[CHAP. XVII.]
The distresses of France had now reached their height in the destruction of her navy, and the annihilation of her commerce. Spain also, cut off from her resources by the vigilance of our fleets, was equally poor, and her subjects still more wretched; while Britain, now directed by unanimity and wisdom, seemed as if invigorated by the struggle.
Great must have been the sufferings of his people, when Louis XV. condescended to express his ardent wish for the return of peace to an individual who was then his prisoner. That Sovereign ingenuously avowed to Sir John Ligonier the pressures which had induced him to urge the topic; and it was a hint too interesting for humanity to pass unnoticed. Accordingly, a Congress was soon after held at Aix-la-Chapelle, in order to arrange the terms of negociation. The prospect however, did not relax our efforts, which were still greater than ever.
Eleven thousand five hundred and fifty Marines were the establishment of 1748.
Admiral Boscawen, who had sailed from England in November of the last year, got sight of the Mauritius upon the 23d day of June. His orders were to make an attack upon it, but this object was subordinate to the conquest of Pondicherry, which was the chief view of the expedition. The enemy had long been aware of his destination, and were well prepared to receive him. After having reconnoitred the coast, and sounded where a probability appeared of effecting a disembarkation, it was at last ascertained, that the powerful means of defence which presented every where, and the dangers of approaching the land in many places, must necessarily involve a great sacrifice of men, and render success even ultimately doubtful. The coming on of the autumnal monsoons had also an influence in the decision of a Council, which was to relinquish this attempt, and to proceed without delay for the Coast of Coromandel, the enjoined scene of operations.
Upon the 27th of June, the Admiral bid adieu to the island, and arrived at Fort St. David on the 29th of July. Here the troops were landed and encamped, with all the necessary stores. At no period could the Nation ever boast of a more zealous or faithful servant than Admiral Boscawen. It was now but a short interval ere he proceeded to carry his instructions into effect, under his own auspices; having entrusted the Fleet to Captain Lisle, the next in command, who had orders to co-operate to the utmost.
Previous to the departure of Vice Admiral Griffin, with four ships intended for Europe, the Marines were drafted from them, and added to the battalion, which upon this service consisted of eight hundred and eighty rank and file. The whole amounting to four thousand one hundred and twenty British and Country troops to be afterwards reinforced by two thousand native auxiliaries, and one thousand one hundred sailors, trained to small arms, were to form the besieging army. The battering cannon, mortars, and every implement were conveyed by the squadron within two miles of the town, while the land forces began their march towards Pondicherry, on the 8th of August, about thirty miles distant. They were uninterrupted till the 11th, when a shew of opposition was made by an intrenched force of the enemy on the banks of a river. These gave way, however, upon the advance of a detachment to attack them. On the other side stood the fort of Arian-Coupan, which it was essential to carry previous to opening the siege. A force of seven hundred men, composed of grenadiers, and the piquets of the Army were deemed adequate to this attempt by the Engineers who reconnoitred the works. In this service they had been unhappily deceived, from the peculiarity of the ground in front of the fort, the real strength of which was hid from their view.
Unprepared for the assault, our brave men, when too late, found its formidable state, but with a persevering though an unfortunate spirit, they continued an attack which afforded no hope of success.
The enemy now galling them extremely by flanking fires from two batteries on the opposite side of the river, a retreat was made after the loss of 150 men killed and wounded, and amongst them some of our best officers. The fall of Major Goodere of the Artillery, upon this occasion, was peculiarly lamented, and from his high professional talents, was considered as an event inauspicious to the future operations of the army.