pushing open the gates. These, after a heavy fire of musketry and hand-grenades, were wounded, driven back unmanageable and in confusion, trampling down the storming party in their rear, who dispersed and sought safety in flight. The division that attacked the north-west breach, crossed the ditch, which was fordable, and in a few moments the fausse braye was crowded with the enemy, who mounted the breach with the greatest intrepidity, which they were suffered to approach and crowd with impunity, and some even to surmount the first intrenchment, before the defenders gave fire, when it fell with fearful execution, every shot telling: the field-pieces also kept up continued discharges; but as soon as one body of the enemy were driven back and destroyed, another and another immediately crowded up the breach to the assault, until some bombs, with short fuses, thrown into the fausse braye, burst and destroyed many, and drove the rest of the enemy there away from the breach, and over the ditch. At the breach to the southwest, the ditch not being fordable, the enemy brought a raft, on which nearly one hundred embarked, and attempted to cross, but, after a few rounds of grape, it was capsized, several drowned and killed, and the rest reached the other side of the ditch. These different attacks continued for upwards of an hour, after which the enemy at once desisted, and employed themselves in carrying off their dead, among whom was the commander of

their Sepoys, who fell in the fausse braye, and had distinguished himself with great bravery during the storm. Two hours after these repulses, the enemy again opened a heavy fire of musketry and cannon. At two in the afternoon they requested leave to bury their dead, which was allowed, and a truce granted until four P. M., when they again recommenced their fire, and continued it until two in the morning, when it ceased entirely. At daybreak it was discovered that they had abandoned the town: the garrison immediately marched out, and took four pieces of artillery, four mortars, and a large quantity of ammunition, which in their hurry had been left behind. Thus, after fifty days, ended the siege of Arcot, maintained, under every disadvantage, by a small body of men, with the utmost resolution, and the most undaunted courage. During the time they were shut up in the fort, forty-five Europeans and thirty Sepoys were killed, and a greater number of both wounded. From so many of the garrison being disabled, there were no more than eighty Europeans, officers included, and 120 Sepoys, to repulse the storm, in doing which their loss was only four Europeans killed, and two Sepoys wounded; the loss of the enemy was upwards of 400 killed.

Among the numerous gallant and desperate services any part of the European corps has ever at any period of its existence been engaged in, the defence of Arcot must always rank as one reflecting the most honour on it. The resources employed by the

were

young commandant,-the talent, activity, and courage, displayed by him, on every occasion, in the successful defence of an untenable post, nobly seconded by the devoted gallantry and confidence of the small band of heroes under his command. The Sepoys, flattered and elevated by the confidence reposed in them, rivalled their European comrades in feats of daring: and, when provisions became so scarce, that it was feared famine might compel them to surrender, they came forward and offered Clive to take, as their share of food, the water in which the rice was boiled, saying, "that it was sufficient for their support, but the Europeans required the grain, which was more nourishing."

On the evening of the day on which the siege was raised, Lieutenant Innes' party, reinforced to the number of 150 Europeans, and four field-pieces, arrived under command of Captain Kilpatrick, of the European corps. The enemy had passed off towards Vellore, under the walls of which they encamped. On the 19th of November, Captain Clive, leaving Kilpatrick with a garrison in the fort, took the field with 200 Europeans, 700 Sepoys, and three field-pieces, and marched to Timery, which surrendered on the first summons. The Mahrattas having joined, with 600 of their cavalry, Clive made a forced march of twenty miles, and came up with the enemy, as they were preparing to cross the river to the north of Arnee. The enemy, confident of their superiority-for they numbered

300 French (Europeans), 2500 Sepoys, 2000 horse and four field-pieces,-immediately they perceived: the English, formed and advanced to the attack. Captain Clive drew up in position, the Sepoys on the right, the Mahratta cavalry on the left, and the Europeans, with the field-pieces, in the centre. The entire front of his position being covered by wet ricefields, the only approach was by a causeway to the right, along which all the French, with their fieldpieces, and 1500 Sepoys, marched to the attack; the cavalry, and the remainder of their Sepoys, moving round to the left, attacked the 600 Mahratta cavalry, and a severe action commenced between these two bodies; the Mahrattas, fighting in a manner peculiar to themselves: every horseman was accompanied by a man on foot, armed with a sword and club, or short spear; and when a horse was killed or disabled, the rider fought on foot; and when a horseman, one of the foot soldiers, seized the horse and mounted it. The Mahrattas, against overwhelming numbers, stood their ground, repeatedly charging the enemy. The French, who advanced along the ditch, received so heavy and galling a fire from the field-pieces, that all, except their artillerymen and guns, left the causeway, and formed across the rice fields, extending towards where the cavalry were engaged. The Mahrattas, having been reinforced with two field-pieces, stood their ground; and Clive, advancing along the causeway, forced the enemy there to retire in confusion,

on which the whole of their line retired, and, being followed up and driven out of two other positions, they took shelter within and under the walls of Arnee. About fifty French, and 150 of their Sepoys, were killed the English lost no Europeans, and only eight Sepoys: the Mahrattas suffered a loss of fifty. The following day the enemy retreated to Gingee, having left Arnee, with precipitation, at midnight. On entering the town the next day, the battalion captured many tents, a large quantity of baggage, an elephant, and several horses. The Mahratta cavalry continued the pursuit, sabreing and plundering the fugitives, and returned before night with 400 horses, quantities of plunder, and the enemy's cash-chest, containing 100,000 rupees. great number of the enemy's Sepoys came in and offered their services: Clive, selecting those only who brought good arms, enlisted 600.

A

The Governor of Arnee refused to deliver up the fort, but took the oath of fealty to Mahomed Ally.

During the siege of Arcot, the French had occupied Conjeveram with thirty Europeans and 300 Sepoys: these interrupted the communication to Madras, and had surprised a number of disabled men returning from the siege; among others, Lieutenants Revel and Glass, and six Europeans. The officers were spared, but the six soldiers were barbarously murdered in their litters. Captain Clive determined to reduce this place; and three days after his victory, marched thither at the head of his