Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/552

528 reports of the force of his garrison, and of troops coming to reinforce it from Madrass, which brought on a civil intercourse of letters between them; but the Polygars he despised, and resolved not to spare. They, however, fearing to offend the English government, endeavoured to evade the visit by various excuses, on which be sent his horse over the river to forage on the arable lands for themselves, and to seize cattle and grain for the rest of the army. This detriment not prevailing, he passed the river with his whole force, and on the 1st of October encamped at Sydaporam, a considerable town, where the hills of Bangar Yatcham begin on this side, and situated within ten miles of Venkitagherri, the place of his residence, and 20 from Kalastri, which is the principal town of Damerla Venkitappah. Here he waited, not a little distressed for money, and expecting the arrival of Mr. Bussy, who, on the 18th, had made his first day's march from Arcot, when he was stopped short by extraordinary intelligence from Vandiwash. More than a year's pay was due to the whole army: what money had been supplied to them lately was in lieu of their provisions, when not furnished regularly. The soldiers believed, that much more than came had been brought by the squadron, and, what was worse, that their general had amassed and secreted great wealth. Their intrepidity at the action of Vandiwash had increased the indignation of their distresses. They complained continually and openly, nor did the officers chuse to punish them on this score; because the plea of their discontent was true. On others they wished to preserve the usual discipline. On the 16th some soldiers of Lorrain were punished; some for neglect of duty, but others for slovenliness, which they could not avoid. In less than an hour after this chastisement, the drums of Lorrain, compelled by 40 or 50 of the soldiers, who had concerted, beat the general; and in an instant every man of the regiment was under arms; and in a few minutes all concurred in the same resolution: refusing to admit the commissioned officers, and every serjeant, excepting two, they marched in order out of the camp, towards the mountain where the English army had