Monday 23 July 1781 · Extraordinary

HICKY's BENGAL GAZETTE; EXTRAORDINARY. MONDAY July 23d: 1781. The Rodney Packet arrived at Madras the 8th Instant, left England the 18 March, in Company with the following Fleet, bound for Madras. THE Romney of 50 Guns Commedore Johnson. Isis, 50. Jupiter, 50 Hero, 74 Monmouth 64 Two frigates of 32 each 1 Eire Ship, 1 Bomb, 13 Sail of Indiamen, 20 Transports with 4,000 Kings Troops on board Commanded by Gen. Meadows. The Rodney left this Fleet in Lat. 25. North. The General Barker was driven in a Gale of Wind from the Downs on the Coast of Holland, and totally lost.--Rumbold and his Effects were saved,--It is supposed also, that the other Passengers and Crew are sate. Captains Todd, and Richardson, are dismissed the Service for parting from Sir Edward Hughes's Fleet on the passage out. MADRAS NEWS. GENERAL SIR EYRE COOTE has had a general engagement with Hyder the Cannonadeing began at a distance at 8 in the Morning at 11 the action became general and lasted till four in the Afternoon at which time Hyder's Army broke and fled on all sides leaving above 3,000 Men dead on the Field of Battle, Meer Saheb was killed and another of his Generals had both his Leggs shot off and Lally was wounded with a Musket Ball. Our loss was 300, and an Officer killed, and 7 Officers, and many Men Wounded. Fifty two Peices of Hyder's Cannon taken. GENERAL SIR EYRE COOTE still at Cuddalore unable to move for want of Bullocks. Pearse at Nellore, and a speedy Junction said to be likely to take place. Extract of a Letter from the Coast. S I R, I have the pleasure to inform you that the Honourable General Sir EYRE COOTE, has had a bloody Engagement with Hyder Ally, and in which he has totally defeated him, with only the loss of 300 men on our side, and upwards of 3000 on that of the Enemy. Hyder Ally has lost his Eldest and darling Son in this Engagement; He was an able and experienced Soldier, and in whose military abilities his father had placed his greatest and highest confidence. It was this Son of Hyders that had advised his father not to treat on friendly terms with the english, and did advise his father a very few days before this engagement to cut off all the Heads of the english prisoners at that time in his Dominions; but GOD the wise disposer of all things, has through his Omnipotent mercy protected our people and Crowned our Arms with success. The HON'BLE SIR EYRE COOTE, has behaved on this great and important occasion more like an Angle, than a Man, and may with much propriety be deemed the SAVIOUR of Asia. It is reported (but wants confirmation) that Sir Edward Hughes has taken and destroyed Negapatnam, a Dutch Settlement, and that upwards of 300 of the Malay Seapoys has deserted and it's thought are gone to offer their service to Hyder Aily. Messrs Russel, Stone, and Floyer, is Appointed to their Ranks in Counsel, and are in the Fleet; Capt Greenway in the Snow Hibernia, has taken a Dutch, Snow loaded with Pepper, and carried her into Cuddalore; but it's feared all the Dutch ships will be gone from Negapatnam, before the Adm. gets up, as he is now at Cuddalore; We have taken Sadras and destroyed it, and we have taken Pulicatt, but have put a garrison in it; as Bengal is a place for shiping, its to be hoped your Gentlemen will shew their spirit by fitting out a Privateer as it would pay them well. A more particular Account, in our Paper of saturday next.

[BLANK PAGE]