A History of the Mahrattas v2.c52.30

v2.c52.30

(July 17.) On the 17th the troops reached the Chumbelee rivulet which was not fordable, but Monson, on the ensuing day, sent his artillery-men across on elephants, with orders to proceed to the fort of Rampoorah. Nearly ten days elapsed before the whole of the troops, some on elephants, some on rafts, and some by being sent to a ford farther down, could cross this rivulet, so greatly was it swollen. During that time they sustained much privation; in different situations, they repulsed several persevering attacks which were made upon them by Holkar's cavalry, and a detachment of flank companies under Captain O'Donell beat up the camp of a large body of the enemy on the evening of the 21st July with great spirit and success. Many of the men were drowned in crossing the Chumbelee; but the most trying to the poor Sepoys of all that they endured was the loss of many of their wives and children, who being in some instances necessarily left on the opposite bank till the last, were, in this helpless and unprotected state, in view and within hearing of their husbands, barbarously massacred by Bheels from the neighbouring hills, who were in the interests of Holkar.