the command of a relation of Lally's, bearing the same name with himself. The English force available to repel the enemy consisted of two thousand five hundred Sepoys, and two thousand two hundred native horse, with one hundred and three Europeans, twelve of whom were artillerymen, and ten troopers under the command of Captain Vasserot, who had recently come out of the town, with treasure.
Major Calliaud made the requisite dispositions to resist the attack; and, to receive the French cavalry, he formed his native horse, placing himself, with Captain Vasserot and his ten troopers, on their left. The ardour of the horsemen appeared perfectly irrepressible; and anticipating the desire of the British commander for their advance, the whole body, in the words of Orme, "set off scampering, shouting, and flourishing their sabres." The French cavalry advanced to meet them at a rapid pace; but suddenly halting, the front rank discharged their carbines, by which four or five of their opponents were brought to the ground. This had so unhappy an effect on the enthusiasm of the rest that they immediately fled, leaving Major Calliaud with no companions but Captain Vasserot and the ten troopers. These retreated into an inclosure; and the French pursued the flying cavalry till stopped by a discharge from some field-pieces, and by the fire of a party of Sepoys.
The contest was maintained with fluctuating success throughout the day; but in the evening the enemy retired, leaving the English masters of the field, at the critical moment when their ammunition was nearly exhausted. During the night, Major Calliaud withdrew his force to Chingleput, leaving fires to deceive the enemy.
For nearly two months Lally had been carrying on operations against Madras. His batteries had been opened about half that time, and a breach was made, which he believed justified an attempt to storm. This, however, he was prevented from carrying into execution by a variety of discouraging circumstances. He was
