Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/103

Book VI. They retired to a hill half a league distant, and took possession of a village at the foot of it, called Gorampally, which the French troops marched before day-break to attack, and found all the enemy's cavalry in the field, by whom they were soon surrounded. Ramchunder and Janogee, according to their promises, acted only in shew, which Mr. Law admired, and could not account for, not having yet received the information concerning them from Mr. Bussy; but Candagla, who had rejected his proffers, acted more efficaciously, attacking the baggage in the rear, and dispersed the whole train of oxen on which it was laden. The troops in the village made little resistance, and the reinforcement rested there during the remainder of the day. Hitherto only one European and three or four Sepoys had been killed, and twelve of both wounded, but by the flight of the Coolies and the scaring of the oxen all their provisions were lost, and the troops were obliged for their meal to kill some of the draught-bullocks of the artillery.

At noon Mr. Law received the letter from Mr. Bussy, with information of such of the enemy's banners as did not intend to act vigorously, and at seven in the evening renewed his march. The next stage was Meliapore, 15 miles from Gorampally, and the whole way through difficult defiles. The enemy with unusual alertness, although it was night, sent forward all their infantry to line the thickets; and Mr. Law, as the use of the field-pieces greatly retarded the march, only opposed the enemy with platoons, which were detached to wheresoever the fire came from. At seven in the morning the line arrived at Meliapore, and took post in a ruined mud fort near the town. Only two men had been killed, and three wounded; but all were exhausted with fatigue, and every carriage wanted repair; and the next march was more difficult than any of the former. It was therefore resolved to remain at Meliapore until the men were entirely recovered; but this repose led them into reflections, always dangerous when troops are in dangerous circumstances: and very soon the whole body were persuaded that they had done all that was possible, and that it now behovedbehooved [sic] the army of Charmaul to act likewise, and march to their relief. The officers,