Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/662

 G28 ni.sTon of india. |ii.K,K iii.

A D. iTio head of the European cavalry, and, after a large sweep of the plain, made a (lash at the third line. As soon as his intention "was perceived, the sepr>ys of the separate detachmerit, with their two guns, were ordered to fall back at an angle which woidd enable them to take the attacking cavalry in flank a.s they

L;iiij'8 were approaching At the same time the black horse, thus tiireatened to be

Wiiii.iiw.ij^i. attacked in rear, made a show of wheeling round to face the enemy, but only, and apparently of set pur]r)Ose, threw themselves into confusion that they might have a pretext for flight. The eighty Europeans, thus left alone, prepared not- withstanding to receive the charge. Fortunately for them it was unnece.ssary. The two guns of the sepoys, admirably managed by Captain Barkei*, opened with svich effect on the attacking party, that they galloped ofl' without having accomplished or even attempted anything. Lally, thus left alone, had no choice but to follow the fugitives. A cannonade had in the meantime com- menced. The sui)enority was decidedly with the British ; and Lally, on returning to his infantry, found them impatient under the loss which they were sustaining without being brought to close quarters. Their impatience was seconded by his own impetuosity, and he gave the order to advance. The engagement was soon general along the whole line.

The regiment of Lorraine, formed in a column twelve in front, advanced almost at a run against Coote's regiment, who by his orders reserved their fire till their assailants were within fifty yards, when they fired a volley with deadly effect both on the front and flanks. The colmnn though staggered did not stop, and in an instant the two reiriments were minted in dreadful conflict at the point of the bayonet. It did not last long, for the column, unable to sustain the shock, gave way and fled in disorder. About the same time a tumbril in the retrenched tank struck by a shot exploded, killing or wounding eighty men. Such was the consternation produced, that a large number of those posted in the tank immediately abandoned it. Their example was followed by the 400 sepoy.s.

Major To take advantage of this confusion, Coote ordered Major Brereton to advance

Brereton • i i

killed. With the whole of Draper's regiment and .seize the retrenched tank. He had just carried it with great gallantry when he fell mortally wounded. The posses- sion of the tank exposed the left flank of Lallys regiment, which, as soon as two field-pieces were brought to play upon it, began to waver. The day was now all but lost to the French, and Bussy, in making a gallant effort to retrieve it, was taken prisoner. The other wing and centre of the enemy's fine offered little resistance, and the sepoys who were posted behind the ridge, on being ordered to advance, refused to obey. Lally, now convinced that further resist- ance was useless, abandoned his camp, which the victoi-s immediately entered without opposition. Had Coote's black horse been worth an3^thing the French army must have been utterly dispersed ; but instead of charging they kept cautiously aloof, overawed by the steady front of the European cavalry, who anxious to redeem the disgrace of their early flight, enabled Lally to effect the

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