wounded out of the number. About one, P. M.,

the same day, the troops advanced to the assault; and although 20,000 men were in the Fort, ready to defend it to the utmost, yet they were taken by surprise, and the place fell easily. The Rajah and his family, the Prime Minister, and Generalissimo Monagee, with a great many people of consequence, were taken prisoners. After everything had been settled, the force marched back to Trichinopoly. During the siege and other operations, about sixty of the corps were killed and wounded; among the latter, Colonel Fletcher, in the mouth, with an

arrow.

By orders received from the Court of Directors, a new organization of the European corps took place in 1774, it being formed into two regiments each, of two battalions. No change was made in the pay or allowances of any rank. The strength of each regiment was eighteen companies (nine to each battalion), two of which were grenadiers, each consisting of one captain, four lieutenants, five serjeants, five corporals, two drummers, and eightyseven privates; each battalion company had one captain, one lieutenant, two ensigns, four serjeants, four corporals, and fifty privates; one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, and two majors were appointed to each regiment, making the total effective strength of the Madras European corps of four battalions, as follows:-two colonels, four lieutenantcolonels, four majors, thirty-six captains, forty-eight

lieutenants, sixty-four ensigns, 148 serjeants, 148 corporals, seventy-six drummers, and 1,948 privates. Total, of all ranks, 2,468. In addition, there was the following staff: One major of brigade, two adjutants, two quarter-masters, two sergeant-majors, two quarter-master sergeants, two drum-majors, and two fife-majors. A quarter-master sergeant was likewise allowed to each of the garrisons of Nellore, Trichinopoly, and Fort St. George. A camp-colour man was also allowed to each company, or to every hundred men when detached, with four fanams each, extra pay, when employed in the field.

At this period, and for some time before, a European sergeant from the corps, was attached to each company of Sepoys throughout the army. This patronage had almost entirely been vested in the hands of the colonel of the European regiment, who always commanded the brigade or division to which his regiment was attached, and who, as vacancies occurred, filled them up on the spot.

The following order regarding the non-commissioned attached to Sepoy Companies, was issued.

"Head Quarters, Choultry Plain, March 27th, 1775.

"That it being found impossible to keep the detail of the army regularly, as long as commandants of European corps fill up, as they choose, non-commissioned vacancies in Sepoy corps, it is ordered, that in future none are given, but by a

S

general order; and the adjutant-general will be directed to take particular notice when any vacancies happen in the Sepoys, that they may, as soon as possible, be filled up, either from the supernumeraries, or such European battalions as may be most conveniently situated for that purpose."

Early in this year, on the breaking out of the first Mahratta war, two grenadier companies of the corps, and a battalion of Sepoys, left Madras for service in Guzerat, and joined the Bombay force, under Colonel Keating, at Cambay, early in April; the two companies were commanded by Captains Myers and Serle, of the regiment.

On the 19th of April, the British formed a junction with their ally, Ragoba, about twelve miles from Cambay; and on the 23rd moved along the banks of the Saburmattee. On the 28th they reached the village of Hossamlee, from whence the whole of the enemy were seen advancing in order of battle: the brunt of the action was entirely sustained by the British. After a cannonade across the river, for four hours, the enemy's artillery was silenced, and the left and centre of their line driven back the right, however, stood firm; and a strong body of their cavalry having crossed the river, charged Keating's force, but were repulsed with a loss of about 400, killed and wounded, after which their entire army retired. The loss sustained by the Bombay European regiment, and the grenadiers of the corps, was trifling.

On the 2nd of May, the enemy were found in a strong position, near Daboun; they attacked the left of the British with great spirit, but were repulsed, and eventually dispersed, with a loss of nearly 1,600 men, killed and wounded.

On the 8th, on their advance towards Poonah, the British were again opposed, near Neriad, where the enemy sustained two defeats; once, in a charge of cavalry, and again, in the same kind of attack, supported by artillery.

On the 18th of May, as the British and their ally were marching over the plains of Arras, their rear was fired upon from artillery posted in some enclosures; and shortly afterwards the enemy were observed advancing to the attack, in two strong divisions; the enemy's artillery were soon silenced, and their attacking columns obliged to retire the detachment of grenadiers of the Bombay and Madras European regiments, with a strong party of Sepoys, were directed to storm the guns: on their approach, the enemy retired at full speed with their artillery, but threw in a large body of cavalry and elephants, to cover their retreat. Another large body of cavalry and elephants had penetrated between the rear of the grenadiers and the Bombay European regiment, and passed themselves off as part of Ragoba's army; and their assertions were confirmed by Heera Punt, an officer in Ragoba's service. In this, however, the British were deceived, and the Mahratta proved traitor: he was

overheard exhorting the enemy to take advantage of the opportunity, and cut off the detachment, on which they immediately commenced a most determined attack, completely surrounding it with both cavalry and war elephants. The brave fellows, however, gallantly repulsed them in front and rear, until a tumbril blew up, and Captains Myers and Serle were cut down. The detachment was driven back in much confusion, and one of their field-pieces, in the crush of horses and elephants, was captured, but immediately retaken by Lieutenant Torriano (afterwards a distinguished general officer in the Bombay army), at the head of the European grenadiers, by which time the British line had advanced to their assistance, and the enemy were driven off the field, with much slaughter. The battle of Arras lasted four hours, and the victory was dearly purchas ed. Out of fifteen British officers, with the advanced division, seven were killed, and four wounded; the grenadiers lost eighty-six men; the Sepoys 160. Captains Myers and Serle, of the corps, were killed, and Lieutenant Toring wounded; he was afterwards taken in Baillie's defeat, where he was again wounded, and at last fell in a subsequent engagement. The enemy lost upwards of 1,200 men, and many elephants and horses.

On the 29th the wounded were deposited in Baroach, after which the enemy were followed up, and on the 11th of June were all but surprised at Bowa-Peer, on the Nerbuddah. They struck their