"حياة ومراسلات اللواء السير جون مالكوم، قائد فرسان وسام الطُهر، المبعوث السابق إلى بلاد فارس وحاكم بومباي؛ من رسائل ومذكرات غير منشورة. في مجلّدين. المجلد II." [‎٢‎٠‎٤] (٦٥٤/٢٢١)

204
MEHIDPOOR.
Ki
ll i i
ifiil't
town lies on the right bank of the Sepree river. It
was believed that the main body of the enemy were on
the left bank. Eager to ascertain the precise nature of
their dispositions, Malcolm pushed forward; and soon
after nine o'clock on that fine December morning, as
cended an eminence from which he could obtain a view
of the surrounding country. The town itself was masked
by a fine avenue of trees; but he could see the windings
of the river, and the open ground on the other side.
There, on that left bank, the windings of the river form
ing a sort of circular ravelin with a wet ditch, was the
main body of Holkar's army encamped. They could
hardly have been in a finer position, for the river well-
nigh encircled them. This was apparent from the first,
and presently a more effectual command of observation
having been attained, our officers could see through their
telescopes that the enemy were drawn up in two lines,
fronting the bend of the river: the infantry and artillery
in front, the cavalry in the rear. They seemed to be well
prepared for us. A formidable battery of some fifty
guns commanded the only good ford by which our troops
could well cross the river. And to render the passage
more difficult, they had sent a considerable body of horse
into the plain on the right bank, to harass our advance,
and, if possible, to work round to the rear of our line,
and attack our baggage.
It was necessary that these horsemen should be dis
persed before the passage of the river was attempted; so
Malcolm was sent forward with a strong body of cavalry
and some guns to perform this service. It was expedient
that he should not prematurely entangle himself in an en
gagement, which might have delayed the crossing of the
Sepree, and the attack on the main body of the enemy;
so Malcolm, using his guns with good success, dispersed
the Mahratta horse on the right bank so effectually that