Page 124 - Reading Mercury

with the smallest hope of success, the Colonel resolved to retreat during the night, and
ordered the Fort of Sattlmungaluin, which was untenable, to be evacuated at ten
o’clock; but from some delay, it was not effected till two o’clock.
At day break the detachment marched; the Colonel was obliged to spike and leave
behind one eighteen-pounder, two twelve, and three six pounders, the axle trees being
broke, and a number of bullocks killed; the detachment had got on about nine miles,
when the enemy came up with great rapidity.
The enemy now thought the destruction of the detachment certain, and about four
o’clock their cavalry headed by a very gallant leader, came down with shouts of
victory in large columns, and made a furious attack on our infantry. They were,
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however, received by the 36 Regiment and Sepoys with the greatest coolness, who
reserved their fire till they came within ten yards of the line, and then gave their
discharge, which brought the front rank to the ground, and the dying men and horses
came rolling on the points of the bayonets; the slaughter which followed from the
grape and musquetry was immense. Their Sirdar, said to be the Bunar-ad-Cawn,
brother-in-law to Tippoo, was killed, and a great number of officers.
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Captain Hartley with the light infantry of the 36 now attempted to take possession
of one of the enemy’s guns, that was within two hundred yards of our lines. In this
gallant attempt he unfortunately lost his life, and the company was obliged to fall
back.
The detachment continued advancing till the country became more open, Col. Floyd
formed the cavalry, as the enemy were again coming down to charge the infantry. The
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19 and 5 regiments charged them down the line to the right, whilst the third
regiment did the same to the left. The fate of the day was now decided, the enemy fled
on every side and never again appeared. Tippoo was himself in the action, but not
distinguished by any mark of distinction. The detachment marched in perfect order
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into the village of Shaon in the evening and on the 16 were joined by General
Meadows at Veladdy, who had been marching without interruption to their support
The fatigue the detachment underwent was excessive; for three days the men and
officers had nothing but two biscuits each, and the horses remained saddled for four
days, and mounted upwards of sixteen hours each day.
The detachment lost the greatest part of their baggage, and the following is the
return of the killed and wounded:--
Colonel Dear, of the Bengal artillery; Captain Hartley, and Lieut. Armstrong, of the
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26 regiment, Mr. Morris, Surgeon, and Mr. Sutherland, Surgeon, 10 dragoons,
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killed. Capt. Sampson, Bengal artillery; Lieut. Vallancy, and Lieut. Macauley, 36
reg. dangerously wounded. Lieut. Winbelt, Bengal Artillery; Lieut. Purefoy, Lieut.
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Horseborough. Of the 36 reg. Lieut. Moyer and Colonel Forbes, slightly wounded.
About 26 European rank and file killed, and 80 wounded; 120 native rank and file
killed, and 140 wounded.
Lord Cornwallis was preparing to go to the coast, with a reinforcement of 3000
men, and was expected to sail in about twenty days. He was to go in the Vestal
frigate, accompanied by Colonels Ross, Apsley, and Kyd, Doctor Fleming, and Mr.
Cherry.
We further learn, that our troops, under the command of Lieut. Col. Stuart had
possessed themselves of Palliacatcherry, on, the 22d of September last. That the fort
of Sattimungulum had surrendered to Colonel Floyd, previous to the engagement; and
the fort of Etrode to Lieut. Colonel Oldham.
On the other side, Darrapotam, which was in our possession, had been attacked by a
large body of Tippoo’s army, and had surrendered by an honourable capitulation; that

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