Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c56.s25.3

v4.c56.s25.3

De Boigne’s old brigades were annihilated but not disgraced. Their conqueror himself paid the highest compliment when he reported to the Governor-General, “All the sepoys of the enemy behaved exceedingly well, and if they had been commanded by French officers the event would have been extremely doubtful. I never was in so serious a business in my life, or anything like it. Their gunners stood to their guns until killed by the bayonet. These fellows fought like devils, or rather heroes.” Captain Grant Duff confirms this praise, “The hardy veterans of De Boigne, determined to die where they could not conquer, fought on with brave though unavailing obstinacy, and except about 2000, who were broken, surrounded and made prisoners, they fell with their arms in their hand.” [ Pearse, 249. Duff, iii. 256.]*