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 TIPPOO SULTAUN. log
As the attack of the height on the north side of the river en-
gaged the enemy's attention, so it presented a favourable oppor-
tunity of advancing our posts on the south. The 2d battalion of the
12th regiment of sepoys, under the command of Major Macdonald,
was therefore ordered to take possession of a nullah, called the
Little Cauvery, which was effected after some contest. This nullah
runs parallel to the fort, at the distance of one thousand yards.
It was at first rather confined as a post, on account of the
enemy's entrenchment at the powder mill; but it became of im-
mediate importance, from its connection with Shawe's and the
Bombay post at Agrarum, and from the cover it afforded to a large
body of troops. It was afterwards rendered an useful depot for the
engineers' tools and materials, and named "
On the night of the ryth, Captain Dowse, with his corps of
pioneers, under the direction of Captain Mackenzie of the engi-
neers, an officer of acknowledged ability and experience, com-
pleted a battery for six eighteen pounders, and two howitzers, on
the north bank of the river. It was placed, at night, exactly ac-
cording to the surveys of 1792, and imagined to be, directly, in
the line of the west face, which it was intended to enfilade, as well
as to take in reverse the whole of the enemy's new entrenchments;
but, unluckily, the survey proved erroneous, and this battery not
answering the intentions so fully as could be wished, afterwards
underwent some alterations.
Besides this battery, an approach Tom Shawe's to Macdonald's
post was made on the night of the iyth. It was widened and
deepened on the i8th.