Chapter I: Part 1

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.

Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been
placed at the end of each major section.

A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}, for example S^t or Esq^{re}.

Repeated redundant headings and Sidenotes have been removed.

Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.

BY COMMAND OF His late Majesty WILLIAM THE IV^{TH}.
_and under the Patronage of_
Her Majesty the Queen.

HISTORICAL RECORDS,
_OF THE_
British Army

_Comprising the_
_History of every Regiment_
_IN HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE._

_By Richard Cannon Esq^{re}._
_Adjutant General’s Office, Horse Guards._
London.

_Printed by Authority._
]

GENERAL ORDERS.

_HORSE GUARDS_,
_1st January, 1836._

His Majesty has been pleased to command that, with the view of doing the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals who have distinguished themselves by their bravery in Action with the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the British Army shall be published under the superintendence and direction of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall contain the following particulars, viz.:--

---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of
the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time
employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations
in which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any
Achievement it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies,
&c., it may have captured from the Enemy.

---- The Names of the Officers, and the number of
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates Killed or Wounded by the
Enemy, specifying the Place and Date of the Action.

---- The Names of those Officers who, in consideration of their
Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the
Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other
Marks of His Majesty’s gracious favour.

---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers,
and Privates, as may have specially signalized themselves in
Action.

And,

---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been
permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges
or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.

By Command of the Right Honorable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
_Commanding-in-Chief_.

JOHN MACDONALD,
_Adjutant-General_.

PREFACE.

The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend upon the zeal and ardour by which all who enter into its service are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.

Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable object than a full display of the noble deeds with which the Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have preceded him in their honorable career, are among the motives that have given rise to the present publication.

The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the “London Gazette,” from whence they are transferred into the public prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions, the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill and bravery; and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour of their Sovereign’s approbation, constitute the reward which the soldier most highly prizes.

It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies) for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic account of their origin and subsequent services.

This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty having been pleased to command that every Regiment shall, in future, keep a full and ample record of its services at home and abroad.

From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth derive information as to the difficulties and privations which chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been undisturbed by the _presence of war_, which few other countries have escaped, comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or no interval of repose.

In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which so many national benefits are obtained and preserved.

The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance, have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and their character has been established in Continental warfare by the irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against superior numbers.

In the Official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the Corps employed; but the details of their services and of acts of individual bravery can only be fully given in the Annals of the various Regiments.

These Records are now preparing for publication, under His Majesty’s special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk of the Adjutant General’s Office; and while the perusal of them cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and information to the general reader, particularly to those who may have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.

There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment to everything belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great, the valiant, the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with a brave and civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood “firm as the rocks of their native shore:” and when half the world has been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their Country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of achievements in war,--victories so complete and surprising, gained by our countrymen, our brothers, our fellow-citizens in arms,--a record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their gallant deeds before us,--will certainly prove acceptable to the public.

Biographical Memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished Officers will be introduced in the Records of their respective Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value and importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth.

As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment will be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall be completed the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.

INTRODUCTION

TO

THE INFANTRY.

The natives of Britain have, at all periods, been celebrated for innate courage and unshaken firmness, and the national superiority of the British troops over those of other countries has been evinced in the midst of the most imminent perils. History contains so many proofs of extraordinary acts of bravery, that no doubts can be raised upon the facts which are recorded. It must therefore be admitted, that the distinguishing feature of the British soldier is INTREPIDITY. This quality was evinced by the inhabitants of England when their country was invaded by Julius Cæsar with a Roman army, on which occasion the undaunted Britons rushed into the sea to attack the Roman soldiers as they descended from their ships; and, although their discipline and arms were inferior to those of their adversaries, yet their fierce and dauntless bearing intimidated the flower of the Roman troops, including Cæsar’s favourite tenth legion. Their arms consisted of spears, short swords, and other weapons of rude construction. They had chariots, to the axles of which were fastened sharp pieces of iron resembling scythe-blades, and infantry in long chariots resembling waggons, who alighted and fought on foot, and for change of ground, pursuit or retreat, sprang into the chariot and drove off with the speed of cavalry. These inventions were, however, unavailing against Cæsar’s legions: in the course of time a military system, with discipline and subordination, was introduced, and British courage, being thus regulated, was exerted to the greatest advantage; a full development of the national character followed, and it shone forth in all its native brilliancy.

The military force of the Anglo-Saxons consisted principally of infantry: Thanes, and other men of property, however, fought on horseback. The infantry were of two classes, heavy and light. The former carried large shields armed with spikes, long broad swords and spears; and the latter were armed with swords or spears only. They had also men armed with clubs, others with battle-axes and javelins.

The feudal troops established by William the Conqueror consisted (as already stated in the Introduction to the Cavalry) almost entirely of horse: but when the warlike barons and knights, with their trains of tenants and vassals, took the field, a proportion of men appeared on foot, and, although these were of inferior degree, they proved stout-hearted Britons of stanch fidelity. When stipendiary troops were employed, infantry always constituted a considerable portion of the military force; and this _arme_ has since acquired, in every quarter of the globe, a celebrity never exceeded by the armies of any nation at any period.

The weapons carried by the infantry, during the several reigns succeeding the Conquest, were bows and arrows, half-pikes, lances, halberds, various kinds of battle-axes, swords, and daggers. Armour was worn on the head and body, and in course of time the practice became general for military men to be so completely cased in steel, that it was almost impossible to slay them.

The introduction of the use of gunpowder in the destructive purposes of war, in the early part of the fourteenth century, produced a change in the arms and equipment of the infantry-soldier. Bows and arrows gave place to various kinds of fire-arms, but British archers continued formidable adversaries; and, owing to the inconvenient construction and imperfect bore of the fire-arms when first introduced, a body of men, well trained in the use of the bow from their youth, was considered a valuable acquisition to every army, even as late as the sixteenth century.

During a great part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth each company of infantry usually consisted of men armed five different ways; in every hundred men forty were “_men-at-arms_,” and sixty “_shot_;” the “men-at-arms” were ten halberdiers, or battle-axe men, and thirty pikemen; and the “shot” were twenty archers, twenty musketeers, and twenty harquebusiers, and each man carried, besides his principal weapon, a sword and dagger.

Companies of infantry varied at this period in numbers from 150 to 300 men; each company had a colour or ensign, and the mode of formation recommended by an English military writer (Sir John Smithe) in 1590 was; the colour in the centre of the company guarded by the halberdiers; the pikemen in equal proportions, on each flank of the halberdiers; half the musketeers on each flank of the pikes; half the archers on each flank of the musketeers, and the harquebusiers (whose arms were much lighter than the muskets then in use) in equal proportions on each flank of the company for skirmishing.[1] It was customary to unite a number of companies into one body, called a REGIMENT, which frequently amounted to three thousand men; but each company continued to carry a colour. Numerous improvements were eventually introduced in the construction of fire-arms, and, it having been found impossible to make armour proof against the muskets then in use (which carried a very heavy ball) without its being too weighty for the soldier, armour was gradually laid aside by the infantry in the seventeenth century: bows and arrows also fell into disuse, and the infantry were reduced to two classes, viz.: _musketeers_, armed with matchlock muskets, swords, and daggers; and _pikemen_, armed with pikes from fourteen to eighteen feet long, and swords.

In the early part of the seventeenth century Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, reduced the strength of regiments to 1000 men. He caused the gunpowder, which had heretofore been carried in flasks, or in small wooden bandoliers, each containing a charge, to be made up into cartridges, and carried in pouches; and he formed each regiment into two wings of musketeers, and a centre division of Pikemen. He also adopted the practice of forming four regiments into a brigade; and the number of colours was afterwards reduced to three in each regiment. He formed his columns so compactly that his infantry could resist the charge of the celebrated Polish horsemen and Austrian cuirassiers; and his armies became the admiration of other nations. His mode of formation was copied by the English, French, and other European states; but so great was the prejudice in favour of ancient customs, that all his improvements were not adopted until near a century afterwards.

In 1664 King Charles II. raised a corps for sea-service, styled the Admiral’s regiment. In 1678 each company of 100 men usually consisted of 30 pikemen, 60 musketeers, and 10 men armed with light firelocks. In this year the King added a company of men armed with hand grenades to each of the old British regiments, which was designated the “grenadier company.” Daggers were so contrived as to fit in the muzzles of the muskets, and bayonets, similar to those at present in use, were adopted about twenty years afterwards.

An Ordnance regiment was raised in 1685, by order of King James II., to guard the artillery, and was designated the Royal Fusiliers (now 7th Foot). This corps, and the companies of grenadiers, did not carry pikes.

King William III. incorporated the Admiral’s regiment in the second Foot Guards, and raised two Marine regiments for sea-service. During the war in this reign, each company of infantry (excepting the fusiliers and grenadiers) consisted of 14 pikemen and 46 musketeers; the captains carried pikes; lieutenants, partisans; ensigns, half-pikes; and serjeants, halberds. After the peace in 1697 the Marine regiments were disbanded, but were again formed on the breaking out of the war in 1702.[2]

During the reign of Queen Anne the pikes were laid aside, and every infantry soldier was armed with a musket, bayonet, and sword; the grenadiers ceased, about the same period, to carry hand grenades; and the regiments were directed to lay aside their third colour: the corps of Royal Artillery was first added to the Army in this reign.

About the year 1745, the men of the battalion companies of infantry ceased to carry swords; during the reign of George II. light companies were added to infantry regiments; and in 1764 a Board of General Officers recommended that the grenadiers should lay aside their swords, as that weapon had never been used during the Seven Years’ War. Since that period the arms of the infantry soldier have been limited to the musket and bayonet.

The arms and equipment of the British Troops have seldom differed materially, since the Conquest, from those of other European states; and in some respects the arming has, at certain periods, been allowed to be inferior to that of the nations with whom they have had to contend; yet, under this disadvantage, the bravery and superiority of the British infantry have been evinced on very many and most trying occasions, and splendid victories have been gained over very superior numbers.

Great Britain has produced a rate of lion-like champions who have dared to confront a host of foes, and have proved themselves valiant with any arms. At _Crecy_, King Edward III., at the head of about 30,000 men, defeated, on the 26th of August, 1346, Philip King of France, whose army is said to have amounted to 100,000 men; here British valour encountered veterans of renown:--the King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, and many princes and nobles were slain, and the French army was routed and cut to pieces. Ten years afterwards, Edward Prince of Wales, who was designated the Black Prince, defeated at _Poictiers_, with 14,000 men, a French army of 60,000 horse, besides infantry, and took John I., King of France, and his son, Philip, prisoners. On the 25th of October, 1415, King Henry V., with an army of about 13,000 men, although greatly exhausted by marches, privations, and sickness, defeated, at _Agincourt_, the Constable of France, at the head of the flower of the French nobility and an army said to amount to 60,000 men, and gained a complete victory.

During the seventy years’ war between the United Provinces of the Netherlands and the Spanish monarchy, which commenced in 1578 and terminated in 1648, the British infantry in the service of the States-General were celebrated for their unconquerable spirit and firmness;[3] and in the thirty years’ war between the Protestant Princes and the Emperor of Germany, the British Troops in the service of Sweden and other states were celebrated for deeds of heroism.[4] In the wars of Queen Anne, the fame of the British army under the great MARLBOROUGH was spread throughout the world; and if we glance at the achievements performed within the memory of persons now living, there is abundant proof that the Britons of the present age are not inferior to their ancestors in the qualities which constitute good soldiers. Witness the deeds of the brave men, of whom there are many now surviving, who fought in Egypt in 1801, under the brave Abercromby, and compelled the French army, which had been vainly styled _Invincible_, to evacuate that country; also the services of the gallant Troops during the arduous campaigns in the Peninsula, under the immortal WELLINGTON; and the determined stand made by the British Army at Waterloo, where Napoleon Bonaparte, who had long been the inveterate enemy of Great Britain, and had sought and planned her destruction by every means he could devise, was compelled to leave his vanquished legions to their fate, and to place himself at the disposal of the British Government. These achievements, with others of recent dates, in the distant climes of India, prove that the same valour and constancy which glowed in the breasts of the heroes of Crecy, Poictiers, Agincourt, Blenheim, and Ramilies, continue to animate the Britons of the nineteenth century.

The British Soldier is distinguished for a robust and muscular frame,--intrepidity which no danger can appal,--unconquerable spirit and resolution,--patience in fatigue and privation, and cheerful obedience to his superiors. These qualities, united with an excellent system of order and discipline to regulate and give a skilful direction to the energies and adventurous spirit of the hero, and a wise selection of officers of superior talent to command, whose presence inspires confidence,--have been the leading causes of the splendid victories gained by the British arms.[5] The fame of the deeds of the past and present generations in the various battle-fields where the robust sons of Albion have fought and conquered, surrounds the British arms with a halo of glory; these achievements will live in the page of history to the end of time.

The records of the several regiments will be found to contain a detail of facts of an interesting character, connected with the hardships, sufferings, and gallant exploits of British soldiers in the various parts of the world where the calls of their Country and the commands of their Sovereign have required them to proceed in the execution of their duty, whether in active continental operations, or in maintaining colonial territories in distant and unfavourable climes.

The superiority of the British infantry has been pre-eminently set forth in the wars of six centuries, and admitted by the greatest commanders which Europe has produced. The formations and movements of this _arme_, as at present practised, while they are adapted to every species of warfare, and to all probable situations and circumstances of service, are calculated to show forth the brilliancy of military tactics calculated upon mathematical and scientific principles. Although the movements and evolutions have been copied from the continental armies, yet various improvements have from time to time been introduced, to ensure that simplicity and celerity by which the superiority of the national military character is maintained. The rank and influence which Great Britain has attained among the nations of the world, have in a great measure been purchased by the valour of the Army, and to persons who have the welfare of their country at heart, the records of the several regiments cannot fail to prove interesting.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] A company of 200 men would appear thus:--

__|
| |
|__|
|
20 20 20 30 2|0 30 20 20 20
|
Harquebuses. Muskets. Halberds. Muskets. Harquebuses.
Archers. Pikes. Pikes. Archers.

The musket carried a ball which weighed 1/10th of a pound; and the harquebus a ball which weighed 1/25th of a pound.

[2] The 30th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments were formed as Marine corps in 1702, and were employed as such during the wars in the reign of Queen Anne. The Marine corps were embarked in the Fleet under Admiral Sir George Rooke, and were at the taking of Gibraltar, and in its subsequent defence in 1704; they were afterwards employed at the siege of Barcelona in 1705.

[3] The brave Sir Roger Williams, in his Discourse on War, printed in 1590, observes:--“I persuade myself ten thousand of our nation would beat thirty thousand of theirs (the Spaniards) out of the field, let them be chosen where they list.” Yet at this time the Spanish infantry was allowed to be the best disciplined in Europe. For instances of valour displayed by the British Infantry during the seventy Years’ War, see the Historical Record of the Third Foot, or Buffs.

[4] _Vide_ the Historical Record of the First, or Royal Regiment of Foot.

[5] “Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly and forcibly impressed on the consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a strict observance of order, discipline, and military system, which has given the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and has enabled them proudly to assert the superiority of the national military character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under circumstances of peculiar difficulty.”--_General Orders in 1801._

In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January 1809, it is stated:--“On no occasion has the undaunted valour of British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the troops themselves: and the enemy has been taught, that whatever advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows not how to yield,--that no circumstances can appal,--and that will ensure victory, when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any human means.”

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,
HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY:

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
In 1777,

AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
To 1852.

COMPILED BY

RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.

Illustrated with Plates.

LONDON:
PRINTED BY GEORGE E. EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE,
PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY,
FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE.

PUBLISHED BY PARKER, FURNIVALL, AND PARKER,
30, CHARING CROSS.

1852

THE SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT
BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR AND
APPOINTMENTS

THE WORD “HINDOOSTAN,”
IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS DISTINGUISHED SERVICES
WHILE EMPLOYED IN INDIA FROM
1780 to 1797;

THE WORDS “CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,”
FOR THE CAPTURE OF THAT COLONY IN JANUARY
1806;

THE WORDS “ROLEIA,” “VIMIERA,”
“CORUNNA,” “FUENTES D’ONOR,” “ALMARAZ,”
“VITTORIA,” “PYRENEES,” “NIVE,”
“ORTHES,” AND “PENINSULA,”
IN TESTIMONY OF ITS GALLANTRY IN THE SEVERAL
ACTIONS FOUGHT DURING THE WAR IN PORTUGAL,
SPAIN, AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, FROM
1808 TO 1814;

AND

THE WORD “WATERLOO,”
IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS DISTINGUISHED SERVICES
AT THAT BATTLE ON THE 18TH OF JUNE
1815.

THE

SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY.

CONTENTS

OF THE

HISTORICAL RECORD.

Year. Page.

INTRODUCTION xiii

1777. Formation of the SEVENTY-THIRD regiment, afterwards
numbered the SEVENTY-FIRST Regiment 2

” John Lord Macleod appointed colonel of the regiment _ib._

1778. War with France 3

” Removal of the regiment from North Britain to Guernsey
and Jersey _ib._

” Proceeded to Portsmouth _ib._

” A second battalion added to the regiment _ib._

” Names of officers 4

1779. The first battalion embarked for India 5

” The second battalion removed from Scotland to Plymouth _ib._

” Siege of Gibraltar by the Spaniards _ib._

1780. The second battalion embarked for Gibraltar 6

” The first battalion arrived at Madras 7

” War with Hyder Ali _ib._

” The first battalion formed part of Major-General Sir
Hector Munro’s army 7

” Siege of _Arcot_ 8

” Action at Perambaukum 9

” The survivors of the British troops engaged in this
unequal contest conveyed to Hyder Ali 11

” Attempts of the Spaniards against _Gibraltar_ 12

1781. Progress of the War with Hyder Ali 13

” Battle of _Porto Novo_ 14

” Presentation of silver pipes to the first battalion by
Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote for its gallantry on
that occasion _ib._

” _Tripassoor_ retaken by the British 15

” Second action at Perambaukum, and defeat of the enemy 16

” Relief of _Vellore_ 17

” Battle of _Sholingur_ _ib._

” Gallant defence of Gibraltar 18

” _Sortie_ of the garrison 20

1782. _Vellore_ blockaded by Hyder Ali 22

” Advance of the British through the Sholingur Pass, and
relief of _Vellore_ _ib._

” Battle of _Arnee_ 24

” Decease of Hyder Ali 25

” And succession of his son Tippoo Saib _ib._

” The combined attempts of France and Spain against
Gibraltar 26

” Employment of red-hot shot by the garrison _ib._

” The expedient successful 28

” The garrison honored by His Majesty’s approbation 29

1783. Termination of the siege of Gibraltar 30

” Peace concluded between Great Britain, France, and Spain _ib._

” The second battalion sailed from Gibraltar for England 31

” Progress of the war with Tippoo Saib _ib._

” Siege of _Cuddalore_ _ib._

” Unsuccessful _sortie_ by the enemy 33

” Intelligence of the general peace received in India _ib._

” The second battalion disbanded _ib._

1784. Peace concluded with Tippoo Saib 34

” Restoration of the officers and men who had been made
prisoners at the action of Perambaukum _ib._

1785. The regiment stationed at Madras _ib._

1786. The numerical title changed from Seventy-third to
SEVENTY-FIRST Regiment _ib._

1787. Stationed at Wallajohabad and Chingleput 35

1788. Embarked for Bombay _ib._

” Returned to Madras _ib._

1789. Major-General the Honorable William Gordon appointed
colonel of the regiment _ib._

1790. Hostilities commenced by Tippoo Saib 36

” The regiment marched towards Trichinopoly _ib._

” Siege of _Palghautcherry_ 37

” _Darraporam_ captured by the enemy 38

1791. Reviewed by General the Earl Cornwallis 39

” Action near _Bangalore_ 40

” Capture of _Bangalore_ by the British 41

” Advance towards _Seringapatam_ 42

” Action with Tippoo’s troops _ib._

” Return of the army to Bangalore 43

” Capture of _Nundydroog_ by the British 45

” ---- of _Savendroog_ 46

” ---- of _Outredroog_, _Ram Gurry_, and _Sheria Gurry_ 47

1792. Second advance of the British towards _Seringapatam_ _ib._

” Successful attack upon the enemy 48

” Siege of _Seringapatam_ 49

” Peace concluded with Tippoo Saib, and his two sons
delivered as hostages 50

” Return of the regiment to Madras 51

1793. The French revolution, and declaration of war by the
National Convention against Great Britain and Holland _ib._

” The flank companies engaged in the siege and capture of
_Pondicherry_ 52

1794. Contemplated expedition against the Mauritius 52

” The design relinquished, and march of the regiment to
Tanjore _ib._

1795. Holland united to France, and styled the Batavian
Republic _ib._

” The flank companies embarked for Ceylon _ib._

” Capture of the Island 53

1796. The regiment marched to Wallajohabad _ib._

1797. The regiment inspected by Major-General Clarke, and
complimentary order on the occasion _ib._

” Embarked for England 54

1798. Disembarked at Woolwich _ib._

” Proceeded to Scotland _ib._

” Authorized to bear the word “HINDOOSTAN” on the
regimental colour and appointments _ib._

1800. Marched from Stirling, and embarked for Ireland 55

1801.}
1802.} Stationed in Ireland 56

1803. Major-General Sir John Francis Cradock, K.B., appointed
colonel of the regiment _ib._

1804. A second battalion added to the regiment _ib._

1805. The first battalion embarked on a secret expedition
under Major-General Sir David Baird 57

” Arrival at the Cape of Good Hope _ib._

1806. Action at _Bleuberg_ 58

” Surrender of the colony to the British 59

” Authorized to bear the words “CAPE OF GOOD HOPE” on
the regimental colour and appointments _ib._

” Expedition to the _Rio de la Plata_ 60

” Surrender of _Buenos Ayres_ 61

” The city retaken by the enemy 62

” The first battalion taken prisoners and removed into
the interior of the country 63

” Escape of Brigadier-General Beresford and Lieut.-Colonel
Pack _ib._

1807. The second battalion removed from Ireland to Scotland _ib._

” Convention entered into by Lieut.-General Whitelocke,
and release of the first battalion 64

” The first battalion arrived at Cork _ib._

1808. The second battalion embarked for Scotland _ib._

” Presentation of new colours 65

” Address of Lieut.-General John Floyd on that occasion _ib._

” The first battalion embarked for the Peninsula 67

” Authorized to bear the title of _Glasgow_ Regiment, in
addition to the appellation of _Highland_ Regiment _ib._

” Battle of _Roleia_ 68

” Authorized to bear the word “ROLEIA” on the regimental
colour and appointments _ib._

” Battle of _Vimiera_ 69

” Authorized to bear the word “VIMIERA” on the regimental
colour and appointments 70

” Convention of Cintra _ib._

” March of the troops into Spain 71

” Joined the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore 72

1808. Retreat on Corunna 72

1809. Lieut.-General Francis Dundas appointed colonel of the
regiment 73

” Battle of _Corunna_ _ib._

” Authorized to bear the word “CORUNNA” on the regimental
colour and appointments 74

” The thanks of Parliament conferred on the troops _ib._

” The first battalion arrived in England 75

” Formed into a _Light Infantry_ Regiment 76

” Expedition to the Scheldt _ib._

” The first battalion embarked at Portsmouth _ib._

” Action on landing 77

” Attack and capture of _Ter Veer_ 78

” Siege and capitulation of _Flushing_ _ib._

” Occupation of Ter Veer by the first battalion 79

” Return of the battalion to England _ib._

” Loss of the battalion on this expedition _ib._

1810. Permitted to retain such parts of the national dress as
were not inconsistent with light infantry duties _ib._

” The first battalion again ordered for foreign service 80

” Embarked for Portugal 81

” Joined the army under Lieut.-General Viscount Wellington _ib._

” Actions at _Sobral_ 82

” Occupied a position in the lines of Torres Vedras _ib._

” Marshal Massena retired to Santarem 83

” Advance of the first battalion _ib._

1811. Pursuit of Marshal Massena 84

” Battle of _Fuentes d’Onor_ _ib._

” Authorized to bear the words “FUENTES D’ONOR” on the
regimental colour and appointments 85

” The second battalion removed from Leith to South Britain 86

” The first battalion formed part of the army under
Lieut.-General Rowland Hill _ib._

” Affair of _Arroyo-del-Molinos_ 87

” The royal approbation conferred on the troops engaged 88

” Operations consequent on the preparations made by Viscount
Wellington for the recapture of _Ciudad Rodrigo_ 89

1812. Third siege of _Badajoz_ _ib._

” Capture of _Badajoz_ _ib._

” Destruction of the enemy’s bridge of boats at _Almaraz_ 90

” Authorized to bear the word “ALMARAZ” on the regimental
colour and appointments 91

” Subsequent operations 92

” Battle of _Salamanca_ 93

” Retreat from Burgos _ib._

1813. Attempted surprise of Bejar by the French 94

” March of the first battalion to Bejar _ib._

” The second battalion returned to North Britain 94

” Battle of _Vittoria_ _ib._

” Death of Colonel the Honorable Henry Cadogan,
Lieut.-Colonel of the SEVENTY-FIRST Regiment 95

” Authorized to bear the word “VITTORIA” on the regimental
colour and appointments 96

” Advance on Pampeluna 97

” Skirmish at _Elizondo_ _ib._

1813. Occupied positions in the Pyrenees 97

” Action at _Maya_ _ib._

” ---- near _Eguaros_ _ib._

” ---- at the Pass of _Doña Maria_ 99

” Authorized to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the regimental
colour and appointments 100

” Encamped on the heights of Roncesvalles 101

” Gallant repulse of the French by a small party of the
SEVENTY-FIRST on the heights of _Altobispo_ _ib._

” Advance to the French territory _ib._

” Battle of the _Nivelle_ 102

” Passage of the _Nive_ _ib._

” Authorized to bear the word “NIVE” on the regimental
colour and appointments 103

1814. Skirmishes at St. Hellette, heights of Garris, and St.
Palais 104

” Action at Sauveterre _ib._

” Battle of _Orthes_ _ib._

” Authorized to bear the word “ORTHES” on the regimental
colour and appointments _ib._

” Affairs at _Aire_ and _Tarbes_ _ib._

” Battle of _Toulouse_ _ib._

” Termination of the Peninsular War, and general order by
the Duke of Wellington 105

” The first battalion embarked for England _ib._

” Authorized to bear the word “PENINSULA” on the regimental
colour and appointments 106

” The first battalion arrived at Cork _ib._

” The second battalion remained in North Britain _ib._

1815. Return of Napoleon to Paris, and renewal of the war 107

” The first battalion embarked for Ostend _ib._

” Battle of Waterloo 108

1815. Honors conferred on the army for the victory 110

” Authorized to bear the word “WATERLOO” on the regimental
colour and appointments _ib._

” The first battalion marched to Paris _ib._

” The second battalion disbanded 111

1816. Presentation of the Waterloo medals to the regiment _ib._

” Address of Colonel Reynell on that occasion _ib._

1817. Presentation of new colours by Major-General Sir Denis
Pack, K.C.B., and his address to the regiment 113

1818. The regiment returned to England 114

1819. Inspected at Weedon by Major-General Sir John Byng 115

1820. Inspected by the Adjutant-General _ib._

1822. Embarked for Ireland _ib._

1824. Lieut.-General Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B., appointed
colonel of the regiment 116

” The regiment embarked for Canada _ib._

1825. Formed into six _service_ and four _depôt_ companies _ib._

1829. The depôt companies proceeded to Berwick-on-Tweed 118

” Major-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., appointed
colonel of the regiment _ib._

1831. The service companies proceed from Quebec to Bermuda 118

1834. The _Tartan Plaid Scarf_ restored to the SEVENTY-FIRST
Regiment 119

” The service companies arrived at Leith _ib._

1835. The regiment stationed at Edinburgh _ib._

1836. Embarked for Ireland _ib._

1838. Major-General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham, K.C.B.,
appointed colonel of the regiment _ib._

” The service companies embarked for Canada _ib._

1839. The depôt companies removed from Ireland to North
Britain _ib._

1841. Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B.,
appointed colonel of the regiment 120

1842. The regiment formed into two battalions _ib._

” The _Reserve_ battalion embarked for Canada _ib._

1843. The _first_ battalion removed from Canada to the West
Indies _ib._

1846. The _first_ battalion embarked at Barbadoes for England 121

1847. Arrived at Portsmouth, and proceeded to Glasgow _ib._

1848. Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., appointed
colonel of the regiment _ib._

” The _first_ battalion proceeded to Ireland 122

1849. Lieut.-General Sir James Macdonell, K.C.B., appointed
colonel of the regiment _ib._

” The reserve battalion employed at Montreal in aid of
the civil power _ib._

1852. CONCLUSION 123

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF

THE SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

Year. Page.

1777. John Lord Macleod 125

1789. The Honorable William Gordon 126

1803. Sir John Francis Cradock, G.C.B. 127

1809. Francis Dundas 129

1824. Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B. 131

1829. Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B. _ib._

1838. Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham _ib._

1841. Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B. 133

1848. Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B. 140

1849. Sir James Macdonell, K.C.B. and K.C.H. 141

APPENDIX.

Page.

Memoir of Captain Philip Melvill 143

Memoir of General the Right Honorable Sir David Baird, Bart.,
G.C.B. 144

Memoir of Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B. 151

General orders of the 18th of January and 1st of February 1809,
relating to the battle of _Corunna_ and the death of
Lieut.-General Sir John Moore 161

List of regiments which composed the army under Lieut.-General
Sir John Moore 165

British and Hanoverian army at Waterloo on the 18th of June
1815 166

PLATES.

Page.

Colours of the regiment _to face_ 1

The two sons of Tippoo Saib delivered as hostages to General
the Earl Cornwallis 50

Costume of the regiment 124

INTRODUCTION

TO THE

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF THE

SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY.

During the last century several corps, at successive periods, have been borne on the establishment of the army, and numbered the SEVENTY-FIRST; the following details are therefore prefixed to the historical record of the services of the regiment which now bears that number, in order to prevent its being connected with those corps which have been designated by the same numerical title, but whose services have been totally distinct.

1. In the spring of 1758 the second battalions of fifteen regiments of infantry, from the 3d to the 37th, were directed to be formed into distinct regiments, and to be numbered from the 61st to the 75th successively, as follows:--

_Second Battalions._

3d foot constituted the 61st regiment.
4th ” ” 62d ”
8th ” ” 63d ”
11th ” ” 64th ”
12th ” ” 65th ”
19th ” ” 66th ”
20th ” ” 67th ”
23d ” ” 68th ”
24th ” ” 69th ”
31st ” ” 70th ”
32d ” ” 71st ”
33d ” ” 72d ”
34th ” ” 73d ”
36th ” ” 74th ”
37th ” ” 75th ”

The 71st, 72d, 73d, 74th, and 75th regiments, thus formed, were disbanded in 1763, after the peace of Fontainebleau.

2. Several other corps were likewise disbanded in 1763, which occasioned a change in the numerical titles of the following regiments of Invalids, viz.:--

The 81st reg^t (Invalids) was numbered the 71st.
82d ” ” ” 72d.
116th ” ” ” 73d.
117th ” ” ” 74th.
118th ” ” ” 75th.

The 71st, 72d, 73d, 74th, and 75th regiments, thus numbered, were formed into independent companies of Invalids in the year 1769, which increased the number of _Invalid companies_ from eight to twenty; they were appropriated to the following Garrisons, namely, four companies at Guernsey, four at Jersey, three at Hull, two at Chester, two at Tilbury Fort, two at Sheerness, one at Landguard Fort, one at Pendennis, and one in the Scilly Islands.

3. These numerical titles became thus extinct until October 1775, when another SEVENTY-FIRST regiment was raised for service in America by Major-General the Honorable Simon Fraser, which consisted of two battalions, and which performed eminent service during the war with the colonists. In December 1777, further augmentations were made to the army, and the regiments, which were directed to be raised, were numbered from the seventy-second to the eighty-third regiment.

The army was subsequently increased to one hundred and five regular regiments of infantry, exclusive of eleven unnumbered regiments, and thirty-six independent companies of Invalids.

The conclusion of the general peace in 1783 occasioned the disbandment of several regiments, commencing with the SEVENTY-FIRST regiment; the second battalion of which was disbanded on the 5th April 1783, and the first battalion on the 4th June 1784.

4. In 1786 the numerical titles of certain regiments, retained on the reduced establishment of the army, were changed, viz.:--

The _seventy-third_, which had been authorised to be raised by John Lord Macleod in 1777, was directed to be numbered the SEVENTY-FIRST regiment.

The _seventy-eighth_, which had been authorised to be raised by the Earl of Seaforth in 1777, was directed to be numbered the SEVENTY-SECOND regiment.

The _second battalion_ of the _forty-second_, which had been authorised to be raised in 1779, was directed to be constituted the SEVENTY-THIRD regiment.

These corps were denominated Highland regiments, and have since continued to form part of the regular army.

The details of the services of the present SEVENTY-FIRST regiment are contained in the following pages; the histories of the _seventy-second_ and _seventy-third_ regiments are given in distinct numbers.

QUEEN’S COLOUR.

REGIMENTAL COLOUR.

FOR CANNON’S MILITARY RECORDS.

_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t. Strand_]

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF THE

SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY;

ORIGINALLY NUMBERED

THE SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

[Sidenote: 1777.]

The war between Great Britain and her American Colonies had, towards the end of the year 1777, assumed an aspect which was beheld with great interest by the European powers. France, although abstaining at this period from entering into the contest, privately encouraged the colonists, and several French officers proceeded to join the American standard. The influence of the British ministry then became employed in encouraging voluntary efforts for the raising of troops. Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, at their own expense, each raised a regiment of a thousand men, and several independent companies were levied in Wales. The livery of London and corporation of Bristol did not follow this example, but the monied interest in the metropolis showed its attachment to the administration by opening a subscription for procuring soldiers.

Fifteen thousand men were by these patriotic efforts raised and presented to the state; of this number upwards of two thirds were obtained from Scotland, and principally from the _Highland_ clans.[6] The hardy mountaineers of North Britain had been long celebrated for their military prowess, and the annals of warfare of subsequent years have added to their former renown, by affording them opportunities for sustaining their character for intrepidity and valour.

The present SEVENTY-FIRST, HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY, was one of the regiments which owes its origin to the foregoing circumstances, and was raised under the following royal warrant, dated 19th December 1777, addressed to John Mackenzie, Esquire, commonly called John Lord Macleod, who was appointed its colonel.

“GEORGE R.

“WHEREAS we have thought fit to order a Highland regiment of
foot to be forthwith raised under your command, to consist of
ten companies, of five serjeants, five corporals, two drummers,
and one hundred private men in each, with two pipers to the
grenadier company, besides commissioned officers, these are to
authorise you, by beat of drum or otherwise, to raise so many men
in any county or part of our kingdom of Great Britain as shall
be wanting to complete the said regiment to the above-mentioned
numbers; and all magistrates, justices of the peace, constables,
and other our civil officers, whom it may concern, are hereby
required to be assisting unto you, in providing quarters,
impressing carriages, and otherwise, as there shall be occasion.

“Given at our Court at St. James’s, this 19th of December 1777,
in the eighteenth year of our reign.

“_By His Majesty’s command_,

“BARRINGTON.”

“_To our trusty and well-beloved John Mackenzie, Esq., (commonly
called John Lord Macleod), Colonel of a Highland Regiment of Foot
to be forthwith raised, or to the Officer appointed by him to
raise Men for our said Regiment._”

[Sidenote: 1778.]

In February 1778 the Court of France concluded a treaty of defensive alliance with the American colonies, and Great Britain became involved in a war with France.

Lord Macleod’s efforts in raising the regiment were so successful that in April 1778 it was embodied at Elgin, under the denomination of “_Macleod’s Highlanders_,” and was numbered the “SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.”

In May the regiment, eleven hundred strong, embarked at Fort George, under the command of Colonel Lord Macleod, and proceeded to Guernsey and Jersey, in which islands it was stationed for six months. The regiment was subsequently removed to Portsmouth, and was cantoned during the remainder of the year in the neighbouring villages.

On the 24th of September, 1778, Colonel Lord Macleod received orders to raise a second battalion to the regiment. Each battalion was to consist of fifty serjeants, fifty corporals, twenty drummers and fifers, two pipers, and a thousand privates.

At this period the following officers had been appointed to the SEVENTY-THIRD HIGHLAND Regiment.

FIRST BATTALION.

_Colonel_, John Lord Macleod.

_Lieut.-Colonel_, Duncan M‘Pherson.

_Majors._

John Elphinston.
James Mackenzie.

_Captains._

George Mackenzie.
Alexander Gilchrist.
John Shaw.
Charles Dalrymple.
Hugh Lamont.
Hon. James Lindsay.
David Baird.

_Captain Lieutenant and Captain_, David Campbell.

_Lieutenants._

A. Geddes Mackenzie.
Hon. John Lindsay.
Abraham Mackenzie, _Adj^t._
Alexander Mackenzie.
James Robertson.
John Hamilton.
John Hamilton.
Lewis Urquhart.
George Ogilvie.
Innes Munro.
Simon Mackenzie.
Philip Melvill.
John Mackenzie.
John Borthwick.
William Gunn.
William Charles Gorrie.
Hugh Sibbald.
David Rainnie.
Charles Munro.

_Ensigns._

James Duncan.
Simon Mackenzie.
Alexander Mackenzie.
John Sinclair.
George Sutherland.
James Thrail.
Hugh Dalrymple.

_Chaplain_, Colin Mackenzie.

_Adjutant_, Abraham Mackenzie.

_Quartermaster_, John Lytrott.

_Surgeon_, Alexander MacDougall.

SECOND BATTALION.

_Colonel_, John Lord Macleod.

_Lieut.-Colonel_, the Hon. George Mackenzie.

_Majors._

Hamilton Maxwell.
Norman Macleod.

_Captains._

Hon. Colin Lindsay.
John MacIntosh.
James Foulis.
Robert Sinclair.
Mackay Hugh Baillie.
Stair Park Dalrymple.
David Ross.
Adam Colt.

_Lieutenants._

Norman Maclean.
John Irving.
Rod. Mackenzie _senior_.
Charles Douglas.
Angus MacIntosh.
John Fraser.
Robert Arbuthnot.
David MacCullock.
Rod. Mackenzie _junior_.
Phineas MacIntosh.
John Mackenzie _senior_.
Alexander Mackenzie.
Phipps Wharton.
Laughlan MacLaughlan.
Kenneth Mackenzie.
Murdoch Mackenzie.
George Fraser.
John Mackenzie _junior_.
Martin Eccles Lindsay.
John Dallas.
David Ross.
William Erskine.

_Ensigns._

John Fraser.
John MacDougal.
Hugh Gray.
John Mackenzie.
John Forbes.
Æneas Fraser.
William Rose.
Simon Fraser, _Adj^t._

_Chaplain_, Æneas Macleod.

_Adjutant_, Simon Fraser.

_Quartermaster_, Charles Clark.

_Surgeon_, Andrew Cairncross.

[Sidenote: 1779.]

[Sidenote: 1st bat.]

In January 1779 the first battalion of the regiment, commanded by Colonel Lord John Macleod, embarked for the East Indies.

[Sidenote: 2d bat.]

The second battalion, one thousand strong, embarked at Fort George in Scotland, in March 1779, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. George Mackenzie (brother of Lord Macleod), and proceeded to Portsmouth, from thence it went on in transports to Plymouth, where the battalion landed, and was encamped upon Maker Heights until the 27th of November following.

The Court of Versailles had now engaged that of Madrid to take a part in the contest, and on the 16th of June 1779 the Spanish ambassador had presented a manifesto at St. James’s, equivalent to a declaration of war, and immediately departed from London. During the summer the siege of Gibraltar was commenced by the Spaniards, the reduction of that important fortress being one of the principal objects of Spain in becoming a party to the war.

[Sidenote: 1st bat.]

The vessels conveying the first battalion formed part of a fleet escorted by Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, which on the passage touched at Goree, upon the coast of Africa. Goree being evacuated by the French for the purpose of fortifying Senegal, which had been captured by them early in the year, was occupied by a British force, left for that purpose by Sir Edward Hughes.

After quitting Goree, the fleet proceeded to the Cape of Good Hope, at that time in possession of the Dutch, and there landed the sick. The fleet was detained for three months in Table Bay, for the purpose of refreshment and recovery of the sick, after which it sailed for India.

[Sidenote: 1780.]

[Sidenote: 2d bat.]

After the breaking up of the camp on Maker Heights, the second battalion embarked for Gibraltar in transports, under convoy of Admiral Sir George Rodney. When in the Bay of Biscay, the British encountered, on the 8th of January 1780, a valuable Spanish convoy belonging to the Caracca company, consisting of fifteen merchantmen, with a ship of sixty-four guns, and two frigates, the whole of which were captured. Sir George Rodney being compelled to employ many of the crews of the ships of war in manning the prizes, called upon Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. George Mackenzie for the services of the second battalion of the regiment as _Marines_. In a few days after the men were distributed for this purpose, the fleet defeated, on the 16th of January, off Cape St. Vincent, a squadron of eleven sail of the line, commanded by Admiral Don Juan de Langara. One Spanish ship of seventy guns blew up in the beginning of the action. The Spanish admiral’s ship of eighty guns, and three of seventy, were taken; one of seventy guns ran on shore, and another was lost on the breakers.

Nothing further transpired during the remainder of the voyage, and on the 18th of January 1780 the second battalion disembarked at Gibraltar, then closely blockaded by the Spaniards, who had despatched Don Juan de Langara to intercept the British admiral.

[Sidenote: 1st bat.]

The first battalion had, in the meantime, continued on its voyage to India, and on the 20th of January 1780 anchored in Madras Roads, being twelve months from the time of leaving England. The battalion landed immediately at Fort St. George, and after remaining there about a month was removed to Poonamallee.

The intricate politics of India gave rise to a war in that country. Hyder Ali, the son of a petty chief in the Mysore, had risen to the chief command of the army of that state, and when the rajah died, leaving his eldest son a minor, Hyder assumed the guardianship of the youthful prince, whom he placed under restraint, and seized on the reins of government. Having a considerable territory under his control, he maintained a formidable military establishment, which he endeavoured to bring into a high state of discipline and efficiency. Hyder, now Sultan of Mysore, formed a league with the French, and entered into a confederacy with the Nizam of the Deccan, the Mahrattas, and other of the native powers, for the purpose of expelling the British from India.

In July 1780, Hyder Ali, having passed the Ghauts (as the passes in the mountains on both sides of the Indian peninsula are termed), burst like a torrent into the Carnatic, while his son, Tippoo Saib, advanced with a large body of cavalry against the northern Circars, and the villages in the vicinity of Madras were attacked by parties of the enemy’s horse.

These events occasioned the first battalion of the regiment to be ordered to proceed to join the army which was being assembled at St. Thomas’s Mount, under the command of Major-General Sir Hector Munro, K.B., consisting entirely of the troops of the Honorable East India Company, with the exception of the _Seventy-third_, then about 800 strong.

Sir Hector Munro’s army amounted to upwards of 4,000 men, and was thus composed:--

{ Infantry 1,000
European { Artillery 300
{ Dragoons 30

Native { Infantry 3,250
{ Dragoons 30
------
Total 4,610
======

With the army were also thirty field-pieces and howitzers, together with four battering twenty-four pounders.

The Anglo-Indian army marched to Conjeveram, sixty miles westward of Madras, where it was to be joined by a detachment from the northward, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Baillie.

At this period the Sultan of Mysore was engaged in besieging _Arcot_, the capital of the Carnatic, which was invested by the enemy on the 21st of August. The movement of Sir Hector Munro’s force caused Hyder Ali to raise the siege; he then detached his son, Tippoo Saib, with a large body of horse and foot, amounting to 24,000 men and twelve guns, to intercept Lieut.-Colonel Baillie, whose junction with the main army had been ordered.

In this manœuvre Tippoo Saib succeeded, and Major-General Sir Hector Munro was compelled to detach Lieut.-Colonel Fletcher with a thousand men to reinforce Lieut.-Colonel Baillie. The flank companies of the first battalion of the _Seventy-third_ formed part of this detachment; the grenadier company was commanded by Lieutenant the Honorable John Lindsay, and the light company by Captain, afterwards General the Right Hon. Sir David Baird, Bart. and G.C.B.[7]

On the 6th of September, Lieut.-Colonel Baillie was attacked at Perambaukum by the division under Tippoo Saib, and on the 9th of that month was joined by the detachment under Lieut.-Colonel Fletcher. On the following day they were attacked by Hyder’s whole army, and the officers and men of this ill-fated detachment were either killed, taken, or dispersed.

The following graphic description of this unequal contest with Hyder’s whole army, the division under Tippoo Saib acting in concert, is given by Captain Innes Munro, of the _Seventy-third_, who published a “Narrative of the Military Operations on the Coromandel Coast from 1780 to 1784:”--