November. A strong detachment was then left in the neighbourhood[1], (the advance on Srinagar being given up), and the remainder now pushed towards Ochterlony; but on attempting to assault Jaitak, the attacking columns did not come up at the proper time, and being beaten in detail, they were again repulsed with great loss. Nor did the British troops operating in the east improve the fortunes of the war; Wood's division received a slight check before a stockade, and the commander, believing exaggerated accounts of the enemy's strength, pleaded that he was too weak to advance any further. General Marley also accomplished absolutely nothing; but two of his detached posts of 500 men each, which had been left without sufficient support, were surprised and cut to pieces. As a small compensation for the failures in this quarter, however, a portion of the plains of the Tarái was occupied, and the co-operation of the Sikkim Rájá was secured.
This was the state of affairs in the end of January 1815. Up to that date everything had failed, and the Gúrkhas, elated by their victories, still held the passes and defied the numerous forces brought against them. The British had lost heavily; they were obliged to draw upon
- ↑ This detachment commanded the lines of communication between the western and eastern portions of Nepál, and was instrumental in capturing part of Amar Singh's correspondence. It appeared thereby that this chief had opposed the war from the beginning, as incurring a grave risk without necessity, and that he also opposed those who wanted to make terms when the Gúrkhas were in difficulties. Some of this interesting correspondence is printed in Prinsep's Transactions, i. 457 and 462.
