Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/575

Book XI Joseph Smith resolved to circumscribe the troops which remained, as much as the strength of his garrison allowed, and detached 500 Sepoys, and as many Colleries, to invest Cortalum, a mud fort on the southern bank of the Caveri, 15 mils w. of Tritchinopoly, which were followed the next day by 300 more Sepoys, two field-pieces, two cohorns, and 50 Europeans, under the command of Ensign Morgan. The fort, in which were some Sepoys, capitulated as soon as the cannon appeared. Ensign Morgan then sent half his detachment to attack Totcum, another fort like, and almost opposite to Cortalum, in which were 10 Europeans, and 200 Sepoys, who defended themselves until Morgan came up with the rest of his force, when they surrendered. From Totcum, Morgan marched to Samiaveram, in order to join another detachment from the city, when both were to proceed against Utatoor. Early on the l6th, Joseph Smith received intelligence, that a convoy of ammunition, guarded by a few Sepoys, were on the road from Utatoor to Seringham; and at the same time, a party of 40 Europeans, and 100 Sepoys sent from Seringham to join and assure the arrival of this convoy, were perceived crossing the Coleroon; on which he detached 40 Europeans, 400 Sepoys, 200 of the Nabob's horse, and some Colleries, across both rivers, under the command of Ensign Bridger, with orders to proceed to Samiaveram, where he was to be joined by Morgan's party from Totcum, and both united, were to take post at Samiaveram in order to intercept the return of the enemy's detachment. At the same time, Captain Richard Smith marched out of the city with 100 Europeans, 300 Sepoys, and three guns, and took post on the southern bank of the Caveri opposite to the Pagoda of Seringham; where he soon after knew, by a signal from the rock of Tritchinopoly, that 100 more Europeans had marched from the pagoda, and were passing the Coleroon; on which, as had been concerted, he crossed the Caveri, and kept up the hottest fire he could against the gate of the pagoda, which was returned from various scaffoldings within, and Captain Smith was wounded; but still persisting, the enemy, as had been foreseen, recalled their detachment. Soon after Ensign Bridger's signals gave token that