Doctor Rae himself commanded at the gate; one of the subalterns at each of the other points assailed.
The enemy fought with great determination.

Several times the ladders were planted and the men swarmed up them, but as often these were hurled back upon the crowd below.

At the gate the assailants endeavoured to hew their way, with axes, through it; but so steady was the fire directed, from the loopholes which commanded it, upon those so engaged, that they were, each time, forced to recoil with great slaughter.

It was not until nearly daybreak that the attack ceased, and the assailants, finding that they could not carry the place by a coup de main, fell back.
The next day, the main body of the British force returned with the convoy.

News arrived, the following day, that the enemy were approaching to lay siege to the place.
The news of the capture of Arcot had produced the effect which Clive had anticipated from it.