Page:The military history of the Madras engineers and pioneers, from 1743 up to the present time (IA militaryhistoryo01viba).pdf/12

vi regarding the Corps not previously generally known, which will prove of interest.

I have endeavoured to trace the services of the Madras Engineers, Pioneers, and Sappers, from their origin, and, in my accounts of the various campaigns in which they have been engaged, I have done my utmost to ascertain the manner in which those Corps have contributed to their success. I have made use, whenever practicable, of letters and reports of engineers themselves, and I have availed myself largely of various military works published by officers of the Corps.

The compilation is a record of the gradual development of the Corps, with accounts of all the campaigns in which they have been engaged, with a view to bring prominently to notice the works done by those Corps. I have largely consulted the Madras Government Records, as well as many works published many years ago, and not readily obtainable.

I have to thank the Madras Government and the Military Authorities at Fort St. George for the freest access to their records. Without this, 1 could have done nothing as regards the earlier history of the Corps. Several of my brother officers have assisted me with information regarding the later campaigns, and I am greatly indebted to them for aid so freely rendered.

I must not forget to add that owing to the kindness of Brigadier-General O'Connell, Quartermaster-General of the Madras Army, 1 was enabled to make use of any of the numerous plans in his office, careful lists of