A History of the Mahrattas v2.c52.37

v2.c52.37

bank. The Mahrattas, as usual in success, were now active and energetic; they prosecuted the advantage which they had obtained, and compelled Monson to abandon his baggage, which, with their usual avidity, they seized as trophies of a decisive victory. But the British detachment could yet show they were far from being subdued; every attack was repulsed, and Colonel Monson reached Kooshalgurh on the night of the 25th August. Here a most unexpected state of affairs presented itself;—instead of finding an ally in Sewdasheo Bhow, that officer had attacked Captain Nicholl, who had with much judgement and spirit maintained his post and protected Kooshalgurh, a town belonging to the Raja of Jeypoor. On the 26th August, the Mahratta cavalry encamped in separate bodies, surrounding the British detachment; and two companies of Sepoys, belonging to the 1st battalion 14th regiment, with a large proportion of the irregular horse, seduced by Holkar, deserted. Of the cause of this partial disaffection there is no account afforded, but for the treachery of the few, the general fidelity and steadiness of the detachment most amply made amends.¹ Unfortunately Brigadier-General Monson did not know the Sepoys, they had no confidence in him, nor he in them. At seven o'clock on the evening of the 26th August, having previously spiked his remaining howitzer, the other having been taken by the enemy on the bank of the Bunass, Brigadier-General Monson moved out of Kooshalgurh, and prosecuted his retreat towards Agra in an oblong square. During that night and the ensuing day, the Mahratta horse, supported by guns, repeatedly attempted to penetrate, but could make no impression. On the night of the 27th, under the protection of the ruined fort of Hindoun, Monson halted a few hours to refresh his weary men, but one hour after midnight his retreat was resumed. As soon as he had cleared the ravines near Hindoun, the horse, in three different bodies, made a desperate charge; but the Sepoys, reserving their fire until they were almost within reach of their bayonets, then gave it with such signal effect that the enemy retired in every direction. The troops almost exhausted with