What, according to this account, were the problems faced by the British in dealing with these villagers?
According to the account, the primary problem was that the villagers were nearly intangible to the European forces. They would melt away before the British could engage them and then collect again, making them impossible to suppress through conventional warfare.
Additionally, the villagers were present in very large numbers and were armed with guns. They were also pressing down on the line of communication from the North, which threatened British logistics and control in the region. This combination of elusive tactics and significant armed strength made them a formidable opponent for the British.
Explanation
The answer is derived directly from the officer's account in the section 'Villagers as rebels'. The text explicitly mentions that the villagers were 'nearly intangible to Europeans' who would 'melt away' and 'collect again'. It also notes their 'very large number' and possession of 'guns', as well as their strategic pressure on 'lines of communication'.