ivash until the English
were seen approaching. The French cavalry, among whom were three
hundred European dragoons, and a cloud of Mahratta horse moved forward
against the English, whose troops were scattered on the line of march.

Colonel Coote brought up two guns, and these, being kept concealed
from the enemy until they came within two hundred yards, opened
suddenly upon them, while the Sepoys fired heavily with their muskets.
The Mahrattas rapidly turned and rode off, and the French cavalry,
finding themselves alone, retired in good order.

Colonel Coote now drew up his army in order of battle, and marched his
troops so as to take up a position in front of some gardens, and other
inclosures, which extended for some distance from the foot of the
mountains out on to the plain. These inclosures would serve as a
defence, in case the army should be forced to retire from the open.

The French remained immovable in their camp. Seeing this, Colonel
Coote marched his troops to the right, the infantry taking up their
post in the stony ground at the foot of the mountain, at a mile and a
half from the French camp. Some of the French cavalry came out to
reconnoitre; but, being fired upon, returned.

Finding that the French would not come out to attack, Colonel Coote
again advanced until he reached a point where, swinging round his
right, he faced the enemy in a position of great strength. His right
was now covered by the fire of the fort, his left by the broken ground
at the foot of the hills.

As soon as the English had taken up their position, the French sallied
out from their camp and formed in line of battle. The French cavalry
were on their right; next to these was the regiment of Lorraine, four
hundred strong; in the centre the battalion of India, seven hundred
strong. Next to these was Lally's regiment, four hundred strong, its
left resting upon an intrenched tank, which was held by three hundred
marines and sailors from their fleet, with four guns. Twelve other
guns were in line, three between each regiment. Four hundred Sepoys
were in reserve, at a tank in rear of that held by the marines. Nine
hundred Sepoys held a ridge behind the position, but in front of the
camp, and at each end of this ridge was an intrenchment, guarded by
fifty Europeans. A hundred and fifty Europeans and three hundred
Sepoys remained in the batteries, facing Vandivash. The whole force
consisted of two thousand four hundred Europeans, and si