Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/608

584 The English army halted ten minutes in attention to this attack, during which the French line cannonaded, but beyond the proper distance even for ball, and nevertheless often fired grape, and neither with any effect. The English did not begin to answer until nearer, and then perceiving their own fire much better directed, halted in order to preserve this advantage, as long as the enemy permitted it to continue, by not advancing from the front of their camp. Mr. Lally retiring from the English cavalry, and deserted by his own, rejoined his line of infantry, which he found suffering, and with much impatience, from the English cannonade: his own impetuosity concurred with their eagerness to be led to immediate decision, and he gave the order to advance. The English line was not directly opposite to the front of the French, but slanting outwards from their left, which required the French troops on this side to advance much less than those of their right, who had more ground to wheel, in order to bring the whole line parallel to that of the English. Colonel Coote seeing the enemy coming on gave the final orders to his own. None but the Europeans of the first and second lines were to advance any farther. The Sepoys on the wings of both, and the cavalry in the third line, were to continue where they were left, and to take no share in the battle, until they should hereafter receive orders how to act.

The enemy began the fire of musketry at one o'clock, but Colonel Ooote intended to refrain until nearer; nevertheless the company of Coffrees, which was inserted in one of the Company's battalions, gave their fire without the order of their officers, and it was with difficulty that the irregularity was prevented from extending. Colonel Coote was at this time passing from the right to the left to join his own regiment, and received two or three shot in his cloaths from the fire of the Coffrees. As soon as he arrived at his regiment they began, and the fire became general through the whole line. Coote's had only fired twice, when Lorrain formed in a column twelve in front: the operation is simple and was expeditious. Colonel Coote made no change in the disposition of, his regiment,