Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/517

 Chap. VI.J DUPLEIX DEFEATED AT BAHOOR. 483

The capture was loudly complained of, as a violation of the peace subsisting a.d. 1752. between Great Britain and France, but Dupleix thought he had a sufficient precedent in the capture of French troops at Seringham.

To avoid a repetition of the loss. Major Lawrence embarked with the other Battle of company of Swiss in one of the Company's ships, and brought them safely to Fort St. David, on the 16th of August. The next day he took command of the whole force, consisting of 400 Europeans, 1 700 sepoys, and 4000 of the nabob's troops. The enemy immediately drew back to Bahoor, and when still pursued, encamped between the bound hedge of Pondicherry and Villenore, which thus became their advanced post. From this they were soon di'iven, but here the pursuit ended, because Major Lawrence, under instructions from the presidency, which, amidst overt acts of war, still clung to a semblance of peace, refrained from passing the bound hedge. In this state of matters he determined, as a last attem])t to bring them to action, to pretend a precij)itate retreat ; and, as if he had in his retm'n become afraid, hastened back to Bahoor. The stratagem, clumsy though it was, succeeded; and Dupleix, only afraid that his enemies should escape, insisted on pursuit, against the remonstrances of M. Kirkjean, his nephew, who commanded the French. They accordingly advanced within two miles of Bahoor. Major Lawrence lost no time in preparing for action, and at three next morning was in motion with his whole force. The action com- menced with the sepoys on either side, and did not become decisive till the British and French battalions met at the point of the bayonet. After a short struggle, two platoons of British grenadiers broke the enemy's centre, and his whole line immediately gave way. Had the nabob's cavalry done their duty, instead of galloping off to plunder, few of the enemy could have escaped. Even as it was, their loss was serious in men, artillery, ammunition, and stores. This victory was still more important in its indirect consequences. Morari Row had actually been gained over to the French, and a detachment of 3000 Mahrattas was on the way to join them, when they received intelligence of the affair of Bahoor. Nothini; more was wanting; to make them change their route ; and they made then' appearance in the nabob's camp, complimenting him on his victory, and lamenting their misfortune in not having been able to join him in sufficient time to share the honour of it.

Major Lawrence having advanced to Trivadi, prepared to devote the remain- rreparations

.to besiege

der of the season, before the rains should set in, to the reduction of all the ciungiepiit country northward from Pondicherry to the Paliar. It was at the same time io,,g. determined by the presidency, at the urgent request of the nabob, to attempt the reduction of the forts of Chingleput and Covelong, situated north of that river. Being of great strength, they connnanded a considerable tract of country, and often sent out detachments, which plundered within the tenitory of the nabob and the Company. The only force which could be saved for the task of subduing them, consisted of 200 raw recruits just anived from England, and