Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/192

184, gun-powder, with 8 pieces of cannon, from 4 to 8 pounders. The merchants had, for security, deposited in the fort effects to the value of 50,000 pounds, but these were punctually restored to the owners; and this judicious abstemiousness conciliated many of the principal inhabitants to the English interest. The fort was inhabited by 3 or 4000 persons, who, at their own request, were permitted to remain in their dwellings. Captain Clive made it his first care to collect such provisions and materials as might enable him to sustain a siege; and foreseeing that the enemy would soon recover from their fright, and return into the town, if he confined himself to the fort, determined to go in quest of them; and on the 4th of September marched out with the greatest part of his men, and four field pieces: in the afternoon he discovered the fugitive garrison, consisting of 600 horse and 500 foot, drawn up near Timery, a fort situated 6 miles south-west of the city. They had a field piece, managed by two or three Europeans, from which they fired at a great distance, and killed a camel and wounded a Sepoy: but as soon as they saw the English within musket-shot, retreated to the hills in their rear; upon which the English returned to the fort.

The troops marched out again on the 6th, and found the enemy drawn up within gun-shot of Timery, in a grove, inclosed with a bank and a ditch; about 50 yards in front of which was a large tank, surrounded likewise withabank much higher than that of the grove; but by age and neglect the tank itself was almost choaked up and dry. Their number now appeared to be 2000, and they had two field pieces, which fired smartly as the English advanced, and killed three Europeans; on which accident the line advanced more briskly towards the enemy, who frightened by the vivacity of their approach, did not think themselves safe in the grove, but hurried with precipitation into the tank, and began to fire from the banks, exposing so little of their bodies that the English fire did no execution amongst them, whilst theirs wounded several of the Europeans and Sepoys. The troops were therefore ordered to move behind some neighbouring buildings, from which ensign Glass was soon after detached with a platoon of 40 men, to attack one side of the tank, whilst another, under the command of lieutenant Bulkley, pushed to attack the enemy in front. Both gained the bank's, and gave