October, 1775, the facings of the corps were determined as follows: "In consequence of the frequent scarcity of cloth for facings, and the inconvenience subaltern officers are in particular often put to, when exchanged from one corps to the other, it is now ordered that in future there shall be only three infantry regimentals upon the coast, and they are to be without lapels, each brigade to have its distinct uniform, and the officers are to be distinguished only by embroidery on their epaulets. The 1st Regiment of Europeans to be turned up, or faced with buff; the 2nd with black." The corps in 1776 remained in garrison and cantonments. The 1st battalion, 1st Regiment, at Vellore. 2d battalion, 1st Regiment, seven companies at Trichinopoly, two at Tanjore. 1st battalion, 2d Regiment, Fort St. George. 2nd battalion, 2nd Regiment, Poonamallee. On the 7th of January, 1777, the following removals appeared in the Government orders : The 2d battalion, 2d Regiment, from Poonamallee to Nellore. 1st battalion 1st Regiment, from Nellore to Trichinopoly and Tanjore. 2d battalion, 1st Regiment, from Trichinopoly and Tanjore to Poonamallee. In July of the same year the following order, regarding the uniform and facings of the corps, was issued, dated Fort St. George, 7th of July, 1777 :"The uniform now to be seen at the adjutantgeneral's quarters is to serve as the pattern to the officers for the next year's clothing, with this difference only, that all the officers of the European regiments are to have narrow lapels sewed down. The 1st Regiment is to be faced with blue, and narrow gold button-holes. The 2d Regiment with white and gold button-holes the same. The grenadier officers to be distinguished as at present. In June, 1778, intelligence was received of war with France, and on the 29th of the same month the following general orders were issued :— "The Honourable the President and Council are pleased to direct that the following troops do march with as much expedition as possible to Conjeveram. "The grenadiers of the two regiments of Europeans: "The 2d battalion, 2d Regiment, from Nellore. "2d battalion, 1st Regiment, from Poonamallee. "The whole of the Artillery from the Mount. "Four companies of the 1st to Tanjore from Trichinopoly." The above composed part of the army under Sir Hector Munroe, which, on the 8th of August of the same year, encamped on the red hills near Pondicherry, and the following day summoned it to surrender. It was the 21st before the boundary hedge was taken possession of, and the 6th of September before ground was broken. On the 10th of August, a severe naval action between the French and English squadrons was fought in the offing; the English were victorious, and anchored in the roads of Pondicherry on the 21st. The garrison of Pondicherry was commanded by M. Bellacombe. Notwithstanding that the fortifications had been entirely destroyed, when formerly taken by Colonel Coote, they had been restored with much diligence, and were defended by a garrison which availed itself of every advantage. On the 18th of September the British opened batteries of twenty-eight guns, and twenty-seven mortars; but the activity and courage of the garrison, together with the rains which set in heavily, retarded the operations of the besiegers so much, that it was the 15th of October before a passage was formed across the ditch. Then only did the brave governor surrender, and the British by their liberality and kindness showed the high sense they entertained of the honour and gallantry of the enemy. The garrison became prisoners of war, but the colours of the battalion of India were restored to it by the victors in compliment of the distinguished conduct of that corps. Throughout all the operations of the siege the greatest gallantry had been displayed on both sides.* * The Madras Europeans lost nearly 160 men during its continuance. D. Thomson the adjutant of the 2d was killed, and Lieutenant (afterwards Lieutenant-general) John Orr succeeded him. |