Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/222

214 over the revenues of all the districts which had been recovered since his arrival: but Morari-row was so exasperated by this inactivity, which deprived his troops of opportunities to get plunder, and removed the prospect of more important acquisitions, which he expected from this war, that he meditated defection, and began to treat with Chunda-saheb.

Both armies were equally sollicitous of the fate of the approaching reinforcement, and Mr. Dupleix sent repeated orders to Mr. Law, who commanded the French battalion, to intercept them at all events. They arrived on the 26th of March at a fort belonging to the king of Tanjore, within 20 miles of Tritchinopoly; where they deposited such part of the stores, as would have retarded their march and embarassed their operations. The next day proceeding along the high road, which passeth within point blank shot of Coiladdy, major Lawrence received intelligence that the enemy had posted at this fort a strong party with artillery: on which he ordered his guides to look out for another road; but they, by some mistake, led him within reach of the very spot he wanted to avoid, and the troops were unexpectedly fired upon by six pieces of cannon from across the Caveri. To divert this fire from the baggage, among which it created no small confusion, it was answered from the rear division of guns consisting of four field pieces, supported by 100 Europeans, under the command of captain Clive, whilst the line marched on inclining to the left, which direction soon brought them out of the enemy's reach, but not before 20 Europeans were killed. They then halted, and were joined by the rear division, after which they continued their march without meeting any farther interruption, and in the evening halted within 10 miles of Tritchinopoly. From hence captain Gingen detached in the night 100 Europeans, with 50 dragoons, who joined the reinforcement before morning; and at day-break captain Dalton was likewise detached from the city with his own company of grenadiers, and another of the battalion, in all 200 Europeans, 400 Sepoys, and four field pieces, who were ordered to lie at a rock called the Sugarloaf, about three miles south of the French rock, from whence they were to join the reinforcement, as soon as it came in sight.