INSURRECTION AT BENARES. 
159 
proceed, and to this foresight of the enemy, not to his 
forbearance, Mr. Hastings was no doubt indebted for 
his security. 
Major Popham’ s regiment, with the exception of the 
detachment which had been cut off in the insurrection, 
was stationed at Mirzapoor, and was ordered to proceed 
without delay to Ramnagur, whither upwards of two 
thousand of the enemy had returned two days after 
the massacre, under the command of a confidential 
chief of the Rajah’s. Lieutenant-Colonel Blair was 
also ordered to send thither a battalion of sepoys from 
the garrison of Chunar. Of these troops. Major Pop- 
ham was to have the command, and proceed against 
the enemy’s forces at Ramnagur. Captain Blair, who 
commanded the battalion dispatched from Chunar, 
was directed to halt at a safe distance from Ramna- 
gur until further orders. Major Popham sent a si- 
milar mandate to Captain Mayaffre, who commanded 
the residue of his detachment, at the same time 
strictly cautioning him to abstain from hostilities of 
any kind, and attend to the safety of the party under 
his command, until Major Popham should arrive. 
In order to ensure the success of his operations, the 
latter officer had made choice of an open plain im- 
mediately opposite to Ramnagur, for a battery of 
two mortars that were expected from Chunar. From 
the weakness of the fort in which the rebellious Ze- 
meendar had taken refuge. Major Popham felt confi- 
dent of soon reducing it, and of recovering the captive. 
The place was so ill provided against such an attack 
as he meditated, and was in such a very indifferent 
state of defence, that under skilful management it 
