Berar, for the purpose of subverting the treaty concluded by the British government with the Peishwab at Bassein.

Explanations, which were demanded, only served to justify the suspicions. The Governor-General accordingly, on June 28th, issued private instructions to General Lake at Cawnpoor to make the necessary arrangements for assembling the army on the northwest frontier of the Company's dominions, in order to counteract the designs of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and to derive every possible benefit to the British interests in the event of war. 1

The forces from the armies of Fort St. George and of Bombay under the command of Major General 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 Raiah of Berar; and arrangements had been carried into effect for the early invasion (from Ganjam and from Calcutta by the armies of Fort St. George and Bengal) of the valuable province of Cuttack in Orissa, which disjoins the British territory, and interrupts the continuity of our dominions between Bengal and the northern Sircars. The government of Bombay was prepared 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, and energy of General Lake, (whose personal exertions surpassed all former example, and were 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 towards 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 commencement of hostilities in the Dekan.

The arrangements adopted by the Governor-General were directed to provide for a general 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 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, Guzarat and Orissa, and embraced, together with the security and defence of

1 Notes on Marhatta War, p. 26.

the British dominions, the important objects of defeating the con-. federate chieftains in the field; of establishing our allies, their Highnesses the Peishwah and the Nizam, in their respective legitimate governments; of securing the legitimate succession to the government of the Dekan; of delivering the unfortunate and aged Emperor Shah Aulum, and the royal house of Timur from misery, degradation and bondage; and of extirpating the last remnant of French influence in India, by rescuing his Imperial Majesty the Moghul, from the hands of a desperate band of French adventurers; and by destroying the powerful 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, m

The operations of the north-west frontier of Oude, under the immediate 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 Monsieur 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 navigation of that river. Thirdly, the protection of the person of the Emperor 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. Fifthly, the annexation of Bundelcund to the Company's dominions, by which annexation great additional security would be derived to the rich province and city of Benares, and an effectual check opposed to whatever power might remain to the Rajah of Berar, or to any other Marhatta chief in that quarter."

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."

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 together to about 10,500 men: the eighth regiment of dragoons, however, and sixth regiment of native cavalry, and second brigade of native infantry, had not yet joined the army.

On July 27th, 1803, the Governor-General empowered General Lake, the commander in chief, to carry into execution the plan of operations which had been proposed against Dowlut Rao Scindiah's forces in the vicinity of the north-west frontier of Oude.

For this purpose the General marched from Caunpore on the 7th of August, and reached the vicinity of Coel on the 28th. Being of opinion that the refusal of the confederated chieftains to comply with General Wellesley's requisition amounted to a positive declaration of war, and conceiving himself under those circumstances to be authorised to commence hostilities without waiting for further advices from the Dekan, on August 29th, he moved into the Marhatta territories to attack Monsieur Perron's force, assembled near the fortress of Ally-Ghur. He reached this point the same day.

Monsieur Perron's position was strong and favourable for repelling the attack of the British army. It was estimated to amount to above 15,000 horse, of which from four to five thousand were regular cavalry. General Lake having determined to turn the left flank of Perron's force, the British cavalry were formed into two lines, and advanced to the attack supported by the infantry in three and four lines. During the advance, a large coluran of the enemy's cavalry having approached sufficiently near to enable the British cavalry to fire a few rounds from their galloper guns, it succeeded in forcing the enemy to retire. The excellent front displayed by the British cavalry, and the regular and determined advance of the whole army, so completely overawed Monsieur Perron and his troops, that they retired as fast as the British troops advanced, and finally quitted the field without venturing to risk an engagement. The General was with the British cavalry the whole day, and charged in person at the head of the twentyseventh dragoons.

Monsieur Perron's reputation received a powerful shock from the events of that day, and the defection of several of his confede rates demonstrated at once their doubt of his power, and the conviction of our superiority.

After the action, General Lake took possession of the town of

Coel, and the army encamped to the northward of it, between the town and the fort of Ally-Ghur. Monsieur Pedron, the commander of the fort, was now summoned to surrender it; but this being refused, it was stormed on the morning of September 4th: the Hon. Lieut.-Col. Monson commanded the storming party; and conducted the attack with the utmost gallantry, judgment, skill, and fortitude. After a vigorous defence, which lasted for an hour, the fort was carried but our loss was extremely severe. The French commandant, Pedron, was taken prisoner.

The fall of the fort of Ally-Ghur was attended with the acquisition of most of the military 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.

On September 7th, General Lake, having secured this post, moved forward towards Delhi. On the same day he received a letter from Monsieur Perron, notifying his having resigned the service of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and requesting permission to pass with his suite, &c. to Luchnow; which was immediately complied with.

On September 8th, the army reached the fort of Koorjah; and on the 9th, they reached Secundra; on the 11th, they reached their ground of encampment near the Jehna Nullah, about six miles from Delhi. The troops 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 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, and found them in order of battle, and in full force. A swamp was on each flank; and beyond it was posted the cavalry. Their front was covered by their numerous artillery, and a line of intrenchments, yet in the front only could they be attacked. As the British cavalry approached, they began a very heavy cannonade.

General Lake now ordered his troops to advance to the front by columns of grand divisions from each battalion. The whole of his force engaged in this memorable action were the seventysixth regiment, seven battalions of Sepoys, the artillery, the twenty-seventh dragoons, and two regiments of native cavalry, amounting 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.

One hour elapsed before the infantry could join the cavalry, which had advanced about two miles in front, and was exposed to a severe cannonade which occasioned a considerable loss of men and horses. During this interval the horse of General Lake, the commander in chief, was shot under him.

The General now endeavoured by a feint to induce the enemy to quit their intrenchments, and advance on the plain. He therefore ordered his cavalry to retire, both for the purpose of drawing the enemy from his strong position, and of covering the advance of the British infantry. This retrograde movement was performed with the greatest order and steadiness, till 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.

The feint completely succeeded; the enemy quitted their strong position, and advanced with the whole of their guns, shouting and exhibiting every demonstration of perfect confidence in superior powers. 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 seventy-sixth regiment. Notwitstanding a tremendous fire of round, grape, and chain shot, the troops led by General Lake advanced with the greatest bravery and steadiness, and without taking their muskets from their shoulders, till they reached within an hundred paces of the enemy, when the enemy commenced a heavy fire of grape from all their artillery. Orders were instantly given to charge the enemy with bayonets; the whole British line fired a volley; and with their illustrious commander in chief at their head, rushed on with such impetuosity, that the enemy gave way, and fled in every direction. As soon as the British troops halted after their charge, General Lake, with bis accustomed judgment, ordered the line to break into columns of companies, which maneuvre being effected, the British cavalry (European and native) charged through the intervals with galloper-guns, and completed the victory, by pursuing the enemy to the banks of the Jumna, and driving vast numbers into the middle of the river. The galloper-guns attached to the cavalry, were