had watched the progress of the battle, and now was his moment of action. The word was given – the British cavalry charged home. Down went the Mahrattas in hundreds beneath the fiery assault of the brave 19th and their gallant supporters, the Sepoys; while, unchecked by a tremendous storm of grape and musketry, Maxwell pressed his advantage, and cut through Scindia's left. The 74th and the Light Infantry re-formed; and, pushing boldly on, completed the disorder of the enemy, preventing any effective attempt to renew a battle, the doubtful result of which was thus in a few minutes decided by the promptitude of the General.
Some of Scindia's troops fought bravely, and the desperate obstinacy with which his gunners stood to the cannon was almost incredible. They remained to the last, and were bayoneted around the guns which they refused, even in certain defeat, to abandon.
The British charge was, indeed, resistless; but, in the enthusiasm of success, there is at times a lack of prudence. The Sepoys rushed wildly on – their ardour was uncontrollable; while a mass of the Mahratta horse, arrayed upon the hill, were ready to rush upon ranks disordered by their own success. But Wellesley foresaw, and guarded against the evil consequences that a too excited courage might produce. The 78th were kept in hand – and cool, steady, and with a perfect formation, they offered an imposing front, which the Mahratta cavalry perceived was unassailable.
A strong column of the enemy, however, which had been only partially engaged, now rallied, and renewed the battle, joined by a number of Scindia's gunners and infantry, who had flung themselves as dead upon the ground, and thus escaped the sabres of the British cavalry. But Maxwell's brigade, having re-formed their ranks, and breathed their horses, dashed into the still disordered ranks of these half-rallied troops. A desperate slaughter ensued, and the Mahrattas were totally routed. But the British lost their chivalrous leader – and, in the
