A History of the Mahrattas v2.c34.25

Language: English

v2.c34.25.1

(May 18.)—On the morning of the 18th May, when marching in this order towards the Myhie, about a mile and a half from Nappar, a smart cannonade from six guns suddenly opened on their rear from behind a grove on the left side of the road, where a large body of the enemy were advancing. Colonel Keating immediately halted the line, rode back, found Captain Myers, who commanded a division of grenadiers, moving according to the instructions, and having ordered down another gun and a howitzer, soon silenced the artillery of the enemy and drove back the advancing body. Two of the enemy’s cannon were not withdrawn with the rest, and Captain Myers, with some of the other officers, proposed ‘having a dash at their guns’; to which Colonel Keating assented, and sent for the other company of grenadiers. The object of attack was in an enclosed field, the road to which was of the same kind as that already described, between two high milk-bush hedges. As soon as both companies of grenadiers were formed with the rearguard, they were directed to advance with order and regularity, an injunction which Colonel Keating found it necessary to repeat; Captain Myers, however, again quickened his pace until he got near the guns. He then halted, and had just formed for the attack when a body of the enemy’s horse charged him; but being supported by the artillery which Colonel Keating directed in person, they were driven back with great slaughter.

v2.c34.25.2

The division had reformed to prosecute their object when another charge, more desperate than the first, was again made and repulsed, though many of the grenadiers were cut down, and among the rest, the gallant Captains Myers and Serle. This was certainly the crisis which generally gains or loses an action; Colonel Keating performed the duty of a good captain of artillery, but as a commander he neglected to support his exhausted men with fresh troops. The Mahrattas took advantage of the oversight, placed two elephants to block up the narrow road, and being encouraged by a treacherous Carcoon in Rugoba’s army, charged the rear of the division, thus completely cut off from the main body. But the troops, as yet undismayed, facing about, attacked and routed them. By this time a body of Arabs and Sindians in Rugoba’s army were advancing in their irregular manner, and Rugoba’s horse, by careering about between the advanced body and the British line, occasioned infinite confusion, and could scarcely be distinguished from the enemy, who for a moment seemed to have relinquished the attack; when suddenly one of the companies of European grenadiers, without any apparent reason, went to the right about and retreated at a quick pace;

v2.c34.25.3

this retrograde movement, as was afterwards discovered by a court of inquiry, was partly the fault of their officer, whose word of command to face to the right, for the purpose of retiring, was mistaken for ‘right about face.’ Without orders from Colonel Keating the retreat was at all events inexcusable; and, as might have been expected, was attended with disastrous consequences. The Sepoys immediately fancied themselves defeated, they also turned, and the rest of the Europeans followed their example. Some order was preserved until they gained the milk-bush hedges, when, in spite of all the exertions of their officers, they broke their ranks and ran towards the line in the greatest confusion, whilst the enemy came amongst them, sword in hand, and made a great slaughter. Colonel Keating in vain attempted to rally the grenadiers: those men, who had a few minutes before fought with all the ardour and constancy of British troops, now fled disgracefully; but the support of the line and the fire of the whole artillery, within forty yards, again drove back the Mahrattas, who finally sustained a severe defeat. Such was the battle of Arass; and notwithstanding the circumstances attending it, which are related principally from the candid narrative of Colonel Keating, it is a victory recorded by the best of testimony, the enemy, in terms highly creditable.¹ But it was dearly purchased. The loss on the part of Colonel Keating's detachment amounted to two hundred and twenty-two men;

v2.c34.25.4

of whom eighty-six were Europeans, and eleven of them officers.²