Mr. Lally ordered another store of artillery, which had been deposited at Alamparva, to be shipped on two frigates, the Diligence and the Expedition, which were in the road of Pondicherry, but laden for other voyages; so that it would require a month before they could get this artillery on board, and work up against the wind and current to Madrass. However, the French army might have advanced many days before, if they had not been in want of many other articles, which, although of much more minute detail, were equally of absolute necessity. As soon as these were supplied, the first division moved from Conjeveram on the 19th; but Mr. Lally being very ill, had detained the reserve until the 22d, when the great body of the monsoon rain fell with the utmost violence, and lasted without intermission for three days: the troops abroad, warned by the sky, were on their march back to Conjeveram when the rain began, but nevertheless gained their way with much difficulty and distress, and after it had ceased, the surface of the country continued impassable for several days.
Whilst the collected force of both nations in the Carnatic were thus waiting the impending conflict, each were equally solicitous concerning the success of the armament sent from Bengal into the northern provinces. Mr. Johnstone, who had been sent from Calcutta to concert preparations with the Rajah Anunderauze, arrived on the 12th of September at Vizagapatam, of which the Rajah's officers there immediately put him in possession, as the Company's representative. The Rajah himself was encamped with his forces at Cossimcotah, a fort 20 miles to the west of Vizagapatam, and 15 inland from the sea. His letter to Mr. Johnstone expressed much satisfaction that the English troops were coming, but signified his intention not to furnish any money towards their expences. Tempestuous weather from the south delayed the arrival of the ships and vessels with Colonel Forde until the 20th of October. As soon as the disembarkation was made, two of the Company's ships were sent back to Bengal; but the other, the Hardwicke, and the two sloops, remained to attend the progress of the expedition. The troops moved from Vizagapatam on the 1st of November, and on the third joined
