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Rh CHAPTER VI.

Arrival of Count de Lally in India – Hostilities against the English in the Carnatic – The French take Fort St. David, Deir-Cottah, and Cuddalore – Lally fails in an Expedition against Tanjore – Singular Attempt to assassinate him – The French under Lally lay siege to Madras – Capture of Black Town – Sortie of the Garrison – French Communications interrupted by Major Calliaud's Troops – Action at St. Thomas's Mount Arrival of a Fleet from Bengal under Admiral Pocock – The French raise the Siege of Madras – Affairs of the Deccan – Expedition sent thither from Bengal – Battle of Peddapore – Masulipatam invested, stormed, and captured by the English – Consequent Accession of Territory by the Company – The French take Seringham – Colonel Coote appointed to command the British Troops in the Carnatic – His successful Operations – Battle of Wandewash – Defeat of the French – Pondicherry invested by the English – Obstinate Defence – Famine in the Garrison – Expulsion of the Native Inhabitants – Their frightful Sufferings – Dreadful Storm and Devastation amongst the Besiegers – Pondicherry, reduced by famine, surrenders to the English – Its Fortifications demolished – Final Extinction of the French Power in India.

The despatch of so large a force to Bengal had left the authorities at Madras without the means of displaying much vigour in the Carnatic, where the war was carried on between the French and English with little advantage on either side, till the 28th of April, 1758, when a French squadron of twelve sail was descried standing in for Fort St. David. These ships had on board a military force commanded by the Count de Lally, who had been appointed Governor-General of all the French possessions and establishments in India.

Lally lost no time in proclaiming his authority and establishing means for effecting the objects of the expedition; one purpose of his visit being speedily manifested by his investment of Fort St. David by sea and land. The garrison of this place consisted of sixteen hundred natives, and upwards of six hundred Europeans; while the besieging force consisted, exclusive of the shipping, of two thousand five hundred Europeans, and about the