10 
ARTILLERY SERVICE UNDER “JOHN COMPANY .” 
Colonel Braithwaite was in command of the whole Force, while 
Major Blake commanded the Artillery portion of it. 
The necessary equipment having been collected, the siege of Pon- 
dichery commenced early in August, the troops encamping in a thick 
wood ; where tigers were so numerous that the natives durst not travel 
at night. 
On the 22 nd August, a white flag was hoisted by the Garrison with 
a request to be permitted to surrender. The French soldiers in the 
Fortress, behaved in the most insubordinate manner. They insisted 
that the Governor should surrender, but after the white flag was dis¬ 
played they fired two shells, which killed several men of the 72 nd. 
During the night they became very intoxicated and were guilty of 
every species of outrage. In the morning, they surrounded Govern¬ 
ment House, and threatened to hang the Governor, General Charmont, 
before his own door, when application was made to the English for 
assistance. The British soldiers rushed into the town, overpowered 
the insurgents, rescued the Governor, and saved the inhabitants, 
from further violence. 
This service being completed the companies returned to Calcutta in 
October. 
In November of the same year, a detachment was embarked on 
board Admiral Mitchell's Fleet, for service as Marines, against French 
Cruisers, in the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Archipelago. The 
men were specially selected from the various compauies for the service, 
none but trained men being taken. The detachment which numbered 
six Officers, ten N.C.O.'s, ninety-eight gunners, and 230 lascars 
was commanded by Captain Andrew Fraser, and was absent on this 
duty about a year. Their good conduct and the unanimity which pre¬ 
vailed between them and the crews of the various ships, were eulogiz¬ 
ed by the Commander-in-Chief in General Orders, on their return. 
/ 
Ammunition Waggon , 1791. (From an old print.) 
1796 This year was a memorable one in the annals of the Indian 
^ ^ Army, its constitution having been entirely remodelled, 
and many advantages granted to it. The Artillery was converted into 
