The battles of the world : $b or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military eventsBorthwick, J. Douglas (John Douglas)
History
The battles of the world : $b or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military events
Borthwick, J. Douglas (John Douglas)
Battles; Military history
Colonel Maxwell of the 19th Light Dragoons saw that the critical
moment had arrived, _Forward!_ was the word. Falling upon the
Mahratta cavalry, the Dragoons gave the British infantry time to
rally, cut up the Mahratta horse, pushed through the Scindiah’s
left, and threw the whole of that part of the army into confusion.
In the meantime the enemy’s centre, which had remained untouched,
closed in upon the ground before occupied by their left wing, and
uniting with such of their infantry and artillery as had been
passed over unhurt by the British cavalry, formed itself into a
kind of crescent, with its right horn resting on the river Jouah,
and its left on the village of Assaye; thus presenting themselves
in a fresh position on the flank of our infantry, on which, having
collected a considerable number of guns, they recommenced a heavy
fire. The battle was now to be fought over again, with this
difference, that the contending forces had changed sides, and had
the enemy’s horse behaved with the least spirit, while our cavalry
was absent in pursuit of their broken battalions, there is no
guessing what the consequences might have been; but, happily for
General Wellesley, they kept aloof. To oppose the enemy in their
new position, the Sepoy battalion on the right was immediately
advanced against them, but without effect, being obliged to retire.
Another was brought forward and equally repulsed. The cavalry,
having by this time returned from the pursuit, and formed on the
left, and the enemy’s horse having disappeared before them, the
General ordered the 78th regiment and the 7th cavalry up, to head
a fresh attack against the enemy’s infantry and guns, which still
defended their position with obstinacy. No sooner, however, had he
formed the 78th regiment in line, in directing which his horse’s
leg was carried off by a cannon shot, than the enemy without
waiting an attack, commenced their retreat across the Jouah, which
they passed in tolerable order before our troops could come up with
them. Previously to this last attack Colonel Maxwell had requested
and obtained permission to charge a considerable body of infantry
and guns, which having formed part of the reserve, were seen
retiring in good order, along the right bank of the Jouah.
The 19th Dragoons were not long in coming up with the enemy, who
having formed with their left to the Jouah, steadily waited their
approach. The charge was sounded. The Dragoons advanced with
rapidity, amidst a shower of musketry and grape, and had already
got almost within reach of the bayonets of the enemy, who still
gallantly stood their ground.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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