Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/308

300 from the top of the rock in Tritchinopoly, not only apprized them that the enemy were in motion, but likewise pointed out the dispositions they were making. Their cavalry in different parties extended from the French rock to the golden rock: at the sugar-loaf rock, as being the place where major Lawrence would first come within their reach, they kept their main body of Europeans and Sepoys, together with their artillery; and a detachment took possession of the golden rock. The major, when arrived about a mile south-east of the sugar-loaf, halted, and having considered the enemy's disposition, formed and ordered his march in consequence of it. To preserve the baggage and provisions from the enemy's fire, he determined not to attempt a passage through the posts they occupied; but to march round the golden rock, whilst the convoy with the Nabob and his retinue, escorted by the Tanjorine troops, moved on at some distance on the left flank of the Europeans and Sepoys. It was necessary at all events to drive the enemy, from the golden rock, since their fire from hence might greatly incommode the line of march: but as a suspicion of the major's intention to pass that way, would naturally induce them to reinforce this post, he resolved to divert their attention, by halting and forming as if he intended to march directly, and attack their main body at the sugar-loaf rock. This stratagem had the desired effect: monsieur Brenier, not an acute officer, recalled the greatest part of his detachment from the golden rock, and with much bustle got his troops in order, to receive the major: who in the mean time detached the grenadiers and 800 Sepoys from the front of the line, ordering them to defile behind the convoy which still proceeded on, and to march with all possible expedition and attack the golden rock. Mr. Brenier did not perceive this motion before it was too late to prevent the effect of it; he however instantly sent forward 1000 horse at full gallop to intercept the English party, and at the same time detached 300 Europeans to reinforce the guard at the rock. The cavalry soon came up with the English party, and endeavoured to retard their march by caracolling and gallopping about as if they intended to charge: but the grenadiers did not suffer them selves to be amused by these motions, and fired hotly upon them with out slackening their pace, nor made a halt until they had mounted