In consequence of the Rajah of Nepaul having refused to ratify the
treaty which had been signed by his ambassadors, an army was collected
under the command of Major-General Sir David Ochterlony, K.C.B., with a
view to coerce this refractory ruler. There were three King’s regiments
with this force: the 24th. belonging to the first brigade, the 66th. to
the second brigade, and the 87th. Royal Irish Fusiliers to the third
brigade. The first brigade, commanded by Colonel Kelly, of the 24th.,
was to penetrate by Hurryhurpore; the second brigade, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Nicol, of the 66th., was to enter the hills at
Ramnuggur, and by a circuitous route join Sir David Ochterlony before
Muckwanpore. The third brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, of the
87th., remained with the fourth brigade (native troops), under Sir David
Ochterlony, who marched through the forest at the foot of the Nepaul
Hills on the 9th. of February. Great difficulty was experienced in
carrying the guns through the forest, which was accomplished by the
personal exertions of each individual.
On the 27th. of February, the advance guard arrived at Muckwanpore, and
on the following day the brigade was ordered to take possession of the
heights of Sierapore; an action ensued, which commenced about noon, and
terminated at six o’clock, leaving the British in possession of the
heights for a considerable distance from Sierapore, and of one
field-piece.
For this affair, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Miller, of the first
battalion of the 87th., and Lieutenant Fenton, who had performed very
arduous duties, having been placed in charge of the advanced guard,
composed of the light company of his regiment and those of the native
infantry, with two guns, received the public thanks of the authorities
in India.
Meanwhile Colonel Kelly, with the first brigade, encountered and
defeated the Rajah’s troops on the heights of Hurryhurpore, on the 1st.
of March.
Convinced of the inutility of further opposition, the Rajah sued for
peace, and a treaty was eventually concluded on the 4th. of March, which
terminated the war in Nepaul.
BATTLE OF KIRKEE, AND BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF POONA.
NOVEMBER, 1817.
On the 2nd. of November accounts were received of the Peishwah’s renewed
treachery, when the division under Brigadier-General Lionel Smith, C.B.,
was instantly put in motion, and on arrival at Ahmednuggur on the 8th.,
it was ascertained that the gallantry of the troops at Poona under
Lieutenant-Colonel Burr, of the 7th. Bombay infantry, had successfully
resisted the Peishwah’s attempt to annihilate them, in their position at
Kirkee, on the 5th. of November. After some slight skirmishing on the
road, the force under Brigadier-General Smith (of which the King’s 65th.
regiment formed a portion), joined the Poona brigade at their position
on the 13th. of November, when immediate preparations were made for
attacking the enemy’s camp, which was on the opposite side of the
Moottah Moola. The force moved down before daybreak on the 14th. of
November, but finding the river too deep to cross, it again encamped.
The ford having been more particularly ascertained under some
skirmishing and trifling loss, the left wing under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Milnes, of the 65th., crossed on the evening of the
16th., in face of the enemy, whose artillery and matchlocks occasioned
considerable loss during the passage and advance to a position on the
right of the Peishwah’s camp.
During the night the Peishwah abandoned his capital, and moved to the
southward. The inhabitants made their submission, and about noon on the
17th. of November, the British flag was hoisted on his palace, under a
royal salute.
The 65th. regiment, for the above and subsequent services, has received
authority to bear on its colours and appointments the figure of the
Royal Tiger, with the word India above, and Arabia beneath, also the
84th., this regiment now being linked to the 65th.
BATTLE OF SEETABULDEE, AND BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF NAGPOOR.
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1817.
Without any previous declaration of hostilities, or the slightest act of
aggression on the part of the Indian government, the Rajah of Berar
attacked the troops at Nagpoor; consisting of two weak battalions of the
Madras Native Infantry, and three troops of cavalry, in the evening of
the 26th. November; and after an action which lasted eighteen hours was
repulsed. Lieutenant-Colonel Scott at the requisition of the Resident
had taken post on the hill of Seetabuldee, overlooking the city of
Nagpoor, when the attack took place, in which the three troops of the
6th. regiment of native cavalry, and the 1st. battalions of the 20th.
and 24th. Madras Native Infantry, were highly distinguished.
Reinforcements immediately marched on to the seat of war, of which eight
companies of the 2nd. battalion of the 1st. Royals, formed part of the
second division, under Brigadier-General Doveton. Upon his arrival the
Rajah was desirous of treating for peace, and agreed to surrender his
guns and disperse his troops; but the treachery he had already evinced
made the Brigadier-General dispose his troops in order of battle, when
he advanced to take possession of the guns. This precaution was not in
vain. No opposition was encountered in obtaining the first battery, but
on the soldiers entering the plantation, a sharp fire of musketry was
treacherously opened upon them. The Rajah had formed an army of
twenty-one thousand men, of which fourteen thousand were horse; the
position being marked by irregularities of the ground, and clusters of
houses and huts, and a thick plantation of trees, with ravines and a
large reservoir. In the action of the 16th. of December, which ensued,
the 2nd. battalion of the 1st. Foot added to the former honours of that
corps. The batteries were carried with great gallantry, the enemy driven
from all his positions and pursued a distance of five miles; his camp
equipage, forty elephants and seventy-five guns being captured. The
battalion had nine men killed and twenty-six wounded.
After this success the siege of the city of Nagpoor was commenced. The
troops which defended this place, consisting of about five thousand
Arabs and Hindoostanees, insisted upon extraordinary terms, and these
not being acceded to they determined on a desperate defence. On the
23rd. of December a breach was made in one of the gates, when an assault
was resolved upon. At half-past eight o’clock in the morning of the
24th. of December the stormers advanced, but the breach being found
untenable, the troops were withdrawn, although the parties had gained
the desired points. On the following day the Arabs renewed their offer,
and their terms being granted, they marched out of the city on the 1st.
of January, 1818; being permitted to go where they pleased with the
exception of proceeding to Asseerghur.
“NAGPORE” on the regimental colours of the Royals commemorates the
foregoing services.
BATTLE OF MAHEIDPORE.
21ST. DECEMBER, 1817.
While the eighth battalion companies of the Royals had been engaged at
Nagpoor, the two flank companies, commanded by Captain Hulme, had shared
in the movements of the first division of the army of the Deccan. On the
8th. of December the troops arrived near Maheidpore, where the army of
Mulhar Rao Holkar, one of the coalesced Mahratta powers against the
British interests in India, was assembled. After various fruitless
negotiations the Anglo-Indian troops advanced against the enemy on the
morning of the 21st. of December, and as they were crossing the ford of
the Soopra river they were exposed to a powerful and concentrated
cannonade. About half a mile beyond the river stood the troops of
Holkar, and after passing the stream Brigadier-General Sir John Malcolm
proceeded with two brigades of infantry to attack their left, and a
ruined village situated on an eminence near the centre. They were
completely routed, and in the general orders of Lieutenant-General Sir
Thomas Hislop, Bart., Commander-in-Chief of the army of the Deccan,
dated 22nd. of December, the charge of the squadron of the 22nd. Light
Dragoons, under Captain Vernon, and the intrepid courage and animated
zeal of the flank companies of the Royals under Captain Hulme, were
specially commended.
In commemoration of the conduct of the flank companies the words
“MAHEIDPORE” was authorized to be inscribed on the regimental colours of
the Royals.
DEFENCE OF CORYGAUM.
1ST. JANUARY, 1818.
This eminent service was confined to the Company’s troops. The Peishwah
having advanced towards Poonah, Colonel Burr, commanding in that city,
requested a reinforcement from Seroor; accordingly Captain Staunton, of
the second battalion 1st regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, was
despatched with that corps, barely six hundred strong, a few Madras
artillery, with two six-pounders, and about three hundred auxiliary
horse. The Peishwah’s army, estimated at twenty thousand horse and about
eight thousand infantry, were encamped on the right bank of the Beemah,
above the village of Corygaum. Captain Staunton, upon coming in sight of
this overwhelming force, on the 1st. of January, immediately moved upon
Corygaum, and had scarcely succeeded in reaching the village, when he
was attacked by three divisions of infantry, supported by immense bodies
of horse, and two pieces of artillery. The enemy obtained immediate
possession of the strongest posts of the village; and the remaining
position was most obstinately contested from noon until nine at night,
after a fatiguing march of twenty-eight miles. Ultimately the enemy was
forced to abandon the village, after sustaining great loss. During the
night of the 2nd., the detachment returned unmolested to Seroor, which
was reached at nine o’clock on the following morning, without having
partaken of any refreshment since the evening of the 31st. of December.
Nearly all the wounded were brought in, and both the gun and the colours
of the regiment were preserved.[15]
WAR IN AVA.
1824 TO 1826.
The repeated acts of aggression of the Burmese governors in the country
adjacent to the British territory, at length rendered it necessary to
demand an explanation from the Court of Ava. This terminated by a mutual
declaration of war, and troops were assembled to penetrate the Burmese
empire. His Majesty’s 13th. and 38th. regiments, and two companies of
artillery, and the 40th. Native Infantry, amounting to two thousand one
hundred and seventy-five men, proceeded from Bengal, while His Majesty’s
41st. and 89th. Foot, the Madras European regiment, and the 9th., 12th.,
28th., and 30th. Madras Native Infantry, and artillery embarked from
Madras,—making in all eleven thousand four hundred and seventy-five men.
The troops from Bengal embarked in April and May, 1824.[16] To occupy
Rangoon and the country at the mouth of the Irrawaddy was the first
object. Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Campbell with his troops took
possession of Rangoon on the 12th. of May, without the loss of a man;
and Cheduba, on the Arracan coast, was also captured by storm on the
17th. of May, by a detachment under Brigadier-General McCreagh, of the
13th. Light Infantry, three companies of the regiment being employed on
this service.
Meanwhile the Burmese army continued in great force in the vicinity of
Rangoon, under the fortifications of wood called stockades, and of the
dense jungle which covered the country. In carrying the stockades
without ladders on the 28th. of May, portions of the 13th. and 38th.
regiments were specially noticed. On the 10th. of June, Kemmendine was
assaulted; when about two miles from the town, the head of the column
was stopped by a strong stockade, full of men, against which the
artillery opened fire, and in half an hour a breach was made. The 41st.,
and part of the Madras European regiment, stormed the works in front;
and the detachments of the 13th. and 38th. assaulted the rear face,
which was ten feet high. The soldiers being encouraged and animated by
the spirited conduct of Major (afterwards Sir Robert) Sale, who was the
first on the top, climbed the works, one helping another up, and
entering simultaneously with the party by the breach, they bayoneted
every man that opposed them.
This point being gained, the column advanced about a mile, and at four
o’clock in the afternoon took up a position against the principal
stockade. Batteries were erected during the night, and the artillery
opened a heavy fire at daylight, when the Burmese forsook their works
and fled.
An attack was made upon the British pickets on the 1st. of July, which
was repulsed. The Burmese position in the rear of the great pagoda was
assaulted on the 5th. of July, and a general attack was made on the 8th.
of that month, one column advancing by land, under Brigadier-General
M‘Bean, while the other column proceeded by water. Major Wahab, with the
Native Infantry, landed and immediately attacked the breach;
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Godwin, of the 41st., entered the work higher
up by escalade; Major Sale encountered the Burmese commander-in-chief in
the works, and slew him in single combat, taking from him a valuable
gold-hilted sword and scabbard. Eight hundred of the enemy were killed
on this occasion, and thirty-eight pieces of artillery, forty swivels,
and three hundred muskets were captured.
An expedition was sent on the 11th. of October against Martaban, on the
Saluen river, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, of His
Majesty’s 41st. regiment, and the place was captured on the 30th. of
that month.
Meanwhile the Burmese recovered from the consternation into which they
had been thrown, and a veteran chief, named Maha Bandoola, being
appointed their commander, he approached the British position on the
1st. of December, with upwards of fifty thousand foot, a body of Cassay
horse, and three hundred pieces of artillery, and commenced forming
entrenchments. Major Sale advanced against the left of the Burmese line
with two hundred of the 13th. Light Infantry, under Major Dennie, and
two hundred and fifty of the 18th. Native Infantry, under Captain Ross,
and stormed the entrenchments in sight of the whole army. The soldiers
of the 13th. led the charge with great intrepidity; they burst through
the intrenchments, and overcame all opposition; this example was
followed by the native infantry, when the Burmese fled, and the British
troops returned to their posts laden with trophies.
This victory was followed by another over the left wing of the Burmese
army, on the 5th. of December. The first advantage was followed up, the
enemy was overthrown, and of the three hundred pieces of ordnance which
they had in position, two hundred and forty were brought into the
British camp.[17]
On the 7th. of December the trenches were assaulted in four columns of
attack, under the superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, the
second in command, and led by Lieutenant-Colonels Mallet (both of the
89th.), Parlby, Brodie, and Captain Wilson, of the 38th. regiment. At a
quarter before twelve every gun that would bear upon the breaches opened
fire. Major Sale at the same time made a diversion on the enemy’s left
and rear. At noon the cannonade ceased, and the columns moved forward to
their points of attack, when the total defeat of Bandoolah’s army
ensued, his loss being estimated at five thousand men.
In an attack on the enemy’s corps of observation, on the Dalla side of
the river, on the 9th. of December, the 89th. regiment highly
distinguished itself.
Rallying his broken legions, the Burmese commander called reinforcements
to his aid, and took up another position, which he fortified with great
labour and art. These formidable works were attacked on the 15th. of
December, when two hundred of the 13th., under Major Sale, with three
hundred of the 18th. and 34th. Madras Native Infantry, formed the right
column of attack under Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir Willoughby)
Cotton; this made a detour round the enemy’s left to gain the rear of
his position at Kokien, which was to be attacked in front by another
column. Sir Archibald marched with the left column, which consisted of
five hundred Europeans, from the 38th., 41st., 89th., and Madras
European Regiment, with portions of native infantry, to attack the foe
in front. Of this column two divisions were formed, the command of one
being given to Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, of the 89th., and the other to
Major Evans, of the 28th. Madras Native Infantry. On arriving in front
of the position it presented a very formidable appearance; but when the
signal was given, the soldiers rushed forward, and in less than fifteen
minutes they were in full possession of these stupendous works. Major
Sale received a severe wound in the head, and was succeeded by Major
Dennie, who although wounded in the hand, continued at the head of the
13th., regiment until the action was over. The Burmese after a short
resistance, fled in a panic, leaving their camp standing, and abandoning
all their baggage, together with a great portion of their arms and
ammunition.
These successes, connected with those of the royal navy, had produced
important results; the maritime provinces of Mergui, Tavoy, Yeb, and
Martaban, had been captured, and seven hundred pieces of artillery had
been taken from the Burmese. Lieutenant-Colonel Elrington, with a small
detachment, consisting of a portion of the 47th., with some seamen and
marines, carried by storm the factory and stockades of Syriam on the
11th. and 12th. of January, 1825. To wrest additional territory from the
court of Ava, Major Sale proceeded against the city of Bassein, in the
south-west part of the ancient kingdom of Pegu, which constituted part
of the Burmese empire. The troops, after a tedious passage, arrived in
the evening of the 24th. of February, off Pagoda Point, Great Negrais.
On the 26th. the expedition entered the river, and the 13th., 38th., and
the 12th. Native Infantry landed and captured a stockade. The force
afterwards re-embarked, and proceeded to the next stockade, which the
Burmese abandoned as the soldiers went on shore to storm the works; so
great was their consternation, that the City of Bassein was set on fire
and abandoned, the enemy retiring on Donabew.
Brigadier-General Cotton, in the interim, with a detached force, of
which the 47th. and 89th regiments formed a part, had attacked the
pagoda stockade in advance of Donabew, on the 7th. of March. The troops
were formed in two columns, under Lieutenant-Colonel O’Donaghue, 47th.,
and Major Basden, 89th. regiment. All were exposed to a heavy fire,
which was kept up to the last, with greater spirit and perseverance than
was usual. The operations against the second defence, distance about
five hundred yards from the pagoda stockade, were not successful, and
the force was re-embarked on the 18th., after the enemy’s cannon had
been spiked and his arms destroyed.
Meanwhile, a force of eleven thousand men, under Brigadier-General
Morrison, of the 44th., of which that regiment and the 54th. formed a
portion, had been assembled at Chittagong towards the end of September
of the preceding year, moved forward early in January, in order to
penetrate through Arracan, and across the mountains into Ava, where it
was to effect a junction with the army at Rangoon. The first attack at
Arracan, on the 29th. of March, failed, owing principally to a dense
fog, which prevented the great strength of the position from being
discovered. On the night of the 31st., Brigadier Richards proceeded by a
circuitous route, and gained the summit of the range unperceived; and on
the morning of the 1st. of April the Burmese were attacked in flank,
while the front was assailed by the main body. In a short time the
heights were abandoned, and Arracan was gained. The Burmese army having
retreated to Donabew, two columns were formed to attack it by land and
water, the land column being under the command of Sir A. Campbell, and
the water column under Brigadier-General Cotton. Donabew was strongly
fortified by a stockade extending nearly a mile along the Irrawaddy,
composed of teak beams fifteen to seventeen feet high, driven into the
earth as closely as possible to each other. Behind this wooden wall was
the old brick rampart, and the works were mounted with one hundred and
fifty guns and swivels. The marine attack failed, after carrying the
first stockade, and the flotilla retreated ten miles down the river,
leaving the wounded in the power of the enemy. Next day most of the
killed and wounded that had been left in the stockade, were crucified
and placed on rafts, which were sent down the stream to the boats of
their comrades.
After a bombardment by the land column, Donabew was taken possession of
by Sir Archibald Campbell on the 2nd. of April; Maha Bandoolah having
been killed by a rocket, the other chiefs could not prevail on the
garrison to remain, and the place was evacuated during the night of the
1st. of April.
After this success the march was resumed to Prome, where the army
arrived on the 25th. of April, the Burmese having evacuated the town
after setting it on fire, but the decisive measures adopted saved the
place from a general conflagration.
In consequence of the season of military operations being over, the army
remained inactive at Prome, and in the autumn overtures of peace were
made by the Burmese, but hostilities were resumed in the middle of
November; and the army of Ava, having repulsed the attack of three
bodies of Sepoys, became suddenly elevated with a high idea of its own
power, and advanced to attack the British troops at Prome, which had
been reinforced by the detachments left at Rangoon.
About sixty thousand Burmese environed six thousand Anglo-Indian troops;
but undismayed by this formidable host, four native regiments were left
for the defence of Prome, and the remainder advanced on the 1st. of
December to attack the enemy’s left wing at Simbike. This post was
gallantly stormed by the troops under Brigadier-General Cotton, and the
works were carried in ten minutes. The flank companies of the Royals,
under Captain Thomas John Harvey, with the 41st. and 89th. regiments,
commanded respectively by Major Peter Latouche Chambers, and
Brevet-Major Henry Ross Gore, supported by the 18th. Madras Native
Infantry, and led by Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, performed this service.
After a harassing march of about twenty miles, the troops bivouacked at
Ze-ouke, and at daylight on the morning of the 2nd. of December they
were again in motion, to attack the formidable position occupied by the
enemy’s centre division on the Napadee Hills. Arriving in the vicinity,
the British artillery commenced a sharp cannonade; Brigadier-General
Elrington’s troops drove the enemy from the jungle, and six companies of
the 87th. Royal Irish Fusiliers carried the posts at the bottom of the
ridge; the Burmese were driven from the valley to their principal works
on the hills, which appeared very formidable, as the heights could only
be ascended by a narrow road, commanded by artillery, and defended by
stockades crowded with men armed with muskets. When the artillery had
made an impression on the works, the 13th. and 38th. regiments, the
latter leading, rushed into them, overthrew all opposition with the
bayonet, and forced the Burmese from hill to hill, over precipices that
could only be ascended by a narrow stair, until the whole of the
position nearly three miles in length, was captured. Scarcely a shot was
fired in return to the enemy’s continued volleys, and the six companies
of the 87th. advancing through the jungle to the right, drove everything
before them on that side.
On the 5th. of December the enemy’s right wing was driven from its post.
The division employed under Brigadier-General Cotton consisted of two
hundred and fifty of the Royal Regiment, two hundred and seventy of the
41st., two hundred and sixty of the 89th., the light company of the
28th. Madras Native Infantry, and one hundred pioneers. The immense army
of Ava was thus forced from its positions, and the Burmese legions
sought safety in flight. After this success the army continued to
advance; the Burmese evacuated Meeaday, and took post at Melloon, at the
same time they renewed their offers for terminating the war; but this
appeared to be with the view of gaining time to re-organize their forces
for a more determined resistance.
The conditions of peace not being ratified by the stipulated time,
hostilities were resumed on the 19th. of January, 1826, on which day the
13th. and 38th. regiments embarked in boats under Lieutenant-Colonel
Sale, to assault the main face of the enemy’s fortifications at Melloon.
At the same time Brigadier-General Cotton, with the flank companies of
the 47th. and 87th. regiments, and the 89th., under Lieutenant-Colonel
Hunter Blair, the 41st. regiment and the 18th. Madras Native Infantry,
under Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Godwin, commanding the first brigade of
Madras troops, and the 28th. Madras Native Infantry, with the flank
companies of the 43rd. Madras Native Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Parlby were to cross above Melloon, and, after carrying some outworks,
were to attack the northern face of the principal work. The whole of the
boats quitted the shore together; but the current and breeze carried the
13th. and 38th. to their point of attack before the other divisions
could reach the opposite bank of the river, and Lieutenant-Colonel Sale
was wounded in his boat; but the two regiments landed, formed under the
command of Major Frith, of the 38th. (who was wounded in the assault),
and rushed forward with such intrepidity that they speedily became
masters of these formidable works. When Brigadier-General Cotton saw
that they were carried, he ordered the brigade under Lieutenant-Colonel
Blair, of the 87th., to cut in upon the enemy’s line of retreat, which
was performed with much effect.
On the 28th. of January, the 87th., with the flank companies of the
28th. Native Infantry, and detachments of the Governor-General’s
body-guard and artillery, under Brigadier Hunter Blair, were sent from
Tongwyn, to attack the position of Moulmein, eleven miles distant. The
position, being a great annoyance to the surrounding country, was
destroyed, and the troops returned to camp the same evening.
The army advanced upon the Burmese capital, and the legions of Ava
resolved once more to try the fortune of war. A new army of 40,000 men
was raised, and placed under the command of a noted warrior named Nee
Woon-Breen, which has been translated—“Prince of Darkness,” “King of
Hell,” and “Prince of the Setting Sun.” They met the British in the open
fields near Pagahm Mew, where an action took place on the 9th. of
February. The 13th. Light Infantry led the right attack, supported by
the 38th. and 89th. regiments. That on the left was supported by the
41st. Part of the Burmese troops, broken by the 38th., retired into a
well-constructed field-work, but were so closely pursued that they had
not time to form for its defence: here from three to four hundred of
them perished either by the bayonet or plunging into the river to
escape. The result was another defeat to the enemy. The “Prince of
Darkness” fled to Ava, where he was put to a cruel death by the order of
the King.
After this victory the army continued its advance upon Ummerapoora, the
capital, situated upon the shores of a beautiful lake; and when within
four days’ march of that city the king of Ava sent the ratified treaty,
paying the expenses of the war, and relinquishing a considerable portion
of territory. The treaty of peace was finally signed at Gandaboo,
February 24th., 1826. The King of Ava renounced all claim on Assam,
ceded to the East India Company Arracan, and four other provinces with
their islands and dependencies, and agreed to pay a crore of rupees as a
war indemnity; free trade also to be allowed to British subjects in all
parts of his dominions. In one of the conferences the negotiators had
objected to the payment of money, and stated, that by using great
economy, they might furnish a million baskets of rice within a year, but
they did not grow rupees; and if the British had any objection to the
rice, there was abundance of fine trees in the forest, which they might
cut down and take away in lieu of the money.
On the conclusion of this campaign, the following statement appeared in
general orders:—“While the Governor-General in Council enumerates, with
sentiments of unfeigned admiration, the 13th., 38th., 41st., 89th.,
47th., 1st. (or Royals), 87th, and 45th. regiments, the Honorable
Company’s Madras European regiment, and the Bengal and Madras European
artillery, as the European troops who have had the honour of
establishing the renown of the British arms in a new and distant region,
His Lordship in Council feels that higher and more justly-merited praise
cannot be bestowed on those brave troops than that, amidst the barbarous
hosts whom they have fought and conquered, they have eminently displayed
the virtues, and sustained the character, of the British Soldier.”[18]
SIEGE AND STORM OF BHURTPORE.
JANUARY, 1826.
Baldeo Singh, Rajah of Bhurtpore, had become attached to the British
government, with which he formed an alliance offensive and defensive,
and procured a guarantee for the succession of his youthful son,
Bhulwunt Singh to the throne, from Sir David Ochterlony, then Commander
of the forces and Political Resident at Delhi, who acknowledged the
boy’s right, and pledged his word to support him. But among many of the
Rajah’s subjects a strong feeling of hostility to the British existed,
particularly in the army, and his nephew, Doorjun Sal, headed a party
opposed to the alliance. After the Rajah’s decease his nephew gained
possession of the capital, seized the young prince, and assumed the
sovereign power. Sir David Ochterlony assembled a force (of which the
59th. formed part) and marched on Bhurtpore; but the government having
disapproved of the measures taken, the troops returned to Cawnpore. Sir
David in consequence resigned, and died at Meerut in July, 1825, his
decease being, it is considered, hastened by this event.
It was, however, afterwards determined to carry into effect the
engagements entered into with the late Rajah, by placing his son on the
throne. An army was assembled under General Lord Combermere, the
Commander-in-Chief in India, and the siege of the capital, the fortified
city of Bhurtpore, was determined upon. Great confidence was placed by
the natives in the strength of this place, the fort being upwards of
five miles in circumference, and having in 1805, withstood four attacks
of Lord Lake’s army, wherein were five king’s regiments, which had been
repulsed with great loss.
On the 10th. and 11th. of December, 1825, the British appeared before
this celebrated city and fortress. The army amounted to twenty-five
thousand three hundred men, of which His Majesty’s 11th. and 16th. Light
Dragoons, and the 14th. and 59th. regiments formed part, the remainder
being made up of Native corps. The garrison was nearly equal in numbers
to the besieging force. The Bhurtporees had cut a sluice into the
embankment of a lake near the town, to fill the ditch round the woods
with water, but they were speedily driven from the spot; the sluice was
stopped, and the embankment was turned into a military post, which was
entrusted to a company of the 14th. Foot and some sepoys. About eighteen
inches of water only had flowed into the ditch, and this sudden seizure
of the embankment facilitated the progress of the siege by keeping the
ditch nearly empty, and thus prevented the enemy from filling it with
water, as was done in Lord Lake’s time. The several corps took up their
ground, and the investment became complete, orange and date trees from
the groves being converted into fascines and gabions.
At an early hour on the morning of the 24th of December, the fires of
two batteries were opened on the town; additional works were
constructed, the batteries became more numerous, and the siege was
prosecuted with vigour. It was, however, found extremely difficult to
effect practicable breaches in the peculiarly-constructed walls of
Bhurtpore, as they were in many places thickly studded with large trees
of a very tough description of timber, which offered a remarkable
resistance to shot. The process of mining was adopted; several
explosions took place, and the result soon rendered it evident that the
horrors of an assault was drawing near. Great bravery and perseverance
was evinced by the garrison; they exposed themselves resolutely to the
fire of besiegers, and built up in the night the works which were
knocked down during the day, labouring under a ceaseless fire, and
evincing a firm determination to persevere in the defence.
Considerable progress having been made towards effecting practicable
breaches, it was determined to attempt the storming of the place on the
morning of the 18th. of January, 1826, the explosion of the mine under
the north-east angle being the signal for the assault. The 14th. and
59th. regiments headed the two attacks, and they were directed to wheel
as soon as they entered the breaches, one to the right and the other to
the left, and, continuing their career round the ramparts, to drive the
enemy before them till they met. Some delay occurred in the mine, and
the soldiers stood seven hours anxiously waiting for the moment to
commence the assault, during which time the thunder of the artillery was
tremendous. The mine having exploded in an unexpected direction, several
men of the 14th., at the head of the column of attack, were killed, and
Brigadier-General John M‘Combe, (of that regiment,) and other officers
received severe contusions.
As soon as the tremendous crash was over the troops rushed through the
cloud of smoke and dust, and commenced ascending the breach, and, the
summit, after some opposition, was gained. Here a short pause ensued
from the native corps appointed to support not being near, when the
enemy opened a heavy fire from the buildings near the breach, and sprang
a mine, which killed several of the soldiers. The Bhurtpore artillerymen
fought with great desperation, and the defenders of the walls exhibited
much bravery; but in two hours the whole rampart surrounding the town,
together with the command of the gates, were in possession of the
British. The citadel surrendered about four o’clock, and the 14th., (at
the head of which the Commander-in-Chief entered it,) was placed there
in garrison, as a compliment to the gallantry of the corps.
General Viscount Combermere, G.C.B., in his despatch stated, “I must
particularly remark the behaviour of His Majesty’s 14th. regiment,
commanded by Major Everard, and the 59th., commanded by Major Fuller;
these corps, having led the columns of assault, by their steadiness and
determination decided the events of the day.” His lordship also
specially adverted to the services rendered by Brigadier, now General
Sir James Wallace Sleige, K.C.B., commanding the cavalry; the general
good and active conduct of the cavalry, and the spirited manner in which
they volunteered their services when it was anticipated (before the
arrival of the 1st. European regiment) to employ them in the storm were
also mentioned.[19]
Thus was accomplished the capture of this city, regarded throughout the
East as impregnable, the natives being accustomed to remark that India
was not subdued because Bhurtpore had not fallen. The usurper Doorjun
Sal was captured while attempting to escape, and the young Rajah was
placed on the throne. The 14th. had Brigadier-General Edwards and
Captain Armstrong killed, and the 59th. lost Captain Pitman, and had
Major Fuller and other officers wounded.
The state of the Burmese war at this period rendered it of the highest
importance that Bhurtpore should be captured, as a failure in that
object would have paralyzed British domination in the East.[20]
“BHURTPORE” was authorised by the Sovereign to be borne on the standards
and colours of the 11th. and 16th. Light Dragoons, and the 14th. and
59th. regiments.
Lord Combermere, whose earliest services had been connected with the
siege of Seringapatam, in 1799, and who had commanded the British
cavalry during the Peninsula war, under Wellington, was made a Viscount
for this capture.