Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/675

Book XII. at Valdore, near which, it was supposed, the Mysoreans would return; but only a few were gone out, who halted at Rangapillah's choultry on the sea shore, six miles to the north of the boundhedge, where they were joined on the 26th by the large body from Pondicherry, of which intelligence had been given on the 24th. All went on to Permacoil; Major Monson followed them on the 27th, and arrived on the 28th, when none were remaining there. In the mean time, Lieutenant Eiser had been detached from the camp on the 26th, with 400 Sepoys, 30 Europeans, and a hundred black horse, the best in the army, to proceed from Rangapillah's choultry along the sea-shore, whilst Major Monson was endeavouring to come up with them on the other side; but they had struck off in several parties, some towards Gingee, others to the northward, spreading to collect cattle, and destroying whatsoever else belonged to the inhabitants, who, as their ground now supplied the English army with provisions, were every where considered by the French as armies. One of these parties went to Allamparvah, where they plundered the pettah, and took a Lieutenant, who was sick, and chancing to be taking the air, having shot him through the back as he was endeavouring to escape in his palakin; however the cannon of the fort drove the party away, and, as they were returning along the shore towards Pondicherry, they fell unawares across Eiser's detachment, by whom they were intirely routed, and 30 of their horse surrendered to him, with which he returned to the camp in the evening, where major Monson's division likewise rejoined the same day; for the whole cavalry of the camp had marched in these two divisions. The last day of the month brought the welcome arrival of five of the Company's ships from England in the Road of Cuddalore: and two days after came in another, which had separated from them. There were on board of the six, 600 men drafted from regiments in England, to replace the deficiences which might have happened in Draper's and Coote's.

On the 3d of August, the free company of Frenchmen were sent to get in the rear of one of the enemy's advanced posts, which lay