A History of the Mahrattas v2.c42.28

v2.c42.28

The confederate armies remained for ten days in the neighbourhood of Seringapatam, in order to allow time for the convoys of grain, expected by the Mahrattas, to join the camp : after which, the whole moved to Nagmungulum. Hurry Punt proposed that they should proceed to Sera and take possession of the whole country between that place and the Kistna. Lord Cornwallis, however, considered it of prior importance to reduce the Baramahal and the country in the neighbourhood of Bangalore, in order to facilitate the approach of the necessary supplies from Madras. Hurry Punt urged similar reasons in support of his own proposal, and was naturally seconded by the Moghuls ; but as both depended on the English artillery and military stores, they yielded to the wishes of the Governor-General. The army moved forward by very slow marches, necessary to the English from the exhausted state of their cattle, and the motions of the confederates were regulated accordingly. The fort of Oosoor was evacuated on the approach of the grand army. Pureshram Bhow, accompanied by Captain Little’s battalions, was detached towards Sera for the purpose of keeping open the northern communication and overawing the country which had already submitted. Nidjigul surrendered to Pureshram Bhow, and the Killidar of Davaraydroog promised to give it up, provided a part of the British detachment was sent to take possession ; but on approaching the fort they were fired upon, and as Pureshram Bhow had not the means of reducing it, he burnt the Pettah in revenge, and proceeded to Sera. Being desirous of returning to the north-west, he assigned want of forage as a reason for hastily withdrawing to Chittledroog, where he surprised and cut off three hundred of its garrison, who happened to be outside and neglected to seek timely protection in the fort. Pureshram Bhow long indulged hopes of obtaining possession of this stronghold by seducing the garrison; but all his attempts proved abortive; he however took several fortified places in its vicinity.