Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/18

xiv CHAPTER XII.

Lord Cornwallis prepares to march on Seringapatam – Is joined by the Nizam's Contingent – Advance of the Anglo-Indian Army – Arrival at Seringapatam – Formidable Position of Tippoo – Lord Cornwallis resolves on a Night Attack – Commencement of the Battle of Seringapatam – The Carighant Hill carried by Colonel Maxwell – The Enemy's Line broken – British Troops force the Passage of the River – Establish themselves on the Island – Critical Escape of Tippoo – And of his Treasure – Admirable Defence of the Sultan's Redoubt by the English Garrison – Preparations for the Siege – Impotent Rage of Tippoo – The Anglo-Indian Army reinforced – Desperate Attempt to assassinate Lord Cornwallis – Negotiations for Peaice – British Ultimatum – Preparations for Storming – Tippoo accedes to the Terms – His two Sons, delivered as Hostages – General Interest excited in their favour – Interruption of the Treaty – Peace finally concluded 208

CHAPTER XIII.

Tippoo's Schemes of Vengeance – His Embassy to Zemaun Shah – His chimerical Religious Project – He entertains French Adventurers – Arrival of the Pirate Ripaud at Mangalore – He is joyfully received at the Court of Tippoo – Vain Boasting of Ripaud – Tippoo sends him on an Embassy to the Isle of France – Ostentatious Reception there of the Ambassadors – Sad Disappointment of Tippoo's Hopes – A jacobin Club formed at Seringapatam – The bonnet rouge conferred upon Citizen Tippoo – Lord Mornington's Opinion of these Proceedings – His Inquiry into Tippoo's Intrigues – His Conviction of their dangerous Tendency – Formidable French Corps in the Nizam's Service – Its Dispersion by the Governor-General – Lord Mornington's Remonstrance slighted by Tippoo – Declaration of War against the Sultan – Mysore invaded by the Anglo-Indian Army – General Stuart's force unexpectedly attacked by Tippoo – Gallant Defence of the Sepoys – Battle of Malavilly – The Anglo-Indian Army advance on Seringapatam – Despondency of Tippoo and his Chiefs 226

CHAPTER XIV.

Description of Seringapatam – It is invested by the Anglo Indian Army – Junction of the Bombay Force – General Harris resolves to attack the western Angle of the Fortress – The Siege is vigorously pressed – Sortie of the Garrison repulsed – Attempt at Negotiation – British Ultimatum – Distracted State of Tippoo's Mind – Formidable Batteries erected – The Guns open on the Curtain – A practicable Breach effected – Preparations for the Assault – The Storming-party take post in the Trenches – Singular Instance of retributive Justice – Superstitious Rites of the Sultan – The Hour of Attack – Advance of the Storming-party – The Forlorn Hope – Death of its Leader – Success of the right Attacking-party – More difficult Progress of the left Column – Dreadful Slaughter of the Enemy – Gallant Conduct of Tippoo during the Assault – He is twice wounded – And ultimately killed by a private Soldier – Surrender of the Palace and Family of Tippoo – Search for and Discovery of the Sultan's Body – Funeral of Tippoo – Awful Storm – Casualties of the Siege – Plunder taken at Serhigapatam – Submission of the Mysorean Troops – Removal of Tippoo's Family to Vellore – Partition of Mysore – Restoration of the Hindoo Dynasty 240

CHAPTER XV.

Origin and Rise of Dhoondia Waugh – He seizes and plunders the Province of Biddenoor – English Troops sent against him – Their successful Operations – Dhoondia takes refuge in the Mahratta Territory – Is plundered by Ghokla, and retires for a time into Obscurity – He suddenly re-appears, and threatens the Mysore Frontier – Colonel Wellesley marches against him – Successful Operations of the British Troops – Instance of determined Bravery – Defeat and Death of Dhoondia Waugh – A Division of the Anglo-Indian Army sent to Egypt under General Baird – Retrospective View of the Mahrattas – Decline of the Rajahs, and Supremacy of the Peishwa – Destruction of the Pirate Angria – British Interference in Mahratta Politics – Contradictory Views of the Presidencies – Disgraceful Military Operations – Successful Proceedings of General Goddard – Gallant Operations of Captain Popham – Storming of Gwalior – Peace with the Mahrattas – Madhajee Scindia seizes on the Mogul Empire – Mahratta Jealousy of, and Hostile Proceedings against, the English 258