Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/321

Book IV. keeping too much to the left of the battalion, they came to the outside of the French intrenchment, on the ground to which the Tanjorines were ordered to advance; however, as soon as they perceived the French battalion in confusion, they pushed on to the sugar-loaf rock, and with much resolution attacked and dispersed the body of the enemy's Sepoys posted there, who from the beginning of the action had employed themselves in firing random shot indiscriminately upon friends and foes. The victory was now decided, and the English troops drew up on the French parade. A body of Morattoes were the only part of the Indian army which made any motions to draw off the attention of the English during the engagement; they seeing one of the field pieces left with a few men at a distance behind the st, galloped up, and cutting, down the men, got possession of it; but perceiving the battle lost, they did not venture to carry it off: nevertheless they did not immediately quit the camp, where they were soon after joined by several other bodies of cavalry, encouraged by their example: but the English artillery in a few rounds obliged them to retire again, and they followed the rest of the fugitives, who were retreating towards Seringham by the pass of Mootachillinoor. It was some hours before the whole got into the island, for the throng consisted of 30,000 men of all sorts on foot, and 16,000 horse, besides a great number of oxen, camels, and elephants. The Tanjorines were ordered to set out in pursuit of the French troops, who were taking flight, dispersed on all sides over the plain; but they could not be prevailed on to quit the spoil of the camp, which they were very busy in plundering.

The tents, baggage, and ammunition of the French camp, together with eleven pieces of cannon, one an eighteen pounder, were taken; 100 of their battalion were either killed or wounded, and near 100 more, amongst whom was Mr. Astruc, with ten officers, were made prisoners: several were afterwards knocked on the head by the people of Tondiman's woods, 65 were taken straggling in the Tanjore country; and a detachment of Sepoys, sent out by captain Dalton from the city, brought in 21 of those who were making their way to the island by the pass of Chucklypolam: so that the whole of their loss was at least 300 Europeans, with their best officer; for such un-