A History of the Mahrattas v2.c51.109

v2.c51.109

As soon as the confederates found that General Wellesley had not passed the Ghaut, but was moving south towards Aurungabad, and that Colonel Stevenson had marched against Burhanpoor, they made preparations for following and interrupting him in that object. General Wellesley learning their (Oct. 19.) design immediately returned north, and descended the Ajunta Ghaut. Sindia, on finding that General Wellesley had returned, halted, but Rughoojee Bhonslay, who had separated from his confederate, marched to the southward by the Unkye Tunkye pass. General Wellesley, therefore, in order to protect the territory of the Nizam, reascended the Ajunta, and continued his route beyond Aurungabad, until he arrived in the neighbourhood of the camp of Rughoojee, who was so apprehensive of a night attack that he moved his camp five (Oct. 31.) times in less than forty-eight hours. On the 31st, Rughoojee detached 5,000 horse to cut off a convoy of 14,000 bullock loads of grain, escorted by three companies of Sepoys and a party of Mysore horse under Captain Baynes, who made a judicious and spirited defence at the village of Amber, and brought in the whole of his convoy safe with the exception of about two hundred bullocks. After this event, General Wellesley, finding that Rughoojee was moving towards his own territories, once more returned to the northward, and descended the Ghauts at Rajoora, for the purpose of supporting and covering Colonel Stevenson, whom he had ordered to form the siege of Gawelgurh.