Soon after the decisive battle obtained by Colonel Coote over that General at Wandewash, Admiral Cornish reached Madras with a reinforcement of six ships of the line. The French squadron not appearing on the coast, enabled our joint forces to prosecute future schemes of conquest. The first step was the advance of Colonel Coote against Waldour, and the united blockade of Pondicherry by sea and land. Major Monson, the second in command, was destined to attack Carical, and accordingly embarked on board the squadron with that view. The forces which he was to head consisted of 300 Marines, to be afterwards joined by a small body of Artillery, some Europeans, and a considerable number of Seapoys from Trichinopoly.
Admiral Cornish having arrived in the road of Carical upon the 28th of March, Major Monson was landed with the Marines and some native pioneers, at five in the evening, where they halted during the night, and advanced against the town early on the following morning, which they gained with a trifling loss. Being annoyed by Fort Dauphin, the enemy were also driven from it into Fort Louis, by a few shells.
Upon the 3d of April all the expected reinforcements arrived, by which the latter was immediately invested.
Learning on the 5th that the garrison had a prospect of relief, and having already done considerable damage to the enemy's works, the Commandant was summoned to surrender, to which he agreed; the whole being considered as prisoners of war. The Seamen were meritoriously active in landing the necessary stores during the night-time.
By the successive operations of this force, the French were deprived of many important possessions, and Monsieur Lally, with an army, which a little while ago were the dread of that quarter, became shut up in Pondicherry, at the commencement of May.
These material services having been effected, the Marines were reimbarked on board their respective ships, and honoured by the thanks of him who had led them. In the mean time, Colonel Coote had carried his object, and had advanced within four miles of Pondicherry, towards which he threw up redoubts.
Rear-Admiral Stevens having assumed the command of the British Fleet, proceeded off that place, and at the instance of the Governor and Council of Madras, as well as of Colonel Coote, landed the Marines at Cuddalore, upon the 29th of August, in order to accelerate matters before the setting in of the rains. They immediately joined the Army, and were materially assisting in the many active and tedious services that ensued.
Major Monson having received a superior commission to that of Colonel Coote, this respectable Officer, for a while, relinquished these bustling scenes; but the former being wounded most severely in a successful enterprize, which he conducted with great gallantry against the enemy's batteries, was in turn compelled to resign the command of the Army. Recent experience had convinced the public of the value of him who had been superseded, and the highest testimony that could have been yielded to an Officer, was recalling him to fill the important situation he had held.
The high-spirited Lally, jealous only of his own honor, but unfeeling towards the unsurpassed sufferings of those beneath him, persevered in defending Pondicherry, while a glimpse of hope remained. A dreadful disaster to our Fleet had nearly realized his deliverance; but the steady seamanship of our Officers, amidst one of the greatest hurricanes that ever blew, preserved a valuable remains for the service of their Country, which soon resumed the blockade of that important Capital.