Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/234

226 fired into the choultry where he was sleeping had shattered a box that lay under his feet, and killed a servant who lay close to him.

Pitchandah and Utatoor were now the only posts which the enemy held to the north of the Coleroon, but they were in possession of Coiladdy, which commands the eastern extremity of the island; and lest Mr. Law should attempt to force his way on this side, major Lawrence detached Monack-jee the general of the Tanjorines to take it; and to the south of the Caveri, where the enemy had no posts, a line of troops were disposed, which extended five miles on each side of the city of Tritchinopoly.

Monack-jee on the 26th of April took Coiladdy, and the enemy losing here their last magazine of provisions, became every day more and more distressed; but the hopes of being joined by Mr. D'Auteuil kept up their spirits, and prevented them from making any attempts to get out of the island: he still remained at Utatoor watching some opportunity to make his way good to Seringham: it was therefore determined to attack him; but as the late attempt on Samiavaram shewed the necessity of keeping the army there intire, major Lawrence resolved to send a party from his own division on this service. Accordingly captain Dalton on the 9th of May crossed the rivers in the night with 150 Europeans, 400 Sepoys, 500 Morattoes, and four field pieces, one of them a 12 pounder; and halting some hours at Samiavaram, arrived at five the next evening at a choultry within two miles of Utatoor, where he intended to pass the night, as the troops were much fatigued. There was at some distance in front of the choultry a village, which appearing a proper post for an advanced guard, some dragoons were sent to reconnoitre it, who discovered that the enemy had already taken possession of it; on which a party of Europeans and Sepoys were sent to dislodge them; which they effected with so much ease, that, flushed with their success, they pursued the enemy beyond the village, until they came in sight of Mr. D'Auteuil marching out of Utatoor, who, instead of waiting to attack with his whole force, sent forward a party to fall upon the English whilst they were forming; a skirmish ensued, and the enemy was repulsed; but the English officer being mortally wounded, the detachment