Meanwhile Colonel Benson had lost no time in starting on his track with 210 men of the Seventeenth and 37 men of the Horse Artillery with 2 guns; and after a march of one hundred and forty-eight miles in one hundred and twenty hours, he finally caught Tantia at Zeerapore. This being, so to speak, a strictly regimental affair, we may give an abridged journal of the march:-- _Friday, 24th December._--Left Ninose for Nowgaum (seventeen miles). _Saturday, 25th December._--Made a reconnaissance, and discovered that the enemy had marched on Mundesoor; made a forced march thither, and arrived that night (thirty-six miles) to find the enemy encamped but four miles away. _Sunday, 26th December._--Marched at daybreak, leaving behind all infantry, artillery waggons, led horses, and baggage of every description, and all grass-cutters. Moved first towards Seeta Mhow on false information, but, discovering the true direction, turned towards Caimpore, and halted for the night on the left bank of the Chumbul (twenty-six miles). _Monday, 27th December._--Marched at daybreak, crossed the Chumbul, and came up with the rebels encamped at Dug; bivouacked in sight of their fires. _Tuesday, 28th December._--Marched at 4 A.M. so as to attack at daybreak; found that the enemy’s main body had retreated. Drove in the picquets and pursued, crossing the Kollee Sind River on the way (twenty-eight miles). _Wednesday, 29th December._--Marched at 3 A.M. from the right bank of the Kollee Sind; after an eight-mile march came in sight of the rebel camp; advanced over the ploughed land, so as to make as little noise as possible, and waited for daylight. Found the main body had retired two miles; trotted on and came up with it; and on emerging from a wooded lane found the rebel army, apparently about 4000 strong, drawn up in line of battle on rising ground, with a ravine and jungle to their rear. [Sidenote: 29th Dec.]