Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/343

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OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.
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executed; fifteen thousand horse incessantly harassing in front, flank, and rear, and only kept at bay by the indomitable courage and unbroken formation of the remnant of this glorious division. At last, worn down by fatigue, and reduced by casualties and desertion, out of twelve thousand men, scarcely one thousand entered Agra, without cannon, baggage, or ammunition, and only fit for the hospitals, and afterwards to be invalided.

To erase the scandal brought on the British name by the unfortunate result of Colonel Monson's movement, every resource of the Government was immediately employed. Measures were taken for the speedy equipment of several distinct armies, destined to act in different quarters, and to act offensively. Among the first and most important of these measures was the establishment of an army in Hindostan, equipped for light movements, and of sufficient strength to encounter, with a prospect of success, the main body of Holkar's force. The Commander-in-Chief accordingly marched on the 3rd of September from Cawnpore, with the whole of the European cavalry and infantry at that place, and arrived on the 22nd at Agra. The assembled force consisted of three regiments of European Light Dragoons, five regiments of native cavalry and the horse artillery, his Majesty's 76th regiment of foot, the flank companies of the King's 22nd foot, ten battalions of native infantry, and the usual proportion of artillery.

Holkar had taken possession of Muttra; but on the approach of the British army, which marched from Secundra on the 1st of October, Holkar drew off to the north-west, along the bank of the Jumna; and, evading three successive attempts made by the Commander-in-Chief to bring him to action, moved his infantry and guns in the direction of Delhi, and on the 8th of October they arrived before that city.

Colonel Ochterlony, the British Resident, had anticipated this visit, and had provided for it as far as lay in his power; but the city was of great extent, and un-