Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/431

Book V fell; was cut down charging bravely with his cavalry; the rout then became general; 2000 Colleries were slain, and 300 horse, with all the cannon and elephants were taken. This victory saved Madura, or it entirety broke the army of the confederates, all of whom, and he Pulitaver with as much terror as any, hurried from the field to be shelter of their respective homes.

The news of the victory was brought to Tritchinopoly on the 24th of March, by which time Mahomed Issoof was ready to proceed: his detachment consisted of 1200 Sepoys, 100 Catfries, 150 Colleries, and 4 field pieces, with an 18 pounder managed by Europeans, The king of Tanjore and the Polygar Tondiman, had been requested to join some of their troops to the detachment: the interposition of the presidency to stop their quarrel, having offended the one, as much as it, was acceptable to the other, the king refused, but the Polygar promised the assistance required. For some time before the departure of the detachment, Catabominaig and the Polygar of Etiaporum had been treating with captain Calliaud for the redemption of their hostages, and it was agreed that the money should be paid on their being delivered to Tondiman. Mahomed Issoof therefore took the hostages rith him, and directed his march to Puducotah, the principal town ©longing to Tondiman, to whose care they were surrendered. The troops of Tondiman not being ready, Mahomed Issoof requested they night follow, and continued his rout, marching, not through the ass, but to the eastward of the hills which bound and make part of he forest of Nattam: he then struck to the westward through Tiambore, where stands the pagoda of Coilguddy. On the 6th of April he arrived at Madura, where he was joined on the 10th by Condiman's brother-in-law, with some Peons, Colleries, and horse, which remained with him at the company's expence. The governor of Madura, Danish Mend Khan, wished, although he did not know row, to preclude Mahomed Issoof from any interference with the garrison; but Mahomed Issoof with his usual pertinacity examined every thing strictly, and found every thing in such disorder, that he was convinced the place might have been taken, if it had been attempted by no other force than that of the Nattam Colleries under the conduct of Mianah: nevertheless it was with reluctance the vernor