DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34827#0017
LIFE
OF THE HONOURABLE
M0UNI3ICARI ELPHINSIONE.
CHAPTER XIL
1817-1818.
GENERAL SMITH'S DECISION—THE PESHWA DRIVEN FROM POONA—THE
PURSUIT—SKIRMISHING—COREGAON—LORD HASTINGS' INSTRUCTIONS—
MORE SKIRMISHING—UNION OF THE FORCES—FALL OF SATTARA, AND
BATTLE OF ASHTEE—SIEGES—RETURN TO POONA—CORRESPONDENCE.
WHILE the crisis was approaching at Poona, General Smith
had advanced to the Godavery with a fine force of three brigades
of infantry and one of cavalry, waiting for orders to take a part
in the campaign on the Nerbudda. The misgivings which he
had expressed at the beginning of the month were increased
when he arrived at the frontier, disturbed by Trimbukjee and
his insurgent forces; and these apprehensions were enhanced
by the reports which reached him daily from the Resident of the
state of things at Poona. On October 30 he wrote : ' If my
hands are not tied up, as they are by Sir Thomas's instructions,
I should think we ought to concentrate on the left bank of the
Godavery, lest matters should require us in your neighbourhood.'
On the following day he received official orders to prepare to
advance upon the Nerbudda. The gallant General's reply was
prompt. The responsibility thrown upon him was very painfui;
but, with his knowledge of the critical state of things at Poona,
he decided, at the hazard of interrupting the general plan of
VOL. 11. B
OF THE HONOURABLE
M0UNI3ICARI ELPHINSIONE.
CHAPTER XIL
1817-1818.
GENERAL SMITH'S DECISION—THE PESHWA DRIVEN FROM POONA—THE
PURSUIT—SKIRMISHING—COREGAON—LORD HASTINGS' INSTRUCTIONS—
MORE SKIRMISHING—UNION OF THE FORCES—FALL OF SATTARA, AND
BATTLE OF ASHTEE—SIEGES—RETURN TO POONA—CORRESPONDENCE.
WHILE the crisis was approaching at Poona, General Smith
had advanced to the Godavery with a fine force of three brigades
of infantry and one of cavalry, waiting for orders to take a part
in the campaign on the Nerbudda. The misgivings which he
had expressed at the beginning of the month were increased
when he arrived at the frontier, disturbed by Trimbukjee and
his insurgent forces; and these apprehensions were enhanced
by the reports which reached him daily from the Resident of the
state of things at Poona. On October 30 he wrote : ' If my
hands are not tied up, as they are by Sir Thomas's instructions,
I should think we ought to concentrate on the left bank of the
Godavery, lest matters should require us in your neighbourhood.'
On the following day he received official orders to prepare to
advance upon the Nerbudda. The gallant General's reply was
prompt. The responsibility thrown upon him was very painfui;
but, with his knowledge of the critical state of things at Poona,
he decided, at the hazard of interrupting the general plan of
VOL. 11. B