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Rh consisted of 4,381 European and 10,695 native infantry, 884: European and 1,751 native cavalry, with 608 gunners; forming in all 18,319 fighting men, with 104 pieces of cannon, and 2,483 Lascars and pioneers. To these were added 10,157 infantry, and 6000 horse belonging to the Nizam; which, being strengthened with some of the Company's battalions and the 33rd King's regiment, were placed under the immediate command of Colonel Wellesley, who commenced in this campaign that career of glory which stands unequalled, perhaps, in the annals of the world. General Stuart, a veteran in Indian warfare, was also advancing with 6,420 men from Malabar to join and co-operate with the main army.

Tippoo, anxious to strike a blow at the commencement of the campaign, had the penetration to discern the advantage which he derived from the detached state of the invading armies proceeding from Malabar and Coromandel. He might thus attack the former when they had just ascended the Ghauts, amid the hills and forests which inclose the territory of Coorg. Accordingly, by a rapid movement to the westward, he arrived, on the 5th of March, 1799, very unexpectedly in their neighbourhood; and the English, who conceived that the main force of the enemy was still on the opposite side of India, were somewhat disconcerted.

General Stuart had stationed a brigade of three native battalions, under Lieutenant-Colonel Montresor, eight miles in advance on the hill of Ledasseer, to observe any signal that might be made by the eastern army. On the morning of the 5th, an encampment was unexpectedly observed to be in progress of formation on the ground in front, near Periapatam. Before the evening it had assumed a formidable appearance: several hundred tents were counted; and one of them being green, seemed to mark the presence of the Sultan. As the country was difficult and wooded, and, to troops who were acquainted with its localities, extremely favourable for taking an enemy by surprise. General Stuart resolved to strengthen