Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/419

Book X. Very few cases permit a strong sally from the garrison at the opening of a siege; the present was in some measure justified by the supposition that the enemy's troops were intoxicated and in confusion: but, notwithstanding the ardour of the onset, it left no advantageous impression of the Armness of the garrison with the French officers; and Murphy, one of the most experienced, proposed that a general assault should be made on the town in the ensuing night, in four divisions, and offered to lead the principal attack himself. It was lucky for them that his advice was not followed.

The next day the French army began to prepare their batteries, but in situations concealed by houses from the view of the ramparts; however, the motions to and fro left little doubt where they were at work, and shells as well as shot were fired at intervals throughout the day to interrupt them; although sparingly, except when certain of effect; and this prudent thrift was observed throughout all the days; until they opened their batteries: but their artillery which had embarked for the siege was still at a distance at sea, and on the day of the sally a party of four companies of Sepoys, detached with Lieutenant Airey by Captain Preston from Chinglapet, took the only 13 inch mortar, which was coming by land: it was escorted by 150 Sepoys; they were intercepted and defeated between Sadrass and Cobelong; but Airey, having no bullocks to draw off the mortar, ruined it as well as he could, and left it on the road. Intelligence had been received that one of the vessels which had been laden with artillery at Alamparva, was detained at anchor off the point of Conimere, about 15 miles to the South of Sadrass, by the contrary wind and current; and a Dutch snow being in the road of Madrass, it was resolved to equip and employ her to attack the French vessel; accordingly 20 sailors belonging to the squadron, who had been lately exchanged, and 40 of the marines left by Mr. Pococke, were sent on board under the command of a naval officer of experience; but just as he was going to weigh, the sailors refused to serve, pretending that they knew the French ship was much too strong for them; on which they were relanded on the 10th, and the attempt was relinquished.