in which he soon secured such a measure of confidence as led to the rapid increase of his own power and influence.
De Boigné at first commanded two battalions. In process of time the number was augmented to eight, and subsequently to sixteen, with a park of eighty pieces of cannon. At later periods still further additions were made, and the whole were formed into three brigades. These troops were considered very formidable, consisting of 16,000 or 17,000 regular infantry, from 15,000 to 20,000 cavalry, a large body of irregulars, and a well appointed train of artillery. De Boigné having accumulated a fortune supposed to have amounted to £400,000, returned to France, and was succeeded by Perrou in the chief command.
This Perrou, who had arrived in India as a common sailor, on succeeding to the chief command, felt his ambition expand; and not satisfied with possessing the lands assigned by Scindia for the maintenance of his troops, sought to render himself altogether independent of that chief. Scindia's local authority in Hindostan had declined, and that of Perrou had increased to such a degree that, in the words of the Governor-General, he was about "to found an independent French state on the most vulnerable part of the Company's frontier." The Marquis Wellesley saw the necessity of crushing without delay this new and formidable enemy. General Lake was instructed to regard "the effectual demolition of the French state, erected by Monsieur Perrou on the banks of the Jumna, as the primary object of the campaign;" and the General was to distribute his forces and regulate his operations in such a manner as to effect it with all possible celerity.
Accordingly, on the 7th of August, 1803, Lord Lake marched from Cawnpore with the infantry on that station, under the command of Major-General St. John. The cavalry, under Colonel St. Leger, followed on the 8th. On the 13th the whole army encamped near Kanouge, where it was subsequently joined by Major-General Ware, with a detachment from Futtyghur. On the 28th it
