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 t^O IIISTOKV OK INDIA. (Book HI,

A.D. 1763. destruction of the party engaged in it. M. lirenier, however, would liave fallen into the snare, and only escaped it in consequence of being obliged to employ his troops elsewhere.

Major Lawrence's approach, which had for some time Ijeen rumoured, was

luttieofthe now certain. He had received a reinforcement from Fort 8t. David of 170

Golden

luxk. Europeans and 300 sepoys, and was moreover accompanied by a Tanjorine anny of 3000 horse and 2000 matchlock-men, under the command of Monacjee. On the 7th of August he arrived at a place called Dalaway's Choultry, situated on the south bank of the Cauvery, about five miles east of Trichinopoly. The inter- vening plain was so much flooded by the rains that it was deemed necessar}- to strike to the south-west, along with a convoy of nearly 4000 bullocks, under- stood to be laden with provisions, though it afterwards turned out that only one-tenth of them were thus laden, while the nabob and his officers had selfi.shly appropriated all the rest for the transport of baggage and trumpery. On arriving within a mile of the Sugar-loaf Rock, situated two and a half miles south-east of the city. Major Lawrence found it occupied by the main body of the enemy; while the Golden Rock, about one and a quarter mile due west from the Sugar- loaf, was in possession of a strong detachment. Instead of endeavoiiring to force the enemy's posts, he resolved to keep on the outside of them. With this view he caused the convoy to make a considerable circuit to the south-west, intend- ing himself to march round by the Golden Rock. This, however, was not pos- sible while that strong position was held by the enemy's detachment. It was necessary to drive them from it, and this was the great difficulty. In fact, had M. Brenier supported the detachment as he ought, it would have been impos- sible. Instead of supporting he weakened it, by withdrawing the greater part of the detachment to assist in meeting a feigned attack on his main body. Having thus allowed himself to be outwitted, he did not discover his blunder tiU it was too late to repair it. The Golden Rock had been canied by the English grenadiers and a party of 800 sepoys, when the French infantiy hasten- ing forward to relieve it had reached only half way. Major Lawrence followed up the advantage he had thus gained with signal ability, and tJtimately drove off" the whole body of the enemy in confusion. Had the Tanjorine horse pur- sued as they ought to have done, instead of remaining mere spectators of the flight, a decisive victory would have been gained.

The enemy, after their defeat, encamped in a strong position at Weycondah,

Both armies two milcs wcst of the city ; and Mai or Lawi-ence endeavoured to turn their own

reiu forced. j ' o

tactics against themselves by occupying the Five Rocks, situated about three miles farther south, and thus interposed between the enemy and the open coun- try from which they drew their supplies. He had friglitened them away from Weycondah to Mootachellinoor, on the south bank of the Cauvery, over against the south-west extremity of the island of Seringham, and was preparing to act more decidedly when all offensive movements on his part were suddenly aiTested