The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-07-17 00:00:00

the enemy was only then 'preparing to move from
A Atm, and at about half past eight o'clock yesterday
morning, we had the satisfaction .of distinctly
hearing their isagarai heating below a hill which
covered us from their view.
It seems, however, they haul some information of
our approach, hut not to sufficient time to enable
them to ovoid us without losing their baggage; in
these circumstance*, Gokla took the resolution of
risking an action. As we descended the hill, we
user one body rather near us in mass, to the
limatber of between two and three thousand, and
*the number of streamers implied the pretence of
several Sirdars. The ground was so rocky sod
uneven, I hardly expected to be able to bring any
guile into action, but directed them to keep on the
Dearest road, ready to form as required. The two
squadrons of his Majesty's rid Dragoons f .runed
the centre column, and were directed to attack the
enemy's centre, the 7th Light Cavalry were in co-
lumn on the right, end the 'id Light Cavalry was
the left column. We descended the hill in thie order
upon the clearly, who stood very firm, and after
forming squadrons, I ordered the whole to charge ;
the enemy hot only continued firm, but advanced to
meet each charge with great spirit; he had however
availed himself of a nulls, and very difficult ground
to receive our attack, mud while the light squadron
of the 7th cavalry was engaging under this disad-
vantage, some of the enemy got round their right
Batik and rear, and at first created it little coati-
sum ; as they passed the rear and left of the 7th
cavalry, Major Dawes, of tlw litei dragoons, with
aulaniralele }Hevener of mind, threw back a troop of
that regiment, which immediately charged and
broke them, and they were afterwards met mod suf-
fired also by a troop of the gd light cavalry, which
Major Walker had also 'weltered for them.
Captain Piece, of the Horse Artillery, hod, in-
deed, with hi. usual exertion and zeal, and not-
withstanding she very unfavourable nature of the
ground, contrived to get one guts in WOlllOl3 10
protect the right flank of the 7th Cavalry, and I
had the enemy in my power in a solid mass within
half range of grape ; but as this would have im-
peded the charge, and obliged him to diverse
without a trial with our cavalry, which he How
seemed willing to give, and which all our corps so
much wished for, I kept the gun in reserve.
The charge of the two squadrons of the Dra-
goons penetrated through the mans, and slid great
execiattom Ilapoo Gokla, the Chief of the Mali-
ratio army. fell early, laud fighting bravely to the
last. This event, I have little doubt, hastened the
flight of this body, which afterwards endeavoured
to form in a still larger one. that was covered in
low ground heyond the village of Aslita, and out
of our view from the first accuse of maitre'. Thew
were also immediately charged by the 123t1 Dragoons
as they came up, and the whole being routed and
pursued, soon brought our troops upon the enemy'.
baggage and follosers.
I have itifittitt satisfaction in reporting, that the
Sattura Rajah, his brother. and mother, were in
these circumstances rescued and I glut safe into
our camp, to their great satisfaction end joy.
I calculate the loss of the enemy at between two
and there hundred men. atod beetles Gokla, another
Sirdar of dietinctiou, said to be Nano°, Punt
Aptey was killed.
The Peisliwali abandoned his palanquin early,
and took to horse, and I regret exceedingly his
person could nut have been secured ; hut the troops
had merched nearly thirty miles before tine affair
contmencral, and the pursuit and returu (nearly 16
miles more) exhausted the horses.
Twelve elephants, fifty-epee.' camels, several pea
latiquins and aftsubgures, ands few horses, fell into
our bends.
I enclose a copy of the Orders which convey my
sentiment* out the conduct of the tramp% and also
list of the killed and wounded; and I cannot close
a dispatch which may claim sense interest. without
bestowing the ',mitre justly due to the Stall.
I have been ,rtttiv and cheerfully assisted in till
my duties by Capt. Tovey, the Deplity-Adjutuatut-
General, snit by Captain Mayne, the Deploy Quar-
ter-Nlastes-General. officers well experienced in their
departments. and of valuable prolesSional acquire-
ments. You are already needle that although I had
taken the precaution of 'forming a comiderable
grain depot, from the general aspect of affieirs with
the Peishwah's Government. his sudden treachery
prevreited my obtaining timely carriage for it with
I the army; the good arrangement, foresight, and
I a.siduity of Major Hall, the Deputy Commissary-
General, greatly overcame this and other difficult lea,
and I owe it to that Officer to state my sense of pus
abilities and services in that important department.
The Peysnaster of the Force, Captain James ;
the Con 111 l bony of Stores, Captain Griffiths, of the
Bombay Aitillery ; and the Medical Brooch. multi
Mr. Superisitending Surgeon Phillips, are entitled
also to my earliest praise, its always keeping their
departinesats in perfect arratigemesit and efficiency.
The officers of my prommel Staff, Captain Hard-
castle, and Lientenents Place nod Bellamore, have
been most active and zealous in their duties, end
deserve the public expreasion of my grateful ac-
knowledgments.
I have not yet been able to trace the course of
the Prishwalis flight, or can I follow I • all I
have shimmed of the Wakeless family in Poona ; and
as he has made earnest eutreaties for an early inter-
view with you, I beg you, if possible. to meet me
on my route there, that I may the sooner 'eructed
again in quest of the enemy.
1 have the honour to he, Ste.
LIONEL SMITII. Brig.-Gen.
P.S. A third Sirdar was found killed, Peepposed
to be the Balla Rajah. LIONEL SMITH.
(Enclosed in the preceding.)
Division ORDERS. by Brigadier-General Smith.
Camp at Kurbueab, 21st Feb. 111111.
Blivieliee-Geneerl titttitb begs to express hie era
tire aatislaction with the c 1111 l luta of the whole of
the troops engaged its the affair with Gaither horse
yesterday. and which led to such importune results
as the death of thin Chief. together with the rescue
of the Rajah of Sattura and faintly from the (mods
of the rue sty'.
The !Ingather-General particularly ssoliced the
Ohio exertions of Major Dawes and the two squa-
drons of his Majesty's 2251 Dropout, alto Major*
Dust-ton and Walker, with the 7th and Oel of
Madras Light Infantry, soaler the direction of
Lieutesoluit-Colonel Colebrooke, elm is requested
to accept Brigailicr-General Swttli s theukto and to