Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/577

Book XI Vandi wash, surprized a party of the enemy's Sepoys, quartered in a village called Niconum 15 miles to the south, of whom they killed twelve, and dispersed the rest.

The main body of the French army from Chittapet, increased by the returning troops from Seringham, and whatsoever more could be spared from the garrisons to the south of the Paliar, had advanced to Arcot, soon after the English filed off to Covrepauk. Thus their whole force, but stronger than before, was once again assembled; and they encamped along the south side of the river quite up to the suburbs of the city. On the 26th, Colonel Coote moved the English army to Chinesimundrum, a village six miles from Covrepauk, and five from Arcot, where the ground afforded a very advantageous encampment; for a large tank extended in front, a morass on each hand, and the only access in front and rear was by a cause-way. On the 29th, the Generals Lally and Bussy came with a party of horse to reconnoitre the camp, and a skirmish passed between them and the out-posts. The next day, the greatest part of their horse appeared again, and, after several motions, made an attack on a guard of Sepoys, posted in a village called Trimetcherry, about a mile in front of the camp, and cut down several of them in the street; but the rest kept their ground in the houses, and revenged the loss by killing several of the horse, who, seeing other troops advancing, retired. On the 31st, three companies of Sepoys crossed the river, and, at three in the morning, entered, and beat up the camp of the Morattoes, which lay on the right of the French encampment. All fled, as usual when surprized; but of the few shot which were returned, one chanced to wound Ensign Meredith, who commanded the party; after which, the Sepoys could not be prevailed upon to pursue their success by destroying the animals and baggage. Thus closed the year 1759, the third of this dubious war, with the two armies in sight of each other, but neither ready for immediate decision; for the English were afraid of the superiority of the enemy's cavalry, and were waiting in expectation, not only of drawing off the body of the Morattoes, which were with them, but likewise of being joined by 2000 more