Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/107

Book I. 2,000 Sepoys, paid by the company, who as yet were scarcely better disciplined than common Peons. The Nabob An'war-odean, still changing sides, as he found the French or English affairs gaining the advantage, promised to send a body of 2,000 horse, but only 300 came, and they towards the end of the siege. The heavy cannon and the cumbrous stores were laden on board the ships, which proceeded before the army, and anchored two miles to the south of Pondicherry. The company's agents at Fort St. David had gained very little intelligence necessary to direct Mr. Boscawen in his operations; for when the army approaching near the bounds of Pondicherry, came in sight of the fort of Ariancopang, there was no person who could give a description of the place: however, it was determined that it should be taken before the army proceeded any farther. An engineer of the company's troops was ordered to reconnoitre it, but was afraid to go near enough to make certain observations: he however reported that the fort itself was of little strength, but that it was covered by an entrenchment. A deserter likewise reported that it was garrisoned only by 100 Sepoys: on which Mr. Boscawen determined to storm the place. Accordingly a detachment of 700 men marched at day-break against the east side of the fort to attack what they supposed the entrenchment, which on a nearer approach they discovered to be a heap of ruins; they likewise perceived that the fort itself was a triangle regularly fortified with three cavaliers, a deep dry ditch full of pitfalls, and a covered way. These works were sufficient to protect the place from a sudden onset, even had it been only garrisoned as the deserter had reported; instead of which it was defended by 100 Europeans and 300 Sepoys, under the command of Captain Law, an active officer. The English troops were immediately assailed from the walls with musketry and grape-shot; and although they had brought no scaling-ladders, the fear of shame kept them in reach of the enemy's fire, until 150 were either killed or wounded. Major Goodere, the most experienced officer of the king's troops, was mortally wounded in this attack.

This blundering disaster greatly affected the spirits of the men. However, it was determined to persist in reducing Ariancopang, and the disciplined sailors, with eight pieces of battering cannon, were