The Company troops left Shirur at 8 pm on 31 December 1817.
After marching all night and covering a distance of 25 miles, they reached the high ground behind Talegaon Dhamdhere.
From there, they spotted Peshwa's army across the Bhima River.
Captain Staunton marched up to Koregaon Bhima village, which was located on the banks of the river.
The village was surrounded by a low mud wall.
Captain Staunton made a feint of crossing the shallow Bhima river.
A 5,000-strong infantry, which was slightly ahead of the Peshwa's base, retreated to inform him about the presence of British forces.
Meanwhile, Staunton stationed his forces in Koregaon instead of crossing the river.
He secured a strong position for his guns, posting one of them to guard an approach from the Bhima river (which was running almost dry), and another to guard the road from Shirur.

After the return of his 5,000-strong infantry, the Peshwa dispatched three infantry parties of Arab, Gosain and Maratha soldiers.
Each party comprised 300–600 soldiers.
The parties crossed the Bhima River at three different points, supported by two cannons and rocket fire.
Peshwa's troops also made a feint attack from the Shirur road.

By noon, the Arabs took control of a temple on the outskirts of the village.
One of the temples was retaken by a party led by Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon Wyllie.
The Arabs also captured the sole gun guarding the river, and killed eleven gunners, including their officer Lieutenant Chisholm.
Driven by thirst and hunger, some of the Company's gunners suggested negotiating a surrender.
However, Captain Staunton refused to yield.
A group led by Lieutenant Pattison retook the gun, and found Lieutenant Chisholm's body with the head cut off.
Captain Staunton declared that this would be the fate of those who fall into the enemy hands.
This encouraged the gunners to fight on.
The Company troops successfully defended the village.

Peshwa's forces ceased firing and left the village by 9 pm, driven by the fear of approaching British reinforcements under General Joseph Smith.
At night, the Company troops managed to procure a supply of water.
The Peshwa remained near Koregaon on the next day but did not launch another attack.
Captain Staunton, who was not aware of General Smith's advance, believed that the Peshwa would attack the Company troops on the Koregaon-Pune route.
On the night of 2 January, Staunton first pretended to go in the direction of Pune but then marched back to Shirur, carrying most of his wounded soldiers.

According to the Interesting Intelligence from the London Gazette: "Accounts have been received from Lt Col Burr, dated the 3rd (January, 1818), intimating that Capt.
Staunton, commanding the 2nd battalion 1st regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, had been fortunately able to commence his march back to Seroor, with 125 wounded, having buried 50 at Goregaum (sic), and left 12 or 15 there, badly wounded; that the Peshwa had proceeded Southward, General Smith in pursuit, which had probably saved the battalion."
The Company troops left Shirur at 8 pm on 31 December 1817. After marching all night and covering a distance of 25 miles, they reached the high ground behind Talegaon Dhamdhere. From there, they spotted Peshwa's army across the Bhima River. Captain Staunton marched up to Koregaon Bhima village, which was located on the banks of the river. The village was surrounded by a low mud wall. Captain Staunton made a feint of crossing the shallow Bhima river. A 5,000-strong infantry, which was slightly ahead of the Peshwa's base, retreated to inform him about the presence of British forces. Meanwhile, Staunton stationed his forces in Koregaon instead of crossing the river. He secured a strong position for his guns, posting one of them to guard an approach from the Bhima river (which was running almost dry), and another to guard the road from Shirur.
After the return of his 5,000-strong infantry, the Peshwa dispatched three infantry parties of Arab, Gosain and Maratha soldiers. Each party comprised 300–600 soldiers. The parties crossed the Bhima River at three different points, supported by two cannons and rocket fire. Peshwa's troops also made a feint attack from the Shirur road.
By noon, the Arabs took control of a temple on the outskirts of the village. One of the temples was retaken by a party led by Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon Wyllie. The Arabs also captured the sole gun guarding the river, and killed eleven gunners, including their officer Lieutenant Chisholm. Driven by thirst and hunger, some of the Company's gunners suggested negotiating a surrender. However, Captain Staunton refused to yield. A group led by Lieutenant Pattison retook the gun, and found Lieutenant Chisholm's body with the head cut off. Captain Staunton declared that this would be the fate of those who fall into the enemy hands. This encouraged the gunners to fight on. The Company troops successfully defended the village.
Peshwa's forces ceased firing and left the village by 9 pm, driven by the fear of approaching British reinforcements under General Joseph Smith. At night, the Company troops managed to procure a supply of water. The Peshwa remained near Koregaon on the next day but did not launch another attack. Captain Staunton, who was not aware of General Smith's advance, believed that the Peshwa would attack the Company troops on the Koregaon-Pune route. On the night of 2 January, Staunton first pretended to go in the direction of Pune but then marched back to Shirur, carrying most of his wounded soldiers.
According to the Interesting Intelligence from the London Gazette: "Accounts have been received from Lt Col Burr, dated the 3rd (January, 1818), intimating that Capt. Staunton, commanding the 2nd battalion 1st regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, had been fortunately able to commence his march back to Seroor, with 125 wounded, having buried 50 at Goregaum (sic), and left 12 or 15 there, badly wounded; that the Peshwa had proceeded Southward, General Smith in pursuit, which had probably saved the battalion."
Battle of Koregaon