The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-18
TIE SHORTEST WAR.

A campaign. involving the employ
ment OF many thousands of men and
the lighting of two sanguinary pitched
battles. was once begun and ended on
the same day. The glory of this unique
achievement belongs to the British
arms. In 1S43 things bore a threaten
ing aspect in the Central Indian State
of Gwalior. inhabited by the Mahrattas.
considered the most formidable war
riors we had up 10 then encountered in
our Indian wass
Intelligence reached the British au-
thorities that the magnificent Mahratta
army of $4,000 infantry. 10000 cavalry
and 200 guns contemplated not only a
mIntary despotfsm, but an active al
lance with their neighbors OF the Pun
jaub, in the event OF which British in
iluence might oe threatened by COM
bbned Sikh and Mahratta army, COM
prised of $50, 900 men fifth 500 guns. Ac-
cordingly, says the London Mail, as a
precautionary measure Lord Ellen
borough ordered the assembly OF an
army Of exercise on the Gwalior fkont-
ier. This force was divided into TWO
PORTIONS; on the northern boundary Sir
Hugh Cough commanded $4,000 men
and forty field pieces; on the eastern
was stationed Gen. Grey with 1000 in
fantry and few batteries OF horse ar
tilIery.
The concentration took place I'm Nov
ember. 1S43, and IL had the effect OF
bringing the native authorities To their
senses, but while they sulkily ac-
quiesced in the orders emanating from
British diplomatists. the internal dis
orders went on increasing. Finally. II
was decided that nothing short OF
British occupation of the capital Gwa-
lior, could put stop to the unsatis-
factory state Of affairs prevailing. so
on December IL both Coughs and
Grey's forces crossed the frontier for
this purpose. No one suspected that
there would be any fighting. the native
government was known to be peace
fully inclined and the contingency OF
the Manratta army revolving, TO op-
pose the British advance on its own
account, was quite overlooked. But no
sooner had the two British columns
commenced their march than the Ma
hrattas declared their rulers traitors,
and hastened TO take up defensive posi-
tions. Cough appears TO have entirely
discredited the warnings that reached
him, for he left his siege train behind
Agra and allowed his wife, and the
wives of many other officers, to ac-
company the column, riding on ele-
plants at its head.
At daybreak on December 26 his
troops commenced the passage of the
Kohari river in leisurely fashion. A
halt was called for breakfast, and i'm
mediately on the resumption of the
march everybody was startled by hear
ing a heavy gun fired from the woods
| fringng a little village. named Mahar-
ajpore, and following the report a
| spent cannon ball rolled between the
| legs Of Lady Coughs elephant. With
| In another few minutes the woods be-
| came lined with riame from the mouths
| Of 175 pieces, as they discharged wnh
| terrible accuracy storm of shot and
| shell into the British ranks. The sur
| prise was complete. The ladies were
! hurried to the rear. and a council OF
war was summoned. The battle which
| ensued lasted for three hours, and the
| fighting was Of most desperate char
| acter. BY midday. however the VIC
| tory was ours, the Mahrattas fleeing
| from the field and leaving behind them
| 5000 killed and wounded and 1856 guns.
BY a curious coincidence, at the very
same nour this sanguinary and unex-
| pected conflict terminated. the second
| British force, under Gen. Grey, which
| was operated many miles away from
| Coughs line OF advance, was attacked
| by the second Mahratta army 1900
| strong. Maharaipore had been a sold
| iers' battle. but this, the battle OF Pun
| neah. was to be decided by good gem
| eralship. The little British army by
| series VI mastery maneuvers, drove
the enemy from all points OF his posi-
ton, capturing his artillery and infiict-
ing loss OF 5000 men. This conrpleted
the days work. and, in fact, ended the
war, which may be said to have begun
at O'Clock that morning with the fir-
ing Of the cannon ball at Lady Coughs
elephant.