of the 5th April, 1799, the British army encamped on their
permanent ground for the siege of the celebrated fortress of
Seringapatam; and, after due deliberation, it was decided to open
the trenches, if possible, the same evening. In accordance with
this determination, two separate bodies of troops were ordered to
parade, at six o’clock in the afternoon--one destined to drive
the enemy from the dry bed of a nullah, or narrow river--the
other to take possession of a small wood situated in a line on
the right of the river, and rather nearer the encampment, which
had been occupied the night before by a detachment of flankers
under General Baird, and evacuated, the enemy having silently
retreated from it on the approach of the English. Both these
positions were, on the 5th, strongly occupied by select bodies
of Tippoo’s troops. To accomplish these arduous enterprises, his
Majesty’s 12th regiment, with a proportion of sepoys or native
troops, consisting of about 2000 effective men, under the command
of lieutenant-colonel Shaw (of the 12th foot), marched from the
British lines at a quarter past six o’clock, to take possession of
the bed of the river; his majesty’s 33rd regiment of foot, with
a detachment of sepoys, amounting, in toto, to 2000 men, under
the command of colonel Wellesley (now the duke of Wellington),
quitted camp about the same time, to occupy the tope, or wood, on
the right of the bed of the river. The two posts were intended to
be carried at or near the same time as possible, for the mutual
protection and security of both detachments--as one position was
almost untenable without the occupation of the other. The British
encampment was situated three miles from Seringapatam, on a rising
ground gradually sloping up from the fortress, with the exception
of partial undulations, which, however, did not prevent a perfect
view of the whole intermediate spaces. The two posts (nullah and
top) were midway between the camp and the besieged town. Scarcely
had these two little columns quitted the camp, than they were
assailed by showers of rockets and blue lights from every direction
in front, which completely illumined the atmosphere, and exposed
the British to the fire of Tippoo’s tiger sepoys; heavy masses of
whom poured death into Shaw’s force, with the most terrific effect.
Still this gallant little body moved slowly on (as the night was
exceedingly dark), although more encumbered each moment with dead,
dying, and wounded: the rockets and musketry from upwards of 20,000
of the enemy were incessant--no hail could be thicker; with every
blue light came a shower of bullets, and several rockets passed
through the head to the rear of the column, causing death, wounds,
and dreadful lacerations:[2] the cries of the wounded were quite
awful. Not a shot did the British fire, nor had the men even
loaded their pieces; a caution from the brave old colonel Shaw,
that “_all must be done with the bayonet_,” needed no repetition
to ensure obedience; but scarcely had this caution been conveyed
through the ranks, when a tremendous peal of musketry was heard
on the right flank, in the direction of the wood, which caused
Shaw’s force to halt, as the attack became so formidable from
the front, and both flanks, that it would have been an useless
sacrifice of the men’s lives to stand up; they were consequently
directed to lie down for a few minutes, to avoid the effects of
the enemy’s scorching fire, which now proceeded from a very few
yards’ distance--the brilliant light of their fire-balls or blue
lights exposing Shaw’s column to the full force of their musketry;
and imagining, from the recumbent posture of the British, that the
majority was killed, a large column of the tiger sepoys ventured
an attack with the bayonet, and drove in the battalion of the
Company’s sepoys, who were a few yards in advance on the right,
and killing their major. The command, “_Up, 12th and charge!_”
was no sooner given, than each man sprang up and advanced to the
charge in silence and compact order. The tiger sepoys stood,
until a very few yards intervened between the combatants, when a
general shout of “Feringee bong chute!” (“the rascally English!”)
was uttered, and the enemy dispersed on all sides in considerable
confusion; but, shortly after, again threw out their blue lights,
and recommenced their murderous file-firing, which once more
compelled the British to resume their prostrate posture. It was
now about twelve o’clock at night, when the solemn trampling of
a body of troops was plainly distinguished, approaching from the
right flank in a hasty and rather tumultuous manner. Once more
Shaw’s column were on their feet and preparing to charge, when a
few stragglers from the hon. colonel Wellesley’s force rushed in,
and announced that the detachment had been repulsed from the wood,
and that the approaching trampling was part of the force coming
to join Shaw--that two companies of the 33rd, with their colonel
(Wellesley), were missing! A few minutes after this report, major
Shea (second in command to Wellesley) joined Shaw’s force with the
remains of that detachment: he stated that colonel Wellesley, with
two companies of the 33rd regiment, had been either taken prisoners
or had retreated to camp! As second in command, he had considered
it his duty to traverse the wood in search of him, which proving
unsuccessful, and the fire from the enemy becoming so exceedingly
heavy, had induced him to lead the remaining troops to colonel
Shaw, for the purpose of obtaining information, and receiving
instructions how to act. Colonel Shaw replied, ironically, “that he
had better follow his colonel to camp”--a hint that was implicitly
and immediately complied with. Indignation here overcame prudence,
as Shaw soon saw the enemy pouring in from all sides, and the
stoutest heart in his force predicted a fatal result, from the
united and concentrated efforts of so numerous an enemy. Large
quantities of ammunition were sent from camp during the night,
for the supply of Shaw’s column, as, from the tremendous firing,
it was naturally apprehended that all their cartridges had been
expended; but these incessant peals of musketry had all proceeded
from Tippoo’s troops (not a single shot had been returned by
Shaw’s column). The oldest soldier in camp declared they had never
heard so tremendous a fire: in fact, it continued for twelve hours
without intermission, blue lights and rockets illuminating the
air the whole time--beautiful, though terrific. It was generally
imagined in camp that Shaw and his detachment must have been
inevitably annihilated; but this gallant old officer only waited
the dawn of day, to exhibit one of the most glorious and impressive
spectacles that ever added lustre to the annals of British military
fame! The appearance of Wellesley in camp, followed by part of two
companies of the 33rd regiment, reporting that the remainder of his
detachment had been cut to pieces, increased the probability of the
inevitable destruction of the other attacking column, and all was
anxiety and commiseration, in camp, for the fate of this devoted
little band.
At five o’clock on the morning of the 6th April, the fire of
musketry began to relax; the whole were under arms, and generously
anxious for the safety of the column under Shaw’s command: but
scarcely had the day dawned, than a glorious and exhilarating scene
was displayed: the gallant old 12th, and the sepoys in line with
them, were seen rushing on the entrenched enemy at the point of
the bayonet, and driving them from the bed of the river, in spite
of a heavy cannonade from the fortress of Seringapatam, and the
resistance of the numerous columns opposed to them. Never did men
more heroically perform their duty: the conflict was excessively
murderous and obstinate, as the tiger sepoys were brave, numerous
and well-disciplined. For some time the result of the attack
appeared most dubious, as a considerable body of French troops
persevered in most gallant style, in leading on Tippoo’s sepoys.
The rapid charge of the 12th regiment, supported by the sepoys
composing the force, excited the admiration of the whole British
army. General Harris was heard to exclaim, “Well done, old 12th!
why, they are going to take Seringapatam!” The occupation of the
bed of the nullah being at length achieved by Shaw’s column, it had
scarcely secured itself under the embankment of the river, from
the thundering cannon of the fortress, when the enemy in the wood
(who had opposed and put Wellesley to flight) opened a destructive
fire from several field-pieces, which completely enfiladed Shaw’s
post. A mound of earth was quickly thrown up on the right flank of
the 12th regiment, to protect them, as much as possible, from this
fresh annoyance; but this precaution could not have prevented the
British from being dislodged from the bed of the river, had not
several brigades from camp been observed advancing to support the
position of Shaw’s post, and to drive the enemy from the wood. The
certainty of speedy support inspired Shaw’s column with renewed
ardour, and a fire was for the first time returned, with a rapidity
and effect that completely disconcerted the enemy, who retired
in good order, ever and anon facing about and firing a volley of
musketry.
They were not relieved until the close of the evening of the 6th,
as the enemy’s firing from the fortress of Seringapatam was so
destructive, that Baird’s brigade was compelled to halt and return
to camp; the other brigade, under Wellesley, advanced and took
possession of the wood which the enemy abandoned, and thus relieved
Shaw’s post from an annoying enfilade of cannon and musketry, from
which they suffered for at least an hour and a half after daybreak,
with the greatest constancy and courage. Eleven officers and 180
rank and file were killed and wounded in this small force during
the night and morning of the 5th and 6th April. About seven o’clock
in the evening of the latter day, the 74th regiment relieved the
12th, who were right happy to break their fast after twenty-four
hours’ hard fighting and fasting.”
SEVILLE.--Surrendered to the French, February 1st, 1810; taken
by assault by the British and Spaniards, after the battle of
Salamanca, August 27th, 1812, when the French left it, at the
general evacuation of the south of Spain, in consequence of their
signal defeat in that battle.
SHERRIFMUIR, BATTLE OF.--Fought, November 12th, 1715, between the
Royal army, under the Duke of Argyle, and the Scotch rebel forces,
who favored the Pretender, and commanded by the Earl of Mar. The
insurgents were defeated. Fought on the same day in which the rebel
forces were defeated at Preston.
SHREWSBURY, BATTLE OF.--Fought, July 21st, 1403, between the
Royal army of Henry IV, and the army of the Nobles, led by Percy,
surnamed Hotspur, who had conspired to dethrone Henry. Each
army consisted of about 12,000 men, and the engagement was most
obstinate and bloody. Henry was seen everywhere in the thickest of
the fight, while his valiant son, who was afterwards the renowned
conqueror of France, fought by his side, though wounded in the
face by an arrow, still kept the field and performed astonishing
deeds of bravery. On the other hand, Hotspur performed prodigies
of valour; 2300 gentlemen were slain, and about 6000 private men.
Hotspur was killed by an unknown hand, and his death decided the
fortune of the day.
SHROPSHIRE, BATTLE OF.--In which the Britons were completely
defeated, and Caractacus, their leader, taken prisoner and sent to
Rome; fought A.D. 51.
SIEGES.--Numerous in History; the following are the most
important:--
_Acre_, 1799, by Bonaparte; siege raised after sixty days, open
trenches.
_Algiers_, 1816. _See this article._
_Almeida_, August 27th, 1810.
_Antwerp_, 1576, use of infernal machines; also besieged 1583,
1585, 1706, 1792, and 1814.
_Badajoz_, March 11th, 1811, but raised June 9th. Taken by escalade
on the night of April 6th, 1812.
_Bagdad_, 1248.
_Bayonne_, 1451.
_Berwick_, 1293. _See this article._
_Bommel_, 1794; the invention of the covert-way used here.
_Burgos_, September to October, 1812, raised; the French in their
retreat blew up the works, June 13th, 1813.
_Calais_, 1347; British historians affirm cannon first used here at
this siege. _See this article._
_Candia_, 1667; the largest cannon then known in Europe, used here
by the Turks.
_Carthagena_, 1706.
_Chalons_, 1199.
_Cherbourg_, 1650.
_Ciudad Rodrigo_, 1706, July, 1810; January, 1812. _See this
article._
_Constantinople_, 1453.
_Copenhagen_, 1700, 1801, and 1807. _See this article._
_Cracow_, 1772.
_Dunkirk_, 1646, 1793.
_Frederickshall_, 1718, Charles XII killed here.
_Gibraltar_, 1704, 1799, and 1782; red hot cannon balls used here
to burn the French fleet. _See this article._
_Ismael_, 1790. _See this article._
_Kars_, 1855. _See this article._
_Londonderry_, 1689. _See this article._
_Mons_, 1572, 1691, 1709, 1746, 1792, and 1794.
_Mothe_, 1634; the French taught by Mr. Muller, an English
engineer, first practised the art of throwing shells.
_Naples_, 1381, 1435, 1504, 1557, 1792, 1799, and 1806.
_Orleans_, 1428, 1563.
_Philipsburg_, 1644, 1675, and 1688; first experiment of firing
artillery à-ricochet here, also besieged 1734 and 1795.
_Romorentin_, 1356; according to Voltaire, artillery first used
here in sieges.
_St. Sebastian_, September, 1813.
_Salamanca_, June, 1812.
_Saragossa_, oftener spelled _Zaragosa_,--appended to this article
is a graphic account of the 2nd siege. It was besieged three times,
in 1710, 1808, and 1809, the two last were dreadful sieges.
_Schweidnitz_, 1762 and 1807. Here was the first experiment to
reduce a fortress by springing globes of compression.
_Sebastopol_, 1854 and 1855. _See this article under the heads of
Bombardment of Sebastopol, Mamelon, Quarries, Rifle Pits, Sortie,
&c._
_Seville_, 1096, 1247, 1248, one of the most memorable sieges
mentioned in Spanish history.
_Silistria_, 1854. _See this article_.
_Stralsund_, 1675, 1713, and 1807; the method of throwing red hot
cannon balls first practiced here with certainty.
_Tarifa_, December 20th, 1811.
_Toulon_, 1707 and 1793.
_Tournay_, 1340, 1312, 1581, 1667, and 1709. During this siege the
best defence ever drawn from countermines was here practised; also
besieged in 1765 and 1794.
_Tunis_, 1270, 1535.
_Valenciennes_, May 23rd to July 14th, 1793. _See this article._
_Warsaw_, September 8th, 1831.
_Zutphen_, 1572 and 1586.
SILISTRIA, SIEGE OF.--In 1854.--The following is an admirable
account of the siege of this place:
“After the battle of Citate, so bitter a blow to the pretensions
of Russia, the enemy’s Generals found it advisable to change
their plan of operations. Adopting Foktchani as their basis, they
accumulated a large amount of military stores, and finding that
the Turks were not to be tempted into crossing the Danube, calmly
awaited reinforcements. When these had arrived, it was resolved
to make a desperate effort to force the passage of the river.
Imperative orders arrived from St. Petersburg to press the war
vigorously, and at any cost. On the 13th of February they attacked
Giurgevo, on the Wallachian bank of the Danube, with a considerable
force, and after a vigorous resistance, the Turks were forced to
evacuate their position, though not without being able to effect an
orderly retreat across the river, and establish themselves firmly
in the opposite town of Rustchuk. The Russian Generals now resolved
on concentrating their strength, and making an irresistible advance
into Bulgaria. With characteristic promptness, however, Omer Pacha
initiated the attack. Throwing a small column across the Danube
at Rahova, he assaulted and drove back the outposts at Kalarasch
with considerable slaughter; and the Turks, after this dashing
feat, retired in security to Rahova. Another attempt was made
by the extreme right of the Russian line, on the 11th of March,
to seize Kalafat; but they were energetically repulsed by the
brave garrison of that renowned town. Four days later, Prince
Gortschakoff made a desperate effort to wrest from its Ottoman
defenders the island in the Danube between Tukurtai and Oltenitza,
which had been so important a position in the battle at the latter
place. The Russians were again driven back, but some idea of the
sanguinary nature of the struggle may be formed from the fact that
2000 soldiers of the Czar left their bodies on the disputed ground.
“Five days before this desperate attempt to force the passage of
the river at Oltenitza, General Luders had succeeded in crossing,
at Galatz, into the Dobrudscha. Gortschakoff, defeated as he had
been, resolved upon abandoning the position he had so disastrously
occupied, and shifting his ground farther to the east, effected a
passage at Tultscha, beyond the point where Luders had passed with
his army. The two divisions were now united, and numbered about
5000 men. By a curious coincidence, the 23rd of March, the day on
which Gortschakoff crossed the river, was the same day in which
Odessa was so successfully bombarded by the allied fleets. Thus was
the Russian success more than counterbalanced. Four days later,
England and France had officially entered into the struggle. The
great object of the enemy’s movements now became apparent. Prince
Paskiewitch, the veteran General, the most celebrated commander of
the Russian army, was summoned from Poland to assume the supreme
command, and Schilders, the most accomplished general of engineers,
also hastened to the scene of operations. The capture of Silistria,
the strongest fortress on the southern bank of the Danube, and
the key to Bulgaria, was evidently the object of the Russians. So
important was the possession of this place deemed by the Czar, that
the most imperative directions were forwarded to accomplish it at
any cost. The plan of operations was this. Gortschakoff and Luders,
having crossed the Danube, were to advance towards Silistria,
intercepting communications, and investing it on the land side;
while Paskiewitch was to throw forward the main body of the army
and vigorously assault it from the northern side. The garrison of
Silistria, commanded by Moussa Pacha, a General of great ability
and indomitable courage, did not number more than 8000 men.
“Now commenced one of the most memorable sieges which history
has ever recorded. Others have exceeded it in the number of men
engaged, in the length of time occupied, but none in heroic
episodes and unflinching constancy. On the 14th of April, batteries
were thrown up on the north bank of the Danube, opposite the
devoted town, and a vigorous bombardment opened, but without much
effect. On the 28th the first assault was made, but so hot was the
reception the attacking force met with, that three weeks elapsed
before they had sufficiently recovered to completely invest the
town. By that time 53,000 Russians had surrounded the fortress,
and batteries had been established, commanding the most important
points. On the south-west front, and consequently the land side
of the town, two very important earthworks were thrown up, known
as Arab Tabia and Illanii. The ground on which these works were
situated rises in a series of platforms, which virtually command
the town. Their defence, therefore, was of the utmost importance
to the brave garrison. Again and again, for the space of ten
weeks, did the enemy precipitate strong columns of men against
these mounds of earth, and again and again were they driven back
with enormous loss. In vain the Russian cannonade levelled the
bastions and slaughtered the defenders; others supplied their
places, and once more the works rose defiantly. The Russian shells
swept the ground, and the Turks burrowed in the trenches, till
the advancing columns of assailants rushed to the breach. Then
the undaunted defenders sprang upon them, and hurled them back,
covered with defeat. Every attack was made with increased numbers,
and made only to be the more ignominiously defeated. Mines were
stealthily advanced towards the works; but the Turks countermined,
and the Russian sappers were blown into the air. All this while an
incessant bombardment from the river batteries poured death into
the town. But the undaunted besieged never for a moment relaxed
their resistance. Three master-spirits guided their operations,
and infused heroic courage into their ranks. Captain James Butler,
a young Englishman, who had volunteered for service in the army
of the East, had joined the garrison, in company with Lieutenant
Nasmyth, another young officer, animated by similar motives. These
two gallant men were the very soul of the defence, and aided
by the brave Maussa Pacha, the Ottoman Commander, successfully
defied the power of the assailants. Butler, as the senior of the
two Englishmen, assumed a position readily acceded to him by his
Turkish allies, and to him they were indebted for the admirable
construction and disposition of the defensive works. Lieutenant
Nasmyth proved himself a most able seconder of his friend’s
exertions, and in the capacity of “special correspondent” of the
_Times_ newspaper, made all Europe acquainted with the details of
this extraordinary siege.
“Straining every nerve, and exhausting every resource, to become
masters of the place, the Russian Generals summoned to their aid
the larger portion of the right wing of their army, thus materially
weakening their power of opposing the Turkish forces to the
westward of Silistria, who, in consequence, obtained some easy
successes. On the 12th of May, a tremendous assault was made by the
besiegers on the town, and repulsed after a sanguinary struggle, in
which more than 2000 Russians was lost. Ten days afterwards another
assault was attempted, and again was the enemy defeated. With true
Russian wiliness, overtures were secretly made to Moussa Pacha to
betray his trust, and for an adequate price to deliver the fortress
to the Czar. The brave man scornfully rejected the proposition, and
bade the enemy to take it if they could. Meanwhile, Omer Pacha was
anxiously endeavouring to succour the devoted garrison. Obstacles
interposed by the stupidity, if not traitorous connivance, of
officials in the ministry, had hitherto effectually tied his hands;
but at length, on the 5th of July, a detachment of Turkish troops
effected an entrance into the town after a smart skirmish; and on
the 8th, about a thousand more literally cut their way through the
Russians, and were added to the garrison. Aided by those welcome
reinforcements, the Turks now assumed the offensive, and on the
night of the 13th made a sortie, and succeeded in destroying the
Russian works, springing their mines, and inflicting a terrible
loss upon their ranks.
“It was now evident to the Russian Commanders that, if the town
were to be taken at all, it must be by a _coup de main_, and a
grand assault was ordered for the 28th of June. But they had
miscalculated the valour of their soldiers. Daunted by the warm
reception they had hitherto experienced, they absolutely refused to
march again to the breach; and nothing but the threat of stopping
their rations unless Silistria were taken the next day, could
induce these valiant warriors to perform their duty. On the next
day, the Russian Generals led their half-starved and unwilling
forces against the redoubts of Silistria. The Commanders, Prince
Paskiewitch, Count Orloff, Generals Schilders, Gortschakoff, and
Luders, placed themselves in the very front of the attacking force,
anxious to stimulate the soldiers by their own exposure. The
assault was attempted, and most triumphantly repulsed. The Russians
were thrown into the utmost disorganization, and fled precipitately
from the well-directed volleys of the garrison. Their leaders, too,
paid dearly for their temerity. Paskiewitch himself was severely
wounded; Schilders had both his legs shattered, Luders his jaw shot
away, Count Orloff was killed, and Gortschakoff received a serious
wound. Nor did the brave defenders escape without irreparable
loss. Their gallant chief, Moussa Pacha, was struck on the head
by a round shot, and expired instantly; and the noble Butler fell
a sacrifice to his undaunted courage. The Turkish reinforcements
outside the garrison fell upon the rear of the retreating Russians,
and completed the rout their compatriots had so gloriously
initiated. Beaten on every hand, the enemy dashed pell-mell across
the river, in confused retreat towards Foktchani. The siege was
raised. More than 30,000 Russian soldiers had perished in the
attempt to take Silistria, and the broken remnant was now in full
flight, owing its safety solely to the limited number of the
victorious Turks, which forbade pursuit.
“With the exception of the small force which still lingered in the
plague-stricken plains of the Dobrudscha, not a Russian remained
to the south of the Danube. The mighty legions, precipitated so
recklessly across the Danube, were dead upon the Turkish bank, or
flying ignominiously from the scene. The despised Turks were the
triumphant conquerors, and the great Czar had received another and
a greater blow from the “sick man.”
SLAUGHTER OR MASSACRE.--Under this head both Ancient and Modern
History abound with events which can be so called. The following
are among the most remarkable, as recorded by various authors:
The Carthagenians in Sicily who were totally slaughtered, 397 B.C.
2000 Tyrians crucified and 8000 put to the sword by Alexander the
Great. 331 B.C.
The Romans throughout Asia, women and children not exempted,
cruelly butchered in one day, by order of Mithridates, King of
Pontus, 88 B.C.
The massacre of Roman Senators, &c., 86 B.C.
That of Octavianus Cæsar to the Manes of Julius Cæsar, 41 B.C.
Jerusalem, 1,100,000 Jews cruelly put to the sword, A.D. 70.
Cassius slaughtered 400,000 of the inhabitants of Selucia, A.D. 167.
Eighty Christian Fathers by order of the Emperor Gratian were put
into a ship which was set on fire and then driven out to sea, A.D.
370.
Belisarius massacred 30,000 citizens of Constantinople, A.D. 552.
That of the Albigenses and Waldenses, A.D. 1209.
The Sicilian Vespers--all the French in Sicily butchered without
distinction of age or sex, the first bell for vespers being the
signal, A.D. 1282.
That of St. Bartholomew’s day throughout France, August 24th, 1572.
Ismael, 30,000 of the inhabitants old and young slain, December,
1790. _See Ismael._
Of all the whites in the Island of St. Domingo, March 29th, 1804.
Massacre of the Mamelukes in Egypt, March 1st, 1811. _See account
appended to this list._
Sinopé during the Crimean war, 1854.
MASSACRES IN ENGLISH HISTORY.
Of 300 nobles on Salisbury Plain, A.D. 474.
The Danes in England, November 13th, 1002.
The Jews in England, A.D. 1189.
The unoffending McDonalds of Glencoe, 1692. _See account appended
to this list._
Massacres of Cawnpore, Delhi, and other places during the Great
Indian Mutiny, 1857. _See Cawnpore and Delhi._