Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/313

Book IV. him positive orders, the Morattoe traversed the province according to his own inclination, without keeping his force united, or acting in concert with the troops of Pondicherry. However Mr. Dupleix pursuing his plan as well as he was able, detached immediately after the capture of Chillambrum a large body of Sepoys, accompanied by some Morattoes, to attack the pagoda of Verdachelum; this force was led by one Hassan Ally, who had long been commander in chief of the French Sepoys, and had distinguished himself so much in this employment that the French king had honoured him with a gold medal in token of his services; this man was taken at Seringham with Mr. Law, and the English knowing his capacity kept him a close prisoner at Fort St. David; from whence, however, he had lately contrived to escape, being carried through the guards in a basket which they imagined to contain lumber. The garrison of Verdachelum consisted only of 50 Sepoys commanded by a Serjcant, who surrendered after a slight resistance; from hence Hassan Ally, joined by 50 Europeans, proceeded to Trinomalee, where they found Morari-row with the greatest part of his force assisting, according to his promise, the troops of Velore, who were laying close siege to the place. The army of the besiegers now amounted to 6000 cavalry, 5000 Sepoys, and 100 Europeans, including the 50 which Mortiz-ally kept in his own pay. The garrison, 1500 men, commanded by Barkatoola, a faithful servant to the Nabob, and a gallant officer, defended themselves with much bravery, making frequent sallies, and in one they surprized and beat up the quarters of the Morattoes, killing many of their horses; this loss, the most sensible that the Morattoes can feel, determined Morari-row to look out for easier conquests; and leaving the Phousdar's troops to continue the siege as they could, he marched away, with an intention to lay siege to Palam Cotah, a fort in the neighbourhood of Chillambrum. Here he was joined by a party of 350 Europeans, who endeavoured to prevail on him to march with them and attack the English settlement of Devi Cotah; but Morari-row, apprehensive of the loss he might suffer in this attempt, refused to accompany them. On this difference they separated, the French marching towards the woods of Wariore-pollam, in hopes of levying contribution from the Polygar; and the Morattoe to Trinomalee. Here, a few days after