Trichinopoly. In the following month these troops, to the number of 600 horse, and 1000 peons, joined the British. The united force proceeded to Verdachelum, a large and strong pagoda, garrisoned by 300 of Chundah Saib's troops, which, after some show of resistance, surrendered. Leaving thirty Europeans and fifty Sepoys as a garrison, the force marched to the westward, and were joined by 100 Europeans, despatched by Captain Cope, from Trichinopoly; also 2000 horse, and 2000 foot, belonging to the Nabob. After this junction, the force came in sight of Chundah Saib's army, encamped near the strong fort of VolCondah, which was assaulted, but without success, although the town was entered and set fire to. The French and Chundah Saib's army were afterwards brought to action, in a distant cannonade, and effected their object of throwing a detachment into the fort. The British, eventually, were forced to retire, although with no loss. Captains De Gingens, Dalton, Kirkpatrick, and Lieutenant Clive, were conspicuous for their good conduct and gallantry on the occasion. The force fell back on Trichinopoly, and took up a position at the straits of Utatoor; the Grenadier Company, the Company of Caffres, and two field-pieces at the mouth of the pass; the main body in the valley, and a party in the rear at the south outlet. Two days afterwards the enemy followed on the same route; and in front of the village, at the entrance of

the pass, a body of 3000 horse intercepted a small reconnoitering party, headed by Captain De Gingens, and seven of the principal officers of the European battalion. The party consisted of twelve dragoons and these officers, who charged through the enemy's horse, sword in hand, all cut their way through, except Lieutenant Maskelyne and three troopers, who were taken prisoners; a party of Sepoys were also surprised by these horse, and cut up.

On the 15th of July the enemy advanced to force their way through the pass, but were severely checked by Captain Dalton, with his grenadiers and the Caffres in the village, who, when directed, retreated in splendid order, sustaining and repulsing a constant succession of charges from the entire body of the enemy's cavalry, supported by 4000 Sepoys, 100 topasses, and eleven guns. The grenadiers of the battalion particularly distinguished themselves the enemy were imperceptibly led on by them into broken and rocky ground, where cavalry could not act; and some of the guns from the main body having been advanced, the enemy were obliged to fly in disorder. After losing upwards of 300 men, the English brought off their guns and baggage, with little or no loss. The French battalion, this day, was not engaged. The British continued their retreat next day, and reached the river near Trichinopoly at 2 P.M., after a march of eighteen miles, in the heat of the sun, during the hottest season of the year,

surrounded by an overwhelming cavalry who, however, were dispirited by the loss they had sustained the previous day. The British encamped on the north bank of the Coleroon: the following day the river was crossed in boats, and with such secresy and dispatch, that every boat but one containing the grenadiers (the rear guard), and four fieldpieces, had reached the opposite side before the enemy were aware of the movement: their guns were, however, quickly brought up, and the boat which had grounded on a sand-bank, was cannonaded the boatmen abandoned it, but the grenadiers brought it off, and the whole army passed with no other loss than one small iron gun belonging to the Nabob.

The English battalion being now reduced to 400 men, and the Nabob's army not to be depended upon, it was decided, two days after crossing the river, to encamp under the walls of the fort; the European battalion under the west side of the city, the Nabob's army under the south. The enemy followed and encamped at a distance to the

east.

In June, the same year, the arrival of some recruits from England induced the government to send to Trichinopoly a reinforcement of eighty Europeans, 300 Sepoys, and a large quantity of stores, which left Fort St. David the middle of July. Lieutenant Clive commanded this detachment, which on its march surprised a large force of Poli

gars besieging the strong post of Verdachellum, whom he dispersed with severe loss. The post having been relieved, the detachment proceeded with their convoy through Tanjore, and reached Trichinopoly without loss or interruption. Lieutenant Clive was immediately recalled to Fort St. David, for the purpose of conducting another reinforcement to Trichinopoly. After narrowly escaping capture on his journey to Madras, he arrived there, and assumed charge of his detachment, which consisted of only 100 Europeans, 50 Sepoys, and a small field-piece. Before he left he was promoted to captain. On the arrival of the detachment in the Tanjore country, the Rajah of which gave both the French and English free passage through his dominions, the French stationed at Coiladdy despatched thirty Europeans and 500 Sepoys to intercept the English. Both parties suddenly met in the streets of the small village of Gondore, about ten miles from Tanjore: a combat ensued, in which nearly all the French and a number of their Sepoys were destroyed, and the rest dispersed. The French lost their commanding officer. The English, making a slight circuit to avoid the enemy's camp, reached Trichinopoly in safety. Notwithstanding these augmentations, the battalion numbered only 600 men; that of the enemy exceeded 900.

Captain Clive again returned to Madras, and by his advice it was decided to attack Arcot, and thereby create a diversion from Trichinopoly; Fort

St. David and Madras being left with only 150 Europeans between them, in order to place as many men as possible at Captain Clive's disposal for the attack on Arcot. The entire force that could be collected did not exceed 200 Europeans, with seven officers of the battalion and one of the Artillery (not more than two of whom had ever been in action), together with 300 Sepoys, who were by this time disciplined and armed like the Europeans, and, with justice, considered very superior native troops. This handful of men, with three field-pieces, left Madras on the 26th, and arrived within ten miles of Arcot on the 31st of August, where the enemy's spies first discovered the English continuing their march during a violent thunderstorm. This circumstance, from the native opinion of omens, discouraged the garrison to such an extent, that they instantly abandoned the fort, and the English shortly afterwards arriving, marched through the city to the astonishment of about 100,000 of the inhabitants, and took possession of it. The garrison which had abandoned their post amounted to upwards of 1100 men: 600 cavalry and 600 foot were, besides, encamped at some distance from the fort. On the 4th and 5th of September, Clive attacked them, and on both days the enemy were defeated; after which the troops, for ten days, were busily engaged in repairing the defences of the place, and constructing some necessary additions, during which time they discovered a