Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/230

222 the enemy, who defended themselves all day, killing an officer, three Europeans, and 10 Sepoys, and. in the night made their escape to Pitchandah undiscovered.

The next day a party of Sepoys, with a few Europeans, were detached to attack Lalguddy, a mud fort situated about seven miles to the east of Seringham, close to the bank of the Coleroon, and opposite to the eastern part of the enemy's late encampment to the south of the Caveri. They kept a garrison of Sepoys here, intending to make it an intermediate magazine of provisions, which were to be brought from hence to their camp on the island as opportunity offered. The Sepoy attacking the fort by escalade, carried it after a faint resistance, and found in it a quantity of grain sufficient for ten thousand men for two months. Mr. Dupleix, against whose orders Mr. Law had retreated to the north of the Caveri, was much alarmed at the critical situation to which the army of Chunda-saheb and his own troops were reduced. He, however, with his usual perseverance and activity, determined to make the greatest efforts he was able to reinforce them; and immediately on receiving news that captain Clive was encamped at Samiavaram, detached 120 Europeans, 500 Sepoys, and four field pieces, with a large convoy of provisions and stores. This party was led by Mr. D'Auteuil, who was empowered to take the command from Mr. Law. They arrived on the 14th of April at Utatoor, and intended, by making a large circuit to the west of Samiavaram, to gain in the night the bank of the Coleroon. The fate of the two armies depended in a great measure upon the success or miscarriage of this convoy and reinforcement. Captain Clive, apprized of Mr. D'Auteuil's intention, set out the same night with the greatest part of his force to intercept him; but Mr. D'Auteuil receiving advice of his approach, immediately turned back and regained the fort; on which captain Clive returned with the utmost expedition to Samiavaram, where he arrived in the morning. In the afternoon, Mr. Law got intelligence of his march, without hearing of his return, which could not naturally be suspected, as Utatoor is 13 miles from Samiavaram: he therefore, as soon as it was dark, detached 80 Europeans, and 700