falling into the hands of the enemy[1]. The next day, however, a detachment under his command succeeded in taking possession of the grove, and General Harris was enabled to proceed with his siege-operations, the army taking up its final position on April 7, 1799.
On the 9th, the Sultán, alarmed at the state of affairs, sent an agent to the English general's camp with a letter, inquiring the meaning of the hostile proceedings against him, and asserting his own adherence to existing treaties. General Harris in his reply contented himself with referring Tipú to Lord Mornington's letter of February 22, and continued to prosecute the siege. On April 14, the Bombay army joined the headquarters with abundant supplies, and two days afterwards took up a strong position on the northern bank of the Káveri. During the ensuing week, numerous batteries were erected, several important outposts were seized, and a determined attack by a strong body of infantry, led by French officers[2], against the advanced posts of the Bombay army, was repulsed with great loss.
On the 20th, Tipú again expressed a wish for a conference to adjust the terms of a peace. General Harris, acting on the plenary powers with which he
- ↑ This grove, which has an historical interest, as being one of the very few places where the famous Duke met with a repulse, may still be seen in the vicinity of Seringapatam. A more detailed account of the disaster will be found in The Life of Sir David Baird. For accurate details of the siege itself, the reader is referred to Colonel A. Beatson's work, published in 1800.
- ↑ The whole number of French at this time in the Sultán's service was only 120, including 20 officers.
