The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 1 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of Powis — John Shaqi
The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 1 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of PowisMalcolm, John
History
The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 1 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of Powis
Malcolm, John
Clive, Robert Clive, Baron, 1725-1774; India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947
"Captain Clive made it his first care to collect such provisions and
materials as might enable him to sustain a siege; and foreseeing that
the enemy would soon recover from their flight and return into the
town, if he confined himself to the fort, determined to go in quest of
them; and on the 4th of September marched out with the greatest part
of his men and four field-pieces. In the afternoon he discovered the
fugitive garrison, consisting of 600 horse and 500 foot, drawn up near
Timery, a fort situated six miles south-west of the city. They had a
field-piece managed by two or three Europeans, from which they fired at
a great distance, and killed a camel and wounded a sepoy; but as soon
as they saw the English within musket-shot, retreated to the hills in
the rear; upon which the English returned to the fort.
"The troops marched out again on the 6th, and found the enemy drawn
up within gun-shot of Timery, in a grove, enclosed with a bank and a
ditch, about fifty yards in front of which was a large tank, surrounded
likewise with a bank much higher than that of the grove; but by age and
neglect the tank itself was almost choked up and dry. Their number now
appeared to be 2000, and they had two field-pieces, which fired smartly
as the English advanced, and killed three Europeans; on which accident
the line advanced more briskly towards the enemy, who, frightened by
the vivacity of their approach, did not think themselves safe in the
grove, but hurried with precipitation into the tank, and began to fire
from the banks, exposing so little of their bodies that the English
fire did no execution amongst them, whilst theirs wounded several of
the Europeans and sepoys. The troops were ordered, therefore, to move
behind some neighbouring buildings, from which Ensign Glass was soon
after detached with a platoon of forty men to attack one side of the
tank, whilst another, under the command of Lieutenant Bulkley, pushed
to attack the enemy in front. Both gained the banks, and gave their
fire at the same instant amongst numbers crowded together in the tank,
which immediately put them to flight. The troops then took possession
of the village under the walls of the fort, and summoned the governor.
Messages passed, during which his spies discovered that the English
had no battering cannon, which intelligence determined him not to
surrender. Several shells were therefore thrown into the fort from a
cohorn mortar, which proved ineffectual. The troops marched back to
Arcot, and the enemy's cavalry hovered round them as they retreated,
but kept out of the reach of their fire.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account