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220 they set fire to the town: at midnight they marched away, and the next day arrived at Outramalore. The terror spread by this incursion was of much more detriment than the mischief done at Conjeveram; for all the inhabitants of the open and fertile country along the Paliar, abandoned their labours and occupations, and the renters as usual amplified the losses they were likely to sustain in the collection of the revenues. The presidency of Madrass, sensible and vexed at their error, immediately ordered the army to march back, and re-cross the Paliar. Col. Lawrence, although be had resolved from the time he was superseded by Colonel Adlercron, never to act under his command, on this occasion offered to join the camp as a volunteer; and Adlercron accepted the proposal with good will. The army marched from the Mount on the 19th. The French, on their approach, retired from Outramalore to Vandiwash, and intrenched strongly within half a mile of the eastern side of the fort, summoning reinforcements from all their garrisons in the rear. The English, likewise waiting for detachments and the Nabob's cavalry from Arcot, did not advance to Outramalore until the 29th, when an uncommon sickness broke out in the camp; men being suddenly seized, and dying in 12 hours and as many died as recovered. The mortality continued four days, but the camp having moved on the fifth five miles beyond Outramalore, fewer men fell down the next, and in two days more the sickness entirely ceased. On the 11th of July they encamped within sight of the enemy, whose hussars hovered round the line, but came not near enough to receive any harm. By this time the strength of the two armies, although different, was nearly equal: the French had 800 Europeans, of which 100 were hussars, and 1500 Sepoys; the English 700 Europeans, 2000 Sepoys, but no horse, excepting a few troopers, to serve as scouts. On the 16th, 500 of the Nabob's horse arrived from Arcot; and the next morning 300 of them, with five companies of Sepoys, advanced towards the enemy's camp, followed by a picquet of 100 Europeans, with a field-piece, and at the same time the whole line drew out, ready to meet a general action, if the enemy would give the opportunity;