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Rh the Peishwa's family had been removed to the fortress of Saoghur, a measure supposed to be preparatory to the destruction of the city. When this intelligence was received, General Wellesley was advancing to the relief of Poonah with the British cavalry. At night, on the 19th of April, he commenced a march of forty miles, over a very rugged country, and through a difficult pass. The next day saw him at the head of his cavalry before Poonah, the whole distance travelled in the preceding thirty-two hours being sixty miles. The commander of Holkar's force in Poonah, on hearing of General Wellesley's approach, precipitately quitted the place with his garrison, leaving to the English the easy duty of taking possession. A great part of the inhabitants had quitted their homes and fled to the hills during the occupation of Holkar. The few that remained manifested great pleasure at the arrival of the English troops, and those who had fled evinced the confidence to which the change gave birth by returning to their homes and resuming the exercise of their usual occupations.

While General Wellesley was on his march, preparations had been making at Bombay for the return of the Peishwa to his capital. From the time he took up his residence at Bassein he had, at his own request, been attended by a British guard. This force was now considerably augmented, and, being placed under the command of Colonel Murray, formed the Prince's escort on his march back to the capital whence he had so recently made an ignominious flight. On the 27th of April, he left Bassein, attended by the British Resident, Colonel Close; and on the 13th of May he took his seat on the musnud in his palace at Poonah, amidst the roar of cannon from the British camp, echoed from all the posts and forts in the vicinity.

General Wellesley now paused till he could ascertain the disposition of the other Mahratta chiefs. Though great difficulty was found in procuring supplies and the means of transport, no aid was derived from the Peishwa,