Chapter II: Part 2

Many senior corps having been disbanded, the regiment was numbered, in 1786, the SEVENTY-SECOND foot; at the same time the commission of lieut.-colonel commandant was changed to that of colonel; and in December, 1787, the establishment was fixed at forty-four officers, and eight hundred and four non-commissioned officers and soldiers. Success continued to attend the recruiting of the regiment, and the arrival of strong healthy young men from Scotland, preserved it in a high state of efficiency, and its discipline and moral conduct were particularly exemplary.

[Sidenote: 1789]

The insatiable ambition of Tippoo Sultan, the powerful ruler of the Mysore, soon involved the British government in India in another war; he appeared near the confines of the country of Travancore, at the head of a powerful army, made unreasonable demands on the rajah, a British ally, and commenced hostilities towards the end of December, 1789.

[Sidenote: 1790]

The SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders, mustering nearly a thousand officers and soldiers, healthy and acclimated, pitched their tents on the plain of Trichinopoly, where an army was assembled, in the early part of 1790, to exact full reparation of Tippoo Sultan for his wanton and unprovoked violation of treaty in attacking the rajah of Travancore. Major-General Medows assumed the command, and the SEVENTY-SECOND, commanded by Captain Frazer, with the seventy-first, and first East India Company’s European battalion, formed the second European brigade, under Lieut.-Colonel Clarke; Lieut.-Colonel Stuart of the SEVENTY-SECOND commanded the left wing of the army.

Advancing from Trichinopoly plain, on the 26th of May, and penetrating the country of the enemy, the army arrived, on the 15th of June, at the fort of Caroor, where the troops encamped eighteen days, while provisions were being collected, and a magazine formed. Leaving this place on the 3rd of July, the army marched to Daraporam, which was abandoned by the enemy; a garrison was left at this place, and the army marched through a beautiful country in a high state of cultivation, to the city of Coimbetore, which was found evacuated, and some valuable stores left behind by the enemy. On the 23rd of July, Lieut.-Colonel Stuart was detached, with the fourth brigade of native infantry, a number of pioneers, &c. against Palacatcherry, leaving the SEVENTY-SECOND at the camp at Coimbetore; he was impeded by heavy rains, and, his force proving insufficient for the capture of the place, he rejoined the army. He was afterwards detached, with another body of troops, against Dindigal, a strong fortress on a rock, which surrendered on the 22nd of August. He was subsequently directed to proceed a second time against _Palacatcherry_; and the flank companies of the seventy-first and SEVENTY-SECOND regiments were ordered to traverse the country and take part in the siege, when Captain FRAZER of the SEVENTY-SECOND resigned the command of the regiment, for that of the flank companies detached on this service.[9] These companies left Coimbetore on the 6th of September, were joined by Lieut.-Colonel Stuart’s division, at Podoor,[10] on the following day, and arrived on the 10th, before the fortress of Palacatcherry, which had been strengthened and improved since its capture in 1783: the siege was immediately commenced. The regiment remained at Coimbetore.

At that time the army was separated in three divisions;--one at Coimbetore, one at Sattimungal, sixty miles in advance, and one besieging Palacatcherry, thirty miles in the rear; and Tippoo resolved to attack, and if possible destroy, the division in advance before the main body could arrive to its support; but its commander, Colonel Floyd, fell back and took up his positions in retreat, with so much ability, that the Sultan failed in his object. The SEVENTY-SECOND, and other corps, advanced from Coimbetore to support Colonel Floyd’s division, and a junction was formed at Velladi, on the 15th of September, when Tippoo retired. On that day the flank companies, commanded by Captain Frazer, were suddenly ordered to make a forced march to Coimbetore: if the enemy had taken the place, to endeavour to re-capture it by surprise; if it was invested, to force their way into it, and to defend it to the last extremity. The march was commenced at four o’clock in the afternoon, and the flank companies arrived at the gates of Coimbetore at half past two o’clock on the following morning; the enemy had not approached the place, and the companies took possession of the fort, Captain Frazer assuming the command of all the troops at that place.

The army returned to Coimbetore on the 23rd of September, when the flank companies rejoined the regiment; and Lieut.-Colonel Stuart, having captured and garrisoned Palacatcherry, arrived on the 26th of that month.

Disappointed in his object of destroying the divisions of the British army in detail, the Sultan resolved to attack the chain of depôts; he gained possession of Erroad, and the stores at that place, and afterwards marched southwards. The English army advanced from Coimbetore on the 29th of September, and, arriving at Erroad on the 4th of October, found the place abandoned, and Tippoo’s army gone. He had marched in the direction of Coimbetore, but, hearing that the garrison was augmented, he advanced rapidly upon Daraporam, of which he gained possession on the 2nd of October.

The British army marched in search of the Sultan, traversing extensive tracts of country, and undergoing much fatigue under an Indian sun. In these services the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders preserved a high state of discipline and efficiency. Lieut. Campbell of the regiment stated in his journal, “We perform our journeys with ease and comfort; marching is become familiar and agreeable to us.” In the middle of November the army traversed the difficult pass of Tapoor, winding through deep valleys, and dragging the guns over precipices. On emerging from the pass, Tippoo’s camp was seen at a distance; it was supposed to be that of the Bengal division, under Colonel Maxwell, and three guns were fired as a signal, when the Sultan struck his tents and made a precipitate retreat. Colonel Maxwell’s division joined two days afterwards, and the seventy-first, SEVENTY-SECOND, and seventy-fourth regiments were formed in brigade under Lieut.-Colonel Clarke, with six twelve-pounder and six six-pounder guns attached to them.

The Sultan resolved to leave the British army in his own country, and to invade the Carnatic, which would bring the English back for the defence of Trichinopoly. Major-General Medows was about to carry offensive plans into execution, when the movements of Tippoo rendered it necessary to return to the Carnatic, and the army arrived at the vicinity of Trichinopoly in the middle of December. The Sultan’s success was limited to devastations and the capture of a few posts; he was pursued as far as Trincomalee; the British army afterwards turned off to Arnee, where the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment arrived on the 12th January, 1791, and was encamped several days.

[Sidenote: 1791]

General Charles Earl Cornwallis, K.G., assumed the command of the army, and some alteration was made in the disposition of the troops; the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders, commanded by Captain Frazer, continued to form, with the seventy-first and seventy-fourth regiments, the second European brigade, under Lieut.-Colonel Clarke, in the left wing of the army: Lieut.-Colonel Stuart, of the SEVENTY-SECOND, commanded the right wing. The army advanced to Vellore, where it arrived on the 11th of February, 1791. Tippoo was ready to oppose any attempt to penetrate into the country under his dominion by the easiest passes; but Earl Cornwallis contrived the appearance of a march towards Amboor, which completely imposed upon the Sultan, and then turning suddenly to the north, traversed the difficult pass of Mooglee, without the enemy having power to offer the least obstruction, and arrived on the 20th of February on the table-land of the Mysore. On the 22nd of February the troops commenced their march towards the strong fortress of _Bangalore_, where Tippoo had built a splendid palace, with extensive gardens; and the safety of his harem, &c., so engrossed his attention, that he marched with his army to accomplish the removal of his women and valuables from the palace, and left the English at liberty to continue their march unmolested, until they arrived within ten miles of the town. He made an attempt on the baggage on the 5th of March, but was frustrated, on which occasion the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders had a few men wounded: in the evening the army took up a position before the town.

On the 7th of March the pettah was stormed by the thirty-sixth regiment, supported by the third brigade of sepoys; and the siege of Bangalore was immediately commenced. During the night, the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders were posted under the outer pettah wall, close to the gate. “The enemy kept up a sharp fire; their shots, which were many of them thirty-two pounders, came very close to the regiment, making a great rattling in the trees and bamboo hedge, near the line; but no casualties occurred.”[11]

On the evening of the 10th of March, the regiment was on duty in the trenches, the grenadier company taking the advance post, and many of the men of the other companies working at the batteries; it was relieved on the evening of the 12th.

During the night of the 15th of March, the troops were ordered under arms, in consequence of circumstances indicating the approach of Tippoo’s army; a flight of rockets came into the camp, and the grenadiers of the SEVENTY-SECOND rushed towards the spot from whence the rockets came; but the Mysoreans fled without waiting the attack. At five o’clock on the following evening the regiment marched into the pettah, and relieved the thirty-sixth on duty in the trenches. Soon after midnight a crowd of Mysorean musketeers entered the thick jungle near the pettah, and commenced a sharp fire; the SEVENTY-SECOND formed behind a mud wall expecting their post to be stormed every moment by thousands of enemies, whom they were prepared to receive with fixed bayonets: but the Mysoreans did not venture on so desperate an enterprise; many of the soldiers’ bayonets were hit by bullets, but not one man injured. On the evening of the 18th the regiment was relieved and returned to camp.

At four o’clock on the afternoon of the 20th of March six companies of the regiment marched into the trenches; and on the evening of the following day the regiment was ordered to prepare to take part in storming the fortress; the grenadier company was to join the storming party appointed to advance by the left approach; the light company that by the right approach, and the battalion companies were formed on the right of the parallel, to support the grenadiers: three of the SEVENTY-SECOND grenadiers joined the forlorn hope under Serjeant Williams of the seventy-sixth regiment. Lieutenant Campbell of the regiment states in his Journal,--“The storming party primed and loaded, and sat down on their arms; our batteries, both gun and mortar, kept firing frequently during the evening. At a quarter before eleven we got into motion; an opening was made in the centre of the second parallel; the signal for storming was given (three guns in quick succession), and out we rushed. The covered way instantly appeared as a sheet of fire, seconded from the fort, but with no aim or effect; our batteries answered with blank cartridge; and we were in the covered way in a moment, and on the breach as quick as thought. I pushed on, carried forward by a powerful impulse, and found myself at the top of the breach with the front files. The grenadiers immediately turned off to the right with a huzza; their progress was suddenly stopped by an opening; the fort was hung with blue lights, a heavy fire was opened upon us, but with little effect: the difficulty was overcome, and our troops ascended the ladders with every possible expedition. The grandest, and most striking sight I ever beheld, was the rushing up of the troops to the top of the breach, and the ascent of the grenadiers in crowds by the scaling-ladders. We now heard the grenadiers’ march beating in every quarter; our soldiers shouted with joy, and we swept round the ramparts with scarce anything to oppose us: every enemy that appeared had a bayonet in him instantly; the regiments that supported us came in by the gateway, and cleared the town below, where numbers were killed; in two hours we were in thorough possession of the fort, and Lieutenant Duncan, of the seventy-first regiment, pulled down the flag and put his own sash in its place. The union-flag was afterwards hoisted, and the troops gave three cheers.” Very extensive stores were found in the place, particularly of ammunition. The kiledar, or governor, was killed while fighting with three grenadiers; he was dressed in a white gown, over which he wore a jacket of quilted purple satin.

The regiment had six rank and file killed; one serjeant and twenty-three rank and file wounded, on this occasion.

In the Orders issued on the following day, it was stated--“LORD CORNWALLIS feels the most sensible gratification in congratulating the officers and soldiers of the army on the honorable issue of the fatigues and dangers they have undergone during the late arduous siege. Their alacrity and firmness in the execution of their various duties has, perhaps, never been exceeded, and he shall not only think it incumbent on him to represent their meritorious conduct in the strongest colours, but he shall ever remember it with the sincerest esteem and admiration.

“The conduct of all the regiments, which happened, in their tour, to be on duty that evening, did credit in every respect to their spirit and discipline; but _his Lordship desires to offer the tribute of his particular and warmest praise to the European grenadiers and light infantry of the army, and to the thirty-sixth_, SEVENTY-SECOND, _and seventy-sixth regiments, who led the attack and carried the fortress, and who, by their behaviour on that occasion, furnished a conspicuous proof, that discipline and valour in soldiers, when directed by zeal and capacity in officers, are irresistible_.

“Lieut.-colonel Stuart (SEVENTY-SECOND regiment) maybe assured that Lord Cornwallis will ever retain the most grateful remembrance of the valuable and steady support which that officer afforded him, by his military experience and constant exertions to promote the public service.”

After the capture of the fort, the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders were posted at the breach; they were relieved on the morning of the 23rd of March, by the fifty-second regiment, and returned to the camp.

On the 28th of March, the army quitted Bangalore, to join the forces of the Nizam, sent to co-operate with the English in this war; and, as the troops approached the ground they purposed encamping upon after the first march, they saw the forces of Tippoo striking their tents, and commencing a precipitate retreat; when the seventy-first, SEVENTY-SECOND, and seventy-fourth regiments formed line, and advanced, supported by the native infantry of the first line, but were unable to come up with the enemy. “The nature of the country at this place, which presents continual ridges at almost equal distances, made the pursuit particularly interesting; for every new view we gained of the enemy, enlivened the soldiers afresh, and occasioned them to push on with infinite eagerness and ardour.”[12] A fine new brass nine-pounder gun was captured, with a great quantity of cattle and forage; but the Sultan’s army could not be overtaken.

The Nizam’s troops joined on the 13th of April, amounting to about fifteen thousand horsemen, some of them, from Affghanistan, being celebrated for valour. The army afterwards returned to Bangalore, where preparations were made for the siege of Seringapatam, and the army advanced upon the capital of the Mysore, on the 4th of May. The troops marched through a difficult country destitute of forage, and the cattle employed in conveying stores and baggage died in great numbers; provision for the troops also became scarce.

As the army approached _Seringapatam_, the Sultan resolved to hazard an engagement, and his formidable position was attacked on the 15th of May, when the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders had another opportunity of distinguishing themselves. The Mysoreans stood the fire of artillery with steadiness, and kept up a cannonade with much effect, but the instant an attempt was made to charge them with bayonets, they made a precipitate retreat. They were driven from every post; and towards the close of the action the SEVENTY-SECOND ascended an eminence and captured a round redoubt. The army was thanked in Orders for its gallant conduct. The regiment had about twenty men killed and wounded: Captain Braithwaite and Lieutenant Whitlie wounded.

On the following day, some sharp firing was heard at the advance-posts, when Major Frazer obtained permission to proceed to their support with the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders; he afterwards sent the adjutant to Earl Cornwallis to request his Lordship’s authority to storm a fortified pagoda, but permission was not granted. On the 18th of May, when the army moved towards the fords of the river, Major Frazer obtained the post of honour for the regiment, in covering the rear, expecting Tippoo would hazard an attack, but no such event occurred.

When the army had arrived at the extreme point of its operations, it had sustained the loss of nearly all its cattle from the want of forage; the supply of provisions for the men was nearly exhausted; the camp-followers were without food, and the rainy season had set in earlier than had been expected. Under these circumstances further success was become impracticable; the battering train and stores were destroyed, and on the 26th of May the troops commenced their march back towards Bangalore. Before commencing the retreat, the soldiers were thanked in Orders for their conduct throughout these services, and it was added,--“So long as there were any hopes of reducing Seringapatam before the commencement of the heavy rains, the Commander-in-chief thought himself happy in availing himself of their willing services; but the unexpected bad weather, for some time experienced, having rendered the attack of the enemy’s capital impracticable, until the conclusion of the ensuing monsoons, Lord Cornwallis thought he should make an ill return for the zeal and alacrity exhibited by the soldiers, if he desired them to draw the guns and stores back to a magazine, where there remains an ample supply of both, which was captured by their valour; he did not, therefore, hesitate to order the guns and stores which were not wanted for field service to be destroyed.”

The army retreated to the vicinity of Bangalore, being joined by the Mahratta forces on the march; and detachments were afterwards sent out to reduce several strong hill-forts, which were very numerous.

On the morning of the 9th of December, the fifty-second and SEVENTY-SECOND regiments, with the fourteenth and twenty-sixth Bengal sepoys, were detached, under Lieut.-Colonel Stuart of the SEVENTY-SECOND, against the fortress of _Savendroog_, situate on the side of a mountain, environed by almost inaccessible rocks;[13] the troops arrived before the place on the 10th, and during the night the grenadiers of the fifty-second and SEVENTY-SECOND, with a battalion company from each regiment, supported by the twenty-sixth sepoys, climbed a steep hill; traversed sheets of rock; descended into a valley by a path so rugged and steep that the soldiers let themselves down in many places by the branches of trees growing on the side of the rock; traversed the valley; ascended a rock nearly three hundred feet high, crawling on their hands and feet, and helping themselves up by tufts of grass, until they attained the summit, where they established themselves on a spot which overlooked the whole of the fortress, about three hundred yards from the wall. The batteries were speedily constructed; the flank companies of the seventy-first and seventy-sixth regiments arrived to take part in the siege; and practicable breaches having been effected, storming-parties paraded on the morning of the 21st of December. The right attack was made by the light companies of the seventy-first and SEVENTY-SECOND, supported by a battalion company of the SEVENTY-SECOND; the left attack by the two flank companies of the seventy-sixth and grenadier company of the fifty-second; the centre attack under Major FRAZER of the SEVENTY-SECOND, by the grenadiers and two battalion companies of the SEVENTY-SECOND, two companies of the fifty-second, the grenadiers of the seventy-first, and four companies of sepoys, supported by the sixth battalion of sepoys; the whole under Lieut.-colonel Nisbitt, of the fifty-second regiment. The storming-parties proceeded to their stations; the band of the fifty-second took post near them, and suddenly striking up the tune _Britons strike home_, the whole rushed forward with the most heroic ardour. The Mysoreans made a feeble defence, and in less than two hours the British were in possession of the fort, with the trifling loss of five men wounded. The troops were thanked in General Orders, for their very gallant conduct, in which it was stated,--“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.”

Two days after the capture of Savendroog, the troops advanced against _Outra-Durgum_: they arrived within three miles of the place that night, and, on the following day, summoned the garrison to surrender. Lieut.-Colonel Stuart, observing the people flying from the pettah to the fortress on the rock, directed the guns to open upon them, and two battalion companies of the fifty-second and SEVENTY-SECOND regiments, supported by the twenty-sixth sepoys, to attack the pettah by escalade, which was executed with so much spirit, that the soldiers were speedily in possession of the town.

“Lieutenant M^c Innes, senior officer of the two SEVENTY-SECOND companies, applied to Captain Scott for liberty to follow the fugitives up the rock, saying he should be in time to enter the first gateway with them. The captain thought the enterprise impracticable. The soldiers of M^c Innes’s company heard the request made, and not doubting of consent being given, had rushed towards the first wall, and were followed by M^c Innes. The gate was shut: but Lieutenant M^c Pherson arrived with the pioneers and ladders, which were instantly applied, and our people were within the wall, as quick as thought, when the gate was unbolted and the two companies entered. The enemy, astonished at so unexpected an attempt, retreated with precipitation. M^c Innes advanced to the second wall, the men forced open the gate with their shoulders, and not a moment was lost in pushing forward for the third wall; but the road leading between two rocks, was so narrow that only two could advance abreast; the pathway was, in consequence, soon choked up, and those who carried the ladders were unable to proceed; at the same time, the enemy commenced throwing huge stones in numbers upon the assailants, who commenced a sharp fire of musketry, and Lieut.-Colonel Stuart, who had observed from a distance this astonishing enterprise, sent orders for the grenadiers not to attempt anything further. Lieutenant M^c Pherson forced his way through the crowd, causing the ladders to be handed over the soldiers’ heads, from one to another, and before the colonel’s orders could be delivered, the gallant Highlanders were crowding over the third gateway. The enemy fled on all hands; the foremost of our men pursued them closely, and gained the two last walls without opposition (there were five walls to escalade). The garrison escaped by the south-east side of the fort, over rocks and precipices of immense depth and ruggedness, where many must have lost their lives. By one o’clock, our two companies were in possession of every part of the fort, and M^c Innes had planted the colours on the highest pinnacle, without the loss of a single man. The Kiledar and two of his people were taken alive. Colonel Stuart declared the business to be brilliant and successful, beyond his most sanguine hopes.”[14]

_Thus was the important fortress of Outra-Durgum captured by two companies of Highlanders_ (Major Petrie’s, and Captain Hon. William M. Maitland’s) _of the_ SEVENTY-SECOND _regiment_; the officers with the two companies were Lieutenants M^c Innes, Robert Gordon, ---- Getty, and Ensign Andrew Coghlan: Lieutenant M^c Pherson conducted the pioneers. The whole were thanked in General Orders by Earl Cornwallis, who expressed his admiration of the gallantry and steadiness of the officers and soldiers engaged in this service.

The regiment rejoined the army on the 26th of December. Its establishment had been augmented in March of this year to forty serjeants and a thousand rank and file, and so many recruits had arrived from Scotland that it was nearly complete. It was considered the most effective corps in the army.

[Sidenote: 1792]

The rainy season being over, the army reinforced, the lost cattle replaced, and arrangements made for an abundant supply of provision, the army commenced its march, on the first of February, 1792, for _Seringapatam_. The Sultan took up a formidable position to cover his capital, and was attacked during the night of the 6th of February. The following statement of the share the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders had in this engagement, is from Lieutenant Campbell’s Journal:--

The regiment formed part of the left division under Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell, which advanced to the attack in the following order--Grenadier Company, SEVENTY-SECOND; Light Company, SEVENTY-SECOND, with scaling-ladders; Pioneers; Twenty-third Native Infantry; SEVENTY-SECOND Regiment; First and Sixth Native Infantry. “We (the SEVENTY-SECOND) moved from the left along the north side of the ridge of hills extending from the Carriagat pagoda to the Cappalair rocks; by ten at night we found ourselves near the base of the hill, where the officers were directed to dismount. When we were about two hundred yards from the lower entrenchment, our grenadiers filed off from the right with trailed arms, a serjeant and twelve forming the forlorn hope. When about fifty yards from the works, the sentinel challenged us, and instantly fired his piece, which was followed by a scattered fire from the rest of their party. We rushed among them, and those who did not save themselves by immediate flight, were shot or bayoneted. The greatest number of them ran down to the Carriagat pagoda, where they made a stand, and kept up a smart fire until we were almost close to them; then retired under our fire to the foot of the hill, where they were joined by a strong body from the plain, and made a stand at a small choultry, from which a flight of steps led to the bridge across the nulla. By this time the general attack on the enemy’s lines had commenced, and there was an almost connected sheet of fire from right to left; musketry, guns, and rockets rending the air with their contending noise. We sat upon the brow of the hill a few minutes, while our men were recovering their breath, and had a commanding prospect of the whole attack, though nearly three miles in extent, as we contemplated the scene before us, the grandest, I suppose, that any person there had beheld. Being rested a little, Colonel Maxwell led us down the hill under a smart fire; we rushed forward and drove the enemy across the nulla in great haste, although they stood our approach wonderfully. We crossed the bridge under a constant fire, the enemy retreating as we advanced; we crossed the Lokany river, the opposite bank of which was well covered by a _bound-hedge_, and their fire did execution: a serjeant of grenadiers was killed, Captain Mackenzie mortally wounded, Major Frazer and Captain Maitland shot through their right arms, besides other casualties. After we had penetrated the _bound-hedge_, the enemy took post behind an extensive choultry; but nothing could stop the ardour of our men,--we charged without loss of time, and soon dislodged the enemy, who retreated along the banks of the Cavery to a second choultry, where their numbers were reinforced. We had now got into their camp, upon the right flank of their lines; they retreated steadily before us, and our fire and bayonets did great execution among them, the road being strewed with their bodies. We charged and dislodged them from the second choultry; here Lieutenant M^c Pherson of the grenadiers was wounded; we pursued the enemy to a large pagoda; they attempted to cross the river, but the place was so crowded with guns, tumbrils, bullocks, elephants, camels, followers, and heaven knows what, that we were in the midst of them before they could escape, and for some minutes there was nothing but shooting and bayoneting. Colonel Maxwell came up with the twenty-third native infantry; the sepoys of the fourteenth native battalions advanced; they took us for the enemy, and fired, but their officers suppressed the fire before much injury was done: the seventy-first regiment also joined us, and preparations were made to cross the river and force the lines on the opposite side. Colonel Baird requested me to lead with twenty men; I instantly rushed into the stream, followed by twenty grenadiers of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment; we pushed on through holes, over rocks and stones, falling and stumbling at every step, the enemy’s shot reducing our numbers; and myself, with about half a dozen grenadiers, arrived at a smooth part of the stream which proved beyond our depth; five of us, however, got over; but the regiments did not venture to follow, and we returned with difficulty. An easy passage had been found out lower down; the seventy-first and SEVENTY-SECOND regiments had got into the island; the flank companies of the fifty-second, seventy-first, and seventy-fourth regiments forded higher up, and the enemy, seeing our troops on all sides of them, betook themselves to flight.

“About one o’clock in the morning the seventy-first, and SEVENTY-SECOND regiments advanced to the pettah, from which the inhabitants had fled, and we released a number of Europeans from prison. About seven o’clock the SEVENTY-SECOND marched into the famous _Llal Baugh_, or, as I heard it translated, ‘_garden of pearls_,’ and were posted in one of the walks during the day.”

A decisive victory was gained on this occasion over the army of Tippoo, and, perhaps, no regiment had performed a more distinguished part on this occasion than the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders; they had forced the passage of one nulla, and two rivers, and had charged nine successive times, overpowering their enemies on every occasion. Their loss was Captain Thomas Mackenzie and fourteen rank and file killed; Major Hugh Frazer, Captain Hon. William M. Maitland, Lieutenants M^c Pherson and Ward, one serjeant, two drummers, and forty rank and file wounded, one man missing.

In the General Orders issued on the 7th of February, it was stated--“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 attack of the enemy’s whole army in a position that had cost him much time and labour to fortify, can never be sufficiently praised; and his lordship’s satisfaction on an occasion which promises to be attended with the most substantial advantages, has been greatly heightened by hearing from the commanding officers of divisions, that the meritorious behaviour was universal, through all ranks, to a degree that has rarely been equalled.”

The power of the Sultan being greatly reduced, and the siege of his capital about to commence, he solicited conditions of peace, and hostilities were suspended. He afterwards ceded half of his dominions to the allies, paid a large sum of money, and was permitted to retain the other half of his territory.

The war being thus terminated, and a great accession of territory made to the British dominions in India, the army quitted the island of Seringapatam, towards the end of March, and the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders proceeded to the cantonment of Wallajabad, where they arrived on the 28th of May. The Governor in Council evinced the high sense he entertained of the conduct of the troops, by presenting them with a gratuity out of the money paid by Tippoo Sultan, which was confirmed by the Court of Directors, and six months’ batta, or field allowance, added thereto.

[Sidenote: 1793]

[Sidenote: 1794]

The SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders remained at Wallajabad, with two companies detached to Arnee, upwards of twelve months, during which period the French Revolution, which commenced a few years previously, had assumed a character that called forth the efforts of other countries to arrest the progress of its destructive principles with the effects of its example in the world, and war commenced between Great Britain and France. News of this event arrived in India in May, 1793; in June the regiment was ordered to prepare to take the field, and on the 26th of that month, pitched its tents east of Shiveram Hill under the orders of Major Frazer; it marched soon afterwards against the French settlement of _Pondicherry_, on the coast of Coromandel, and arrived before the fortress in July,--being formed in brigade with the seventy-third, seventy-fourth, and third East India Company’s European regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Baird; the troops employed on this service were commanded by Colonel John Brathwait. The siege of Pondicherry was commenced in the early part of August, the army encamping in a thick wood where tigers were so numerous that the natives durst not travel in the night. On the 11th of August the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders were on duty in the trenches, and had two men killed; they also lost two men on the following day;[15] and several others on the 22nd of that month, on which day a white flag was displayed by the garrison, with a request for permission to surrender. The French soldiers in the fortress had embraced democratical principles and were particularly insubordinate; they insisted that the governor should surrender, but after the white flag was displayed, they fired two shells, which killed several men, and wounded Major Frazer of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment. During the night they were guilty of every species of outrage, breaking into houses and becoming intoxicated. On the following morning, a number of them environed the governor’s house, and threatened to hang the governor, General Charmont, before the door, when application was made for English protection. The British soldiers rushed into the town, overpowered the insurgents, rescued the governor, and preserved the inhabitants from the further effects of democratical violence.

After the completion of this service, the regiment returned to the cantonment at Wallajabad, where it arrived on the 11th of September, and was stationed at that place during the year 1794.

On the decease of General Murray, the colonelcy was conferred on Major-General Adam Williamson, from the forty-seventh regiment, by commission dated the 19th of March, 1794.

[Sidenote: 1795]

While the regiment was reposing in cantonments at Wallajabad, and the officers and soldiers were reflecting with exultation on the reputation they had acquired in the Mysore, circumstances occurred in Europe which occasioned them to be again called into active service. The Dutch people had imbibed the democratical doctrines of the French republic, and in the early part of 1795 Holland became united to France. When information of these events arrived in India, an expedition was immediately fitted out against the large and mountainous island of _Ceylon_, where the Dutch had several settlements, and the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders were selected to take part in the enterprise; the troops employed on this service were commanded by their Lieut.-Colonel, James Stuart, who was promoted to the rank of major-general at this period. The regiment embarked from Fort St. George on the 30th of July, and two days afterwards the fleet arrived on the coast of Ceylon; on the 3rd of August the troops landed four miles north of the fort of _Trincomalee_, and the siege of this place 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 place. The regiment had Ensign Benson, two serjeants, and seven rank and file wounded on this service.

The commanding officer of the regiment, Major Frazer, who was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy on the 1st of September, was detached against the fort of _Batticaloe_, which surrendered to him on the 18th of September. The two flank companies of the regiment were afterwards detached, with two companies of sepoys, under Captain Barbutt, against the fort and island of _Manaar_, which surrendered on the 5th of October.

[Sidenote: 1796]

The regiment continued to be actively employed until the whole of the Dutch settlements in Ceylon were reduced, which was accomplished in February, 1796, when the governor, John Gerand Van Angelbeck, surrendered the fortress of _Colombo_ to the British arms. The people in the interior of the island had not been deprived of their independence by the Dutch, and they were not interfered with by the British so long as they preserved a peaceful demeanour.

[Sidenote: 1797]

As the island of Ceylon--which produces an astonishing diversity of vegetables, with the finest fruits--is celebrated for the number of cinnamon trees it produces--and abounds in most animals indigenous to the East, particularly in wild elephants--the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders remained until March, 1797, when they were removed to Pondicherry, preparatory to their return to England.

[Sidenote: 1798]

The regiment transferred its men fit for service to the corps about to remain in India, and embarked at Madras in February, 1798. On arriving at Gravesend, it received orders to proceed to Perth, where it landed in August, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Hugh Frazer.

The services of the regiment in the East Indies were afterwards rewarded with the royal authority to bear the word “HINDOOSTAN” on its colours.

On the 23rd of October, Major-General James Stuart, who had long commanded the regiment with reputation in India, was appointed to the colonelcy, from the eighty-second foot, in succession to General Adam Williamson deceased.

[Sidenote: 1799]

[Sidenote: 1800]

[Sidenote: 1801]

The regiment was stationed at Perth two years, and its recruiting was not successful, not more than two hundred recruits having joined: in 1801 the regiment was removed to Ireland;[16] and its numbers were augmented by drafts from the Scots fencible regiments.

[Sidenote: 1802]

[Sidenote: 1803]

At the conclusion of the peace of Amiens in 1802, the establishment was reduced; but on the re-commencement of hostilities in 1803, it was again augmented: it was soon in a high state of efficiency and discipline, two-thirds of the men being Scots Highlanders, and about one-third English and Irish.

[Sidenote: 1804]

Great efforts were made to repel the threatened French invasion in 1803 and 1804, and a _second battalion_ was added to the regiment; it was formed of men raised in Aberdeen, for limited service, under the Additional Force Act, and was placed upon the establishment of the army from the 25th of December, 1804. It was embodied at Peterhead, and remained in Scotland some time.

[Sidenote: 1805]

While the French army was at Boulogne menacing England with invasion, a coalition was forming in Germany to oppose the domination of Bonaparte, whom the French had elevated to the title of Emperor, and the first battalion of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment was appointed to form part of a secret expedition under Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B.; this enterprise was, however, laid aside, and in August, 1805, the regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Colquhoun Grant, embarked with a secret expedition under Major-General Sir David Baird, which sailed at the end of the month. At day-break on the 28th of September the fleet approached the island of Madeira, and the soldiers were gratified by the sight of its high mountains, covered on the lower slopes with vines, and on the loftier summits with forests of pine and chesnut, gilded with the rays of the rising sun; and about eight o’clock the whole anchored in the spacious bay, in the centre of which stands Funchal, the capital; the lofty black rocks adorned with brilliant verdure rising behind the town, form a striking contrast with the white houses, and present to the view a splendid landscape. At this place the fleet remained six days, and afterwards sailed to the Brazils, entering the harbour of St. Salvador on the 12th of November. Captain Campbell of the SEVENTY-SECOND stated in his Journal:--“The town was opening as we approached the inner part of the bay, and displayed the most gay and romantic scenery. It is built on the ridge of a hill, and some of the houses are showy and extensive; they are generally white with red tiles; but those in the lower part of the town consist of from five to seven flats, or stories, each; and, the streets being narrow, the houses almost meet above. The hills are enclosed as gardens, and whichever way one turns, the eye is equally gratified with the variety and luxuriance of the scenery.”

The regiments were landed in succession for a few hours; horses were procured for the cavalry, and some supplies obtained for the voyage. It was a remarkable circumstance that the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment had not one sick man.

On the 28th of November the fleet again put to sea, 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]

On the 3rd of January, 1806, the lofty promontory which marks the southern extremity of Africa was seen, with its summit in the clouds, and at five o’clock on the afternoon of the following day, the fleet anchored off the Cape of Good Hope. At four o’clock on the morning of the 6th of January the signal was made for the seventy-first, SEVENTY-SECOND, and ninety-third regiments, forming the second or Highland brigade under Brigadier-General Ferguson, to enter the boats; and, moving to the shore, it effected a landing in Lospard’s Bay; the light companies of the seventy-first and SEVENTY-SECOND regiments driving the Dutch sharp-shooters from the contiguous heights, killing and wounding thirteen of the enemy.[17] After pursuing the enemy some distance, the troops halted near the Blue Mountains.

Before daylight on the following morning the SEVENTY-SECOND advanced, with one six-pounder, to surprise a body of the enemy, encamped at a small village; but the Dutch made a precipitate retreat, and the regiment returned to its camp, where it arrived about eight o’clock.

At three o’clock on the morning of the 8th of January the Blue Mountains echoed the sound of the British bugles summoning the soldiers to arms, and when the troops had advanced to the summit of the hills, the Batavian army was seen formed, with twenty-three pieces of cannon, in order of battle, in the valley in front. The grenadiers of the twenty-fourth regiment drove the Dutch mounted riflemen and jaggars from the high grounds on the front and on the flank, and the Highland brigade moved forward to engage the opposing army. Nineteen Dutch guns sent forward showers of bullets as the three British regiments advanced rapidly upon their opponents; when within five hundred yards, the enemy commenced with grape, and when at two hundred and fifty yards distance, the fire of musketry was opened along his whole front; but the advance of the brigade was too rapid for the enemy to take correct aim. Arriving within one hundred and fifty yards of the opposing line, the Highlanders levelled their muskets with steady aim, advancing and firing, until within sixty yards of their adversaries, when Brigadier-General Ferguson gave the word “CHARGE.” A loud British shout instantly rent the air, and the heroic Highlanders closed with bayonets upon their numerous adversaries, who instantly fled in dismay, pursued across the deep sands by the victorious Highland brigade. The Dutch marksmen on the right flank, with two guns, keeping up a constant fire, Captain Campbell of the SEVENTY-SECOND was detached against them with his grenadier company; he soon drove the Dutch sharp-shooters from the bushes, and was about to charge the guns, but they were removed with too much speed to be overtaken.

After gaining a complete victory, and pursuing the enemy three miles under a burning sun, and along deep sands, the Highlanders were ordered to halt, and the first brigade urged the pursuit.[18]

Major-General Sir David Baird stated in his public despatch:--

“The Highland brigade advanced steadily under a heavy fire of round shot, grape, and musketry. Nothing could resist the determined bravery of the troops, headed by their gallant leader, Brigadier-General Ferguson; and the number of the enemy, who swarmed the plain, served only to augment their ardour, and confirm their discipline. The enemy received our fire and maintained his position obstinately; but in the moment of charging, the valour of British troops bore down all opposition, and forced him to a precipitate retreat.”

“Your lordship will perceive the name of Lieut.-Colonel Grant among the wounded; but the heroic spirit of this officer was not subdued by his misfortune, and he continued to lead his men to glory, as long as an enemy was opposed to His Majesty’s SEVENTY-SECOND regiment.”

The loss of the regiment was limited to two rank and file killed; Lieut.-Colonel Grant,[19] Lieutenant Chrisholme, two serjeants, one drummer, and thirty-three rank and file wounded.

The word “CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,” borne by royal authority on the colours of the regiment, commemorates its distinguished gallantry on this occasion.

After the action, the army took up a position in the Reit Valley; on the 9th of January, the troops advanced towards Cape Town, taking post on the south of Salt River, and the town surrendered. Lieut.-General Janssens had taken up a position in a pass leading to the interior of the country. On the 10th of January, the regiment marched to Wineberg barracks; and on the 11th, Lieutenant M’Arthur of the SEVENTY-SECOND was detached, with thirty men of the regiment, to take possession of _Hout’s Bay_. “After Lieutenant M’Arthur’s departure, it was ascertained that the enemy had a strong garrison at Hout’s Bay, and Major Tucker, of the SEVENTY-SECOND, was sent after him on horseback, to detain him until a reinforcement should arrive; but the lieutenant had reached the vicinity of the place with much expedition, and finding how matters stood, showed his men rank entire, and only partially, but to the most advantage. Having procured pen, ink, and paper, he summoned the garrison to unconditional surrender, otherwise he would blow the place about their ears, assault the works, and give no quarter. The Dutch immediately surrendered at discretion, and when the major arrived, he found Lieutenant M’Arthur in full possession of the works, consisting of a strong block-house and two batteries.”-_See Captain Campbell’s Journal._

Wineberg-Camp, _12th January, 1806_.

BRIGADE ORDER.--“In consequence of Brigadier-General Ferguson
being ordered into Cape Town, he is under the necessity of taking
a short leave of the Highland brigade. Short as his absence
will be, he cannot go without returning his sincere thanks to
every individual of the brigade he has the honor to command,
for the zealous support he has received from the officers, and
the uniform good behaviour of the men. Their conduct on the
day of landing, the cheerfulness with which they have endured
every fatigue and privation, and their distinguished bravery
in the action of Blaw Berg, while it has gained them universal
admiration, lays him under an obligation, which no time can
obliterate from his memory.”

On the same day that this order was issued the regiment advanced up the country to co-operate with the troops under Brigadier-General Beresford, and in a few days the Batavian governor surrendered the colony to the British arms. From this period the important colony of the Cape of Good Hope has formed part of the possessions of the British Crown.

After the surrender of the Cape, the head-quarters of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment were established at Simon’s Town, where the Hottentots in the Dutch pay tendered their services to the British government, and were afterwards formed into a corps, now the “Cape Mounted Riflemen:” the regiment had also detachments at Muisenberg, Hout’s Bay, and Oliphant’s Bay, and in September it took the garrison duty at Cape Town.

[Sidenote: 1807]

[Sidenote: 1808]

[Sidenote: 1809]

The regiment was stationed at Cape Town during the years 1807, 1808, and 1809: in April of the latter year King George III. approved of its _discontinuing the Highland Costume_.

In February of this year the second battalion proceeded from Scotland to Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1810]

In February, 1810, the first battalion marched from Cape Town to Stellinbosch, and while stationed at this place it was selected to form part of an expedition, designed to co-operate with troops from India in the capture of the _Mauritius_. It embarked eight hundred men, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Monckton, from Simon’s Town, on the 22nd of September, 1810, but various circumstances occasioned a delay of nearly five weeks before it commenced the voyage, and a landing of the troops from India had taken place a few days before the division from the Cape arrived. Its appearance off the island was, however, particularly opportune, as the French governor had previously resolved to defend his lines before Port Louis, but when he saw the division from the Cape approach the island, he lost all hope of being able to make effectual resistance, and surrendered this valuable colony to the British arms.

The regiment landed at Port Louis on the 7th of December, and was selected to form part of the garrison of the island.

[Sidenote: 1811]

On the 25th of September, 1811, the establishment of the first battalion was augmented to a thousand rank and file, and it was completed by drafts from the second battalion, then in Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1812]

[Sidenote: 1814]

After performing duty at the Mauritius upwards of three years, the regiment received orders to proceed to North America, war having commenced between Great Britain and the United States; and it embarked from Port Louis on the 27th of June, 1814, with orders to proceed, in the first instance, to the Cape of Good Hope. The following General Orders were issued on this occasion, by Lieut.-General Sir Alexander Campbell:--

“In obeying the orders of His Royal Highness the commander-in-chief, for the removal of the first battalion of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment from these islands to the Cape of Good Hope, the Commander of the Forces is impelled, not less by the calls of justice and public duty, than by his personal and private feelings, to express to Lieut.-Colonel Monckton, and all the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of that excellent, respectable, and valuable corps, how sensible he is of the loss this command sustains by their departure. The Lieut.-General, however, derives some consolation from the ardent hope he entertains that the regiment is proceeding to fields of glory, where opportunities will be afforded for sustaining the high character it has already established, and adding to its well-earned fame, by fresh deeds of valour, emulating those of our most distinguished battalions, whose prowess and discipline have rescued Europe from the tyrant’s grasp. He requests their acceptance of his best thanks for their most exemplary good conduct, during the period he has had the honor to have them under his orders, and which he shall not fail to communicate to His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, for our Sovereign’s information, and likewise to His Excellency the Commander of the Forces at the Cape of Good Hope, a station where their gallantry and orderly behaviour are so well known and appreciated.”

The design of sending the regiment to America was afterwards abandoned, in consequence of the termination of the war in Europe having rendered several other corps disposable: the SEVENTY-SECOND landed at the Cape of Good Hope, and was stationed At Cape Town.[20]

[Sidenote: 1815]

[Sidenote: 1816]

On the 26th of April, 1815, Lieut.-General Rowland Lord Hill, G.C.B., was appointed Colonel of the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment, from the ninety-fourth foot, in succession to General Stuart, deceased.

After remaining at the Cape of Good Hope ten months, the regiment received orders to transfer its services to India, to take part in the war with the Rajah of Napaul. Some delay occurred in procuring transports; but on the 29th of June the head-quarters embarked for Bengal, under Lieut.-Colonel Monckton, and landed at Calcutta on the 5th of September; the remainder of the regiment arrived soon afterwards. The war had in the meantime terminated, and the regiment was ordered to return to the Cape of Good Hope, proceeding, in the first instance, to the Mauritius; the annexation of that island to Great Britain, by the treaty of peace which was concluded after the removal of Bonaparte from the throne of France, having been followed by circumstances which rendered the augmentation of the garrison necessary. The regiment embarked from Fort William in November, and arrived at Port Louis in the early part of January 1816; but the garrison had previously been reinforced by the fifty-sixth regiment from Madras, and the detention of the SEVENTY-SECOND was not necessary.

From the Mauritius the regiment continued its voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived in Table Bay on the 14th of February; but having touched at the Mauritius, where an epidemic disease prevailed, it was detained in quarantine until the 3rd of March, when it landed at Cape Town.