number of camels, carrying fascines and sand-bags to assist in filling up the ditch; the first effect of the matchlock fire was to scare these animals away, and add to the confusion of this, our second futile attack. Colonel Macrae now ordered the column to retire, and in doing so it had to run a gauntlet of destructive fire, which killed and wounded 591. Among these were eighteen officers, including Captain Lindsay, of the 22nd, wounded for the third time. The few survivors of the flank companies of the 22nd were rushing forward, but as they could achieve nothing alone, they were recalled; and now the 12th and 15th Native Infantry were ordered to head the column. The ditch near the breach proved again impassable; but a bastion near it, though of formidable aspect, was surmounted by some sepoys of the 12th, who planted their regimental colours on it; and eventually the troops were repulsed a third time, with the loss of 894 men. Lord Lake, having seen the activity with which the men of the 12th had got upon the bastion, conceived that a little battering would render it easier of ascent, and resolved to make it the point of a the 75th and 76th, expressing his sorrow for their lost laurels, and invited volunteers to retrieve their reputation. On this, both regiments stepped to the front as one man. Meanwhile, the batteries had been breaching the bastion, in which an enormous gap soon yawned, and once again the stormers went forward when their pouches were nearly destitute of ammunition. It would seem that, notwithstanding his successful resistance, the rajah proposed terms of surrender; but they were such as met with refusal. He was required by us to pay the expenses of the war against him, and give three lacs to the troops. These conditions he declined; and, having col-new attack; and on parade addressed the men of lected in the fort the women, children, and treasure, vowed that he would bury them all, and himself, too, under the ruins, rather than consent either to these terms or an unconditional surrender. The mode of attacking Bhurtpore was now changed. The army encamped on fresh ground to the north and east of the town, and operations were renewed by regular approaches and batteries, not as before, at 700 yards from the wall, but at 400. On the 11th February, two batteries, armed with six 18-pounders and eight mortars, opened at this distance, while another, to enfilade the defences of the right bastion, was in progress. By the 20th, the approaches had reached the brink of the ditch, | and a mine was intended to be sunk, for the purpose of blowing up the counterscarp and giving a sloping access thereto. For a third assault all things were now in readiness, and the stormers were ordered into the trenches, so as to be ready for the attack at an early hour, or the moment the repairs made by the enemy over-night in the breach were destroyed; but so much had the enemy been encouraged by their past success, that on the same night Lake issued these orders they made a sally, and actually crept into the approach unperceived; there they demolished the preparations which had been made for the mine, and carried off the trenching tools. The storming party had just entered the parallels, when another sally, composed partly of those who were lurking in the approach and of men from the town, rushed upon them, and were not driven in without considerable loss. As a trench in the advanced breach was still held by the enemy, it was proposed to drive them out, and follow them into the body of the place; but frequent repulses had caused the troops to lose heart, and the 75th Highlanders and 76th Foot actually refused to advance. They embraced the whole of the European troops (the 65th, 75th, 76th, and 86th Royal County Down), two battalions of Bengal Infantry. and the flank companies of the 3rd Bombay Regiment: the whole led by Brigadier Monson, of the 76th. No plan of a proper assault seemed to have been formed, and in a blundering way, these brave men were sent again to fight their way up the wall, or what remained of it, as best they could: yet they cheered heartily as they rushed past Lord Lake, with the resolution to conquer or die. "The bastion to be attacked was extremely steep," says Major Hough, "and there was no possibility of getting up to the summit. Several soldiers drove their bayonets into the wall, and endeavoured by these steps to reach the top; but were knocked down by logs of wood, and other missiles, from above. The enemy from the next bastion kept up a destructive fire. Several efforts were made against the curtain, and the enemy's grape told with fatal effect. The people on the walls threw down upon the heads of the troops ponderous pieces of timber, and flaming packs of cotton, previously dipped in oil, followed by pots filled with gunpowder and other terrible combustibles, the explosion of which had dreadful effect. The struggle was carried on with the most determined resolution on both sides. Brigadier Monson strained himself to the utmost in maintaining the unequal struggle; but after two hours' arduous exertion, he was 1805.] AMEER KHAN. 399 reluctantly compelled to relinquish the attempt, two corps of native cavalry, and three battalions and return to the trenches."* of sepoys. Major Thorn tells us that many of the stormers had striven to get up by the holes made by cannonshot; "but as only two at most could advance in this dangerous way, they who ventured were easily killed, and when one man fell, he brought down with him those who were immediately beneath." Prodigies of valour were performed; Lieutenant Templeton fell, just as he planted the British colours near the summit of the fatal bastion, and Major Menzies who followed him, was also slain, in the act of cheering on his men. The enemy's guns were well served by some Frenchmen, and others, trained to war under M. Perron. We fell back, with a loss of 987 killed and wounded, which, added to previous losses, gives an aggregate of 3,203 men. This number is irrespective of the many who died in camp of diseases incident to the climate and the campaign. Considering the reduction of the fortress by the sword as impracticable, the siege was turned into a blockade. The breaching guns had become unserviceable, and all were blown in the touch-hole; and as large foraging parties had to be sent out for the collection of supplies, the position of the whole army became critical, especially when Lord Lake, while taking up new camping ground, north-east of the city, met with severe interruptions from the enemy's cavalry, at a time when our own was on service elsewhere. We have mentioned that the Rajah of Bhurtpore had sought to strengthen himself by an alliance with Ameer Khan, then ravaging in Bundelcund, and our cavalry, under Major-General Smith, were detached in quest of this famous marauder. Ameer had attempted to cut off a convoy of 12,000 bullocks, and had nearly succeeded in doing so, by attacking, with 8,000 men, the escort, which only amounted to 1,400 in all. A reinforcement from our camp fortunately arrived in time, and he was repulsed, with a loss of 600 men and forty stand of colours. His rout was so complete that he was compelled to change his showy costume and mingle with the fugitives; but during the conflict many laden bullocks strayed away and were never seen again. On the 27th of January, Ameer Khan had the hardihood to make an attempt upon another convoy coming from Agra. It consisted of 50,000 bullocks laden with grain, and some 800 hackeries carrying ammunition and stores, including 8,000 rounds for the siege 18-pounders, and six lacs of rupees, escorted by H.M. 29th Light Dragoons, * Hough's "Exploits, &c., in India." Hoping to make spoil of this valuable convoy, midway between Agra and Bhurtpore, the rajah and his allies, Holkar, Ameer Khan, and Bapoojee Scindia, united all their powers in the field; but they were again baffled, and handled more severely than before, while the whole convoy came in without the slightest loss. The four confederates now began to quarrel and blame each other as being the cause of their reverses; and the rajah, in particular, came to regard his allies as expensive encumbrances, till Ameer Khan set out to other districts in search of plunder. With this view he sought Rohilcund, his native country, and was joined by a large body of the robber Pindarees, of whom we shall have much more to record at a future time. Believing that our troops were fully occupied before Bhurtpore, he crossed the Jumna on the 7th of February, 1805, in full expectation of a large booty; but in this he was disappointed, as on the following day General Smith, with the 8th Royal Irish, the 27th and 29th Light Dragoons, the Horse Artillery, and three regiments of native cavalry, was following sharply on his track. Crossing the Jumna at Muttra by a pontoon bridge, they encamped three miles beyond the river; and after much marching and countermarching, in pursuit of Ameer Khan, whose rapid and erratic movements were little known, at Allyghur they were joined on the 11th by a strong force, under Colonel Grueber, who, on hearing of Ameer's arrival in the Doab, had abandoned the siege of Comona, a fort held by some rebels. A hot pursuit was now made northward, as far as Comandanaghaut, on the Ganges, when it was learned, with certainty, that Ameer Khan had only the day before entered Rohilcund. On ascertaining that the river was only breast-high, our cavalry plunged in and swam across, at a point where it was a mile from bank to bank. † Passing Moradabad, and then Rampoor, in view of the stupendous ranges of the snow-capped Himalayas, they reached Sheerghur, only to learn that Ameer was further north among the mountains, where, for the present, he could not be easily followed. On the 1st of March, when our cavalry were near Badalle, the still smoking ruins of several villages afforded proof that Ameer was not far off. General Smith had soon distinct tidings that he was only nine miles distant; and leaving his baggage with the rear guard and 3rd Cavalry, he hastened on the spur with his remaining troops, 1,400 regulars and +"Records, 8th Hussars." Skinner's Horse. At two in the afternoon he came upon the enemy, near Afzulghur, close under the Kumaon Hills, drawn up as if in expectation of an attack. and give up the letter to him. The moment it was read, Ameer Khan took flight and decamped, leaving young Skinner and his detachment overjoyed at a deliverance, for which, till the matter was explained, they were wholly unable to account.” On the dispersion of Ameer Khan's forces, the cavalry returned to Bhurtpore, where they arrived on the 23rd of March, after having traversed 700 miles in rather more than five weeks. ‡ The 27th and 29th Dragoons formed line to the front; the Royal Irish and 6th Native Cavalry formed in support; but, as the squadrons advanced, their progress was suddenly arrested by a deep ravine, in which a body of Allygoles were concealed. These sprang up and attacked the first In the preceding month, Rampoor (or Ramline in so daring a manner, that some confusion purah), a large and populous town, the capital of followed, till the rear squadron of the 8th, led by the jaghire of the celebrated Fyzoola Khan, was Captain George Dean, on hearing the sound of captured, and thus the whole of Holkar's possessteel meeting steel behind him, gave the words, sions on the left bank of the Chumbul fell into our "Threes about-gallop!" At the head of his men, hands. Colonel Murray commanded on this ocSkinner followed his example, and the two squad-casion, with the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd and the rons rushed to the rescue, at the moment when the 86th Regiments. After firing a few shots, the garAllygoles were sabreing the Bengal Horse Artillery-rison retired to a neighbouring hill, and the place men, who had hardly time to unlimber ere the was taken without loss on our side. § This movement struck terror into Ameer Khan's cavalry, who fled in dismay; but his infantry, which consisted of newly-levied Patans and Pindarees, fought boldly, and perished to a man. We captured thirty stand of colours. Among these "were two golden standards which were carried by the Yekus, Ameer Khan's chosen body-guard.”+ When entering Moradabad on the 5th, General Smith learned that Ameer Khan, with his cavalry, by taking a circuitous route, after his defeat, had passed near that place on the preceding day. As it was supposed that his object was still to plunder in Southern Rohilcund, it was resolved to anticipate his arrival, and this movement compelled him to double westward towards Sumbhul; and now an interesting incident occurred, with reference to Captain Skinner and his younger brother, who, at the head of 500 horse, had been detached across the Ganges, and when near Sumbhul, was suddenly attacked by a greater force, led by Ameer Khan, now breathing only revenge and slaughter. Young Skinner's troops "took shelter in a caravansary, which was gallantly defended for several days, though, from the vast superiority of the enemy's numbers, and still more from a want of provisions, an early surrender seemed inevitable. Captain Skinner, made aware of his brother's position, and of the impossibility of relieving him, had recourse to the following stratagem :-Having written a letter to his brother, desiring him to hold out, as the main body of the British cavalry would be with him in a few hours, he dispatched it with a messenger, with instructions to throw himself in Ameer Khan's way, "Major Kennedy's (B. H.A.) Narrative." Finding that he was left almost single-handed to contend with Lord Lake, and seeing the vast quantities of stores arriving to continue the blockade of Bhurtpore, the rajah began to lose heart, and wrote to the general, intimating a desire for peace. The overture was favourably received; his vakeels arrived in the British camp; the negotiations began, but proceeded slowly; and meanwhile some important events occurred elsewhere. As Holkar had re-appeared with the remains of his forces, and was encamped about eight miles westward of Bhurtpore, the general resolved to attack him by surprise, as soon as the cavalry were rested and refreshed. Accordingly, at two in the morning of the 29th of March, without sound of trumpet, they moved silently out of the lines, accompanied by an infantry column, under Colonel Holkar had timely information of what was intended, and was prepared for instant retreat. He suffered some loss from the firelocks of the infantry ; 200 of his men were cut down by the cavalry in a single charge, and a great quantity of his baggage, with two elephants, 100 horses, and fifty camels, captured. || On the 1st of April, Lord Lake, learning that Holkar had again assembled the greater part of his troops in position sixteen miles from Bhurtpore, with his cavalry, the reserve and flying artillery, again moved silently off at midnight, and suddenly fell upon him, by an attack in front and on both flanks at once. Great numbers were slain on the spot, and many more in the pursuit, which was continued for eight miles. The whole of the bazaars were captured, and large bodies of troops, "Hist. Rec. 8th Hussars." Calcutta Gaz., Feb. 21st, 1805. London Gaz., Oct. 8th. 1805.] PEACE WITH BHURTPORE. considering Holkar's cause as desperate, abandoned it. In this alerte 1,000 of his men perished, while we had only two killed and a few wounded.* At the head of 8,000 cavalry and 5,000 foot, with about thirty guns, the miserable remains of his once vast army, he fled across the Chumbul River, while several of his chiefs with their followers came over to the British camp. Some who were advancing to his succour were cut to pieces by a British detachment from Agra; and then Holkar, disguised, it is said, as a fakir, fled to Scindia, who, undeterred by the rough chastisement he had received from General Wellesley, and the treaty he had concluded in 1803, was actually contemplating a renewal of the war with Britain. On the 8th of April, our army before Bhurtpore took ground more to the south-east, and this indication of active operations compelled the rajah to think honestly and seriously of peace. Thus, on the 10th, the preliminaries were signed; and on the 11th his third son came into camp, as a hostage for the due fulfilment of the actual terms, which were these: 1. The fortress of Deeg was to remain in British hands till we were assured of the rajah's fidelity, he pledging himself never to have connection more with any of our enemies, nor to employ, without the sanction of the Company, any Europeans in his service. 2. He was to pay the Company, by instalments, twenty lacs of Ferruckabad rupees, and to give up some territories which the Company had formerly annexed to his dominions. 3. He was to deliver up one of his sons as a hostage for the due execution of these terms, to reside with British officers, either at Delhi or Agra. When happier times came, Lord Lake went to visit the humbled rajah, mounted on an elephant of immense size-the same venerable animal on 401 which the Prince of Wales made his entry into Agra in 1876. On receiving the first instalment of the money and the young hostage, our troops broke up from before Bhurtpore, where they had been for three months and twenty days in open trenches. They began their march on the 21st of April for Poonah, from whence the cavalry took up their quarters for the rainy season in the tomb of the great Emperor Akbar at Secundra, seven miles from Agra. During this campaign they had traversed, independently of their long march from Cawnpore to Delhi, 500 miles in pursuit of Holkar, and 700 in pursuit of Ameer Khanthus undergoing an extent of toil and privation unknown in European warfare. † "Two regiments of British Dragoons," says a writer, "found comfortable lodgings in the immense mausoleum of Akbar, sheltering their horses in the once magnificent garden, and eating, and sleeping, and pursuing their trooper sport among the white marble tombs of the potentate and his family, and of the Mogul Omrahs. The men were rough dragoons, without any of those pretensions to taste and reverence for works of art and antiquity, which were at this time set up by, or for, the armies of Bonaparte; but they had the English feeling of respect for the dead, and they offered no violence to the sanctity of the tombs, though they were rumoured to contain gold and jewels, and they left the marble slabs and the ornamented Saracenic arches, the sculptures, the carvings, and the mosaic pavements, in as good order as they found them. To the honour of our troops, let this conduct be contrasted with that of the French in the sepulchral abbey of Batalha, in Portugal, and the numerous other edifices devoted to the ashes of the illustrious dead and to the services of the Christian religion." ‡ + CHAPTER LXXVI. CORNWALLIS AGAIN GOVERNOR-GENERAL-HIS DEATH AND TOMB. PEACE had barely been made at Bhurtpore, sympathies had ever been with Holkar, and when some disputes with Scindia led to the fear that another Mahratta war might ensue. His * London Gazette, Oct. 8th. doubt alone of the final issue made him hesitate to cast his lot with him in arms. In March he + Macfarlane. "Rec. 8th Hussars." |