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306 the controul of Mr. Lally, represented the inconveniencies which might arise from alienating the attachment of the natives; but their remonstrance drew his resentment on themselves, mixed with suspicions, that they only wished to protect those who were subservient to their own emoluments and advantages in the government. The strain of this exertion only diminished the effect; and the cannon and stores followed so slowly, that as soon as the troops had taken possession of Cuddalore, Mr. Lally returned to Pondicherry, in order to accelerate their arrival by the same means which had already been employed with so little success.

The squadron with Mr. D'Aché were six days in working up from Alamparva to the road of Pondicherry, where they anchored on the sixth of May. The troops were immediately landed, and as fast as they came on shore marched off for Fort St. David; and the heavy artillery and ammunition, for want of means by land were embarked, to be landed at the mouth of the river Panar, which lies about a mile to the north of Fort St. David. The park of artillery was formed at the Garden-house. Mr. Lally returned to Cuddalore on the 14th, and in the ensuing night the engineers began to erect a battery for two 24 pounders, on the north bank of the river of Bandapollam; they were only intended to fire plunging-shot into the fort, being 1000 yards distant from the walls: nevertheless the garrison fired abundantly during this and the succeeding night to interrupt the work.

Three considerable rivers coming from the westward, gain the sea in the space of four miles within the bounds of Fort St. David; the bed of the Panar lies about 1800 yards to the north of the river of Tripapolore, and the two communicate by a canal which runs nearly parallel to, and about 1000 yards distant from, the margin of the sea. Fort St. David stands in the angle where the canal joins the river of Tripapolore; which passeth close to the south face of the fort, and there sends off to the south an arm that soon joins the river of Bandapollam, when both united in one channel continue along the eastern side of Cuddalore, separated from the sea by a mound of sand. The waters of Tripapolore and Bandapollam protected the