Note 41 — Chapter VI · FALL OF MYSORE

“Time and the number of guns formed the principle of our signals; for example, three guns at half-past seven denoted a position two marches from Seringapatam: two guns at eight might have denoted any other communication. And in this manner may detachments or armies on some occasions communicate intelligence, which, by messenger, might be impracticable. To ascertain that the signal of the Bombay army was understood, it was agreed to fire the same number of guns, in our camp ten minutes afterwards.” —Beatson’s Mysore War. General Floyd’s signal to establish communication with General Stuart on the 8th was two guns fired precisely at four o’clock; and, a little afterwards, four guns at intervals of a minute each. In about half an hour afterwards the same signal was repeated.—Memoirs of a Field Officer.