CHAPTER XX. Battle of Tippoo Sahib renews Hostilities with England-Concerts Since his discomfiture by Lord Cornwallis, Tippoo Sahib-or Sultaun-had never ceased to watch for an opportunity of avenging himself upon his English neighbours. Their successes in the East were the more galling to him, inasmuch as they invariably consolidated their conquests by an equitable system of government, which attached the natives to their rule, and presented a contrast to his own despotism sufficiently powerful to suggest discontents within the territory over which he still held sway. Irregular as the intercommunication between Europe and India then was, and imperfect as were the means available to the Native Chieftains of obtaining a knowledge of the course of events on the European Continent, Tippoo nevertheless contrived to learn what had been passing in France and Holland, Germany and Italy. It had reached him that the French had become all-powerful by force of arms, and that the English had experienced certain reverses in their endeavours to arrest the torrent of revolutionary principles which had rushed through empires, overturning monarchical institutions, and disturbing geographical arrangements. He knew that the French had a colony in the Indian Seas which the English arms had yet spared to them, and that the inhabitants were hostile to the people upon whom he desired to wreak his vengeance. That colony, now a British possession, termed Mauritius, was then called the Isle of France, prosperous, well governed and protected. Government of this islandTippoo sent Ambassadors (1797), with proposals to enter into an offensive alliance against the English. He engaged to subsidize and support any adequate number of French troops that might be sent to him, and with their aid to drive the British out of India. His views found acceptance with the authorities at the Isle of France, and General Bonaparte, who was then in Egypt, believing that the designs of the French Directory upon the British possessions would be promoted by a confederation with the Native Chieftains in India, addressed a letter to Tippoo, of a sufficiently exciting character to encourage in him a renewal of hostilities with the English power. To strengthen his hands still further, Tippoo opened a communication with the Nizam or Viceroy of the Deccan, who cherished To the an antipathy to the English, and likewise sent proposals to Ahmed Shah, the ruler of Affghanistan, conjuring him, in the name of their common religion (Mahometanism) to send an Army over the frontier, and help to crush their Christian foes. Before the schemes of Tippoo and his friends could reach maturity, they were happily discovered by the Earl of Mornington (afterwards Marquis Wellesley), who was then Governor-General of India. The Earl immediately addressed a letter to Tippoo, warning him of the probable consequences of an alliance with a Power which was, in principle, opposed to all regal Despotisms, and urging the propriety of his abstaining from hostile proceedings. In order to gain time, Tippoo sent a delusive reply, disavowing offensive intentions, at the same time hinting at his dissatisfaction with the English. He added that the hunting season having commenced, he was about to leave Mysore upon a sporting expedition, and would not, for some time, engage in political negotiations.* Lord Mornington was not to be deceived or trifled with. He saw through Tippoo's artifice, and resolved to proceed against him immediately. He accordingly directed General Stuart to take the field with 6,000 efficient troops, and move to the Coromandel Coast. In the meantime two hundred Frenchmen had landed at Mangalore, with the view of joining Tippoo. General Harris, the Governor of Madras, acting under instructions from the Earl of Mornington, instantly assembled an Army to operate upon Tippoo's capital of Seringapatam, and early in 1799 was in a condition to punish the Sultan's perfidy. Tippoo, seeing the importance of immediate action, did not wait for General Harris, but collected his troops and went forth to meet him at some distance from his capital. Among the British Regiments which had been sent to strengthen the Indian Establishment was the 33rd Foot, which, under Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Arthur Wellesley-the brother of the Earl of Mornington-had behaved in so exemplary a manner during the retreat to Bremen in 1794. This Corps, with others, chiefly Sepoys, confronted Tippoo Sahib at Mallavelly, and, aided by the Light Dragoons under General Floyd, overthrew Tippoo did not hunt the tiger so much for the pleasure of slaying him as of capturing the mighty monster of the forests. He had a perfect menagerie of these beasts, and occasionally caused a poor prisoner to be torn to pieces in his presence for their and his own peculiar gratification. Among the spoils taken at Seringapatam was a curious wooden figure of a tiger, rudely carved, in the act of devouring an English soldier, who lay beneath his paws. A certain apparatus within the effigy discoursed an indifferent quality of music illustrative of the agonies of the victim. This singularly savage group was in the museum of the East India Company during their occupation of their old "House" in Leadenhall street. the Mysorean Chief, and compelled him to seek refuge within the walls of his capital. He had previously been beaten by General Stuart at Sedaseer (March, 1799), with a very heavy loss, after a battle of five hours' duration. General Harris followed Tippoo to Seringapatam, a fortified town situated on a small island in the river Cauvery, and immediately commenced his siege operations. These were completed in a few days, a storm of metal hailed upon the walls, a breach was rapidly established, and Seringapatam was stormed the 33rd, 73rd, 74th, and 75th gallantly leading the way. Tippoo fought with a bravery worthy of a better cause. He fell, sword in hand; his capital was taken, and his territories transferred to the British rule. Colonel Wellesley was appointed Governor of Seringapatam, and, by the mildness and justice of his rule, rapidly reconciled the people to their change of masters. While these events were passing in the East, Holland had again become the theatre of war. France, which had overrun Italy, Savoy, and Switzerland, after having subdued the Seven United Provinces, Flanders, and all the countries west of the Rhine, had invaded Germany a second time, and now showed mankind that peace and repose would not be granted them on any conditions. The countries that had submitted to the Republican Forces were treated with a rigour and insulting mockery that almost staggers belief, and those which resisted them could neither obtain peace nor security on honourable terms. War, therefore, against the common enemy of the happiness and prosperity of society had become the cause of mankind. From the representations continually made to the British Government and the fugitive Prince of Orange, it was apparent that the inhabitants of Flanders and Brabant were growing quite impatient of their situation, and that, could a fair footing once be obtained, the whole of that rich and extensive country might be restored to its liberties. Here a motive was presented for a renewal of active hostilities with the French in the Batavian Republic. Another was found in the importance of drawing off the enemy from their designs on Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, the Armies of which countries were but too tardily recruited to make up the losses they had sustained, and were daily enduring. To effect this diversion in favour of the Allies, and endeavour to restore the independence of Holland and reestablish the Prince of Orange as the head of the Government, a treaty was entered into with the Emperor of Russia, who was ready enough to allow his troops to be employed against the French if he were not expected to bear the cost. It was arranged that the combined Army should be placed under the command of the Duke of York, partly because his rank and reputation would impart a prestige to the enterprise, and partly because it was due to him that he should have an opportunity of repairing the injury done to his fame by the defection of the Dutch troops at a critical hour in 1794. It was expected that the Prussians would join the expedition, but the King had his own reasons for keeping on good terms with the French Directory, and it was likewise believed that the Dutch would declare against the French as soon as they should find that the success of the English and the Russians would make it safe for them to do so. Preparations for the armament were made with great energy and rapidity. To the guidance of Sir Ralph Abercromby the leading Division was committed, and he sailed from Deal, with Admiral Mitchell, in August (1799), and joined Lord Duncan in the North Seas. Tempestuons weather obstructed the progress of the Division for some days, and gave the enemy time to make his preparations. Two or three times the transports and their convoy were baffled by storms. On the 27th of August, however, the Fleet came to an anchor near the shores of the Helder, a strong point in the northern extremity of the mainland of Holland. Sir Ralph Abercromby lost no time in effecting a landing. Sir James Pulteney commanded the first detachment, and obtained a footing, covered by the guns of the Fleet. The enemy was not idle. All arms were brought to bear upon the intruders, and as the ground was ill-adapted to good formations, by reason of the numerous sand-hills stretching along the shore, not more than one Battalion at a time could be placed in line. Nevertheless, the enemy was driven to a position six miles distant. In the combat Sir James Pulteney received a wound, which obliged him to leave the field. On the following day the whole of the troops were landed, and a Brigade under Colonel Macdonald took possession of the Helder. More troops arriving, the fortifications of the Helder were rapidly strengthened, and with this base of operations Major-General John Moore and the Marquis of Huntly made preparations for a movement in a southerly direction. On the 30th of August the Dutch Fleet surrendered to Admiral Mitchell, and the flag of the Prince of Orange was hoisted. On the 9th of September, the Duke of York arrived with 7,000 more men, and the island of Texel was taken possession of by the Fleets. The combined armies of the French and Batavian Republics now appeared in full force. They numbered 25,000 men, and occupied a strong position between the Helder and Alkmaar. Sir Ralph Abercromby was the first to experience their attentions. He reciprocated them vigorously the enemy fell back on Alkmaar. Now came the Russians. With this accession the Force under the Duke of York was 35,000 strong. Advantageously posted, the enemy gave the Duke battle without delay. The Russians took the initiative, but with a heedless impetuosity which disordered their ranks. This gave the Republicans an advantage by which they were not slow to profit. The ditches and canals which everywhere intersected the battle-field were singularly in their favour. Column after column was obliged to retire before their measured but rapid attacks. The Russians were in full retreat when the Duke of York, to give them time to re-form, attacked a village in possession of the enemy. Unfortunately the Russians did not rally. The Republicans then directed all their energies to the English, and the Duke was under the necessity of falling back. Early in October reinforcements came from Russia, and the Duke was enabled to renew the contest. A severe battle was fought at Egmontop-Zee, and the French were entirely defeated. "Under the Divine Providence," wrote the Duke, "the signal victory obtained over the enemy is to be ascribed to the animated and persevering exertions which have been at all times the characteristics of the British soldier; and which on no occasion were ever more eminently displayed." The 1st Royals, the 20th, the 25th Royal Borderers, the 49th, the 63rd, the 79th and 92nd Highlanders immortalized themselves. The Duke was warmly supported by the Generals under his orders, and he gratefully acknowledged their services. Sir Ralph Abercromby, Sir David Dundas, Lord Paget, Sir J. Pulteney, and Colonel Macdonald were conspicuous for their zeal. The success at Egmont-op-Zee was followed by another battle fought, and victory gained by the English, between Lemmen and the sea. A third encounter, when the Republicans had received large reinforcements, and the approaching winter had aggravated the difficulties and sufferings of the exposed troops, was less fortunate. The Duke of York, seeing no prospect of bringing the war to the desired conclusion, and the people manifesting less disposition than was expected to acknowledge the Prince of Orange, withheld further operations until the result of a reference to the Home Government could be ascertained. The Ministry knew that it would be easy at the last extremity to cut the dykes and flood the country occupied by the enemy; but the Duke of York having represented how much of cruel suffering this would entail upon the poor and innocent inhabitants, it was resolved that Holland should be evacuated. An armistice was therefore agreed upon with General Brune, who commanded the Forces of the enemy, and the troops re-embarked for England. The terms in which the cessation of hostilities was settled were very much like those of certain capitulations already published in these pages. It is clear that, how ever the language employed by the Duke of York to cloak the humility of his withdrawal might have suggested that he was to a certain extent master of the situation, the tone of the French General sufficiently demonstrated that the advantage was with the Republicans. It is stated above that General Bonaparte was in Egypt in 1799. He had gone thither from Toulon with a considerable armament, in furtherance of a plan which he had devised, in conjunction with the Russian Emperor Paul, for carving a pathway to India. The resistance of the Turks was of small account, and there was no other Military power to confront him. Admiral Nelson, in the Bay of Aboukir, and Sir Sydney Smith, at St Jean d'Acre, had inflicted terrible blows on the French Naval power; but, at the base of the Pyramids, the Turks were overthrown, and the Army of Egypt" occupied the great cities of Cairo and Alexandria. Napoleon had cajoled and mollified some of the Mahometan Chieftains hostile to the supreme authority of the Porte, by avowing a respect for the religion of the Prophet, and, believing his mission to have been fairly accomplished, he returned to France to enlarge the power he had already acquired in the councils of the nation. His arrival on the French coast was the grand and leading event in the history of 1800, and that which, more than any other, influenced the state and condition not only of France, Italy, and Germany, but of every other country in Europe. "Who could have believed that a simple Sub-Lieutenant of Artillery, a stranger to France by name and by birth, was destined to govern that great Empire, and to give the law, in a manner, to all the Continent, in defiance of reason, justice, the hereditary rights of the legitimate Princes of the realm, and the combined efforts of so great a number of loyalists in the interior of the kingdom, and all the great Powers of Europe? No one in the world could have imagined the possibility of an event so extraordinary. Almost forgotten by a nation ever in motion, incapable of rest, and always taken up with objects present to their senses and new to their imaginations, the French found him suddenly exalted to an authority at least as ample and absolute as any of their Kings. He was invested with the power of taxation, the power of the sword, the power of war and peace, the unlimited power of commanding the resources and disposing of the lives and fortunes of every man in France. He was furnished with the means of creating an Army by converting every man who was of age to bear arms, into a soldier, whether for the defence of his own country, or to carry war into the country of an enemy. He had no rival to thwart his measures, no colleague to divide his powers, no council to control his opera tions, no liberty of speaking or writing for the expression of public opinion, to check or influence his conduct; and, to crown the whole, his power rested apparently on the foundations of popular election and democratic sway. From such a man, invested with such power, much was to be hoped or feared." These words, penned five years only after the siege of Toulon, adequately describe the foundation and growth of an authority which rapidly attained colossal proportions, and taxed to their uttermost the energies and resources of England for a period of sixteen years. Napoleon's return to Europe appeared to Mr Dundas, the Foreign Minister of George the Third, to present a favourable opportunity for driving the French Armies out of Egypt. All hope of any useful or efficient co-operation with Austria in Italy had vanished since Napoleon crossed the Alps, and defeated her at Marengo. No prospect existed of a counter-revolution in France through the exertions of the French Royalists, and it would have been worse than folly to renew any experiments in Holland. Yet it was necessary to do something to rouse the despondent minds of the British people. Mr Dundas sent little expeditions to Ferrol and Cadiz ;-they were failures, and he was driven almost to his wit's end for some bold measure that should restore to England her fading prestige. In his extremity the idea of a descent upon the French in Egypt suggested itself. It occurred to him that if we could appear in force on the coast of Syria, or occupy Rhodes, Cyprus, or Crete, we should be in a condition to negotiate with France the evacuation of Egypt,-or enforce it in the event of her refusal. The execution of this project rapidly followed its inception. A Force of fourteen thousand Infantry, one thousand Cavalry, and six hundred and thirty Artillerymen, was rapidly equipped. The great Military qualities and sound judgment of Sir Ralph Abercromby pointed him out as the fittest Officer to be entrusted with the command, and as he had for some time entertained a belief that the expulsion of the French from Egypt would be as feasible as it was wise, he very readily accepted the weighty trust. Associated with him in the command of Divisions and Brigades were MajorGenerals Sir J. Hely Hutchinson, Coote, Craddock, Ludlow, Moore, and Lord Cavan, Brigadiers Stuart, Hope, Doyle, Oakes, and Anstruther. The Porte had urgently solicited the English to go to his rescue in Egypt, as he was utterly unable of himself to resist the French invaders of his territory; but when the troops arrived he did not appear disposed to co-operate earnestly with his new Allies. He seemed to dread that Russia, instigated by Napoleon, would cross into the Principalities and make an effort to overthrow the Ottoman empire. The eyes of all Europe were now anxiously directed towards Egypt. It was a novel and interesting spectacle to contemplate the two most powerful European nations contending in Africa for the possession of Asia. Not only to England and France, but to the whole world, the issue of the contest was of the utmost importance. The French Force amounted to about 30,000, with 15,000 Native Allies, Copts, Greeks, Mamelukes, &c. The British Fleet was kept at sea a long time on the coasts of France, Spain, and Italy to divert the attention of the enemy from its real object. Arrived at length at Marmorice Bay, Sir Ralph Abercromby intended to land, and, in effect, did so to parade and refresh the troops after their long confinement; but, as the promised Turkish contingent did not make its appearance, the General changed his intentions and sailed to Aboukir Bay, which had recently been the scene of that famous "Battle of the Nile," which has contributed to render the name of Nelson immortal. Here the French were strongly posted with fifteen pieces of Artillery and a Force of Infantry-the heroes of "the Pyramids." Undeterred by this formidable array, Abercromby resolved to force a landing. Two thousand of the choicest men in the crack regiments were ordered into the boats, under the guidance of Major-General John Moore. "It would be difficult," writes one of the biographers of Abercromby, "to conceive a situation of deeper or darker interest than that in which the advance of the British Army was now placed. The men sat erect and motionless; not a sound was heard, except the splash of the oars in the water, while the long line of boats moved rapidly, but in admirable and exact array, towards the shore. Not long, however, was that stern silence permitted to continue unbroken. As if doubting the evidence of their own senses, the enemy gazed for awhile without offering to the frail Armada the slightest molestation; but their astonishment soon gave place to other and more stirring sensations, and they stood to their arms. In a moment the whole of their Artillery opened, and the sea hissed and boiled behind and before the boats with round shot and shells, that fell in showers around them." The seamen pulled on, the fire increased, the casualties became numerous, yet there was no confusion. "And now the four Regiments on the right the Twenty-third, Twenty-eighth, Fortieth, and Forty-second, having gained a place of shelter under the elevated position of the batteries, were impelled onwards with increased ardour and security." Soon the boats touched the sand, the soldiers leaped out, formed on the beach, and, in the face of a heavy fire, speedily gained the summit, and, closing with their stern opponents, drove them gallantly from their position up the face of the steep. "The conduct of the Forty-second Highlanders in this operation was peculiarly brilliant. Down came a Regiment of French Cavalry-it was beaten back by the Forty-second, and its Commander fell. To the left of the line the Royals, Fifty-fourth, and Fifty-eighth were doing their work with equal ardour, beating the enemy at all points." The French retreated to Alexandria. Three days subsequently to the fight the whole of the British Force had landed, and Abercromby hastened after the enemy. Menou, the French General, took post among sand-hills and palm trees, four miles from old Alexandria. Some partial actions and skirmishes occurred among the advance parties of both sides. In these the 90th (Perthshire Volunteers) and 92nd Highlanders bore an active part. The former, under Colonel Hill, though young soldiers, and under fire for the first time, held their ground, in an action on the 13th of March, with the tenacity of experienced veterans when charged impetuously by a superior Force of Cavalry, and compelled the enemy to retreat in confusion. Sir Ralph thanked the Regiments in orders. "They had displayed the strictest discipline, the greatest quickness and precision in their movements, and the most undaunted bravery." As the Army advanced into the country Sir Ralph Abercromby gave strict .orders that "the utmost forbearance" should be practised. He insisted that the most scrupulous and honourable conduct in all their dealings should mark the behaviour of the troops towards the Arabs and Egyptians. 'Prompt payment for all supplies purchased, and the greatest deference for the habits and religious usages of the people," were exacted by the General, and he was not disappointed. It was Abercromby's intention to lay siege to Alexandria as soon as his guns should come up. On the 19th of the month Fort Aboukir capitulated. On the 20th Menou arrived from Cairo, and concentrated all his disposable Forces at Alexandria. They numbered 12,000 Infantry and 1,500 Cavalry. The line of the English was about a mile in length, with a sandy plain in front, the sea on the right, the Lake of Aboukir and the Canal of Alexandria on the left. Their flanks. were covered by gun-boats and redoubts hastily thrown up. Menou made up his mind to attack them on the 21st, very early in the morning. Fortunately General Moore had directed that the troops should invariably be under arms an hour before daybreak. They were thus prepared for the onslaught. "A great, glorious, and decisive battle was that The of Alexandria. The imagination glows and the heart is stirred while reading of the terrible attack of the French Invincibles on the right of the British position. It was defended by a redoubt, and cover was found behind some ruins. Regiments engaged were the Forty-second, the Twenty-eighth, the Fifty-eighth, and the Fortieth. The Highlanders were peculiarly the object of the indescribably furious attack; the French Invincibles, after much obstinate hand-to-hand fighting, were almost annihilated; the survivors laid down their arms. Fresh Battalions, however, came up ; the Forty-second were greatly reduced, but they held their ground, animated by the appeal of the General, My brave Highlanders, remember your country! remember your fathers!' Down went the Battalions of the enemy, then rushed on Squadrons of Cavalry, more Infantry, till the whole space in front of the redoubt was strewed with the bodies of the slain. The Forty-second died almost to a man where it stood !' Guards, the Royals, and the Fifty-fourth defended the left, and the rest of the position and the reserve was bravely maintained by the Eighth, Eighteenth, Thirteenth, and Ninetieth; the Queen's, Twentieth, Forty-fourth, Eighty-ninth, One hundred and thirtieth, the Twenty-seventh, Fifty-sixth, and Seventy-ninth; the Twentysecond and Twenty-sixth Dragoons, and other Regiments (Irregular and Contingent), which have long since ceased to form part of the British Army." The At The Twenty-eighth Foot-the "Slashers," as they were called from some event in the American war in which they were concerned *-signalised themselves at Alexandria by a daring move. tacked in front and rear by an immense body of the enemy's Cavalry, the rear rank faced about and fired upon their opponents, for the which feat they are permitted to bear the number of the Regiment on the back and front of their Regimental shakoes. "The The circumstance which led to the application of this sobriquet to the Corps was thus related by the lady of Lieutenant General Sir R. Airey, the Governor of Gibraltar (1869), on the occasion of her presenting new colours to the Regiment. Previous to the acquisition of the appellation, the Corps was called the "Braggs," after Colonel Braggs, who commanded it in 1734. Corps in those days (1775) wore small short swords, which they were famous for making good use of. On one occasion there was a certain magistrate in Canada, of the name of Walker, who had given great offence to the Regiment from not having provided sufficient shelter for their wives, several of whom had in consequence perished during the severity of a Canadian winter. This exasperated the Officers, and some of them disguised themselves as Indians, attacked the tent of the magistrate, danced a war dance round his table, and finally caught hold of his head, and with their swords slashed off his ears. After this circumstance the Regiment became known by name of the Slashers.'" |