A History of the Mahrattas v2.c36.68

v2.c36.68

The baggage, bazar, and camp-equipage, so useful to the comfort of an Indian army when successful, becomes quite the contrary in adversity; and on the present occasion the proportion was immoderately great. The followers had quitted the flank and crowded in between the divisions of the troops, so as greatly to impede the retreat; about three o’clock in the afternoon, when they got sufficiently near the village, the followers ran forward and pressed towards it, to seek shelter from the enemy’s rockets, which were now showered upon them. This press created the greatest confusion, the enemy’s horse took advantage of the circumstance, charged through the baggage and the ranks, and when entering the village of Wurgaom, considerable loss was sustained. The troops however soon extricated themselves, the horse were driven off, the guns placed in commanding situations, and by four o’clock in the afternoon the army had some respite.