In the months of July and August the army made two expeditions, one to Wandewash, in which it was foiled by the active and politic Hyder, the other for the relief of _Vellore_, in which it was more fortunate, having succeeded in throwing a large quantity of grain into that fortress. The siege of Cuddalore having been determined on, the army moved on the 26th of August in a southerly direction, and on the 4th of September halted on the Red Hills of Pondicherry. Deserters reported the garrison of Cuddalore to consist of 800 Europeans, 300 Africans, and 600 Sepoys, who, having expelled the inhabitants, and covered the walls with cannon, were resolved to defend the place to the last extremity. The failure of the supplies, which Sir Eyre Coote had been led to expect from Madras by the fleet, excited so much anxiety and disappointment in the veteran’s mind, that a severe illness ensued, which obliged him to quit the army, and ultimately to proceed to Bengal for the benefit of his health. The command then devolved upon Major-General James Stuart, who commenced his retreat in the evening of the 10th of October. On the 15th of October, the monsoon set in with unusual severity, and the army went into cantonments in the vicinity of Madras. Hyder Ali, at the same time, took up his old position near Arcot. Shortly after, Rear Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, with a large fleet from England, came to anchor in Madras roads, having on board considerable reinforcements for the army, which was joined in the cantonments by the Twenty-third Light Dragoons, the 101st and 102d British regiments, and the Fifteenth regiment of Hanoverian Infantry. In the month of December occurred the decease of that extraordinary man, HYDER ALI, who was succeeded, without any of the commotions usual in the East on such occasions, by his son, TIPPOO SAIB, to whom he left a kingdom of his own acquisition, which made him one of the most powerful princes in India. [Sidenote: 2d bat.] All ordinary means of attack appearing to be unavailing against the resolute garrison of Gibraltar (of which the second battalion of the regiment formed part), stupendous preparations were made on a new principle, and floating batteries were constructed with great art and labour. These were accounted the most perfect contrivance of the kind ever seen. The combined power of France and Spain was directed against the fortress. The Duke of Crillon assumed the command of the besieging army, and was assisted by a celebrated French engineer, Monsieur d’Arcon, and by Admiral Moreno, and a French army arrived to take part in the siege.