Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/311

Book IV. and wounded: of the English battalion about 40 men were either killed or disabled, and on both sides, principally by cannon shot.

Monac-gee endeavoured to excuse his neglect, by alledging that the solicitude of the Nabob and his commissaries for the safety of the convoy, made him unwilling to leave it exposed to the enemy's cavalry which hovered round in large bodies: but this was no good reason; for major Lawrence immediately on the enemy's retreat sent him orders to pursue, and the battalion were marching back to secure the convoy. As soon as the enemy were out of sight, the army with the convoy proceeded to the city, where on taking an account of the provisions before they were lodged in the magazines, it was found that the quantity did not exceed 300 bullock loads, and this not a little damaged: which, in weight not being more than 30,000 pounds, was scarcely sufficient to supply the Europeans and Sepoys ten days. It would be difficult to find an example of so great a negligence, in so essential a service, which had cost so much pains and risque, excepting in the irregular and indolent administration of a Moorish government in Indostan; and indeed the English themselves were much to blame for trusting this important charge entirely to the conduct of the Nabob and his officers, who had loaded the rest of the bullocks, for there were near 4000, with their own baggage, and a heap of trumpery not worth the carriage.

The enemy removed their tents and baggage as soon as it was dark from the sugar-loaf rock to Weycondah, where they encamped all together in so strong a situation, protected by the fire of that post, that they could not be attacked with any prospect of success. The Mysoreans had always drawn their provisions from their own country; and as there was little probability of procuring plenty to the city whilst the enemy remained on the plain, the major, as soon as the troops were a little refreshed, marched out, and taking a circuit encamped at the five rocks, intending to intercept their convoys coming from the east-ward, and thus retaliate the distresses which they had so often brought upon his army. At the same time Monac-gee, in order to secure the communication with Tanjore; undertook to reduce Elimiserum, where the enemy had left a garrison of 200 Sepoys and a few Europeans, who submitted to him after a little resistance.