SUCCESSES OF GENERAL LAKE. 161 



cavalry, a large body of irregulars, and a well-appointed 

 train of artillery. General Lake, having been informed of 

 the failure of the negotiation with Sindia, moved from 

 Cawnpoor on the 7th August, 1803 ; on the 28th he passed 

 the frontier, and next day found the whole of Perron's 

 cavalry in a strong position near Coel, a town in the Doab. 

 He presently led his troops to the attack ; when the native 

 army, deemed so efficient and well equipped, after a short 

 random fire retreated with such rapidity that the English 

 could not overtake them. The next object was the fort of 

 Alighur, the main depot of the enemy. It was a very strong 

 place, surrounded with a good glacis, and abroad and deep 

 ditch always filled with water. It would have been unas- 

 sailable had the entrar<"e been confined to a drawbridge ; 

 but a terrace had been imprudently formed for that purpose, 

 over which Lake concluded his troops might force a passage. 

 Colonel Monson, who led the storming party, soon pene- 

 trated across the terrace and over the breastwork ; but the 

 wall was so strongly guarded by spearmen, that he could 

 not attempt escalade. A twelve-pounder was brought for- 

 ward to burst open the gate ; but before it could be pointed 

 the soldiers remained exposed to a most galling fire, which 

 severely wounded and disabled their leader himself. Major 

 M'Leod succeeded to the command ; and, after the first gate 

 had been forced open, pushed his way through a long and 

 intricate passage and two successive gateways to a fourth, 

 against which, however, the gun was employed without 

 effect. The situation of the assailants would now have 

 been serious, had not the major succeeded in forcing the 

 wicket, and thus opening an entrance to his count: ymen, 

 who soon became masters of the place. 



It being understood that Perron was discontented with 

 the service of Sindia, General Lake was authorized to make 

 large offers on condition of his coming over to the English, 

 and bringing his troops with him. In fact, a letter was 

 received from him on the 7th September, requesting to be 

 allowed to repair with his family, servants, and property, in 

 safety to Luknow, but without expressing any disposition 

 to detach his army from their allegiance. His request was 

 readily granted ; and he afterward stated his desertion to 

 have been occasioned by the appointment of another officer 

 to supersede him in the command. 



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