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
"At the breach to the south-west the enemy brought a raft, and
seventy men embarked on it to cross the ditch, which was flanked by
two field-pieces, one in each tower. The raft had almost gained the
fausse-braye, when Captain Clive, observing that the gunners fired with
bad aim, took the management of one of the field-pieces himself, and,
in three or four discharges, flung them into such confusion, that they
overset the raft, and tumbled into the ditch; where some of them were
drowned, and the rest, intent only on their own preservation, swam back
and left the raft behind.
"In these different attacks, the enemy continued the storm for an hour;
when they relinquished all their attempts of annoyance at once, and
employed themselves earnestly in carrying off their dead. Amongst these
was the commander of their sepoys, who fell in the fausse-braye of the
northern breach. He had distinguished himself with great bravery in
the attack, and was so much beloved by his troops, that one of them
crossed the ditch, and carried off his body, exposing himself, during
the attempt, to the fire of forty muskets, from which he had the good
fortune to escape. It seemed as if the enemy expected that the garrison
would permit them to fulfil this duty to their friends; but, finding
that they suffered severely in attempting it, they at last retreated
and disappeared. Their loss, during the storm, was computed to be not
less than 400 men killed and wounded; of which very few were Europeans;
for most of the French troops were observed drawn up, and looking on
at a distance. Of the defenders, only four Europeans were killed, and
two sepoys wounded. Many of the garrison being disabled by sickness or
wounds, the number which repulsed the storm was no more than eighty
Europeans (officers included), and 120 sepoys; and these, besides
serving five pieces of cannon, expended 12,000 musket cartridges during
the attack.
"Two hours after, the enemy renewed their fire upon the fort, both with
their cannon and with musketry from the houses. At two in the afternoon
they demanded leave to bury their dead; which was granted, and a truce
allowed until four. They then recommenced, and continued their fire
smartly till two in the morning, when, on a sudden, it ceased totally;
and, at daybreak, intelligence was brought that the whole army had
abandoned the town with precipitation. On receiving this joyful news,
the garrison immediately marched into the enemy's quarters, where they
found four pieces of artillery, four mortars, and a large quantity of
ammunition, which they brought in triumph into the fort. During the
time that the garrison were shut up in the fort, forty-five Europeans
and thirty sepoys were killed, and a greater number of both wounded;
most of whom suffered by the enemy's musketry from the houses.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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