Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/327

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.
303

by Lieutenant-Colonel Clayton, and advanced under a fire of musketry from the fort, ill-directed but heavy, to which they were exposed for forty minutes. The gate was to be blown open, but no impression could be made except on the wicket, the remainder being fortified by large masses of stone. The wicket having yielded, the assailants entered, but could only pass singly. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, and a very determined resistance offered at the outer and two succeeding gates, the British gained possession of all, and the victory was the more gratifying from its having been attained with comparatively little loss. The capture of Barabuttee was followed by the entire submission of the province of Cuttack; and the greater part of the troops by whom the conquest had been effected were at liberty to enter Berar, to co-operate with the army under General Wellesley.

The month of November opened with a brilliant addition to the splendid success which in every quarter had crowned the arms of England. Lord Lake marched from Agra on the 27th of October, in pursuit of a Mahratta force composed of some brigades despatched from the Deccan in the early part of the campaign, and of a few battalions which had effected their escape from Delhi. This body, consisting of 9,000 foot, 5,000 horse, and a numerous train of artillery, were rapidly retreating when his lordship, after a march of twenty-five miles, overtook them soon after daybreak, on the 1st of November, with his cavalry alone, near the village of Laswarree, and determined, by an immediate attack, to prevent their escape. The enemy, however, having their motions concealed by a cloud of dust, speedily threw themselves into an advantageous position, which they strengthened by cutting the embankment of a reservoir in their front.

The Dragoons were led on, and had gained some advantages, but the enemy's artillery mowed down men and horses in masses, and the sacrifice was vain. The valour displayed by the British cavalry in this fruitless struggle commands the most unbounded admiration, mixed with