DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5831#0190
INSURRECTION AT BENARES.
159
proceed, and to this foresight of the enemy, not to his
forbearance, Mr. Hastings was no doubt indebted for
his security.
Major Popham's regiment, with the exception of the
detachment which had been cut off in the insurrection,
was stationed at Mirzapoor, and was ordered to proceed
without delay to Ramnagur, whither upwards of two
thousand of the enemy had returned two days after
the massacre, under the command of a confidential
chief of the Rajah's. Lieutenant-Colonel Blair was
also ordered to send thither a battalion of sepoys from
the garrison of Chunar. Of these troops, Major Pop-
ham was to have the command, and proceed against
the enemy's forces at Ramnagur. Captain Blair, who
commanded the battalion dispatched from Chunar,
was directed to halt at a safe distance from Ramna-
gur until further orders. Major Popham sent a si-
milar mandate to Captain Mayaffre, who commanded
the residue of his detachment, at the same time
strictly cautioning him to abstain from hostilities of
any kind, and attend to the safety of the party under
his command, until Major Popham should arrive.
In order to ensure the success of his operations, the
latter officer had made choice of an open plain im-
mediately opposite to Ramnagur, for a battery of
two mortars that were expected from Chunar. From
the weakness of the fort in which the rebellious Ze-
meendar had taken refuge, Major Popham felt confi-
dent of soon reducing it, and of recovering the captive.
The place was so ill provided against such an attack
as he meditated, and was in such a very indifferent
state of defence, that under skilful management it
159
proceed, and to this foresight of the enemy, not to his
forbearance, Mr. Hastings was no doubt indebted for
his security.
Major Popham's regiment, with the exception of the
detachment which had been cut off in the insurrection,
was stationed at Mirzapoor, and was ordered to proceed
without delay to Ramnagur, whither upwards of two
thousand of the enemy had returned two days after
the massacre, under the command of a confidential
chief of the Rajah's. Lieutenant-Colonel Blair was
also ordered to send thither a battalion of sepoys from
the garrison of Chunar. Of these troops, Major Pop-
ham was to have the command, and proceed against
the enemy's forces at Ramnagur. Captain Blair, who
commanded the battalion dispatched from Chunar,
was directed to halt at a safe distance from Ramna-
gur until further orders. Major Popham sent a si-
milar mandate to Captain Mayaffre, who commanded
the residue of his detachment, at the same time
strictly cautioning him to abstain from hostilities of
any kind, and attend to the safety of the party under
his command, until Major Popham should arrive.
In order to ensure the success of his operations, the
latter officer had made choice of an open plain im-
mediately opposite to Ramnagur, for a battery of
two mortars that were expected from Chunar. From
the weakness of the fort in which the rebellious Ze-
meendar had taken refuge, Major Popham felt confi-
dent of soon reducing it, and of recovering the captive.
The place was so ill provided against such an attack
as he meditated, and was in such a very indifferent
state of defence, that under skilful management it