pirits, and eager to engage, he
ordered the whole army to advance; and by nine in the morning they were
within two miles of the enemy's camp, where they halted about half an
hour. During this interval, the colonel reconnoitred the situation
of the French forces, who were very advantageously posted; and made a
movement to the right, which obliged them to alter their disposition.
They now advanced, in their turn, within three quarters of a mile of the
English line, and the cannonading began with great fury on both sides.
About noon their European cavalry coming up with a resolute air to
charge the left of the English, colonel Coote brought up some companies
of sepoys, and two pieces of cannon, to sustain the horse, which were
ordered to oppose them; and these advancing on their flank, disturbed
them so much that they broke, and were driven by the English cavalry
above a mile from the left, upon the rear of their own army. Meanwhile,
both lines continued advancing to each other; and about one o'clock
the firing with small-arms began with great vivacity. One of the French
tumbrils being blown up by an accidental shot, the English commander
took immediate advantage of their confusion. He ordered major Brere-ton
to wheel Draper's regiment to the left, and fall upon the enemy's flank.
This service was performed with such resolution and success, that
the left wing of the French was completely routed and fell upon their
centre, now closely engaged with the left of the English. About two
in the afternoon their whole line gave way, and fled towards their own
camp; which, perceiving themselves closely pursued, they precipitately
abandoned, together with twenty-two pieces of cannon. In this engagement
they lost about eight hundred men killed and wounded, besides about
fifty prisoners, including brigadier-general de Bussy, the chevalier
Godeville, quarter-master-general, lieutenant-colonel Murphy, three
captains, five lieutenants, and some other officers. On the side of the
English two hundred and sixty-two were killed or wounded, and among the
former the gallant and accomplished major Brereton, whose death was a
real loss to his country.

COLONEL COOTE CONQUERS ARCOT.

General Lally having retreated with his broken troops to Pondicherry,
the baron de Vasserot was detached towards the same place, with a
thousand horse and three hundred sepoys, to ravage and lay waste the
French territory. In the meantime, the indefatigable col