison were protection to their persons and private property, which was agreed to on my part. I attribute the early surrender of this place to the great impression our breaching batteries, which opened yesterday morning within three hundred and fifty yards, made on the walls, and which would have caused a practicable breach in a few lK)urs more battering. To Colonel Horsford of the artillery, and Captain Wood of the corps of engineers, as well as to every other officer in these two corps, I feel myself under great obligations for their unremitted exertions on this occasion, and to which I principally attribute my early success against this place. I have the pleasure to say, our loss since the construction of the batteries has been very trifling. Three European artillerymen, and three Golundauze killed, are the only casualties. A return of the ordnance, stores, &c. found in the fort, I shall have the honor to forward for your lordship's information to-morrow. I have the honor to be. My Lord, Your Lordship's most faithful humble Servant, Head Quarters, (Signed) G. LAKE. Jgra, October 18, 1803. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. GARRISON ORDERS, By His Excellency the most noble the Governor General and Captain General. Fort William, October 28, 1803. A royal salute to be fired immediately from the ramparts of Fort William, in honor of the surrender of the important fortress of Agra on the 17th O 2 instant 108 instant at night, to the forces under the personal command of His Excellency General Lake. A general discharge of the artillery on the ramparts of Fort William, followed by a feu de joie from all the troops in garrison, to take place at sun- set this evening, and to be answered by the artillery at Dum Dum, and by the troops at Barrackpore. Extra Batta to be served to the European troops in garrison. J. ARMSTRONG, Acting Military Secretary. GENERAL ORDERS, By His Excellency the most nohle the Governor General in Council. Fort William, October 27, 1808. All officers now at the presidency on leave of absence from their corps, whether on account of their health, or their private affairs, are immediately to report themselves to the officer commanding at the presidency; and all officers who may hereafter arrive at the presidency, are to report their arrival to him. (Signed) THOS. HILL, \st Assist. Sec. Mil. Dept. Governme7it House, Friday, October 28, 1 803- There will be a levee at the Government House on Monday next the Sist instant, at ten o'clock. Captain Bristow will receive the cards of such persons as may be desirous of being presented to the Governor General. Aides de camp in waiting on Monday next. Captains Bristow and Camac. B. CAMAC, Aide de Camp. His >09 His Excellency the most noble the Governor General will hold a public Durbar at nine o'clock in the evening of Monday the 31st instant, for the purpose of receiving the congratulations of the natives of rank and foreign Vakeels at the presidency, on the late glorious success of the British arms in Hindostan and the Dekan. By Order of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General, N. B. EDMONSTONE, Tir. Sec. to Govt, Fort Williayn, October 30, 1803. DISPATCHES, of which the following are Extracts, have been received this day, by His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, from the honorable Major General Wellesley. My Lord, Camp at Assye, September 24, 1803, I was joined by Major Hill, with the last of the convoys expected from the river Kistna on the 18th, and on the 20th was enabled to move forward towards the enemy, who had been joined, in the course of the last seven or eight days, by the infantry under Colonel Pohlman, by that belonging to Begum Sumroo, and by another brigade of infantry, the name of whose com- mander I have not ascertained. The enemy's army was collected about Bo- kerdun, and between that place and Jaffierabad. I was near Colonel Stephenson's corps on the 21st, and had a conference with that officer, in which we concerted a plan to attack the enemy's army with the divisions under our command on the 24th in the morning, and we marched on the 22d, Colonel Stephenson by the western route, and 1 by the eastern route round the hills between Budnapur and Jalna. On the 23d I arrived at Naulniah, and there received a report that Scindlah and 110 and the Rajah of Berar had moved off in the morning with their cavalry, and that the infantry were about to follow, but were still in camp at the distance of about six miles from the ground on which I had intended to encamp. It was obvious that the attack was no longer to be delayed, and having provided for the security of my baggage and stores at Naulniah, I marched on to attack the enemy. I found the whole combined army of Scindiah and the Rajah of Berar encamped on the bank of the Kaitna River, nearly on the ground which I had been informed that they occupied. Their right, which consisted entirely of cavalry, was about Bokerdun, and extended to their corps of infantry, which were encamped in the neighbourhood of Assye. Although I came first in front of their right, I determined to attack their left; as the defeat of their corps of infantry was most likely to be effectual ; accordingly I marched round to their left flank, covering the march of the column of infantry by the British cavalry in the rear, and by the Marhatta and Mysore cavalry on the right flank. We passed the river Kaitna at a ford beyond the enemy's left flank, and I formed the infantry immediately in two lines with the British cavalry, as a reserve in a third, in an open space between that river and a Nullah running parallel to it. The Marhatta and Mysore cavalry occupied the ground beyond the Kaitna on our left flank, and kept in check a large body of the enemy's cavalry, which had followed our march from the right of their own position. The enemy had altered the position of their infantry previous to our at- tack J it was no longer, as at first, along the Kaitna, but extended from that river across to the village of Assye, upon the Nullah, which was upon our right. We attacked them immediately, and the troops advanced under a very hot fire from cannon ; the execution of which was terrible. The picquets of the infantry, and the 74th regiment, which were on the right of the first and second lines, suffered particularly from the fire of the guns on the left of the enemy's position near Assye. The enemy's cavalry also made an attempt to charge the 74th regiment at the moment when they were most exposed to this fire, but theywere cut up by theBritish cavalry, which moved on at that moment. At length the enemy's line gave way in all directions, and the British cavalry cut Ill cut in among their broken infantry ; but some of their corps went off in good order, and a fire was kept up on our troops from many of the guns from which the enemy had been first driven, by individuals who had been passed by the line under the supposition that they were dead. Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell, with the British cavalry, charged one large body of infantry, which had retired and was formed again, in which ope- ration he was killed ; and some time elapsed before we could put an end to the straggling fire, which was kept up by individuals from the guns from which the enemy were driven. The enemy's cavalry also, which had been hovering round us throughout the action, was still near us. At length, when the last formed body of infantry gave way, the whole went off, and left in our hands ninety pieces of cannon. This victory, which was certainly complete, has however cost us dear. Your Excellency will perceive, by the enclosed return, that our loss in offices and men has been very great ; and in that of Lieutenant Colonel Max- well and other oflScerSj whose names are therein included, greatly to be regretted. I cannot write in too strong terms of the conduct of the troops ; they ad- vanced in the best order, and with the greatest steadiness, under a most destructive fire, against a body of infantry far superior in numbers, who ap- peared determined to contend with them to the last, and who were driven from their guns only by the bayonet ; and, notwithstanding the numbers of the enemy's cavalry, and the repeated demonstrations they made of an intention to charge, they were kept at a distance by our infantry. I am particularly indebted to Lieutenant Colonel Harness, and Lieutenant Colonel Wallace, for the manner in which they conducted their brigades j and to all the officers of the staff for the assistance I received from them. The officers commanding brigades, nearly all those of the staff, and the mounted officers of the infantry, had their horses shot under them. I have also to draw Your Excellency's notice to the conduct of the cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell, particularly that of the 19th dragoons. The enemy are gone off towards the Adjuntee Ghaut, and I propose to follow follow them as soon as I can place my captured guns and the wounded in security. I have the honor to be. My Lord, With the greatest respect. Your Excellency's most obedient And faithful humble servant, (Signed) ARTHUR WELLESLEY. Colonel Stevenson arrived this morning at Bokerdun, and I imagine that he will be here this evening. Wi Excellency the Governor General, i^c. i^c, ^c. A Return A Rtturn of the Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the Detachment under the Command of Major-General the Honorable Arthur Wellesley, at the Battle of Asst/e, against the Army of Dowlut Rao SciNDiAH, on Friday the 2id of September, 1803. KILLED. 1 EUROPEANS. 1 1 NATIVES. Ctimmissioned, StaJ. •5 J, u Offrs. -2 2 Jiirjci. 1 . ^ CO t -c -c 5 -r IS ^ ■1 -a 3 3 ■D 1 1 OJ ■^ r- T3 "1 o be c o 0) en 3 i 3 V u c 3 >-3 M V-. O 3 O c u ■1) _3 > < -13 3 3 u u 3 3 1 3 1 E o O 3 O z a; o a. 5 3 C a: 3 CO > I 1> Cu c 5 !^ -5 3 -3 O a; _3 17 a* u 10 1 E fH. M. 19th Regt. Light Dragoons, - 1 1 I,'; Cavalry, )H. C. 4th Regt. Native Cavalry, - - 1 1 1 13 Ifi 4 65 ) H. C. 5th Regt. Native Cavalry, - - 1 1 11 13 (> 80 H. C. 7th Regt. Native Cavalry, - - 1 •7 8 10 m r 1st Battalion of the Madras Artillery, o 2 1 11 ? 1 1" Detjchmcnt of \'1A Battalion of the Madras Artillery, 4 •1 8 ArtilUry. ) Bombay Artillery, ... Attached to the Cavalry Guns, - - - 1 c 2 8 1 Eur. Inf. 1 His Majesty's 74th Regiment, - - - ^ His Majesty's 78th Regiment, - - - "The 1st Bat. 2d Regt.Nat. Infantry, i The 1st Bat. 4th Regt. Nat. Infantry, 4 6 1 1 * 9 1 104 22 1 I 17 1 124 24 21 1 1 I 24 27 Nat. luf. . The 1st Bat. 8th Regt. Nat. Infantry, 3 1 4 1 38 i 47 The 1st Bat. lOth Regt.Nat. Infantry, 1 1 4 29 ?,r, The 2d Bat. I2th Regt.Nat. Infantry, ' 1 ] 41 43 _Pioneers, (1st Battalion of) - - - - I H 15 T0T,\L 1 6 2 12 1 1 I 12 162 1 r 3 13 ~ IM 8 2 428 '20 305 WOUNDED. 1 M1S:S1NG. 1 EUROPEANS. 1 NATIVES. i Hr,. Commusio/JcJ. Staff. i£ Ojjfr,. , H nr^es. 1 It j rt rt t: CJ in ^ ^ ■J-i £ ■O c V tf _2 g "E O .1 rt' a. c 3 U -1 1 3 to 3 W 1-. o IT. f3 < c 3 at ra 3 o* 3 73 3 OJ o § ■D 1-1 3 CO 3 r3 -a at c .2 1 £ o 3 Q U O u C- 3 3 -13 3 it 3 >^ o u 3 r5 >- o ■> u Q Ur o £ 3 c ca 3 C3 C 3 o J o _3 C O OJ 3 B 'So c C3 'e 2 J, o 3 .i J «5 u O -i u ■^ -" x < ^ v: r" Pi CO -» X H a! o U. CU H o tK a! 6 f" o Q^ f H. M. 1 9th RejTt.I.t.Drag. o •J 6 2 28 40 36 2 f , 3 H.C. 4th Regt. Native Cav. '.avairy. ^ jj_ ^ ..^^ j^^^^ ^.^^^ ^.^^^^ 1 2 24 27 22 1 1 1 2 28 33 26 1 1 (_H.C. 7th Regt. ditto ditto, 1 4 1 27 33 27 „ , f 1st Bat. of the Madras Art. '"' ,, Asa Bat. of the Madras Art. 1 16 1 19 39 2 o 1 7 1 16 . ../ ) Bombay Artillery, - - - Jlruiury ^^t,^^i,^.j to Cavalry Guns, I 5 1 8 1 14 2 r. . g. 5 His Majesty's 74th Regt. t.ur. 1«J. ^ y^■^^ Majesty's 78th ditto. 1 I 1 3 2 1 1 17 8 4 250 65 277 77 1 4 pst Bat. 2d Regt. Nat. Inf. 2 20 22 3 3 1st Bat. 4th Regt. Nat. Inf. 1 1 6 8t.' 90 1 1 ,, ^ . , . 1st Bat. 8th Regt. Nat. Inf. ^at.JnJ.i j^jg^j loth Regt. Nat. Inf. 4 2 1 I 6 ii 109 90 1 1 127 105 ■ ,; 2 3(1 Bat. 12th Regt. Nat. Inf. 1 1 4 5 r 9 160 185 ^Pioneers, (1st Battalion of) 1 3 2 46 51 5 5 Total 1 1 2 4 2 17 3 1 J_ ^ 371 12 16 39 6 586 S'> 2 1138 HI 16 2 18 2 114 List of Officers killed and wounded. HIS MAJESTY'S NINETEENTH LIGHT REGIMENTS. commanding the cavalry- Lt. Col. Maxwell, killed, Captain R. Boyle, do. Captains Cathcart, wounded. Sale, do. Lieuts. Wilson, do. Young, do. FOURTH NATIVE CAVALRY. Captain H. Mackay, killed, agent for public cattle. Cornet Meredith, wounded. FIFTH NATIVE CAVALRY. Captain J. Colebrooke, wounded. Lieuts. Bonomi, killed, adjutant. Macleod, wounded, quartermaster. Darke, do. SEVENTH NATIVE CAVALRY. Captain Mac Gregor, wounded. FIRST BATTALION ARTILLERY. Capt. Lt. Steele, killed. Fowler, do. Lieuts. Lindsay, do, Griffith, do. HIS MAJESTY'S SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. Captains D. Aytone, killed. A. Dyce, do. R. Macleod, do. paymaster of the regiment. J. Maxwell, do. Lieuts. J. Campbell, do. J. M. Campbell, do. J. Grant, do. R. Neilson, do. L. Campbell, do. M. Morris, do. Volunteer 115 HIS MAJESTY'S SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, CONTINUED. Volunteer G. Tew, killed, Not on the strength, but recommended for an ensig;ncy. Major S. Svvinton, wounded, Capt. Lt. N. J. Moore, do. Lieuts. J. A. Mein, do. Mac Murdo, do. M. Shawe, do. Ensign B. Kearnan, do. HIS MAJESTY'S SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. Lieut. J. Douglas, killed. Capt. Lt. C. M'Kenzie, wounded. Lieuts. J. Kinlock, do. J. Larkin, do. Ensign J. Bethune, do. acting adjutant. FIRST BATTALION SECOND NATIVE INFANTRY. Lieut. Brown, killed. FIRST BATTALION FOURTH NATIVE INFANTRY Lieut. Mavor, killed. FIRST BATTALION EIGHTH NATIVE INFANTRY. Lieuts. Davie, wounded. Fair, do. Hunter, do. Desgraves, do, FIRST BATTALION TENTH NATIVE INFANTRY. Lieuts. Perrie, killed. Taylor, wounded. SECOND BATTALION TWELFTH NATIVE INFANTRY. Lt. Col. Macleod, wounded. Major M'Cally, do. Lieuts. Bowdier, do, Harvey, do. Smith, do. De Crez, do. (Signed) R. BARCLAY, Deput;i/ Adjutant General in Mysore. P2 My 116 My Lord, Camp, September 30, 1803. I HAVE the honor to enclose an account of the ordnance taken from the enemy in the action of the 23d instant. I have reason to believe that there are still four more guns, which were thrown into the river by the enemy in their retreat. We have taken seven stand of colours, and the enemy lost all their ammu- nition, although the tumbrils having blown up, some during the action, and others during the succeeding night, we have got nothing but the shot. The ordnance is very fine ; but I have destroyed the iron guns, and shall put the brass guns in a place of security. The enemy lost twelve hundred men killed in the field of battle, and their wounded are scattered in all parts of the country. It is reported that Jadoon Row, Scindiah's principal minister, received a wound, of which he died the day before yesterday. Their army are in the greatest confusion, and retiring to Burhaunpoor. Colonel Stevenson has followed them down the Adjuntee Ghaut, and I propose to descend the Ghauts, as soon as I shall have placed the wounded soldiers in security. I have the honor to be. My Lord, With the greatest respect, Your Excellency's most obedient And faithful humble servant, (Signed) ARTHUR WELLESLEY. His Excellency the Governor General, i^c. feff . i^c. A Return 117 A Return of Ordsxuce, taken from the Enemy in the Battle of the 23cf September, 1803. DESCRIPTION OF ORDNANCE. CALIBRE. 1 i i -a c 2 2 00 6 2 8 .1 o •o 7 3 10 1 2 3 1 I o" 4 4 o" -5 3 3 2 ■a 22 5 27 o ■3 4 4 8 c" 12 12 9 9 o *^ 4 4 -c 2 2 2 2 o" -3 ■o 2 2 1 I 4J 3 c ■a w O =2 7 69 22 98 Howitzers Brass, Guns ditto, Ditto Iron, Total | Tlie number of tumbrils, and quantity of ammunitions and stores taken, cannot be ascertained, as, after the action and during the night, a great number of tumbrils were blown up. (Signed) M. BEAUMAN, Capt. Comg. Artillerif. Camp Ass ye, 29th September, 1803. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort William, October 31, 1803. A DISPATCH, of which the following is a copy, was yesterday received from the Secretary to the Honorable the Governor in Council of Bombay. To JOHN LUMSDEN, Esq. Chief Secretary to the Supreme Government, at Fort IVilliam. Sir, I AM directed, by the Honorable the Governor in Council, to forward to you, for the information of His Excellency the most noble the Governor General 118 . General in Council, the enclosed copy of a dispatch under this date, from the commanding officer of the forces, with its enclosures, respecting the capitula- tion of Powaughur. Major General Nicolls has been desired to communicate to the officer in command, and to the other officers and men doing duty at the reduction of Champaneer and Powaughur, the entire approbation of government of their very meritorious services. I have the honor to be, SIR, Your most obedient humble Servant, Bombay Castle, (Signed) J. A. GRANT, September 27, 1803. Sec. to Govt. To the Honorable JONATHAN DUNCAN, Esq. Hon'ble Sir, President and Governor in Council. The enclosed is a copy of a letter from Colonel Murray, giving cover to one from Lieut. Colonel Woodington, respecting the capitulation of Powaughur. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. Sic. (Signed) O. NICOLLS, M. G. BOiMBAY, September 27, 1803. No. 1. Major General NICOLLS. SIR, I have the honor to enclose a letter which I received this morning from Lieut. Colonel Woodington. It is necessary to inform you that the delay of this important communication arises from the miscarriage of the Colonel's letter, although sent in duplicate. Colonel 119 Colonel Woodington highly praises the zeal and activity of the troops under his command, and, to judge by their success, the praise is well merited. Colonel Woodington has, in a most particular manner, requested that I should lay the meritorious services of Serjeant Moore, of His Majesty's 86th regiment, before you. He led the Forlorn Hope at the assault of Baroach, and behaved with the utmost gallantry on that occasion. Major Cuvlor speaks highly in favor of his general character. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. (Signed) J. MURRAY, Colonel. Head Quarters, Baroda, September 21, 180:^. No. 2. To Colonel MURRAY, Sir, Commanding the Forces in the Guzerat. In consequence of your communication to me last night, that you had not received my official communication on the surrender of Povvaughur by capitu- lation, I have the honor to address you again on the subject. After a breach had been effected in the wall of the inner fort, as also that another was almost practicable in a tower at the angle of the outer fort, the garrison offered to capitulate on the morning of the 17th, on condition of being protected in their persons and private property. To these terms I agreed, on condition of immediately taking possession of the breach in the inner wall with a company of Sepoys : they however tacked other stipulations to the capitulation ; viz. that I should agree to pay them the arrears due from Scindiah, and that two of the commanders of the Guikawar cavalry with me (amounting to about 300 horse) should sign the agreement. To these latter articles I would on no account agree ; and it was not until four P. M. when they found, from our continuing to batter, that I would admit of no delay, that they agreed to the original terms, which were Immediately carried Into full effect, by their evacuation of the fort and* mountain, of which we took pos- session. 4 If 120 If this had not taken place, I had made the necessary arrangements for storming both breaches on the morning of the 18th; and I conceive that the garrison were intimidated from a knowledge that, if they opposed us on our entering the breaches, their communication with the upper fort would be cut off, and they had no other way to escape than the road which led down by our battery. Could they have obtained possession of the upper fort, or Balla Killa, at the top of the mountain, I am inclined to think, it utterly impregnable. I have left Captain Cliffe, of the engineers, to take a plan and view of the forts and works on the mountain, which I doubt not, from his known abilities, will be ably executed. It is with the greatest pleasure that I embrace this opportunity of submit- ting, for your notice, the merits, zeal, and great exertions of all ranks on this service. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. (Signed) H. WOODINGTON, B A R o D A, September 21, 1803. Lieut, Colonel. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. Fort Williavi, November 1, 1803. DISPATCHES have been received this day from the Honorable Major General Wellesley, under date the 6th of October, 1803; containing intelli- gence that, on the 5th of October, Major General Wellesley had received a letter from the enemy's camp, signed by Ballajee Khoonjur, one of the mi- nisters of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, requesting that Major General Wellesley would dispatch a British officer, together with an officer of the Subahdar of the Dekan, to the enemy's camp, for the purpose of negotiating terms of peace between the allies and the confederate Marhatta chieftains. Major General Wellesley had not complied with this request, but had signified 121 signified his disposition to receive at the British camp, with every mark of honor and respect, any person duly empowered by the direct authority of Dovvlut Rao Scindiah, or of the Rajah of Berar, to propose terms of peace to the allied powers. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUiMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. GENERAL ORDERS, By His Excellency the most noble the Governor General in Council. Fort William, October 30, 1803. THE Governor General in Council has this day received from Major General the Honorable Arthur Wellesley the official report of the signal and splendid victory obtained by the troops under the personal command of that distinguished officer, on the 23d of September, at Assye in the Dekan, over the combined armies of Dowlut Rao Scindiah and the Rajah of Berar. At the close of a campaign of the most brilliant success and glory in every quarter of India, this transcendent victory demands a testimony of public honor equal to any which the justice of the British government in India has ever conferred on the conduct of our officers and troops in the most distin- guished period of our military history. The Governor in Council highly approves the skilful plan formed by Major General Wellesley, on the 21st of September, for precluding the escape of the enemy, and for reducing their combined army to the necessity of hazarding a general action. His Excellency in Council also signifies his most cordial approbation of the magnanimity, promptitude, and judgment, with which Major General Wel- lesley determined upon the instantaneous attack of the enemy on the 23d of September. During the severe action which ensued, the conduct of Major General Wellesley united a degree of ability, of prudence, and dauntless spirit, seldom equalled, and never surpassed. Q The 122 The Governor General in Council signifies his warmest applause of the exemplary order and steadiness with which the troops advanced, under a most destructive fire, against a body of the enemy's infantry, considerably superior in number, and determined to oppose a vigorous resistance to our attack. The numerous infantry of the enemy were driven from their powerful artillery at the point of the bayonet, with an alacrity and resolution truly worthy of British soldiers, and the firmness and discipline manifested by our brave infantry in repelling the great body of the enemy's cavalry merit the highest commenda- tion. The Governor General in Council has remarked with great satisfaction the gallant and skilful conduct of the cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell, and particularly of His Majesty's 19th regiment of light dragoons, a corps distinguished in India by a long and uninterrupted course of arduous service, and of progressive honor. His Excellency in Council directs Major General Wellesley to signify to all the officers and troops employed on this glorious occasion, and especially to Lieutenant Colonel Harness, and to Lieutenant Colonel Wallace, who com- manded brigades, and to the officers of the staff, the high sense entertained by the Governor General in Council of their eminent and honorable services. The important benefits resulting from the triumph of our arms in the battle of Assye are not inferior to the splendor of the action. The immediate conse- quences derived from the exertions of that day have been the complete defeat of the combined army of the confederate chieftains ; an irreparable blow to the strength and efficiency of their military resources, especially of their artillery, in the Dekan ; the expulsion of an hostile and predatory army from the territory of our ally the Soubahdar of the Dekan ; and a seasonable and effectual check to the ambition, pride, and rapacity of the enemy. The prosperous result of these advantages must be accelerated by the auspi- cious progress of our arms in other provinces of India ; and it may reasonably be expected that the decisive victories gained at Delhi and Assye, on the 1 1th and 23d of September, will speedily compel the enemy to restore peace to Hindostan and to the Dekan. The achievements of our commanders, officers, and troops, during this cam- paign. 125 paign, and especially in the signal victories of Delhi and of Assye, must inspire a general sentiment of just confidence in the vigor of our military resources, and in the stability of our dominion and power. Our uniform success in frustrating every advantage of superior numbers of powerful artillery, and even of obstinate resistance opposed by the enemy, constitutes a satisfactory proof of the established superiority of British discipline, experience, and valor ; and demonstrates that the glorious progress of our arms is not the accidental result of a temporary or transient advantage, but the natural and certain effect of a permanent cause. From these reflections consolation is to be derived for the loss of those lamented and honored officers and soldiers who, animated by the gallant spirit of their general, and emulating the noble example of his zeal and courage, sacrificed their lives to the honor and interests of their country. The Governor General in Council greatly regrets the loss of Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell, of His Majesty's 19th dragoons, who fell at the head of the British cavalry, bravely charging a large body of the enemy's infantry. With the utmost concern His Excellency in Council records the names of the valu- able and excellent officers, who have fallen with glory at the battle of Assye, in achieving the complete defeat of the enemy, and in establishing the triumph of the British arms in the Dekan. Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell; Captains R. Boyle, H. Mackay, D. Aytone, A. Dyce, R. Macleod, and T. Maxwell j Captain Lieutenants Steele and Fowler; Lieutenants Bonomi, Griffith, J. Campbell, J. M. Campbell, J. Grant, R. Neilson, L. Campbell, M. Morris, and J. Douglas ; Lieutenants Brown, Mavor, Perrie, and Volunteer Tew. In testimony of the high honor acquired by the army under the personal command of Major General Wellesley, at the battle of Assye, the Governor General in Council is pleased to order that honorary colours, with a device properly suited to commemorate that splendid victory, be presented to the corps of cavalry and infantry employed on that glorious occasion. The names of the brave officers and men who fell at the battle of Assye will be commemo- rated, together with the circumstances of the action, upon the public monu- ment to be erected at Fort William to the memory of those who have fallen in the public service during the present campaign. Q 2 The 124 The honorary colours granted by these orders to His Majesty's 19th regi- ment of dragoons, and to the 74th and 78th regiments of foot, are to be used by those corps while they shall continue in India, or until His Majesty's most gracious pleasure be signified through His Excellency the Commander in Chief. His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, Captain General and Commander in Chief of all the land forces serving in the East Indies, is pleased to direct that these orders be pubhcly read to the troops under arms at every station of the land forces in the East Indies ; and that the European officers do cause the same to be duly explained to the native officers and troops. By command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, L. HOOK, Sec. to the Govt. Mil. Dep. By His Excellency the Captain General and Commander in Chief of the Land Forces, J. ARMSTRONG, Jag. Mil. Sec. Fort William, November 2, 1803. A DISPATCH, of which the following is a copy, has been this day received by His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, from His Excellency the Commander in Chief. To His Excellency the most noble MARQUIS WELLESLEY, Governor General^ ^c. i£c. ^c. My Lord, I have the honor to enclose, for your Lordship's information, correct returns of the ordnance, ammunition, &c. captured at this place. I have the honor to be. My Lord, Your Lordship's most faithful humble Servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Ncad Quarters, Camp at Jgra, October 2'J, 1803. Return 125 Return of the Ordnance, Ammunition, &c. captured at the Attack of the Enemy's Camp under the Walk of the Fort, and the 'town of Agra. Camp, October 22, 1803. 2 brass 16 pounders, 1 6 ditto 6 ditto, f Mounted on field carriages with limbers T ditto 4 ditto, £ complete. 1 ditto i ditto, I 26 pieces of different natures. 26 tumbrils laden with ammunition for the above. 29 ammunition carriages ditto ditto. REIVIARKS. The above ordnance appear to be perfectly " serviceable," excepting one brass four- pounder which is burst. The whole of the pieces are of the same manufacture as those captured at Dehli. (Signed) J. HORSFORD, Lieut. Col. commanding Artillery in the Field. A TnUE COPVj (Signed) G. A. F. LAKE, Military Secretary. Returns of Ordnance, Ammunition, &c. captured in the Fort of Agra, Camp at Agra, October 22, 1803. BRASS GUNS. \ Large gun.-^T HIS is the famous piece known by the name of the Great Gun at Agra. It is said to be composed of many metals, including all the precious ones. Its ball measures 22 inches : such a one, if of cast iron, weighs nearly 1500 lbs. 1 72 pounder ..^This gun is said to be of the same composition as the above one. 1 20 ditto. 1 10 ditto. IRON GUNS. 5 9 ditto. 1 32 pounder. 1. 3 ditto. 1 24. ditto. 19 6 ditto. 1 18 ditto. 29 Carried forxvard. 3 Carried forward. 5 pounder. 126 '3 CV'NS. 29 Brought fot-ward. 6 5 pounder. 7 4 ditto. 2 3 ditto. S 2 ditto. 5 I ditto. 2 1 8 pounder carronades I 16 ditto. 1 8 ditto carronade. 1 3 ditto galloper. 2 2 ditto. I If ditto. 3 1 ditto. 9 wall guns. 1 1 2 inch mortar. 1 8 ditto. 1 6 inch howitzer. 1 5| ditto. 1 4 J ditto. IRON GUNS. 3 Brought forward. 4 12 pounder. 1 10 ditto. 1 8 ditto. 6 6 ditto. 4 5 ditto. 6 4 ditto. 6 3 ditto. 6 2 ditto. 4 1 ditto. 11 2 pounder gallopers. 4 If ditto. 4 1 ditto. 26 wall guns. 86 iron guns, of different natures. 33 tumbrils. 76 brass guns, of different natures. ABSTRACT. Brass pieces, of different natures, » 76 Iron ditto ditto, 86 162 REMARKS. The brass pieces are in general of the same manufacture as those taken in the camp and town. Of the iron ones, several are what are termed bar guns. The whole are mounted, either on travelling carriages with elevating screws, or on country block carriages turning on a large pivot. Several spare carriages are ready to receive pieces which may be broken down. In the magazines are large quantities of gunpowder, shot, rockets, Sec, Sec. but the pre- cise weight and number not yet ascertained. (Signed) JNO. HORSFORD, Lieut. Col. Com. Art. in Field. A true Copy, (Signed) G. A. F. LAKE, Mil. Sec. The 127 The following extracts of dispatches, received from Lieutenant Colonel Harcourt and Captain Morgan, are published for general information. To Captain ARMSTRONG, Ailing Military Secretary to His Excellency The most noble the Governor General. Sir, I request you will have the goodness to report to His Excellency the most noble the Governor General that, in obedience to His Excellency's commands, I have proceeded to Ganjam, and have this morning assumed the command of the field force assembled under His Excellency's orders. I find this force sufficiently supplied with every requisite to enable it to move immediately, and I shall, in consequence, proceed from hence to- morrow. I expect in three marches to reach the Manickapatam River, which I trust I shall pass on the day of my arrival ; from thence it is two marches to Jagger- naut, where, from the necessary arrangements that must take place, I shall be detained some days. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) GEO. HARCOURT, Lieut. Col, In Camp at Pyaghee, September 1 1, 1803. To Captain ARMSTRONG, dieting Military Secretary to His Excellency The most noble the Governor General. Sir, I am now^ within a short march of the village of Manickapatam, where I am told five thousand infantry and two thousand horse are stationed to oppose ray passage ; but I am not led to expect any serious difficulties in possessing 128 possessing myself to-morrow morning (or in the course of this night) of that post. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) GEO. HARCOURT, Lieut. Col. Camp at Meetacoah, September 13, 1803. To Captain ARMSTRONG, Jcting Military Secretary to His Excellency The most noble the Governor General. Sir, I have the greatest satisfaction in stating to you, for the information of His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, that I shall not be de- tained at this place beyond to-morrow, when I shall move towards Jaggernaut, having in two days passed a river not fordable, near a mile in breadth, w\\.\\ all the troops, camp equipage, stores, and cattle, Sic. &c. — I have also landed from the transport vessels two i8-pounders, with their carriages, 8ic. If it had not been for uncommon exertions from all corps, each individual and each department generally, I could not possibly have so expeditiously effected this operation. I shall march to-morrow to Nursingapatam, and from thence, on the follow- ing day, to Jaggernaut. I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, for the information ot His Excel- . lency the most noble the Governor General, that although I am encamped in the midst of a highly cultivated country, surrounded by villages, whose inha- bitants have not deserted them, or who having, at the moment of our first taking possession of this part of the province of Cuttack, left their houses, are already returned to them, I have not received a single complaint. My bazar is supplied by the native inhabitants, and a degree of confidence and security is manifested, and, I trust from the measures I have adopted, is com- pletely experienced and established, which leaves me no more reason to 3 doubt 129 doubt the continuance of that confidence than I have to doubt the continuance of the security. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, (Signed) GEO. HAR COURT, Lieut. Col. Camp at Maniclcapatam, September 16, 1S03. In Camp at Jaggernaut, September 18, 1803. Sir, I beg you will be pleased to state to his Excellency the most noble the Governor General, that we have this day taken possession of the city of Jaggernaut. Upon application from the chief Bramins of the Pagoda, I have afforded them guards (of Hindoos), and a most satisfactory confidence is shewn by the Bramins, priests, and officers of the Pagoda, and by the inhabitants of Jaggernaut, both in their present situation, and the future protection of the British government. From the general good conduct of the troops under my command, and from the strict attention which has been paid to my orders for preventing all interference with the inhabitants and natives, framed under the express injunctions of his Excellency the most noble the Governor General, not a single complaint has been made to me ; though I have, by every practicable means, invited a direct communication of the least deviation from this im- portant duty. I humbly beg leave to congratulate his Excellency the most noble the Governor General on this important acquisition to the British possessions in India. And I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient and humble Servant, GEO. HARCOURT, Lieut. Col. To Captain ARMSTRONG, Actg. Mil. Sec. &c. ^c. i^c. R Laul 130 Laid Bang Fort, Cuttack-, October 2\, 1803. Sir, On the 24th ulthno, I marched with the force under my command from Jaggernaut to Ahmedpoor, and I did not reach my ground of encampment without great difficulty, owing to the extreme badness of the weather, the inundated state of the country, and the rise of the Nullahs crossing my line of march. My advanced guard, under the command of Captain Hutchinson of the 20th Bengal regiment, was several times annoyed by the enemy, but from the able management of that officer, our loss was not severe : it consisted in three men wounded, as appears in the enclosed general return. — The loss of the enemy, I understand, was considerable. The difficulties that impeded the march of the line detained the heavy guns and baggage for five days ; when I proceeded to Beirpoorshuttumpoor, where I was again detained by the badness of the road and weather until the 3d instant. Having thought it expedient to order a force in advance from Beirpoor- shuttumpoor, I detached the acting field officer of the day, with orders to occupy a position near Muckundpoor, which service again fell to Captain Hutchinson : immediately on his leaving camp he discovered the enemy on his flanks in considerable force, both of horse and infantry ; but he, notwith- standing much opposition, most completely carried my orders into effect. I regret to state that his loss was not inconsiderable ; it consisted in two killed and twenty-one wounded. The loss of the enemy was very great, from their being frequently exposed to a heavy discharge of grape from the six-pounder with Captain Hutchinson. I cannot omit reporting to you, for his Excellency's information, the conduct of Captain Hutchinson was most steady, able, and highly me- ritorious. On the night of the 4th, I moved towards Muckundpoor, when the advance under Lieutenant Colonel Clayton was again opposed by the enemy; but from a well 131 a well directed and a very destructive fire they were completely dispersed, whilst our loss consisted of only one pioneer wounded. From Muckundpoor to the banks of the Kutjoory, we met with no opposition from the enemy, and my letters of the 11th and following days completely detail my subsequent operations. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your most obedient and humble Servant, (Signed) GEO. HARCOURT, Lieut. Colonel commanding in Cuttack, and Military Secretary to His Excellency the most noble the Governor General. R 2 Return 132 a 8 2 ■X 1^ s^ o <-0 K •JS !^ -* N V •*■ -«: •« ^ s 55 « o «^ ■^ 03 H s ei «^ D ^c O "^ o V, ti :^ < ^ •^s* 1 '«^ s t- < ■ IVXOJ_ J^ V :?! i. ^ l^ --r ?' ■sajBAUJ «v «t- — — t-^ Jl •an:8i'.if^ „ •sjrpiiAEH — — - n •sjEpaiuaf CI •jEpaqng " z <; M o D •TViOX — - G-. 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Sib, My letter of the 20th, from the entrance of the Balasore River, and that of last night, to Lieutenant Colonel Fegusson, copies of which I requested mi<^ht be sent to you for the information of His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, &c. &c. will, in a small degree, have apprized you of the operations of the detachment which His Lordship was pleased to honor me with the command of for the last two days; but, for his better information, I shall proceed to state circumstances in detail from the fleet of transports leav- ing Kedgeree on the 14th instant. Owing to adverse winds, the transports, &c. as per margin*, only made the Neelgharee Hills in the afternoon of the 17th instant, distant from the Bar, at the entrance of the Balasore River, about sixteen miles. Early in the morning of the 18th, Mr. Wright, the pilot, left the Alexander, and proceeded to explore the Bar, and, if possible, obtain, by amicable means, some native pilots, but without effect ; as at Bellanghurry House, near to the entrance into the river, was a post of Marhatta infantry, who, in failing to entice him on shore, fired into his boat without doing any injury. Mr. Wright then returned to the Bar, and, with the assistance of Mr. Pike, the pilot from the George, in another boat, by his perseverance, zeal, and superior abilities, found out the channel, and took the proper bearings, Sic. for conducting the transports over it. Early in the morning of the 19th, we observed the pilots returning to the Alexander, when the troops on board the Alexander and Anne were shifted to the George, Charles, Fairlie, and Lizard, with the least possible delay. About ten o'clock those transports, with the gun vessel, (leaving the Alexander and Anne, with the sick of the detachment, and the whole of the baggage, &;c. at * Alexander, Aane, George, Charles, Fairlie, Lizard hired brig ; Scourge gun vessel, and two long-boats. anchor) 1S4 anchor) moved down for the entrance of the river, but were obliged to anchor close to the Bar, to wait for the next day's flood tide ; soon after which came on a severe gale of wind, which continued until the flood had pretty well made about nine o'clock in the morning of the 20th, when the vessels as per margin* crossed the Bar, entered the Balasore River, and anchored nearly opposite Bulramghurry House; leaving the Lizard brig at anchor on the outside the Bar, Mr. Wright being in dread of her striking on it from the report of her draft of water ; however, in passing the Bar, we found, to our great satisfaction, full fourteen feet water on it at the height of the flood. One of the Indiamen's long-boats was left with the Lizard, when the gale should subside a little, to bring off the two 6-pounders, &c. and the remaining part of the detachment of artillery, proportion of ammunition, &c. and which joined us in the river about five o'clock in the evening. The party of Marhattas stationed at Bulramghurry House, on seeing the vessels coming over the Bar, fled towards Balasore. The Lizard hired brig, being much lightened by the detachment of artillery, two guns, ammunition, &:c. taken out of her, Mr. Wright is confident she can come over the Bar without much risk ; and Mr. Pike, with another pilot, is left with her for that purpose. She could not yesterday attempt it for want of wind, but I am in great hopes it has been accomplished this day, or will be to- morrow. The inhabitants from the villages adjacent to the entrance of the river flocked to our vessels, and put on board each a native pilot to conduct them up the river to this place ; expressing their extreme abhorrence of the savage Marhattas, and congratulating each other on the happy day that brings them under the British government. Between six and seven o'clock P. M. the fleet got under weigh to proceed up the river, but, from the darkness of the night, and a very heavy fall of rain, with the native pilots objecting to proceed, they were obliged, almost imme- diately, to come to anchor again. On the morning of the 21st, the vessels came up as far as possible, but, finding they made but little progress, and hearing different reports that a party * Scourge gun-vessel, George, Charles, and Fairlie. of 135 of Marhattas, who had been detached from Balasore, to support their posts at the Gauts between this and Jelasore, was returning by forced marches to the defence, or to plunder and destroy the town (the latter the most probable report), I came to the determination, with the most cordial concurrence of Captain Peter Grant, of immediately quitting the gun-vessel and transports, and proceeding up the river as far as possible, with two 6-pounders, &c. and as many fighting men as the boats would hold. After two hours great exer- tion, we arrived at a clear spot of ground, the ebb tide having set in. We were told by some of the inhabitants that it was only four miles by land to Balasore, but that it would take two or three more flood tides to carry us up to it. I deemed it necessary to consult with Captain P. Grant on the practicabi- lity of carrying the town, &c. without our guns, and he being fully of opinion with me (on our seeing the state of the country leading to it) that no time should be lost in making the attempt ; in consequence of which we landed near 300 from the boats, rank and file, and directed our march towards the town over paddy fields, inundated from one to three feet in water. On approaching the town the detachment halted, to rest and refresh the men, when I made the best disposition of my force that I was able for the attack. About this period intelligence was brought me that the military commander of the enemy, by name Nana, had put the Fouzdar Moro Pundit in confine- ment, because he wished to come over to the English ; and that Nana, with the force under his command, was determined to dispute our getting posses- sion of the town and Factory House. The entrance into the town, and until near the Factory House, is one con- tinued strong defile, which we soon found was lined with both cavalry and infantry, by their firing on our advanced party ; but that party pushing forward until very near them, and a flanking party I had detached approaching them at the same period, both giving a steady and well-directed fire, the enemy was instantly routed from their first position with considerable loss j they say, in all, ten or twelve men fell. The detachment kept moving forward, under a tedious fire from the tops of houses, the entrances of lanes, and from behind walls and heights J returning a spirited fire, at intervals,, until it gained the 4 Factory 136 Factory House, with a loss only of one Sepoy killed, and three wounded j when the whole business subsided. Parties were immediately posted in all directions outside of the Factory House, to keep in awe some of the enemy, who were sniping at us ; and from which I attribute his not being able to annoy us further. I had written a letter to Moro Pundit, the Fouzdar, from the entrance of the Balasore River, advising him of my having a letter for him from His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, Sic. and wished he would point out some means of my communicating with him, and for which purpose a gentleman with me would be ready to meet him, or any person he should depute. I received, in return, a verbal answer of Salam, and that he had received my letter. His Excellency's letter I sent, immediately after gaining possession of the Factory House, to a part of the outside of the town called the Marhatta Fort, to Moro Pundit ; but only a similar answer to the foregoing was returned. The men who carried the letter informed me that the enemy was quitting it with precipitation, and at day-break this morning 1 took possession of it. We found in it three old unserviceable iron guns, on decayed carriages; one apparently a six-pounder, another a four-pounder, and a one-pounder. No shot, or ammunition of any description. A small quantity of grain of different kinds, and two chests, containing papers relative to the Sirkar, which shall be taken the greatest care of. I have directed Ensign Wilson, of the engineers, to report on state of the post, which is certainly much superior in strength and convenience to the one we now possess J likewise on the Factory House and Compound ; which shall be sent to you in the course of a few days. The proclamation in English, with a translation of the same in Hindoostanee, were issued this morning, and similar ones sent round and proclaimed by beat of drum through the town and the villages near ; and it is with peculiar pleasure I report the inhabitants returning to every house in great numbers. Many of the principal inhabitants, merchants, &c. waited on me last night and this morning, expressing uncommon satisfaction at being taken under the protection of the British government. I have 137 I have received the most marked attention, and some little information respecting the flight of the enemy, from Mr. Princely, the Danish resident at this place. By this day's dawk I have communicated to Lieutenant Colonel Camp- bell, or officer commanding at Cuttack, my being in possession of this place, &c. &c. But I much fear the communication is not open, no dawk for the last three days having arrived here from the southward ; but Captain Grant will endeavour this evening to dispatch, by a private hircarrah, a duplicate of the same. The dawk arrived this day (and has always been regular) from Calcutta, but I have received no letter from Lieutenant Colonel Fergusson. To- morrow I shall certainly receive an answer to my letter to him of the '20th, when every means in our power shall be taken to facilitate his approach to this place, by pushing towards him a party to collect boats, &:c. &c. at the different Nullahs. I have just received accounts, which I have every reason to confide in, that the enemy, who were stationed between this and Jelasore, at the different Ghauts, are flying through the Jungles to gain the hills; and 1 sincerely believe, in three days more, not a single Marhatta will be found between this and Jelasore. The gun-vessel and transports are not yet in sight, owing to the very strong current that prevails in the river. To-morrow I shall communicate further to you on this, and the mode to be adopted for bringing the sick of the detachment, and the whole of the bag- gage, from the ships Alexander and Anne, lying in the roads. Permit me to request the favor of your recommending to His Excellency the officers and men of my detachment, who conducted themselves with great steadiness, and I may add gallantry, when I consider the concealed and heavy fire from near six hundred of the enemy, which they would have sus- tained, had they not been dislodged by my advance and flanking parties. It is, I believe, needless for me to expatiate on the merits of Captain Peter Grant, but 1 must observe he has completely answered the views of His S Excellency, 138 Excellency, and that I should deem his advice and assistance of the utmost importance on the most trying occasion. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, (Signed) THO. MORGAN, Capt. Co7nmanding the Detachment. On the 30th of September, Captain Morgan detached two companies of Sepoys, under the command of Lieutenant Slye, to the town of Soorong, about twenty miles to the southward of Balasore, for the purpose of dislodging a part of the enemy stationed near that place, and of opening a communication in the direction of Cuttack. On the 1st of October, Lieutenant Slye attacked and defeated a party of the enemy, which had been posted at a village a short distance from Soorong. The detachment under Lieutenant Slye, having been reinforced by another company from Balasore, took possession of Soorong on the 3d of October, without further opposition. On the 4th of October, a detachment of native infantry, with a detachment from His Excellency the Governor General's body guard, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fergusson, which had entered the province of Cuttack from Jelasore, arrived at Balasore, without opposition. On the 10th, Colonel Fergusson proceeded towards Cuttack, at which place a part of his detachment had arrived on the 2d October. During the whole of his march, Lieut. Colonel Fergusson received every assistance from the inha- bitants, who expressed the utmost satisfaction at the prospect of being relieved from the oppressions to which they were subjected by the Marhattas, and of being speedily placed under the protection of the British government. On the 6th of September, a detachment of British troops, under the com- mand of Lieut. Colonel P. Powell, crossed the Jumna, and entered the pro- vince of Bundelcund. On 139 On the 16th September, Lieut. Colonel Powell was joined by Rajah Himmut Behadur, with his forces, near Teroa. The united detachments reached the river Cane on the 23d of September. The troops of Shumshere Behadur were encamped on the opposite bank, ot the river in considerable strength. Having reduced several forts in the vicinity of his camp, and having esta- blished the British authority in the territory lying between the Jumna and the Cane, Colonel Powell, accompanied by Himmut Behadur, crossed the latter river on the 10th of October. The following extract of a letter from Colonel Powell is published by com- mand of His Excellency the most noble the Governor General in Council. To Lieutenant Colonel J. GERARD, Adjutant General, Head garters. Sir, In my dispatch of yesterday His Excellency the Commander in Chief will have been informed of my having crossed the Cane River, and of the commu- nication which immediately thereupon took place betwixt the Nawaub Shum- shere Bahadur and myself. After the dispatch of my letter of yesterday, T received another intimation from Shumshere's Vakeel, informing me of his master's being forced, by the persuasion of his Sirdars, to risk an engagement with the detachment under my command. This morning I accordingly made the necessary arrangements for meeting him. At half past ten o'clock the detachment, after a most fatiguing march of six hours over a very uneven country, came in sight of Shumshere's army, drawn out in line of battle upon this ground, and their camp all struck. Shumshere's line covered a great extent, and as it was advantageously posted, and they appeared advancing, I had every expectation of a general action. I advanced in columns of battalions, within 1200 yards of the enemy; deployed into line with an intention of advancing in that form as far as the ground would permit ; but just as the line was formed, a gun of Rajah Him- mut Behadur's was fired, which was mistaken as a signal for opening our S 2 guns. 140 guns, which immediately commenced a cannonade. After five minutes firing, the guns were again limbered, in consequence of heavy ploughed fields, which rendered it impossible to get them along by the drag ropes. When advanced five hundred yards more, our guns recommenced firing. Those of the enemy had till now continued playing upon our line with little or no efTect, but soon after our guns opened the second time, those of Shumshere ceased firing, whereupon our guns were again limbered, and the whole line advanced as fast as possible, upon which Shumshere 's army began to retire ; I therefore ordered Captain Webber with the squadron of cavalry and gal- loper with 500 of Rajah Himmut Behadur's horse, to pursue the enemy, which they did for three miles, and got within reach of firing upon them with the galloper, which opened upon a body of 1500 horse with great efi^ect, when they continued to retreat at too great a speed for their pursuers to come up with them, whose horses from being twelve hours saddled were com- pletely jaded. Our loss, as far as I have learnt, does not exceed eight or ten natives killed and wounded; but amongst, the casualties I am sorry to inform you, that Captain Farley Smith is included ; he was killed by the first cannon shot from the enemy. At two o'clock P. M. I encamped on the spot where Shumshere's camp stood, and it is my intention to pursue him to-morrow morning to the place where I understand he is gone. I have further to desire you will report to his Excellency, that the behaviour of the whole of the detachment during this day, was such as to merit my entire approbation. The following are the articles taken from the enemy : — Two small guns, two tumbrils with ammunition, fourteen horses, and ten gun bullocks. The Rajah has had seventeen men, and sixteen horses, killed and wounded. The loss of the enemy I have not yet ascertained. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your most obedient Servant, (Signed) G. POWELL, Lieut. Col, Commanding at Bundekund. Camp at CapsaK October \Z. 1803. Accounts 141 Accounts have been since received, that Shumshere Bahadur has crossed the river Betwah, and evacuated the province of Bundelcund. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, ].LUMSDEN,Chie/Sec.totheGovt. Fort William, November 13, 18G3. A DISPATCH, of which the following is a copy, has this day been received from His Excellency the Commander in Chief, by His Excellency the most noble the Governor General. His Excellency the most noble MARQUIS WELLESLEY, ^c. ^c. &c. Camp, /our Miles to the Westward of Cassowlj/, Nov. 1, 1S03. My Lord, I have the honour to inform your Excellency, that I marched from Agra on the 27th ultimo, in pursuit of the Mahratta force, which was composed of the brigades which had been detached from the Dekan in the early part of the campaign, and of a few battalions which had effected their escape from Delhi. I was the more anxious to defeat this corps from its being furnished with a numerous artillery. Owing to the detention the army met with from a heavy fall of rain, it was not until the 29th that it reached a camp to the westward of Futtipoor. From intelligence I received here of the rapid manner in which the Mahratta army was moving, I determined to leave the heavy artillery, with a proper detachment of infantry for its protection, and to pursue the enemy by forced marches, in the hope of being able the more speedily to come up with him. On the 31st, the army encamped at a short distance from the ground which the enemy had quitted the same morning. Possessed of this intelligence, I resolved to make an effort to overtake him with all the cavalry of the array, in the intention of delaying him 142 him by a light engagement, until the infantry should be able to come up. To this end the cavalry marched at twelve last night, and having performed a distance of more than forty miles in twenty-four hours, came up with the enemy this morning soon after day-break. From the sudden manner in which I came upon the enemy, I ventured to make an attack with the cavalry alone, supported by the mounted artillery, but finding him too advantageously posted to hope for complete success without too much risk, I drew the cavalry out of reach of cannon shot, and waited the arrival of the infantry. Soon after their arrival, I made a general attack upon the enemy's position, the result of which I have the satisfaction of informing your Excellency has been a complete, though I sincerely lament to add, dear-bought victory. The enemy were totally defeated, with the loss of all their cannon, tum- brils, and baggage ; but this important advantage has only been gained by the loss of many valuable officers, the principal of whom are. Major General Ware, Colonel Vandeleur, Major Griffiths, Major Campbell the deputy quarter-master-general, and my Aide de Camp Lieutenant Duval, who gloriously fell in this honorable contest. I have not been able to ascertain the exact account of our loss in killed and wounded, returns of which, with a detailed account of this important affair, I shall have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency by the first opportunity. I have the honor to be. My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient and humble Servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. By authentic advices received from camp, it appears that the victory was most complete and glorious. All the enemy's battalions are cut up, or taken, and near seventy guns, their whole baggage, bazars, &c. are in our possession. The Commander in Chief had two horses killed under him, and Major Lake is severely, but not dangerously wounded. Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. GENERAL 143 GENERAL ORDERS, By His Excellency the most Jioble the Governor General, and Captain General of all the Land Forces serving in the East Indies. Fort William, November 13, 1803. A royal salute and three vollies of musquetry to be fired at all the stations of the army, in honor of the glorious and important victory obtained on the 1st of November, 1803, near Cassowly in Hindostan, by the army under the personal command of his Excellency General Lake, over a large body of the enemy's regular infantry and cavalry, in which the enemy were entirely defeated, with the loss of all their guns, tumbrils, and baggage. By command of His Excellency, J. ARMSTRONG, Jctg. Mil. Sec, Fort IVilliam, November 15, 1803- A DISPATCH, of which the following is a copy, has this day been received from His Excellency the Commander in Chief, by His Excel- lency the most noble the Governor General. To His Excellency the most noble the MARQUIS WELLESLEY, i^c. i^c. is?c. My Lord, In my dispatch of yesterday's date, I did myself the honor to state, for your lordship's information, some particulars of the march of the army, from Agra to the camp it now occupies, together with the general result of the action which took place yesterday. I now have the honor to send your Excellency a more detailed account of that affair. After a forced march of twenty-five miles, which was performed by the cavalry in little more than six hours, I came up with the enemy, who appeared to be upon their retreat, and in such confusion, that I was tempt- ed to try the effect of an attack upon him with the cavulry alone. By cutting 144 cutting the embankment of a large reservoir of water, the enemy had rendered the road very difficult to pass, which caused a considerable delay in the advance of the cavalry ; of this the enemy had availed himself to take an advantageous post, having his right upon a rivulet, which we had to cross, and his left upon the village of Laswaree ; the whole of his front vi-as amply provided with artillery. I was prevented from discovering this change in the situation of the enemy by the quantity of dust which, when once clear of the water, totally obscured him from our sight ; I therefore proceeded in the execution of my design, by which I hoped to prevent his retreat into the hills and secure his guns ; directing the advanced guard, and first brigade commanded by Colonel Vandeleur, upon the point where I had observed the enemy in motion, but which proved to be the left of his new position ; the remainder of the cavalry I ordered to attack in succession, as soon as they could form after passing the rivulet. The charge of the advanced guard, under Major Griffith, and that of the first brigade, led by Colonel Vandeleur, was made with much gallantry j the enemy's line was forced, and the cavalry penetrated into the village j they still however continued to be exposed to a most galling fire of cannon and musquetry, which, as it was impossible, under such circumstances, to form the squadrons for a fresh attack, determined me to withdraw^ them. The guns which had fallen into our hands could not be brought away from the want of bullocks. In this charge Colonel Vandeleur fell, mortally wounded ; in him the service has lost a most valuable officer. The attacks of the other brigades were conducted with the same spirit, but, after taking several of the enemy's guns, being still fired upon, without being able to discover the enemy, they retired in good order, retaining possession of a part of the artillery. In the performance of this service, the 3d brigade, consisting of His Majesty's 29th regiment, and the 4th regiment of native cavalry, under the command of that meritorious officer Colonel Macan, met my entire approbation. The infantry, having marched at three A. M. arrived upon the banks of the rivulet about eleven o'clock. After so long a march, it was absolutely neces- sary to allow some time for the men to refresh themselves j during which the enemy 145 enemy sent in to say that, if certain terms were allowed them, they were wil- h"ng to surrender their guns. Anxious to prevent the further effusion of blood, I directed a letter to be written, acquiescing in their proposals, and allowing them an hour to decide ; in the mean time the several columns for the attack were formed. The infantry formed in two columns upon the left ; the first, com- posed of the right wing under the command of Major General Ware, was destin- ed to gain the enemy's right flank, which he had thrown back since the morn- ing, leaving a considerable space between it and the rivulet, and to assault the village of Laswaree j the second, composed of the left wing, under Major General St. John, was to support the first column. The 3d brigade of cavalry, under Colonel Macan, was to support the infantry ; the 2d brigade, under Lieutenant Colonel Vandeleur, was detached to the right, to be ready to take advantage of any confusion in the enemy's line, and to attack him upon his retreat ; the brigade under Colonel Gordon composed the reserve, and was formed between the 2d and 3d brigades. As many of the field pieces as could be brought up, with the gallopers attached to the cavalry, formed four different batteries. At the expiration of the time which I had allowed the enemy to decide, I ordered the infantry to advance; as soon as they became exposed to the enemy's guns, the four batteries commenced their fire, and continued to advance, though opposed by a great superiority, both in number and weight of metal. When the 76th regiment, which headed the attack, had arrived at the point from which 1 intended to make the charge, they were so much exposed to the enemy's fire, and losing men so fast, that I judged it preferable to pro- ceed to the attack with that regiment, and as many of the native infantry as had closed to the front, to losing time in waiting until the remainder of the column should be able to form, the march of which had been retarded by impediments in the advance. As soon as this handful of heroes were arrived within reach of the enemy's canister shot, a most tremendous fire was opened upon them. The loss they sustained was very severe, and sufficient alone to prevent a regular advance; at this moment the enemy's cavalry attempted to charge, but were repulsed T by UQ by the fiie of this gallant body ; they however ralUed at a short distance, and assumed so menacing a posture, that I thought It advisable to order them to be attacked by the cavalry : this service fell to the share of His Majesty's 29th regiment, commanded by Captain Wade (Major Griffith having at that instant been unfortunately killed by a cannon shot), and vs'as performed with the greatest gallantry, and in a manner which entitles Captain Wade, and eA"ery officer and soldier in the regiment, to my warmest acknowledgments. The remainder of the first column of infantry arrived just in time to join in the attack of the enemy's reserve, which was formed in the rear of his line, with its left upon the village of Laswaree, and its right thrown back. About this time Major General Ware fell dead, his head being carried ofif by a cannon shot : he was a gallant officer, and one whose loss I deeply lament. On his death the command of this column devolved upon Colonel M'Donald, who, though wounded, continued to acquit himself in this important command very much to my satisfaction. The enemy opposed a vigorous resistance to the last, and it was not until he had lost his guns that he abandoned his post. Even then his left wing did not fly, but attempted to retreat in good order; in this however they were frus- trated by His Majesty's 27th regiment, and the 6th regiment of native cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Vandeleur, who broke in upon the column, cut several to pieces, and drove the rest in prisoners, with the whole of the baggage. Severe as the loss has been which we have sustained in the achievement of this complete victory, that of the enemy has been far greater. With the exception of upwards of 2000 who have been taken prisoners (of which num- ber I have only detained the principal officers, amounting to forty-eight), I have reason to believe that very few escaped the general slaughter. It would be a violation of my feelings were I to close my dispatch without bearing testimony to the gallant conduct of Major M'Leod and Captain Robertson, of His Majesty's 76th regiment, and of every officer and soldier of that inestimable corps, in the attack of the village of Laswaree, Major Gregory too, at the head of the 2d battalion 12th regiment of native infantry, in the same service, displayed a conduct highly meritorious. 4 In U7 In the list of those officers who particularly distinguished themselves, I cannot omit the names of Lieutenant Wallace, of His Majesty's 27th regi- ment, who was entrusted with the command of a battery of gallopers; nor that of Lieutenant Dixon, of the 6th regiment of native cavalry, who was employed in the same service. The whole of my staff upon this, as upon every former occasion, are entitled to a large share of praise, and to my warmest gratitude. The zeal which they displayed upon this memorable day is too plainly proved by the enclosed returns of the killed and wounded. I have sustained a great loss by the death of Major William Campbell, the deputy quarter-mastcr-general, and by that of my aid-de-camp. Lieutenant Duval, of His Majesty's 19th light dragoons, who was a young man of great promise. Herewith I have the honor to enclose returns of the ordnance and eolours which were captured upon this occasion. I have the honor to be. My Lord, Your Lordship's most faithful and humble Servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Suarters, Camp near Lasrvaree, November 2, 1S03. P. S. In the hurry which I wrote my dispatch of yesterday's date, I fear I did not explain to your Lordship that the , enemy's corps which we have defeated comprised the whole of the fifteen regular battalions which had been sent from the Dekan, under the command of Monsieur Dudernaige, and two battalions of the same description which had escaped from Delhi. I therefore have the satisfaction of congratulating your Excellency upon the annihilation of the whole of the regular force in Scindiah's service, commanded by French officers. (Signed) G. L. T 2 Return Edurn of Officers and Men, killed and wounded in the Action of the First of Xoiaribcr, iij03. KILLED. Gtneral StjiT. . - . - - 8th Regiment Light Dragoons, ■27tli ditto ditto, . - - - 29th ditto ditto, • . • - 76th Regiiatnt Foot, - - - Artillery, ------ 1st Regiment Native Cavalry, 2d ditto ditto, - - - - - 3d ditto ditto, - - - - - 4th ditto ditto, - - - - - 6th ditto ditto, - - - . • 2d Bat. 9th Regt. N. 1. - - 2d Bat. Sth Regt. ditto, - - 1st ditto 12th ditto, - - - 2d ditto 12th ditto, . - - 1st ditto 15th ditto, - - - 2d ditto ditto, - - - - - 6 Companies 16th ditto, - - 1 Company 1st Bat. 11th ditto. -! CC HORSES 74 23 Ga,\ND ToT.\L 1 1 4:67 172;| 277 154 122 General Staff, ..-.--.- 8th Regiment Light Dragoons, - - - 27th ditto ditto, .-...-- 29th ditto ditto, ------- 7(jth Regiment Foot, Artillery, ...------ 1st Regiment Native Cavalry, - - - 2d ditto ditto, .-..---- 3d ditto ditto, -------- j 4th ditto ditto, -------- 6th ditto ditto, -------- 2d Bat. 9th Regt. N. I. 2d Bat. 8th Re^t. ditto, - - - - - 1st ditto 12th ditto, ------ 2d ditto 12th ditto, ------ 1st ditto ISth ditto, ------ 2d ditto ditto, -------- 6 Companies 16th ditto, - - - - - 1 Company 1st Bat. 11th ditto, - - - WOUNDED. Grand Total aiy 1 2 2 7 12 .T 1 1 2 31 35 33 149 248 4 7 26il9 12 9 8 21 11 9 19 14 72 22 26 54 2 3 36 43 43 170 11 17 10 9 26 12 12 22 21 80 28 33 70 6 625 149 List of Officers killed in the Action of the First of November^ 1803. Major General Charles Ware. GENERAL STAFF. Major William Campbell, deputy quarter-master-general— Lieutenant Duval, aid-de- camp to the commander in chief. HIS MAJESTY'S 8th REGIMENT LIGHT DRAGOONS. Colonel T. P. Vandeleur— Captain Story. HIS MAJESTY'S 29th REGIMENT LIGHT DRAGOONS. Major Griffith — Cornet Fitzgerald— Quarter Master Philley— Quarter Master R. M'Goughy. 1st REGIMENT NATIVE CAVALRY. Cornet Coxwell. HIS MAJESTY'S 76th REGIMENT FOOT. Lieutenant and Adjutant Meulh— Lieutenant Hurd. Ist BATTALION 15th REGIMENT NATIVE INFANTRY. Lieutenant Lambert. List of Officers 'wounded in the Action of the First of November, 1803. GENERAL STAFF. Lieutenant Colonel Gerard, adjutant general — Major G. A. F. Lake, secretary to the commander in chief— Captain J. Campbell, gram agent attached to head quarters — Lieu- tenant Ashhurst, commanding the escort with his Excellency the commander in chief HIS MAJESTY'S 8th REGIMENT LIGHT DRAGOONS. Lieutenant Lyndon, since dead— Lieutenant Wellard. HIS MAJESTY'S 27th REGIMENT LIGHT DRAGOONS. Captain White— Captain Mylne— Captain Sandys — Lieutenant Gore, majoi" of brigade. HIS MAJESTY'S 29th REGIMENT LIGHT DRAGOONS. Lieutenant Holstead, since dead— Captain Sloane — Lieutenant Thome— Quarter Master Tallen. 1st REGIMENT NATIVE CAVALRY. Lieutenant Cornish. 4th REGIMENT NATIVE CAVALRY. Lieutenant Reid. 6th REG 150 6th REGIMENT NATIVE CAVALRY. Cornet Dixon. HIS MAJESTY'S 76th REGIMENT FOOT. Captain Robertson— Lieutenant Marston — Lieutenant Wibmer— Lieutenant Sinclair. 1st BATTALION 12th REGIMENT NATIVE INFANTRY. Ensign Dalton. 2d BATTALION !2th REGIMENT NATIVE INFANTRY. Major Gregory — Captain Fletcher — Lieutenant Ryan. 1st BATTALION 15th REGIMENT NATIVE INFANTRY. Colonel Macdonald. 2d BATTALION IGth REGIMENT NATIVE INFANTRY. Lieutenant Colonel White— Ensign G. Deane Heathcote. (Signed) J. GERARD, Adjutant General. Keport of the Ordnance, Kc. captured at Laswaree on the 1st November, 1803. Camp at Lasiuam, 3d of Nnvember, 1803. ^urttbsr cf Nature. Remarks. Gum. 5 ^ I Brass 18 pounder carronade. 6 Ditto 16 ditto ditto. 1 unserviceable. 26 Ditto 6 pounders. 4 unserviceable. 4 Ditto 4 ditto. 2 2 16 Ditto 3 ditto. 1 unserviceable. 1 Ditto 2\ ditto. 1 ditto. ^i 2 Iron 16 ditto. 1 ditto. •!"§ 2 Ditto 2i ditto gallopers. ^ 5 2 Ditto ^ ditto ditto. i| 2 Brass 8 inch mortars. S| 1 Brass 8 inch howitzer. a __ 4 Ditto 6 ditto ditto. 1 Ditto 5, 8 ditto ditto. : ^ 1 Ditto 5, 4 ditto ditto. s 2 Ditto 5, 2 ditto ditto. 71 Pieces of cannon of different calibres. 64 Tumbrils complete, laden with ammunition, and 4-t stand of colours. Ditto ditto blown up on the field of battle, the number not ascertained. The whole of the above-mentioned ordnance appears serviceable, with tlie exception of those mentioned in the remarks. The 151 The iron guns are of European manufacture. The brass guns, mortars, and howitzers have been cast in India, one Dutch six-pounder excepted. The dimensions are in general those of the French. The mortars and howitzers are furnished with elevating screws made, by a simple and ingenious adjustment, to give either of them the double capacity of mortar and howitzer.' The ammunition is made up in the same manner as that taken at Delhi. 57 Carts or hackrees laden with matchlocks, musquets, and stores, also twelve artificers carts. (Signed; J. GERARD, Jdjt.Genl. (Signed) J. ROBINSON, Captain comg. the Arty, Published by command of his Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chic/ Sect, to the Govt. Fort William, November 19, 1803. ADVICES have been this day received by His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, from the resident at Hyderabad, under date the 6th instant, stating that intelligence had been received by his highness the Soobah- dar of the Dekan, of the surrender of the city of Boorhanpore, to the forces under the command of Colonel Stephenson, on the 16th of October; and of the capitulation of the important fortress of Asseer Ghur on the 2Ist,to Colo- nel Stephenson. The garrison of Asseerghur are prisoners of war^ The official accounts of these important successes have not yet been received from the honorable Major General Wellesley. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. GENERAL 152 GENERAL ORDERS, By His Excellency the most noble the Governor General. FortlVilliam, November 19, 180S. A royal salute to be fired from the ramparts of Fort William, at sun-set, in honor of the surrender of the city of Boorhanpore, to the forces under the command of Colonel Stephenson, on the 16th of October; and of the capitulation of the important fortress of AsseerGhur, on the 2lst of October, to Colonel Stephenson. The garrison of Asseer Ghur are prisoners of war. By command of His Excellency, J. ARMSTRONG,^ Jcting Military Secretary. Fort William, November 30, 1803. A DISPATCH, of which the following is a copy, has been this day received, by His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, from the Honorable Major General Wellesley. Camp, Novejnber 6, 1803. Mv LOKD, I now proceed to give your Excellency a detailed account of Colonel Stephenson's operations against Asseer Ghur. On the 16th October, he advanced to Asseer Ghur, and encamped three miles south of the fort. The remains of the enemy's infantry had fled towards the Nerbuddah on the preceding day, in the state in which I reported them to be, in my letter of the 24th October* ; and Colonel Ste- venson therefore determined to attack Asseer Ghur. On the 18th he reconnoitred the fort, attended by a squadron of cavalry, and the native picquets of the infantry ; and having seen a favourable ♦ Not received. opportunity. 153 opportunity, attacked the Pettah and carried it, and made a lodgement within one hundred and fifty yards of the lower wall of the fort. In the evening he reinforced the troops in the Pettah, by a battalion. On the 19th, all the preparations were made for carrying on the siege ; and two batteries were ready to open at two o'clock in the atternoon of the 20th ; one to breach the upper wall, and another, of four brass twelve- pounders, to destroy the defences of the lower wall. On the J 8th, Colonel Stevenson had sent a flag of truce to the Killedar to summon him to surrender the fort, to which message he did not receive a decided answer. The communication was continued ; but Colonel Steven- son did not relax his operations against the fort, as there was reason to believe that the negotiation was carried on only to give time to Dowlut Rao Scin- diah to come to its relief. Before opening his batteries. Colonel Stevenson apprized the Killedar of the terms on which he should surrender the fort ; which were, that the garrison should march out with their private property, and be allowed to go where they might think proper, and that their arrears should be paid to the amount of twenty thousand rupees. After the batteries had opened about an hour, a white flag was shewn from the walls of the fort, which was the signal which had been agreed upon in case the terms should be accepted ; hostages were sent down, and an engagement made, that the fort should be delivered up on the following morning. It was accordingly evacuated ; the garrison carried off their property in secu- rity, and received the sum agreed to be paid to them. Colonel Stevenson mentions, in high terms, the conduct of the officers and troops under his command ; and I cannot omit to take this opportunity of expressing to your Excellency my sense of the merits of Colonel Stevenson, and of the body of troops under his command. Upon every occasion I have received from the Colonel the most cordial and zealous assistance ; and the troops under his command are in the highest state of discipline and order, and fit for any service in which they can be employed. On the 16th, nine officers, four Serjeants, and one matross, formerly in the service of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, delivered themselves up to Colonel Ste- venson, under your Excellency's proclamation of the 29th August. U I have 154 I have the honor to enclose a list of their names, and a copy of the order issued by Colonel Stevenson to provide for their subsistence. Lieutenant Stuart also delivered himself up at Poonah in the end of the last month. I have called for accounts of the regulated pay and allowances which those persons received in the service of Dowlut Rao Scindiab> which I shall hereafter have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency, I have the honor to enclose a return of the killed and wounded of the troops, under the command of Colonel Stevenson, during the operations against Asseer-Ghur. Hereafter I shall have the honor of transmitting returns of the ordnance, stores, grain, and other property captured in that fort. I have the honor to be. My Lord, With the greatest respect, Your Excellency's most obedient. And faithful humble Servant, (Signed) ARTHUR WELLESLEY. His Excellency the Governor General. Itetum of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, in the Corps composing the Subsidiary/ Force at the Siege of Asseer-Ghur, FIRST BATTALION 6th REGIMENT. 1 Rank and file killed.— 1 Drummer--4 Rank and file wounded. DETACHMENT CORPS OF PJONEERS. 1 Puckally killed— 1 Pioneer wounded. (Signed) J. COLEBROOKE, Depty. Adjt. Genl. Subsidiaiy Force. Camp, three Miles South of Asseer-Ghur, October 26, 1803. Soil loo Roll of Europeans in the Service of Doxdut Rao Scitidiah, ti'ho have surrendered them- selves to Colonel James Stevenson. Names. Rank. COL.NTRV. John James Dupon, John Mercier, Alexander Mars, John Berdard, Jookeen Caumbra, John Padroos, Francis Carooile, Manuel Joaza, Joa^a Castoo, Anthony Dalmard, Joseph Roman, Joseph Anthony, John Ammaral, Name not ascertained. Captain, Captain Lieutenant, Ensign, Ensign, Ensign, Ensign, Ensign, Ensign, Ensign, Serjeant, Serjeant, Serjeant, Matross, Ranks as Serjeant, Holland. France. England. Portugal. Portugal. Portugal. Portugal. Portugal. Portugal. Portugal. Portugal. Portugal. Portugal. (Signed) J. COLEBROOKE. Deputy Adjutant General Subsidiary/ Force. Camp at Boorhanpoor, October 16, 1803. Extract from G. O. by Colonel fames Stevemoriy commanding the Subsidiary Force. The European officers and Serjeants, who have this day been received from the service of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and all Europeans who may in future come in from the service of that chief, or any power confederated with him, are to be under the charge of the deputy adjutant-general, and who will draw pay for them agreeable to rates which will be hereafter determined. A true extract, (Signed) J. COLEBROOKE, Depty. Adjt. Cenl. Suby. Force. Camp at Boorhanpoor, 1 6th October, 1803. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUxMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. U 2 Fori 156 Fort William, November 30, 1803. THE following extracts from dispatches, which have been received by His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, from His Excellency the Commander in Chief, and from the Honorable Major General Wellesley, are published for general information. To His Excellency the most noble MARQUIS WELLESLEY, Governor General, (s'c. ^c. &c. My Lord, In the return of ordnance, &c. captured from the enemy in the action of the 1st instant, I omitted to m.ention to your Lordship that I had obtained upwards of sixteen hundred bullocks, several elephants, and horses, and a very large number of camels. Waggons have likewise been taken, containing a very great quantity of arms, besides the muskets, matchlocks, &c. thrown down on the field of battle, which amount to upwards of five thousand. One damaged piece of ordnance has been found in a well, into which it had been thrown by the enemy, which completes the return to seventy-two pieces of cannon. I have the honour to be. My Lord, Your Lordship's most faithful and humble Servant, (Signed) G. LAKE. Head Quarters, Camp, near Gissowlej/, Nov. 9, 1803. To His Excellency the most noble MARQUIS WELLESLEY, Governor General, 6ff . i^c. &c. My Lord, Jan Khan Moatemmed-oad-Dowlah arrived in my camp a few days ago, sent 157 sent by the king of Delhi, with a Khelaut to me, and with congratulations on the late important victory of Laswaree. Anxious to receive this public testimony of satisfaction at the success of the British arms, and His Majesty's private mark of favor, with every demonstration of respect and honor, I ordered a tent to be pitched without the precincts of my camp, for the reception of the ambassador, and prpceeded thither yester- day morning, attended by my staff, and accompanied by a large escort of cavalry. I received His Majesty's congratulations, and the dress which he did me the honor to send me, vi'ith the necessary form and ceremony. Having returned my public acknowledgments to His Majesty, and testified the high sense I entertained of the honor conferred on me, I returned to my camp, highly gratified by the evident marks of pleasure and satisfaction which I perceived in His Majesty's ambassador, and in every Mussulman who was a spectator of the ceremony. I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most faithful and humble servant, (Signed) G. LAKE, Head Quarters, Camp, Fahisser, November n, 1803. His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR GENERAL. Camp, 30 Miles North from Aurungabad, October 10, 1803. Mt Lord, I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which I have received from Captain O'Donnell, of the 1st regiment of cavalry, in which he gives a de- tailed account of an affair of no very great importance, but in which he and the detachment of troops under his command appear to have conducted them- selves in an exemplary manner. I likewise enclose the copy of an order, which I have issued to the troops under my command upon this occasion. The 158 The party which attacked Captain O'Donnell are a banditti, which infest the frontiers of His Highness the Soubah of the Dekan, and that of His High- ness the Peishwah ; and are formidable from their numbers and boldness. It does not appear that they belong to any particular chief, although it is said that they belong to the late Killedar of Ahmednuggur ; but I have reason to believe that this person discharged all his troops, and that he joined Dovvlut Rao Scindiah in camp.* As there is no established authority, or even an acknowledged boundary on any part of the frontier, and the killedars and other officers on both sides have been in the habit of carrying on private wars against each other, I am in- duced to believe that they have encouraged this banditti for the purposes of their own wars. While I was on the frontier, of course their operations ceased ; but they have now recommenced them, and I suspect that they are too strong for their former employers. I have the honour to be. My Lord, Your Excellency's most obedient. And faithful humble Servant, (Signed) ARTHUR WELLESLEY. His Excellency the Governor General. To Captain BARCLAY, Deputy Adjutant General of Mysore, 6ff . He. Sir, I have to request you will acquaint the Honorable Major General Wellesley with my return to this station, accompanied by Lieutenant Bryant and Morgan, and the detachment of the 1st battalion 12th regiment native infantry, as also the circumstances which obliged us to adopt this plan. On the morning of the 27th ultimo, as the detachment approached the mud fort of Kurjet, about twenty-two coss to S.S. E. of this place, we perceived a body of Peons drawn up a little to the left of the place. I immediately ordered a Jemadar and twelve Sepoys 159 Sepoys to conduct the followers and baggage then up under the walls of the fort, and with the remainder I advanced to reconnoitre, and learn who they belonged to. As we advanced they continued to retire. On ascending a small rising ground, I was much surprised at discovering a large body of horse drawn up in the bed of a Nullah, and not more than seven hundred yards in front of the ground which our little party then occupied. In this situation, I was under the necessity of returning to the fort. While marching back, the horse made two efforts to get between us and the place, but failed in both, and suffered some loss in the attempt. It was some time before I could get admittance into the fort ; on entering, I ordered Lieutenant Morgan, with twenty-five Sepoys, to take post at the principal gateway, and accompanied by Lieutenant Bryant, and the remainder of the Sepoys, I proceeded to examine the size and state of the place. We had not proceeded more than half way round, when we were obliged to return to the assistance of the party left at the gate. I had just joined Mr. Morgan, and formed the whole of the Sepoys, when about three hundred of the enemy's infantry entered at different parts of the fort, and advanced within one hundred yards of us ; they kept up a galling fire upon our people for about half an hour, killed one Sepoy, and wounded two more. Our situation at this time was extremely precarious, without some immediate step was taken to oblige the enemy to leave the place. We could spare but fifty men to oppose three hundred, without giving up the gate, through which the whole of their cavalry might attack us in rear. However, with this little party we sallied out on them, and pursued them from street to street until we drove them entirely out of the place. Their loss must have been very consi- derable; they left twenty-five men killed behind them, mostly Arabs. About two hours after this they entered the fort a second time, more in numbers, and we again drove them out with great loss on their side. From the great extent of the place, and its being accessible at so many different places, even for cavalry, I found it utterly impossible to keep them out i add to this, our ammunition was nearly expended. The villagers would render no assistance, on the contrary, encouraged the enemy to come in, and gave them every infor- mation regarding our situation. During the night of the 27th, I employed the whole 160 whole of the followers of every description in barricadoing the different streets leading to the post we had taken up, procured water for the people to serve them during the day, and acquainted Captain Graham, at Ahmednuggur, with our situation. About seven o'clock in the morning of the 28th I learned that a large party had taken post in the second killedar's house, though the day before he posi- tively refused to admit a small party of Sepoys, even to procure a little water, which we were much distressed for the want of. About eight, I could plainly see from the works over the gate that the place was crowded with both horse and foot, and that they were preparing to attack. At ten, thev opened a heavy fire of musketry on us, from tops of the principal houses in the fort, and continued this for the space of two hours without being able to hurt any of our people : gaining confidence from our silence, they advanced on us from all the places accessible around. By this time I had sixty brave fel- lows ready to receive them, which they did in the most gallant manner, and in return attacked them and drove them from every part of the fort ; took their standard, killed one of the sirdars, and about fifty of the men. This was the last time they attempted to disturb us, and we remained this and the whole of the next day perfectly quiet. The cavalry, to the amount ot ten or twelve hundred, still continued to hover about the place. Captain Lucas, with three companies of the 2d battalion 3d regiment, arrived on the morning of the 30th, and relieved us from our disagreeable situation. I feel it a duty, which I most cheerfully fulfil, in reporting to you. Sir, the cordial and able assistance I received during this short but active service from Lieutenants Bryant and Morgan, and I in part attribute to their gallant exer- tions the saving of our little detachment from total destruction. The Sepoys in general I have reason to be pleased with their conduct, as also of that part of the native officers belonging to the 1st battalion 12th regiment native infantry. Allow me now. Sir, to entertain the pleasing hope that our little exertions on the present occasion may meet with the approbation of the Honourable General Wellesley. Herewith t6t Herewith I beg leave to enclose a return of killed, wounded, and missing. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your obedient and humble Servant, (Signed) H. O'DONNELL, Caftain \st Regiment of Cavalry, /ihmedimggtir, October, 3, i803. (True Copy) (Signed) P. BARCLAY, Depty. Adjt. General Mysore. Extract from General Orders, by the Honorable Major General Wellesley, dated Camp at Binkenhoky, loth October, 1803. Major General Wellesley has received a report from Captain O'Donnell of the 1st regiment of cavalry, from which it appears, that being on his march from Ahmednuggurtojointhe division of the army under the command of Major Gene- ral Campbell, with a company of the 1st battalion 12th regiment under Lieute- nant Morgan, and the supernumerary native non-commissioned officers, here- tofore belonging to corps in camp, and lately drafted into the extra battalions, he was attacked by a body of horse and of peons, of such numbers as to in- duce Captain O'Donnell to think it necessary to take post in the village of Corjet Caraygaum. Here the attack was renewed upon this party with additional violence, and Captain O'Donnell finding that his post was a bad one, and at all events too large for his party, barricadoed, and otherwise strengthened such parts of it as he was of opinion he could defend. He there remained with his small party without throwing away his ammunition, excepting when he could do it with effect in judicious sallies, in three of which he killed a number of the enemy, far exceeding that of his party, which remained in security till it was relieved from Ahmednuggur, at the distance of above forty miles. Major General Wellesley returns his thanks to Captain O'Donnell, and Lieutenant Bryant of the 1st regiment of cavalry, and to Lieutenant Morgan X and 162 and the company of the 1st battalion 12th regiment, under his command, for their conduct upon this occasion. He has been particular in detailing the circumstances of this affair in Gene- ral Orders, in order that all officers may know the advantage which, with a small party of men, they may take even of the most ruinous village, to protect themselves and the parties of troops under their command. To the division of the army under his command, it u as scarcely necessary for Major General Wellesley to point out, that a small body of infantry, that keeps its order and reserves its fire, has but little to fear from cavalry. But in case any officer in charge of a party should be obliged, from circumstances, to take post, he sees, in the example set by Captain O'Donnell, the advantages he can take of the numerous fortified villages in this country, and the credit he can gain, and the service he can render, by thus defending himself. Major General Wellesley will not fail to report to the commander in chief his sense of the conduct of Captain O'Donnell and of the party under his command. A true extract, (Signed) P. BARCLAY, Depy. Adjt, Genl. Mysore. His excellency the GOVERNOR GENERAL. Camp at Cheese Kair, Nu-jcmber 2, 1803. My Lord, After I had sent off my dispatch to your Excellency of the 24th of October, I received authentic accounts that the Rajah of Berar had passed through the hills which form the boundary of Candeish, and had moved to- wards the river Godavery. I therefore ascended the Adjuntee Ghaut on the 25th, and continued my march to the southward on the 26th, and passed Aurungabad on the 29th. 2. The Rajah had advanced gradually to the eastward, and was at Lakee- gaun, about twenty miles north from Puttun, when 1 arrived at Aurungabad j 3 and 163 and between that night and the night of the 51st, during the whole of which time I was In his neighbourhood, he moved his camp five times. 3. On the 31st he detached a body, consisting of 5000 horse, to endeavour to intercept a convoy, consisting of 14,000 bullocks, which was going for- ward to join the troops on the frontier. This convoy was protected by three companies of the 2d of the 3d Madras native infantry, with twro 3-pounders, under Captain Bayncs; which detachment, with 400 Mysore horse, has for some time been employed in convoying grain from the districts south of the Godavery to my camp, and by a company from the subsidiary force, and two companies from the corps serving at Hyderabad, under the command of Cap- tain Seton. 4. They had marched from the Godavery on the morning of the 3 1st, and reached Amber, where they were attacked, and they succeeded In beating off the enemy, and in securing the convoy, which arrived in safety in my camp yesterday, notwithstanding the great superiority of numbers by which they were attacked. 5. I have the honor to enclose copies of the reports of this action, which I have received from Captain Baynes ; upon which I have to observe, that It affords another instance of what can be done by disciplined infantry, detef- mined to do their duty, against very superior numbers of cavalry. 6. I beg leave also to take this opportunity to draw your lordship's notice to the Mysore cavalry under Bishnapah Pundit. , This corps, which consists of 2000 men, have performed all the light troops duties of this division of the army, since I was detached from the Toombudra in the month of March last ; they have performed the duties with the utmost cheerfulness, and a zeal which I have never before witnessed in troops of this description. They have fre- quently been engaged with the enemy's light troops, have always conducted themselves well, and have lost many men and horses. I have the honor to be. My Lord, Your Excellency's most obedient And faithful humble Servant, (Signed) ARTHUR WELLESLEY. X z (COPY) 164 (COPY.) To CAPTAIN BARCLAY, Deputy Jldjutant General, ^c. Sir, I beg you will report to the Honorable Major General Wellesley, that I was attacked this day, about two o'clock P. M. by about four or five thousand horse. They came on at first as if determined to charge, but receiving a few shots from our guns they retired, and though they frequently canie^near us> as if to charge, and some of them within musket shot, they were always driven back. Our loss is one European wounded, two sepoys wounded, and some Mysoreans killed and wounded, besides a few (perhaps three) horses killed. The loss of the enemy is much greater, particularly in horses. I beg you to say to the general, that I shall take post till I receive his instructions. I write this by moonlight, which will, I hope, apologize for haste. We were under arms till about sunset, at which time they were out of sight. (Signed) THO. BAYNES, Capt. Comdg. a Detcht. Umber, October, 31, 1803. To CAPTAIN BARCLAY, Deputy Adjutant General, i^c Sir, I last night had^ the honor to inform you, that I had repulsed a body of Bhonselah's horse, and have now (for the information of the Honourable Major General Wellesley) to make you more fully informed of the circum- stances. I arrived with my convoy about twelve o'clock, and encamped near the town^ with my right flank to it, and my rear protected by a hill. At two o'clock P. M, the attack began (without more than ten minutes warning of their approach) by throwing great numbers of rockets, and advancing upon our left : this obliged me to change my front by wheeling to the left ; at the same 163 same time some of them were within musket shot. I then opened my guns which stopped their appr-)ach ; they at this time moved round, as if to gain the rear, where the Brinjarees were. This movement obliged me to detach a party to cover them, and having previously posted a company on the hill on my rear, my line became very small. To prevent their knowing my exact strength, I drew up the Mysore horses in our line^ They came on repeat- edly, as it to charge, hut were always stopped by our guns. They continued to rocket us till dark,when they retired. I am sorry to add that one hundred of the Gram bullocks were carried off, and some Brinjaree bullocks (perhaps one hnndred) while at grass. I have the honor to enclose a list of the killed and wounded. (Signed) THOS. BAYNES, Capt. Comdg. a Detachment, List of Casualties in the Attack by the Marhatta Horse, October 31, 1 803. His majesty's 78 regiment one private wounded. 2d battalion Madras artillery one sepoy do. 2d ditto of 2d regiment native infantry three do. do. 2d ditto of 3d do „ one do. do. 2d ditto of 5th do one do. do. Total — one private of the 78th regiment, and five Sepoys, wounded. Mysore Cavalry, -wounded, killed, and missing. Wounded. Killed. Missing. Men 13 Horse 5^ 1 2 (Signed) THO. BAYNES, Capt. Comdg. a Detachinent. True Copies, (Signed) R. BARCLAY, Deputy Adjutant General. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Government. Fort 166 Fort IVilUamt December 5, 1803. HIS Excellency the most noble the Governor General has this day received from the Honorable Major General Wellesley a dispatch, dated Jaum, No- vember 11, 1803, communicating the intelligence that a Vakeel had been sent to Major General Wellesley, by Dowlut Rao Scindiah, to treat for peace, and had arrived in Major General Wellesley's camp. The name of this Vakeel, who is a person of high family, is Jeswunt Rao Goorpara, and he is the nephew of the late Morari Rao of Gooty. The usual visits of ceremony had taken place, and the first conference had been held between Major General Wellesley and the Vakeel of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, on the subject of peace. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec, to the Govt. Fort William, December l'^, 1803. A DISPATCH, of which the following is an extract, has been this day received by His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, from the Honorable Major General Wellesley. Caynp, Ferdapore, October 24, 1803- My Lord, I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency, that Colonel Stevenson took possession of the city of Boorhanpoor, without opposition, on the 16th instant; he marched to Asseer-Ghur on the 17th, took possession of the Fettah on the 1 8th, opened a battery against the fort on the 20th, and ob- tained possession of it on the morning of the 21st. I have not yet received a detailed account of the manner in which Colonel Stevenson obtained possession of 167 of this important fortress, or whethei he sustained any loss in the attack of the Pettah on the 18th, or of the fort. 2. After I had arrived at Poolmery, a^out sixteen miles north from Aurun- gabad, I found that the enemy did not advance to the southward, as I had been informed they first intended ; and in the night of the I5th I received a particu- lar account of the disposition of their troops, baggage, &C. which convinced me that they intended to interrupt Colonel Stevenson's operations at Asseer- Ghur. 3. I therefore marched on the 16th to the northward, and descended the Ghaut on the 19th. Scindiah had moved to the northward, but he halted as soon as he found I had returned ; and he v\ as yesterday at Aboon on the Taptee. The Rajah of Berar has separated from him, and, it is said, has gone towards Chandore. I suspect that the report has been circulated with a view- to draw me to the southward again ; but, as Colonel Stevenson has got pos- session of Asseer-Ghur, and is fully equal to any thing that can be sent against him, it is my intention to reascend the Ghaut immediately. 4. Sixteen officers and Serjeants belonging to the Campoos have joined Colonel Stevenson, under your Excellency's proclamation of the 29th of August. I will hereafter send a list of their names, and an account of the pay each is to receive. The infantry retired towards the Nerbudda, when Colonel Stevenson approached Boorhanpoor, and, by all accounts, it is completely destroyed and disorganized. It is impossible to form it into corps again, and it is not probable that it will ever be of any service to Dowlut Rao Scindiah. 5. 1 have directed Colonel Stevenson to leave a garrison in Asseer-Ghur, and to deliver the districts depending upon that fortress to the charge of the ser- vants of the Soobah of the Dekan. Your Excellency will observe that this is the last of the possessions of Dowlut Rao Scindiah in the Dekan ; and the operations of the troops will now be directed against those of the Rajah of Berar. I have the honor to be, My Lord, With the greatest respect, Your Excellency's Most obedient and faithful humbk Servant, ARTHUR VVELLESLEY. The 16^8 The detailed account of the siege and surrender of Asseer-Ghur was pub- lished in the Calcutta Gazette Extraordinary of the 1st of December, 1803. Major General Wellesley's original dispatch, dated the 25th of October, 1803, has not been received. The foregoing extract is taken from the duplicate copy of that dispatch, which reached Fort William this morning. '^1 jii. Published by command of His Excellency The most noble the Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, C/iie/ Sec. to the Govt. Fort William, December H, 1803. I ADVICES have been this day received from Lieutenant Colonel P. Powell, dated Camp at Calpee, the 4th December, 1803, communicating the satis- factory information of the surrender of the fort of Calpee to the detachment under the command of Colonel Powell, at eleven o'clock on the forenoon of that day. '■ The Killadar having refused to surrender the fort on the summons of Colonel Powell, a battery of two 18-pounders and one howitzer was constructed within two hundred yards of the walls, and opened soon after day-light on the 4th. A heavy fire was kept up till eleven A. M. when the garrison proposed to surrender, and was permitted to march out with their arms and private pro- perty. The fortress was immediately occupied by a detachment of British troops. Captain D. Macleod, of the 2d battalion 11th regiment native infantry, received a severe wound while employed on duty at the battery, and one Sepoy was alio wounded : no other casualties of any description have occurred. The mhabitants at Calpee have manifested the greatest confidence in the British government, and satisfaction at the treatment which they experienced from 169 from Lieutenant Colonel Powell. Many of the inhabitants, who had quitted their habitations on the approach of the British troops, returned to the town immediately after the surrender of the fort to Colonel Powell. Published by command of His Excellency the most noble The Governor General in Council, J. LUMSDEN, Chief Sec. to the Govt. APPENDIX 170 APPENDIX E. Itetwn of the Ordnance, Ammunition, and Colours, taken from the Enemy froyn the %th of August until the ist of November, i803, according to the Official Returns which have been received bj/ the Governor General. Baroach, - 15th August, Aly-Ghur, - 4-th September, Delhi, - 1 1th ditto, AssvE, - 23d ditto, Agra, (Town) 10th October, BuNDELCUND, 13th ditto, Agra, (Fort) 17th ditto, CuTTACK, - - ditto, Laswaree, - 1st November. Stands of Colours. Guns. | Howit- zers. Mortars. JVall Pieces. Muskets. Tumbrils. Carts. Brass. lion. 15 7 4 44 33 52 69 26 2 , 76 54 60 8 22 86 7 .4 7 7 9 2 1 2 182 5000 37 26 2 33 64 29 57 Total 70 312 183 27 5 182 5000 1 162 86 —Brass guns 312 Iron ditto 183 Howitzers 27 Mortars 5 M'all pieces 182 709 Besides four pieces of ordnance thrown into the river Kaitna by the enemy at the battle of Assye. N.B. Tlie ordnance enumerated in this return is exclusive of the ordnance captured at Delhi, Fcrozeabad, Ahmednuggur, Jalnapoor, Baroach, Powanghur, Cuttack, Boorhanpoor, and AsseerGhur, of which the ollicial returns have not yet been received at Fort William. A DIS- 171 Fort William, December 25, 1803. A DISPATCH, of which the following is a copy, has been this day received by His Excellency the most noble the Governor General, from the Honorable Major General Wellesley. Citrnp at Parterlj/, November 30, 1803. My Lorp, Having found that the Rajah of Berar was moving towards his own terri- tories, that the body of troops he had with him was but small, and decreasing in numbers daily, and not likely to do much mischief to the territories of the Soubah of the Decan, I descended the Ghauts by Rajoora on the ( ) in order to support and cover Colonel Stevenson's operations against Gawilghur in Berar. Colonel Stevenson had equipped his corps at Asseer-Ghur for the siege of that fort, and had marched to Ballapore, where he was joined on the 24th by the Brinjarries, and other supplies which had been saved from the enemy by Captain Baynes's affair at Amber j, and he marched forward on the 26th. Your Excellency has been informed that on the 34d I had consented to a suspension of hostilities with the troops of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, in this quarter and Guzzerat. The condition on which this agreement depended, viz. that Scindiah should occupy a position twenty coss to the east of Elichpour, had not been carried into execution ; and Scindiah was encamped at Sersooly about four miles from the camp of Munnoo Bappoo*, which was at this place. The army of the former consisted only of cavalry j that of the latter was cavalry ; a great part, if not the whole of Ragojee Bhooslah's regular infantry 3 and a large proportion of artillery. In the course of the 28th, the Vakeels from Dowlut Rao Scindiah urgently pressed me not to attack these troops ; but I informed them repeatedly that there was no suspension of arms with Ragojee Bhooslah j and »one with. * Brother to the Rajah of Beraj". Y 2- Scindisih, 172 Scindiah till he should comply with the terms of his agreement ; and that I should certainly attack the enemies of the Company wherever I should find them. Colonel Stephenson's division and mine both marched to this place yester- day ; the colonel having with great prudence and propriety halted on the 28th at Hattee Andorah, to enable me to co-operate in the attack of the enemy. We found, on our arrival, that the armies of both chiefs had de- camped; and I could perceive, from a tower in Parterly, a confused mass, about two miles beyond Sersooly and Scindiah's old camp, which I concluded to be their armies in march. The troops had marched a great distance on a very hot day, and therefore I did not think it proper to pursue them ; but, shortly after our arrival here, bodies of horse appeared in our front, with which the Mysore horse skirmished during a part of the day ; and when I went out to push forward the picquets of the infantry, to support the Mysore cavalry, and to take up the ground of our encampment, I could perceive distinctly a long line of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, regularly drawn up on the plains of Argaum, immediately in front of that village, and about six miles from this place, at which I intended to en- camp. Although late in the day, I Immediately determined to attack this army : accordingly, I marched on in one column, the British cavalry leading, in a direction nearly parallel to that of the enemy's line, covering the rear and left by the Mogul and Mysore cavalry. The enemy's infantry and guns were in the left of their centre, with a body of cavalry on their left. Scindiah's army, consisting of one very heavy body of cavalry, was in the right, having upon its right a body of Pindarics and other light troops. Their line extended above five miles, having in their rear the village and extensive gardens and enclosures of Argaum, and in their front a plain, which howeVer was much cut by water-courses, 8ic. &c. I formed the army in two lines; the infantry in the first, the cavalry in the second, and supporting the right, and the Mogul and Mysore cavalry the left, nearly parallel to that of the enemy; with the right rather advanced to press upon the enemy's left. Some little time elapsed before the lines could be • ' 3 formed. 173 formed, owing to part of the infantry of my division which led the column having: got into some confusion. When formed, the whole advanced in the greatest order; the 74th and 78th regiments were attacked by a large body (supposed to be Persians), and all these were destroyed. Scindiah's cavalry charged the 1st battalion 6th regiment, which was on the left of our line, and were repulsed; and the whole line retired in disorder before our troops, leaving in our hands thirty-eiglit pieces of cannon, and all their ammunition. The British cavalry then pursued them for several miles, and destroyed great numbers, and took many elephants and camels, and much baggage. The Mogul and Mysore cavalry also pursued the fugitives, and did them great mischief. Some of the latter are still following them; and I have sent out this morning all the Mysore, Mogul, and Marhatta cavalry, in order to secure as many advantages from' this victory as can be gained, and complete the enemy's confusion. For the reasons stated in the commencement of this letter, the action did not begin till late in the day, and, unfortunately, sufficient day-light did not remain to do all that I could have wished ; but the cavalry continued their pursuit by moonlight, and all the troops were under arms till a late hour in the night. I have the honor to enclose a return of our loss in this action. The troops conducted themselves with their usual bravery. The 74th and 78th regiments had a particular opportunity of distinguishing themselves, and have deserved and received my thanks. I am also much indebted to Colonel Stevenson for the advice and assistance I received from him ; to the Honorable Lieu- tenant Colonel St. Leger for the manner in which he led on the British cavalry ; and to Lieutenant Colonels Wallace, Adams (who commanded Lieut. Col. Harness's brigade, the latter being absent on account of severe indisposition) j Haliburton, Macleane, Pogson, and Major Huddlestone, who commanded brigades of cavalry and infantry ; to Major Campbell, commanding the 94lh regiment; to Captain Beauman, commanding the artillery, with the division under my immediate command ; to Captain Burke, compianding the artillery, with the subsidiary force ; and to the officers of the staff, with my division, and belonging to the subsidiary force. I have also to inform your Excellency that the Mogul cavalry,' under Solabut Khan 174 Khan, and the Mysore cavalry, under Bistnapah Pundit, distinguished them- selves. The former took a standard from Scindiah's troops. The Marhatta cavalry were not engaged, as the person who went to them with orders missed his road. Amrut Rao was not in the action, as he had encamped some distance in my rear on the 28th, and he could not march the whole distance to Parterly yesterday morning; but he sent for orders as soon as he heard that I intended to attack the enemy. I propose to march to-morrow towards Gawil-Ghur, and I shall lose no time in attacking that place. I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Excellency's most obedient And faithful humble Servant, (Signed) - ARTHUR WELLESLEY. Return of the Killed, Wounded, and Missing, oj the troops under the Com- mand of Major General the honorable Arthur Wel Lesley, on the 2gth November 1803, in the Action, on the Plains of Ar gaum, with the United armies of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and the Rajah of Berar, com- manded by the Maharaje, and Munnoo Bappoo, Brother to the Rajah of Berar. The Troops composing the Honorable Major General Wellesley's Division of the Army. H. M. 19 th Lt Dragoons. — Wounded 1 cparter master and 5 privates. IL C. Uh Regt. Nat. Cavahy. — Killed 1 trooper, 1 officer's and 1 regimental horse- Wounded 1 trooper, 1 horse — Missing 6 horses. H. C. 5t/i JRegt. Nat. Cavaliy. — Killed 1 horse. H. €. nth Regt. Nat. Cavalry. — Killed 3 horses— Wounded 2 horses — Missing 1 trooper, 3 horses. .jiriillery. — Killed 2 Lascars— Wounded 1 corporal, 1 gunner, 4 matrosses, 11 gun lascars. H. M. 175 H. M. IMh Regt. — Killed l serjeant, 3 rank and file— Wounded 1 lieutenant 5 Serjeants, ! 1 dnimmer and 4 1 rank and file. H. M. ISth Regt. — Killed 1 serjeant and 8 privates — Wounded 2 Serjeants, 5 Corporals, and 31 privates. \st Bat. 2d. Regt. Nat. Tnfantrij. — Killed 1 drummer, 1 sepoy recruit— Wounded 3 naiks, 9 sepoys — Missing ) sepoy recruit. 1st Bat. 3d Regt. Not. Infanliy. — Killed 5 sepoys — .Wounded 1 lieutenant, 2subadars, 1 je- midar, 1 havildar, 3 naiks, 1 drummer, 28 sepoys. \st Bat. '^th. Regt. Nat. Infantry. — Killed 1 havildar, 2 sepoys — Wounded 1 quarter- master serjeant, 1 naik, 28 sepoys. 1st Bat. &th Reg. Nat. Infantry. — Wounded 2 drummers 1 sepoy — Missing 1 sepoy. \st Bat. lOth. Regt. Nat. Infantry. — Killed 1 jemidar, I havildar, 2 rank and file- Wounded 1 subidar, 3 rank and file — Missing 1 rank and file. 2d Bat. \2th Regt. N^at. Infantry.— Yi.\\\zA 3 sepoys— Wounded 1 captain, 1 havildar, and 7 sepoys. Officers wounded. — Captain J. M. Vernon, 2d bat. 12th nat. infantry.— Lieut. Langlands, H. M. 74th regt. and Lieut. A Turner, 1st bat. 3d reg. native infantry. The officer's horse killed, belonging to Lieut, J. J. Meredith, 4th regiment native cavalry. 'the 'Troops composing the Subsidiary Force of His Highness the Soubah of the Dekan. id Regt. Nat. Cavalry. — Killed I farrier, 3 horses— Wounded 1 serjeant-major, 1 havildar, 1 naik, 5 troopers, and 3 horses. 6ih Regt. Nat. Cavaliy. — Killed 9 horses — Wounded 1 lieutenant, 1 naik, 3 troopers, 1 officer's and 2 regimental horses — Missing 2 horses. Artillery. — Killed 1 horse — Wounded 2 captains, 1 gunner, 2 matrosses, and 1 first tliidal. H. M. 94/A Regt. — Killed 2 rank and file — Wounded 3 lieutenants, 1 serjeant, 1 drum- mer, 32 rank and file— Missing 2 rank and file. 2d Bat. 2d Regt. Nat. Iff antry.— Killed l havildar, 4 sepoys— Wounded 2 naiks, 13 sepoys. 1st Bat. 6th Regt. Nat. Infantry. — Wounded 1 puckally. 2d Bat. 1th Regt. Nat. Infantry. — Wounded I havildar, 1 naik. 2d Bat. 176 2d Bat. 9tk Eegt. Nat. Infantry.— YiJAhA 3 sepoys— Wounded 1 havildar, 3 sepoys. \st Bat. \yth Eegt. Nat. Ijifatitry.—K!\\\tA l sepoy— Wounded 10 sepoys— Missing 1 sepoy. \d Bat. 11 Begt. Nat. Infantry. — Wounded 10 sepoys. OJicers wounded.— Ca^tdHns Burke and Dalrymple of the artillery.— Lieutenant Barnby, 6th regiment cavalry. — Lieutenants James Donald, John Robertson, and Frederick Campbell, of His Majesty's 94th regiment. Officers' horses killed.— Czptzin Bui'kes— Wounded Brigade Major Conway's. Abstract of the Killed^ fFounded, and Missing. • Europeans. : Natives. | Horses. 1 -a i5 ) V: ^ ^< 5« " ^ r~~:«^fc ~;^x- ■/?^ *-«i . ■ "^ / ~' ^)7 / — .7~~^--§ i5l^^" «94 ^^,1^^" J ^ ,^_; \:\ \S1'' ^1^ -^^ -^^ ^^^^." .jy**-^. ^^ '^ ,^w^ rf-TI i^ ,^