COOTE, Sin EYRE, K.C.B., a distinguished British officer, who served in India from the niiddle of the 18th century, and in command in the Kar natio from 1759 during the contests for supre macy between the British and French. At the battle of Plassey in 1757, while a Major in rank, he had commanded the third division of the army, and he seems to have taken command in the Karnatic in 1759. He was out-manceuvred on the Palar river, but in 1760, after defeating Lally at Wandiwash, and driving him ba.ck to Pondi cherry, he took easy possession of Cuddalore in April 1760, of Chellumbrum, and other French garriscnis. He took Pondicherry on the 4th Jan. 1761. The French shortly before had destroyed Fort St. David, and in retaliation Coote razed the fortifications to the ground. On the 18th June 1781, Colonel Coote had been repulsed with loss by Hyder in a night attack on Chellumbrum. After forcing his way through two or three enclosures, and when falling back to Cuddalore, and he bad passed on a few miles from Porto Novo, he found his march intercepted by the whole army of Hyder Ali, 60,000 strong. Hyder had made a
rapid march, and had thrown up batteries across Coote's line of retreat ; be had his left protected by a range of sandhills, and bis right by the sea. Coote made two determined assaults, one on the batteries, which were carried, the other through a passage in the sandhills left unprotected by Hyder, whose flank became thus exposed. A war schooner at the same time appeared in sight, and, anchoring close in, poured her broadsides on the enemy, causing great confusion. Hyder's army was completely routed. Coote's stren-gth was 7878 men, including artillerymen. It was known as the battle of Metapolliam, and was fought on the 1st July 1781. In June 1782, while Coote was advancing rapidly on Arnee, where Hyder bad treasure and military stores ,Hyder overtook and compelled him to return to Madra.s. Coota died in 1783, and the command of the army devolved on General Stewart.