A History of the Mahrattas v2.c52.47

v2.c52.47

of Delhi, was on his return to his station at Sehraunpoor, with one battalion of Sepoys and some matchlockmen, when he was overtaken by Holkar at Shamlee. He formed his camp into a square which towards evening the enemy surrounded; but drew off in the night to the high road leading to Sehraunpoor, which enabled Colonel Burn to throw his party into a small gurhee near the town, where he resolved to defend himself if he could procure supplies, and if not, to fight his way back to Delhi. In consequence of the hostility evinced towards him by the inhabitants of Shamlee, who joined Holkar in attacking him, he had determined to adopt the latter alternative, when he heard that General Lake with three regiments of dragoons, three regiments of native cavalry, the horse artillery, and a brigade of infantry under Colonel Don, was marching to his relief. General Lake arrived at Shamlee 3d November; Holkar retired on his approach, and now prepared to execute his long meditated threat of wasting the Company’s provinces with fire and sword. To leave him no time for the purpose was now the object of the British general; and on the 5th November the pursuit of Holkar commenced; his route lay in a southerly direction, straight down the Dooab, in which he pillaged and burned the defenceless villages as he passed along.