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382 and stores in boats. The pettah, though defended by the enemy in great force, fell into the hands of the English without much difficulty or loss. The fort was subsequently stormed; and though a vigorous resistance was offered, the attack was eventually successful. The loss of the British was small; that of the enemy dreadfully heavy.

With a short delay, General Wellesley moved on Aurungabad, and entered that splendid city on the 29th of August. In the meantime, however, the confederates, with their numerous cavalry, had passed Colonel Stevenson, apparently with the intention of crossing the Godavery, and making a rapid march against Hyderabad, the capital of the Nizam. The British general, however, by a judicious movement, obliged them to return northwards; but as the flying warfare which they seemed inclined to pursue would have been exceedingly harassing, he resolved to bring them, almost on any terms, to close combat.

With this view, the two English corps marched separately, though at a short distance, along the two roads by which the enemy was expected to pass. The General had arranged that Colonel Stevenson and himself should unite on the 24th of September, and, in concert, attack the enemy; but as it was reported that their cavalry had begun to move, he pushed forward to reconnoitre, or to prevent their retreat. His information, which in that hostile country was extremely imperfect, led him to suppose that they were posted at Bokerdun, twelve or fourteen miles distant; but after marching six miles he discovered their whole force, consisting of 38,000 cavalry, above 18,000 infantry, and about 100 pieces of artillery, drawn up on the plain of Assaye.

In brilliant sunshine nothing could be more picturesque than Scindia's encampment, as seen from an eminence on which the advance of the British now rested. The varied colours of the tents, each disposed around its own chieftain's banner, without order or regularity, with "streets crossing and winding in every direction, display-