a town on the coast of Coromandel in India, belonging to the English, very near the place where Fort St David once stood. N. Lat. 11° 30'. E. Long. 79° 53' 30". This place was reduced by Cuddalore, the French in the year 1781; and in 1783 underwent a severe siege by the British forces commanded by General Stuart. At this time it became the principal place of arms held by the enemy on that coast; they had exerted themselves to the utmost in fortifying it; and it was garrisoned by a numerous body of the best forces of France, well provided with artillery, and every thing necessary for making a vigorous defence.

Previous to the commencement of the siege, they had constructed strong lines of defence all along the fort, excepting one place where the town was covered by a wood, supposed to be inaccessible. Through this wood, however, General Stuart began to cut his way; on which the besieged began to draw a line of fortification within that also. The British commander then determined to attack these fortifications before they were quite completed; and for this purpose a vigorous attack was made by the troops under General Bruce. The grenadiers assailed a redoubt which greatly annoyed them, but were obliged to retire; on which the whole army advanced to the attack of the lines. The French defended themselves with resolution; and as both parties charged each other with fixed bayonets, a dreadful slaughter ensued. At last the British were obliged to retreat; but the French having imprudently come out of their lines to pursue them, were in their turn defeated, and obliged to give up the lines they had constructed with so much pains and so gallantly defended. The loss on the part of the British amounted to near 1000 killed and wounded, one half of whom were Europeans; and that of the French was not less than 600.

Though the British proved victorious in this contest, yet the victory cost so dear that there was not now a sufficient number to carry on the siege with any effect. The troops also became sickly; and their strength diminished so much, that the besieged formed a design of not only obliging them to raise the siege, but of totally destroying them. For this purpose 4000 men were landed from the squadron commanded by M. Suffrein; and the conduct of the enterprise committed to the Chevalier de Damas, an experienced and valiant officer. On the 25th of June 1783, he fell out at the head of the regiment of Aquitaine, supposed to be one of the best in the French service, and of which he was colonel; with other troops selected from the bravest of the garrison. The attack was made by day-break; but though the British were at first put into some disorder, they quickly recovered themselves, and not only repulsed the enemy, but pursued them so warmly, that the Chevalier de Damas himself was killed with about 200 of his countrymen, and as many taken prisoners.

This engagement was attended with one of the most remarkable circumstances that happened during the whole war, viz. A corps of Sepoy grenadiers encountering the French troops opposed to them with fixed bayonets, and overcoming them. This extraordinary bravery was not only noticed with due applause, but procured for that corps a provision for themselves and families from the presidencies to which they belonged. No other operation of any consequence took place. Cuddy place during the siege, which was now soon ended by the news of peace having taken place between the bellicent powers of Europe.