Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/454

430 The governor had repeatedly recommended to Preston and Mahomed Issoof to march round, and take possession of St. Thomé, and from thence to come by the sea-shore into the fort; or to penetrate wherever else they should see an opening; the intention of this junction was to concert measures for a general attack on the enemy's camp, which could not be explained by letters in cipher and liable to interception. The effort, however, was not to be made by a sally of the united force from the fort; but Preston's army, after being furnished with money and four days provisions, which the garrison could spare, were to march out and encamp abroad again; and at the appointed hour fall on the black town, whilst the garrison at the same time sallied upon the enemy's works. This project was scarcely feasible; for the enemy, knowing the junction in the fort, would be on strict guard in all their posts. Preston, although he disapproved the scheme, was as solicitous as the governor to carry it into execution; but the Polygars had failed to supply the provision of rice they had promised, which obliged the army to send for it as far as Chinglapet and Conjeveram, and detained them three days at Trimliwash until the morning of the 2d; when they marched, intending to pass to St. Thomé between the black town and the Mount, notwithstanding the whole body of the enemy's cavalry were lying in the way at Viparee. Mr. Lally, hearing of their approach, took a detachment of 300 European infantry, 500 Sepoys, and six field-pieces, from the black town, and joined his two bodies of cavalry which were lying at Viparee. He was accompanied by Mr. Bussy, and most of the principal officers, of the army. They marched onward in the plain towards Preston's force, who seeing them coming, halted on the other side of a long morass formed by paddy fields, which intersected the whole extent of the plain from west to east: the cavalry with Preston, to avoid the enemy's cannonade, kept at a distance in the rear; but the infantry drew up under the shelter of banks which continued along the edge of the morass. Mr. Lally made several motions to intice them to cross; but they were not seduced: on which he took post at three o'clock in a spot of ground covered by hedges and trees,