A History of the Mahrattas v2.c51.89

v2.c51.89

General Lake’s next object was the infantry which had been sent under Dudrenec, by Sindia, to reinforce his army in Hindoo-stan. It consisted of seven battalions, and arrived from the Deccan about the beginning of October. This body had been joined by three of Bourquin’s battalions, not engaged at the battle of Delhi, and by some of the fugitives from Delhi and Agra, who were formed into two battalions; the whole consisting of twelve strong battalions, and amounting to about nine thousand men. They had a very superior equipment of artillery; were accompanied by twelve or fifteen hundred good horse, and during the siege of Agra had occupied a position about thirty miles distant from the British army. The commander was a Mahratta officer,¹ Dudrenec having surrendered to the English on the 30th October. It was understood that they intended to march on Delhi, for the recovery of the capital. General Lake with a strong force (Oct. 27.) proceeded in quest of them on the 27th of October, but as he advanced, they retired towards the hills of Mewat. (Oct. 31.) On the 31st of October General Lake, on arriving at the ground which they had occupied the preceding day, determined, in order to prevent their escape, to pursue them with his cavalry, now consisting of eight regiments, three of which were European dragoons. He accordingly moved off at eleven o'clock that night, directing the infantry to follow at three o'clock next morning. After a march of twenty-five miles he came up with them at sunrise of the 1st Nov. On descrying the (Nov. 1.) Mahratta infantry, they appeared in motion, and supposing them to be in full retreat, Lake ordered on the cavalry to impede them by an immediate attack. The Mahrattas however had time to form, and instead of being found on the retreat, they had taken up a strong position, their right on the village of Laswaree,² partially protected by a deep ravine, and their left,