inform your Grace this
expedition by sea and land has been crown'd with all the success
that could be wished.

"The Town of Calcutta and Fort William was soon retaken, with
several other Forts belonging to the Enemy. This news brought down
the Nabob, or Prince of the Country, himselfe at the head of 20,000
horse and 30,000 foot, 25 pieces of cannon, with a great number of
elephants--our little army, consisting of 700 Europeans and 1200
blacks, arm'd and disciplined after the English manner, lay encamped
about 5 miles from the Town of Calcutta. On the 4th of February the
Nabob's Army appear'd in sight, and past our camp at the distance of
1-1/2 miles, and encamp'd on the back of the town. Several parties
of their horse past within 400 yards of our advanc'd battery, but as
wee entertain'd great hopes of a peace from the Nabob's promises,
wee did not fire upon them.

"On the 5th, agreeable to the Nabob's desire, I despatch'd two
gentlemen to wait upon him, in hopes everything might be settled
without drawing the sword, but the haughtiness and disrespect with
which he treated them convinced me nothing could be expected by mild
measures. This determin'd me to attack his camp in the night time,
for which purpose I aply'd to Admiral Watson for 500 sailors to draw
our cannon, which he readily sent me, and at 3 o'clock in the
morning our little army, consisting of 600 Europeans, 500 blacks, 7
field-pieces and the sailors above mentioned, set out for the
attack.

"A little before daybreak wee entred the camp, and received a very
brisk fire. This did not stop the progress of our troops, which
march'd thro' the enemie's camp upwards of 4 miles in length. Wee
were more than 2 hours passing, and what escaped the van was
destroy'd by the rear. Wee were obliged to keep a constant fire of
artillery and musketry the whole time. A body of 300 of the enemy's
horse made a gallant charge, but were received with so much coolness
by the military that few escaped. Several other brisk charges were
made on our rear, but to no purpose, and wee returned safe to camp,
having killed by the best accounts 1300 men and between 5 and 600
horse, with 4 elephants, the loss on our side 200 men killed and
wounded. This blow had its effect, for the next day the army
decamp'd and the Nabob sent me a letter offe