three o'clock
It was within the shelter of this formidable obstacle that Tippoo 's army was encamped . Within the enclosed space were seven or eight eminences , on which strong redoubts had been erected . Fearing that Tippoo might , as soon as he saw the position taken up by the assailants , sally out with his army , take the field , and , as before , cut all his communications , Lord Cornwallis determined to strike a blow at once . At sunset , orders were accordingly issued for the forces to move , in three columns , at three o'clock ; by which time the moon would be high enough to light up , thoroughly , the ground to be traversed . The centre column , consisting of 3,700 men , under Lord Cornwallis himself , was to burst through the hedge at the centre of the enemy 's position , to drive the enemy before them , and , if possible , to cross the ford to the island with the fugitives . This , however , was not to be done until the centre column was reinforced by that under General Meadows , which was to avoid a strong redoubt at the northwest extremity of the hedge , and , entering the fence at a point between the redoubt and the river , drive the enemy before it , until it joined the centre column . Colonel Meadows had 3,300 under his command .