2d bat.
In May 1783, the second battalion embarked in transports, and sailed from Gibraltar for Portsmouth, where it landed in July following.
1st bat.
On the 4th of June, Major-General Stuart placed the British camp close to the Pannar River, about five miles west of Cuddalore, behind which the French army was descried in an entrenched camp.
The British crossed the Pannar River on the 6th of June, without being molested, passed the Bandipollam Hills, and took up a strong position not more than two miles from the south face of the fortress of Cuddalore, having their right flank covered by the sea, and the left by the Bandipollam Hills. The enemy, commanded by General de Bussy, had in the meantime been occupied in throwing up works along his front.
On the 12th of June, Major-General Stuart had determined upon attacking Monsieur de Bussy in his present position, and issued preparatory orders accordingly. At four o’clock in the morning of the 13th of June, the action commenced by a movement from the British left upon the right flank of the enemy. A very obstinate and sanguinary contest ensued, and continued without intermission until the evening, when both armies remained upon the field of battle, and consequently each claimed the victory.
In this action the first battalion of the regiment highly distinguished itself, having wrested from the enemy, in the course of the conflict, seven different redoubts. The loss sustained by the battalion was very severe, amounting in killed and wounded to 13 officers and 272 men, being one half of the gross number in the field. The battalion in this action was commanded by Captain Hugh Lamont. The battalion had to regret the loss of Captains the Honorable James Lindsay and Alexander Mackenzie, who were killed. The former officer commanded the Grenadier company.
The following flattering compliment formed part of the general orders issued by the Commander-in-Chief at the conclusion of the battle:—“I am also grateful to Captain Lamont and the officers under his command, who gallantly led the precious remains of the Seventy-third Regiment through the most perilous road to glory, until exactly one half of the officers and men of the battalion were either killed or wounded.”
On the 17th of June the English and French fleets fought their last battle during this war. The former commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, and the latter by Monsieur Suffrein. The contest was perfectly in view of both armies. The result obliged the British admiral to proceed to Madras, while, to the great embarrassment of the army under Major-General Stuart, the French fleet was enabled to anchor in Cuddalore Roads, and to afford supplies and reinforcements to their troops.
The British prosecuted the siege of Cuddalore with vigour, and on the 25th of June the first parallel was completed. On that day the enemy made a sortie but was repulsed, after a severe contest, with considerable loss. The commander of the party, Colonel the Chevalier de Damas, was among the prisoners taken on this occasion.