Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/525

 Chap. VI.] SIEGE OF TRICHINOPOLY. 491

The enemy had received a reinforcement equal in strength to the whole English a.d. 1753. force. It consisted of 400 Europeans and 2000 sepoys, with six guns, together with 3000 Mahratta horse, and a great number of peons or native infantry, under the command of Morari Row. The Europeans of this reinforcement had arrived at Pondiclierry in June. Had they been immediately forwarded to Trichinopoly they would have given the French such an ascendency as must have been decisive of the campaign. Most fortunately Dupleix detained them nearly two months in the Carnatic for some purpose connected with the gratification of his vanity, and thus lost a most favourable opportunity for decisive action.

The Madras presidency on their part were not idle ; and on hearing of Du- pleix's reinforcement, determined to strengthen Major Lawrence with every man that could be spared for the field. Having succeeded in mustering 237 Euro- peans and 300 sepoys, they sent them under Captains Ridge and Calliaud by sea to Devicotta. Major Lawrence moved eastward to meet them, and after a sharp action, in which the French were decidedly worsted, the junction was happily effected. Both parties having now received all the reinforcements they expected, were anxious for a trial of strength.

On the 20th of September, 1753, Major Lawi-ence di-ew up his army in mttieoftiie order of battle at the Fakir's Tope, a mile and a half S.S.W. of the city. The Rock. enemy, encamped between the Sugar-loaf Rock and the Golden Rock, ami covering a considerable space behind, showed no inclination to accept the chal- lenge. Major Lawi'ence determined to attack them next day, but concealed his intention by ordering his tents, which, in expectation of battle, he had sent to the city, to be brought back and pitched in their fonner place. At night the tents were again sent back, and the whole array rested on their arms, with orders to be in readiness at four o'clock the next morning. At this hour the army began to move in profound silence ; and by a sudden obscuration of the moon, which had before been shining brightly, the first division amved within pistol- shot of the Golden Rock before they were discovered. Their sudden fire so dis- concerted those in charge of the rock, that they hurried off", leaving two field- pieces, which they had loaded with grape, undischarged. Before the confusion thus caused in the camp could Ije re|)aired, the British in three divisions kept advancing, with reserved fii-e and fixed bayonets, on the left tiank of the French battalion stationed at the Sugar-loaf Rock, while the sepoys attached to the divisions kept up a constant fii'e on swarms of Mysorean and other fugitives, who were fleeing in all directions. The whole of the British battalion, consist- ing of 600 men, arrived in an unbroken line within twenty yards of their French antagonists. The latter were commanded by M. Astruc, who did the utmost to bring them into order, and even prevailed upon them to receive the English fii-e before they gave theirs. In this encounter Captain Kilpatrick, who led the first division of English, fell desperately wounded. His place was taken by