HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
play of military talents. Nundy- 
droog, the capital of a large and va- 
luable district, is built on the sum- 
mit of a mountain, 1,700 feet in 
height, three-fourths of its circum- 
ference being absolutely inacces- 
sible ; and the only side which can 
be ascended, protected by two ex- 
cellent walls and a strong outwork 
which covered the gateway, and af- 
forded a formidable flank fire. Be- 
fore this fortress Major Gowdie ar- 
rived on the Ist of October, with 
the seemingly romantic design of 
besieging it. With infinite labour he 
formed a road up the side of a neigh- 
bouring mountain, and erected a 
battery upon the top of it; when 
he had the mortification to find that 
the distance was.so great, that ihe 
battery was not effectual even in 
taking off the defences of the fort.’ 
There was no alternative, but either 
to abandon the enterprize, or work 
to within breaching distance on’ 
the face of the droog itself: and:-ra- 
ther than leave a place of such con- 
sequence in possession of theenemy, 
and thus shew that we could be: 
foiled in an attack upon a fortified 
place, this undertaking was adopted. 
The fatigue and danger of the troops 
fora fortnight were inconceivable; 
but the batteries were at length 
opened, and the two breaches made. 
in the outer wall. These being re- 
ported practicable, Lord Cornwallis 
approached with the army, and de- 
tached the 36th and 71st regiments 
to lead the assault. General Mea- 
dows gallantly went as a volunteer 
at their head. The attack was made 
alittle before midnight, on the 21st. 
The approach of our troops was soon 
perceived by the vigilant garrison, 
and the fort immediately illuminated 
with blue lights. A dreadful fire of 
cannon and musquetry was opened, 
and quantities of large stones were 
Eepdis ics 
[213 
thrown down; which bounding from: 
precipice to precipice, and acquir- 
ing prodigious velocity in their 
flight, committed the most horrible 
devastation. But in spite of all their 
efforts, the assailants steadily ascend- 
ed; the breaches were stormed, the 
inner wall was crossed by escalade, 
the place was taken, and the British. 
standard was displayed from the 
ramparts. Thus was, Nundydroog: 
takeu by regular approach in three. 
weeks; which, when in a weaker 
state of defence, the Mahrattas did. 
not yield to Hyder Ally till after a 
tedious blockade of three years! 
Lord Cornwallis then hastened. 
eastward tothe passes, tocover somes 
convoys which were coming from 
the Carnatic.. He had become ap= 
prehensive for their safety, froms 
some rumours which had reached 
him, of a strong hostile army being: 
then in the Baramaul. : 
What ‘Tippoo’s views ‘had been: 
during the autumn, it; is vot easy to 
conjecture ; but he remained rather 
inactive. He probably did not wish: 
to\run the risk of a general engage— 
ment, on which he would! have: 
staked his crown, and.trusted to the: 
strength of his capital for defeating: 
the designs of his enemies... He cons 
fined himself chiefly to strengthen~ 
ing the works of Seringapatam, and, 
drawing supplies from the small por~ 
tion of his dominions which was yet 
in his possession. He once marched. 
a considerable way to the north, 
with a seeming intention to attack. 
Purseram Bhow; but he returned 
as soon as he had covered a large: 
convoy which was then coming to 
him from Bednore, 
The only offensive enterprize im 
which he engaged, was against Co~ 
imbatore; in which Lieutenant 
Chalmers had been left with a smalk 
force, at the end of the first. cam~ 
[P] 3 paign. 
