The following flattering compliment formed part of the general orders issued by the Commander-in-Chief at the conclusion of the battle:--“I am also grateful to Captain Lamont and the officers under his command, who gallantly led the _precious remains_ of the SEVENTY-THIRD Regiment through the most perilous road to glory, until exactly one half of the officers and men of the battalion were either killed or wounded.”
On the 17th of June the English and French fleets fought their last battle during this war. The former commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, and the latter by Monsieur Suffrein. The contest was perfectly in view of both armies. The result obliged the British admiral to proceed to Madras, while, to the great embarrassment of the army under Major-General Stuart, the French fleet was enabled to anchor in Cuddalore Roads, and to afford supplies and reinforcements to their troops.
The British prosecuted the siege of Cuddalore with vigour, and on the 25th of June the first parallel was completed. On that day the enemy made a _sortie_ but was repulsed, after a severe contest, with considerable loss. The commander of the party, Colonel the Chevalier de Damas, was among the prisoners taken on this occasion.
On the 1st of July a frigate arrived in Cuddalore Roads, confirming the former intelligence, and bringing the official accounts from England of a general peace having been concluded. Hostilities in consequence ceased. The English and French interchanged visits, congratulations, and compliments, and became apparently as cordial friends as they had before been determined enemies.
By the 2d of August the British army had received the supplies of which it stood greatly in want, and the camp was immediately broken up, the troops proceeding towards Madras, where they arrived on the 16th of that month, at St. Thomas’s Mount.
The army shortly afterwards went into winter quarters, the SEVENTY-THIRD occupying the fort and cantonment of Arcot.
In August the second battalion marched from Hilsea barracks to Stirling, where it was disbanded on the 3d of October; and the officers belonging to the second battalion, who were regimentally senior to those serving with the first, had the option afforded them of joining that battalion in the East Indies, at their own expense, of which some availed themselves.