Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/224

218 termined the presidency of Madrass, as the army was abroad, to employ it in the attack of Vandiwash. But, waiting for the troops from Nelore, and the Nabob's from Arcot, Col. Adlercron still advanced slowly. On his approach, the garrison in Outramalore retreated to Vandiwash, where the army arrived on the 5th of June at night; and early the next morning attacked the Pettah, which they carried, after a slight resistance from 300 Sepoys, whom they pursued towards the fort, until obliged to retreat by the fire from the walls; nor could they remain in the pettah itself, because the principal streets led strait to the fort, and were enfiladed by one or other of the towers. However, the success cost no lives; although 10 Europeans were wounded. By this time, the French troops, as much alarmed by the motions of the English, as the English had lately been by theirs, were returning fast from Tritchinopoly; some were already arrived at Pondicherry, others had halted at Trivadi, others were advanced to Gingee; all preparing to march to the relief of Vandiwash: on the other hand, neither the battering cannon, nor any of the reinforcements, had joined the English camp; and there was no probability of making any impression on the fort before some of the French troops would arrive to its succour; on which Colonel Adlercron resolved to quit the enterprize, but set fire to the pettah before he retired; and on the 11th, the army arrived at Outramalore.

By this time the presidency, straightened in their treasury, were tired of the expence of a campaign which had produced so little effect; and their present propensity to caution, as well as parsimony, was increased by unexpected intelligence that the French had seized the company's factories at Madapollam, Bandermalanka, and Ingeram which are situated near the sea on different branches of the river Godaveri, in the province of Rajahmundrum. To these losses were added aprehensions arising from various reports, that Mr. Bussy intended to attack the more important factory of Vizagapatam.

In this cloudy hour the presidency injudiciously ordered Adlercron to return immediately with the army to Madrass, although a part of the French troops were arrived and encamped under the