od
that they were intending the recapture of Delhi, General Lake
marched against them on the 27th of October and, pressing forward
with all speed, came up with them on the morning of the 1st of
November. They at once retreated; and General Lake, whose infantry
was still some distance in the rear, determined to attack them, at
once. As they retired, the enemy cut the bank of a large tank and
flooded the ground, thereby impeding the advance of the cavalry,
and giving time to Scindia's men to take up a strong position
between the villages of Laswaree and Mohaulpore.

[Illustration: Plan of the Battle of Laswaree.]

Their right was protected by a deep ravine; their rear by a
rivulet; their front was lined with their seventy-five guns,
chained together so as to protect the artillerymen from a charge of
horse. The ground in front of them was covered with deep grass,
which partially concealed their disposition.

The three brigades of cavalry charged boldly up, but were received
with a terrible fire, and fell back with much loss and, seeing the
impossibility of carrying the enemy's position without infantry,
General Lake deferred making another attack until they came up. As
soon as these and the artillery reached the spot, he prepared for
an assault.

The Mahrattas had, in the meantime, changed their position; and
drawn up one line in front and one in rear of the village of
Mohaulpore. The French officer who had been in command of their
army had, two days before, left their camp and ridden to meet
General Lake's army; and had there surrendered, and a Mahratta
officer had succeeded him in command. Shaken by the repeated
successes of the British, he now offered to surrender his guns. An
hour was given him to do so but, as no movement was made at the end
of that time, orders were given for the advance.

The infantry consisted of the 76th Regiment and six battalions of
Sepoys. One of the three brigades of cavalry was directed to
support them; another was sent to the right to watch the enemy, and
to take advantage of any confusion that might appear among them;
the third brigade formed the reserve. The four batteries of
artillery were to support the attack. General Lake's plan was to
turn the enemy's right flank, and he moved off his infantry along
the bank of a rivulet which ran round near the right angle of the
enemy's new position. The high grass, for a time, concealed the
movement but, as soon as the Mahrattas perceived i