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eight guns, was in excellent order, and perfectly serviceable, and all the appointments of the enemy's troops were of the first quality.

The enemy displayed the most determined obstinacy, and called forth the utmost exertions of the steadiness and valour of the gallant seventy-sixth regiment, supported by the remainder of the infantry of the first column, and the repeated charges of the cavalry. The resistance opposed by the enemy, was more determined than any opposition which the army under General Lake had experienced since the commencement of the campaign. His Majesty's seventy-sixth regiment on this memorable day maintained the high reputation which it had acquired on many former occasions, but especially in every part of this glorious campaign.

The victory, however, must be principally attributed to the admirable skill, judgment, heroic valour, and activity of the commander in chief, General Lake, whose magnanimous example, together with the recollection of his achievements at Coel, AlyGhur, Delhi, and Agra, inspired general confidence and emulation. In the morning General Lake led the charge of the cavalry, and in the afternoon, conducted in person at the head of the seventy-sixth regiment all the different attacks on the enemy's line, and on their reserve posted in and near the village of Mohaulpoor. On this day two horses were killed under the commander in chief. The shot showered around him in every direction; in the midst of the danger and slaughter which surrounded him, he displayed not only the most resolute fortitude and ardent valour, but the utmost degree of professional ability and knowledge, availing himself with promptitude of every advantage.presented by the enemy, and frustrating every effort of the enemy's obstinacy and boldness. His masterly plans of attack during the action were carried into instantaneous execution by his unrivalled personal activity; and he appeared with matchless courage and alacrity in front of every principal charge, which he had planned with eminent judgment and skill.

The staff of the army distinguished themselves greatly, and merit the highest commendation. Among these, one of the most distinguished was Major G. A. F. Lake, of his Majesty's ninetyfourth regiment, son to the commander in chief, who had attended his father in the capacity of aid-de-camp, and military se cretary, throughout the whole campaign, and whose gallantry and activity in executing his father's orders, had been conspicuous in every service of difficulty and danger. This promising young officer constantly attended his father's person, and possessed the

highest place in the commander in chief's confidence and esteem. In the heat of the action, the commander in chief's horse, pierced by several shot, fell dead under him. Major Lake, who was on horseback close to his father, dismounted, and offered his horse to the commander in chief. The commander in chief refused, but Major Lake's earnest solicitations prevailed. The commander in chief mounted his son's horse, and Major Lake mounted a horse from one of the troops of cavalry. In a moment a shot struck Major Lake, and wounded him severely in the presence of his affectionate father. At this instant, the commander in chief found it necessary to lead the troops against the enemy, and to leave his wounded son upon the field; a more affecting scene never was presented to the imagination, nor has Providence ever exposed human fortitude to a more severe trial. General Lake in this dreadful and distracting moment, prosecuted his victory with unabated ardour. At the close of the battle, the commander in chief had, the satisfaction to learn that his son's wound, although extremely severe, was not likely to prove dangerous; a confident hope was then too vainly entertained that this gallant and promising young officer would be preserved to enhance the joy of his father's triumph, and to serve his King and country with hereditary honour.

This splendid victory completed the subversion of Scindiah's hostile power and formidable resources in Hindostan, and of the French force which constituted the main strength of his army in that quarter. The battle was terminated by four o'clock p. m. on the 1st of November, when the victorious British army encamped with its left to the village of Laswaree, which is on the north bank of the rivulet, and its right to a village called Singrah. A battalion of infantry took charge of the prisoners, who were all assembled at the village of Sagepoorah, which is a very short distance to the eastward of the village of Mohaulpoor. Great part of the army had been under arms for sixteen hours, and had marched in the course of forty-eight hours a distance of more than sixty-five miles. *

The progress and result of these splendid operations restored the Peiswah to his sovereign authority at Poonah, and cemented our alliance with that Prince; secured the succession of the legitimate heir of the Sovereign Prince of the Dekan to the government of his deceased father the late Nizam; protected the British interests at Hyderabad from injury; confirmed the stability of

x Notes on the Marhatta War, p 109, 114.

the treaties by which the French were expelled from the Dekan in 1798; and delivered the aged, venerable, and unfortunate Emperor of Hindostan from misery and ignominy, from indigence and bondage, and from the hands of the French.y

The achievements of General Lake, and Major General Wellesley, combined with the admirable and exemplary conduct of the officers and troops during this campaign, more particularly in the signal and splendid victories of DELHI, of ASSYE, and of LasWAREE, must inspire a general sentiment of just confidence in the vigour of our military resources, and in the stability of our dominion and power.

In consequence of these great services, General Lake was elevated to a peerage by the title of LORD LAKE of DELHI and LASWAREE, by patent September 1st, 1804; and was farther advanced to the dignity of VISCOUNT LAKE, October 31st, 1807.

Having returned to England, he did not long enjoy his honours; but being one of the general officers who sat on the trial of General Whitelocke, he caught cold there, and after a few days confinement died February 30th, 1808, æt. sixty-five.

His Lordship married, July 3d, 1770, Elizabeth, only daughter of Edward Barker, Esq. of St. Julian's in Hertfordshire; and by her (who died July 20th, 1798) had issue,

First, Francis Gerard, present peer.

Second, George Augustus Frederic, lieutenant-colonel of the ninth foot, whose gallant conduct, while attending his father at the battle of Laswaree, has been already mentioned; and who afterwards fell gloriously at the battle of Roleia in Portugal, August 17th, 1808.

Third, Warwick, lately a post-captain in the navy.

Fourth, Anne Maria, married August 21st, 1790, Richard Burrough, of Ham common in Surry, Esq. and has issue.

Fifth, Annabella, married, May 25th, 1803, John Brooks, Esq. of the East India Company's service.

Sixth, Elizabeth, married June 6th, 1806, John Harvey, Esq. a major in the army, and has issue.

Seventh, Frances.

Eighth, Anne.

FRANCIS GERARD, succeeded his father as SECOND VISCOUNT

LAKE.

His Lordship was born March 31st, 1772, entered into the

y Notes on the Marhatta War, p. 115.

z Ibid. p. 116

first regiment of foot-guards; in which he succeeded to a company with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, from whence he was appointed to a lieutenant-colonelcy in the sixtieth regiment of foot; and on April 25th, 1808, was appointed a colonel in the army.

His Lordship married in January 1800, Priscilla, widow of the late Sir Bellingham Graham, Bart. sister to Lord Whitworth, by whom he has no issue.

Titles. Francis Gerard Lake, Viscount and Baron Lake of Delhi and Laswaree.

Creations. Viscount October 31st, 1807, Baron September 1st,

1804.

Arms. Sable a bend between six cross crosslets fitchy argent. For quarterings see Lysons's Environs, vol. iii. p. 410.

Crest. A horse's head, couped, on a wreath.
Supporters.

Motto.

Chief Seat. Aston Clinton, Bucks.

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THAT which will sufficiently attest the antiquity of this noble family, is that

REYNALDUS DE KETHCART is witness in a grant by Alan the son of Walter Dapifer Regis, of the patronage of the church of Kethcart to the monastery of Paisley, anno 1178. He died before 1200, leaving issue

WILLIAM DE KETHCART, who is a witness to the charter, whereby Dungallus filius Christimi, judicis de Levenax excambiates the lands of Knoc, with the abbot of Paisley, for lands lying near Walkingshaw, in which Alanus filius ejus, Thomas de Pollock, &c. are witnesses, anno 1199, or 1200. He was succeeded by his said son

ALAN DE CATHCART, who appends his seal to the resignation made by the judge of Lennox to the abbot and convent of Paisley of the lands of Culbethe, anno 1234. a

His son WILLIAM de Cathcart is one of the Barons mentioned in the bond of submission made to King Edward I. of England, now called the Ragman Roll.c

His son WILLIAM de Cathcart, living 1262, was father of WILLIAM de Cathcart, one of the great Barons who swore fealty to King Edward I. 1296.

His son, Sir ALAN Cathcart, faithfully adhered to the interest of his country in the time of King Robert the First, and fought

a Chartulary of Paisley.

There was also a daughter, Cecilia, married to John de Perthie.
c Prin's History, and Nisbet's Heraldry.

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