Capture of Ahmednuggur—Battle of Assaye—Death of Lieut. Colonel Maxwell—Honorary Colour granted to 19th—Battle of Argaum—Capture of Gawilghur—Berar Rajah makes peace—Scindia makes peace—March against banditti—Their dispersal—Grant of badges for Assaye.
Wellesley reached Ahmednuggur on the 8th August. The fort was an exceedingly strong one, and the pettah or fortified1 town was also strongly held. An immediate2 assault on the pettah was ordered, which was completely successful. The town was taken, at a cost of 27 killed and 92 wounded: the 19th Light Dragoons had one man wounded. This was a brilliant opening to the campaign, which impressed friends and enemies alike. A Mahratta Chief, commanding a body of the Peishwa’s horse in Wellesley’s camp, wrote to his friends in Poona: “These English are a strange people, and their General a wonderful man: they came here in the morning, looked at the pettah wall, walked over it, killed all the garrison3 and returned to[137] breakfast!” In attacking fortified places that did not require regular siege operations, Wellesley successfully followed the plan, both in 1800 and on this occasion, of attacking by escalade directly he appeared before the place.
At daybreak on the 10th, a battery was opened against the fort, which surrendered on the 12th.
After arranging for the settlement of the Ahmednuggur district, Wellesley crossed the Godavery at Toka, and advanced to Aurungabad, which he reached on the 29th August. The crossing of the Godavery took seven days to complete. Scindia’s force meanwhile had entered the Nizam’s territory by the Ajunta Pass, and had taken Jaulna. The Mahratta army then moved southwards, as if intending to cross the Godavery and attack Hyderabad, but were baffled by Wellesley moving southward along the left bank of the Godavery. They therefore turned northward4 again, from Partoor, towards the Ajunta Pass, and encamped in the neighbourhood of Bokerdun and Assaye. In the interval5, Stevenson, who had been operating to the north-eastward, returned and retook Jaulna on the 2nd September. On the 6th, and again on the 9th, he surprised the camps of two parties of Mahratta horse, after which he halted at Budnapore, near Jalgaum. Wellesley was delayed on the Godavery till the 18th, pending6 the arrival of a large convoy7.
On the 21st, he reached Jalgaum, where he concerted a plan of operation with Stevenson. According to the best information, the enemy was believed to be at Bokerdun and Jaffirabad, about thirty miles distant, but the enormous numbers of the enemy’s cavalry8 made it impossible to procure9 trustworthy information by reconnoissance. It was agreed that the two forces should advance next day by separate roads, and fall on the enemy on the 24th. At the end of the first day’s[138] march, on the 22nd, news was brought to Wellesley, at Paugri, that the enemy was moving westward10, and was making for the Ajunta Pass. The news was false. Stevenson’s line of march lay about fifteen miles westward of Wellesley’s. On the 23rd, Wellesley made a fourteen-mile march to Naulniah. On arriving there, he found that, instead of being ten or twelve miles from the enemy, as he had anticipated, he was only half that distance from them. He was also told that their cavalry had moved off, and the infantry11 were about to follow. It was necessary to ascertain12 the truth at once. The baggage was accordingly left at Naulniah, under charge of a battalion13 of Native Infantry and the rearguard picquets,[44] and the rest of the force moved forwards. The General, at the same time, pushed on ahead with the Cavalry. Without counting the force detached to guard the baggage in Naulniah, Wellesley’s force consisted of nearly 6000 men (of whom about 1600 were Europeans), and 14 guns, of which eight were the 6 Pr. galloper14 guns of the Cavalry. There were also contingents15 of the Mysore and Peishwa’s horsemen. After going about three miles, he suddenly, about one o’clock, came in sight of the enemy’s camp beyond the Kaitna, near the village of Assaye, in a peninsula formed by the junction16 of the Kaitna and Juah rivers. The Kaitna was only passable at certain points; the Juah had less water in it, but had very steep banks. Along both rivers the ground was much broken by ravines.
Walker & Boutall sc.
BATTLE OF ASSAYE
23rd. September 1803.
Wellesley’s position was a difficult one. He had unexpectedly come into close contact with a vastly superior force ready to receive him, instead of being in the act of moving off, as he had been led to expect. Stevenson’s[139] force, in co-operation with which he had intended to fight the action, was ten or twelve miles away. Should he retreat to Naulniah and wait for Stevenson, he would be followed and forced to fight under disadvantageous circumstances, and, owing to the enemy’s great superiority in cavalry, would probably lose a portion of his baggage. He resolved to cross the river and attack at once. He saw that if he could carry his force across the Kaitna anywhere near its junction with the Juah, the great superiority in numbers of the Mahrattas would be to a certain extent neutralized17 by the narrower front on which they would be obliged to engage. At the same time, should his attack fail, Wellesley was liable to be forced back into the acute angle formed by the two rivers, and be destroyed, like Charles XII. at Pultava. It was a choice of risks, and Wellesley chose the smaller one. The direct ford18 was commanded by the powerful Mahratta artillery19, which made crossing at that point extremely hazardous20. Examining the ground with his glasses, Wellesley noticed the two villages of Peepulgaon and Waroor close together on opposite sides of the river, and, in spite of the denial of his guides, jumped to the conclusion that there must be a ford there. A search showed that he was right, and word was sent back for the infantry to direct their march on Peepulgaon. Meanwhile the Cavalry (A. in plan) remained facing a large body of the enemy’s Cavalry (B. in plan), that had crossed the river. By this time, the Mahratta camp had been struck, and their army appeared drawn21 up in a long line (C. in plan), covered by the Kaitna, with a great mass of cavalry on the right, and the guns on the left.
As the British force moved across the enemy’s front, part of it came within range of the Mahratta Artillery, but beyond a Staff Officer being slightly wounded, and the General’s orderly dragoon having his head carried off by[140] a round shot, no loss was incurred22. The crossing of the Kaitna was effected without opposition23, and the British force was drawn up across the fork between the two rivers in three lines (F. in plan). The first two lines, with an interval of about 300 paces between them, were composed of infantry, H.M.’s 78th Regiment24 being on the left of the first line, and H.M.’s 74th on the right of the 2nd line. The cavalry formed the third line. The Peishwa’s and Mysore cavalry remained on the south side of the Kaitna (D. in plan), to keep in check a large body of the enemy’s cavalry. There was a good deal of delay in crossing the Kaitna, which was taken advantage of by the enemy to change front to the left of their first line, and they now occupied a long line (E. in plan), with its left resting on the village of Assaye, and defended along the whole front by upwards25 of one hundred guns. The village of Assaye was occupied with infantry, and had a number of guns disposed in front of it. The Mahratta line of battle, exclusive of a large body of troops detailed26 to guard stores and baggage, consisted of thirteen battalions27 of disciplined infantry, one hundred and fifteen guns, and over thirty-five thousand horsemen. There were also a large number of undisciplined infantry.
While the British lines were forming, the movement was covered by artillery fire. This was quickly responded to by the Mahratta guns, which caused such severe losses among the British gun bullocks, that the guns had to be left behind when the advance was made.
Wellesley had not given the enemy credit for being able to change their front with so large a force, without falling into disarray28. On perceiving the alteration29 in the enemy’s position, he saw that it was necessary to extend his front. He accordingly ordered the picquets, which formed the right of the first line, to move obliquely30 to the right, so as to allow the native infantry battalions[141] in the second line to come up on the right of the first line, H.M.’s 74th being directed to take the right of the whole. Wellesley’s intention was to force back the enemy from their guns, then, operating by his left, to throw them back on the Juah, and complete their destruction with his cavalry. Wellesley himself led the left of the line, while Lieutenant32 Colonel Maxwell and the cavalry were ordered to support the right, which was still greatly outflanked. Particular orders were given to the officer in command of the picquets, which formed the battalion of direction, to keep out of gunshot of Assaye. But the losses caused by the Mahratta artillery were so severe, that the advance became necessary before the formation was complete. Every shot told, knocking over men, horses, and bullocks, and putting several of the British guns out of action. Wellesley on the left, impatient to advance, sent repeated messages to the officer commanding the picquets. He was told that the guns were disabled, to which he replied “Well, tell him to get on without them.”
As the line advanced, the Mahratta infantry gave ground, abandoning their guns. By mistake, the officer commanding the picquets continued his oblique31 movement too far, and led direct on Assaye, masking the 74th; a mistake that had an important influence on the course of the battle. This caused a great gap in the British line, separated the picquets and H.M. 74th from the rest of the line, and brought them under a tremendous fire of artillery and small arms. They were further impeded33 in their advance and thrown into disarray, by having to pass some cactus34 hedges. The Mahratta infantry, as they fell back from their guns, separated into two distinct bodies. The greater number threw back their right, forming a second line (H. in plan), with the Juah river at its back, and its left still resting on[142] Assaye; while one whole Brigade, under a German named Pohlman, continued to retreat directly to its rear (M. in plan). At the same time, great numbers of the enemy threw themselves down, pretending to be dead, and allowed the British line to pass over them. The British line swung round to its right (I. in plan), to attack the enemy’s second line, and, here the first critical period of the battle occurred. The picquets and H.M. 74th Foot were no longer able to advance under the terrible fire to which they were exposed. Numbers fell at every step; all formation was lost, and a body of Mahratta horse, wheeling round the village of Assaye, charged the 74th in flank, sabreing numbers of them. They also recaptured some of their own guns, and gained possession of some of the British guns that had not been able to keep up with the advance, killing35 the gunners and turning the guns against the British rear. It was a critical moment, and, with a soldier’s instinct, Maxwell saw that the time for action had come. Advancing with his brigade, Maxwell charged the enemy’s left, driving them into the Juah with great slaughter36: then, as the rest of the line advanced and drove the enemy into the nullah, the Cavalry crossed the Juah, and charged the broken masses of the enemy (J. in plan), making a horrid37 slaughter of them, and driving them off the field.
“The 19th Light Dragoons, who only drew 360 swords, received the intimation with one loud huzza! Accompanied by the 4th native cavalry who emulated38 their conduct throughout this arduous39 day, the 19th passed through the broken but invincible40 74th, whose very wounded joined in cheering them as they went on, cut in and routed the horse, and dashed on at the infantry and guns. Never did cavalry perform better service or contribute more to the success of a battle.”[45]
[143]
But the battle was not yet over. A great body of the enemy still remained, holding Assaye and the ground between the village and the Juah, while the guns they had got possession of in different parts of the field played on the rear of the exhausted41 British troops. Pohlman’s brigade also was unbroken, and threatened an attack. Two sepoy battalions sent successively against Assaye were repulsed42. Maxwell’s cavalry were still across the Juah in pursuit of the broken Mahratta battalions, and, had the Mahratta horsemen behaved at this juncture43 with the same spirit that had led them to charge the 74th, the day might have been theirs. At this crisis, Maxwell with the cavalry returned from across the Juah, and formed up on the left of the British line. Directing Maxwell with the 19th Light Dragoons and two of his native regiments44 to face Pohlman’s brigade, Wellesley took H.M.’s 78th and a regiment of Native Cavalry, and moved against Assaye. The enemy did not await the attack, but retreated across the Juah in tolerable order. In this movement, the General had his horse killed by a cannon45 shot. Then, moving along the whole line first occupied by the enemy (E. in plan), he recaptured all the guns, not without some severe fighting. Meanwhile, Maxwell led the 19th Light Dragoons and the two native regiments (L. in plan), to charge Pohlman’s brigade. Both men and horses were exhausted with the efforts they had made, and the attack, instead of being delivered perpendicular46 to the enemy’s front, was made obliquely against Pohlman’s left. The well disciplined Mahrattas reserved their fire till they could deliver it with good effect, and Maxwell fell dead pierced by a grape shot. The fall of their leader checked the squadrons almost at the moment of contact, and the British horsemen swept to the left, receiving the fire of the Mahratta infantry as they passed, at so close a distance, that several of the squadron officers had their[144] horses wounded with bayonets. No further effort was made, the squadrons “halted, and then walked, and then trotted47 back.”[46] The British troops were so few in numbers, so weakened and fatigued48 by their exertions50, as to be incapable51 of farther efforts, and Pohlman marched off the field without farther molestation52. Thus ended the conflict. The Mysore and friendly Mahratta horse, who throughout the contest had only one casualty, would not pursue without the British cavalry, and the British cavalry were too exhausted to give them a lead. Out of the small British force, there were, among the Europeans, 198 killed, 442 wounded, and 4 missing; among the Natives, 230 killed, 696 wounded, and 14 missing. The 19th Light Dragoons, who had the greatest share of casualties among the cavalry, lost two officers killed, Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell and Captain Boyle, four officers wounded, Captains Cathcart and Sale, and Lieutenants53 Wilson and Young; fifteen Rank and File and eighty-seven horses killed, thirty-six Rank and File and thirty-six horses wounded, two horses missing. Of the enemy, it was computed54 that twelve hundred lay dead on the field, and four thousand eight hundred were wounded. One hundred and two guns,[47] seven stands of colours, and a vast quantity of ammunition55 and stores remained in the hands of the victors.
It was eight o’clock in the evening before the field was entirely56 clear of the enemy. The cavalry were then sent back to Naulniah to bring on the camp equipage, &c., which they did the following morning. The rest of the force bivouacked as best they could on the bloody57 field. Wellesley, who had had one horse killed, and another[145] wounded with a spear, passed the night on the ground, close to an officer whose leg was shot off, and within five yards of a dead officer.
“The General was so overcome by his great and gallant58 exertions throughout the day, so overpowered both in mind and body, that during the greater part or whole of the following night he sat on the ground with his head bent59 down between his knees, and said not a word to any one!”[48]
Long after his victorious60 career was ended, he spoke61 of Assaye as the bloodiest62 battle for the number engaged that he ever saw. Of the ten officers forming the General’s staff eight were wounded or had their horses shot. The 74th and the picquet battalion were almost annihilated63; one picquet half company alone had 21 killed, 22 wounded, and three missing. The 74th lost 401 of all ranks, killed and wounded. Two of the native cavalry regiments, being newly raised, were not as forward as they should have been, so that the brunt of the cavalry work was borne by the 19th Light Dragoons and the 4th Native Cavalry. Much of the heavy loss suffered by the British troops was due to the misunderstanding of Wellesley’s orders by the officer commanding the picquets, though, as Wellesley generously said, in a letter written a month later, “I must acknowledge that it was not possible for a man to lead a body into a hotter fire than he did the picquets on that day against Assaye.” The early use of the cavalry, however, prevented the total destruction of the enemy that he had intended. The exhaustion65 caused by their efforts too early in the battle, prevented them from entirely breaking up and routing the disciplined Mahratta infantry.
A singular circumstance is said to have occurred after[146] the battle. Each of the Commanders of the three armies, put to death his head spy.
“Colonel Stevenson, because he suspected or believed his own to have led him intentionally66 astray from the road: General Wellesley, by reason of his own having given him false intelligence respecting the march of the Mahratta Army to pass the Ajunta Ghaut; and Scindia, from his man not having made him acquainted with the separation of the two divisions of the British Army.”[49]
Ample testimony67 has been borne to the conspicuous68 gallantry of the 19th in this hard fought field.
“Nothing could exceed the zeal69 of some of the cavalry, particularly the 19th dragoons; every officer and man fought as if on his arm depended the victory. As instances may be mentioned, Lieutenant Nathan Wilson, who with his arm shattered by a grape shot, and dangling70 by his side, charged on at the head of his troop. Lieutenant Alex. Grant of the Madras Native Infantry, Major of brigade to Colonel Maxwell, observing a gun pointed71 ready to discharge on the flank of the 19th dragoons, the match suspended on the touch-hole, with a noble impulse, in hopes of preventing it, darted72 forward almost on its muzzle73, and with such force, that his horse stuck between the cannon and its wheel: in this situation the gun went off, as he was in the act of endeavouring to prevent it, by cutting down the artillery man. Captain George Sale was attacking a man who defended himself with a pike or short spear, a weapon with which all Scindia’s Artillery men were armed; the man’s comrade standing64 on a gun, made a thrust from above at Captain Sale, but it was turned off by the breastbone and glanced off diagonally across his chest; his covering serjeant named Strange, laid the man dead who wounded his officer, but in the act was himself speared through the lungs, by another man from below the gun. Captain Sale went on but begged the serjeant to fall in the rear; this however he gallantly74 refused, and rode out the day. Captain Sale and others afterwards saw him when in hospital, blow out a candle from his lungs—the reader will be pleased to learn that the gallant serjeant recovered.”[50]
[147]
Among other incidents may be mentioned the case of Cornet Serle of the 19th who was under arrest at the time of the action, for some disagreement with his commanding officer. At the commencement of the battle he broke his arrest, and joined his corps75, and, by his gallant behaviour throughout the day, regained76 permission to wear his sword again.
Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell’s splendid service was fittingly recognized by the East India Company, who granted a pension of ￡300 to his widow, “although we find that there is no example of the Company’s making any allowance to the widow of a King’s Officer.”[51]
“As long as the word Assaye exists, and has a meaning will the valiant77 deeds and reckless bravery of the old 19th Light Dragoons the 74th and 78th Highlanders be remembered.”[52]
In his dispatch to the Governor General, dated the day after the battle, Wellesley wrote: “I have also to draw your Excellency’s notice to the conduct of the Cavalry commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell, particularly that of the 19th Dragoons”: and, in a General Order published in Calcutta on the 30th October, it was said, “The Governor General in Council has remarked with great satisfaction the gallant and skilful79 conduct of the Cavalry, commanded by Lt. Colonel Maxwell and particularly of His Majesty80’s nineteenth regiment of Light Dragoons, a corps distinguished81 in India by a long and uninterrupted course of arduous service and of progressive honour.” Honorary colours in commemoration of the battle were granted to the 19th Light Dragoons, the 74th and 78th “to be used by those corps while they shall continue in India, or until His Majesty’s most gracious pleasure be signified through his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.”
[148]
The damage inflicted82 on the Mahratta host was far in excess of that indicated by their loss in men and material. Many of the disciplined battalions had been destroyed, and hearty83 co-operation between the leaders was at an end. They fled northwards through the Ajunta Pass, abandoning some guns which were afterwards picked up by Stevenson, and then separated. Scindia, who believed that he had not been loyally supported by the Berar Rajah, retreated to Thalnair in Khandesh; the Berar Rajah retired84 to his fortress85 at Gawilghur, while five battalions belonging to the Begum Somroo, four of which had been employed to guard the Mahratta camp, and therefore took no part in the action, retreated to Burhanpore, whence they made their way back to Sirdhana in the North West, and took no further part in the campaign.
The sound of Wellesley’s guns at Assaye was heard by Stevenson, who at once broke up camp and attempted to join him; but being without information, and misled by his guides, he marched first on Bokerdun, which he did not reach till next day, being entangled86 in a nullah during the night. His force was greatly harassed87 by night marching and want of rest, so that he did not join Wellesley till the evening of the 24th. All the 25th he remained at Assaye, in order that his surgeons might assist the wounded, and, on the 26th, marched in pursuit of the enemy. Wellesley remained encamped near the field of battle till the 8th October, to make arrangements for the care of his numerous wounded, and for the captured guns and stores. Nor was there urgent necessity for an immediate move, till something was known of the movements of the enemy. The General’s first movements after the battle were in the direction of Aurungabad, as Scindia showed an intention of marching on Poona. Then, learning that Scindia had turned back towards Burhanpore, on which place Stevenson was advancing, Wellesley turned northwards to[149] Ajunta. Stevenson meanwhile had occupied Burhanpore on the 15th, and attacked the fortress of Asseerghur, which surrendered on the 21st. Wellesley, hearing that Scindia and the Berar Rajah had joined forces again, and were threatening Stevenson, descended88 the Ajunta Pass on the 18th, and moved northwards; but, on receiving news that Asseerghur had fallen, and that the confederates had again separated, he retraced89 his steps, ascended90 the Pass on the 25th, and marched to Aurungabad to protect some convoys91 which were threatened by the Berar Rajah. From Aurungabad he made several attempts to surprise the Bhonslay’s camp without success, although he forced him to move his camp five times between the 29th and the 31st.
Wellesley continued moving slowly eastwards92, to cover the Nizam’s territory, till the 11th November, when he struck northwards from Patree to Rajoora, which he reached on the 23rd. For some days, Scindia, under the influence of his defeat at Assaye in conjunction with bad news from his forces in the North West, had made overtures93 for a cessation of hostilities94, and, on the 23rd, an armistice95 was agreed on; the principal condition of which was that Scindia should separate himself from the Berar Rajah, and take up a position fifty miles east of Ellichpore.
The agreement was not however faithfully observed by Scindia, some of whose troops took part in the subsequent battle. The Berar Rajah, meanwhile, had entered his own territories, and was encamped at Argaum. On the 27th, Wellesley reached Akola, and, about 2 o’clock in the afternoon on the 29th, he joined Stevenson at Parterly, for the purpose of undertaking96 the siege of Gawilghur with their united forces.
The Berar Rajah, who was encamped at Argaum about six miles from Parterly, had meanwhile opened negotiations97 with Stevenson for a suspension of hostilities, so preparations were made for encamping at Parterly. On putting[150] out the picquets to take up the ground, they were molested99 by parties of the enemy, and, a reconnoissance showed the Mahratta army drawn up in battle array, on an extensive plain in front of the village of Argaum. The troops were at once ordered to fall in, and the two divisions moved to the front in parallel columns. At about 1000 yards in front of the enemy was the village of Sirsoni. It was Wellesley’s intention to pass by the left of the village, and then, wheeling to the right, to form line in front of it, parallel with the Mahratta line of battle. The column was led by the native infantry picquets, accompanied by some field pieces drawn by bullocks, followed by two native infantry battalions, all of whom had taken part in the battle of Assaye. On the head of the column clearing the village, the Mahratta guns opened fire with great effect. The bullock drivers lost their presence of mind and the management of their cattle, which turned round and threw into confusion the ranks behind them. The troops coming up in rear, not knowing the cause of the confusion, and suffering from the cannonade, were seized with panic, and fell back in disorder100, to seek shelter behind the village. Wellesley, who was close by, giving orders to the brigadiers, seeing what had happened,
“stepped out in front hoping by his presence to restore the confidence of the troops; but seeing that this did not produce the desired effect, he mounted his horse, and rode up to the retreating battalions; when, instead of losing his temper, upbraiding101 them and endeavouring to force them back to the spot from which they had fled, as most people would have done, he quietly ordered the officers to lead their men under cover of the village, and then to rally and get them into order as quickly as possible. This being done, he put the column again in motion, and leading these very same runaways102 round the other side of the village, formed them up on the very spot he originally intended them to occupy, the remainder of the column following and prolonging the line to the right.”[53]
[151]
The lesson is one to be borne in mind by those to whose lot it may fall to rally troops thrown into disorder under fire.
In order to cover the formation, some guns were brought into action on each side of the village, and, as each battalion came into position, it was made to lie down, which further helped to steady the troops. The infantry were formed into a single line, with Stevenson’s division on the left, while the six cavalry regiments of the two divisions, under command of Lieutenant Colonel the Honble. Arthur St Leger, were formed in two lines in rear of the right. The British left was covered by the native auxiliary103 horse. The Mahratta line was about five miles in length, the infantry and guns in the centre, with cavalry on both flanks.
It was half past four in the afternoon before the British line advanced. On the signal being given, the British cavalry moved rapidly forward, and brought their galloper guns into action against a great body of the enemy’s cavalry and rocket men. Meanwhile, the infantry advanced steadily104 against the Mahratta centre. When almost within musket105 shot, a body of the enemy’s infantry, nearly a thousand strong, composed of Arabs or Pathans, dashed forward against the 74th and 78th, and perished almost to a man under the Highland78 musket and bayonet. Almost at the same moment, a body of Scindia’s cavalry charged the British left, and were repulsed with loss, while the 19th and the five native regiments on the right charged the cavalry in front of them. The Mahrattas did not stand the shock, but broke and fled, and at once the whole of the enemy’s force was dissolved in flight. The cavalry pursued for many miles, killing great numbers, and capturing many elephants and camels, and much baggage. Thirty-eight guns and many standards fell into the hands of the victors. The British loss amounted to 46 killed,[152] 308 wounded and 7 missing. As at Assaye, the principal loss fell on the 74th and 78th, who, between them, lost 13 killed, and 84 wounded. The 19th Light Dragoons had 6 men wounded. The battle of Argaum was fought on a perfectly106 level plain intersected by small water courses, without any buildings or other natural obstacles between the two lines, after they had been formed, and was carried out exactly like a field day as then practised. The pursuit of the enemy by the British cavalry was maintained for six miles, and was then taken up and continued by the allied107 Mysore and Nizam’s horse for another twenty miles. The loss of the enemy, in the battle and subsequent pursuit, was estimated at five thousand men. At Assaye, the principal Mahratta loss fell on Scindia’s troops; at Argaum the loss fell chiefly on the Berar forces.
The victory at Argaum effected a complete separation of the Mahratta confederate chiefs. Scindia still had a considerable force in the field, but it had ceased to be formidable after Assaye. The Berar Rajah’s field army had disappeared, and his territories lay open to the invading British force. Scindia’s capital was far off, and he might yet give trouble, so Wellesley determined108 to finish once for all with the Berar Rajah, in order that he might be able to devote undivided attention to Scindia afterwards.
The day following the battle, Stevenson marched in pursuit of the enemy: Wellesley followed a day later, and the two divisions were re-united at Ellichpore on the 5th December. Thence they marched on Gawilghur, a fortress of great strength, regarded as the key of the Deccan, in which the defeated infantry from Argaum had taken refuge. The place was taken by assault on the 15th, with the loss of 13 killed, no wounded, and three missing. Fifty-two guns, together with a great quantity of small arms and military stores, fell into the hands of the victors.[153] Nagpore, the Berar Rajah’s capital, now lay open to the British troops, and the Rajah hastened to sue for peace. The negotiation98 was conducted with the decision that characterized all Wellesley’s actions, and peace was concluded at Deogam, on the 17th, two days after the fall of Gawilghur. His hands being now free on this side, Wellesley gave notice to Scindia, that, on the 27th, he should regard the agreement for suspension of hostilities at an end, unless that Chief came to definite terms. Left without an ally, with his armies defeated both in the North-West and in the Deccan, Scindia had no hope of continuing the struggle with success, and peace was signed in Wellesley’s camp on the 30th December, at Surjee Anjengaum.
Thus triumphantly109 ended a war which for boldness of conception of campaign, rapidity of execution, the great extent over which it was waged, and the hard fighting that characterized it both in the North and South, stands in marked contrast to any war we had previously110 waged in India.
“The seat of war, extending over the continent of India exhibited in the short space of four months as many general battles, eight regular sieges and storming of fortresses111, without including that of Gwalior, which was not captured till the beginning of the next year; in all of which British valour prevailed over accumulated obstacles, the combination of formidable powers, and every advantage arising from local position, military means and numerical strength.... Their (the Mahratta) numerous armies, amounting on an average to two hundred and fifty thousand men, were defeated in every engagement; while the corps organized by their French auxiliaries112, consisting at the least of forty thousand more, and upon whom the fullest reliance was placed, were completely destroyed; in all which reverses the confederates left in the hands of the victors upwards of one thousand pieces of cannon, with ammunition, treasure and stores in proportion.”[54]
[154]
But the most valuable result to England was that she learned from the Assaye campaign that she had in her army a General who was fit to cope with the best Generals of Europe.
The war was over, and arrangements were made for the return of the troops to their quarters. Leaving Stevenson’s division, Wellesley turned southwards to Jaulna, which he reached on the 19th January 1804. A few days before the conclusion of peace, in writing to the Commander-in-Chief, Wellesley remarked: “The 19th Dragoons have now better horses than I have ever seen with them.” It was well that it was so, for a severe effort was still required of them. The Nizam’s dominions113 were at that time infested114 with banditti, mostly disbanded soldiers, who plundered115 the country in all directions, and had become so daring that they had not hesitated to attack detachments of British troops. On reaching Jaulna, news was brought to Wellesley of a large body of freebooters who were plundering116 the country to the southward. Crossing the Godavery, he marched to Neemgaum, where, on the 2nd February, he received information of the whereabouts of the marauders. He accordingly made up a light flying column consisting of the 19th Light Dragoons and the rest of the cavalry that had been with him at Assaye, the remnants of the gallant 74th, a sepoy battalion, and details from other sepoy regiments, 150 pioneers, and four guns,[55] and marched on the 3rd, reaching Sailgaon on the 4th, a distance of about thirty miles in a direct line. Marching again the same night, he came up with the freebooters about 9 A.M. on the 5th. The cavalry charged at once, slaying117 great numbers[155] and dispersing118 them, at the same time capturing their guns, camp, and stores. An unfortunate mishap119 occurred on this occasion. The 19th mistook some of the allied Mahratta horse for the enemy, and charged them, cutting down two or three of them, and having one of their own number cut down, before the mistake was discovered. The achievement was remarkable120 for the long and rapid marching performed by the troops. Writing of it, two days later, Wellesley says:
“The exertion49 made by the troops is the greatest I ever witnessed. Everything was over by 12 o’clock on the 5th, and, I think that, by that time, the infantry must have marched 60 miles from six in the morning of the 4th. We halted from 12 in the day till 10 at night on the 4th, so that we marched 60 miles with infantry in twenty hours.”
Well might he add:
“I think we now begin to beat the Mahrattas in the celerity of our movements.”
The force then marched for Poona.
Hardly had peace been secured, when Holkar, who had hitherto held aloof121, took the field. The 19th Light Dragoons took, however, no part in the campaign that followed, but remained encamped at Panwell near Bombay till the end of 1804, when they marched for Arcot.
In 1807, the royal permission was given to the regiment to wear a badge of the Elephant with the word “Assaye,” on colours and appointments, in commemoration of the gallantry displayed by the regiment in the battle and during the campaign. Nothing can be traced of the honorary standard presented to the regiment for Assaye[156] There can be no doubt that it was given to the 19th as it was to the 74th and 78th.
Horse Guards,
15th April 1807.
My Lord
I have received the Commander in Chief’s directions to inform you, that the Marquis of Wellesley and Major General the Honble. Sir Arthur Wellesley have represented to H.R.H. the distinguished services of the 19th Light Dragoons in the course of the arduous Campaigns which occurred during the period of his Lordship’s Government in India, and have earnestly solicited122 permission, that the Regiment may be distinguished by some emblematical123 Badge.
The Commander in Chief has with great satisfaction submitted this representation to the King, and His Majesty has in consequence thereof been most graciously pleased to approve of the “Elephant” being used in Colours and Appointments of the 19th Light Dragoons with the word “Assaye” superscribed, in Commemoration of the Gallantry and good Conduct displayed in the Action fought at that place on the 23rd of September 1803.
I have the honour to be &c.
A.G.
General Visct. Howe, K.B.
or O.C. 19th Light Dragoons.
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1
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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2
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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3
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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4
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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5
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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6
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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7
convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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8
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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9
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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10
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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11
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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12
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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13
battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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14
galloper
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| 骑马奔驰的人，飞驰的马，旋转木马； 轻野炮 | |
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15
contingents
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| （志趣相投、尤指来自同一地方的）一组与会者( contingent的名词复数 )； 代表团； （军队的）分遣队； 小分队 | |
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16
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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17
neutralized
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| v.使失效( neutralize的过去式和过去分词 )；抵消；中和；使（一个国家）中立化 | |
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18
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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19
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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20
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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21
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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22
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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23
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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24
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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25
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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26
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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27
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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28
disarray
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| n.混乱，紊乱，凌乱 | |
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29
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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30
obliquely
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| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
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31
oblique
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| adj.斜的，倾斜的，无诚意的，不坦率的 | |
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32
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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33
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
cactus
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| n.仙人掌 | |
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35
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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36
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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37
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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38
emulated
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| v.与…竞争( emulate的过去式和过去分词 )；努力赶上；计算机程序等仿真；模仿 | |
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39
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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40
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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41
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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42
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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43
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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44
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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45
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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46
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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47
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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48
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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49
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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50
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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51
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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52
molestation
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| n.骚扰，干扰，调戏；折磨 | |
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53
lieutenants
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| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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54
computed
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| adj.[医]计算的，使用计算机的v.计算，估算( compute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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56
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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57
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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58
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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59
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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60
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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61
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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62
bloodiest
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| adj.血污的( bloody的最高级 )；流血的；屠杀的；残忍的 | |
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63
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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64
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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65
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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66
intentionally
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| ad.故意地，有意地 | |
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67
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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68
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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69
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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70
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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71
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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72
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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73
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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74
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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75
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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76
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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79
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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80
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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81
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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82
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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84
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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85
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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86
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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88
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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89
retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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90
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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91
convoys
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| n.（有护航的）船队( convoy的名词复数 )；车队；护航（队）；护送队 | |
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92
eastwards
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| adj.向东方（的），朝东（的）；n.向东的方向 | |
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93
overtures
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| n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲 | |
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94
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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95
armistice
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| n.休战，停战协定 | |
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96
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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97
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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98
negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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99
molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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100
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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101
upbraiding
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| adj.& n.谴责（的）v.责备，申斥，谴责( upbraid的现在分词 ) | |
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102
runaways
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| （轻而易举的）胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
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103
auxiliary
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| adj.辅助的，备用的 | |
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104
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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105
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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106
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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fortresses
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| 堡垒，要塞( fortress的名词复数 ) | |
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auxiliaries
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| n.助动词 ( auxiliary的名词复数 )；辅助工，辅助人员 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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infested
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| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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dispersing
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| adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式 | |
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mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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emblematical
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| adj.标志的，象征的，典型的 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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