del. The governor and council of Madras having received
information that the French general, Lally, had sent a detachment of
his army to the southward, taking Syringham, and threatened Trichinopoly
with a siege, it was determined that colonel Coote, who had lately
arrived from England, should take the field, and endeavour to make a
diversion to the southward. He accordingly began his march at the head
of seventeen hundred Europeans, including cavalry, and three thousand
blacks, with fourteen pieces of cannon and one howitzer. On the
twenty-seventh day of November, he invested the fort of Wandewash:
having made a practicable breach, the garrison, consisting of near nine
hundred men, surrendered prisoners of war; and he found in the place
forty-nine pieces of cannon, with a great quantity of ammunition. Then
he undertook the siege of Carangoly, a fortress commanded by colonel
O'Kennely, at the head of one hundred Europeans, and five hundred
sepoys. In a few days he dismounted the greater part of their guns; and
they submitted, on condition that the Europeans should be allowed to
march out with the honours of war, but the sepoys were disarmed and
dismissed.

General Lally, alarmed at the progress of this brave, vigilant, and
enterprising officer, assembled all his forces at Arcot, to the number
of two thousand two hundred Europeans, including horse; three hundred
Caffres, and ten thousand black troops, or sepoys; with five-and-twenty
pieces of cannon. Of these he assumed the command in person; and on
the tenth day of January began his march in order to recover Wandewash.
Colonel Coote, having received intelligence on the twelfth that he had
taken possession of Conjeveram, endeavoured by a forced march to
save the place, which they accordingly abandoned at his approach, and
pursuing their march to Wandewash, invested the fort without delay. The
English commander passed the river Palla, in order to follow the same
route; and, on the twenty-first day of the month, understanding that a
breach was already made, resolved to give them battle without further
delay. The cavalry being formed, and supported by five companies of
sepoys, he advanced against the enemy's horse, which being at the same
time galled by two pieces of cannon, retired with precipitation.
Then colonel Coote, having taken possession of a tank which they had
occupied, returned to the line, which was by this time formed in order
of battle. Seeing the men in high s