Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c58.s6.4

v4.c58.s6.4

But in the actual execution the General's plan was mangled, a needless slaughter of the British right wing followed, and a disaster to the British army which would have led to the suicide* of Wellington was averted only by the heroism and endurance of the British Dragoons and the shameful cowardice of the Marātha cavalry. When brought face to face with the enemy's lines, Wellesley had to change his battle plan immediately. As the enemy's infantry and line of guns greatly outflanked his first line on both hands, he ordered it to be lengthened by bringing the second line within the first, and forming one long line with the two Highland Regiments (the 78th Ross-shire Buffs and the 74th Campbells) at the two extremes and the five Madras Sepoy battalions in the centre. At the same time, his cavalry instead of being kept back as a reserve or third line, was pushed on to the rear of his extreme right, in order to guard that flank up to the Juah nālā. His first misfortune was that the fighting started before this second formation could be completed. Next, all his guns had to be left behind by reason of their bullocks and drivers being killed by the superior Maratha artillery, so that the British fought all the later stages of this battle without any artillery assistance of their own. And worst of all the General’s plan was wrecked by the folly of Colonel Orrock, who commanded the picquets in the extreme right and whose troops were to act as the battalion of direction in the advance upon the enemy’s line.