PLAN OF OPERATIONS.

217

Native Infantry, was directed to convert a defensive into an offensive attitude, should circumstances be favourable to the change.

The whole force amounted to more than thirty thousand men, with sixty guns.* Το

*The details of the several divisions were as follows:

1st Division, Artillery, European and

Native Infantry (2nd battalion 1st, 2nd battalion 6th, 2nd battalion 3rd, 1st battalion 19th, and six companies of

the 2nd battalion 19th)

Pioneers

Ordnance, two 18-pounders, ten 6-pound

ers, four mortars and howitzers.

950

4778

265

Native Infantry (1st battalion 6th, 1st

battalion 17th, 1st battalion 7th). 2348

Ordnance, two 12-pounders, eight

6-pounders, four howitzers.

VOL. I.

3513

[3rd Div.

L

oppose so formidable an armament, the Goorkhas in the beginning of the war could not muster more than twelve thousand regular troops, which were scattered along the intended

Native Infantry (left wings of both battalions of the 14th, 2nd, battalion 17th,

four companies 2nd battalion, 8th and

2nd battalion 12th)

Ordnance, four 6-pounders, three 3

pounders, four mortars and howitzers.

2875

90

PLAN OF OPERATIONS.

219

length of their frontier. They were augmented during the war by levies of local militia; but these were without discipline, imperfectly equipped, and were not always well-affected to their rulers, as they were often raised from the subjects of the conquered hill-states. A few forts, strongly situated, but in other respects of little importance, commanded the principal passes of the mountains. The main strength of the Goorkhas consisted in the spirit of the government, the bravery and devotedness of the regular troops, the impracticability of the country,

Ordnance, four 18-pounders, four

6-pounders, four 3-pounders, 12

mortars and howitzers .

276

7989

Total sixty-eight guns and men.

21989

Considerable reinforcements joined the two first divisions, besides irregular troops and native contingents, to the extent of above 12,000 men.-Nepaul Papers, 719, 432.

the inexperience of their adversaries in mountain warfare, and their ignorance of the ground on which they were to move, and of the character of the people with whom they were to contend.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR.

221

CHAPTER IX.

THE WAR CONTINUED.

THE third division consisting of three thousand men, under General Gillespie, made the first movement, and commenced active operations with little delay. The General not having joined, the troops moved under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Mawby, of Her Majesty's 53rd foot, from Seharunpore, whereto they had been previously ordered from Meerut, and on the 22nd October cleared the Timbee Pass, through the first range of hills into the Dhoon, and took up a position at Deegrah, the chief town of the valley, about