Beatson, Alexander: A view of the origin and conducts of the war with Tippoo Sultaun: comprising a narrative of the operations of the army under the command of Lieutenant George Harris, and of the Siege of Seringapatam (London, 1800)

OF THE WAR WITH TIFPOO SULTAUN. yg
^ On the 2d instant, the right brigade, consisting of three native
battalions, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Montresor,
took up their ground at Sedaseer, the boundary of the Coorga
country, and about seven miles distant from Periapatam ; the main
body of the army remaining at Sedapoor, and Ahmootinar, the
first eight miles, and the latter twelve, from the advanced
position.
" It may be necessary to inform your Lordship, that I was in
some measure compelled, from the nature of the country, which is
every where covered with thick jungles, to place the army in several
divisions; but I had a farther view in occupying the post at Se-
daseer, in order to preserve a more ready communication with
General Harris.
" In the course of the 5th, an extensive encampment was unex-
pectedly observed to be forming on this side of the fort of Peria-
patam. This circumstance was discovered at ten o'clock in the
forenoon, as the enemy were taking up their ground, by a party of
observation on the summit of the high hill of Sedaseer, which com-
mands a view of the Mysore almost to the environs ofSeringapatam.
Before the evening, this encampment assumed a very formidable
appearance, and covered a great extent of ground : we were able to
count from three to four hundred tents; amongst the number, some
of large dimensions were distinguished, and particularly one of
ro/oMr, which seemed to denote the presence of the Sultaun.
However much the probability of this circumstance might be
strengthened by the respectable appearance of the encampment,
it was contradicted by the evidence of two hircarrahs, who had
recently arrived from Seringapatam. These men generally re-
L