Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/576

552 he was in possession of the pagodas at Samiaveram; but that Ensign Morgan's party was not yet come up. The next morning, the French detachment which first marched from Seringham, returned with the convoy from Utatoor, and advanced boldly to the upper pagoda of Samiaveram; near which, Ensign Bridger was prepared to oppose them. On the first firing, most of the coolies threw down their burthens of ammunition, and ran away; on which the troops, with the rest, took post in the lesser pagoda, and, shutting the gates, prepared for defence. But in less than an hour, Ensign Morgan, with the whole of his force from Totcum, appeared, and the enemy surrendered. They were a captain, a lieutenant, and 38 grenadiers. Of Bridger's detachment, several Sepoys, with a serjeant of one of the companies, and three Europeans, were killed. These operations were of consequence; for this being the season of harvest, and the corn ready to reap, the renters, as usual, yielded the government's share, which amounted to 100,000 rupees, to the stronger force. The intelligence of these successes had not reached Madrass, when Colonel Coote arrived there from the camp, but advices were received that the greatest part of the French force were returning from the southward; nevertheless, the presidency were much inclined to indulge the anxious and repeated requests of the Nabob, to reinforce Tritchinopoly with 200 Europeans, in order to retake Seringham and Utatoor, and to recover the countries which had lately been lost, with so much detriment to his revenues; but the arguments of Colonel Coote, confirmed by the recent example of the same error committed by Mr. Lally, and its consequences, evinced the impropriety of diminishing the army at this time, when it seemed that the French were collecting their whole force, in order to risque the fate of the Carnatic in a general battle. His reasons prevailed; and he returned on the 25th to Covrepauk, where, during his absence, nothing had happened, but a skirmish between the black horse of the army, which were increased to 700, and an equal body of Morattoes, whom they beat off. On the 24th, a detachment of 40 black horse, with some Sepoys of the garrison at