In December occurred the death of Hyder Ali, who was, however, succeeded without commotion by his son Tippoo Saïb, to whom he left a kingdom of his own acquisition, which made him one of the most powerful princes in India. Notwithstanding that by private information overland news was received of a peace having been concluded between England and the other belligerent powers in Europe, still the Madras Government determined to persevere in its original plans for the attack of Cuddalore. With this view Major-General Stuart put his army in motion on the 21st April, marching by brigades in a southerly direction. It consisted of the Seventy-third and Seventy-eighth, and One hundred and first regiments, a considerable body of native troops, and a detachment of Hanoverians under Colonel Wangenheim. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Elphinston, Seventy-third Highlanders, took the lead with the Fifth brigade, to the command of which he had been appointed, in consideration of his distinguished conduct and important services in the field. Lieut.-Colonel James Stuart, Seventy-eighth Highlanders, commanded the First or European Brigade, of which the Seventy-third formed a part, and which amounted to 1,600 men. Colonel Elphinston in his advance possessed himself of the Permacoil ruins, from whence the enemy’s advanced parties could be plainly seen upon the Red Hills. The remainder of the army joined him there on the 2nd May. About this time accounts were received of the death of Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, and Major-General Stuart temporarily succeeded to the command of the forces in India.