the English soldiers their ranks (a minimum of a third) to wield piles to protect the musketeers from cavalry whilst they went through the slow process of reloading their matchlock muskets which used a smouldering cord to fire the propellant. Effective bayonets were not really available until the 1690s. Driven from Hugli, Charnock retreated, destroying Moghul river forts, granaries and salt stores on his way.