His infantry advanced, and
clouds of horsemen swept round the flanks, and menaced the retreat. In
a very few minutes, Captain Minchin gave the order to retire; and,
abandoning their guns, the English force retreated in all haste to the
town.
Charlie had, on setting out, told Mr. Haines what was certain to
occur; and had implored him to send all his valuables, at once, on
board ship; and to retire instantly into the fort. Upon the arrival of
the troops at the gate, they found it almost blocked with the throng
of frightened Europeans, and natives, flying from their houses beyond
it to its protection. Scarcely were all the fugitives within, and the
gates closed, when the guns of Suraja Dowlah opened upon the fort; and
his infantry, taking possession of the houses around it, began a
galling musketry fire upon the ramparts.
Captain Minchin remained closeted with the governor; and Charlie,
finding the troops bewildered and dismayed, without leading or orders,
assumed the command, placed them upon the walls, and kept up a
vigorous musketry fire in reply to that of the enemy.
Within, all was confusion and dismay. In every spot sheltered from the
enemy's fire, Europeans and natives were huddled together.
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