front of Maharajpoor. Here they found the Mahratta forces drawn up in a very strong position, which they had carefully intrenched. The British and native troops were about 14,000 strong, with forty pieces of artillery; the Mahrattas mustered 18,000 men, including 3,000 cavalry, with 100 guns. Seven regiments of Mahratta infantry were ranged in front, each corps having four guns attached to it, which opened on the advanced forces of the British as they took up their ground. Sir Hugh Gough's order of battle was at once simple and comprehensive: General Littler's column being directly in front of Maharajpoor, was ordered to advance upon it direct, while General Valiant's brigade was to take it in reverse; both being supported by General Dennis's column, and the two light field-batteries.
The action accordingly commenced by the gallant advance of Major-General Littler's column upon the enemy in front. The Mahrattas received the shock without flinching, their guns doing severe execution as our attacking column approached. But the British soldiers rushed on; and her Majesty's 39th Foot, well supported by the 56th Native Infantry, soon drove the enemy from their guns, bayoneting the gunners at their posts. The Mahrattas rallied in the village, and here the most sanguinary conflict ensued: after discharging their matchlocks they flung them away, and fought sword in hand with the most determined courage. Meanwhile, General Valiant had led on his brigade, and succeeded in taking Maharajpoor in reverse. Twenty-eight guns were captured by this combined movement, but the Mahrattas still stood their ground; nor was their strong position taken till nearly every one of its defenders had been left dead upon the spot.
The same determined resistance was experienced at every point where the Mahrattas had thrown up intrenchments and planted their guns; and in nearly every case the gunners were bayoneted at their posts without attempting to fly. At length, after they had fought with
