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)

TOO

VIEW OF THE ORIGIN AND CONDUCT

April, it was discovered, upon measuring the bags which contained
the rice, in order to ascertain the exact quantity remaining in
camp, that our stock was much diminished, and that there was
only sufficient remaining for eighteen days consumption for the
fighting men of the army. The cause of this alarming and un-
expected deficiency had not been satisfactorily explained ; but
such was the actual pressure of our situation at the moment we
were about to commence the siege. Happily, from this alarm
the Commander in Chief was soon afterwards effectually relieved,
by a tender for the public service, of twelve hundred bullock loads
of rice. This supply, and some other private stock in camp, being
secured, and added to the public department, made the total
quantity sufficient for the subsistence of the fighting men, until the
2oth of May; long before which time the convoy from the
Barramaul was expected to arrive, and the siege of Seringapatam
to be brought to a final issue.