army was observed at a distance in full retreat; but a train of forty-one pieces of artillery was captured, exclusive of nine pieces which had been taken on the preceding day, and fourteen which were subsequently secured. The loss of the English was one hundred and fifty men; that of the enemy was believed to exceed four thousand. The defeat of the allies had the effect of clearing the country of various parties which had been employed in ravaging it, and had plundered almost to the gates of Madras.
The Nizam, on witnessing these disasters, and the disappointment of all his hopes of aggrandisement at the expense of the English, began to waver in the alliance. Another check sustained near Amboor, and the invasion of his territory by a detachment from Bengal, confirmed him in the resolution to withdraw himself from Hyder, and agree to a separate treaty, which was concluded on the 23rd of February, 1768. On the 2nd of May Kistnagherry surrendered to Colonel Smith; in June he obtained possession of the fortress of Mulwagul. Colar surrendered shortly afterwards, and in July Oussoor was taken, with some other places to the south and west.
A body of Mahrattas which had been taken into the English service joined Colonel Smith's force in August, and immediately after their junction Hyder was foiled in a singular manner in a night attack on the Mahratta camp, in which he sustained a loss of about three hundred men. The lead in the attempt was assigned to the cavalry, who were to penetrate to the tent of Morari Rao, and possess themselves of his head. The infantry were to follow and complete the victory, which was anticipated as the result of the attack. Morari Rao no sooner learned that the attack was made by cavalry than, to prevent friends and enemies being mistaken, he gave orders that not one of his men should mount; but each stand at the head of his horse, and cut down, without distinction, every
around, but the feminine champion of the honour of the empire would not suffer her elephant to be turned till the standard had passed, when she withdrew, followed by her train.
