Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/501

 Chap. V.] THE SIEGE OF ARCOT. 467

loss of the enemy was computed at -iOO men, almost all natives ; for the French, a.d. itsi. as if unwilling to encounter the Enghsh in the deadly breach while the two governments were actually at peace, had kept aloof, and been only spectators of the assault. The loss of the garrison amounted only to four Europeans killed, and two sepoys wounded. When the assault took place, so many of tlie garrison were disabled by wounds or sickness, that the whole number engaged mustered only eighty Europeans, officers included, and 120 sepoys. These, during the attack, served five pieces of carmon, and expended 12,000 musket- cartridges.

Two hours after their repulse, the enemy renewed their fire both with The siege cannon and musketry ; and with the exception of two hours, dming which they were allowed, at their own request, a truce to bury their dead, maintained it till two in the following morning, when it suddenly ceased. When the day dawned the garrison were overjoyed to learn the cause. The enemy had evacuated the town ; and the siege, after lasting fifty days, was finally raised. In the camp were found four pieces of artillery, four mortars, and a large quan- tity of ammunition, showing how precipitate the depai-tm'e of the enemy nmst have been. In the evening, Captain Kilpatrick arrived with his detachment.

Rajah Sahib's repulse had been the signal for the departure of all his ciive auxiliary chiefs, and he was left only with the troops which his father had ximenT sent from Trichinopoly. With these and the French he moved west to Vellore, close to the eastern side of which he inclosed himself within strong intrench- ments. Clive, being now free to act, left Captain Kilpatrick in command of the fort, and proceeded with 200 Europeans, 700 sepoys, and three field -pieces, south to Timery, which suirendered on the first summons. His next move- ments depended on the Mahrattjis, who had })romised to join him, but as usual employed themselves in plundering the surrounding country. Bjisin Bow, whom his uncle, Morari Row, had left in command of 1000 horse, conducted himself so negligently when in the vicinity of Vellore that he exposed himself to a night attack, and was obliged to leave his camp to the enemy. Anxious to repair the loss he applied to Clive, who set out with him, and was thus engaged when he learned that a party of Europeans from Pondicherr}- were on the way to Arnee, a strong fort on the road between Arcot and Gingee. He proposed to intercept them, and succeeded, after some difficulty, in obtaining the consent of Basin Row, whose objections were not overcome till he learned that the French were carrying a large sum of money to Rajah Sahib. Even after he gave his consent, he was unable to muster more than GOO horse. These, when added to Clive's original force, left him far inferior to the enemy, whom he discovered after a forced march of twenty miles, preparing to cross the river immediately to the north of Arnee with :> Europeans, 2000 horse, and 2500 sepoys.

The enemy, perceiving their superiority, wheeled round and determined to