Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/519

Book XI ravaged as far as Trivadi, within 14 miles of Pondicherry, and from thence to Cuddalore, where, since the reduction of Fort St. David, the French kept a garrison. Some bad troops were sent from both, and the adjacent districts, to oppose him, and having amongst them 30 Europeans, and he none, excepting the Serjeants of the Sepoys, the enemy attacked him with confidence, and were decisively beaten. Ten of their Europeans, and a great number of their country troops, were killed. Of the English Sepoys 30, and nine of Kistnarow's people; but the enemy left behind them three pieces of cannon, a tumbril, and 30 barrels of ammunition, which he carried away in triumph to Thiagar; and from thence sent back the English Sepoys to Tritchinopoly. This success was gained in the beginning of May. A few days after the reduction of Conjeveram, intelligence was received, that the garrison of Sepoys at Palamcotah, in the country of Tinivelly, had ventured to stand an engagement in the field against Maphuze Khan and the Pulitaver, joined by most of the other Polygars, and, although the enemy quitted the field, so many of the Sepoys were killed and wounded, that the garrison could no longer appear out of the fort. It had before been resolved to send Mahomed Issoof into the southern countries, as soon as the army in the field could be diminished without risque; of which, the caution of the French army at Covrepauk to avoid even the chance of skirmishes, and the departure of the Morattoes with Gopaulrow, who might have joined them, no longer left any apprehensions. The troops of Tanjore and Tondiman were therefore ordered to return, with Mahomed Issoof's detachment, and the whole body were to pass by Vicravandi and Trivadi, in order to assist Kistnarow in ravaging the French districts in the way. They set out together on the 26th of April: the detachment with Mahomed Issoof was six companies of Sepoys, 60 of the horse, and six of the Europen gunners he brought with him, and two field-pieces: the Tanjorines were 300 horse, and Tondiman's troops 250, with 1100 Colleries. After the first day's march, the troops of Tanjore and Tondiman declared they would not expose themselves to the risque of passing through