At that time the army was separated in three divisions;--one at Coimbetore, one at Sattimungal, sixty miles in advance, and one besieging Palacatcherry, thirty miles in the rear; and Tippoo resolved to attack, and if possible destroy, the division in advance before the main body could arrive to its support; but its commander, Colonel Floyd, fell back and took up his positions in retreat, with so much ability, that the Sultan failed in his object. The SEVENTY-SECOND, and other corps, advanced from Coimbetore to support Colonel Floyd’s division, and a junction was formed at Velladi, on the 15th of September, when Tippoo retired. On that day the flank companies, commanded by Captain Frazer, were suddenly ordered to make a forced march to Coimbetore: if the enemy had taken the place, to endeavour to re-capture it by surprise; if it was invested, to force their way into it, and to defend it to the last extremity. The march was commenced at four o’clock in the afternoon, and the flank companies arrived at the gates of Coimbetore at half past two o’clock on the following morning; the enemy had not approached the place, and the companies took possession of the fort, Captain Frazer assuming the command of all the troops at that place. The army returned to Coimbetore on the 23rd of September, when the flank companies rejoined the regiment; and Lieut.-Colonel Stuart, having captured and garrisoned Palacatcherry, arrived on the 26th of that month. Disappointed in his object of destroying the divisions of the British army in detail, the Sultan resolved to attack the chain of depôts; he gained possession of Erroad, and the stores at that place, and afterwards marched southwards. The English army advanced from Coimbetore on the 29th of September, and, arriving at Erroad on the 4th of October, found the place abandoned, and Tippoo’s army gone. He had marched in the direction of Coimbetore, but, hearing that the garrison was augmented, he advanced rapidly upon Daraporam, of which he gained possession on the 2nd of October.