A History of the Mahrattas v2.c36.63

v2.c36.63

As soon as Colonel Cockburn heard the firing in front, he ordered Major Frederick, with two companies of Europeans, to support Captain Gordon; but the Mahrattas had succeeded in plundering a part of the baggage, and in a very short time the rear was also attacked. The army, however, continued to move on till daylight, when they found themselves completely surrounded, and large bodies of horse coming on as if to charge the main body; the troops were immediately halted and the line formed; but the strength of the attack, as had been the practice in Deccan warfare since the days of Shah Jehan, was made upon the rear. Hartley’s Sepoys received them with the greatest animation and steadiness, drove them back, and were with difficulty restrained from pursuing them. Shortly after sunrise the attack on the rear was renewed by the main body of the Mahratta army, consisting of both cavalry and infantry; and their guns, having been brought up, opened on the line, but the heaviest fire and the brunt of the onset were still in the rear. The gallant band of Sepoys, though now sore pressed, had excellent European officers, and not only stood their ground with spirit, but fought with perfect enthusiasm.