Owing to ill-health, Sir Eyre Coote handed over command to Brigadier-General Stuart in September, and returned to Bengal.
1783.
Reinforcements of British troops having arrived from England, the army was reformed in January, the 16th being placed in the 3rd Brigade, 1st Line. Hyder Ali died in this year and was succeeded by his son, Tippoo.
Attack on Cuddalore.
The army marched south on February 4th and came up with the united forces of Tippoo and the French near Neddingol. The enemy refused battle, and the army marched to the relief of Vellore. This effected, it moved in a leisurely way to Cuddalore, where it arrived on June 7th. Coote, who had returned to command, died on April 27th, to the grief and consternation of the army, especially of the native portion.
Cuddalore was attacked, but, owing to the faulty timing of the three columns, the attacks were not simultaneous and were brought to a standstill. The British lost—Europeans: Killed, 165; wounded, 428. Natives: Killed, 60; wounded, 292; of which the Battalion sustained 6 killed and 36 wounded. The force on either side is supposed to have been 11,000.
The situation was critical, especially as the fleet had been so badly damaged by the French, under Suffren, that it was forced to retire on Madras. Fortunately, at this juncture, news was received that peace had been declared on July 2nd.
General Stuart was relieved of the command, and was succeeded by Colonel Ross Lang.
Capture of Palghatcherry and Coimbatore.