Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/235

Book III. retreated to the village, where they remained, and sustained the fire of the enemy's cannon until the rest of the troops came up. It was almost dusk, and captain Dalton concluding that the enemy might he deceived in their opinion of his strength, and mistake it for he whole of captain Clive's force, ventured to divide his men into two bodies, who marched to attack each flank of the enemy's line, whilst a few Europeans left with the guns near the village cannonaded them in front. Mr. D'Auteuil no sooner perceived this disposition than it suggested to him the opinion it was intended to produce, and he retreated with great precipitation, pursued within a few yards of the walls of Utatoor: the English were on the point of getting possession of one of his guns, when they were obliged to halt and face about, to defend themselves against the enemy's cavalry, who taking advantage of the dusk of the evening, had made a circuit, and appeared unexpectedly in their rear. The Morattoes however galloping in, flung themselves between, and the two bodies of cavalry remained some time firing carabines and pistols, until one of the English 6 pounders came up, which after a few shot decided the contest, and obliged the enemy's horse to retreat; the Morattoes then charged them sword in hand, and drove them into the fort; but not without suffering themselves; for several of them returned much wounded. The English fired at the fort from the rocks which are close to the walls until eight o'clock, when they retreated back to the choultry, leaving an advanced guard of Europeans at the village, and 200 Morattoes, who promised to patrole all night, and give immediate information if the enemy should make any motion to abandon the fort.

Mr. D'Auteuil continuing in his mistake concerning the force which was come against him, no sooner found that they had returned to the choultry, than he quitted the fort with all his troops, and marched away to Volcondah, leaving behind in the hurry a great quantity of military stores and ammunition, as well as refreshments intended for the officers of, Mr. Law's army. The Morattoes performed the duty they had undertaken with so little vigilance, that captain Dalton did not hear of the enemies retreat until two in the