Page:Sir Thomas Munro and the British Settlement of the Madras Presidency.djvu/36

 28 S/I^ THOMAS MUNRO

' I am sure you will be tired before you get to the end of this long story ; but I have been particular, because it was this action that fii'st gave a turn to our affairs in the Karnatik, and because it was considered at the time as the most critical battle ^ that had been for a long time fought in India. For what could be a more serious matter than to engage an enemy so superior in numbers, whose great strength in horse enabled him to take every advantage, and when there was no alternative between victory and entire ruin % Had we been once broken, it would have been impossible ever to have rallied when surrounded by such a multitude of cavahy. It was known after- wards that when the action began Haidar issued an order to take no prisoners.'

Haidar AK died in December, 1782. 'His son Tipu,' writes Munro, ' succeeded to his power without any of those violences so common in Indian govern- ments. He soon afterwards took the held, joined by a considerable body of French, and prepared to besiege Wandiwash.' Early in 1783 the English destroyed the fortifications of Wandiwash and provisioned Vellore ; but meantime Tipii had withdrawn, march- ing off to his own country on hearing of the progress of General Mathews on the Malabar coast. In July Munro was present at the battle of Cuddalore, when the French under M. Bussy were defeated by General Stuai-t. Munro acted as aide-de-camp to the field- officer of the day, and in concluding his account of

^ The battle of Porto Novo, July i, 1781.