A History of the Mahrattas v2.c57.19

v2.c57.19

(Oct. 30.) European regiment, by great exertions, marched into the cantonment.¹ Mr. Elphinstone now determined on removing the troops from their present very bad position to another in many respects more eligible, at the village of Khirkee,² four miles distant, which had been early pointed out by General Smith as the proper one to be occupied in case of an apprehended rupture. The troops accordingly took up their ground at Khirkee on the 1st November, and the Residency being close to (Nov. 1.) the town, two hundred and fifty men were sent for its protection. The Peishwa was apprised of the intended movement; but his army supposed that the British troops had withdrawn from fear, and was much encouraged in consequence. The cantonment was plundered; an officer,¹ on his route to Bombay, was attacked, wounded, and robbed in open day; the language of the Peishwa’s ministers was that of perfect slight; his troops everywhere began to insult individuals as they passed; and they continued to push forward their parties as if in defiance. They proposed forming a camp betwixt the old cantonment and the new position, and a party of horse moved down for the purpose. A second message was therefore sent to the Peishwa, begging that the motives of the movement might not be misconstrued; for, if the British troops were pressed upon, as in the old position, those of His Highness must be treated as enemies. The Peishwa now believed, from the reports of his emissaries, that the (Nov. 4.) Sepoys were completely seduced.² On the 4th November Moro Dixit, the minister, who had formed an attachment to Captain Ford and was anxious to save him, communicated this circumstance, and that his master was determined to cut off the British detachment without sparing a man.³ He advised him to stand neuter, when his property should be spared and his family protected; but on Captain Ford’s telling him he would immediately join his countrymen, he took an affectionate leave of him, promising, at all events, that he would do his best to befriend his family; but as there was, he observed, no saying what turn the war might ultimately take, he exacted a like promise from Captain Ford, which was readily granted. Until this communication was made, Captain Ford, though in daily intercourse with the city, and made acquainted with the circumstances by Mr. Elphinstone, was perfectly confident that the Peishwa had no intention of going to war, and his astonishment and alarm were proportionally great. The Peishwa’s reason for still wishing to procrastinate was the expected arrival of the Putwurdhuns and Appa Dessaye Nepankur; matters, however, were brought to a crisis before they could join his army. General Smith, who continued in the position already described, on hearing what had taken place, was prepared to expect a rupture; and therefore, without waiting for orders from Sir Thomas Hislop, concentrated his force at Phooltamba on the Godavery, and ordered the light battalion to fall back to Seroor; it was also settled between him and the Resident, that in case the communication were interrupted, the General might conclude that the troops at Poona were attacked. On the 3d November, Mr. Elphinstone directed the light battalion (Nov. 3.) and a party of auxiliary horse, stationed at Seroor, to move to Poona. As soon as the news of these arrangements reached the Peishwa, he determined to delay the attack no longer.