_Accession of Tippoo Saib—Compelled to learn Military
Exercise—Without Food two Days—Cruel Treatment for
complaining—Ears bored, and marked as Slaves—Peace
concluded—Left unclaimed by the British—Fate of some
English Officers—Defeat and Capture of Colonel Bailey._
About this time, Tippoo Saib, who had succeeded his father, Hyder
Ali,[5] sent an order to the killadare of Seringapatam to incorporate us
in his four battalions of slaves—which was accordingly done; but we had
no doubt it was so done through the malicious insinuations of Dempster,
whom, after we knew, we treated with the most sovereign contempt. Here
each individual was supplied with a stick of about four feet and a half
long, as a substitute for a firelock; and our pay being shortened, we
led wretched lives indeed; fabrications being circulated, and groundless
complaints made against us, merely from a malignant antipathy. We did
not at this time know much of the language; and when questioned relative
to these complaints, many got severe beatings;[6] for our silence was
generally construed into guilt.
Once we were kept without food for two days; and conscious we had done
nothing to deserve it, we sallied forth to the durbar, (a seat of
justice so called,) in order to exhibit a complaint of our grievances to
the killadare; but Abdel Gunney, to whom I have adverted, learning our
intentions, was before us, and intimated to the killadare to take care
of his person, for that we were coming in a body, and he knew not for
what purpose. This alarmed the governor; and we no sooner arrived, than
we were surrounded by a battalion of Sepoys, and our interpreter, Clark,
a lieutenant in the Company’s service, who had begun to speak, was
knocked down, and beaten in a most shocking manner. While he lay on the
ground, they put him in heavy irons, and took him away, nor do I
recollect ever seeing him afterwards. All this time we were secured by
the Sepoys, who had orders to prime and load, and to fix their bayonets;
and all this against fifty-two defenceless boys. Judge of our situation,
my good reader, at this crisis! We were seized, and each of us was bound
with two new ropes, confining our hands behind us; and, to make us
secure, a strong man enclosed our arms, and with his knee almost
dislocated our shoulders: many of us had the marks in our arms for some
years after. This done, we were wheeled to the right, then to the left,
by the myre, or adjutant, in broken English, who would frequently, in
the most contemptuous manner, cry out, “General Mathews,”—“Colonel
Bailey,”—“Captain Rumney,” and repeat the names of many officers they
then had in their custody, of whom I shall very soon give the reader an
accurate account.
We were hauled in this degrading manner, until I and several more
fainted; when I came to myself, we were all seated on the ground. I was
bound between two lads, both midshipmen of the Hannibal, who told me,
when I fell they fell, with most of the rest; those who did not,
informed us, that so many falling, they were ordered to sit down. The
skin of our breasts was like a drum head, and I am conscious to this
day, if it had not been for the humanity of the durga, an officer equal
to a sergeant, in slackening the ropes about twelve o’clock at night,
very few would have survived till morning. This was done on his part at
a great risk: may God reward him for it!
The next day we were ordered to be untied, one by one, and our heads to
be again shaved, which was performed; our ears also were bored, and a
slave’s mark was put in each of them. This being done, we were
prohibited from speaking to each other in English, under pain of severe
punishment. We were then marched, or led crawling, rather, to our
square, where they gave those who could immediately make use of it, some
food. Here we met every day, more or less, with severe treatment, until
the year 1784, when a peace was concluded between the East India Company
and Tippoo. This was a woful and heart-rending peace for us; but prior
to my saying any thing on that head, I shall introduce the condition and
fate of many of our brave officers; together with the fate of the
unfortunate brachmins, as it fell immediately under my notice. And
first, of Colonel Bailey, who was in leg-irons, with Captain Rumney, and
Lieutenants Fraser and Sampson. The three latter had their throats cut
at Mysore. Colonel Bailey appeared much emaciated; I rather think grief
was the cause of destroying his constitution; for when he was insulted
by Dempster, who took a pride in marching us before him, we could
frequently see the tears trickle down his manly face. He was alone,
after the captain and lieutenants were taken from him; but not long, for
he was removed also, and we supposed very secretly, for we never could
learn what became of him; and whether he died by poison, or a natural
death, we could not positively ascertain; but we could easily believe
the former. It may not be amiss here to say something relative to his
defeat. The circumstances which led to this melancholy catastrophe are
well known, therefore I shall only describe the manner, partly from the
Encyclopædia, and partly from information I received at Patam, from
several who survived that dreadful day.
In order to do this, it may be necessary to inform the reader, that
Hyder Ali, after suddenly seizing the passes, which might have been
secured, poured through them an army of 100,000 men, among whom was a
large body of European troops under French officers, and commanded by
Colonel Laly, a man of great bravery and experience in war. Alarm being
given on the 24th of June, 1780, that Hyder’s horse were only nine miles
distant from Madras, the inhabitants instantly deserted their houses,
and fled into the fort, while the unresisted barbarian burnt the
villages, reduced the inferior forts, and prepared to lay siege to the
capital. It being now absolutely necessary to make some resistance,
measures were taken for assembling the troops; in doing which, an
express was sent to Colonel Bailey, at Gumuapenda, about twenty-eight
miles from Madras, to proceed from thence directly to Conjeveram with
the corps under his command, where the main body was to meet him; but
when the main body was under marching orders, the 1st regiment of
cavalry positively refused to move without money; and, as they persisted
in their refusal, they were made prisoners, and sent to Madras. The main
body, then consisting of 1500 Europeans and 4200 Sepoys, under Sir
Hector Monroe, with the train of artillery, proceeded towards
Conjeveram; and such were the fatigues of the march, that 200 men
belonging to the 73d regiment, were left lying on the road. On their
arrival, they found the town in flames, great bodies of the enemy’s
cavalry advancing on both flanks, and no appearance of Colonel Bailey’s
detachment; the march of this body having been impeded by a small river,
swelled by a sudden fall of rain. On this occasion, the officer who
records this disaster, makes the following observation: “In this
incident we have a remarkable proof and example of the danger of
procrastination, and on what minute circumstances, and sudden springs of
the mind, the fortune and general issue of the war may depend. Had the
colonel passed over Trepuscore without halting, as some advised, and
encamped on the south instead of the north bank, the disaster that soon
followed would have been prevented, and an order of affairs, wholly
different from what took place, would have succeeded.”
Hyder Ali having now raised the siege of Arcot, in which he had been
employed, marched towards Conjeveram, in the vicinity of which he
encamped, and in a few days offered battle. On the 6th of September, he
detached his son, Tippoo Saib, with the flower of his army, to cut off
the detachment under Colonel Bailey, who was now at Pernambaukham, a
small village, distant from the main body about fifteen miles; he
himself remaining near Conjeveram, to watch the motions of Sir Hector
Monroe. The detachment of Tippoo consisted of 30,000 horse, 8000 foot,
and 12 pieces of cannon: notwithstanding this superiority of numbers,
they were bravely repulsed by Colonel Bailey’s handful of troops, and a
junction was effected with a detachment under Colonel Fletcher, sent by
Sir Hector Monroe, on first hearing the noise of the engagement. This
junction was effected on the 9th of September, and the next morning
orders were given for the whole army to march, Colonel Fletcher’s
detachment being dispersed in different parts of the line. From the
moment they began to march, the enemy played off their rockets, which,
however, did little execution: but about ten at night, several guns
began to open on the rear of the English; Colonel Bailey, therefore,
after some manœuvres, caused his troops to form a line, while the enemy
cannonaded them incessantly with great execution. On this, Colonel
Bailey detached Captain Rumney with five companies of grenadier Sepoys,
to storm their guns; which service they would undoubtedly have
accomplished, had not their march been interrupted by a torrent of
water, which at that time happened not to be fordable. Captain Rumney,
therefore, returned about half-past eleven, when the guns of the enemy
were heard drawing off towards the English front, and a general alarm
was perceived throughout their camp, owing, as was supposed, to their
having received intelligence of the party that had been sent to storm
their guns; for, from their noisy confusion, and irregular firing, says
my author, one would imagine that a detachment of our men was among them
with fixed bayonets. At that critical moment, had a party of grenadiers
been sent against them, they might, without difficulty, have routed the
whole of Tippoo’s army. Having, about ten o’clock in the evening,
advanced about five hundred yards into an avenue, Colonel Bailey
remained there in perfect silence till the morning. Colonel Fletcher
being asked why Colonel Bailey halted? modestly replied, that Colonel B.
was an officer of established reputation, and, no doubt, had reasons for
his conduct. It cannot, however, be concealed, that this halt afforded
an opportunity for Tippoo to draw off his cannon to a strong post, by
which the English were obliged to pass; and, at the same time, of
informing Hyder of their situation, and suggesting to him the expediency
of advancing, for the improvement of so favourable a conjuncture.
On the 10th day of September, at five o’clock in the morning, our little
body marched off by the right in subdivisions, having their baggage on
the left; and not many minutes after, six guns opened on their rear; on
which the line halted. A few minutes after, large bodies of the enemy’s
cavalry appeared on their flanks; and at the moment the pagoda of
Conjeveram appeared in view, and our men had begun to indulge hopes of a
respite from toils and dangers, a rocket boy was taken prisoner, who
informed them that Hyder’s whole army was marching to the assistance of
his son Tippoo. Four guns now opened on the left with great effect; and
so hot was the fire they sustained, and so heavy the loss, that Colonel
Bailey ordered the line to quit the avenue, and present a front to the
enemy; and at the same time detached Captain Rumney with ten companies,
to storm the enemy’s guns. Within a few minutes after this party had
left the line, Tippoo’s guns were silenced. Captain R.’s little
detachment immediately took possession of four cannon, and completely
routed the party that was attached to them. Captain Rumney, overcome
with fatigue, ordered Captain Goudie, the next in command, to lead the
party, and take possession of more of their guns; but in a few moments,
as they were advancing, a cry was heard among the Sepoys, of, Gora!
Gora!—Horse! Horse! The camp followers, whose numbers were nearly five
to one of the troops, were driven on part of our line by the numerous
and surrounding forces of Hyder Ali, who being informed of the situation
of Colonel Bailey, had left his camp without striking his tents, with a
view of concealing his march from General Monroe. A great confusion
among the troops was the unavoidable consequence of this unexpected
onset. The Europeans were suddenly left on the field alone, and at that
critical moment a part of Hyder’s advanced guard pressed on with great
celerity between our line and Captain Rumney’s party. The commanding
officer, therefore, apprehensive of being cut off from our little army,
judged it most prudent to retreat. Colonel Bailey, when he was informed
that an immense body of horse and foot was advancing towards him, and
that this was supposed to be Hyder’s main army, said, “Very well, we
shall be prepared to meet them.”
Hyder’s whole force now appeared incontestably in view; and this
barbarian chief, who, as was observed of the Roman general by Pyrrhus,
“had nothing barbarous in his discipline,” after dividing his guns
agreeably to a preconcerted plan, opened from sixty to seventy pieces of
cannon, with innumerable rockets. His numerous cavalry, supported by his
infantry, driven on by threats, and encouraged by promises, and led on
by his most distinguished officers, bore down upon our little army,
without making the least impression; our men, both Europeans and Sepoys,
repeatedly presenting and recovering their arms, as if they had been
manœuvring on a parade. The enemy was repulsed at every attack; numbers
of their best cavalry were killed, and many more were wounded; even
their infantry were forced to give way; and Hyder would have ordered a
retreat, had it not been for the advice of General Laly, who informed
him it was too late, as General Monroe was most probably advancing from
Conjeveram; for which reason, nothing remained but to break the
detachment by their artillery and cavalry. Tippoo Saib had by this time
collected his party together, and renewed the cannonade; so that at the
same time the English were under the necessity of sustaining an attack
from both father and son. Two of their tumbrils were blown up by Hyder’s
guns, and a large opening was made in both their lines; they had no
other ammunition than grape; their guns ceased firing; and in this
dreadful situation, under a terrible fire, not only of guns but rockets,
losing great numbers of men and officers, they remained from half-past
seven till nine o’clock, when Hyder Ali, perceiving that the guns were
quite silenced, came with his whole army round their right flank; the
cavalry charged them in distinct columns; and, in the intervals, the
infantry poured in volleys with dreadful effect.
Myar Saib, Tippoo’s brother, with the Mogul and Sanoor cavalry, made the
first impression; these were followed by the elephants and the Mysorean
cavalry, which completed the overthrow of the detachment. Colonel
Bailey, though grievously wounded, rallied the Europeans, and once more
formed them into a square, and, with this handful of men, he gained an
eminence, where, without ammunition, and most of his people being
wounded, he resisted and repulsed fifteen separate attacks; but fresh
bodies of cavalry continually pouring in, they were broken, without
giving way.
Captain Lucas’s battalion of Sepoys, at the time when our men moved up
to a rising ground, was stationed to the right of the European
grenadiers; but that corps seeing the Europeans in motion, and perhaps
understanding that motion for a retreat, broke in the utmost confusion.
The Europeans, however, bravely maintained their reputation for intrepid
valour, and remained in this extremity of distress steady and undaunted,
though surrounded by the French troops, and Hyder’s cavalry, to the
number of 40,000. They even expressed a desire, though their number did
not exceed 400, of being led on to charge a battalion of Topasses,
(natives, so called from their wearing hats,) who lay about thirty yards
distant, and kept up an incessant fire with great effect. Many attempts
were made by the enemy’s cavalry to break this body of men; but, by
their steady conduct and courage, they were repulsed; until Colonel
Bailey, finding that there was now no prospect of being relieved by
General Monroe, held out a flag of truce to one of the chiefs of Hyder’s
army: but this was treated with contempt, and the chief endeavoured at
the same time to cut off the Colonel. The reason that the enemy assigned
for this, was, that the Sepoys had fired after the signal was hoisted. A
few minutes afterwards, the men had orders to lay down their arms, with
intimations that quarter would be given: this order was scarcely
complied with, when the enemy rushed in upon them with the most savage
brutality, sparing no age or condition in life, and, but for the humane
interposition of Laly and Pencron, who implored and insisted with the
conquerors, to shew mercy, the gallant remains of our little army must
have fallen a sacrifice to that savage thirst for blood with which Hyder
disgraced his victory. In this unfortunate action, near 700 Europeans
were killed on the spot. The loss on Hyder’s part was so great, that he
industriously concealed it, being enraged to think that the conquest of
so inconsiderable a body should cost him so many of his bravest troops.
He seemed, ever after, to consider the English with an extreme degree of
terror; insomuch, that notwithstanding his pretended exultation on
account of the present victory, he no sooner heard of Sir H. Monro
marching to attack him, than he left his camp in the utmost confusion,
abandoning great part of his tents and baggage, as well as a vast number
of the wounded.
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