Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/364

356 on the right. The Sepoys then followed in a line, which terminating in a right angle with the rear of the battalion, extended to the left of it. The French battalion relying on the superiority of their artillery, which were seven field pieces, did not come near enough to do much execution with their musketry; but their Sepoys moving into the rear of the English Sepoys, fired very smartly, and killed and wounded many of them, as well as some of the Europeans, amongst, whom Captain Polier received a wound. However, the English troops proceeded without making a halt, until they took possession of another tank, situated about a mile from that which they had quitted. Just as they had got into this post, captain Polier received a second wound, which disabling him from farther service, he gave up the command to captain Calliaud. The enemy now seemed determined to let the English escape no farther; and threatened a general assault on the tank, for their Sepoys and cavalry drew up on three sides of it, whilst the French menaced the other. Major Lawrence, although very ill, ordered himself to be carried to the top of one of the city gates, and contemplating from thence the dispositions of both armies, trembled for the fate of his own; but it happened otherwise. The three English field pieces were brass six pounders, and capable of discharging a great quantity of grape shot; and the artillery men, with their usual dexterity and calmness, fired them with such vivacity and good aim as the French battalion advanced, that in a few minutes they struck down near a hundred men, which execution staggering the rest, their line halted, irresolute whether to proceed or retreat: captain Calliaud seized this instant, and sallying with all the Europeans, gave them a discharge of musketry so well levelled that it immediately flung them into disorder, and breaking their ranks they ran away in great confusion: their officers endeavoured to rally them, but in vain, for they would not stop before they were out of the reach of cannon shot, and then could not be prevailed upon to return to the attack. The Sepoys and Mysore cavalry, who had been hitherto kept at bay by the English Sepoys, seeing their European allies retreating, immediately desisted from the engagement, and the whole retreated together by Weycondah to the island. The English contented with their success, which was indeed