Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/603

Book XII. against the enemy, who were still waiting for them; but when at the distance of 200 yards, the cavalry opened from the centre, and brought themselves round, divided on each wing of the Sepoys, in the second line; and the instant the ground was clear, the two field-pieces began quick firing on the enemy's line of cavalry, which were setting off to take advantage of the evolution making by the English. The fieldpieces were, one a twelve, the other a six-pounder, both of brass; and Captain Robert Barker, although he commanded the whole of the Company's artillery, had come up with, and now served them himself: the effect answered the good-will and dexterity; the fire was directed amongst the Morattoes; and every shot was seen to overset men and horses, which stopped their career, but not before they were within reach of the musketry of the Sepoys; and some of them on the wings had even rode in amongst the outward of the English cavalry during their evolution; but the encreasing havock which fell amongst them soon after, put the whole body to flight, and they galloped away to their camp, leaving the French cavalry alone, who were advancing in regular order on their right, against whom the field-pieces were then directed, which they stood for some time, seeming to expect the Morattoes would rally; but seeing them entirely gone off, turned and went off themselves, but still in order, and with much composure. Colonel Coote advanced with his division to the ground they had quitted, and seeing the plain clear, quite up to the French camp, sent orders to his line of infantry to halt, wheresoever the order should meet them, until he returned to them himself. There were some gardens and other enclosures half a mile to the right of the ground which the French cavalry had occupied, whilst drawn up in a line with the Morattoes extending from the end of the mountain. The enclosures were good shelter on necessity, and the ground beyond them excellent for the display and action of the whole army, which Colonel Coote having reconnoitred, ordered his division to file off to the left, and to form on this ground, in the same order as before; the cavalry in a line in front, the Sepoys in another behind them.