Captain Alexander Gilchrist, of the grenadiers, whose ill-health prevented him from being with his company when Lieut.-Colonel Baillie was attacked, died at this period[9], and Lieutenant Alexander Mackenzie was wounded, together with several soldiers, in skirmishes with the enemy.
After the British fleet had departed from Gibraltar the Spaniards renewed the blockade by sea, and attempted to destroy the vessels in the harbour by fire-ships, but failed. Towards the close of the year provisions again became short. A limited supply was occasionally obtained from the Moors. The effects of the scurvy were mitigated by cultivating vegetables on the rock; and the brave defenders of the fortress maintained their attitude of defiance to the power of Spain.
Mr. Laurens, late President of the American Congress, having been captured in his passage to Holland by the British, papers were found on him showing that a treaty of alliance was on the point of conclusion between the Americans and the States General. Great Britain in consequence declared war against Holland on the 20th of December, and thus became engaged with a fourth enemy, exclusive of the hostile powers in India.
Upon the 17th of January 1781, the army being re-assembled, took the field under the command of Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B., Commander-in-Chief in India. At this period the strength of the first battalion did not exceed five hundred men. Hyder Ali was then in the Tanjore country, committing every species of outrage and devastation.
On the 1st of June, 1781, Colonel Lord Macleod received the local rank of Major-General in the East Indies. In June Sir Eyre Coote moved the army along the coast southerly, towards Cuddalore, where his out-posts were attacked by Tippoo Saib, who was repulsed. The British commander afterwards marched his whole force to Chillumborem, upon the Coleroon, where the enemy had a large magazine of grain.
The pagoda was attacked by the piquets under the command of Captain John Shaw, of the first battalion, but the detachment was repulsed, and that officer wounded.
Hyder Ali, being apprehensive for the safety of Chillumborem, moved his army in the direction of that place from Tanjore and Trichinopoly, while Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, with the view of obtaining supplies from the shipping, proceeded towards Cuddalore. Hyder, by forced marches and manœuvres, had nearly surrounded the British on the plains of _Porto Novo_, about two days’ march to the southward of Cuddalore.