BATTLE OF LASWARREE. 1st. November, 1803.
Reading edition
On the 27th. of October, the British advanced against a division of the enemy, formed of two battalions which had escaped from the wreck at Delhi, and fifteen, which had been detached from the main army of Scindiah to support General Perron in the early part of the campaign. These troops amounting to nine thousand infantry and four thousand cavalry, and provided with a train of seventy-two pieces of cannon, had been directed to recover possession of Delhi. After great 29exertions the British cavalry came up with them about seven o’clock in the morning of the 1st. of November; they were discovered in an excellent position; their right resting on a rivulet, their left on the village of Laswarree, or Leswarree, and their whole front amply furnished with a powerful artillery. Being anxious to prevent their escape, General Lake immediately attacked them with the cavalry alone. The first brigade, under Colonel Thomas Pakenham Vandeleur,[14] of the 8th. Dragoons, who fell mortally wounded, charged their lines, and dashed into the village; but finding that their attacks on the masses of infantry could make no sensible impression, the cavalry were withdrawn out of the range of the destructive fire of artillery which it had encountered, in order to wait the arrival of the infantry and artillery. About eleven o’clock in the forenoon, the Anglo-Indian infantry arrived, but after so long a march, it was absolutely necessary to allow the men to refresh themselves, and during this interval Scindiah’s forces offered to surrender their guns if certain terms were conceded.
After a fruitless negotiation, the infantry, which had been formed in two columns, were ordered to advance to the attack. The first of these headed by the 76th. regiment, under Major Macleod, was to turn the enemy’s right, which since the morning had been thrown back from the rivulet, and to attack the village of Mohaulpoor, situated between his two lines; while the second and a brigade of cavalry were to support them in the execution of this movement. Having encountered several impediments, the rear divisions were so retarded in their march, that a considerable interval was occasioned between them and the 76th., which had arrived within a hundred yards of the foe. In this situation the regiment was exposed to such a dreadful fire, and was losing so many men, that the Commander-in-Chief placing himself at its head, led it forward to the attack, supported by only one battalion and six companies of Sepoys, 30namely, the second battalion of the 12th., and six companies of the second battalion of the 16th. Bengal Native Infantry.
“As soon as this handful of heroes,” wrote General Lake, “were arrived within reach of the enemy’s canister shot, a most tremendous fire was opened upon them.” Their loss was so severe, that the enemy’s cavalry advanced to the charge, but were gallantly repulsed by this steady and invincible band. Rallying, however, at a short distance, they assumed so menacing a posture, that the General directed an attack by the British cavalry. In superintending the attack, the horse of the General was shot under him, and his son who had dismounted and offered his father his horse, was severely wounded. The cavalry charged with admirable intrepidity, while the infantry fell upon the Mahratta line, which at length gave way, though disputing every inch of ground, and fighting till it was driven from every position and had lost every gun. By four o’clock in the afternoon the work of destruction had ceased.
The loss of the enemy was most severe; his numerous French-officered battalions of infantry—the boasted “Deccan Invincibles”—were annihilated; his cavalry dispersed; and the baggage and camp equipage, elephants, camels, and bullocks, with forty-four stand of colours, seventy-two guns, sixty-four tumbrils of ammunition, three laden with treasure, and two thousand prisoners, remained in the hands of the victors; five thousand stand of arms were collected in the field.
By this victory, which was mainly gained by the gallantry of the 76th., that regiment acquired great honour, and its “heroic bravery” was borne testimony to in the official despatches. During this campaign the regiment acquired a gurrah, or Indian gong of great value, which was afterwards carried about by the corps; being usually planted opposite the guard room, and a sergeant regularly striking the hours on it.
This decisive action terminated the campaign of 1803 and the war with Scindiah, a treaty of peace highly advantageous to the East India Company being concluded on the 30th. of December.
“Hindoostan” inscribed around the elephant on the colours of the 76th., keeps in remembrance the services of the regiment in the East at this period. “Leswarree” was, however, authorized for the guidons and appointments of the 8th. Hussars, which is the only corps that bears the word. General Lake gained a peerage, being created Baron Lake of Delhi, Leswarree, and Aston Clinton. Several Indian titles were also conferred upon him, which being translated from the Persian, signified Saviour of the State, the hero of the land, the lord of the age, and the victorious in war.
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