Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/131

Rh making no impression upon their opponents, fell back upon Poona, leaving 500 men on the field; the same evening the British forces returned to Kirkí with a loss of only 86 men, and there they awaited General Smith, who having been delayed by the enemy's cavalry, arrived before Poona on the 13th. Meanwhile the Peshwá not venturing again to attack the gallant little brigade whose valour and discipline had frustrated all his plans, left it unmolested and wreaked his vengeance by committing acts of savage cruelty upon such British officers who ignorant of the revolt came within his grasp.

A junction being effected between the 4th Division and the Brigade, the combined forces marched upon Poona, and on the 16th the left wing under Colonel Milnes crossed the river which guarded the town, at the Yellura ford, in the face of the enemy, who, notwithstanding all their efforts, were unable to resist the passage; early next morning the rest of the troops crossed higher up the river, but they found to their immense regret that the Maráthás had abandoned all their posts and had fled to the south. Poona was at once occupied and the pursuit begun, but the Peshwá was too quick, and, beyond capturing a considerable portion of his artillery and ammunition, no further success was achieved. Arrangements had now to be made for the military security of Poona and its neighbourhood, and for a further advance