The fort was oval in shape, and about nine hundred yards across, at
its greatest diameter. It was defended by a broad rampart,
strengthened by thirty semicircular bastions and five outworks. The
two gates, one at each end, were also protected by outworks. In the
fort stood the splendid palace built by Tippoo. Here also were immense
foundries of cannon, factories for muskets, the arsenal, and large
magazines of grain and ammunition.
The position taken up by the army lay to the northeast of the petah,
or town, and the next morning a reconnoitring party, escorted by
Colonel Floyd, with the whole of the cavalry and a brigade of
infantry, went out to examine the defences of the town and fort.
Seeing a large body of laden elephants and camels, escorted by a
strong body of horsemen, Colonel Floyd rode with the cavalry to attack
them. The movement was a rash one, as the guns on the fort opened
fire, and although at first he defeated the Mysore horse, a heavy fire
was poured upon him, when entangled in broken ground. He himself was
shot by a musket ball which, striking him in the face, passed through
both jaws. It was at first believed that he was dead, but he was
carried back to camp, and ultimately recovered.
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