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284 they were directed upon the river; when, far from being struck with any apprehension at the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, they exultingly exclaimed, "They cannot escape us!" As they advanced, however, the enemy's artillery, the best organised part of their army, opened a most destructive fire, which greatly thinned their ranks, but could not check the forward movement of the columns. The whole were now across the river; the infantry formed into two brigades, and the cavalry in reserve behind them, ready to rush on any part of the battle-ground where advantage could be gained, or support should be required. The Mysore horse and the contingent of the Peishwa were merely left in observation of the enemy's right.

This flank attack obliged Scindia to change his front, which he did with less confusion than was expected, by his new disposition resting his right upon the Kaitna, and his left upon the Suah and Assaye. His whole front bristled with cannon, and the ground immediately around the village seemed, from the number of guns, like one great battery. The fire from this powerful artillery was, of course, destructive: the British guns were completely overpowered by it, and in a very few minutes entirely silenced. This was the crisis; and on the resolution of a moment hung the fortune of a very doubtful day. Wellesley without hesitation abandoned his guns and advanced with the bayonet. The charge was gallantly made, the resistless bayonets of the British troops drove the enemy before them, and when their last-formed body of infantry gave way the whole of the enemy's right went off, leaving the English masters of the field, and of nearly one hundred pieces of cannon abandoned by the fugitives.

While this movement was being executed, the 74th and Light Infantry pickets in front of Assaye were severely cut up by the fire from that place. Perceiving the murderous effect of the fusilade, a strong body of the Mahratta horse moved swiftly round the village, and made a furious onset on the 74th; but Colonel Maxwell