Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/206

198 at a distance. The Morattoes fought in a manner peculiar to themselves: their cavalry were armed with sabres, and every horseman was closely accompanied by a man on foot, armed with a sword and a large club; and some instead of a club carried a short strong spear: if a horse was killed and the rider remained unhurt, he immediately began to act on foot; and if the rider fell, and the horse escaped, he was immediately mounted, and pressed on again to the charge by the first foot-man who could seize him. Notwithstanding the difference of numbers, and the advantage of the enemy's disposition, they bebaved with great spirit, and made five successive charges, in every one of which they were repulsed by the fire of the enemy's Sepoys. In the mean time the other wing advanced towards the village; but their line of march along the causeway was so much galled and enfiladed by the English field pieces, that all but the artillery-men with the cannon, and two or three platoons to support them, quitted the causeway, and formed in the rice fields an extensive front, which reached almost to the grove, where their cavalry were engaged, who imagined that this motion was made to reinforce them. Upon this change in their disposition, two field pieces were sent to support the Morattoes; and the Sepoys, with two platoons of Europeans, were ordered to sally from the village and attack the enemy's artillery. This unexpected motion terrified those who remained to defend the cannon so much, that they immediately began to draw them off and retreat. Their example was followed by the Sepoys in the rice fields, and the retreat of these immediately dispirited the horse and foot fighting at the grove, who had suffered from the two field pieces sent thither; and this whole wing gave way and retreated likewise, pursued by the Morattoes. Capt. Clive, with his infantry and field pieces, advanced along the causeway in pursuit of the enemy, who made a stand at three different choultries in their rout, but were beaten out of each of them; when night coming on, the pursuit ceased. About 50 of the French, and 150 of the enemy's cavalry and Sepoys, were either killed or wounded in the action. The English lost no European, and only eight Sepoys; but of the Morattoes about fifty were either killed or disabled.

The enemy continuing their retreat, crossed the river, and entered