Colonel Kelly was to invade the Báramaháls to the eastward. No special difficulty was met with in occupying the several posts in the Coimbatore district, while both Dindigal and Pálghát fell with little resistance on the part of the garrisons. But when a division under Colonel Floyd had established themselves at Satyamangalam on the north side of the river Bhawáni, twenty miles east of the Gajalhátti Pass, Tipú, leaving his heavy baggage at the top of the ghát, descended the pass with a large body of cavalry, supported by many guns, and attacked the British force. Part of his army crossed the river by a ford, and some detachments in coracles or basket-boats, while the remainder operated from the northern bank, with orders to seize Satyamangalam. The attacks of the Mysore troops were gallantly resisted by the small British force, both sides losing heavily; but it became evident that it was impossible to hold Satyamangalam, and Colonel Floyd was unwillingly compelled to retreat. He was hotly pursued by Tipú, who kept up a heavy fire with his guns.
The British troops having halted, a sharp action ensued. On a report being spread that General Medows had arrived, the Sultán, despairing of success, drew off his army. Floyd's detachment arrived safely at Velládi, where General Medows met them, having returned from Dhannáyakankóta on the way to Gajalhátti. Tipú, imagining that the General's march was a manœuvre to get between him and Seringapatam, retired across the Bhawáni, while the British
