Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/623

Book XII. surrendered the place before any impression had been made on the walls. At the same time that Mr. Lally recalled the troops from Seringham, he likewise ordered the fort of Devicotah to be evacuated; and the garrison, having made several breaches in the walls and towers, marched away in the beginning of February, but left a company of Sepoys in the pagoda of Atchaveram, which stands five miles inland of Devicotah. Captain Joseph Smith, on this intelligence, detached two companies of Sepoys, under the command of Serjeant Sommers, on whose approach the French Sepoys at Atchaveram were reinforced by another company from the pagoda of Chilambarum, with which, they marched out, and met Sommers's detachment on the plain, who routed them completely, taking five stand of their colours, with four of their officers, and, beside the Sepoys who were killed, many were drowned in the hurry of crossing the Coleroon. Immediately after this encounter, Sommers proceeded, took possession of Devicotah, and began to repair the breaches.

The news of the victory at Vandivash reached Tritchinopoly on the 30th of January, and cleared at once the cloud of despondency which had overwhelmed the Nabob ever since he left Madrass to proceed thither. He pitched his tent, displayed his great standard, and declared his intention of returning into the Carnatic; but waited until the French troops should be removed from Seringham; and his wish was soon gratified; for Mr. Lally, on his arrival at Pondicherry, despatched a second order, under the severest penalties of disobedience, for all the troops between Volcondah and Tritchinopoly to join his army without delay. They hoped to. conceal their retreat from the garrison of Tritchinopoly, and made the preparations with all secrecy; but some of the Malabars employed by them were natives of this part of the country, who, solicitous to secure pardon, if not favour, with the change of government, gave immediate and constant intelligence to Captain Joseph Smith, who made ready to take such advantages as usually occur, when troops retreating are pursued. The