Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/181

Book III. up his fort to either; but nevertheless he entered into a negociation with both, which lasted a fortnight, and during this time neither of the armies made any motion: at length captain Gingen, irritated by his prevarications, determined to treat him as an enemy; but before he proceeded to hostilities, posted the army about a mile to the north-west of the rock of Vol-condah, where they were in readiness to intercept the approach of Chunda-saheb; for it was not doubted that the governor would call him to his assistance, as soon as he should be attacked. This disposition being made, a large detachment of Europeans and Sepoys marched about nine in the evening, who easily got over the mud-wall, and then setting fire to the town, advanced to the stone fort; but this they found too strong to be assaulted before a breach was made, and therefore returned to the camp. The governor, as was foreseen, immediately sent a messenger to acquaint Chunda-saheb that he was ready to admit his troops into the place. The next morning, at break of day, the French battalion was discovered marching towards the rock along the bed of the river, which was almost dry; and the Indian army of Chunda-saheb, which had been augmented at Arcot to 12,000 horse and 5,000 Sepoys, appeared at the same time. Notwithstanding these motions, the English officers wasted so much time in deliberation, that the French battalion arrived near the foot of the rock, and formed before any attempt was made to intercept them; when too late, it was determined to give the enemy battle. The troops had perceived the hesitations of the council of war, and were so much affected by them that they marched to the enemy with irresolution. As they approached, a cannonade ensued, and a shot struck one of the French tumbrils, which blowing up wounded some of their Europeans, and frightened so much a hundred more, who were posted near it, that they ran away with Mr. d'Auteuil at their head to the fort of Vol-condah, where they were admitted; and from hence they immediately began to fire from 14 pieces of of cannon upon the English battalion. This unexpected cannonade, notwithstanding that most of their shot flew too high, flung the troops into disorder, and some of the officers likewise discovering fear, the whole battalion were seized with a