A History of the Mahrattas v2.c51.93

v2.c51.93

resting on the village of Mohaulpore. To their rear was a deep rivulet, and their front was lined with seventy-five pieces of cannon chained together, the more effectually to resist the charge of horse. The whole were concealed by very high grass. The different brigades of cavalry, particularly that under Colonel Macan, executed the orders they had received in the most spirited manner; but the opposition with which they had to contend was formidable in the extreme, and their loss was very great; insomuch that General Lake was compelled to desist from this hazardous attack, and await the arrival of the infantry. The Mahratta troops, in the meantime, changed their position and drew up in two lines, the one in front, the other in rear of the village of Mohaulpore. Their commander, on seeing the approach of the British infantry, offered to surrender his guns on certain conditions, which were accepted, and one hour was allowed to fulfil the terms; but at the end of that time, General Lake prepared to renew the attack. The British infantry consisted of the 76th regiment and six battalions of Bengal Sepoys. Of three brigades of cavalry, one was directed to support the infantry; another was detached to the right to watch the enemy, and take advantage of any confusion that might appear among them; and a third brigade formed the reserve. The whole of the artillery was thrown into four batteries to support the attack of the infantry. General Lake’s object was to turn the right of the enemy’s position, for which purpose he moved off with the infantry in open column of companies, along the bank of the rivulet which was nearly at right angles to the enemy’s new position. For a time the march of the British troops was concealed by the high grass, but the Mahrattas no sooner discerned them than they perceived the general’s intention, which they immediately frustrated by throwing back their left wing, covering the movement with a heavy cannonade, which did severe execution on the front of the British column. The British artillery returned the fire with good effect; but the enemy’s cannon were far superior in number and weight of metal, and equally well served. The ground was much broken, the advance greatly impeded by that circumstance, and the ranks of the 76th were so much thinned that General Lake, who now, as on every occasion, was foremost in the battle, deemed it advisable to hasten on the attack with that regiment and one battalion and five companies of Sepoys who had closed to the front.