Chapter II: Part 2

On the Major-General approaching the enemy for the purpose of reconnoitring, they commenced a cannonade, the first gun of which was fired at twenty minutes past one p.m., and killed one of his escort. He then resolved to attack their left, in order to turn it, and ordered the infantry column to move in that direction, while some of his staff looked out for a ford, to enable his troops to cross the Kaitna and execute this movement. All this march being performed considerably within the reach of the enemy’s cannon, the fire increased fast, and by the time the head of the column reached the ford, about a short half-mile beyond their left flank, it was tremendously heavy, and had already destroyed numbers.

During this movement the first line of the enemy’s infantry changed their front to the left, and formed with their left on Assaye, a village on the Jooee, near the left of their second line, which did not change position, the right of their first line resting on the Kaitna, where the left had been. They brought up many guns from their reserve, and the second line to the first.

Being obliged to cross the ford in one column by sections, the British were long exposed to the cannonade. The first line formed nearly parallel to that of the enemy, at about five hundred yards distance, having marched down the alignment to its ground. The second line rather outflanked the first to the right, as did the third (composed of the cavalry) the second. The left of the first line was opposite the right of the enemy’s. During this formation their artillery fired round shot with great precision and rapidity, the same shot often striking the three lines. It was answered by the guns of the first line of the British with great spirit and coolness, but the number of gun bullocks killed soon put the advance of the artillery (except by men) out of the question.

The British lines were formed from right to left as follows:—First line; pickets, four twelve-pounders, one battalion of the 8th. and one of the 10th. Native Infantry, and the 78th. regiment. Second line; 74th. regiment, and the second battalion of the 12th. and the 1st. of the 4th. Native Infantry. Third line; 4th. Native Cavalry, 19th. Light Dragoons, 5th. and 7th. Native Cavalry. Major-General the Honourable Arthur Wellesley named the picket as the battalion of direction, and ordered that the line should advance as quickly as possible, consistent with order, and charge with the bayonet, without firing a shot.

At fifteen minutes before three the word was given for the line to advance, and was received by Europeans and natives with a cheer. Almost immediately, however, it was discovered that the battalion of direction was not moving forward as intended, and the first line received the word to halt. This was a critical moment; the troops had reached the ridge of a little swell in the ground that had somewhat sheltered them, particularly on the left, and the enemy, supposing them staggered by the fire, redoubled their efforts, firing a number of chain shot with great effect. Dreading the consequences of this check to the ardour of the troops, the Major-General rode up to one of the native corps of the first line, and, taking off his hat, cheered them on in their own language, repeating the words “to march.” Again the soldiers received the order with loud cheers, and the three left battalions of the first line, followed by the first battalion of the 4th., advanced in quick time, and with the greatest coolness, order, and determination upon their opponents.

On coming within about one hundred and fifty yards, the 78th. withdrew its advanced centre sergeant, and the men were cautioned to be ready to charge. Soon after the battalion opposed to them fired a volley, and about the same time some Europeans were observed to mount their horses and ride off. The 78th. instantly ported arms, cheered, and redoubled its pace, when the enemy’s infantry, deserted by their officers, broke and ran. The 78th. pushed on and fired, the front rank to the charge, overtaking and bayonetting a few individuals. But Scindiah’s gunners held firm by their guns; many were bayonetted in the acts of loading, priming, or pointing, and none quitted them until the bayonet was at their breast.

The 78th. now halted for an instant to complete the files and restore exact order, and then moved forward on the enemy’s second line, making a complete wheel to the right, whose pivot was the right of the army, near the village of Assaye.

In consequence of the pickets having failed to advance, the 74th. pushed up, in doing which they were very much cut down by grape, and at length charged by cavalry headed by Scindiah in person. They suffered severely (as did the pickets and the second battalion of the 12th. Native Infantry), and the remains were saved by the memorable charge of the cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell. This part of the British line, however, though it broke the enemy’s first line, did not gain much ground; and the foe still continued in possession of several guns about the village of Assaye, from which they flanked the British line when arrived opposite their second.

Several of the enemy also coming up from the beds of the river and other ways, attacked and killed a large proportion of the artillerymen, amongst whom were four officers. They also regained possession of many of the guns of their first line, which had been taken and passed, and from them opened a fire of grape on the British rear.

It is impossible to praise too highly the behaviour of the infantry at this critical moment. Deprived of the assistance of their artillery, the enemy’s second line being untouched and perfectly fresh in their front, firing steadily upon them, flanked by round shot from the right, grape pouring on the rear, and cavalry threatening the left. Not a word was heard or a shot fired, all waiting the orders of the general with the composure of a field day, amidst a scene of slaughter scarcely to be equalled. This, however, was not of long duration. The British cavalry came up and drove off the body that threatened the left, who did not wait to be charged, when Major-General Wellesley ordered the principal part of the line to attack the front, while the 78th. and 7th. Native Cavalry moved to the rear, and charged the guns which were firing from thence. The enemy’s second line immediately retired; one brigade in perfect order, so much so that it repulsed a gallant charge of the 19th. Dragoons, at the head of which Colonel Maxwell was killed.

After being obliged to change front two or three times under the fire of grape, the 78th. succeeded in clearing the guns in the rear. The enemy’s light troops, that had been out, now came on the ground, and were ordered to be attacked by the Mysore Horse, which they did not wait for, and the firing entirely ceased. About half-past four o’clock the enemy had set fire to all their tumbrils, which blew up in succession, many of them some time later; and the corps which had retired in such good order appear soon to have lost it, for they threw their guns into the river, four of which were afterwards found, exclusive of ninety-eight left on the field of battle.

Thus terminated the battle of Assaye, a general’s battle, due even more to the ability of the commander, than to the valour of his men; the first victory gained by the Iron Duke in which he commanded in chief, and one of the most decisive as well as one of the most desperate ever fought in India. The leader of the English was foremost in the fight, led two charges in person, and had two horses shot under him; of the two Rajahs that headed the enemy, one fled at the first onset, and the other followed the example, on witnessing the defeat of his cavalry. The British loss was very great; of Europeans, killed and wounded, including artillery and officers, there were upwards of six hundred, and the natives were estimated at about nine hundred. “ASSAYE” is borne on the colours of the 74th. and 78th. regiments.[13]

At sunset the British collected about the village of Assaye, and lay on their arms all night, except the cavalry, which, after resting some hours, were sent back to assist in escorting the baggage; and about ten in the morning of the 24th. the troops were encamped on the left bank of the Kaitna, on the ground the column had moved over previous to crossing the ford into the field of battle. That evening at sunset the cavalry and one battalion of Native Infantry of Colonel Stevenson’s division arrived, and the next morning (25th.) the remainder of his force, which a day or two afterwards were ordered to follow the enemy into Candeish, and to possess themselves of the city of Berhampore and the hill fort of Asseer Ghur.

SIEGE OF ASSEER GHUR.
21ST. OCTOBER, 1803.

Colonel Stevenson obtained possession of the city of Berhampore without opposition on the 15th. of October, 1803, and two days afterwards marched to Asseer Ghur, a strong fort in that vicinity. Having carried the pettah on the 18th., he opened a battery against the fort on the 20th.; about an hour afterwards a white flag was hoisted, which was the signal that had been agreed upon in case the terms of surrender, offered two days previously, should be accepted; hostages were sent down, and it was arranged that this important fortress should be delivered over on the following morning. This was the last of the possessions of Dowlut Rao Scindiah in the Deccan, and the operations of the troops were subsequently directed towards those of the Rajah of Berar. The casualties were trifling, and were confined to the native troops.

BATTLE OF LASWARREE.
1ST. NOVEMBER, 1803.

On the 27th. of October, the British advanced against a division of the enemy, formed of two battalions which had escaped from the wreck at Delhi, and fifteen, which had been detached from the main army of Scindiah to support General Perron in the early part of the campaign. These troops amounting to nine thousand infantry and four thousand cavalry, and provided with a train of seventy-two pieces of cannon, had been directed to recover possession of Delhi. After great exertions the British cavalry came up with them about seven o’clock in the morning of the 1st. of November; they were discovered in an excellent position; their right resting on a rivulet, their left on the village of Laswarree, or Leswarree, and their whole front amply furnished with a powerful artillery. Being anxious to prevent their escape, General Lake immediately attacked them with the cavalry alone. The first brigade, under Colonel Thomas Pakenham Vandeleur,[14] of the 8th. Dragoons, who fell mortally wounded, charged their lines, and dashed into the village; but finding that their attacks on the masses of infantry could make no sensible impression, the cavalry were withdrawn out of the range of the destructive fire of artillery which it had encountered, in order to wait the arrival of the infantry and artillery. About eleven o’clock in the forenoon, the Anglo-Indian infantry arrived, but after so long a march, it was absolutely necessary to allow the men to refresh themselves, and during this interval Scindiah’s forces offered to surrender their guns if certain terms were conceded.

After a fruitless negotiation, the infantry, which had been formed in two columns, were ordered to advance to the attack. The first of these headed by the 76th. regiment, under Major Macleod, was to turn the enemy’s right, which since the morning had been thrown back from the rivulet, and to attack the village of Mohaulpoor, situated between his two lines; while the second and a brigade of cavalry were to support them in the execution of this movement. Having encountered several impediments, the rear divisions were so retarded in their march, that a considerable interval was occasioned between them and the 76th., which had arrived within a hundred yards of the foe. In this situation the regiment was exposed to such a dreadful fire, and was losing so many men, that the Commander-in-Chief placing himself at its head, led it forward to the attack, supported by only one battalion and six companies of Sepoys, namely, the second battalion of the 12th., and six companies of the second battalion of the 16th. Bengal Native Infantry.

“As soon as this handful of heroes,” wrote General Lake, “were arrived within reach of the enemy’s canister shot, a most tremendous fire was opened upon them.” Their loss was so severe, that the enemy’s cavalry advanced to the charge, but were gallantly repulsed by this steady and invincible band. Rallying, however, at a short distance, they assumed so menacing a posture, that the General directed an attack by the British cavalry. In superintending the attack, the horse of the General was shot under him, and his son who had dismounted and offered his father his horse, was severely wounded. The cavalry charged with admirable intrepidity, while the infantry fell upon the Mahratta line, which at length gave way, though disputing every inch of ground, and fighting till it was driven from every position and had lost every gun. By four o’clock in the afternoon the work of destruction had ceased.

The loss of the enemy was most severe; his numerous French-officered battalions of infantry—the boasted “Deccan Invincibles”—were annihilated; his cavalry dispersed; and the baggage and camp equipage, elephants, camels, and bullocks, with forty-four stand of colours, seventy-two guns, sixty-four tumbrils of ammunition, three laden with treasure, and two thousand prisoners, remained in the hands of the victors; five thousand stand of arms were collected in the field.

By this victory, which was mainly gained by the gallantry of the 76th., that regiment acquired great honour, and its “heroic bravery” was borne testimony to in the official despatches. During this campaign the regiment acquired a gurrah, or Indian gong of great value, which was afterwards carried about by the corps; being usually planted opposite the guard room, and a sergeant regularly striking the hours on it.

This decisive action terminated the campaign of 1803 and the war with Scindiah, a treaty of peace highly advantageous to the East India Company being concluded on the 30th. of December.

“HINDOOSTAN” inscribed around the elephant on the colours of the 76th., keeps in remembrance the services of the regiment in the East at this period. “LESWARREE” was, however, authorized for the guidons and appointments of the 8th. Hussars, which is the only corps that bears the word. General Lake gained a peerage, being created Baron Lake of Delhi, Leswarree, and Aston Clinton. Several Indian titles were also conferred upon him, which being translated from the Persian, signified Saviour of the State, the hero of the land, the lord of the age, and the victorious in war.

BATTLE OF ARGAUM.
29TH NOVEMBER, 1803.

A series of active movements in pursuit of the Rajah of Berar were re-commenced on the 25th. of October, 1803; and on the 29th. of November, Major-General Wellesley, having been joined by the subsidiary force under Colonel Stevenson, encountered the united armies of Scindiah, and the Rajah of Berar, on the plains of Argaum. Although late in the day, the Major-General resolved to attack; he formed his army in two lines, the infantry in the first, the cavalry in the second, and supporting the right; and the Mogul and Mysore cavalry the left, nearly parallel to that of the enemy, with the right rather advanced, in order to press upon his left. When formed, the whole advanced in the greatest order; the 74th. and 78th. Highlanders were attacked by a large body, supposed to be Persians, who were all destroyed. “These two regiments,” wrote the British general, “had a particular opportunity of distinguishing themselves, and have deserved and received my thanks.” The enemy’s line retired in disorder, leaving thirty-eight pieces of cannon and all their ammunition; whereupon the British cavalry pursued them for several miles, destroying great numbers, and capturing several elephants and camels, with a considerable quantity of baggage. One hour more of daylight, and not a man would have escaped.

In the orders thanking the army for its exertions on this day, the 74th. and 78th. were particularly mentioned; Colonel Harness being very ill, Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, of the 78th., commanded the right brigade in the action, and Major Scott being in charge of the pickets as field officer of the day, the command of the regiment fell to Captain Fraser. In this battle, as at Assaye, a scarcity of officers occasioned the colours of the 78th. to be carried by sergeants, and it is somewhat extraordinary that not a shot penetrated either colour in the two actions; at the latter it was probably owing to the high wind, in consequence of which they were carried rolled close round the poles. The names of the non-commissioned officers who carried them on these memorable occasions were at Assaye Sergeant Leavock, paymaster’s clerk, afterwards quarter-master, and Sergeant John McKenzie, senior sergeant, and immediately afterwards quartermaster-sergeant. At Argaum, Sergeants Leavock and Grant; the latter was regimental clerk, and was subsequently promoted to a commission in the 78th. Highlanders.

The regiments of the crown engaged were the 19th. Light Dragoons, and the 74th., 78th., and 94th. regiments.

SIEGE AND STORM OF GAWILGHUR.
15TH. DECEMBER, 1803.

After the victory of Argaum, Major-General Wellesley, resolved to lose no time in commencing the siege of Gawilghur, a strong fort situated on a range of mountains between the sources of the rivers Poorna and Taptee; he accordingly marched on, and arrived with both divisions at Ellichpoor on the 5th. of December, whence, after establishing an hospital for the men wounded at Argaum, both divisions advanced upon Gawilghur, on the 7th. of that month. The heavy ordnance and stores were dragged by hand over mountains and through ravines, for nearly the whole distance, by roads which the troops had to make for themselves. The batteries were opened against the place on the morning of the 13th., and the breach of the outer fort being reported practicable on the following night, the storm took place on the 15th. of December. All the troops advanced about ten in the morning, and an entrance was effected without difficulty. The wall in the inner fort, in which no breach had been made, had then to be carried; when Captain Campbell with the light infantry of the old 94th. escaladed the wall; opened the gates for the stormers, and the fort was shortly in their possession. This service was effected with slight loss, but vast numbers of the enemy were killed, especially at the different gates. The garrison was numerous, comprising a great portion of the infantry which had escaped after the battle of Argaum, and were all armed with the Company’s new muskets and bayonets.

This led to a treaty with the Rajah of Berar on the 17th. of December, and on the 30th. of the same month, peace was signed with Scindiah.

DEFENCE OF DELHI.
OCTOBER, 1804.

This defence of Delhi by Native troops, under British superintendence, presents a striking contrast to that made by them during the Indian Mutiny, against their former instructors in the art of war, and deservedly met with a different result.

As General Lord Lake advanced upon Muttra, Holkar secretly despatched his infantry and artillery for the purpose of surprising Delhi, leaving his cavalry to engage the attention of the British Commander. From its great extent and unprotected state, Holkar expected an easy conquest; his troops arrived before the city on the morning of the 8th. of October. Colonel Ochterlony, the resident, at once made the most judicious preparations for its defence; his garrison amounted to nearly two thousand two hundred men, and consisted entirely of Native troops. Lieutenant-Colonel Burn, as senior officer, commanded, and the resident’s time was fully taken up in preserving peace within the city, with the Mahomedan population of Delhi. Lieutenant Bose, with two hundred of the 14th. native infantry, one hundred and fifty irregulars, and a reserve of fifty men and a six-pounder, made a sortie during the evening of the 10th., and succeeded in storming the enemy’s battery, of which he gained possession, and having spiked the guns, withdrew, with trifling loss. At daybreak on the 14th. of October, under cover of a heavy cannonade, the enemy assaulted the Lahore gate, but were repulsed, leaving the ladders behind, which were drawn up over the walls by the Sepoys. After this defeat Holkar’s troops became dispirited, and before the following morning, his whole force had retired from the place. This successful defence by so small a force, was highly applauded, and it is a circumstance worthy of record, that as the men could not be frequently relieved, the resident caused provisions and sweetmeats, of which the natives are specially partial, to be distributed to them.

BATTLE OF DEIG.
13TH. NOVEMBER, 1804.

The British army which had marched from Muttra on the 12th. of October, arrived at Delhi on the 18th., and encamped under its walls. On the 5th. of November the main body of the infantry, of which the 76th. was the only King’s regiment, with some corps of native cavalry, and the park of artillery, proceeded under the command of Major-General Frazer towards Deig, on the right bank of the Jumna, where the enemy’s infantry and guns were assembled. Although numerically the foe was superior, it was determined to attack him, and about daybreak on the 13th. of November, the action commenced. Major-General Frazer received a dangerous wound from a cannon-shot, which carried away his right foot and part of the leg, and resulted in his death eleven days after; whereupon the Honourable Colonel Monson assumed the command. According to the most reliable statements the opposing force consisted of twenty-four battalions, from five to seven hundred men each, a numerous body of cavalry, and one hundred and sixty guns. In this battle the 76th. acquired additional renown; its “undaunted bravery and steadiness” being specially adverted to in the despatches. About two thousand of the enemy were killed and drowned in attempting to escape. Eighty-seven pieces of cannon were captured, including some which Colonel Monson had previously lost.

CAPTURE OF DEIG.
23RD. DECEMBER, 1804.

When the troops of Holkar fled before the British in the action of the 13th. of November, the guns of the garrison of Deig, which belonged to the Rajar of Bhurtpore, were opened upon the pursuers, and the fugitives were sheltered within the fort. Accordingly an order was issued for the annexation of all his strongholds and territories, to the dominions of the Company; and the army encamped within ten miles of the strong fortress of Deig, on the 3rd. of December. The siege commenced on the 14th. of that month. A fortification had been erected by the foe on an eminence named Shah Bourj, or King’s redoubt, which commanded the town and forts; and the besieged had also entrenched themselves in its front, throwing up batteries in the best situations. The possession of this eminence being deemed essential, at half-past eleven o’clock in the night of the 23rd. of December, the flank companies of His Majesty’s 22nd. and 76th. Foot, and those of the 1st. European regiment, and the first battalion of the 8th. Native Infantry, were ordered to storm it. In an hour the gallantry of this heroic party had surmounted every obstacle, and completely succeeded in the enterprise. The two other columns were equally fortunate, notwithstanding that the enemy’s gunners offered a strenuous resistance; fighting desperately with their tulwars, and being mostly bayoneted at their posts. About half-past twelve the moon arose, and enabled the assailants to secure the guns they had so nobly captured. An attempt was now organized for the assault of the citadel, but during the night of the 24th. it was evacuated; and on Christmas morning the British flag was hoisted on the fortress. Considering the nature of the operations the loss was small. One hundred guns, sixteen of which were brass, became the trophies of the victors. The flank companies of the 22nd., and 76th. Foot, represented the King’s troops on this service.

WAR IN NEPAUL, 1816.

In consequence of the Rajah of Nepaul having refused to ratify the treaty which had been signed by his ambassadors, an army was collected under the command of Major-General Sir David Ochterlony, K.C.B., with a view to coerce this refractory ruler. There were three King’s regiments with this force: the 24th. belonging to the first brigade, the 66th. to the second brigade, and the 87th. Royal Irish Fusiliers to the third brigade. The first brigade, commanded by Colonel Kelly, of the 24th., was to penetrate by Hurryhurpore; the second brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Nicol, of the 66th., was to enter the hills at Ramnuggur, and by a circuitous route join Sir David Ochterlony before Muckwanpore. The third brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, of the 87th., remained with the fourth brigade (native troops), under Sir David Ochterlony, who marched through the forest at the foot of the Nepaul Hills on the 9th. of February. Great difficulty was experienced in carrying the guns through the forest, which was accomplished by the personal exertions of each individual.

On the 27th. of February, the advance guard arrived at Muckwanpore, and on the following day the brigade was ordered to take possession of the heights of Sierapore; an action ensued, which commenced about noon, and terminated at six o’clock, leaving the British in possession of the heights for a considerable distance from Sierapore, and of one field-piece.

For this affair, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Miller, of the first battalion of the 87th., and Lieutenant Fenton, who had performed very arduous duties, having been placed in charge of the advanced guard, composed of the light company of his regiment and those of the native infantry, with two guns, received the public thanks of the authorities in India.

Meanwhile Colonel Kelly, with the first brigade, encountered and defeated the Rajah’s troops on the heights of Hurryhurpore, on the 1st. of March.

Convinced of the inutility of further opposition, the Rajah sued for peace, and a treaty was eventually concluded on the 4th. of March, which terminated the war in Nepaul.

BATTLE OF KIRKEE, AND BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF POONA.
NOVEMBER, 1817.

On the 2nd. of November accounts were received of the Peishwah’s renewed treachery, when the division under Brigadier-General Lionel Smith, C.B., was instantly put in motion, and on arrival at Ahmednuggur on the 8th., it was ascertained that the gallantry of the troops at Poona under Lieutenant-Colonel Burr, of the 7th. Bombay infantry, had successfully resisted the Peishwah’s attempt to annihilate them, in their position at Kirkee, on the 5th. of November. After some slight skirmishing on the road, the force under Brigadier-General Smith (of which the King’s 65th. regiment formed a portion), joined the Poona brigade at their position on the 13th. of November, when immediate preparations were made for attacking the enemy’s camp, which was on the opposite side of the Moottah Moola. The force moved down before daybreak on the 14th. of November, but finding the river too deep to cross, it again encamped. The ford having been more particularly ascertained under some skirmishing and trifling loss, the left wing under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Milnes, of the 65th., crossed on the evening of the 16th., in face of the enemy, whose artillery and matchlocks occasioned considerable loss during the passage and advance to a position on the right of the Peishwah’s camp.

During the night the Peishwah abandoned his capital, and moved to the southward. The inhabitants made their submission, and about noon on the 17th. of November, the British flag was hoisted on his palace, under a royal salute.

The 65th. regiment, for the above and subsequent services, has received authority to bear on its colours and appointments the figure of the Royal Tiger, with the word India above, and Arabia beneath, also the 84th., this regiment now being linked to the 65th.

BATTLE OF SEETABULDEE, AND BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF NAGPOOR.
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1817.

Without any previous declaration of hostilities, or the slightest act of aggression on the part of the Indian government, the Rajah of Berar attacked the troops at Nagpoor; consisting of two weak battalions of the Madras Native Infantry, and three troops of cavalry, in the evening of the 26th. November; and after an action which lasted eighteen hours was repulsed. Lieutenant-Colonel Scott at the requisition of the Resident had taken post on the hill of Seetabuldee, overlooking the city of Nagpoor, when the attack took place, in which the three troops of the 6th. regiment of native cavalry, and the 1st. battalions of the 20th. and 24th. Madras Native Infantry, were highly distinguished.

Reinforcements immediately marched on to the seat of war, of which eight companies of the 2nd. battalion of the 1st. Royals, formed part of the second division, under Brigadier-General Doveton. Upon his arrival the Rajah was desirous of treating for peace, and agreed to surrender his guns and disperse his troops; but the treachery he had already evinced made the Brigadier-General dispose his troops in order of battle, when he advanced to take possession of the guns. This precaution was not in vain. No opposition was encountered in obtaining the first battery, but on the soldiers entering the plantation, a sharp fire of musketry was treacherously opened upon them. The Rajah had formed an army of twenty-one thousand men, of which fourteen thousand were horse; the position being marked by irregularities of the ground, and clusters of houses and huts, and a thick plantation of trees, with ravines and a large reservoir. In the action of the 16th. of December, which ensued, the 2nd. battalion of the 1st. Foot added to the former honours of that corps. The batteries were carried with great gallantry, the enemy driven from all his positions and pursued a distance of five miles; his camp equipage, forty elephants and seventy-five guns being captured. The battalion had nine men killed and twenty-six wounded.

After this success the siege of the city of Nagpoor was commenced. The troops which defended this place, consisting of about five thousand Arabs and Hindoostanees, insisted upon extraordinary terms, and these not being acceded to they determined on a desperate defence. On the 23rd. of December a breach was made in one of the gates, when an assault was resolved upon. At half-past eight o’clock in the morning of the 24th. of December the stormers advanced, but the breach being found untenable, the troops were withdrawn, although the parties had gained the desired points. On the following day the Arabs renewed their offer, and their terms being granted, they marched out of the city on the 1st. of January, 1818; being permitted to go where they pleased with the exception of proceeding to Asseerghur.

“NAGPORE” on the regimental colours of the Royals commemorates the foregoing services.

BATTLE OF MAHEIDPORE.
21ST. DECEMBER, 1817.

While the eighth battalion companies of the Royals had been engaged at Nagpoor, the two flank companies, commanded by Captain Hulme, had shared in the movements of the first division of the army of the Deccan. On the 8th. of December the troops arrived near Maheidpore, where the army of Mulhar Rao Holkar, one of the coalesced Mahratta powers against the British interests in India, was assembled. After various fruitless negotiations the Anglo-Indian troops advanced against the enemy on the morning of the 21st. of December, and as they were crossing the ford of the Soopra river they were exposed to a powerful and concentrated cannonade. About half a mile beyond the river stood the troops of Holkar, and after passing the stream Brigadier-General Sir John Malcolm proceeded with two brigades of infantry to attack their left, and a ruined village situated on an eminence near the centre. They were completely routed, and in the general orders of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Hislop, Bart., Commander-in-Chief of the army of the Deccan, dated 22nd. of December, the charge of the squadron of the 22nd. Light Dragoons, under Captain Vernon, and the intrepid courage and animated zeal of the flank companies of the Royals under Captain Hulme, were specially commended.

In commemoration of the conduct of the flank companies the words “MAHEIDPORE” was authorized to be inscribed on the regimental colours of the Royals.

DEFENCE OF CORYGAUM.
1ST. JANUARY, 1818.

This eminent service was confined to the Company’s troops. The Peishwah having advanced towards Poonah, Colonel Burr, commanding in that city, requested a reinforcement from Seroor; accordingly Captain Staunton, of the second battalion 1st regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, was despatched with that corps, barely six hundred strong, a few Madras artillery, with two six-pounders, and about three hundred auxiliary horse. The Peishwah’s army, estimated at twenty thousand horse and about eight thousand infantry, were encamped on the right bank of the Beemah, above the village of Corygaum. Captain Staunton, upon coming in sight of this overwhelming force, on the 1st. of January, immediately moved upon Corygaum, and had scarcely succeeded in reaching the village, when he was attacked by three divisions of infantry, supported by immense bodies of horse, and two pieces of artillery. The enemy obtained immediate possession of the strongest posts of the village; and the remaining position was most obstinately contested from noon until nine at night, after a fatiguing march of twenty-eight miles. Ultimately the enemy was forced to abandon the village, after sustaining great loss. During the night of the 2nd., the detachment returned unmolested to Seroor, which was reached at nine o’clock on the following morning, without having partaken of any refreshment since the evening of the 31st. of December. Nearly all the wounded were brought in, and both the gun and the colours of the regiment were preserved.[15]

WAR IN AVA.
1824 TO 1826.

The repeated acts of aggression of the Burmese governors in the country adjacent to the British territory, at length rendered it necessary to demand an explanation from the Court of Ava. This terminated by a mutual declaration of war, and troops were assembled to penetrate the Burmese empire. His Majesty’s 13th. and 38th. regiments, and two companies of artillery, and the 40th. Native Infantry, amounting to two thousand one hundred and seventy-five men, proceeded from Bengal, while His Majesty’s 41st. and 89th. Foot, the Madras European regiment, and the 9th., 12th., 28th., and 30th. Madras Native Infantry, and artillery embarked from Madras,—making in all eleven thousand four hundred and seventy-five men. The troops from Bengal embarked in April and May, 1824.[16] To occupy Rangoon and the country at the mouth of the Irrawaddy was the first object. Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Campbell with his troops took possession of Rangoon on the 12th. of May, without the loss of a man; and Cheduba, on the Arracan coast, was also captured by storm on the 17th. of May, by a detachment under Brigadier-General McCreagh, of the 13th. Light Infantry, three companies of the regiment being employed on this service.

Meanwhile the Burmese army continued in great force in the vicinity of Rangoon, under the fortifications of wood called stockades, and of the dense jungle which covered the country. In carrying the stockades without ladders on the 28th. of May, portions of the 13th. and 38th. regiments were specially noticed. On the 10th. of June, Kemmendine was assaulted; when about two miles from the town, the head of the column was stopped by a strong stockade, full of men, against which the artillery opened fire, and in half an hour a breach was made. The 41st., and part of the Madras European regiment, stormed the works in front; and the detachments of the 13th. and 38th. assaulted the rear face, which was ten feet high. The soldiers being encouraged and animated by the spirited conduct of Major (afterwards Sir Robert) Sale, who was the first on the top, climbed the works, one helping another up, and entering simultaneously with the party by the breach, they bayoneted every man that opposed them.

This point being gained, the column advanced about a mile, and at four o’clock in the afternoon took up a position against the principal stockade. Batteries were erected during the night, and the artillery opened a heavy fire at daylight, when the Burmese forsook their works and fled.

An attack was made upon the British pickets on the 1st. of July, which was repulsed. The Burmese position in the rear of the great pagoda was assaulted on the 5th. of July, and a general attack was made on the 8th. of that month, one column advancing by land, under Brigadier-General M‘Bean, while the other column proceeded by water. Major Wahab, with the Native Infantry, landed and immediately attacked the breach; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Godwin, of the 41st., entered the work higher up by escalade; Major Sale encountered the Burmese commander-in-chief in the works, and slew him in single combat, taking from him a valuable gold-hilted sword and scabbard. Eight hundred of the enemy were killed on this occasion, and thirty-eight pieces of artillery, forty swivels, and three hundred muskets were captured.

An expedition was sent on the 11th. of October against Martaban, on the Saluen river, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, of His Majesty’s 41st. regiment, and the place was captured on the 30th. of that month.

Meanwhile the Burmese recovered from the consternation into which they had been thrown, and a veteran chief, named Maha Bandoola, being appointed their commander, he approached the British position on the 1st. of December, with upwards of fifty thousand foot, a body of Cassay horse, and three hundred pieces of artillery, and commenced forming entrenchments. Major Sale advanced against the left of the Burmese line with two hundred of the 13th. Light Infantry, under Major Dennie, and two hundred and fifty of the 18th. Native Infantry, under Captain Ross, and stormed the entrenchments in sight of the whole army. The soldiers of the 13th. led the charge with great intrepidity; they burst through the intrenchments, and overcame all opposition; this example was followed by the native infantry, when the Burmese fled, and the British troops returned to their posts laden with trophies.

This victory was followed by another over the left wing of the Burmese army, on the 5th. of December. The first advantage was followed up, the enemy was overthrown, and of the three hundred pieces of ordnance which they had in position, two hundred and forty were brought into the British camp.[17]

On the 7th. of December the trenches were assaulted in four columns of attack, under the superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, the second in command, and led by Lieutenant-Colonels Mallet (both of the 89th.), Parlby, Brodie, and Captain Wilson, of the 38th. regiment. At a quarter before twelve every gun that would bear upon the breaches opened fire. Major Sale at the same time made a diversion on the enemy’s left and rear. At noon the cannonade ceased, and the columns moved forward to their points of attack, when the total defeat of Bandoolah’s army ensued, his loss being estimated at five thousand men.

In an attack on the enemy’s corps of observation, on the Dalla side of the river, on the 9th. of December, the 89th. regiment highly distinguished itself.

Rallying his broken legions, the Burmese commander called reinforcements to his aid, and took up another position, which he fortified with great labour and art. These formidable works were attacked on the 15th. of December, when two hundred of the 13th., under Major Sale, with three hundred of the 18th. and 34th. Madras Native Infantry, formed the right column of attack under Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir Willoughby) Cotton; this made a detour round the enemy’s left to gain the rear of his position at Kokien, which was to be attacked in front by another column. Sir Archibald marched with the left column, which consisted of five hundred Europeans, from the 38th., 41st., 89th., and Madras European Regiment, with portions of native infantry, to attack the foe in front. Of this column two divisions were formed, the command of one being given to Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, of the 89th., and the other to Major Evans, of the 28th. Madras Native Infantry. On arriving in front of the position it presented a very formidable appearance; but when the signal was given, the soldiers rushed forward, and in less than fifteen minutes they were in full possession of these stupendous works. Major Sale received a severe wound in the head, and was succeeded by Major Dennie, who although wounded in the hand, continued at the head of the 13th., regiment until the action was over. The Burmese after a short resistance, fled in a panic, leaving their camp standing, and abandoning all their baggage, together with a great portion of their arms and ammunition.

These successes, connected with those of the royal navy, had produced important results; the maritime provinces of Mergui, Tavoy, Yeb, and Martaban, had been captured, and seven hundred pieces of artillery had been taken from the Burmese. Lieutenant-Colonel Elrington, with a small detachment, consisting of a portion of the 47th., with some seamen and marines, carried by storm the factory and stockades of Syriam on the 11th. and 12th. of January, 1825. To wrest additional territory from the court of Ava, Major Sale proceeded against the city of Bassein, in the south-west part of the ancient kingdom of Pegu, which constituted part of the Burmese empire. The troops, after a tedious passage, arrived in the evening of the 24th. of February, off Pagoda Point, Great Negrais. On the 26th. the expedition entered the river, and the 13th., 38th., and the 12th. Native Infantry landed and captured a stockade. The force afterwards re-embarked, and proceeded to the next stockade, which the Burmese abandoned as the soldiers went on shore to storm the works; so great was their consternation, that the City of Bassein was set on fire and abandoned, the enemy retiring on Donabew.

Brigadier-General Cotton, in the interim, with a detached force, of which the 47th. and 89th regiments formed a part, had attacked the pagoda stockade in advance of Donabew, on the 7th. of March. The troops were formed in two columns, under Lieutenant-Colonel O’Donaghue, 47th., and Major Basden, 89th. regiment. All were exposed to a heavy fire, which was kept up to the last, with greater spirit and perseverance than was usual. The operations against the second defence, distance about five hundred yards from the pagoda stockade, were not successful, and the force was re-embarked on the 18th., after the enemy’s cannon had been spiked and his arms destroyed.

Meanwhile, a force of eleven thousand men, under Brigadier-General Morrison, of the 44th., of which that regiment and the 54th. formed a portion, had been assembled at Chittagong towards the end of September of the preceding year, moved forward early in January, in order to penetrate through Arracan, and across the mountains into Ava, where it was to effect a junction with the army at Rangoon. The first attack at Arracan, on the 29th. of March, failed, owing principally to a dense fog, which prevented the great strength of the position from being discovered. On the night of the 31st., Brigadier Richards proceeded by a circuitous route, and gained the summit of the range unperceived; and on the morning of the 1st. of April the Burmese were attacked in flank, while the front was assailed by the main body. In a short time the heights were abandoned, and Arracan was gained. The Burmese army having retreated to Donabew, two columns were formed to attack it by land and water, the land column being under the command of Sir A. Campbell, and the water column under Brigadier-General Cotton. Donabew was strongly fortified by a stockade extending nearly a mile along the Irrawaddy, composed of teak beams fifteen to seventeen feet high, driven into the earth as closely as possible to each other. Behind this wooden wall was the old brick rampart, and the works were mounted with one hundred and fifty guns and swivels. The marine attack failed, after carrying the first stockade, and the flotilla retreated ten miles down the river, leaving the wounded in the power of the enemy. Next day most of the killed and wounded that had been left in the stockade, were crucified and placed on rafts, which were sent down the stream to the boats of their comrades.

After a bombardment by the land column, Donabew was taken possession of by Sir Archibald Campbell on the 2nd. of April; Maha Bandoolah having been killed by a rocket, the other chiefs could not prevail on the garrison to remain, and the place was evacuated during the night of the 1st. of April.

After this success the march was resumed to Prome, where the army arrived on the 25th. of April, the Burmese having evacuated the town after setting it on fire, but the decisive measures adopted saved the place from a general conflagration.

In consequence of the season of military operations being over, the army remained inactive at Prome, and in the autumn overtures of peace were made by the Burmese, but hostilities were resumed in the middle of November; and the army of Ava, having repulsed the attack of three bodies of Sepoys, became suddenly elevated with a high idea of its own power, and advanced to attack the British troops at Prome, which had been reinforced by the detachments left at Rangoon.

About sixty thousand Burmese environed six thousand Anglo-Indian troops; but undismayed by this formidable host, four native regiments were left for the defence of Prome, and the remainder advanced on the 1st. of December to attack the enemy’s left wing at Simbike. This post was gallantly stormed by the troops under Brigadier-General Cotton, and the works were carried in ten minutes. The flank companies of the Royals, under Captain Thomas John Harvey, with the 41st. and 89th. regiments, commanded respectively by Major Peter Latouche Chambers, and Brevet-Major Henry Ross Gore, supported by the 18th. Madras Native Infantry, and led by Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, performed this service.

After a harassing march of about twenty miles, the troops bivouacked at Ze-ouke, and at daylight on the morning of the 2nd. of December they were again in motion, to attack the formidable position occupied by the enemy’s centre division on the Napadee Hills. Arriving in the vicinity, the British artillery commenced a sharp cannonade; Brigadier-General Elrington’s troops drove the enemy from the jungle, and six companies of the 87th. Royal Irish Fusiliers carried the posts at the bottom of the ridge; the Burmese were driven from the valley to their principal works on the hills, which appeared very formidable, as the heights could only be ascended by a narrow road, commanded by artillery, and defended by stockades crowded with men armed with muskets. When the artillery had made an impression on the works, the 13th. and 38th. regiments, the latter leading, rushed into them, overthrew all opposition with the bayonet, and forced the Burmese from hill to hill, over precipices that could only be ascended by a narrow stair, until the whole of the position nearly three miles in length, was captured. Scarcely a shot was fired in return to the enemy’s continued volleys, and the six companies of the 87th. advancing through the jungle to the right, drove everything before them on that side.

On the 5th. of December the enemy’s right wing was driven from its post. The division employed under Brigadier-General Cotton consisted of two hundred and fifty of the Royal Regiment, two hundred and seventy of the 41st., two hundred and sixty of the 89th., the light company of the 28th. Madras Native Infantry, and one hundred pioneers. The immense army of Ava was thus forced from its positions, and the Burmese legions sought safety in flight. After this success the army continued to advance; the Burmese evacuated Meeaday, and took post at Melloon, at the same time they renewed their offers for terminating the war; but this appeared to be with the view of gaining time to re-organize their forces for a more determined resistance.

The conditions of peace not being ratified by the stipulated time, hostilities were resumed on the 19th. of January, 1826, on which day the 13th. and 38th. regiments embarked in boats under Lieutenant-Colonel Sale, to assault the main face of the enemy’s fortifications at Melloon. At the same time Brigadier-General Cotton, with the flank companies of the 47th. and 87th. regiments, and the 89th., under Lieutenant-Colonel Hunter Blair, the 41st. regiment and the 18th. Madras Native Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Godwin, commanding the first brigade of Madras troops, and the 28th. Madras Native Infantry, with the flank companies of the 43rd. Madras Native Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Parlby were to cross above Melloon, and, after carrying some outworks, were to attack the northern face of the principal work. The whole of the boats quitted the shore together; but the current and breeze carried the 13th. and 38th. to their point of attack before the other divisions could reach the opposite bank of the river, and Lieutenant-Colonel Sale was wounded in his boat; but the two regiments landed, formed under the command of Major Frith, of the 38th. (who was wounded in the assault), and rushed forward with such intrepidity that they speedily became masters of these formidable works. When Brigadier-General Cotton saw that they were carried, he ordered the brigade under Lieutenant-Colonel Blair, of the 87th., to cut in upon the enemy’s line of retreat, which was performed with much effect.

On the 28th. of January, the 87th., with the flank companies of the 28th. Native Infantry, and detachments of the Governor-General’s body-guard and artillery, under Brigadier Hunter Blair, were sent from Tongwyn, to attack the position of Moulmein, eleven miles distant. The position, being a great annoyance to the surrounding country, was destroyed, and the troops returned to camp the same evening.

The army advanced upon the Burmese capital, and the legions of Ava resolved once more to try the fortune of war. A new army of 40,000 men was raised, and placed under the command of a noted warrior named Nee Woon-Breen, which has been translated—“Prince of Darkness,” “King of Hell,” and “Prince of the Setting Sun.” They met the British in the open fields near Pagahm Mew, where an action took place on the 9th. of February. The 13th. Light Infantry led the right attack, supported by the 38th. and 89th. regiments. That on the left was supported by the 41st. Part of the Burmese troops, broken by the 38th., retired into a well-constructed field-work, but were so closely pursued that they had not time to form for its defence: here from three to four hundred of them perished either by the bayonet or plunging into the river to escape. The result was another defeat to the enemy. The “Prince of Darkness” fled to Ava, where he was put to a cruel death by the order of the King.

After this victory the army continued its advance upon Ummerapoora, the capital, situated upon the shores of a beautiful lake; and when within four days’ march of that city the king of Ava sent the ratified treaty, paying the expenses of the war, and relinquishing a considerable portion of territory. The treaty of peace was finally signed at Gandaboo, February 24th., 1826. The King of Ava renounced all claim on Assam, ceded to the East India Company Arracan, and four other provinces with their islands and dependencies, and agreed to pay a crore of rupees as a war indemnity; free trade also to be allowed to British subjects in all parts of his dominions. In one of the conferences the negotiators had objected to the payment of money, and stated, that by using great economy, they might furnish a million baskets of rice within a year, but they did not grow rupees; and if the British had any objection to the rice, there was abundance of fine trees in the forest, which they might cut down and take away in lieu of the money.

On the conclusion of this campaign, the following statement appeared in general orders:—“While the Governor-General in Council enumerates, with sentiments of unfeigned admiration, the 13th., 38th., 41st., 89th., 47th., 1st. (or Royals), 87th, and 45th. regiments, the Honorable Company’s Madras European regiment, and the Bengal and Madras European artillery, as the European troops who have had the honour of establishing the renown of the British arms in a new and distant region, His Lordship in Council feels that higher and more justly-merited praise cannot be bestowed on those brave troops than that, amidst the barbarous hosts whom they have fought and conquered, they have eminently displayed the virtues, and sustained the character, of the British Soldier.”[18]

SIEGE AND STORM OF BHURTPORE.
JANUARY, 1826.