trict. The mountain on whose summit it is built is of so inaccessible a nature that Hyder Ali was once three years besieging it before he could take it from the Mahrattas. Since then no labour had been spared to add to its strength; and Major Gowdie, who had reduced many of the minor forts, found his means of attack altogether inadequate. Reinforcements were, therefore, obtained; and the guns having with incredible labour been carried part of the way up the hill, batteries were constructed, and began to fire with visible effect.
The fire of the besiegers was vigorously returned from the fort; but at the end of twenty-one days two breaches were effected – one in the exterior rampart, the other in an outwork. Lord Cornwallis now advanced his army within a few miles of the place, and orders were given for a night assault. It took place after midnight on the 19th of October, and was made simultaneously by two parties upon the two breaches. The enemy was prepared to receive the assailants with a heavy fire of musketry and rockets; but more injury was inflicted by stones of immense size and weight rolled down upon those who were ascending. The defence was vigorous, but the assailants overcame every obstacle, and, forcing the interior gate, effected an entrance. Before the attack was made, a portion of the garrison had been clamorous for surrender; and on its taking place, some descended the wall by ladders of ropes, and escaped through the jungle; others abandoning their posts, fled for shelter to the principal pagoda, where they were subsequently made prisoners. The loss of the English during the whole siege was 120 killed and wounded, of whom thirty fell in the assault, chiefly by the stones precipitated from the summit.[1]
In Coimbatore, the defence of the fort bearing the
- ↑ Shortly before the assault, while all were waiting the signal in silence, one of the soldiers inadvertently whispered something about a mine. "To be sure there is," said General Meadows, "and it is a mine of gold;" a smothered laugh ran along the ranks, and produced the proper impression. – Colonel Wilks' "Sketches of South India."
