infantry was most likely to be effectual. Accordingly I marched round to their left flank, covering the march of the column of infantry by the British cavalry in the rear, and by the Mahratta and Mysore cavalry on the right flank.

We passed the river Kistna, at a ford beyond the enemy's left flank, and I formed the infantry immediately in two lines, with the British cavalry as a reserve in a third, in an open space between that river and a nullah running parallel to it. The Mahratta and Mysore cavalry occupied the ground beyond the Kistna on our left flank, and kept in check a large body of the enemy's cavalry, which had followed our march from the right of their own position.

The enemy had altered the position of their infantry previous to our attack; it was no longer as at first, along the Kistna, but extended from that river across to the village of Assye upon the nullah which was upon our right. We attacked them immediately, and the troops advanced under a very hot fire from cannon, the execution of which was terrible.

The picquets of the infantry and the 74th regiment, which were on the right of the first and second lines, suffered particularly from the fire of the guns on the left of the enemy's position, near Assye. The enemy's cavalry also made an attempt to charge the 74th regiment at the moment when they were most exposed to this fire, but they were cut up by the British cavalry, which moved on at that moment. At length the enemy's line gave way in all directions, and the British cavalry cut in among their broken infantry; but some of their corps went off in good order, and a fire was kept up on our troops

from many of the guns from which the enemy had been first driven, by individuals who had been passed by the line, under the supposition that they were dead.

Lieutenant-colonel Maxwell, with the British cavalry, charged a large body of infantry which had retired, and was formed again, in which operation he was killed; and some time elapsed before we could put an end to the straggling fire which was kept up by some individuals from the guns from which the enemy were driven. The enemy's cavalry also, which had been hovering round us throughout the action, was still near us. At length, when the last formed body of infantry gave way, the whole went off, and left in our hands 90 pieces of cannon. This victory, which was certainly complete, has, however, cost us dear. Your excellency will perceive by the inclosed return, that our loss in officers and men has been very great, and in that of lieutenant-colonel Maxwell, and other officers, whose names are therein included, greatly to be regretted.

I cannot write in too strong terms of the conduct of the troops; they advanced in the best order, and with the greatest steadiness, under a most destructive fire, against a body of infantry far superior in numbers, who appeared determined to contend with them to the last, and who were driven from their guns only by the bayonet, and, notwithstanding the numbers of the enemy's cavalry, and the repeated demonstrations they made of an intention to charge, they were kept at a distance by this infantry.

I am particularly indebted to lieutenant-colonel Harness, and lieutenant-colonel Wallace, for the manner in which they conducted their brigades, and to all the offi

cers

cers of the staff, for the assistance I received from them. The offi cers commanding brigades, nearly all those of the staff, and the mounted officers of the infantry, had their horses shot under them. I have also to draw your excellency's notice to the conduct of the cavalry, commanded by lieutenantcolonel Maxwell, particularly that of the 19th dragoons. The enemy are gone off towards the adjuntee Ghaut, and I, propose to follow them as soon as I can place my captured guns and the wounded in security. I have, &c. (Signed) A. A. WELLESLEY,M.G. Camp at Assye, Sept. 24, 1803.

(ENCLOSURE, NO. 11.) List of killed and wounded in the action of the 23d of September, 1803.

KILLED.

19th light dragoons-lieutenantcolonel Maxwell, captain Boyle. 4th regiment nat. cav.-captain Mackay.

5th ditto-lieutenants Bonami and

Macleod.

74th regiment-captains Macleod, Ayton, Dyce, and Maxwell; lieutenants J. Campbell, - -Campbell, -Campbell, Thomas Grant, Morris, and Nelson; volunteer Moore.

78th regiment-lieutenant Douglas

1st battalion 2d regiment of nat.

inf. lieutenant Brown. Artillery-captains Fowler and Steel; lieutenants Lindsay and Griffiths.

WOUNDED.

19th light dragoons-captainsCathcart, Sale, and lieutenant Wilson. 4th regiment nat. cav.-lieutenant Paley, cornet Meredith. 5th ditto, captain Colebrooke. 7th ditto, captain Magregor. 74th regiment-major Swinton, captain-lieutenant Moore, lieute

SECRET DEPARTMENT.

To William Ramsay, esq. secretary at the India House, London. Sir,

I am directed by the honourable the governor in council, to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter of the 10th ult. as just received from the chief secretary at the supreme government, with the Gazettes Extraordinary, published by his excellency's command, on the 8th and 9th of September, as therein referred to. According to the Shroff's letters from Janaghur, general Perron is said to have since surrendered and come in, and the British forces to have obtained

in the last month.

I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) J. A. GRANT,
Sec. to government.
Bombay Castle, Oct. 5, 1803.

(ENCLOSURE, NO. 1.)

tack, and detour considerably to the right to turn their left flank, which I completely effected, dislodging a body of troops, which were posted in a village in the enemy's front. On moving forward with the cavalry in two lines, supported

I am directed by his excellency the most noble the governor-general, and council, to desire that the enclosed gazettes extraordinary, published by his excellency's command on the 8th and 9th inst., may be laid before the governor in council of Bombay. I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

(Signed) J. LUMSDEN, Chief sec. to government.

(ENCLOSURE, NO. II.) Calcutta Gazette Extraordinary. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1803.

Fort William, Sept. 8, 1803. A dispatch, of which the following is an extract, has been received this day by his excellency the most noble the governor-general, from his excellency the commander in chief.

To his excellency the most noble marquis Wellesley, governor-general, &c. De. My lord,

I have the honour to inform your lordship that I attacked Mr. Peren's force this morning, which was strongly posted with their right extending to the fort of Ally Ghur, and their entire front protected by a deep morass, which obliged me

1801.

enemy immediately retired, after a very few shot from the cavalry guns, which did some execution. Several attempts were made to charge some considerable bodies of cavalry, who made an appearance of standing; but the rapidity of their retreat prevented the possibility of effecting it so completely as I could have wished: but I have reason to believe, that in consequence of the operations of this day, many of his confederates have left him.

My loss in men and horses is very inconsiderable, and no officer.

I have the pleasure to assure your lordship, that the zeal, activity, and steadiness displayed by both officers and men, afforded me entire satisfaction, and deserve my warmest praise.

My staff afforded me every as sistance, and I feel myself under great obligations to them.

From every information I can' obtain, immediately on our advancing, Mr. Peron, with his body guard, retired towards Agra, and has left colonel Pedron in charge of the fort.

I am at present encamped to the southward of the fort, and the town of Coel is occupied by one of my battalions.I have the honour to be, my lord, your lordship's most faithful and humble servant,

(Signed) G. LAKE. Head-quarters, campbefore Ally Ghur, Aug. 20, 1803.

(Signed)

My lord,

It is with infinite satisfaction I inform your lordship, that the inhabitants of this part of the country are coming in fast, and manifest a wish of being protected by the British government, and that, in consequence of my having caused it to be made known to the head

men of the villages in the neigh bourhood, that it is not my intention to molest either the persons or properties of such of the inhabitants as shall claim my protection, I have the pleasure to say, that the people who had deserted the town of Coel, on our approach yesterday, are returning fast to their houses, and the town is nearly repeopled; indeed, they have every reason to be satisfied, as the instant this position was gained, a battalion was posted in Coel to prevent plunder, by which means very little loss was sustained by the inhabi

tants.

I learn from all quarters that most of the enemy's cavalry, who opposed us yesterday, have returned to their homes, declaring their inability to oppose the English. From every account I can receive,

[March,

the number of cavalry opposed to us amounted to fifteen or twenty thousand. The country in our rear is in a state of perfect tranquillity, nor has it been molested by a single horseman. I have sent into the fort a summons, in English and French, which will, I trust, have the desired effect. I have the honour to be, my lord, your lordship's most faithful and humble servant, Head-quarters, camp before Ally (Signed) G. LAKE. Ghur, Aug. 30, 1803. cellency the most noble the Published by command of his exnor-general in council. gover(Signed) J. LUMSDEN, Chief secretary.

To

(ENCLOSURE, NO. IV.) Calcutta Gazette Extraordinary," captain Lionel Hook, secretary to Saturday, Sept. 10, 1803. the government military department.

Sir,

Aug. 30, 1803.

(Signed)

L. Hock, sec. to gov. mil, depart. APRIL.