The force under his command consisted of four battalions of Sepoys, and the 74th and 78th Regiments; with the 19th Dragoons, and three regiments of native cavalry--in all, four thousand five hundred men.

Opposed to them were ten thousand five hundred disciplined troops, taught and commanded by European officers; Scindia's irregulars, and the infantry of the Rajah of Berar; with a well-appointed train of artillery, of over a hundred guns, and some forty thousand cavalry.
From the position in which the British force arrived they had to march, for some distance, parallel with the river; and exposed to a terrible artillery fire, which created such havoc, especially among the bullocks drawing the guns, that the cavalry could not move forward.

The infantry therefore proceeded alone, crossed the Kaitna by a ford; and then, swinging round, advanced against the village.
While they were crossing the river, the Mahratta cavalry were brought up from their former position, and took post behind Assaye.
The steadiness with which the little force advanced to the attack, against so immense an army, had already had the effect of shaking the Mahrattas.

It seemed to them that their opponents must be conscious that they were invincible.

Pouring in a volley, the first British line charged with the bayonet.