him with the cavalry alone. By cutting the embankment of a large reservoir of water, the enemy had rendered the road very difficult to pass, which caused a considerable delay in the advance of the cavalry; of this the enemy had availed himself to take an advantageous post, having his right upon a rivulet, which we had to cross, and his left upon the village of Laswaree; the whole of his front was amply provided with artillery. I was prevented from discovering this change in the situation of the enemy by the quantity of dust which, when once clear of the water, totally obscured him from our sight; I therefore proceeded in the execution of my design, by which I hoped to prevent his retreat into the hills, and secure his guns; directing the advanced guard, and first brigade, commanded by col. Vandeleur, upon the point where I had observed the enemy in motion, but which proved to be the left of his new position; the remainder of the cavalry I ordered to attack in succession, as soon as they could form after passing the rivulet.

The charge of the advanced guard under major Griffith, and that of the first brigade, led by colonel Vandeleur, was made with much gallantry; the enemy's line was forced, and the cavalry penetrated into the village; they still, how ever, continued to be exposed to a most galling fire of cannon and musquetry, which, as it was impossible under such circumstances to form the squadrous for a fresh at tack, determined me to withdraw them. The guns which had fallen into our hands could not be brought away, from the want of bullocks. In this charge, colonel Vandeleur

fell, mortally wounded; in him the service has lost a most valuable officer.

The attacks of the other brigades were conducted with the same spirit, but after taking several of the ene my's guns, being still fired upon, without being able to discover the enemy, they retired in good order, retaining possession of a part of the artillery. In the performance of this service, the third brigade, consisting of his majesty's 29th regiment, and the 4th regiment of native cavalry, under the command of that meritorious officer, coloncl Macan, met my entire approbation.

The infantry having marched at three, A. M. arrived upon the banks of the rivulet about eleven o'clock. After so long a march, it was absolutely necessary to allow some time for the men to refresh themselves, during which the enemy sent in to say, that if certain terms were allowed them, they were willing to surrender their guns. Anxious to prevent the further effusion of blood, I directed a letter to be written, asquiescing in their proposals, and allowing them an hour to decide; in the mean time, the several columns for the attack were formed. The infantry formed in two columns upon the left; the first, composed of the right wing, under the command of major-general Ware, was destined to gain the enemy's right flank, which he had thrown back since the morning, leaving a considerable space between it and the rivulet, and to assault the village of Laswaree; the second, composed of the left wing under major-general St. John, was to support the first column. The 3d brigade of cavalry, under col. Maran,

was to support the infantry; the 2d brigade under lieut. col. Vandeleur, was detached to the right, to be ready to take advantage of any confusion in the enemy's line, and to attack him upon his retreat; the brigade under colonel Gordon composed the reserve, and was form. ed between the 2d and 3d brigades. As many of the field-pieces as could be brought up, with the gallopers attached to the cavalry, formed four different batteries.

At the expiration of the time which I had allowed the enemy to decide, I ordered the infantry to advance; as soon as they became exposed to the enemy's guns, the four batteries commenced their fire, and continued to advance, though opposed by a great superiority, both in number and weight of metal.

When the 76th regiment, which headed the attack, had arrived at the point from which I intended to make the charge, they were so much exposed to the enemy's fire, and losing men so fast, that I judged it preferable to proceed to the attack with that regiment, and as many of the native infantry as had closed to the front, to losing time in waiting until the remainder of the column should be able to form, the march of which had been retarded by impediments in the ad

short distance, and assumed so me nacing a posture, that I thought it adviseable to order them to be attacked by the cavalry; this service fell to the share of his majesty's 29th regiment, commanded by capt. Wade (major Griffith having, at that instant, been unfortunately killed by a cannon shot) and was performed with the greatest gallantry, and in a manner which entitles capt. Wade, and every officer and soldier in the regiment to my warmest acknowledgments. The remainder of the first column of in fantry arrived just in time to join in the attack of the enemy's reserve, which was formed in the rear of his line, with its left upon the village of Laswaree, and its right thrown back.

About this time, major-general Ware fell dead, his head being carried off by a cannon shot. He was a gallant officer, and one whose loss I deeply lament. On his death, the command of this column devolved upon col. M'Donald, who, though wounded, continued to acquit himself, in this important command, very much to my satisfaction.

The enemy opposed a vigorous resistance to the last, and it was not until he had lost his guns, that he abandoned his post. Even then his left wing did not fly, but attempted to retreat in good order; in this, however, they were frustrated by his majesty's 27th regiment, and the 6th regiment of native cavalry, under the command of lieut. col. Vandeleur, who broke in upon the column, cut several to pieces, and drove the rest in prisoners, with the whole of the baggage.

Severe as the loss has been which we have sustained in the achievement of this complete victory, that 00 of

of the enemy has been far greater. With the exception of upwards of 2000 who have been taken prisoners (of which number I have onlydetained the principal officers, amounting to forty-eight), I have reason to believe that very few escaped the general slaughter.

It would be a violation of my feelings were I to close my dispatch without bearing testimony to the gallant conduct of major M'Leod and capt. Robertson of his majesty's 76th regiment, and of every officer and soldier of that inestimable corps, in the attack of the village of Laswaree. Major Gregory, too, at the head of the 2d battalion 12th regiment of native infantry, in the same service, displayed a conduct highly meritorious.

In the list of those officers who particularly distinguished themselves, I cannot omit the names of lieut. Wallace of his majesty's 27th regiment, who was entrusted with the command of a battery of gallopers, nor that of lieut. Dixon of the 6th regiment native cavalry, who was employed in the same service.

The whole of my staff upon this, as upon every former occasion, are entitled to a large share of praise, and to my warmest gratitude. The zeal which they displayed upon this memorable day, is too plainly proved by the enclosed returns of the killed and wounded. I have sustained a great loss by the death of major William Campbell, the deputy quartermaster-general, and by that of my aid-de-camp, lieutenant Duval, of his majesty's 19th light dragoons, who was a young man of great promise.

Herewith I have the honour to enclose returns of the ordnance and

colours which were captured upon this occasion.

I have the honour to be,
My lord,

Your lordship's most faithful
And humble servant,

(Signed) G. Lake. Head quarters, Camp, near Lastcaree, November 2, 1803.

P. S. In the hurry which I wrote my dispatch of yesterday's date, I fear I did not explain to your lordship, that the enemy's corps which we have defeated, comprized the whole of the fifteen regular batta. lions which had been sent from the Dekan, under the command of Monsieur Duderneg, and two battalions of the same description, which had escaped from Delhi. I, therefore, have the satisfaction of congratulating your excellency, upon the annihilation of the whole of the regular force in Scindiah's service, commanded by French officers.

(Signed) G. L. Return of Officers and Men, Killed and Wounded in the Action of the 1st Nov. 1803.

Killed.-1 major-general, 1 col. 2 majors, 1 captain, 4 lieutenants, 2 quartermasters, 2 cornets, 11 serjeants, 4 matrosses, 67 rank and file, 1 subadar, 7 havildars, 6 naicks, 60 privates, and 3 lascars. Total 172.

Wounded.-1 colonel, 2 lieut. cols. 2 majors, 7 captains, 12 lieutenants, 3 quartermasters, 1 cornet, 1 ensign, 27 serjeants, 6 matrosses, 248 rank and file, 1 drummer, 4 subadars, 7 jemadars, 26 havildars, 19 naicks, 279 privates, 5 lascars, and 1 beasties.-Total 652. Horses.-277 killed, 154 wounded, and 122 missing.

List of Officers Killed in the Action of the 1st of Nov. 1803,

Major-general Charles Ware. General staff. Major William Campbell, deputy quartermaster general; lieut. Duval, aid-de-camp to the commander in chief.

His majesty's 8th regiment light dragoons.--Colonel T. P. Vandeleur, captain Story.

His majesty's 29th regiment light dragoons. Major Griffith, cornet Fitzgerald, quartermaster Philley, quartermaster R. McGoughy.

1st regiment native cavalry.— cornet Coxwell.

His majesty's 76th regiment foot. -Lieut. and adjutant Meulh, lieut. Hurd.

1st battalion 15th regiment native infantry.-Lieut. Lambert.

List of Officers Wounded in the Ac,

tion of the 1st Nov. 1803. General staff.-Lieutenant-colonel Gerard, adjutant-general; major G. A. F. Lake, secretary to the commander in chief; captain J. Campbell, gram agent attached to head-quarters; lieutenant Ashhurst, commanding the escort with his excellency the commander in chief.

His majesty's 8th regiment light dragoons. Lieut. Lyndon, since dead; lieut. Wellard.

6th regiment native cavalry.Cornet Dickson.

His majesty's 76th regiment foot. -Capt. Robertson, lieut. Marston, lieut. Wibmer, and lieut. Sinclair.

1st battalion 12th regiment of native infantry.-Ensign Dalton.

2d battalion 12th regiment native infantry.-Major Gregory, captain Fletcher, and lieut. Ryan.

1st battalion 15th regiment native infantry.-Colonel M'Donald.

2d battalion 16th regiment native infantry.-Lieut. col, White, ensign G. Deane Heathcote,

(Signed) J. Gerard,

Adj. general.

Report of the Ordnance, &c. captured at Laswaree, on the 1st November,

1803.

71 pieces of cannon of different calibres. The whole mounted on field carriages, with limbers and traces complete.

64 Tumbrils complete, laden with ammunition, and 44 stand of colours.

Ditto ditto blown up on the field of battle, the number not ascertained.

The whole of the above-mentioned ordnance, except eight, appear serviceable.

The iron guns are of Europe manufacture. The brass guns, mortars, and howitzers have been cast in India, one Dutch six-pounder excepted. The dimensions are, in general, those of the French. The mortars and howitzers are furnished with elevating screws, made by a simple and ingenious adjustment, to give either of them the double capacity of mortar and howitzer. The ammunition is made up in the same manner as that taken at Delhi.

57 carts or hackrees laden with 002 matchlocks

T

It would be a violation of my feelings were I to close my dispatch without bearing testimony to the gallant conduct of major M'Leod my and capt. Robertson of his majesty's fo 76th regiment, and of every officer sh and soldier of that inestimable corps, in the attack of the village of Laswaree. Major Gregory, too, at the head of the 2d battalion 12th regiment of native infantry, in the same service, displayed a conduct highly meritorious.

In the list of those officers who particularly distinguished themselves. I cannot omit the names of lieut. Wallace of his majesty's 27th regiment, who was entrusted with the command of a battery of gallopers, nor that of lieut. Dixon of the oth regiment native cavalry, who was employed in the same service.

The whole of my staff upon th as upon every former occasion, entitled to a large share of pra and to my warmest gratitude. zeal which they displayed upon 1 memorable day, is too ! proved by the enclosed retur:. the killed and wounded. i sustained a great loss by the of major William Campbell, to puty quartermaster-general, that of my aid-de-camp, Bet Duval, of his majesty's 19 dragoons, who was a young great promise.

Herewith I have the h enclose returns of the ord 3

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Y.

express my desire of
esponsibility of a
; I neither did,
on supposed ta-

me to such an apAn aware I do not experience of actual the same time I cannot as totally unqualified - military science, since made the service my udy. My chief preten anded on a sense of ges which my example e to the state, by exsyal energies of the naknowledge of those ex> which the public had a r as to the personal exer

eir princes at a moment resent. The more elevated on, in so much the efforts ecame necessarily greater; confess, that if duty had so paramount, a reflection lendid achievements of my ssors would have excited in spirit of emulation; when, r, in addition to such recolis the nature of the contest

time