The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
The year 1799 would be a significant one for Lachlan Macquarie. He took
part in the British military expedition against Tipu Sultan and his
island fortress at Seringapatam. The capture of the capital of the
Kingdom of Mysore and the death of Tipu in the fighting, signified the
end of effective opposition to British expansion in South India, and
marked the real beginning of the consolidation of the British empire in
India.
As an officer on the General Staff of General Stuart's Bombay Army
Lachlan Macquarie was in a unique position to observe the campaign and
be privy to the inner workings of the command and strategic planning for
the final assault on Seringapatam on 4 May 1799. His journal is an
important eye-witness account of the fighting in the months of
March-May.
Letter:
15 March 1799
Macquarie's unique eye-witness account of the six-hour battle at Sedaseer (near Siddapura) on 6 March 1799 between the Bombay Army advancing from Cannanore and Mysorean forces under Tipu's direct command. Heavy fighting in thick jungle terrain, with severe losses and casualties to Tipu's army.
Notes For A Journal:
14 February — 1 June 1799
Lachlan Macquarie's summary chronology - to assist him in preparing his journal of the campaign and siege of Seringapatam.
Journal:
10 April — 5 May 1799
Lachlan Macquarie's account of the campaign and siege of Seringapatam.
Additional transcripts and historical details are also available at the associated website: Seringapatam 1799
In June Macquarie accompanied General Stuart by ship to Madras; and
afterwards received permission to visit Calcutta. Here he visited
friends and acquaintances, and then travelled 400 miles up the Ganges to
Kissengunge. After returning to Calcutta he sailed back to Bombay on
board the Royal Navy Frigate La Forte in December 1799.
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