Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/204

196 fort, 45 Europeans and 30 Sepoys were killed, and a greater number of both wounded, most of whom suffered by the enemy's musketry from the houses.

Thus ended this siege, maintained 50 days, under every disadvantage of situation and force, by a handful of men in their first campaign, with a spirit worthy of the most veteran troops; and conducted by their young commander with indefatigable activity, unshaken constancy, and undaunted courage: and notwithstanding he had at this time neither read books, or conversed with men capable of giving him much instruction in the military art; all the resources which he employed in the defence of Arcot, were such as are dictated by the best masters in the science of war.

In the evening the detachment with captain Killpatrick entered the town, which the army of Raja-saheb no sooner quitted than all the troops, sent to his assistance by different chiefs, returned to their homes, and there remained with him only those which had been detached by his father from Tritchinopoly. With these and the French he retired to Velore, and pitching his camp close to the eastern side of the town, fortified it with strong entrenchments. Captain Clive leaving captain Killpatrick with a garrison in the fort, took the field on the 19th of November, with 200 Europeans, 700 Sepoys, and three field pieces, and marched to Timery, which the governor now surrendered on the first summons: a small garrison was left in this place, and the army returned and encamped near the western side of the city, waiting to be joined by the Morattoes. Of these 5000 horse, with Morari-row at their head, had proceeded to the southward, and 1000 under the command of Basin-row, a nephew of Morari-row, remained to assist captain Clive; but, instead of joining him immediately, they employed themselves some days in plundering the country.As they lay encamped with great negligence within a short march of Velore, the French troops with Raja-saheb attacked them with success in the night, killed 40 or 50 of their horses, and plundered their camp. After this defeat they came to the English camp, and intreated captain Clive to march to the place where they had suffered, in hopes of recovering their loss. Their request was complied with to keep them in temper; but nothing was recovered, for the enemy