water-carriers perished through the fatigue which they underwent in this fiery climate, where the natives suffer even more than Europeans themselves when called to extraordinary exertions. Such were the afflicting circumstances of this march; and they were further aggravated by the increasing number of the sick, many of whom were obliged to be conveyed on the common hackeries or country carts, without any covering, and consequently exposed to the sun through the whole day, the vehicles very often not reaching the camp before evening. On one day nineteen Europeans were buried; and melancholy indeed it was to see the route of the army traced by heaps of earth, giving cover to the remains of so many gallant young soldiers, who, after escaping the dangers incident to the fire and steel of war, fell pitiable victims to the climate.[1]
Although the celerity of Holkar's retreat made it impracticable for the English army to keep up with him, his movements had been accompanied by a body of Hindostanee cavalry despatched for the purpose. It consisted of two parties: one commanded by Captain Gardiner, an officer in the service of the Rajah of Jyenagur, the other by Lieutenant Lucan, of the King's service, who made several successful attacks on the troops of the enemy; while in other quarters the British arms met with reverses from the predatory cavalry under Ameer Khan.
These trifling disasters were soon succeeded by others far more serious. Subsequently to the capture of Tonk Rampoora, Colonel Don, with part of his detachment, joined Colonel Monson, who, thus reinforced, moved in the direction of Kotah, and, still pursuing a southerly course, advanced to the strong pass of Mokundra, near which he stormed and carried the fortress of Hingslaighur, an old possession of Holkar's family. He subsequently advanced his position about fifty miles beyond the Mokundra pass, in the hope of meeting with Colonel Murray, at that
- ↑ Major Thorn's Narrative.
