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.

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which he would treat. He dechned to admit any vakeels, unless
accompanied by the hostages, and specie, required ; and insisted
on an answer before three o'clock on the 2€gh.
The working parties, during the night of the eytii, strengthened
SkeHy's Post, by a double entrenchment; and extended from
Wallace's to the left a place of arms, two hundred yards in length,
which effectually covered the troops. They also deepened and
widened the zig-zag, which was to lead to the breaching battery.
This battery was marked out at sun-set on tine 28th, between
the aqueduct and the bank of the Cauvery. There was only space
for six guns ; but seventy yards in advance, and a little to the
right, there was an eligible situation for another breaching battery,
sufficient for five guns. From the commanding position of these
intended batteries, and from the distance, which was about four
hundred yards from the wall, they could not fail to effect a breach
in a very short time ; but as only one of them could be com-
pleted in one night, and as it was still an object to conceal the
real point of attack, for the reasons before mentioned, it was re-
solved that the first six guns should bear upon the N.W. bastion,
until the other five were in readiness. It was expected, that by
breaching the shoulder, and flank of the bastion, we should not
only silence the guns which flanked the curtain, but also that this,
or any breach, would produce favourable consequences, in the
event of a serious disposition on the part of the Sultaun to nego-
tiate for peace.
During the night of the 28th, Captain Dowse's pioneers con-
structed the breaching battery of six guns, and the platforms