Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/687

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Book XII.
PONDICHERRY.
663

he was making succeeded to his expectation. About twenty Sepoys were killed and wounded of the English troops, but fewer Europeans. Of the enemy, 30 Europeans were supposed to be killed, and most of them either in Lorrain or Lally's; four were made prisoners, with Mr. D'Autueil, the same officer we have seen opening the intestine war of the Carnatic at the battle of Amboor, in which the Nabob's father fell, and who afterwards surrendered to Clive at Volcondah.

The ships last arrived from England brought commissions from the war-office appointing majors Brereton and Monson to the rank of lieutenant colonels, with prior date to Colonel Coote; but both were oredered not to assert their commissions whilst he remained on the coast. Colonel Coote nevertheless concluded that it was intended he should remove as soon as might be to his original and established command in Bengal, nor did Monson propose to continue serving under him, but offered to retire to Madrass; but Coote immediately delivered over to him the command of the army, and went thither himself, and requested to proceed with his whole regiment to Bengal. The Presidency remonstrated against the detriment, and Monson declared that the blockade of Pondicherry must be raised if these troops were taken away: on which Coote consented to leave them.

End of the Twelfth Book.