A History of the Mahrattas v2.c57.47.5

v2.c57.47.5

By nine o’clock at night the firing ceased, and the village was evacuated by the Peishwa’s troops.¹ Next morning the Mahratta army was still hovering round the village, and (Jan. 2.) Captain Staunton opened his guns upon them as soon as he could see. They appeared to draw off in the direction of Poona; but they had heard of General Smith’s approach, who was hastening forward with a very small force in hopes that the Peishwa might be encouraged to make a stand; but Captain Staunton, not knowing of General Smith’s advance, and having reason to believe the enemy was in wait for him on the route to Poona, gave out that it was his intention to proceed thither. As soon as it was dark, however, taking as many of the wounded with him as he could carry, he moved out of the village