DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34827#0037
1817-18.
77^
2 I
of strongholds that still held out. On the receipt of his in-
structions he wrote to Sir Thomas Hislop, requesting him to
delay giving publicity to them.
'Camp, Parigaom, January 10, 1818.
' My dear Agnew,—If the Governor-Generars instructions
to me have reached your camp, I beg that the strictest secrecy
may he observed regarding them, as I doubt not has already
been the case.
' To accomplish the objects there detailed is quite a differ-
ent undertaking from merely frightening the P. into moderate
terms, and, to be done well, it must be supported by all the
force we can muster. We have to pursue an army of horse,
increased by all the vagabonds who are losing their service
elsewhere, to take forts, and to retain possession of the country
occupied. The late settlement of Nagpoor will have disengaged
Doveton, and Asseer will soon fall. A great part of Doveton's
force would then, I should think, be disposable, and could not
be better employed than here. If indeed any can be spared
before Asseer falls, it might be joined to Deacon and Davis, and
be made very useful beyond the Godavery. I wish we could spare
only one battalion to second General Munro in his excellent
plans. Accept my warmest congratulations on the splendid
victory in which you have been a partaker. You must not put
Assaye out of fashion by your Malwa held-days.
' Yours most sincerely,
' MOUNTSTUART ELPHINSTONE.'
To Captain Sydenham he wrote on the same day, describing
the movements and position of the different forces, adding :—
' My great object in writing is to beg you will try to seize
all Arabs that may try to make their way from Nagpoor to join
the Peshwa. Keep them prisoners till we can send them to
Bombay. But do what you can to prevent these rascals coming
down here to pick off our Europeans in sieges/
' Yours most sincerely,
' M. E.'
77^
2 I
of strongholds that still held out. On the receipt of his in-
structions he wrote to Sir Thomas Hislop, requesting him to
delay giving publicity to them.
'Camp, Parigaom, January 10, 1818.
' My dear Agnew,—If the Governor-Generars instructions
to me have reached your camp, I beg that the strictest secrecy
may he observed regarding them, as I doubt not has already
been the case.
' To accomplish the objects there detailed is quite a differ-
ent undertaking from merely frightening the P. into moderate
terms, and, to be done well, it must be supported by all the
force we can muster. We have to pursue an army of horse,
increased by all the vagabonds who are losing their service
elsewhere, to take forts, and to retain possession of the country
occupied. The late settlement of Nagpoor will have disengaged
Doveton, and Asseer will soon fall. A great part of Doveton's
force would then, I should think, be disposable, and could not
be better employed than here. If indeed any can be spared
before Asseer falls, it might be joined to Deacon and Davis, and
be made very useful beyond the Godavery. I wish we could spare
only one battalion to second General Munro in his excellent
plans. Accept my warmest congratulations on the splendid
victory in which you have been a partaker. You must not put
Assaye out of fashion by your Malwa held-days.
' Yours most sincerely,
' MOUNTSTUART ELPHINSTONE.'
To Captain Sydenham he wrote on the same day, describing
the movements and position of the different forces, adding :—
' My great object in writing is to beg you will try to seize
all Arabs that may try to make their way from Nagpoor to join
the Peshwa. Keep them prisoners till we can send them to
Bombay. But do what you can to prevent these rascals coming
down here to pick off our Europeans in sieges/
' Yours most sincerely,
' M. E.'