Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/132

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
108
OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.

yards of it, and the discharge did fearful execution. Some were killed, and sixteen wounded, among whom was the gallant officer who led the party. Captain Pischer, in the meantime, was advancing along the rampart with his division of Europeans; and the Sepoys under Captain Maclean were gaining an entrance at the south gate, which was in imperfect repair; while the false attacks were also answering the purposes intended.

Thus pressed on all sides, Monsieur Conflans offered to surrender on honourable terms; but Colonel Forde replied that the surrender must be at discretion and immediate, on which all further resistance was discontinued. The prisoners amounted to 500 Europeans and 2,537 Sepoys and Topasses, being considerably more numerous than the assailants! The fort was abundantly provided with stores, and defended by one hundred and twenty pieces of cannon. These, with a rich booty, fell into the hands of the conquerors.

The consequences of this success were immediately apparent. Salabat Jung was within fifteen miles of Masulipatam, but its fall induced him to manifest a disposition to treat; and Colonel Forde proceeded to his camp, where he was received with marked attention. A treaty was concluded, consisting of four articles. By the first, the whole territory dependent on Masulipatam, as well as certain other districts, were granted to the English, without the reservation of fine or military service. By the second, Salabat Jung engaged that the French force which still remained in his country should pass the Kistna within fifteen days; that in future the French should have no settlement north of that river; that he would thenceforward retain no French troops in his service, and that he would neither render assistance to that nation nor receive any from it. The third article exonerated Anunderauze from the payment of his tribute for one year; and the fourth restricted the English from aiding or protecting the enemies of Salabat Jung. This treaty gave to the English a territory ex-