Siege of Madras 1758-59

      A first hand  British side account of the  Siege  of Madras  from 12th December 1758 to  16th  February  1759 by French  forces under Thomas  Arthur  Comte De Lally . On the  British  side the Fort was ably  defended  by Col. William  Draper and his men. A secret  letter by Comte  De Lally  which the  British happened to  capture  mentions that Comte De Lally had plans  to  burn the  entire  Black  Town  but for the timely  arrival of  British  reinforcements from  Cuddalore.

        "  On the  12th  December  the  French  army moved from the Mount  and Marmalong; and ours cannonaded  them for about an hour as they  crossed  Choultry plain and killed  about  40 without  any loss from our  side as the  French  had little  artillery  and ill served.  They  marched  in three divisions;  one directly to wards our  people, one towards  Egmore, and the  other down St. Thome road. Colonel  Lawrence  and Draper  were afraid that this last might  get  possession of the  Island  Bridge and therefore retired to the Island; and the  same morning part came in to the garrison and part took possession of the posts in the  Black Town. The  same  morning the French hoisted  their flags at Egmore and St.Thome. The  13th everything was quite and not a gun fired from either side.  The  14th in the morning the enemy marched their whole force to attack the Black  Town.  Our  small parties retreated into garrison  and an hour after  a grand Sally was made  commanded by Col. Draper. The  regiment of Lorraine was surprised  and a very hot action  ensued. Col. Draper  made such a push  as would astonish all who  did not know him; and  if he had been  briskly  followed  by his two platoons of  grenadiers, he would have brought in 11officers, 50 men and four guns more; but they  did not do justice to their leader who received the whole force of two platoons to himself.. He had several balls through his coat, but was not touched."