May

May 3.
Wednesday! — This morning at Day–break, the Four Companies of the 77th. Regiment, consisting of 2 Captains, 6 Lieutenants, 13 Serjts., 7 Drumrs. & Fifers, and 200 Rank & File, under my command, marched off from Tellicherry Fort, agreeably to the General orders of yesterday, to form part of the Field Army now assembling at Cottiangurry under the orders of Colonel Alexr. Dow of the Bbay Establishment, for the purpose of prosecuting the War in the Cottiote Country, against the Rebellious Pyché Rajah, now at the head of a large Body of Insurgents. —

The Detachment, after an easy and pleasant march, and crossing one River in Jangars; arrived at Cottiangurry at 8,O'Clock in the morning, and Encamped on the Right of the Line. — This Ground is about 9 miles in a due East direction from Tellicherry. —

Having Posted the necessary Guards and dismissed the Detachment to their Tents, I waited on Colonel Dow to report to him my arrival in Camp with the 4 Companies of the 77th. Regiment, and to receive his further orders respecting them. — The Colonel was very glad to see me and expressed great satisfaction at having me thus placed under his command.

The two Brigades of Guns under Capt. Griffiths of the Bbay Artillery, and the Bbay Grenadier Battn. of Sepoys under the command of Major John Mc.Donald, arrived in Camp in a few hours after the 77th. Detachment. —

Lieut. Colonel James Dunlop of the 77th. Regt. arrived also in Camp this afternoon from Tellicherry, being appointed to serve with Colonel Dow's Field Army as second in Command. —

May 4.
Thursday — Nothing Extraordinary.

My friend Col: Dunlop and myself agree to mess together during the Campaign in the Jungle. —

May 5.
Friday! — All the Corps destined for the present service being now arrived in Camp, Colonel Dow in Line Orders of today made out a Disposition and Order of Battle of the Troops under his Command. — By this Disposition the Army is Divided into Two Wings or Columns: – the Right Commanded by Lt. Colonel Dunlop, and the Left by Lt. Colonel Wiseman; these Wings or Columns being each divided into two Divisions. — I have the honor to command the 1st. Division of the Right Wing, consisting of the 77th. Detachment, and 2d. Battn. of the 3d. Regt. of Native Infantry, in all about 700 Fighting men; and this Division is directed in the same orders to form the Advanced Guard, when the whole of the Army move together.

May 6.
Saturday — The Line changed Ground, and the several Corps took up their new Position in the order of Battle Published in yesterday's Orders. —

Colonel Dow at 2,O'Clock this afternoon held a Council of War Composed of the Field officers Commanding Wings and Divisions, for the purpose of laying before them his Instructions from the Commander in Chief, and to take their opinion on his intended Plan of Operations and movements in the Jungle. —

After the Council of War broke up, we all dined with Colonel Dow.

May 7.
Sunday! — Orders were issued this day for the Army to be ready to march early tomorrow morning. —

May 8.
Monday — The orders for the Army to march this morning are Countermanded, in consequence of our Auxiliary Troops – the friendly Corps of Nairs and Mopilas [sic] – declining to march – on account of this being an unlucky Day! – but tomorrow they promise to do whatever they are ordered. —

The Army were accordingly directed to be in readiness to march tomorrow morning in two Separate Wings or Columns by different Routes – towards Todicullum, the Capital of the Pyche Rajah, and where he is reported to be at present. —

May 9.
Tuesday! — At 8,O'Clock this morning, the Army marched – as directed in yesterday's orders – in Two separate Columns – by different Routes; The Right Column under Lt. Col: Dunlop by that of Mananderry – and the Left Column under Lt. Col: Wiseman by that of Neeloor; both Columns being directed to push on rapidly, and to form a junction at Todicullum with the least possible delay, scouring and clearing the Jungle of the Enemy as they move on to that Point. — The Route by Mananderry being reported very bad and impracticable for Guns, they were all ordered to proceed with the Left Column, the roads to Todicullum by Neeloor being tolerably good and better known by the Guides. — Colonel Dow himself also accompanied the Left Column. —

I was directed to command the Advanced Guard of the Right Column, and to march about 500 Yards in Front of the Main Body. — The number of the advanced Guard was only 350 men, on account of there being but one Column to flank on the march. — The rest of my Division remained with Colonel Dunlop. —

Captain Browne of the Bbay Establishment, who requested of Colonel Dow to permit him to serve as a Volunteer on the present Service, was appointed to act as Aide de Camp to Lieut. Colonel Dunlop during the Campaign. The two Columns being provided with the necessary Guides, moved on into the Jungle in the order already mentioned, a large Body of the Auxilliary [sic] Irregular Troops of Nairs and Mopillas marching at the Head of each Column. —

After the Right Column had marched about six miles into the Jungle, the Enemy appeared in front and made their first attack upon us about 1 P.M. at a Village called Kydree [?] belonging to a noted Rebel. — They kept up a smart scattering fire upon us for about half an hour from behind the high banks and enclosures near the Road; but small flanking Parties of the Advanced being detached for that purpose soon dislodged the Enemy from their cover and completely dispersed them, compelling them to take to their heels in different directions. —

Two men of our Irregular Mopillas were wounded in this short conflict, which was all the mischief the Enemy did us. — From Kydree we marched on for about an Hour, through very close Jungle, and occasionally through Batty Fields, without meeting with any molestation, until we entered a narrow Pass that led through remarkable thick Jungle and rough broken Ground full of Ravines, Rocks and Banks that afforded excellent cover for the Enemy. This Pass or Defile – bounded by very high Ground on both Flanks – continued for above two miles. — It was at the entrance of this Pass that Capts. Bowman and Troy and Lieut. Bond were attacked and killed on the 7th. of January last, and that our Convoys were afterwards so severely attacked and annoyed by the Enemy.

We therefore had every reason to expect to meet them again at the same Place; and accordingly every precaution was taken by Colonel Dunlop in marching his Column through this dangerous Defile to guard against a Surprise – and be prepared for the Enemy. — The Column had hardly advanced half a mile in the Defile before our Flanking Parties were fired upon by the Enemy from behind the Rocks and Banks. — The Enemy then commencing a very smart and galling fire upon our whole Line from the Front and both Flanks, the Advanced Guard, under my command were ordered to charge and drive the Enemy from their Cover – but they were no sooner Dislodged from one set of Rocks and Banks than they occupied others at a distance to annoy us from with this teasing and galling Fire. — At length, however, they were completely driven from their Cover – and forced to take to their Heels in different directions through the Jungle – our Troops pursuing them to a considerable distance. —

We had the misfortune to lose Capt. Browne Acting Aide de Camp to Colonel Dunlop on this occasion, having been killed early in the action. — He was a brave and very deserving officer, and was consequently very much regretted by us all. —

Besides Capt. Brown [sic], one Serjeant (Wilson) and Sixteen Privates were killed and wounded; the loss chiefly falling on the Advanced Guard; poor Serjt. Wilson was killed close to me, and was a fine active fellow. — The Enemy being completely dispersed, and our wounded men taken proper care of, the Column continued its march forwards until we arrived at Mananderry, a considerable Nair Village, situated in a large beautiful Valley, surrounded by pretty high Hills, on one of which, close to the Village, stood a small Square Mud Fort. — As soon as the Head of the Column had emerged out of the Jungle into the Plain of this Valley, the Enemy again made their appearance on all the surrounding Heights from whence they commenced and kept up for some time a very smart and most galling fire of Musquetry on the Column as it advanced. — Whilst the Column were deploying into Line, the Advanced Guard, with some additional Companies detached from the Main Body, charged the different Bodies of the enemy posted on the Heights and very soon put them to the Rout, excepting one Party that kept up a constant fire upon us from the Fort. — I sent an officer to Col: Dunlop to obtain his Permission to storm it; which being granted, and some scaling Ladders having been sent me at same time, I moved on rapidly with the Advanced Guard to storm this little Fort accordingly; but the Enemy posted within it perceiving our design, abandoned it in a great hurry and confusion as we were approaching towards it, and before we could possibly reach it to cut off their Retreat – which they unfortunately effected, setting fire to the few Houses in the Fort. —

We had five men killed and wounded in this attack, but luckily no officer materially. — In our advance for the purpose of storming Mananderry Fort, I received a slight contusion on the upper part of my left Foot, where I was struck with a spent Ball, and which I picked up; but which only left a blue mark on the skin, and did not even penetrate through the Leather of my Boot. —

It being almost dark before we were in Possession of Mananderry Fort and the different surrounding Heights, Colonel Dunlop determined to halt the Column here for tonight, the Troops being a good deal fatigued. — We accordingly posted the necessary Guards and Piquets; allowing one half of our Line to sleep while the other lay on their Arms. —

The Remains of Capt. Browne were buried at Mananderry with the usual Honors, and also the few men we lost in this last affair. — Some of our Public & Private Followers were killed in this last attack, and also Fifteen men of our Auxilliaries [sic] – notwithstanding they were very backward and fought very shy all day; – but being always huddled together in great confused Crowds, the Enemy's shot made the greater havock [sic] amongst them.

May 10.
Wednesday! — At 6. A.M. The Column marched from Mananderry, pursuing its route through a very thick close Jungle to Todicullum, without seeing or receiving any molestation whatever from the Enemy.

After a fatiguing march of six Hours, we arrived at the Rebellions Rajah's Capital of Todicullum, and formed a junction with the Left Column, which had arrived there only two Hours before us – but found the Place abandoned – the Rajah and his principal Adherents having fled up the Ghauts on hearing of our approach. — The Left Column met with no opposition whatever in their advance to Todicullum by the Neeloor Route, the whole of the Enemy's force having been directed against the Right Column. —

There was a considerable Body of the Enemy however stationed at Todicullum, where they remained till the Left Column made its appearance, and then fled into the Jungle with the greatest percipitation without firing a shot. —

The Town or Village of Todicullum is situated in a small and very deep Valley, surrounded every way by Heights, covered with very close and almost impenetrable Jungle from the bottom to the tops of these Hills. — The Rajah has here a very fine fortified Pagoda, and which is his favorite place. — The Pagoda and other adjoining Houses are all covered with Copper, and make a beautiful appearance at a distance. Colonel Dow having determined to remain here for a couple of days to rest the Troops – and to [to] endeavour to obtain some intelligence respecting the force of the enemy and the place of the Rebellious Rajah's Retreat, orders were given to the Line to Encamp on their present Ground. —

The men had no sooner began to Pitch the Tents than a straggling fire of Musquetry upon our Line commenced from our concealed Enemy in the Jungle, not a man of them being to be seen with the naked Eye; but on watching and looking with our Spy Glasses at the particular spots from whence the smoke of their fire issued, this dastardly Enemy were seen sitting like monkies [sic] in the Tops of the thickest and Highest Trees in the Jungle, from which they fired in perfect security to themselves – and unperceived by us. — In this way they continued to annoy our Camp the greater part of the Day, killing and wounding a few Soldiers – and several Pubic and Private Followers. — But a few rounds of Grape having been fired amongst them at random from the six Pounders, and some Flanking Parties having been sent out at the same time towards the Evening, these Intrepid Warriors fled from their lofty Nests – and we were no more annoyed by them. —

We could form no correct judgment of the force of the Enemy thus opposed to us, as we had never seen more than Forty or Fifty of them at any one time together.

May 11.
Thursday — No intelligence being yet received of the Rajah's place of Retreat, Colonel Dow called a Council of War this afternoon of all the Field officers – in which it was resolved – that the Army should march the following morning towards Canote about 2 miles in a South Easterly direction from Todicullum, and where a large Body of the Enemy was said to have lately taken Post, and with an intention to defend it – there being a large fortified Pagoda there. —

May 12.
Friday! — The Army marched this morning at 9,O'Clock from Todicullum, the Right Column leading – with the whole of my Division forming the Advanced Guard – marching about 300 Yards in front of the Main Body – and detaching numerous Flanking Parties. — When we had marched about a mile forwards into the Jungle. The Advance Guard was warmly attacked by the Enemy, who opened a very smart fire of Musquetry from the Tops of Trees on both our Flanks – and from an old House in our Front – Company of the 77th. under Lt. Lawrence was sent to dislodge them from the latter, which was immediately accomplished, and a few Platoons being fired at the Trees on our Flanks soon drove the Enemy from them, forcing them to cross the Canote river about half a mile in our front; but they no sooner crossed it than they again commenced a very galling fire from along the Banks of it from Tops of Trees on our whole Line. — The Advanced Guard, however, having moved rapidly on and forded the River, advanced to storm the fortified Pagoda of Canote, close to the Banks of the River, and from which the Enemy kept up a smart fire on our Line whilst we were fording the River; but we had no sooner crossed it than they abandoned the Pagoda and fled into the Jungle, and the Advanced Guard took Possession of it without further molestation before the Right Column had crossed the River.

In this affair Brigade Major Batchelor was killed, besides Eight Noncommissioned Officers & Soldiers killed and wounded in the Advanced Guard; there were also a few of our Followers, and some of our Auxilliary [sic] Troops killed and wounded on this occasion.

Capt. Batchelor had come up to the Head of the Advanced Guard to deliver me some orders from Colonel Dow, and whilst he was in the act of speaking to me and standing close to me, he received shot through the Head, and fell dead instantly. — He was a smart and gallant good officer, and deservedly much regretted by the Army. —

After Canote Pagoda and all the Houses in the Neighbourhood of it were destroyed (–the Nambiar of Canote being a most active noted Rebel–), the Army proceeded to Cherwancherry, a large and Populous well cultivated District, lying about 5 miles in a Southwest Direction from Canote. — Here we halted during the Night of the 12th., having burnt and destroyed all the Houses in this and the Neighbouring Villages. — Our Auxilliary [sic] Troops (–the irregular Corps of friendly Nairs and Mopillas–) are famous for this cruel work of Destruction and devastation, and were accordingly employed on it to great good purpose. — But in the fighting way they were of no use to us at all, as we never could prevail on them to go on in front on any account after the first day. —

May 13.
Friday [sic] — There being no certain accounts of the lurking Place of the Pyche Rajah, the Rains being now set in, and some of the principal objects of the Expedition having been already accomplished as far as the present advanced stage of the Season would admit, Colonel Dow determined to return to our former Camp, in order to get the Troops Cantoned before the Rains set in more seriously, — The Army marched accordingly early this morning from Cherwancherry, and at Two O'Clock arrived at Cottiangurry, where we Encamped on our old Ground, to wait the further orders of the commander in Chief at Tellicherry. —

May 14.
Saturday! [sic] — Colonel Dow this day received orders to remain here with the Troops until all our Out–Posts in the Cotiote District are reinforced and supplied with 4 months Provisions for the Rains; after which the different Corps and Detachments are to be marched into their respective Garrisons and Cantonments during the Monsoon; but to be told that they are to be ready to take the Field again as soon as the Season will admit of carrying on active operations against the Rebellious Rajah and his Adherents, should they not surrender before the Rains are over – and which it is generally supposed they will do, in consequence of what they have seen and experienced in the course of this short but successful little Campaign in the Jungle – which must have proved to them that our Troops can penetrate through every part of their Country – however difficult of access – and their Troops must now be fully sensible that they never can stand us in the Field, even in their own extraordinary mode of warfare and Monkey–like–way of Fighting from the Tops of Trees! — It is true we cannot say to a certainty that we have killed many of them on this last Service – nor could we possibly ascertain what number of them have been killed or wounded, which are never seen, as they are instantly carried off the moment they fall. — But if we may judge from the dreadful Yells and Screams of the Enemy every time our Troops fired at them into the Jungle, tho' generally at random, there must have been a considerable number of them killed and wounded on this last Service. —

May 18.
Thursday! — In consequence of orders received from Genl. Stuart, the Commander in Chief, the Camp at Cottiangurry broke up this morning, and the several Corps marched off for their respective Quarters and Cantonments. The 77th. Detachment, under my Command, marched from Cottiangurry at 10,O'Clock a.m. – and arrived at their Monsoon Quarters in Tellicherry Fort at 2,O'Clock in the afternoon, where I dismissed them, after thanking the Officers and Soldiers for their gallant and very regular exemplary good conduct in the field. — I then waited on General Stuart to make my report, and afterwards went to pay my respects to Governor Duncan in company with my friend Colonel Dunlop. — The Governor asked us to dine with him, which we did accordingly, and there met with Genl. Stuart and his Suite. — Both the Governor and General received Colonel Dunlop and myself in the kindest manner, and thanked us for our exertions in the Field. —

My worthy good friend General Stuart reminded me the moment he saw me of my Engagement to live with him and make one of his Family as long as he remained on the Coast, and which Invitation I very readily accepted. — He apologized for not being able to give me a Room in his own House, there being none to spare; but this was no inconveniency as I had the offer of a Room in a House close in the Neighbourhood of the General from my friend Mr. Forbes Mitchell which I accepted accordingly. —

Genl. Stuart's Family consists at present of the following Gentlemen besides himself: – Vizt. —
Capt. Robt. Gordon Dy. Adjt. Genl.
Capt. Walker – Military Secry.
Capt. Morley – Aide de Camp
Lieut. Campbell – Aide de Camp
In all six, including the General and myself. —

May 19.
Friday! — I resigned this day the command of the 77th. Detachment to Capt. Mc.Pherson the next Senior Officer, and resumed my own Situation on the General Staff as Major of Brigade to the King's Troops. —

May 21.
Sunday — Colonel Dunlop having resigned his Situation as Military Secretary to Governor Duncan, and Lt. Colonel Whitelocke being about to return to Europe and now at Bombay for that purpose; has resolved on joining the 77th. Regt. at Cochin, and Commanding it there, set out this morning for that place accordingly – being in yesterday's General Orders appointed to the Command of that Garrison. —

I took a ride along with my friend Colonel Dunlop as far as Mahe. — He has very kindly promised me to recommend my Nephew–in–law Mr. Thomas Scott, for an Ensigncy in one of the King's Regiments in India, as soon as he assumes the Command of the 77th. Regiment, when he can with more propriety write to the Commander in Chief on the Subject. —

I have asked Colonel Dunlop to do me this favor in consequence of a Letter from my Sister in law Mrs. Scott to my Angelic Jane, which came to hand after her demise, and in which she tells her beloved Sister that she wishes to get a Commission in the Army in India for her eldest son Thomas in case I can obtain it for him. — I therefore feel it a duty incumbent upon me to do all I can to procure one for him accordingly –; as, I know it would be the wish of my Angelic Jane that I should do so if she were now in being – for she had always the greatest affection for her Sister Mrs. Scott.

May 22.
Monday! — I was obliged to lay myself up today to take medicine in consequence of a most severe Bowel Complaint and Fever. — I have been unwell ever since my return from the Jungle; the great fatigue I was obliged to undergo there, and being so much exposed to the Sun, having brought on this Complaint. — But I was in hopes I should be able to get over it, without confining myself to the House, until this morning when I found myself very unwell indeed. —

[End of entries for 1797]

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 3: 29 December 1794 – 27 September 1799.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A769 pp.225 – 260 [mis–numbered 361] [Microfilm Reel CY Reel 299 Frames #500 – 519].