that the women and treasure had been sent away; but he was of opinion that the bustle apparent in the enemy's camp was a feint and no retreat. This was verified at eight o'clock the following morning, when the field-officer of the day announced that the enemy's right was in motion, evidently for the purpose of attacking. The drums immediately beat to arms, the troops advanced from their encampment, and in a few minutes were ready to receive the approaching foe. The action commenced at nine, and raged till twelve, when the enemy gave way; retiring leisurely, however, and blowing up several tumbrils and three large magazines of powder as they went off. The British army broke into columns to pursue; but pursuit was frustrated by the Vizier sacrificing part of his army to preserve the remainder. Two miles from the field of battle was a rivulet, over which a bridge of boats had been constructed. This the enemy destroyed before their rear had passed over; and through this act about two thousand of them were drowned, or otherwise lost. Destructive as this proceeding was, it saved the main body of the Vizier's army, with his treasure and jewels, and the jewels of Meer Cossim, which were estimated to amount to between two and three millions sterling.
The British force engaged in the memorable battle of Buxar consisted of eight hundred and fifty-seven Europeans, five thousand two hundred and ninety-seven Sepoys, and nine hundred and eighteen native cavalry, making a total of seven thousand and seventy-two men. They had a train of artillery of twenty field-pieces. The force of the enemy, according to some reports, amounted to sixty thousand men. Of this vast number, two thousand were left dead upon the field of battle, exclusive of those who perished from the destruction of the bridge; the enemy also lost one hundred and thirty-three pieces of cannon of various sizes. The loss of the English in killed and wounded was severe, amounting to no less than eight hundred and forty-seven.
