The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c23.s4.38

v4.c23.s4.38

He selected the comrade of his youth, Minhkaungnawrahta, to command the rear-guard. These were the pick of the army—500 Manipur horse and 6000 foot, every man of whom had a musket. Minhkaungnawrahta spread them out, and it was some time before the Siamese realised that the main body had left; then they swept out upon him; his men, fearing to be cut off, watched the ring closing round them and begged him to let them fight farther back; but he said: "Friends, the safety of our Lord the King lies in our keeping. Let us not fight farther back, lest the sound of the guns should break his sleep." When they could stand they stood, and when they had to run they ran; they were defeated but never broken, and they withdrew in good order, collecting Alaungpaya's stragglers on the way.