CALCUTTA RETAKEN. 21 



return of Bussy, and throw himself again into the arms 

 of the French. 



All the force, naval anil military, which could possibly 

 he spared, was now despatched to Calcutta, under the 

 command, the former of Admiral Watson, and the latter 

 of Colonel Clive, the main support of the British empire 

 in India. This armament, with the exception of two 

 ships, arrived in the middle of December at Fulta, a town 

 at some distance below Calcutta; where the remnant 

 of the English had taken refuge. Letters for the nabob 

 were forthwith sent to Monickchund, Governor of Calcutta ; 

 hut they were conceived in so fierce and threatening a 

 tone, that he declared he durst not transmit them. The 

 English then determined without delay to commence 

 hostilities. Admiral Watson moved the vessels up the 

 river to the fort of Mayapore, which he proposed to attack 

 on the following day. Little resistance being apprehended, 

 Colonel Clive resolved to land and form an ambuscade, 

 with a view to cut oft" the retreat of the garrison to Cal- 

 cutta. He went on shore accordingly, and stationed his 

 troops in a hollow space, where, being extremely fatigued, 

 they grounded their arms and resigned themselves to sleep, 

 without even the precaution of placing a sentinel. The 

 consequence was, that they, instead of the enemy, were 

 surprised. Monickchund, whose, spies had informed him 

 of their position, sent a large detachment, which made an 

 unexpected attack in the night. Our countrymen suffered 

 considerably before they could form their ranks ; their two 

 field-pieces fell into the hands ofthe enemy, who fortunately 

 knew not how to use them, and they were afterward 

 recovered. Clive resolved not to retreat, lest his troops 

 should be struck with panic ; and when they were at 

 length rallied and formed in order of battle, they quickly 

 dispersed the undisciplined band of assailants. 



Monickchund was so much discouraged by this en- 

 counter that he quitted Calcutta, leaving it garrisoned by 

 500 men, who surrendered almost as soon as Admiral 

 Watson had opened his batteries. The merchandise 

 belonging to the company was found entire, having been 

 reserved for the use of the nabob. An expedition was 

 also sent up to Hoogley ; and that city, after a slight 

 resistance, was taken and plundered. 



