THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
437 
Indian war of extermination, or when he stood triumphant on the site 
of the demolished ramparts of Port St David ! 
The end was near, and, as has so often happened both in India and else¬ 
where, when the operations of armies depend so much upon the movements 
of corresponding flotillas, there was a strong touch of the ludicrous in its 
abruptness. The English fleet was heard of, as approaching; was signalled, 
seen; and after an anxious night's anticipation of a last sudden attempt at 
escalade, the morrow’s light broke upon the landing of the ships, and the 
pouring forth from the fort of a teeming joyous concourse, to inspect the 
deserted works of the vanished foe. Not only hopeless of success, but 
fearful for themselves, they had decamped during the night, in too great 
haste to burn (as Daily had threatened), the Black Town, or even to remove 
their own sick; so badly provided with beasts of transport, as to allow 
upwards of fifty cannon, and ammunition in abundance, to fall into the 
hands of the English. They marched away, Orme adds, in rags, and 
without provisions; but exacted the latter, as they went, by force. 
The following details, supplied by the same able and careful author, will 
give an exact idea of the activity of the operations, and the crucial character 
of the struggle, with reference to the general fortunes of the war :— 
“ The fort fired during the siege 26,554 rounds from their cannon, 7502 
shells from their mortars, and threw 1990 hand grenades; the musketry 
expended 200,000 cartridges. In these services were used 1768 barrels of 
gunpowder. Thirty pieces of cannon and five mortars had been dismounted 
on the works. There remained in the fort, artillery sufficient for another 
siege, with 30,767 cannon balls, but only 481 shells, and 668 barrels of 
gunpowder." As many of the enemy's cannon balls were found “in and 
around the works, or in the native town," as the garrison had expended. 
The enemy consumed all the shells of the two first rates in the stores of 
Pondicherry, and threw of all sorts 8000, of which by far the greatest number 
were directed against the buildings. 
“Of the European officers, one major, Polier, two captains, six lieu¬ 
tenants, and four ensigns, were killed; one captain and one lieutenant died 
of sickness ; 14 other officers were wounded, of whom some dangerously; 
and four were taken prisoners; in all 33. Of rank and file in the battalions 
of Europeans, and of the men belonging to the artillery, 198 were killed, 
52 died in the hospital, 20 deserted, 122 were taken prisoners, and 167 
wounded ; in all 559; but many of the wounded recovered. Of the Lascars, 
who were natives assisting in the artillery, 9 were killed, and 15 wounded. 
Of the Sepoys, including officers, 105 were killed, 217 wounded, and 440 
deserted. The loss in Europeans was more than reinstated by the troops 
brought in the ships." 
The activity and judgment of the Governor were conspicuous throughout. 
Provisions had been abundantly laid up, and were regularly and methodically 
distributed by the well-trained civil officials. In every department, in fact, 
of the service, “ all was emulation." 
“All however acknowledged that the enemy, in proportion to their 
numbers, compared with the strength of the garrison and works, had pushed 
the attack with unremitting perseverance and endeavour, and the enemy 
equally respected the science and steadiness of the defence." 
