Major Lachlan Macquarie:
Journal of the Campaign & Capture of Seringapatam
Notes for Journal. (14th. Feby).
14th. Feby. 1799
Embarked at, and sailed this day from
Bombay on the Viper Cruizer Lt. Skinner Comr. ---
19th. Feby. ---
Arrived at Cannanore & joined the Army.
21st. Feby.
The Army marched from Cananore &
Encamped at Corally. ---
22d. Feby. ---
The Line marched -- & Encamped at Calliard. ---
24th. Feby.
The Line marched & Encamped at Stoney River
25th. Feby.
The Line marched -- & Encamped on the
Poodicherrum Ghaut in Coorga. --
1st. March 1799.
The European Brigade wh. 1 Battn. N. I.
& Park, marched this morning --
and Encamped at Seedapore. --
6th. March ---
The Battle of Seedapore took place,
when Tippoo's whole army was defeated
==================
8th. April
The Army marched -- (Genl. Floyd's
Division having arrived near us
2 days before -- & now in Front) -- and
Encamped at Seedacully -- a mile in
Rear of Genl. Floyd's Division. ---
N.B. The orders for marching &c.
after this junction was issued by M.
Genl. Floyd -- as being senior to Genl.
Stuart. ---
11th. April
The Army marched -- & Encamped at Campoolporam[?]
12th. April
The Army marched -- & Encamped at Cattymalwarry.
13th.
The Army marched & Encamped at Billoolly.
14th.
The Army marched & Encamped at Seringapatam
and joined the Grand Army commanded by
Lt. Genl. Harris. --
15th. Apl. ---
The Bbay Army marched -- crossed the
Cavery [sic] -- & took up its final Position during
the Seige [sic] on the north side of the River. --
4th. May ---
Seringapatam stormed & Carried -- and
Tippoo Sultan killed. ---
9th. May ---
The Bbay Army marched -- crossed to the South
side of the River & Encamped near the Fort.
13th. May 1799.
The Bbay Army marched from Seringapatam;
and Encamped at Coppell. ---
14th. May ---
The Army marched & Encamped at Sugnapore
15th. May ---
The Army marched & Encamped at Cattegal. ---
16th. May ---
The Army marched -- & Encamped Periapatam. --
18th. May ---
The Army marched -- & Encamped near Verajasder Pitt [sic] [i.e.Virarajendrapet].
N.B. The Army marched from hence
in separate corps -- and the Comr. in Chief
wh. his staff proceeded in advance,
arriving at Cananore on 24th. May. ---
======================================
Lt. Genl. Stuart & his staff Embarked on
board the Suffolk 74 Adml. Rainier,
in Cananore Roads on 1st. June 1799 -- &
sailed for Madras the same day. ---
L.M.
Journal of the Operation of the Bombay Army under
the immediate command of Lieut. General Stuart from the time
of it's [sic] forming the junction with Genl. Floyd's Detachment at
Periapatam on the 10th. of April -- and afterwards with the
Grand Army at Seringapatam on the 14th. of April; including
the subsequent Operations of both Armies during the
Siege of that Fortress until it was taken by assault on
the 4th. of May 1799. ---
----------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 10th. April 1799.
The Bombay Army consisting of nearly 5000 Fighting
men formed a junction at Periapatam in the Mysore
Country with General Floyd's Detachment from the Grand
Army consisting of H.M. 19th. Dragoons, 3 Regiments of Native
Cavalry -- H.M. 73d. Regiment -- 2 Battalions of Madras -- and
3 Battalions of Bengal Sepoys; -- together with 1200 of the
Nizam's Horse. ---
Thursday 11th. April ---
General Floyd's Detachment -- and the Bombay Army
marched this morning from Periapatam: -- Genl. Floyd --
as senior officer -- commanding the whole. ---The Cavalry
was divided into three Divisions in Front -- on the Right
and in the Rear -- Covering and flanking the Baggage
of the Line. ---About 5000 of the Enemy's Horse made
their appearance soon after we marched, within about half
a mile of our Line -- on our Right Flank. -- They threw some
Rockets at the Nizam's Horse -- but did not attempt
to attack them; they however hung the whole of our
march on our Flanks and Rear. ---
Having frequent Halts, owing to some deep Nullahs
we had to cross the Guns and Wheel Carriages over -- We
made this our first day's march a very short one -- having
halted and taken up our Ground at a place called
Kampallaporam [?] -- distant only five miles from Periapatam.
Friday 12th. April ---
Marched to Cuttumalwarry -- distant from our last
Ground Ten Miles. -- The Enemy's Horse hung on our
Flanks and Rear as yesterday -- but made no attack. ---
Saturday 13th. April ---
Marched to Sugnapore -- distant from our last
Ground about 11 miles. ---The Enemy's Horse harrassed
our Line a good deal today -- particularly when getting
our Baggage through a narrow Pass that could not be
avoided -- at which time they pressed pretty hard
upon our Rear Guard -- frequently riding up to it
within Musquet shot -- by which a few of the Enemy
were killed; and we had also one Sepoy killed and
two wounded by the enemy's Rockets at this Pass,
which was within about a mile of our Ground. ---
Sunday 14th. April ---
Marched from Sugnapore at Day-break; and after
a long fatigueing [sic] march of 14 miles; we had at length
the pleasure of forming the long wished for junction
with the Grand Army; commanded by Lieut. Genl. Harris,
before Seringapatam, at 7 oclock in the Evening.
We found the Grand Army -- consisting of about Twenty
four Thousand Fighting men -- including the Cavalry
encamped about 2000 yards from the West Face of
the Fort of Seringapatam, on the South side of the
River, their Left touching the South Bank of
the Cauvery near the great Ford -- and fronting
Easterly towards the Fort. ---We encamped immediately
in the Rear of the Grand Army. ---We were harrassed during
the whole of this Day's march as usual by the enemy's Horse;
But our Line and Baggage were so judiciously Flanked
by the Cavalry -- and the Line itself kept so very
well closed up that the Enemy could make no
impression upon it even if they had made a serious
attack upon it -- which they several times shewed
an inclination to do -- and which we suppose they
were only deterred from doing by the strong and
very regular appearance of our Line of March: --
consequently, we have now reached our Journey's
end with neither loss of men or Baggage. ---
Monday 15th. April ---
The Bombay Army remained on the same Ground it
took up last Night, whilst Generals Harris and
Stuart made the necessary arrangements for our crossing
to the North side of the River; it being intended
that the Bombay Army should act as a separate
one on that side of the River during the Siege of
Seringapatam. ---
Tuesday 16th. April ---
The Bombay Army marched this morning -- and
crossed the Cauvery at the Great Ford -- taking
up a very strong Position on the North side of it within
1800 yards of the Fort of Seringapatam: -- Our Right
to the River -- our Left extending to [to] a high
commanding Ground near the site of the old Pedghah
Redoubt -- and fronting Easterly towards the Fort. ---
We had to cross our Guns -- Stores -- Provisions &c. &c.
over a very bad Ford -- very rough and stoney -- and
about 700 yards broad. ---The Enemy, however, tho'
they saw us pass this Ford in open day and knew
the obstacles we had to overcome, never came near
us, and allowed to take up our Position on the
North side of the River without giving us the least
molestation -- at least none that did us any
injury. ---As soon as they saw the Head of our Column
enter the River, they kept up a slight cannonade
upon us from the Fort whilst we were crossing the
Ford -- which however did no execution. ---
General Floyd's Corps was detached this
day -- and marched at the same time we did --
towards the New Fort of Mysore -- to cover the
Banjarries -- and to enable them to collect Grain
and Cattle in the adjacent Country for the use
of the Grand Army. ---
Wednesday 17th. April ---
This Evening at six oclock a Detachment of the
Bombay Army consisting of the 75th. Regiment -- and two
Battalion of Sepoys -- under the command of Colonel
Hart and Lt. Colonel Montresor -- supported by the 74th.
Regiment and a Battn. of Madras Sepoys -- sent over from
the Grand Army -- under the command of Lt. Coll. Campbell;
Seized and took Possession of the high Bank or Mound
of Earth within 800 yards of the North face of the Fort,
close to the River, and which the Enemy were very
busy levelling when we seized it, but which they
abandoned immediately on our approach without firing
a shot -- or making the least opposition. ---As soon,
however, as they saw in the Fort that we were in
complete Possession of this Post, they opened a pretty
smart Cannonade upon it; -- and at same time
sent out great numbers of them from the Fort into the
Bed of the River, from which they kept up a
very heavy fire of Musquetry upon us, which did
considerable execution notwithstanding our Troops
were under pretty good cover. ---But the fire of
grape from two of our six Pounders having done
great execution amongst the Enemy in the Bed
of the River, they were compelled to retire from it into
the Fort again in about an hour. ---They however kept
a slight Cannonade from the Fort -- and some Sniping
of Musquetry from the more distant parts of the Bed
of the River on our Post during the whole of this
Night. ---A Battery for six 18 Pounders was begun
this Night to be erected close to the Right of the Bank
we took possession of this Evening, within 800 Yards
of the South West Angle of the Fort -- which it is intended
to Enfilade; -- but for want of a sufficient quantity of
materials the Battery cannot be finished this Night.
Casualties of this Evening -- as Pr. Return of Do.
Thursday 18th. April ---
Our Enfilading Battery at the Advanced Post begun
last Night was completely finished in the course
of this Day, and Platforms laid for receiving the
six 18 Pounders; but, from some unexpected improvements,
the Guns cannot be got in and mounted until Night.
The Enemy still keep up a constant fire of both
Cannon and Musquetry on our Advanced Post, which
we can only yet return from our Six Pounders. ---
We lost two very valuable artillery officers this forenoon
at our Battery at the Advanced Post, within half
an hour of one another, namely Capt. Torriano and
Lieut. Mc.Reddie -- both being killed by Cannon
shots when pointing their own Six Pounders at
the Enemy in the Bed of the River that annoyed
our Troops at the Post so much by their Sniping;
we had also three other officers wounded -- and
several men killed and wounded in the course
of last Night and this day at the Advanced Post,
as Pr. Return of Casualties. ---
General Floyd's Corps returned this
Day to the Grand Camp after having swept the
Country about Mysore-Fort -- where they collected
some Grain -- and a great number of Cattle for the
use of the Army -- and which was brought in by the
Banjarries. ---
Friday 19th. April ---
The Six 18 Pounders having been got into the New
Battery at the Advanced Post in the course of last
Night, opened at Day-break this morning with
good effect upon the Defences of the S.W. Bastion
of the Fort -- and from which the fire is returned pretty smartly
by the Sultaun upon our advanced Post and Battery. ---
The Enemy between 3 and 4 oclock this morning
gave us an alert -- by attacking our Picquets in the
Rear of our Camp (the Bbay Army's) with both Rockets
and Musquetry. ---The Line got immediately under
arms -- and on the Picquets being reinforced the
Enemy retired without doing us any injury. ---They
had about 1000 Horse and 5 or 600 Infantry and Rocket
Boys -- all of whom dispersed immediately on our
firing a few rounds of Grape at them from the Six
Pounders attached to our Center Rear - Picquet. ---Our
Line continued under arms till Day-Light
and then went to their Tents. ---
General Floyd's Corps was detached
again this morning from the Grand Army towards
Coveraporam -- or Head of the Ghauts leading to the
Carnatic, to favor the junction of Colonels Browne's
and Reid's Detachments, which are now supposed to
be on their way thither with Supplies for the Grand
Army. ---Casualties of this Day -- as Pr. Return of Do.
Saturday 20th. April ---
Our Battery at the Advanced Post directed its fire
principally all this day at the Enemy's Intrenchments [sic]
on the South side of the River, at the Powder Mills,
where it is intended by the Grand Army to break Ground
this Evening -- and form our first Parallel. ---
At 6 o'clock this Evening a Detachment of the Grand Army
seized and took Possession of the Enemy's Works at the
Powder Mills, driving the Enemy from thence with
little or no opposition. ---The Grand Army were
consequently enabled to break Ground close to the
Powder Mills this Evening -- forming there their
first Parallel -- and from which they continued
making their approaches all Night. ---
Sunday 21st. April ---
The Grand Army are hard at work carrying on their
approaches on the South side of the River, and constructing
an Enfilading Battery of Six 18 Pounders within 900 Yards
of the S.W. Face of the Fort, which is expected to be ready
to open tomorrow morning at Day-break. ---
Another Enfilading Battery was begun this Evening
on our side of the River in front of our Advanced Post,
and about Sixty Yards nearer the Fort than the first
one that was constructed. ---This Battery is only to consist
of Four 18 Pounders. ---The Enemy occupying a Village
closer to the spot where this new 4 Gun Battery was to
be erected, the 74th. Regiment, then on Duty at the
Advanced Post, were ordered to dislodge them
this Evening at Sunset -- which duty they performed
in a very proper and gallant manner notwithstanding
a pretty obstinate resistance was made by the
Enemy; but they were finally driven from the Village
and forced by our Troops to take shelter in the Bed
of the River, which they had no sooner done than the
Fort opened a severe fire of Grape on the Village
that rendered it impossible for our Troops to remain
there longer than was necessary for the Engineers
to reconnoitre the Ground near where our
Battery was intended to be erected. ---In executing
this Duty the 14th. Regiment had one officer wounded
and 18 men killed and wounded. ---
Whilst our Working Parties were busily
employed in constructing the above mentioned
4 Gun Battery, the Enemy in great numbers came
out of the Fort across the River about 12 o'clock
at Night, and made a bold and spirited attack on our
Covering Party and Advanced Post, Possessing
themselves again of the Village they had been driven
from in the Evening, and from thence keeping up
so hot and close a fire as to oblige our Pioneers
and Working Parties to leave off work and
retire under cover of our advanced Post. ---Our
Troops, however, having once more attacked the
Village -- soon cleared it of the Enemy, and
maintained Possession of it during the remainder
of the Night against the repeated attacks of the
Enemy -- but who were at length finally repulsed
a little before Day-break with considerable loss,
leaving a great number of their killed and wounded
laying on the Ground within a very few Yards of
our Trenches -- and amongst their killed were no
less than Eight French Men -- who were supposed
to have led on the different attacks. ---This was
the boldest and most spirited attack the Enemy have yet
made upon us since the commencement of the Siege. ---In the
different attacks they made in the course of last Night
and this morning we lost one very valuable good officer
(Captain Mears) killed, three other officers wounded,
and several men killed and wounded. ---Lieut.
Colonel Montresor commanded the Troops on Duty in the
Trenches and Advanced Post on this occasion, and his
cool and steady conduct during the different attacks
does him infinite honor and credit. ---
The 74th. Regiment after being relieved off Duty in our
Trenches this Evening returned again to the Grand Army,
which they joined on the South side of the River
at a late hour of the Night; -- Europeans being now much
wanted to carry on the works on that side of the River
as rapidly as possible. ---
Casualties of this Day -- as Pr. Return of Do.
Monday 22d. April ---
At 3 o'clock this morning the Enemy gave our Camp
another alert, by attacking our Picquets in the
Rear, as before, with Rockets and Musquetry, supposed
to be & with a view to divert our attention from their
more formidable attack made at the same time
on our advanced Post. ---They were very soon, however,
repulsed in the Rear as well as in the Front, and
driven off by our Picquets to a great distance
on their being reinforced from our Line. ---These
alarms -- trifling as they really are, harrass [sic]
our men exceedingly -- as their Duties now are
become very severe -- and these alerts prevent
their getting rest. ---
At half past 6 o'clock this morning
the Enfilading Battery of Six 18 Pounders, erected by
the Grand Army near the Powder Mills on the
South side of the River, opened with great and
good effect on the Defences of the S.W. face of the
Fort. ---Our Six Gun Battery, on the North side
of the River, keeps up also a warm and constant
fire on the Fort; -- and from which, however, the Sultaun
keeps up an equal heavy fire on our Batteries on
both sides of the River. ---
Another Battn. of Madras
Sepoys joined us this Day from the Grand Army,
our Duties on the North side of the River being now
very extensive and consequently severe on our
small number of Troops. ---Casualties of this
Day -- as Pr. Return of Ditto. ---
Tuesday 23d. April ---
The Bombay Army lay accoutred all last Night
in consequence of a report that prevailed that the Sultaun had
moved out of the Fort in the Evening at the head of a very large
body of Infantry with the intention of attacking our (The
Bombay) Camp. ---He did not, however, think proper
to disturb us; nor did he even send his Rocket Boys
to give us the usual alert. ---The firing from the
Fort was much less last Night than it has hitherto
been. ---At 7 o'clock this morning our new Enfilading
4 Gun Battery -- in front of the Advance Post -- and which
was completely finished in the course of last Night -- Opened
with excellent good effect on the S.W. Bastion of the
Fort. ---Two additional 18 Pounders were added in the
course of last Night in the Enfilading Battery on the
South sides of the River -- which opened at Day-break
this morning along with the other Six Guns. ---
We have now two 8 Inch Howitzers in our New
Battery at the Advanced Post, which occasionally
throw shells into the Fort. ---A Small Redoubt about 900
Yards to the Left of our advanced Post -- and immediately
in Rear of our Covering Party -- was constructed in the
course of last Night, with two Six Pounders in it; which
effectually secured the Left Flank of our Advanced Post
on our (the North) side of the River from being turned
by the Enemy. ---
At 4 o'clock this afternoon a very heavy
shower of Rain fell, which lasted for half an hour,
accompanied by a smart Gale of Wind; ---And during
this storm a lucky shot from the Enfilading Battery,
on the South side of the River, struck and knocked
down the Sultaun's Flagg-Staff in the Lower Cavalier-
Tower-Bastion; --on which Bastion, our Batteries,
on both sides, have principally directed their fire
since they first opened, and have now almost
totally demolished the Defences of it. ---
Casualties of this Day -- as Pr. Return of Ditto. ---
Wednesday 24th. April ---
There was very little firing this Day either from our
Batteries or the Fort. ---Our Howitzers threw several
shells into the Fort -- which did not appear to do much
execution. ---
We had a storm of Thunder, Lightning,
and Rain this Night at 8 o'clock, with heavy
showers at first of Hail Stones of a very large size;
the storm however did no injury. ---
Casualties of this Day -- as Pr. Return of Ditto.
Thursday 25th. April. ---
The fire from the Fort has slackened very considerably
within these last Twenty four Hours, owing to most of
the Defences of the S. West Bastion being demolished,
and many of the next much defaced and damaged. ---
The Grand Army commenced making approaches
last Night towards the Spot where our Grand Breaching
Battery is to be erected -- and worked forward about
200 Yards directly in front of the 8 Gun Enfilading Battery
before Day-break this morning. ---
No Casualties this Day in the Bombay Army.
Friday 26th. April ---
The Enemy gave us another alert this morning at Four
o'clock -- by attacking our Picquets in the usual
manner with both Rockets and Musquetry -- their
attack on this occasion being principally
directed at our Park and Mooda-Khauna. --They
were however immediately driven off on our
Picquets being reinforced from the Line; which
had got under Arms immediately on the alarm
and remained so until it was clear Day-light.
Our Batteries on both sides of the River kept
up a very close and constant Cannonade all this
Day upon the Fort, which appeared to do great execution. ---
At half past Six o'clock this Evening a Detachment
of the Grand Army stormed and Possessed themselves
of the Enemy's Entrenchments and Out Works to the
Right of our Post at Powder Mills -- on the South
side of the River. ---The Enemy were very soon driven
from these Works, abandoning them immediately on
the near approach of our Troops after a very Slight
Resistance. ---The only loss our Troops sustained
was in advancing to seize the Intrenchments -- but
this was comparatively very trifling. ---As soon
however as the enemy's Troops had been driven
from the Intrenchments -- and had retired to some
Works still further to the right, the Fort opened
a heavy fire of Cannon -- Rockets -- and Musquetry
on our Troops in the Posts they had seized and just
driven the Enemy from. ---This firing was continued
without any interruption until Nine o'clock at
Night -- when it entirely ceased. ---The Sultaun must
have been dreadfully alarmed on this occasion -- as
he had the whole Fort frequently completely illuminated
during the Night with Blue Lights. ---
No Casualties this Day in the Bombay Army: -- those in
the Grand Army being as Pr. Return of Ditto ---
Saturday 27th. April ---
We were teased and harrassed again this morning at
3 o'clock by an attack from the Enemy on our Rear
Picquets, which obliged us all to turn out and the
Line to remain under Arms until Day-light,
when we returned again to our Tents. ---The
Enemy threw a great number of Rockets this morning
into our Camp - Park and Mooda Khauna,
and fired a few Vollies of Musquetry at our
Picquets; but which fortunately, did no injury
or execution either amongst our men or Cattle. ---
At 5 o'clock this morning, the Enemy in very
great force came out of the Fort and attacked
our Troops occupying the Intrenchments they seized
last Night on the South side of the River, and
from which the Enemy made repeated attempts
to force them this morning; but all their efforts
proved fruitless -- our Troops gallantly repulsing
all their attacks, and maintaining their respective
Posts with great steadiness under a most galling
heavy fire -- which continued from Five until Nine
o'clock in the morning -- when the Enemy drew off --
after sustaining a very great loss; Ours also was
considerable in both officers and men. ---
A New Enfilading Battery of Four 18 Pounders,
constructed in the course of last Night -- on the
south side of the River -- a little in front and to
the right of the former one -- Opened this morning
at Day-break with very good effect on the Defence
of the S.W. face of the Fort. ---
Casualties of this Day -- in both the Grand and
Bombay Armies -- as Pr. Returns of Ditto ---
Sunday 28th. April ---
There was a great deal of firing from both
the Fort and Our Batteries from Day-break this
morning until Noon -- when it ceased on both
sides, as if by mutual consent -- until 4 o'clock in
the afternoon; -- it was then renewed again and
continued on both sides until 8 o'clock at Night.
Our Troops occupying the Advanced Posts
and Intrenchments on the South side of the River
were put under complete cover in the course of
last Night from the Enemy's fire from the
Fort, to which they have hitherto been very much
exposed. ---
A Six Gun Breaching Battery was begun
on the South side of the River last Night within 450
Yards of the foot of the Wall of the Fort -- opposite
to the S.W. Angle of it; and which is expected
to be completed in time to open tomorrow morning. ---
We had another very severe Storm of Thunder,
Lightning, and very heavy Rain at 5 o'clock this
Evening -- which lasted for about an hour -- a
great number of uncommonly large Hail Stones
fell at the commencement of the Storm. ---
Casualties of this Day -- in both armies -- as
Pr. Returns of Ditto. ---
Monday 29th. April ---
We have had no Alert on our side of the
River from the Enemy either this morning
or yesterday ---Our Breaching Battery on
the south side not being ready to open this
morning as was expected, our Enfilading ones
on both sides of the River kept up a constant and
very heavy fire upon the Fort all this Day,
and which did great execution in demolishing
the enemy's Defences. ---The Sultaun still continues
to return our fire pretty warmly and closely
all Day from as many Guns as he can bring
to bear upon our Batteries; frequently firing
Random Cannon Shot into our (Bombay) Camp,
which, however, has hitherto done no injury. ---
During the Night there is little firing
from either the Fort or our Batteries -- only a
Gun or two, perhaps, in an hour being fired
from either side throughout the Night. ---
We had a quiet Night in Camp -- but our
Troops at the Batteries and Advanced Post
were very much annoyed again this Night
by the Enemy's Snipers -- who keep up
a constant teasing fire on them from behind
the Banks of the River -- by which we have
lost many men killed and wounded. ---
Casualties of this Day -- in both armies --
as Pr. Returns of Ditto. ---
Tuesday 30th. April ---
Our Breaching Battery of Six 18 Pounders
having been completely finished in the course
of last Night, opened this morning at Day break with very
considerable effect on the Defences of the South West Bastion
nearest to the Curtain to be Breached. ---Our Enfilading
Batteries on both sides of the River opened a very warm
fire on the Fort at the same time, which was continued
with very little intermission during the whole of the Day. ---
The Sultaun returns our fire pretty smartly from a
great number of Guns from the Fort. ---
Casualties of this Day -- in both armies -- as Pr. Returns of Do. ---
Wednesday 1st. May. ---
Our Batteries on both sides of the River kept up a very
warm and constant fire all this Day on the Fort -- and
our Breaching one has already done great execution on
the Enemy's Works and silenced all the Guns near the
Curtain that is intended to be Breached. ---
No Casualties this Day in the Bombay Army. ---
Thursday 2d. May ---
A Five Gun Breaching Battery, consisting of two 24
Pounders and 3 Eighteens, having been constructed last
Night within 350 Yards of the Fort -- close to the Banks
of the River -- opened this morning at half past Six
o'clock on the South West Curtain -- the place intended
to be Breached -- with very great and good effect; --
for, by Noon a very large Gap was made in the Wall -- and
every Shot striking the bottom of it, brought part of it
down. ---The 4 Gun Enfilading Battery -- that was last
constructed on the South side of the River -- is now turned
into a Breaching one; so that we have now 15 Guns
Battering in Breach between these three last constructed
Batteries. ---A most tremendous Peal of fire had
now opened on the Fort from all our Batteries on the
South and North sides of the River: ---No less than Fifty
two Pieces of Ordnance -- including Eight Howitzers --
being now playing on the Breach and different parts
of the Fort. ---By Sunset a very large Breach was made
in the South West Curtain, but it is not yet supposed to
be sufficiently practicable for an assault. ---
No Casualties this Day in the Bombay Army. ---
Friday 3d. May ---
Our Batteries on both sides of the River continued
an unremitting, close, and heavy fire, on all parts
of the Fort -- the same as yesterday -- and with excellent
good effect; all the Enemy's Defences near the Breach
being completely demolished -- and the greater part
of his Guns in his other Works already Silenced. ---
The Breach is now very large and extensive -- and
is supposed to be already sufficiently practicable for
being stormed. ---The Assault, however, is postponed
till tomorrow -- in order that the Breach may still be
rendered more complete and accessible. ---
The Six European Flank Companies of the 75th. -- 77th. --
and Bombay European Regiment -- completed to their full
establishment -- under the command of Lieut. Colonel
Dunlop --; and Six Grenadier Companies of the Six
Battalions of Bombay Sepoys -- also completed to
their full establishment -- under the command of
Lieut. Colonel Mignan; -- having been ordered by
Lieut. General Harris, from the Bombay Army to
be held in readiness to form part of the Troops intended
for the Assault -- were sent across the River this
Evening at 6 o'clock to the Grand Camp, where
they are to join the other Troops intended for the Assault,
and which are to move down from Camp into the Trenches
at Day-break tomorrow morning: -- there to remain
until ordered to storm the Breach. ---
The proposed Plan of attack -- I understand -- is
as follows: ---The Six European Flank Companies of the
Bombay Army -- under Lieut. Colonel Dunlop -- to lead --
and form the Left attack after mounting the Breach;
the Six Flank Companies of the 12th. -- Scotch Brigade --
and Meuron Regiment -- under Colonel Sherbroke --
to follow and form the Right attack after mounting
the Breach: ---These two Flank Corps are to be followed
and supported by the 12th. -- 33d. -- 73d. -- 74th. -- Scotch Brigade
and Meuron Regiments, -- Ten Bengal Native Flank
Companies -- Eight Madras Native Flank Companies --
and the Six Bombay Native Flank Companies
bringing up the Rear; ---The whole of the Troops
ordered for the Assault to be commanded by Major
General Baird; ---The Hon'ble Colonel Wellesley
being Second in Command on this occasion: -- And
the Assault is expected to be made between Twelve
o'clock and Two in the afternoon tomorrow. ---
Casualties of this Day -- in both Armies -- as
Pr. Returns of Do. ---
Saturday 4th. May ! ! ! ----
Our Breaching and Enfilading Batteries opened on the
Breach and all parts of the Fort this morning at Day-break
a most tremendous fire of Shot and Shells, which did
great execution in the Town and on the Works of the
Fort. ---The Breach appears now sufficiently wide
to admit of two Grand Divisions, marching abreast,
mounting it together: ---Our fire however is still
kept up to render it more accessible. ---
At Ten o'clock this morning, a large Body of
the Enemy -- of both Horse and Foot - made their
appearance in the Rear of our (the Bombay) Camp,
and soon afterwards commenced a distant Cannonade
upon our Camp from behind some Rocks about
half a mile in the Rear of our Line, throwing
a number of Rockets at the same time into our
Park and Mooda-Khauna. ---But tho many of
their Rockets and Shot fell amongst our Tents
we had not one man hurt for the Six Hours that
they continued this useless warfare. ---Our Line
lay all this time upon their Arms every moment
expecting a closer attack from the Enemy in the
Rear -- their force being at least 5 or 6000 Horse and
Foot -- and ours not above 1500 men at this moment
in our Lines; But notwithstanding this great
superiority in point of numbers -- they kept at a
very respectable distance -- and did not think proper
to gratify us with a close attack; and we had
too much at stake -- at this very critical and most
interesting moment -- in our Front to quit our
own Lines to attack them in the Rear. ---Their
Infantry at one time came up within 3 or 400 Yards
of our Picquets in the Rear -- and fired upon them,
which made us suppose that they meant then
to advance to storm our Camp; -- but as soon
as ever they saw one Battalion of Sepoys marching
to the Rear to support our Picquets they
instantly drew off -- and retired to their former
Post behind the Rocks -- where they remained till
they saw the British Colours hoisted in Seringapatam.
At Noon a Battery of 4 Field Twelves -- and 6 Six Pounders,
that was constructed in the course of last Night -- on the North
side of the River -- immediately in front and on the Left
of our last constructed Enfilading Battery on this Side --
Opened on the Fort -- and directed it's [sic] fire upon all
parts of the Town indiscriminately -- in order to direct
and distract the attention of the Enemy within --
previous to our making the Assault. ---
At Half past One o'clock in the
afternoon of this Day, the Storming Party consisting
of the Corps already named -- and in the same order --
advanced to the Assault from the Head of the Trenches
on the South side of the River, to the very edge of which
our Trenches were carried in front of the Right Hand
Breaching Battery for the more effectual covering of
the Troops previous to their advancing out of them
to the Assault; and the River not being above 200 Yards
broad at this place, between the Head of the Trench
and the Breach, our Troops were not long exposed
to the enemy's fire in crossing it -- which they did
rapidly -- but in perfect good order: -- then crossing
the Outer ditch which was full of water up to their
waists, they mounted the Breach in a very few minutes,
putting to the Bayonet the few of the Enemy who had
the courage to stand to defend it. ---After our Troops
had gained the summit of the Breach, and driven the
Enemy from it, they pursued them closely along the
Ramparts -- to the right and Left -- until they
killed or dispersed the whole of them -- or drove
them into the Town, out of which they fled in vast
crowds through the different Gateways as fast
as they could run. ---
The final result of this
glorious and memorable Day, was, that our
Troops were in Complete Possession of Tippoo Sultaun's
Fortress and Capital in less than an hour from the
commencement of the assault; -- the Sultaun himself,
and a great many of his principal officers, killed
in the Storm; -- his sons and all his Family our
Prisoners; and all his immense Riches and Treasures
in our Possession: -- For, he had neither sent his
Family -- or Treasure out of the Fort, -- being, as
it is said, fully confident that he would be able
to defend it against all our efforts; -- And this
latter assertion is strongly supported by the Sultauns
remaining in the Fort to defend it in Person -- and
there falling Victim to his temerity. ---It is not known
how -- or by whom the Sultaun was killed; -- nor was
it ascertained for several hours after we were in Possession
of his Palace and Capital that he was killed at all,
most People supposing that he had made good his Retreat
out of the Fort at the opposite side that our Troops entered
it at the commencement of the Assault. ---These doubts
however were fully cleared up by Ten o'clock at night,
when his Body was found among a Heap of Slain
of his own People that lay together in one of the Passages
or Sally-Ports, in the Rear of his Palace, that leads
across the Ditch to the outer Ramparts of the North
face of the Fort; ---And as the Enemy made their principal
stand -- and greatest opposition, against our Troops, in
that Quarter, it is generally supposed that the Sultaun
was repairing thither in person -- to encourage his
Troops, when he was shot. ---His own particular
Post was also on the North side of the Fort, which makes it
still more probable that he was going there on hearing
that our Troops were in Possession of the Breach,
and not attempting to make his escape -- as many People suppose:
---However this may be -- it is now past doubt that
Tippoo Sultaun was killed -- that his Body was
found amongst a Heap of Slain -- and that on the
Body's [sic] being carried to the Palace, it was there
acknowledged to be his -- by his own sons and
all the Servants of his Household. ---
The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded in the
Storm is very great -- but cannot possibly be exactly
ascertained -- as they lay in such immense Heaps
on the Ramparts -- and in the ditch -as well as
in different Parts of the Town - that no regular
account of them could be taken. ---
Our own loss on this grand occasion -- tho'
comparatively very small in proportion to the magnitude
of the object attained -- is still very considerable; having
had several very valuable officers -- and great
many gallant soldiers, killed and wounded in
the Assault -- as will be seen by the Returns of
Casualties hereunto annexed. ---But our loss
upon the whole is really trifling, compared to
what it might be expected to be had the Enemy
behaved as they might to have done on such
an occasion -- which they certainly did not -- but
to do them common justice -- it must be confessed
that they did not appear to be at all prepared
for us -- at that hour of the Day -- not supposing
that we should have chosen such a time for
storming the Breach -- and under this impression
they were off their Guard, most evidently, as
every account from their own surviving
Sirdars clearly confirms. ---
One of the few instances of determined Bravery
shewn by Tippoo's Troops, in the very commencement
of the Assault, deserves to be recorded, and is as
follows: ---As Lieut. Colonel Dunlop was leading
in the Bombay European Flank Companies up the
Breach, he was met and opposed in the middle
of it by one of Tippoo's Sirdars -- who made a desperate
cut with his sword at the Colonel -- but which he
was fortunately able to parry, -- and instantly
making a cut with his sword at the Sirdar across
the Breast -- laid it open, and wounded him mortally,
the Sirdar, however, had still strength enough
left to make a second cut at Colonel Dunlop,
across his Right Wrist -- cutting it almost
quite through; -- Tippoo's Sirdar immediately
on this reeled backward -- and fell on the
Breach -- where he was instantly dispatched
by the Soldiers as they passed him. ---Colonel
Dunlop after being thus severely wounded, still
went on at the Head of his men until he gained
possession of the Top of the Breach; but by that
time he was so much weakened by the loss of
Blood, that issued from his Wound, that he fell to
the Ground -- and was obliged to be carried off by some
of his men to the Rear. ---It is with great pleasure
however, that I have to add, that his wound is
not mortal -- but that he is in a fair way of
being well -- and of even recovering, in time,
the use of his Right Hand again. ---
L. Macquarie
Camp before Seringapatam
5th. May 1799.
Back to Top of Document
Provenance
Manuscript held by the Mitchell Library, Sydney
[ML Ref: A769-A].
[Previously catalogued as A769 -2 and A769
-3, now merged as a single mss.] The exact provenance of this
manuscript is uncertain; one part was probably acquired in June 1914 from Colonel
Campbell (a relative of Isabella Campbell, wife of Lachlan Macquarie Jnr.)
together with Lachlan Macquarie's other Indian journals; a second part ( the
detailed description of the Seringapatam campaign) was acquired from Henry
Stevens Son & Stiles in December 1932 (Appeared in Sotheby's Sale Catalogue 27-29
June 1927).
There is also a typed transcript of this journal available in the India Office
Records. Home Miscellaneous Series: Ms. No. 814(6) Miscellaneous Documents [pp.
92-154]. The transcription is reasonably accurate (there are some omissions and/or
text insertions), however, it does not retain the spelling and punctuation used by
Macquarie in the original mss. held by the Mitchell Library, nor does it
include the four page section: 'Notes for Journal' (14 February 1799 - 1 June
1799) that forms the first part of the original mss.
The date of the Home Miscellaneous Series transcript is unknown, but the fact
that it is typed, rather than handwritten, indicates a C20th provenance.
Description
No longer in original binding.
Page sizes, 22 x 18 cm and 22 x 18.5 cm.
Mitchell Library numbering pp.1-50
[Microfilm copy CY Reel 300, frames #4-53].
- 'Notes for Journal' (14 Feb. 1799 - 1 June 1799).
A769 pp.1-4 [CY Reel 300 frames #4-7].
- 'Journal of the Operations of the Bombay Army under/the immediate command of
General Stuart from forming/the junction with General Floyd's Detachment
at Periapatam on the/10th April and afterwards with the Grand Army at
Seringapatam/on the 14th April'.
A769 pp.5-39 [CY Reel 300 frames #5-42].
- 'General Return/of Killed, Wounded & Missing/of Corps of Camp in
the/Grand Army/from the 4th.. of April/to the 4th.. May 1799 incluse'.
A769 pp.40-43 [CY Reel 300 frames #43-46].
- 'Extracts from "General Orders" issued by Generals Harris and Stuart on 5 May
1799.
A769 pp.44-47 [CY Reel 300 frames #47-50].
- 'General Return/of Killed, Wounded & Missing in the Bombay/ Army at the Siege of
Seringapatam from 17th April to 4th.. May '99 incluse/Camp at Seringapatam 5th.. May 1799'.
A769 pp.48-50 [CY Reel 300 frames #51-53].
Transcript
Transcription of original manuscript prepared by Robin Walsh, Macquarie University Library, Sydney, Australia:
robin.walsh@mq.edu.au
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