Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/574

550 or from Chittapet; but none appeared; for few of the returning troops from Seringham, and none they expected from Pondicherry, December were as yet come up; and the division remaining at Arcot was too weak to venture, before the others were advanced near enough, to ensure the junction. On the 16th, the army marched, and encamped at Muleawady, six miles nearer Arcot, but still to the south of the Paliar. By this time, the horse brought by Mr. Bussy, and the Morattoes let loose by Morarirow, were committing every kind of ravage and desolation in the country to the north of this river, and as far as within 20 miles of Madrass. Thousands of cattle were swept off in as many days, which they sold to the first purchaser, at seven or eight for a rupee, and then made them again the booty of the next excursion. With this experience, the inhabitants would no longer redeem them; after which, no submissions exempted themselves form the sword, and all abandoned the villages and open country, to seek shelter in the woods, forts, and hills nearest their reach. Not a man ventured himself or his bullock with a bag of rice to the camp; which, for three days, were totally deprived of this staple food. Excessive rains fell during the 17th and all the next day, which the tents could not resist; and from the necessity of affording the troops some repose, Colonel Coote marched from Muleawady on the 19th, and put the whole army into cantonments in the fort of Covrepauk, and the villages adjacent. The next day, he went to Madrass, to confer with the Presidency on the measures necessary to be taken against the force which had been sent to recover the countries of Seringham and Tritchinopoly: for intelligence had not yet been acquired, that the greatest part of them were recalled.

The reduction of Vandiwash, notwithstanding the loss of Seringham, revived the reputation of the English arms in the southern countries. The king of Tanjore sent horse and foot, and Tondiman and the two Moravers their Colleries, to the Nabob at Tritchinopoly. Mr. Lally's orders, recalling the troops, where immediately obeyed. On the 9th, 600 European foot, and 100 horse, left the pagoda, and recrossed the Coleroon. As soon as they were gone, Capt.