The action commenced by an advance of Maxwell’s force against the ridge, which was taken, while the cavalry crossed the ravine, and fell on the rear of the Mysore infantry, inflicting considerable loss. But the exhausted horses could not raise a gallop, and they were obliged to fall back from a strong body of infantry, that had rallied and made a stand in some broken rocky ground. At this juncture, the Nizam’s horse, which had followed the British cavalry across the ravine, threw itself in an unwieldy mass in front of the left wing, preventing its advance, and detaining it under the fire of the enemy’s batteries in Seringapatam. This unfortunate circumstance, which by many was ascribed to treachery on the part of the Nizam’s commander, saved the enemy from destruction. The British line was for some time unable to advance, and the enemy’s guns and infantry, in great confusion, were able to withdraw under protection of their batteries across the river. Four guns were taken. The British loss was 81 killed, 339 wounded, and 6 missing. Of this, the 19th Light Dragoons lost _Killed_-- 1 Officer. Cornet James Patterson. 2 Troopers. _Wounded_-- 2 Officers. Cornet Roderick Mackenzie. Cornet John Fortnam. 2 Troopers. _Horses_-- 13 Killed. 11 Wounded. The army was now in such a state, owing to want of proper supplies, want of carriage, and an epidemic of smallpox, that it was necessary to join hands with the Bombay force under Abercromby, before undertaking the siege. Abercromby had encountered great difficulties in ascending the Passes into Mysore, and so excellent was the work done by Tippoo’s cavalry, that Cornwallis was without any precise information as to his advance. Nor was anything known of the Mahratta contingent, beyond the fact that they had captured Dharwar. Cornwallis therefore resolved on continuing his march on Caniembadi, to meet Abercromby. “For two marches, all the battering train and almost every public cart in the army were dragged by the troops,” and Cornwallis came to the conclusion, that the state of his force rendered a retirement on Bangalore imperative. The siege train and heavy stores could be carried no farther, and it was resolved to destroy them. On the 21st May, orders were despatched to Abercromby, who was then at Periapatam, about 25 miles to the westward, to destroy his heavy stores, and retire below the Passes, and Cornwallis’ army was retained five days in position, to cover Abercromby’s movement. On the 22nd, the whole of the battering train and heavy stores were destroyed, and on the 26th, the first march of six miles was made in retreat. The distress was very great: the troops were on half rations, and the only way of carrying what grain was available was to distribute it among the fighting men. “Great part of the horses of the cavalry were so reduced by want and fatigue, that they could no longer carry their riders; and