“Too great encomiums cannot be bestowed on the English commander
and his troops, for in the whole of this trying conflict they
preserved a coolness of manœuvre which would have done honour to
any troops in the world. Raked by the fire of an immense artillery,
the greater part of the action within grape shot range, attacked
on all sides by not less than 25,000 horse and 30 battalions of
Sepoys, besides Hyder’s European troops, the English column stood
firm, and repulsed every charge with great slaughter. The horse
driven back on the foot, the right of our line began to give way,
though composed of the best troops in the Mysore army.”
In this action, known by the name of the battle of Perambaucum,
Lieut.-Colonel Fletcher and 29 European officers, with 155 rank and
file were killed; Lieut.-Colonel Baillie with 34 officers, and almost
all the European privates, were wounded; 16 officers and privates
remained unhurt, who, with the rest, were made prisoners. The whole
of the sepoys were either killed, taken, or dispersed.
From the report of an eye-witness, it is stated that the grenadiers
of this regiment under Captain Baird fought with such determination
and heroism, that many of them were seen loading their muskets after
their legs had been shot away; almost all disdained to accept of
quarter.
The flank companies were almost annihilated. Lieut. Geddes Mackenzie
and William Gunn, Volunteer Forbes, 3 sergeants, and 82 rank and file
were killed. Captain Baird received seven wounds, and Lieutenant
the Hon. John Lindsay nine. Lieutenants Philip Melville and Hugh
Cuthbert, 4 sergeants, 4 drummers, and 92 rank and file were also
wounded. All these, with 23 who escaped without wounds, were thrown
into a dungeon by Hyder Ali, where they were treated with such
barbarity that only 30 of the soldiers survived, and of these few
were afterwards fit for service.
Mrs. Grant, in her “Superstitions of the Highlanders,” referring to
this in allusion to the inflexible integrity of the Highlanders under
the most trying circumstances, says of the prisoners:—
“They were treated with the most cruel indignity, and fed upon
sparing proportions of unwholesome rice, which operated as a
slow poison, assisted by the burning heat of the sun by day,
and the unwholesome dews of night, to which they were purposely
exposed to shake their constancy. Daily some of their companions
dropped before their eyes, and daily they were offered liberty
and riches in exchange for this lingering torture, on condition
of relinquishing their religion and taking the turban. These
Highlanders were entirely illiterate, scarce one of them could have
told the name of any particular sect of Christians, and all the
idea they had of the Mahommedan religion was that it was adverse to
their own, and to what they had been taught by their fathers.”
Of the two entire companies but two men rejoined the battalion, and
these were found in the jungle desperately wounded. In consequence of
this, two new flank companies were formed from the battalion by Lord
McLeod.
After Colonel Baillie’s defeat, Sir Hector Munro retired with the
army to Chingleput, being much pressed by the enemy during his march.
The sick and wounded being left there, the army went into quarters on
Choultry Plain for the rainy season, which had now set in.
During the retreat the troops suffered severely from fatigue and
want of provisions. Captain Gilchrist, of the grenadiers, whose ill
health had prevented his being with his company, died, and Lieutenant
Alexander Mackenzie, with a great many privates, was wounded in
skirmishes with the enemy.
[Sidenote: 1781.]
Upon the 17th January the army, being reassembled, took the field
under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote. At this
time the strength of the regiment did not exceed 500 men, and was
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel James Craufurd, this officer having
succeeded Lord McLeod, who relinquished his command, and returned to
England, having, it is said, differed in opinion with General Munro
on the subject of his movements. Hyder Ali was in the Tanjore country
committing every species of outrage and devastation.
On the 1st June, 1781, Colonel Lord McLeod received the local rank
of Major-General in the East Indies. In June Sir Eyre Coote moved
his force southwards along the coast towards Cuddalore, where
his outposts were attacked by Tippoo Saïb, who was repulsed. He
afterwards moved to Chillumborem, upon the Coleroon, where the enemy
had a large magazine of grain. The Pagoda was attacked by the pickets
under Major John Shaw, Seventy-third Highlanders, but they were
repulsed and that officer wounded.
Hyder Ali, apprehensive for the safety of Chillumborem, moved
his army in that direction from Tanjore and Trichinopoly, whilst
Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote, with the view of obtaining
supplies from the shipping, proceeded towards Cuddalore. By forced
marches and manœuvres, however, Hyder Ali succeeded in nearly
surrounding the latter on the plains of Porto Novo, about two days’
march south of Cuddalore.
About 4 a.m. on the 1st of July, the enemy, whose force was computed
at 25 battalions of infantry, 400 Europeans, 45,000 horse, and above
100,000 matchlock-men, peons, and polygars, with 47 pieces of cannon,
was seen to draw up in line-of-battle. The British force did not
exceed 8,000 men, of which the Seventy-third was the only European
regiment. Notwithstanding this immense disparity of force, Sir Eyre
Coote determined to attack the enemy, and drew up his army in two
lines, the first, of which the Seventy-third Highlanders formed a
part, being commanded by Major-General Sir Hector Munro, the second
by Major-General James Stuart. A plain divided the two armies, beyond
which the enemy was drawn up on ground strengthened by front and
flanking redoubts and batteries. The action commenced by an advanced
movement of the English troops, and after eight hours’ hard fighting
the enemy was forced from all his intrenchments and compelled to
retire. The Seventy-third was on the right of the first line, and led
all the attacks to the full approbation of the general commanding.
His attention was particularly attracted by one of the pipers, who
always blew up more heartily the heavier the fire became. This so
pleased the general that he cried out “Well done my brave fellow,
you shall have a pair of silver pipes for this!” The promise was
not forgotten, for a handsome pair of pipes was presented to the
regiment, with an appropriate inscription bearing testimony to the
general’s esteem for its conduct and character. Meer Saïb, Hyder
Ali’s favourite general, was mortally wounded in this action, and
amongst the 4,000 killed were many of his principal officers.
The results of this battle enabled Sir Eyre Coote to reach Cuddalore,
his point of destination, on the 4th July, and soon afterwards the
army was moved to St. Thomas’s Mount. On the 3rd August the force
from Bengal under the orders of Colonel Pearse, arrived and formed
a junction with Sir Eyre Coote’s army at Pulicat, to which place
the army had moved to facilitate that object. The British force
now amounted to 12,000 men; the 1st Brigade, composed entirely
of Europeans, was commanded by Colonel Craufurd, Seventy-third
Highlanders, and had its station generally in the centre of the line.
Major-General Sir Hector Munro commanded the right wing, and Colonel
Pearse the left. About this period died Major James Mackenzie,
universally regretted by the regiment. His exertions in the early
part of the campaign had brought on an illness, which terminated his
valuable life.
On the 16th August the preparations which had been actively carried
on for the siege of Arcot and the relief of Vellore being completed,
the army was put in motion. On the 20th Tripassoor was retaken, and
a large supply of grain found there. Hyder Ali’s camp was now at
Conjeveram, and every exertion was made by his detachments to check
the progress of the troops. On the 27th August, the enemy was found
drawn up in order of battle upon the very ground which had witnessed
Colonel Baillie’s defeat, a position which Hyder Ali’s religious
notions induced him to consider fortunate. Here he had determined to
try the issue of a second general action, the result of which will be
best told by the following extract from General Meadows’ despatch:—
“Hyder thought proper to fall back a few miles to the ground on
which he had defeated the detachment under Colonel Baillie, where
he took up a strong position, and, influenced by a superstitious
notion of its being a lucky spot, had determined, as I was informed
by my intelligence, to try his fortune in a second battle. I
accordingly marched on the 27th, in the morning, towards him, and,
as reported, about 8 o’clock we discovered his army in order of
battle and in full force to receive us, and in possession of many
strong and advantageous posts, rendered the more formidable by
the nature of the country lying between, which was intersected by
very deep watercourses; in short, nothing could be more formidable
than the situation of the enemy, and nothing more arduous than our
approach to present a front to them. I was obliged to form the line
under a heavy cannonade from several batteries, as well as from the
enemy’s line, which galled us exceedingly, and was a very trying
situation for the troops, who bore it with firmness and undaunted
bravery, which did draw the highest honour and showed a steady
valour not to be surpassed by the first veterans of any nation in
Europe. The conflict lasted from nine in the morning till near
sunset, when we had driven the enemy from all their strong posts,
and obliged them to retreat with precipitation, leaving us in full
possession of the field of battle.” The loss of the British was
upwards of 400 killed and wounded, almost all being native troops.
There was one circumstance peculiar to this field of battle, which
stamped it with aggravated horrors. It is described by Captain Munro
in his narrative as follows:—
“Perhaps there come not within the wide range of human imagination
scenes more affecting or circumstances more touching than many of
our army had that day to witness and to bear. On the very spot
where they stood lay strewed amongst their feet the relics of their
dearest fellow-soldiers and friends, who near twelve months before
had been slain by the hands of those very inhuman monsters that now
appeared a second time eager to complete the work of blood. One
poor soldier, with the tear of affection glistening in his eye,
picked up the decaying spatterdash of his valued brother, with
the name yet entire upon it, which the tinge of blood and effects
of weather had kindly spared.... The scattered clothes and wings
of the flank companies were everywhere perceptible, as also their
helmets and skulls, both of which bore the marks of many furrowed
cuts.”
Upon this spot the army halted two days, and it then retired to
Tripassoor, to secure provisions. At this period the health of
Major-General Sir Hector Munro compelled him to leave the army, which
led to Colonel Craufurd becoming second in command, the charge of the
regiment devolving upon Major John Shaw.
On the 27th September, near Sholingar, Colonel Craufurd received the
Commander-in-Chief’s orders to move the British Army to the front.
Hyder Ali, confident of success, made a forward movement to meet
it, when a general action ensued. A detachment commanded by Colonel
Edmonstone, and of which the flank companies Seventy-third formed a
part, succeeded in turning the enemy’s left flank, and falling upon
his camp and rear. The day closed with the total defeat of Hyder
Ali’s troops, who were pursued by the cavalry until sunset.
On the 1st October, under circumstances the most distressing and
unpromising, but with a hope of obtaining provisions, of which the
army was quite destitute, and for which no previous arrangement
had been made by the Government, Sir Eyre Coote pushed boldly
through the Sholingar Pass, and after a march of two days encamped
at Altamancherry, in the Polygar country. Here, by the friendly aid
and kindness of Bum Raze, one of the Polygar princes, the troops
were well supplied with every requisite. The British camp was
moved to Pollipat on the 26th October, and the sick and wounded
sent to Tripassoor. Vellore was also relieved, after which the
army, reinforced by Colonel Laing with 100 Europeans from Vellore,
proceeded to the attack of Chittoor, which, after a gallant
resistance, capitulated. With a view to draw his opponents from
so inaccessible a country, Hyder Ali proceeded to the attack of
Tripassoor, and on the 20th November Sir Eyre Coote retired out of
the Pollamo, through the Naggary Pass, which obliged the enemy to
raise the siege of Tripassoor and retire on Arcot. The campaign
closed with the recapture of Chittoor by the enemy. On the 2nd
December, the monsoon having set in, the army broke up its camp on
the Koilatoor Plain, and the different corps marched into cantonments
in the neighbourhood of Madras.
[Sidenote: 1782.]
At the opening of the succeeding campaign at the beginning of 1782,
the army did not muster a larger force than at the commencement of
the former year. The first and most important object in view was the
relief of Vellore, kept in strict blockade by the enemy. The safety
of this fortress was of paramount consequence, being the only key
possessed by the British to the passes of the Ghauts, through which
an invasion of the enemy’s country could alone be accomplished. The
army pushed through the Sholingar Pass, and by the 11th January
Vellore was relieved and supplied with rice for six months. After
this was effected the army retired, and on the 20th January arrived
at Poonamallee, having lost upon this expedition 6 officers and
about 30 Europeans, with 100 Sepoys killed and wounded.
The following account of the death of John Mackay, a corporal of the
battalion, in a skirmish with the enemy on the march to Vellore, is
given by Captain Munro:—“For the satisfaction of my Highland friends,
I take this opportunity of commemorating the fall of John Mackay,
alias Donn, a corporal in the Seventy-third, son of Robert Donn, the
famous Highland bard, whose singular talent for the beautiful and
extemporaneous composition of Gaelic poetry was held in such esteem
by the Highland Society. This son of the bard has frequently revived
the drooping spirits of his countrymen upon the march by singing in
a pleasant manner the humorous and lively productions of his father.
He was killed by a cannon ball on the 13th of January, and on the
same evening was interred by his disconsolate comrades with all the
honours of war.”
For the first three months of the year 1782 the army of
Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote was retained inactive at St.
Thomas’ Mount, the government of the presidency being apprehensive
for its own safety, whereas a judicious movement on Porto Novo might
have prevented Tippoo Saïb’s junction with the strong reinforcement
of French troops that had arrived from Europe in Admiral Suffrein’s
fleet, or at least averted the loss of Permacoil and Cuddalore. At
length Sir Eyre Coote, having been reinforced by the Seventy-eighth
(afterwards the Seventy-second) Regiment from England, was allowed to
commence operations.
At the beginning of April he marched in a southerly direction by
Corangooly and Wandewash towards the enemy, encamped upon the Red
Hills of Pondicherry. The object of the Commander-in-Chief appeared
to be to separate the French from the Mysore troops, for which
purpose he manœuvred between Chitaput and Arnee, where he had
established magazines. Hyder Ali made a rapid movement, on the 2nd
of June overtaking and attacking the British rear guard, commanded
by Lieutenant-Colonel John Elphinston,[2] Seventy-third Highlanders,
who maintained his ground with great spirit and intrepidity until
the line had completed its formation. The troops were then ordered
to advance immediately upon the enemy’s guns, and the foe was soon
forced across the River Arnee, and in pursuit several tumbrils
were taken by Captain the Honourable James Lindsay. This officer,
perceiving a battalion of the enemy extricating the tumbrils from
the bed of the river, dashed forward at the head of his grenadier
company, supported by the remainder of the corps under Major-General
Mackenzie, and succeeded in dispersing the enemy and seizing the
tumbrils. The conduct of Captain Lindsay, although he had acted
without orders, received the commendation of the Commander-in-Chief.
At the action of Arnee the staff of the regimental colour was
shattered by a cannon ball, and the ensign carrying it was severely
wounded.
The army encamped for the night on the field of battle, and on the
following morning took up a position before Arnee; but a scarcity of
grain compelled the General to retrace his steps towards Madras, and
on the 20th of June he arrived at St. Thomas’s Mount.
In the months of July and August the army made two expeditions, one
to Wandewash, in which it was foiled by the activity of Hyder Ali,
the other for the relief of Vellore, which was more fortunate, as it
succeeded in throwing a large quantity of grain into the fortress.
The siege of Cuddalore being determined on, the army moved on the
26th August in a southerly direction, and on the 4th September halted
on the Red Hills of Pondicherry. Deserters reported the garrison of
Cuddalore to consist of 800 Europeans, 300 Africans, and 600 Sepoys,
who having expelled the inhabitants, and covered the walls with
cannon were resolved to defend the place to the last extremity. The
failure of the supplies which Sir Eyre Coote had been led to expect
from Madras by the fleet, excited so much anxiety and disappointment
in the veteran’s mind, that a severe illness ensued, which obliged
him to quit the army. The command devolved upon Major-General James
Stuart, who commenced his retreat on the evening of the 10th October.
On the 15th October, the monsoon set in with unusual severity, and
the army went into cantonments in the vicinity of Madras. Hyder Ali
at the same time resumed his old position near Arcot. Shortly after
this, Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, with a large fleet from
England, arrived in Madras Roads. Considerable reinforcements were
on board, consisting of the Twenty-third Light Dragoons, One hundred
and first and One hundred and second Regiments, and the Fifteenth
Regiment of Hanoverian Infantry, which joined the army in its
cantonments.
[Sidenote: 1783.]
In December occurred the death of Hyder Ali, who was, however,
succeeded without commotion by his son Tippoo Saïb, to whom he
left a kingdom of his own acquisition, which made him one of the
most powerful princes in India. Notwithstanding that by private
information overland news was received of a peace having been
concluded between England and the other belligerent powers in Europe,
still the Madras Government determined to persevere in its original
plans for the attack of Cuddalore. With this view Major-General
Stuart put his army in motion on the 21st April, marching by brigades
in a southerly direction. It consisted of the Seventy-third and
Seventy-eighth, and One hundred and first regiments, a considerable
body of native troops, and a detachment of Hanoverians under Colonel
Wangenheim. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Elphinston, Seventy-third
Highlanders, took the lead with the Fifth brigade, to the command of
which he had been appointed, in consideration of his distinguished
conduct and important services in the field. Lieut.-Colonel James
Stuart, Seventy-eighth Highlanders, commanded the First or European
Brigade, of which the Seventy-third formed a part, and which amounted
to 1,600 men. Colonel Elphinston in his advance possessed himself of
the Permacoil ruins, from whence the enemy’s advanced parties could
be plainly seen upon the Red Hills. The remainder of the army joined
him there on the 2nd May. About this time accounts were received of
the death of Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, and Major-General Stuart
temporarily succeeded to the command of the forces in India.
After leaving Permacoil, the army advanced to Killinoor, and from
thence towards the Red Hills. On the 4th June, Major-General Stuart
encamped close to the Pannar river, about five miles west of
Cuddalore, behind which the French army was descried in an intrenched
camp. The British passed the Pannar river on the 6th June without
opposition, passed the Bandipollam Hills, and took up a strong
position not more than two miles from the south face of the fortress
of Cuddalore, having the right flank covered by the sea and the left
by the Bandipollam Hills. The enemy, commanded by General de Bussy,
had in the meantime thrown up works along his front. On the 12th June
Major-General Stuart determined to attack General de Bussy in the
position he occupied, and issued preparatory orders accordingly. At
4 o’clock on the morning of the 13th June the action commenced by
a movement from the British left against the enemy’s right flank.
A very obstinate and sanguinary contest ensued, continuing without
intermission until the evening, when, both armies remaining upon
the field of battle, each claimed the victory. In this action
the Seventy-third Highlanders highly distinguished itself, having
wrested from the enemy in the course of the conflict seven different
redoubts. The loss it sustained was very severe, amounting in killed
and wounded to 13 officers and 272 men, being one-half of the number
in the field. The regiment was commanded by Captain Hugh Lamont.
Captain the Honourable James Lindsay, commanding the Grenadier
Company, Captain Alexander McKenzie, Lieuts. Simon Mackenzie and
James Trail, 4 sergeants and 80 rank and file were killed. Captain
John Hamilton, Lieuts. Charles Gorrie, David Rannie, John Sinclair,
James Duncan, and George Sutherland, 5 sergeants and 107 rank and
file were wounded. The enemy’s loss was estimated at 62 officers, 961
men killed, wounded, and missing.
The following flattering compliment formed part of the General Orders
issued by the Commander-in-Chief at the conclusion of the action:—
“I am also grateful to Captain Lamont and the officers under
his command who gallantly led the _precious remains_ of the
Seventy-third Highlanders through the most perilous road to glory,
until exactly one-half of the officers and men were either killed
or wounded.”
The British prosecuted the siege of Cuddalore with vigour, and on the
25th June the first parallel was completed. On that day the enemy
made a sortie, but was repulsed with considerable loss after a severe
contest. The commander of the party, Colonel le Chevalier de Damas,
was among the prisoners taken. On the 1st July a frigate arrived in
Cuddalore Roads, bringing official accounts from England of a general
peace having been concluded, and hostilities consequently ceased.
[Sidenote: 1784.]
By the 2nd August the British army had received the supplies, of
which it stood greatly in want, and the camp was broken up, the
troops marching to St. Thomas’s Mount where they arrived on the
16th August. Shortly afterwards, the army went into winter quarters,
the Seventy-third occupying the fort and cantonment of Arcot. On
the conclusion of the peace, in March, 1784, Captains Baird and
the Honble. John Lindsay, Lieut. Melville and about 30 men, who
were taken in Colonel Baillie’s affair, were released and rejoined
the regiment. During the remainder of the year the Seventy-third
continued at Arcot, and was only employed, beyond the usual routine
of duty in quarters, for a short time in quelling a mutiny which
broke out in the native cavalry at Arnee. The regiment at this period
was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel William Dalrymple. In the course
of the month of June it was removed from Arcot to Fort St. George,
where it was joined by several officers of the late second battalion,
which had been disbanded. Lieut.-Colonel Dalrymple having returned to
England, Lieut.-Colonel the Honble. George Mackenzie took command of
the regiment, which continued in quarters at Madras for the remainder
of the year.[3]
At the commencement of the year 1786, the numerical title of the
regiment was changed to the Seventy-first Highlanders, and new
colours were received from England bearing that number, which
designation it has since retained. In March quarters were changed to
Wallajahabad and Chingleput, nine companies being cantoned at the
former and one at the latter under Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton
Maxwell.
On the 4th June, 1787, Colonel the Honble. George Mackenzie,
commanding the regiment, died after a short illness and was interred
at Madras. He was succeeded in the command by the senior major,
Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John Elphinston, who was succeeded in the
majority by Captain David Baird.
During the year 1787 no change of quarters took place.
[Sidenote: 1788.]
In February, 1788, in consequence of some disturbance or alarm in
the Bombay presidency, the Seventy-first, about 800 strong, marched
to Madras, and immediately embarked on board the Company’s ships for
Bombay, where it arrived in April after a favourable passage. It
remained here only six months, when, its services being dispensed
with, it returned to Madras, and arrived there in December. Five
companies under Lieut.-Colonel Elphinston occupied the barracks
in Fort St. George, and the other five companies proceeded to
Poonamallee. Major-General the Honble. William Gordon was appointed
Colonel on the 9th April, 1789, in succession to Major-General John
Lord McLeod deceased. In the course of the year the five companies at
Poonamallee were moved to Tripassoor.
[Sidenote: 1790.]
Early in 1790, hostilities having commenced by Tippoo Sultan
attacking and capturing the lines of Travancore, the British
Government in India determined to support the Rajah of that country.
On the 18th of March an encampment was formed for that purpose
in the neighbourhood of Conjeveram under the command of Colonel
Musgrave. The force assembled there consisted of the Nineteenth
British Dragoons, the Fifty-second and Seventy-first Highlanders, the
Third and Fourth Regiments of native Cavalry, the first Battalion of
Coast Artillery, and five of Coast Infantry. On the 29th of March
this force moved to Trichinopoly, where Colonel Musgrave effected a
junction on the 29th April, with the division assembled there under
Colonel Brydges. This comprised the Thirty-sixth and Seventy-second
Regiments, the Second and Fifth Native Cavalry, and seven battalions
of Coast Sepoys.
On the 24th of May General Meadows arrived at Trichinopoly, and
assumed the command: the army consisted of 15,000 men, forming
two European and four native brigades. These were divided into
wings. Lieut.-Colonel James Stuart, Seventy-second Highlanders,
being appointed to command the left wing, and Colonel Brydges of
the East India Company’s Service, the right; the Seventy-first and
Seventy-second Highlanders, and First East India Company’s European
battalion, formed the Second European brigade, under Lieut.-Colonel
Clarke of the Company’s Service. The whole of the cavalry in the
advance was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Sir John Floyd of the
Nineteenth Light Dragoons.
On the 24th May, Major-General (afterwards Sir William) Meadows
reviewed the army, which on the 26th was moved towards the Coimbatore
country by Anatore and Kidnaveran. On the 15th June the army reached
the fortified post of Caroor, which the enemy abandoned without
opposition. Here it remained strengthening the place and collecting
grain till the 2nd July, when it moved to Arrivacourchy, where it
arrived on the 5th, and, continuing its march by Tooramboddy, reached
Daraporam on the 10th July, where a large supply of grain was found.
The army arrived at Coimbatore on the 22nd July, being harassed on
the march by Tippoo Saïb’s irregular horse. A halt was made here,
and detachments sent to reduce Dindigul, Errode, and Palghautcherry,
upon which service the flank companies of the Seventy-first were
employed under Captains Phineas M^cIntosh and James Robertson. In
August the whole of the cavalry and the advanced infantry had been
pushed forward to the Boovany, near to the Gudzelhetty Pass. Tippoo
Saïb, profiting by the divided state of the British force, descended
with his whole army, and, after a very severe conflict, obliged
Lieut.-Colonel Floyd to fall back. The troops from Coimbatore,
however, had marched to his support, and, on the junction being
effected, Tippoo Saïb retired. The British returned to Coimbatore
on the 23rd September. Upon the march of the main body, the flank
companies of the Seventy-first and Seventy-second were withdrawn from
the siege of Palghautcherry, and ordered to take post in the fort
of Coimbatore: and on the return of the army they rejoined their
regiments.
The army was again put in motion on the 29th September, proceeding
towards the Boovany by Shawoor and Coopachittypollum, where the
troops arrived a few hours after Tippoo Saïb had left it. Some
elephants, bullocks, and camels, loaded with rockets, fell into the
hands of the British. On the 4th of October the army arrived at
Errode, the enemy keeping a respectful distance during the march, and
on the 6th it was ascertained that he had arrived with his entire
force at Darraporam, against which he opened his batteries on the
8th. The fort had no cannon mounted, and the garrison, consisting
of 100 Europeans and 200 Sepoys, capitulated on honourable terms,
which were strictly adhered to. The British army moved on the 5th
October, and on the 15th encamped in the neighbourhood of Coimbatore,
where Lieut.-Colonel Stuart joined from Palghautcherry, after having
taken that place, and left it in a tolerable state of defence. On
the 20th October, all the heavy baggage having been deposited in the
fort of Coimbatore, the army marched towards Errode, by Avinochy and
Perentore, where it arrived on the 2nd November. On the 8th the army
proceeded in the direction of Bovancore, and thence to a ford about
three miles below Errode, the whole crossing the Cavery on the 9th
and 10th, while Tippoo Saïb moved his entire force against a division
under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell, Seventy-fourth Regiment,
then in the Bharamahl country. On the 11th November the army moved
by Saukerrydroog on the Tappoor Pass, and ascended on the 14th,
encamping at Adomancettah in the Bharamahl country: it marched again
on the 15th, and effected its junction with Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell
at Darampoury on the 17th. The whole force was now divided into ten
brigades. The Seventy-fourth Highlanders joined the Seventy-first
and Seventy-second in the Second Brigade; and Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell
assumed command of the left wing in place of Colonel Brydges, who was
appointed to command at Trichinopoly.
[Sidenote: 1791.]
It was now ascertained that the enemy, whose movements were always
sudden, varied, and perplexing, was directing his course to the
Carnatic by Namacul and Trichinopoly. The British, in consequence,
pursued by Malusundrum, arriving on the 23rd at Vavoor, the 27th at
Jaloor, the 6th December at Munsarapett, at Terany on the last day
of the year, and the 12th January, 1791, at Arnee. During this long
and fatiguing march, the Anglo-Indian troops frequently encamped upon
the ground from which the enemy had removed in the morning, but the
efforts made to overtake him were unsuccessful. The heavy guns and
the sick having been left in the fort of Arnee, the army proceeded to
Velhout, where on the 29th January it was reviewed by General Charles
the Earl Cornwallis, K.G., who had arrived from Bengal to assume
command, and who expressed great satisfaction at the appearance of
the troops. His Lordship was at this period Governor-General and
Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies. In the course of the foregoing
campaign the Seventy-first lost few men in action, but many fell
victims to climate and fatigue.
The army, being refreshed and equipped, commenced moving in a
westerly direction on the 5th February, and passing by Perambaukum
and Sholingar, arrived on the 11th in the vicinity of Vellore. On
the 14th it marched by Chittipet and Chittoor towards the Muglee
Pass, which it reached on the 17th. The following day the advance,
followed by the park and stores, ascended the Ghauts, the whole
army encamping on the 19th at Palamnaire, in the Mysore country,
without having seen anything of the enemy. During the time the
British army remained at Velhout Tippoo Saïb pushed southward
and summoned Cuddalore, but upon hearing in what direction Earl
Cornwallis had moved the Sultan hastened to the Shangana Pass, where
he arrived too late to oppose the troops at the Muglee Pass. On the
24th the British marched to Colar, which was abandoned on their
approach, and the army moved on to Ouscotta, which was carried by
a battalion of sepoys. The enemy displayed a part of his force on
the 4th March, and on the following day opened a cannonade upon the
troops moving towards Bangalore, whilst his horse attempted to seize
the stores and baggage, but without success. About sunset on the
5th March the army encamped within shot of the fort of Bangalore.
The day following the suburbs of the town were attacked by the
Thirty-sixth and Seventy-sixth Regiments, with some battalions of
sepoys, and carried after a very resolute resistance on the part of
the defenders. From this period to the 14th March nothing material
occurred, but every preparation for the approaching siege was
carried on with diligence and activity. On the 15th, the batteries
being completed, opened fire upon Bangalore, and on the 17th the
lines were cannonaded by the enemy, while at night the camp was
much disturbed by his rockets. Forage became very scarce, and none
could be procured beyond the advanced pickets. The siege, however,
proceeded, the enemy continuing to harass the besiegers until the
21st March, when the breach being considered practicable, an attack
was ordered. The storming party consisted of the grenadiers of the
European regiments, followed by their light companies, and led by
Lieutenant James Duncan, Seventy-first Highlanders, and Lieutenant
John Evans, Fifty-second Regiment, with a forlorn hope of thirty
chosen men, the whole supported by the battalion companies of the
Thirty-sixth, Seventy-second, and Seventy-sixth Regiments, with some
battalions of Bengal sepoys. The attacking force was commanded by
Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell, Seventy-fourth Highlanders, the flankers
by Major Kelly; Major-General Meadows was present on the occasion.
The grenadier company, Seventy-first Highlanders, was commanded by
Captain the Honourable John Lindsay, who, upon entering the breach,
directed his men to throw away their priming and trust entirely to
their bayonets. The light company was commanded by Captain James
Robertson, son of the celebrated historian. With the aid of scaling
ladders, and after encountering very formidable obstacles, Bangalore
was carried. From the 6th March to the capture of Bangalore the
Seventy-first had 6 privates killed and 14 wounded. On the 28th
March, a strong garrison being left in Bangalore, the army moved
to Deonhully, the birthplace of Hyder Ali, where it arrived on the
30th, and on the 1st April at Chinnaballaporam, both of which places
were abandoned by the enemy. The army reached Connapelly on the 12th
April, and on the following day effected a junction with the Nizam’s
force, which had been sent to co-operate with the British, and which
amounted to about 15,000 cavalry. On the 18th April the army arrived
at Venkatagherry, where a large detachment of Europeans, under
Colonel Oldham, joined from the Carnatic, and on the 22nd April it
again encamped near Bangalore. During this march, the object of which
was chiefly to secure supplies, the enemy’s irregular horse were
now and then seen in small detached bodies. On the 4th May the army
marched towards Seringapatam, the capital of Tippoo Saïb’s territory,
and on the 13th reached Arakerry, on the Cavery, about eight miles
below Seringapatam. The enemy could be seen in front, with their
right resting on the river, and their left on a high hill named the
Carighaut. During the night of the 14th of May the troops marched
with a view to surprising the enemy, but owing to the badness of the
weather and roads, together with the jaded state of the gun bullocks,
little or no progress was made during the night, but on the following
day, after undergoing great fatigue, they were brought into action.
The enemy was then soon driven from his strong position, and forced
across the river to the island upon which the capital, Seringapatam,
is situated, where he was protected by his batteries. In this affair
four guns and several standards were taken. The Seventy-first lost
Lieutenant and Adjutant Roderick Mackenzie and 7 rank and file
killed. Ensign John Stuart and 74 rank and file were wounded. The
army rested upon the field of battle, and moving again on the 18th
arrived at Canambaddy, on the Cavery, upon the 20th. It was now
ascertained that the season was too far advanced for undertaking
immediately the siege of Tippoo Saïb’s capital, and it was determined
accordingly to withdraw. The battering train was destroyed, all the
ammunition stores which could not be removed were buried, and on
the 26th May the army marched in the direction of Bangalore. In the
course of this retreat the British were joined by the Mahratta army,
consisting of about 33,000 men, chiefly cavalry, and 30 pieces of
cannon. Of the approach of this large force the British had been kept
in total ignorance by the activity of Tippoo’s irregular troops.
Captain Little, with two battalions of Bombay sepoys, joined with the
Mahratta army, and supplies were now abundant.
On the 11th July the army arrived at Bangalore without any attempt
on the part of the enemy to interrupt the march. By this time the
Nizam’s cavalry had become unfit to keep the field, and were allowed
to return to their own country. A large detachment of the Mahrattas
proceeded into the Sera country, the remainder continuing with the
British army. On the 15th July the sick and half of the tumbrils
belonging to the field pieces were sent into the fort of Bangalore,
and the army moved towards Oussoor, where it arrived on the 11th of
the following month. The fort of Oussoor was abandoned by the enemy
after he had blown up the angles.
On the 12th of August the army moved from Oussoor, and on the 23rd
arrived at Bayeur. About this period Major Gowdie, of the Honourable
East India Company’s Service, was detached with some troops for the
reduction of the strong hill fort of Nundydroog, which it was found
required regular approaches. The flank companies of the Thirty-sixth
and Seventy-first Regiments, under the command of Captain Robertson
of the latter corps, marched on the 17th of October to join the
detachment under Major Gowdie, and, upon their arrival, were
immediately placed in the last parallel.
On the 18th of October General the Earl Cornwallis with the whole
army, made a movement towards Nundydroog, and in the evening of that
day the troops were told off for an assault upon the two breaches,
which had been pronounced practicable. The attacks commenced at
eleven o’clock at night, the grenadiers assaulting the right
breach and the light companies the left. The forlorn hope of the
right attack consisted of twenty grenadiers, volunteers from the
Thirty-sixth and Seventy-first, led by Lieutenant Hugh Mackenzie
of the Seventy-first, afterwards for a long time paymaster of the
regiment. The same number of light infantry, headed by Lieutenant
Lewis Moore, of the Seventy-first, formed the left attack. The
grenadier company of the regiment, in support, was commanded by
Lieutenant James Duncan, the light company by Lieutenant Kenneth
Mackenzie, the whole under Captain Robertson’s orders. Captain
Robert Burne supported, with the Thirty-sixth grenadiers, the right
attack, and Captain William Hartley, with the light company of that
regiment, the left attack; Major-General Meadows, as usual, animating
the whole with his presence. Both breaches were carried without much
resistance from the enemy, and the gateway of the inner wall being
soon secured, the fort fell into the possession of the British. Many
of the enemy were killed, and several, in attempting to escape, were
dashed to pieces over the precipices. It was an additional source of
gratification that this important service had been achieved without
the loss of a British soldier. The following general order was issued
on this occasion:—
“_Head-Quarters Camp, October 20th, 1791._
“Lord Cornwallis having been witness of the extraordinary
obstacles, both of nature and art, which were opposed to the
detachment of the army that attacked Nundydroog, he cannot too
highly applaud the firmness and exertions which were manifested by
all ranks in carrying on the operations of the siege, or the valour
and discipline which were displayed by the flank companies of His
Majesty’s Thirty-sixth and Seventy-first Regiments (other regiments
of native infantry were here enumerated) that were employed in the
assault last night, and which, by overcoming all difficulties,
effected the reduction of that important fort, and he particularly
desires that his warmest thanks may be presented to Captain
Robertson of the Seventy-first Regiment, who commanded the flank
companies that led the assaults.”
In a few days subsequently to the fall of Nundydroog the army
retraced its route to Bangalore. On the 4th of December the troops
were again put in movement, directing their march towards Savendroog,
a fortress situated on the side of a mountain surrounded by almost
inaccessible rocks. The fort being reconnoitred, a detachment, under
Lieut.-Colonel James Stuart of the Seventy-second Regiment, was
selected and ordered to reduce the place. On the 17th the British
were enabled to open upon the fort a battery of six 18-pounders and
three 12-pounders with considerable effect. The flank companies of
the Seventy-first and Seventy-sixth Regiments joined the detachment
under Lieut.-Colonel Stuart on the 20th of December, and on the
following day the flank companies of the Fifty-second, Seventy-first,
Seventy-second, and Seventy-sixth were selected for the attack upon
Savendroog, in which a practicable breach had been effected, and
formed under Lieut.-Colonel Colebrook Nesbitt, of the Fifty-second
Regiment. The storming party, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Nesbitt,
was directed to four different attacks: Captain James Gage, with
the grenadiers of the Fifty-second and flank companies of the
Seventy-sixth Regiments, to gain the eastern hill to the left;
Captain the Hon. John Lindsay and Captain James Robertson, with
the flank companies of the Seventy-first, to separate and attack
the works or parties they might discover in the chasm or hollow
between the hills; the Fifty-second and Seventy-second Regiments
were to follow the flank companies. Parties were detached under
Lieut.-Colonel Baird and Major Petrie round the mountain to draw the
attention of the enemy from the main object, and to endeavour to
prevent his escape. At eleven o’clock in the morning of the 21st of
December, on a signal of two guns being fired from the batteries, the
flank companies, in the order described, followed by the Fifty-second
and Seventy-second Regiments, advanced to the assaults, the band of
the Fifty-second playing “Britons, strike home,” while the grenadiers
and light infantry mounted the breach. Immediate success followed
the attempt, the fort being carried without the loss of a man. The
troops were thanked in general orders for their gallant conduct, as
follows:—
“Lord Cornwallis thinks himself fortunate, almost beyond example,
in having acquired by assault a fortress of so much strength and
reputation, and of such inestimable value to the public interest
as Savendroog, without having to regret the loss of a single
soldier.... Although the resistance was so contemptible, he is not
the less sensible that the behaviour of the grenadiers and light
infantry of the Fifty-second, Seventy-first, Seventy-second, and
Seventy-sixth Regiments, who led the assaults, and who must have
made the decisive impression upon the minds of the enemy, reflects
the most distinguished honour upon their discipline and valour.”
[Sidenote: 1792.]
Outredroog, Ram Gurry, and Sheria Gurry shortly afterwards
surrendered to the British Army. The force subsequently moved towards
Outredroog, a hill fort about thirty miles west of Bangalore, where a
general hospital was established. On the 31st of January, 1792, the
army, under General the Earl Cornwallis, was reviewed by the Poonah
and Hyderabad Chiefs, and on the following day commenced its march
towards Seringapatam, passing by Hooleadroog, Tagilly, and Carrycode.
The troops came in sight of Tippoo’s capital on the 3rd of February,
and encamped at the French Rocks. The enemy’s horse showed itself on
the 4th and 5th, but attempted nothing hostile.
The entrenched camp of Tippoo Saïb was reconnoitred on the 6th
of February, and at dark the army was formed in three columns of
attack. The right, under Major-General Meadows, consisting of the
Thirty-sixth and Seventy-sixth King’s Regiments; the centre, under
the Commander-in-Chief, General the Earl Cornwallis, consisting of
the Fifty-second, Seventy-first, and Seventy-fourth King’s Regiments.
The left, under Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell, of the Seventy-fourth, was
composed of the Seventy-second Regiment. The native troops were
divided among the three columns. By eight o’clock in the evening
of the 6th of February, the three columns were in motion. The head
of the centre column, led by the flank companies of the respective
corps, after twice crossing the Sohany river, which covered the
enemy’s right wing and front, came in contact with his first line,
and immediately forced its way through it. The British flankers,
mixing with the fugitives, crossed the north branch of the Cavery,
at the foot of the glacis of the fort of Seringapatam. Captain the
Honourable John Lindsay collected the grenadiers of the Seventy-first
upon the glacis, and attempted to push into the body of the place,
but was prevented by the bridge being raised a few moments before he
reached it. He was soon after joined by some of the light company of
the Fifty-second and grenadiers of the Seventy-sixth, with whom he
forced his way down to the famous “Lal bagh,” or Ruby Garden, where
he was attacked most furiously, but the enemy was repelled with the
bayonet.
Captain Lindsay was afterwards joined by the Seventy-fourth
grenadiers, and attempted to drive the enemy from the Pettah, but
could not succeed, from the numbers which poured on him from all
sides. This gallant officer then took post in a redoubt, where
he maintained himself until morning, and then moved to the north
bank of the river, where the firing appeared very heavy. He was
there met by Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable John Knox,
of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, and by Lieut.-Colonel Baird, with
the grenadiers of the Fifty-second and the light company of the
Seventy-first, together with some of the troops that composed the
left attack.
During these occurrences the battalion companies of the Fifty-second,
Seventy-first, and Seventy-second Regiments forced their way across
the river to the island, overpowering all that opposed them, when
Captain Archdeacon, commanding a battalion of Bengal sepoys, being
killed, that battalion was thrown into confusion, falling back upon
the Seventy-first. Major Stair Park Dalrymple, wishing to prevent
the sepoys intermingling with his men, ordered the regiment to move
obliquely to the left, an operation that by chance brought him in
contact with the Sultan’s redoubt, which was instantly attacked
and carried. The charge of the redoubt was given to Captain Hugh
Sibbald, of the Seventy-first, with his company, who on the following
morning was killed, nobly defending it against repeated and desperate
attacks from the enemy. He was replaced by Major Shelly, under whom
the redoubt sustained two serious assaults. The Commander-in-Chief,
General the Earl Cornwallis, in compliment to the memory of this
officer, had the name of the redoubt changed to “Sibbald.”
In the evening of the 7th of February 3,000 of the enemy’s horse
attacked the British troops on the island, but were repulsed by the
Seventy-first Regiment and the First Coast Sepoys. In the course of
these operations the regiment had Captain Sibbald and Lieutenant
Daniel Bayne killed; Ensign Duncan Mackenzie was wounded; about 100
rank and file were killed and wounded.
The enemy’s loss was very severe, being estimated at 20,000 _hors
de combat_. Eighty pieces of cannon were taken by the British. The
following general order was issued:—
“Feb. 7th.
“The conduct and valour of the officers and soldiers of this army
have often merited Lord Cornwallis’s encomiums, but the zeal and
gallantry which were so successfully displayed last night in the
attacks of the enemy’s whole army in a position which had cost
him so much time and labour to fortify, can never be sufficiently
praised; and his satisfaction on an occasion which promised to be
attended with the most substantial advantages has been greatly
heightened by learning from the Commanding officers of divisions
that this meritorious behaviour was universal through all ranks, to
a degree that has been rarely equalled. Lord Cornwallis therefore
requests that the army in general will accept of his most cordial
thanks for the noble and gallant manner in which they have executed
the plan of the attack; it covers them with honour, and will ever
command his warmest sentiments of admiration.”
On the 9th of February the army took up its final position for
the siege of Seringapatam, and on the 15th Major-General Robert
Abercromby joined with the Bombay force, consisting of the
Seventy-third, Seventy-fifth, and Seventy-seventh regiments, besides
native troops, making a total of about 6,000 men.
The Seventy-first Highlanders, commanded by Major Dalrymple, crossed
the south branch of the Cavery at nine o’clock at night on the 18th
of February, and two hours later attacked by surprise a camp of the
enemy’s cavalry, of whom a great part were slain and the remainder
dispersed in all directions. This movement was designed to cover
the operation of opening the trenches, which took place at the same
time within 800 yards of the fort. Until the 24th of February the
approaches were carried on with the greatest activity, when the
general orders announced that the preliminary articles of peace had
been signed, and in consequence all hostile measures immediately
ceased.
On the 26th of February the two sons of Tippoo Saïb, Abd-el-Khalik
and Musa-ed-Deen, the former ten years of age and the latter eight,
were brought to the British camp as hostages for the due performance
of the preliminary articles.
In consequence of some obstacles which had been opposed by Tippoo
to the arrangement of the definitive treaty, working parties were
ordered, and the guns replaced in the batteries on the 10th March.
This state of suspicion and preparation lasted until the 15th of
March, when it was discontinued, and on the 18th of that month, the
definitive treaty being duly executed and signed, was delivered by
the young Abd-el-Khalik to each of the confederates. On the 20th the
counterpart was sent to Tippoo Saïb.
Thus terminated a war in which the confederates wrested from the
enemy 70 fortresses, 800 pieces of cannon, and destroyed or dispersed
at least 50,000 men. By the articles of the treaty Tippoo Saïb
was bound to pay a large sum of money and to cede one-half of his
dominions. The Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in India
granted from this money a sum equal to six months’ batta for all
ranks, and the Court of Directors afterwards made a similar grant.
The East India Company also granted an annuity of £50 to Captain P.
Melville for his services in India.
On the 26th of March, the exchange of the definitive treaty being
completed, the British commenced moving towards Bangalore, from
whence they proceeded to the Pednaigdurgum Pass, where the Bengal
troops were ordered to their own Presidency.
Early in May the army descended the Ghauts, arriving soon after at
Vellore, where the Commander-in-Chief arranged the cantonments of the
troops and proceeded to Madras. The Seventy-first received orders to
march to the southward, and in the month of June arrived at Warriore,
near Trichinopoly, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Baird, who
during the campaign had been absent from the regiment in command of
a brigade. Eight companies were stationed at Warriore, and two were
detached with Major Dalrymple to Dindigul. In this situation the
regiment continued for the remainder of the year.
[Sidenote: 1793.]
In March, 1793, the eight companies under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Baird proceeded from Warriore to Secundermally, in
the neighbourhood of Madura. Meanwhile the events of the French
Revolution had involved England in another contest, the National
Convention of France having declared war against Great Britain
and Holland in February, 1793. The news of this event arrived in
India in May following, when the siege of the French settlement
of Pondicherry, on the Coromandel coast, was determined upon.
Lieut.-Colonel Baird, of the Seventy-first, was appointed to command
a brigade on this service.
In July the flank companies of the regiment were ordered to join the
force about to besiege Pondicherry, and marched for that purpose,
being followed soon afterwards by the battalion companies. The place
surrendered on the 22nd of August, and the Seventy-first returned to
Secundermally and Dindigul, where it continued during the remainder
of the year.
[Sidenote: 1794.]
An attack upon the Mauritius was in contemplation at the commencement
of the year 1794, and troops for that service were assembled at
Wallajohabad. The Seventy-first, having received orders to join this
force, marched to Wallajohabad, where the regiment remained only
a short time, having been ordered to return to the southward, in
consequence of the projected expedition being relinquished.
The regiment marched accordingly, and arrived at Tanjore in June,
where it was stationed for the remainder of the year, having two
companies detached under Major Dalrymple at Vellum.
[Sidenote: 1795.]
Holland became united to France in the early part of 1795, and was
styled the Batavian Republic. Upon the arrival of this information
in India, an expedition was fitted out against the Island of Ceylon,
where the Dutch had several settlements. Major Dalrymple, with the
flank companies, marched to the coast, and embarked at Negapatam,
for the purpose of co-operating with the troops destined for Ceylon,
under the command of Colonel James Stuart, of the Seventy-second,
who was promoted to the rank of Major-General at this period. The
fleet arrived on the coast of Ceylon on the 1st of August, and two
days afterwards the troops landed four miles north of the fort of
Trincomalee. The siege of the fort was commenced as soon as the
artillery and stores could be landed and removed sufficiently near to
the place. On the 26th of August a practicable breach was effected,
and the garrison surrendered. The fort of Batticaloe surrendered on
the 18th of September, and the fort and island of Manaar capitulated
on the 5th of October. After these services were performed, the flank
companies returned to Tanjore in the month of October, having lost
11 men in killed and wounded. Captain William Charles Gorrie, of the
grenadier company, was desperately wounded in this expedition.
The following honourable mention of an officer in this regiment is
extracted from a letter of Sir Robert Abercromby to the Duke of York.
“_Calcutta, November 4th._
“I have the honour to inform you that Major Dirom having resigned
his office of Deputy Adjutant-General in India, I have appointed
Captain James Robertson, of the Seventy-first Regiment, who has
acted for him since 1st July, 1792, to succeed until His Majesty’s
pleasure is known, as Captain Robertson was included in the brevet
of Major, made in March, 1794, though not yet published in India,
and I am sensible any further mark of His Majesty’s favour will be
pleasing to the Marquis Cornwallis, under whom he served, and I beg
leave to recommend him for the rank of Lieut.-Colonel.”
[Sidenote: 1796.]
In May, 1796, the regiment marched to Wallajohabad, where it was
stationed during the remainder of the year.
[Sidenote: 1797.]
On the 2nd of January, 1797, the regiment was inspected by
Major-General Clarke, who issued the following general order:—
“Major-General Clarke has experienced infinite satisfaction this
morning at the review of His Majesty’s Seventy-first Regiment.
“He cannot say that on any occasion of field exercise he ever was
present at a more perfect performance.
“When a corps is so striking in appearance, and so complete
in every branch of its discipline, little can occur to the
Commander-in-Chief to particularize. He cannot but notice, however,
that the Seventy-first Regiment has excited his admiration for its
expertness in those parts of its exercise which are most essential
and most difficult to execute. He alludes to its order and
regularity when moving in line, its extreme accuracy in preserving
distance, and the neatness and promptitude that are so evident in
all its formations. So much perfection in a corps whose services in
India will long be held in remembrance, does the greatest honour to
Lieut.-Colonel Baird and all his officers, to whom and the corps at
large the Commander-in-Chief desires to offer his best thanks.”
The regiment remained in the cantonment of Wallajohabad until
the month of October, when orders were issued for its return to
Europe. It was accordingly drafted, giving five hundred men to the
Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth Regiments, and then marched from
Wallajohabad, under the command of Colonel Baird, to Madras, and
immediately embarked on board of Indiamen for Great Britain. The
fleet sailed from Madras Roads on the 17th of October, and was at
sea during the remainder of the year. A few days previous to its
embarkation the following order was published:—
_“Fort St. George,
“October 16th, 1797._
“General Order by Government.
“The officers, non-commissioned officers, drummers, and privates
of the Seventy-first Highlanders are under orders for Europe, to
embark to-morrow morning at six. The President in Council has much
satisfaction in expressing the great sense entertained by the
Government of the active, zealous, and important services of the
Seventy-first Highlanders during the eighteen years they have been
stationed in India, by which they have contributed so largely to
the reputation of the British Army, and so essentially promoted the
interests of the East India Company.
“By order of the Right Honourable the President in Council.
(Signed) “S. WEBBE,
“_Secretary to the Government_.”
This high testimonial of the approbation of the Civil Government
was accompanied by the following mark of commendation from the
Commander-in-Chief:—
“General Order by Lieut.-General Harris.
“The Commander-in-Chief cannot think of parting with a corps
that has been so eminently distinguished as the Seventy-first
Highlanders in India by a series of long, arduous, and spirited
services, without requesting Lieut.-Colonel Baird, the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and every man belonging to that regiment
to accept of his warmest acknowledgments for conduct which has been
equally honourable to them, and advantageous to their country.
The alacrity with which Lieut.-Colonel Baird has arranged, at
a short warning, everything relative to the drafting, confirms
Lieutenant-General Harris in the favourable opinion he had
formed of the internal order and discipline of that corps, and he
trusts that the regularity and zeal of the men destined for the
Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth Highlanders will be such as to
maintain the high reputation they have so deservedly acquired.
(Signed) “J. ROBERTSON,
“_Deputy Adjutant-General_.
“_Head-Quarters, Choultry Plain, “October 16th, 1797._”
[Sidenote: 1798.]
Early in January, 1798, the fleet arrived at the Cape of Good Hope,
where the commanding officer of the regiment, Colonel Baird, was
detained upon the Staff, having been appointed Brigadier-General.
After remaining a few days in Table Bay, the fleet sailed, and
reached St. Helena in February, where it was detained three months,
waiting for a convoy.
The fleet sailed on the 1st of May from St Helena, without a convoy,
and in July, in consequence of contrary winds, was compelled to
put into Cork Harbour. It sailed from thence for the Thames, and
on the 13th of August the regiment disembarked at Woolwich, where
it remained for a few days, and then re-embarked in smacks for
Leith. After landing, the regiment proceeded to Stirling. As a
mark of indulgence, a general leave for two months was granted to
the officers and men of the Seventy-first, to enable them to visit
their friends and families after the long absence from their native
country. At the expiration of this period, the whole assembled
at Stirling, with the addition of a few recruits[4]. Immediately
afterwards, the whole of the officers and non-commissioned officers,
with the exception of the Staff, and a few at head-quarters, were
sent out to recruit for the regiment.
Very few of the men remained who had originally formed the regiment;
of the officers, the following were still in the regiment:—
Colonel Baird,
” Dalrymple,
Major Lindsay Robertson,
Brevet-Major Borthwick,
” Gorrie,
Captain D. Ross,
” Hugh Cuthbert,
” Roderick McKenzie,
” Hugh McKenzie.
[Sidenote: 1799.]
During the year 1799, the head-quarters remained at Stirling, and the
recruiting went on but slowly.
[Sidenote: 1800.]
In May, 1800, the strength of the regiment amounted to about 200 rank
and file, when a route arrived changing the quarters to Paisley, but
soon after the march an order arrived for its proceeding to Ireland.
In June the regiment reached Portpatrick, and crossed immediately
to Donaghadee, from whence it marched, under the command of Colonel
Dalrymple, to Newry, and in a few days afterwards was removed to
Dundalk.
In July the regiment received 600 volunteers from the Scotch Fencible
Corps serving in Ireland, and remained at Dundalk until the close
of the year, when a route for Dublin was received. At this period,
Colonel Dalrymple was appointed Brigadier-General, and the command of
the regiment devolved on Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John French.
On the 6th of December Major Denis Pack was promoted from the Fourth
Royal Irish Dragoon Guards to be Lieut.-Colonel in the Seventy-first
Regiment, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable John
Lindsay, who retired from the service.
[Sidenote: 1801.]
The regiment, early in the year 1801, marched from Dundalk to Dublin,
and occupied the barracks in the Palatine Square. On the 24th of
April, Lieut.-Colonel Pack joined, and assumed the command of the
regiment.
[Sidenote: 1802.]
In March, 1802, in which month the Peace of Amiens was concluded, the
regiment proceeded from Dublin, and was quartered in the county of
Wicklow. The corps was so divided, that at Arklow, the head-quarters,
there were only two companies. In this situation it continued for the
remainder of the year.
[Sidenote: 1803.]
The regiment proceeded in March, 1803, in three divisions, to
Ballinasloe, where it remained for a few days, and afterwards marched
to Loughrea.
Major-General Sir John Francis Cradock, K.B., was appointed Colonel
of the Seventy-first Highlanders on the 6th of August, 1803, in
succession to General the Honourable William Gordon, who was removed
to the Twenty-first Royal North British Fusiliers.
The regiment continued at Loughrea, but the light company was
detached to Limerick to join a light battalion which was being formed
at that place. Captain Sinclair died during this year, and the
officers of the regiment caused a stone to be erected over his grave
bearing the following inscription:—
“To the memory of Captain John Sinclair, this stone was caused to
be placed by his brother officers of the Seventy-first Regiment,
as a testimony of the high esteem they held him in as an officer,
as well as the sincere love they bore him as a friend. Twenty-six
years spent in zealous and faithful discharge of his duty justly
entitled him to the character of the one, and the many estimable
qualities of the heart gave him no less claim to the other; he
died at the age of 41, in the year of our Lord 1803, resigning only
with his breath that commission which His Gracious Majesty had
pleased to bestow.”
[Sidenote: 1804.]
In May the regiment proceeded from Loughrea to the county of
Limerick; the head-quarters being stationed at Rathkeale, one
detachment at Newcastle, another at Tarbert, and a third at Askeaton.
[Sidenote: 2nd bat.]
While the regiment was stationed in Ireland, war had recommenced with
France, and Bonaparte having made preparations for invading Great
Britain, additional measures of defence to those of the former year
were adopted by the Government; and under the “_Additional Force
Act_,” passed on the 10th of July, 1804, a second battalion was added
to the Seventy-first Regiment, which was to consist of men to be
raised for limited service in certain counties of North Britain. The
second battalion was formed at Dumbarton in October, to the command
of which Lieut.-Colonel Lord George Beresford was appointed. Its
establishment was fixed at 23 sergeants, 22 drummers, 20 corporals,
1,380 privates.
[Sidenote: 1805.]
[Sidenote: 1st bat.]
In March, 1805, the first battalion, under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Pack, proceeded to Bandon, in the county of Cork, and
was stationed at that place until July, when it marched to Cork, and
immediately afterwards to Monkstown, where it embarked in transports,
having been selected to form part of a secret expedition under its
former commander, Major-General Sir David Baird.
In the beginning of August the embarkation was completed, and on
the 5th of that month the fleet sailed, convoyed by three 64-gun
ships, two frigates and gun brigs, under the orders of Commodore Sir
Home Popham; and on the 28th of September the fleet, after a very
boisterous passage, arrived at Madeira.
On the 3rd of October the fleet left Madeira, and on the 12th
of November arrived at St. Salvador, in the Brazils, where an
opportunity was afforded of refreshing the men, landing the sick, and
procuring some horses for the cavalry.
The fleet again put to sea on the 28th of November, and directed its
course towards the Dutch Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, then in
possession of the Batavian Government, which was united with France
in hostility to Great Britain.
[Sidenote: 1806.]