About the end of June, 1748, the Admiral quitted the Coasts of the Mauritius, and proceeded to _Fort St. David_, where the troops were landed, and encamped with all the necessary stores; the Marines from four ships sent to Europe under Admiral Griffin, were added to the battalion employed on this service. The forces employed amounted to six thousand British and Native Auxiliary troops, and upwards of one thousand sailors, trained to the use of small arms, who were to form the besieging army. The battering cannon, mortars, and every implement were conveyed by the squadron within two miles of the town, while the land forces marched on the 8th of August towards _Pondicherry_, about thirty miles distant. After several unsuccessful attempts, the troops crossed the river of _Arian Coupan_, and obtained possession of a strong situation within a mile of that Fort; a communication was maintained from thence with the fleet; and all the implements necessary for the siege were landed. On the 25th of September the batteries were completed, and began to play; but, notwithstanding a combined cannonade on the part of the squadron against the town, it was found that the enemy’s fire gained an ascendency over the besiegers. The fatigues endured by the troops, sickness becoming prevalent, and the rainy season being daily expected, which would inundate the country, and render retreat impracticable, afforded strong grounds, on which a Council of War, held on the 30th of September, determined to abandon the siege, to re-embark the men and stores, and to destroy the batteries. The troops fortunately reached Fort St. David on the evening of the 7th of October, after having demolished the fort of _Arian Coupan_ on their way; the heavy rains which fell on the same evening had nearly rendered the rivers impassable.