CUDDALORE, a town of Hindustan, in the south of India, situated on the western shore of the Bay of Bengal, at the estuary of the river Panar. The English East India Company obtained a grant of it from the rajah of Gingee in 1681. Here they constructed a factory, which, in consequence of the increasing trade, they wholly rebuilt and fortified in 1702. The town was taken by the French in 1758; but two years later it was recaptured by Sir Eyre Coote. In 1782, after the destruction of Colonel Braithwaite's detachment by Tippoo, it was forced to surrender to the combined forces of the French and Hyder; when the works were greatly strengthened, and a strong garrison sent to defend them. In 1783 it was besieged by the British, who were repulsed with the loss of 942 killed and wounded, in a desperate attempt to storm the works. A few days later, the French general made a vigorous sortie from the fort and attacked the English trenches, but not a single point was carried, and the French sustained a heavy loss. An incident connected with this attack is thus related by Colonel Wilks. "Among the wounded prisoners was a young French sergeant, who so particularly attracted the notice of Colonel Wangenheim, commandant of the Hanoverian troops in the English service, by his interesting appearance and manners, that he ordered the young man to be conveyed to his own tent, where he was treated with attention and kindness until his recovery and release. Many years afterwards, when the French army under Bernadotte entered Hanover, General Wangenheim, among others, attended the levee of the conqueror. 'You have served a great deal,' said Bernadotte, on his being presented, 'and, as I understand, in India.' 'I have served there.' 'At Cuddalore?' 'I was there.' 'Have you any recollection of a wounded sergeant whom you took under your protection in the course of that service?' The circumstance was not immediately present to the general's mind; but on recollection he resumed:—'I do indeed remember the circumstance, and a very fine young man he was. I have entirely lost sight of him ever since; but it would give me pleasure to hear of his welfare.' 'That young sergeant,' said Bernadotte, 'was the person who has now the honour to address you, who is happy in this public opportunity of acknowledging the obligation, and will omit no means within his power of testifying his gratitude to General Wangenheim.' The sergeant had become one of the most distinguished generals of France, and subsequently, as is well known, ascended the throne of Sweden. Cuddalore is now comprehended in the British collectorship of Arcot, and is the principal civil station of the district. It is 102 miles S.S.W. from Madras, and 15 S.S.W. from Pondicherry. E. Long. 79. 52.; N. Lat. 11. 44. (E. T.)