February

Feby. 3.
I waited this day on Major General Abercromby, and after delivering Compliments of Congratulation &c. from General Maclean, I took the liberty to solicit his Patronage and interest in favor of my Brother Charles; and entreated that he would have the goodness to recommend him for a vacant Ensigncy in any of the King's Regiments in India. — He was pleased to receive me in a very friendly polite manner, and gave a very favourable kind answer to my request; – vizt. 'that he should be very happy to oblige and serve me; that he had already a good number of names of young Men on his List to be served, but that my Brother's name should immediately be added to that List, and recommended for an Ensigncy as soon, as those he was already engaged to, should be provided for; adding that my Brother must come out, with the consent of the Court of Directors, to India to remain in it, otherwise that he could not serve him.' —

I wrote of this date, after waiting on the General, to my Good Friend Genl. Maclean, requesting he would use his interest to procure my Brother, 'Free Merchant or Free Mariners Indenture', from the Court of Directors to entitle him to come out to, and remain in India. — I sent the foregoing letter wh. two others dated the 1st. Inst. for Lieuts. Archd. Maclean & Murdh. Maclean, wh. letters for Bombay, under Cover to Robt. Taylor Esqr. Chief at Tellicherry – the Europe letters to go by the Raymond Indiaman, to sail in a few days. —

Feby. 4.
I wrote to Genl. Abercromby agreeable to his own desire, and sent him my Brother's name; I took this opportunity of again soliciting his interest and Patronage in recommending my Brother for an Ensigncy; I have kept by me a Copy of my letter to the General. —

Feby. 8.
Wednesday. Early this morning, in consequence of orders received from Lieut. Genl. Earl Cornwallis, General Abercromby with the Bombay Army, marched from their respective Encampments at Anhmutna [?] and Sidapore, to form the much wished for junction with the Grand Army and our allies before Seringapatam. — Arrived at our Ground, at Siddacully at the foot of Seedasir Hill in the Mysore Country about 4'OClock; Distance 16 Miles. — Changed Ground next morning a little in front, and Halted. —

Feby. 10.
The army marched to Raundrowe; Distance 17. Miles. —

Feby. 11.
The Army marched from Raundrowe to Kimbaporah, [?] near Airtorah on the North Bank of the Cavery [sic] – Distance 17 ½ Miles. Passed thro' the Town of Airtorah before we crossed the Cavery; — in this place, there is a very large elegant Pagoda; – the Ford was about mid-thigh deep, where we crossed the Cavery – Encamped on strong Grounds near an old Fort. — Changed Ground next morning a little to the front and right and Halted. —

Feby. 13.
Marched and Encamped in the Evening at Billapully, on the east Bank of the Heira Heira [?] River – Distce. 8 Miles. The 77th. Regt. formed the Rear Guard during this day march. — a Body of Looties broke in on the Baggage of the Army and made terrible havock [sic] amongst it; – they killed a few Soldiers who were leading Bullocks and cut down several Followers, until [sic] Flanking Parties were sent out to disperse them.

Feby. 14.
The Army marched from Billapully to Bankenkera [?] – Distance 12 Miles.

About two miles short of the Ground of Encampment, we were met and joined by Colonel Floyd with H.M. 19th. Regt. of Light Dragoons and a Coast Regt. of Native Cavalry and another of Infantry; and also Four Thousand of the Nizams Horse. — This Detachment was sent from the Grand Army to favor our junction; and they very fortunately met us at a critical moment, as Four Thousand of Tippoos best Horse made their appearance at the same instant of time on our Right Flank, which wou'd have annoyed us very much, had it not been for this very seasonable relief. —

Feby. 15.
The Army marched early in the morning; Col: Floyd and the Nizams Horse formed the Rear Guard, and Protected the Provisions and Baggage during this day's march; which, was a very smart one, having marched near Fifteen Miles before Twelve OClock; at which hour, we arrived on our Ground within sight of the Camp of the Grand Army, which made us exceedingly happy indeed: – here we were informed, by Officers from the Grand Camp, of the particulars of Lord Cornwallis's action with the Enemy on the Night of the 6th. Inst., in his attack on their Out works and the Pettah of Seringapatam; all which he carried and got possession of after a very brilliant and successful action; in which he had Elven [sic] Officers killed and twenty one wounded, during the different attacks; but a great and dreadful slaughter was made of the Enemy, who fought bold and desperately for a long time, but were at last obliged to quit all their Out works, and their Town or Pettah, and retreat into the Fort of Seringapatam with the Remains of their Army. — Earl Cornwallis kept possession of the Pettah, which is on the Island of Seringapatam, where he now keeps a strong Guard, but the Army is encamped on this side of the Cavery, [sic] close to the Banks of the River, and within Gun-shot of the Tyrant's Capital: — The River, betwixt our Grand Camp, and the Town of Seringapatam, runs nearly East and West. — Earl Cornwallis's Army, in the different attacks on the Night of the 6th. Inst. lost eleven Officers killed and Twenty two wounded, and between Five and Six Hundred Rank & File kill'd and wounded. — since the 6th Inst. the Grand Army have only been busily employed preparing Materials for the Siege of Seringapatam, which is not yet commenc'd, the Army not having even broke Ground; so that the Bombay Army, have made the much wished for junction at the most critical and most interesting period of the whole War. —

Feby. 16.
The Army marched forwards early this morning to join the Grand Army; about One Mile from our Ground, we were halted in open Column of Half Companies with Carried Arms, while Earl Cornwallis and his Suite passed along from the Front to the Rear of our Line, to look at the different Corps; and as soon as he had seen the whole we moved on, and encamped on the right of the Line of the Grand Army within half a mile of their right, and about two Miles from the River Cavery on the North side, opposite immediately to the Town and Fort of Seringapatam. — I had this day the pleasure of seeing some of my old American Friends: – amongst the rest, Major Skelly and Captain Madan, Aids-de-Camp to Lt. Genl. Earl Cornwallis; – both of whom, called upon me, as they passed the Line, to enquire how I did. — I cannot help[ observing here, that this is one of the happiest days I ever experienced in all my life, as there is nothing I ever so much wished for, as being present at the Siege of Seringapatam and joining the Grand Army.

Feby. 17.
My Friend Capt. Dugald Campbell Commanding the 74th. Regt. came early this morning to visit me in a very friendly manner, and carried me with him to the 74th. Lines to Spend the Day, where I had the pleasure of meeting and seeing a number of Countrymen and acquaintances. — I rode to see the Pettah, the Palace, Hyder's Tomb and the Garden (called 'the Loll-Baug') on the Island of Seringapatam, all which places are now in our possession, and I was very highly gratified with the superb magnificence and grandeur of these Places; particularly so indeed, with the elegance of Tippoo's New Palace in the Loll-Baug which is only yet about half finished. In [the] this Palace all the late wounded Officers and Soldiers are kept at present as being airy and healthy, and amongst them I found my very worthy Friend and old 84th. Acquaintance, Lieut. James Robertson now of the 76th. Regt., who was wounded in the head on the night of 6th. Inst., but is now recovering very fast.

Feby. 18.
Saturday. The Army broke Ground first, on this night, within Six or Seven Hundred Yards of the walls of Seringapatam; there were very strong Parties set to work from the Line: – upwards of 500 Men were sent from our Brigade (the 1st.).

Feby. 19.
Genl. Abercromby with the Reserve and 3d. Brigade crossed the River early this morning, and took a strong Position on the South side of the River. — The First Brigade marched at the same time to the Banks of the River to cover the Reserve & 3d. Brigade, whilst crossing the Ford; but in the Evening we returned and encamped within two miles of the Ford on the North side.

Feby. 20.
I went and waited on my Friends Major Skelly and Capt. Madan at the Grand Head Quarters. — I also waited on Colonel Harris and Major Hart Aids de Camp to Genl. Medows; all of whom received me in a most friendly polite manner. — I was invited in the morning by Col. Harris to dine with Genl. Medows, which I accordingly did, and was very politely received by the General at Dinner. —

Feby. 22.
The Enemy attacked the Picquets of Genl. Abercromby's Corps, which were Posted in a Tope on the west side of Seringapatam Fort, but were repulsed and driven back on a Part of the Line being sent to support the Picquets. —

Feby. 23.
The 77th. Regiment went into the Trenches this Evening, to Guard them for the ensuing twenty four Hours; I was sent with my Company to a detached Post; the Enemy did not keep a heavy fire during the Night, at day break, they commenced a pretty smart Fire of long shots on the Trenches and Working Parties, however, excepting a few of the Working Parties who were killed and wounded; no others suffered, tho' many of their shot struck very close to where our men were stationed. —

Feby. 24.
At Twelve OClock today, we were not a little surprised, to be informed, that a Cessation of Hostilities was to take place immediately, and that Preliminaries of Peace were signed, by the Confederate Powers and Tippoo Sultan. — This news damped the Spirits of every one who wished the downfall of the Tyrant, and who hoped to have the satisfaction, in a few days more, of storming his Capital: – however, to make amends for these disappointments, the Peace it seems is to be an honorable as well as an advantageous one for the British Nation. — Tippoo being obliged to give up and relinquish forever half of his present Dominions, and to pay in ready money, Three Crores and Thirty Lacks of Rupees, towards defraying the Expences of the War. — Earl Cornwallis has been pleased to announce in General Orders, that he would pay the Army, out of the first Part of this money, a handsome Gratuity in lieu of Prize Money. —

Feby. 26.
Two Sons of Tippoo Sultan were sent into the British Camp this day in great state and splendour, as Hostages to remain with us till every Article of the Treaty is fulfilled. — Genl. Medows made an attempt on his life with a Pistol – he was severely wounded, but the Balls were immediately extracted, and he is again in a fair way of recovering: – this extraordinary attempt made a great noise and astonished everyone.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 1: 15 December 1787 - 24 March 1792.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.355-367. [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #183-189].