BATTLE OF DELHI. 11th. September, 1803.
Reading edition
Although General Perron had been permitted to enter the British territories, the troops which he had commanded still remained under other officers. Having left a sufficient force at Allighur, the British proceeded towards Delhi on the 7th. of September. After a fatiguing march of eighteen miles, and when, on the 11th. of that month, they had arrived within two leagues of the city, information was received that M. Louis Bourquin, another French officer in command of Scindiah’s army, had crossed the Jumna with a numerous force, in order to attack General Lake. This intelligence was quickly confirmed by an attack upon the outlying pickets which had just been posted.
The British commander immediately proceeded with the whole of his cavalry to reconnoitre the enemy, and found them drawn up in order of battle on a rising ground, their flanks resting on a morass, while the front was defended by a line of entrenchments and a formidable artillery. As it was considered impossible to make any impression upon so 21excellent a position by a direct attack, stratagem was employed to induce them to quit it. The cavalry, which had proceeded considerably in advance, were directed to fall back before the Mahrattas, and afterwards to form behind the right wing of the infantry. This manœuvre was completely successful; the cavalry retired, while the infantry were quickly formed, and advanced in line, under a tremendous cannonade of round, grape, and chain shot. Nothing could exceed the steadiness of the troops; no man took his musket from his shoulder until arrived within a proper distance of the enemy. A volley was fired, and General Lake, placing himself at the head of the 76th. the whole line rushed forward to the charge with an impetuosity which it was impossible to withstand. Thrown into confusion, the Mahrattas fled in the utmost consternation, while the cavalry, dashing forward, completed the work which their irresistible companions had so well commenced. Bourquin was the first man to leave the field, and he surrendered, with five other foreign officers, three days after to his conqueror.
By this splendid victory, sixty-eight pieces of cannon, two tumbrils laden with treasure, and thirty-seven with ammunition, fell into the hands of the conquerors. The loss of the enemy was estimated at three thousand men out of thirteen thousand infantry (nearly all regular troops), and six thousand cavalry, which had been brought into the field. Of the British, who had four thousand engaged, four hundred and eighty-five were killed, wounded, and missing. The 76th., the only King’s regiment at Allighur, Delhi, or at the subsequent battle at Laswarree, had two sergeants and thirty-one rank and file killed; Lieutenant Alexander Macdonald, one sergeant, and ninety-six rank and file were wounded.
Delhi was entered without opposition, and the venerable and blind emperor, Shah Aulum, the nominal sovereign of Hindostan, who had been for years in the hands of the Mahrattas, was restored to his throne.
In testimony of the gallantry of the troops under General Lake, the Governor-General in council ordered honorary colours, with a suitable device, commemorative of the reduction of Allighur and the battle of Delhi, to be presented to all. Those granted[12] to the 27th. Dragoons (since disbanded) and the 76th. Regiment, were to be used by these corps while they continued in India, or until His Majesty’s pleasure should be signified.
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