April

Journal of the Operation of the Bombay Army under
the immediate command of Lieut. General Stuart from the time
of it's [sic] forming the junction with Genl. Floyd's Detachment at
Periapatam on the 10th. of April -- and afterwards with the
Grand Army at Seringapatam on the 14th. of April; including
the subsequent Operations of both Armies during the
Siege of that Fortress until it was taken by assault on
the 4th. of May 1799. ---

Wednesday 10th. April 1799.
The Bombay Army consisting of nearly 5000 Fighting men formed a junction at Periapatam in the Mysore Country with General Floyd's Detachment from the Grand Army consisting of H.M. 19th. Dragoons, 3 Regiments of Native Cavalry – H.M. 73d. Regiment – 2 Battalions of Madras – and 3 Battalions of Bengal Sepoys; – together with 1200 of the Nizam's Horse. —

Thursday 11th. April —
General Floyd's Detachment – and the Bombay Army marched this morning from Periapatam: – Genl. Floyd – as senior officer – commanding the whole. —The Cavalry was divided into three Divisions in Front – on the Right and in the Rear – Covering and flanking the Baggage of the Line. —About 5000 of the Enemy's Horse made their appearance soon after we marched, within about half a mile of our Line – on our Right Flank. – They threw some Rockets at the Nizam's Horse – but did not attempt to attack them; they however hung the whole of our march on our Flanks and Rear. —

Having frequent Halts, owing to some deep Nullahs we had to cross the Guns and Wheel Carriages over – We made this our first day's march a very short one – having halted and taken up our Ground at a place called Kampallaporam [?] – distant only five miles from Periapatam.

Friday 12th. April —
Marched to Cuttumalwarry – distant from our last Ground Ten Miles. – The Enemy's Horse hung on our Flanks and Rear as yesterday – but made no attack. —

Saturday 13th. April —
Marched to Sugnapore – distant from our last Ground about 11 miles. —The Enemy's Horse harrassed our Line a good deal today – particularly when getting our Baggage through a narrow Pass that could not be avoided – at which time they pressed pretty hard upon our Rear Guard – frequently riding up to it within Musquet shot – by which a few of the Enemy were killed; and we had also one Sepoy killed and two wounded by the enemy's Rockets at this Pass, which was within about a mile of our Ground. —

Sunday 14th. April —
Marched from Sugnapore at Day-break; and after a long fatigueing [sic] march of 14 miles; we had at length the pleasure of forming the long wished for junction with the Grand Army; commanded by Lieut. Genl. Harris, before Seringapatam, at 7 oclock in the Evening.

We found the Grand Army – consisting of about Twenty four Thousand Fighting men – including the Cavalry encamped about 2000 yards from the West Face of the Fort of Seringapatam, on the South side of the River, their Left touching the South Bank of the Cauvery near the great Ford – and fronting Easterly towards the Fort. —We encamped immediately in the Rear of the Grand Army. —We were harrassed during the whole of this Day's march as usual by the enemy's Horse; But our Line and Baggage were so judiciously Flanked by the Cavalry – and the Line itself kept so very well closed up that the Enemy could make no impression upon it even if they had made a serious attack upon it – which they several times shewed an inclination to do – and which we suppose they were only deterred from doing by the strong and very regular appearance of our Line of March: – consequently, we have now reached our Journey's end with neither loss of men or Baggage. —

Monday 15th. April —
The Bombay Army remained on the same Ground it took up last Night, whilst Generals Harris and Stuart made the necessary arrangements for our crossing to the North side of the River; it being intended that the Bombay Army should act as a separate one on that side of the River during the Siege of Seringapatam. —

Tuesday 16th. April —
The Bombay Army marched this morning – and crossed the Cauvery at the Great Ford – taking up a very strong Position on the North side of it within 1800 yards of the Fort of Seringapatam: – Our Right to the River – our Left extending to [to] a high commanding Ground near the site of the old Pedghah Redoubt – and fronting Easterly towards the Fort. —

We had to cross our Guns – Stores – Provisions &c. &c. over a very bad Ford – very rough and stoney – and about 700 yards broad. —The Enemy, however, tho' they saw us pass this Ford in open day and knew the obstacles we had to overcome, never came near us, and allowed to take up our Position on the North side of the River without giving us the least molestation – at least none that did us any injury. —As soon as they saw the Head of our Column enter the River, they kept up a slight cannonade upon us from the Fort whilst we were crossing the Ford – which however did no execution. —

General Floyd's Corps was detached this day – and marched at the same time we did – towards the New Fort of Mysore – to cover the Banjarries – and to enable them to collect Grain and Cattle in the adjacent Country for the use of the Grand Army. —

Wednesday 17th. April —
This Evening at six oclock a Detachment of the Bombay Army consisting of the 75th. Regiment – and two Battalion of Sepoys – under the command of colonel Hart and Lt. Colonel Montresor – supported by the 74th. Regiment and a Battn. of Madras Sepoys – sent over from the Grand Army – under the command of Lt. Coll. Campbell; Seized and took Possession of the high Bank or Mound of Earth within 800 yards of the North face of the Fort, close to the River, and which the Enemy were very busy levelling when we seized it, but which they abandoned immediately on our approach without firing a shot – or making the least opposition. —As soon, however, as they saw in the Fort that we were in complete Possession of this Post, they opened a pretty smart Cannonade upon it; – and at same time sent out great numbers of them from the Fort into the Bed of the River, from which they kept up a very heavy fire of Musquetry upon us, which did considerable execution notwithstanding our Troops were under pretty good cover. —But the fire of grape from two of our six Pounders having done great execution amongst the Enemy in the Bed of the River, they were compelled to retire from it into the Fort again in about an hour. —They however kept a slight Cannonade from the Fort – and some Sniping of Musquetry from the more distant parts of the Bed of the River on our Post during the whole of this Night. —A Battery for six 18 Pounders was begun this Night to be erected close to the Right of the Bank we took possession of this Evening, within 800 Yards of the South West Angle of the Fort – which it is intended to Enfilade; – but for want of a sufficient quantity of materials the Battery cannot be finished this Night.

Casualties of this Evening – as Pr. Return of Do.

Thursday 18th. April —
Our Enfilading Battery at the Advanced Post begun last Night was completely finished in the course of this Day, and Platforms laid for receiving the six 18 Pounders; but, from some unexpected improvements, the Guns cannot be got in and mounted until Night.

The Enemy still keep up a constant fire of both Cannon and Musquetry on our Advanced Post, which we can only yet return from our Six Pounders. — We lost two very valuable artillery officers this forenoon at our Battery at the Advanced Post, within half an hour of one another, namely Capt. Torriano and Lieut. Mc.Reddie – both being killed by Cannon shots when pointing their own Six Pounders at the Enemy in the Bed of the River that annoyed our Troops at the Post so much by their Sniping; we had also three other officers wounded – and several men killed and wounded in the course of last Night and this day at the Advanced Post, as Pr. Return of Casualties. —

General Floyd's Corps returned this Day to the Grand Camp after having swept the Country about Mysore-Fort – where they collected some Grain – and a great number of Cattle for the use of the Army – and which was brought in by the Banjarries. —

Friday 19th. April —
The Six 18 Pounders having been got into the New Battery at the Advanced Post in the course of last Night, opened at Day-break this morning with good effect upon the Defences of the S.W. Bastion of the Fort – and from which the fire is returned pretty smartly by the Sultaun upon our advanced Post and Battery. —

The Enemy between 3 and 4 oclock this morning gave us an alert – by attacking our Picquets in the Rear of our Camp (the Bbay Army's) with both Rockets and Musquetry. —The Line got immediately under arms – and on the Picquets being reinforced the Enemy retired without doing us any injury. —They had about 1000 Horse and 5 or 600 Infantry and Rocket Boys – all of whom dispersed immediately on our firing a few rounds of Grape at them from the Six Pounders attached to our Center Rear - Picquet. —Our Line continued under arms till Day-Light and then went to their Tents. —

General Floyd's Corps was detached again this morning from the Grand Army towards Coveraporam – or Head of the Ghauts leading to the Carnatic, to favor the junction of Colonels Browne's and Reid's Detachments, which are now supposed to be on their way thither with Supplies for the Grand Army. —Casualties of this Day – as Pr. Return of Do.

Saturday 20th. April —
Our Battery at the Advanced Post directed its fire principally all this day at the Enemy's Intrenchments [sic] on the South side of the River, at the Powder Mills, where it is intended by the Grand Army to break Ground this Evening – and form our first Parallel. —

At 6 o'clock this Evening a Detachment of the Grand Army seized and took Possession of the Enemy's Works at the Powder Mills, driving the Enemy from thence with little or no opposition. —The Grand Army were consequently enabled to break Ground close to the Powder Mills this Evening – forming there their first Parallel – and from which they continued making their approaches all Night. —

Sunday 21st. April —
The Grand Army are hard at work carrying on their approaches on the South side of the River, and constructing an Enfilading Battery of Six 18 Pounders within 900 Yards of the S.W. Face of the Fort, which is expected to be ready to open tomorrow morning at Day-break. —

Another Enfilading Battery was begun this Evening on our side of the River in front of our Advanced Post, and about Sixty Yards nearer the Fort than the first one that was constructed. —This Battery is only to consist of Four 18 Pounders. —The Enemy occupying a Village closer to the spot where this new 4 Gun Battery was to be erected, the 74th. Regiment, then on Duty at the Advanced Post, were ordered to dislodge them this Evening at Sunset – which duty they performed in a very proper and gallant manner notwithstanding a pretty obstinate resistance was made by the Enemy; but they were finally driven from the Village and forced by our Troops to take shelter in the Bed of the River, which they had no sooner done than the Fort opened a severe fire of Grape on the Village that rendered it impossible for our Troops to remain there longer than was necessary for the Engineers to reconnoitre the Ground near where our Battery was intended to be erected. —In executing this Duty the 14th. Regiment had one officer wounded and 18 men killed and wounded. —

Whilst our Working Parties were busily employed in constructing the above mentioned 4 Gun Battery, the Enemy in great numbers came out of the Fort across the River about 12 o'clock at Night, and made a bold and spirited attack on our Covering Party and Advanced Post, Possessing themselves again of the Village they had been driven from in the Evening, and from thence keeping up so hot and close a fire as to oblige our Pioneers and Working Parties to leave off work and retire under cover of our advanced Post. —Our Troops, however, having once more attacked the Village – soon cleared it of the Enemy, and maintained Possession of it during the remainder of the Night against the repeated attacks of the Enemy – but who were at length finally repulsed a little before Day-break with considerable loss, leaving a great number of their killed and wounded laying on the Ground within a very few Yards of our Trenches – and amongst their killed were no less than Eight French Men – who were supposed to have led on the different attacks. —This was the boldest and most spirited attack the Enemy have yet made upon us since the commencement of the Siege. —In the different attacks they made in the course of last Night and this morning we lost one very valuable good officer (Captain Mears) killed, three other officers wounded, and several men killed and wounded. —Lieut. Colonel Montresor commanded the Troops on Duty in the Trenches and Advanced Post on this occasion, and his cool and steady conduct during the different attacks does him infinite honor and credit. —

The 74th. Regiment after being relieved off Duty in our Trenches this Evening returned again to the Grand Army, which they joined on the South side of the River at a late hour of the Night; – Europeans being now much wanted to carry on the works on that side of the River as rapidly as possible. —

Casualties of this Day – as Pr. Return of Do.

Monday 22d. April —
At 3 o'clock this morning the Enemy gave our Camp another alert, by attacking our Picquets in the Rear, as before, with Rockets and Musquetry, supposed to be & with a view to divert our attention from their more formidable attack made at the same time on our advanced Post. —They were very soon, however, repulsed in the Rear as well as in the Front, and driven off by our Picquets to a great distance on their being reinforced from our Line. —These alarms – trifling as they really are, harrass [sic] our men exceedingly – as their Duties now are become very severe – and these alerts prevent their getting rest. —

At half past 6 o'clock this morning the Enfilading Battery of Six 18 Pounders, erected by the Grand Army near the Powder Mills on the South side of the River, opened with great and good effect on the Defences of the S.W. face of the Fort. —Our Six Gun Battery, on the North side of the River, keeps up also a warm and constant fire on the Fort; – and from which, however, the Sultaun keeps up an equal heavy fire on our Batteries on both sides of the River. —

Another Battn. of Madras Sepoys joined us this Day from the Grand Army, our Duties on the North side of the River being now very extensive and consequently severe on our small number of Troops. —Casualties of this Day – as Pr. Return of Ditto. —

Tuesday 23d. April —
The Bombay Army lay accoutred all last Night in consequence of a report that prevailed that the Sultaun had moved out of the Fort in the Evening at the head of a very large body of Infantry with the intention of attacking our (The Bombay) Camp. —He did not, however, think proper to disturb us; nor did he even send his Rocket Boys to give us the usual alert. —The firing from the Fort was much less last Night than it has hitherto been. —At 7 o'clock this morning our new Enfilading 4 Gun Battery – in front of the Advance Post – and which was completely finished in the course of last Night – Opened with excellent good effect on the S.W. Bastion of the Fort. —Two additional 18 Pounders were added in the course of last Night in the Enfilading Battery on the South sides of the River – which opened at Day-break this morning along with the other Six Guns. —

We have now two 8 Inch Howitzers in our New Battery at the Advanced Post, which occasionally throw shells into the Fort. —A Small Redoubt about 900 Yards to the Left of our advanced Post – and immediately in Rear of our Covering Party – was constructed in the course of last Night, with two Six Pounders in it; which effectually secured the Left Flank of our Advanced Post on our (the North) side of the River from being turned by the Enemy. —

At 4 o'clock this afternoon a very heavy shower of Rain fell, which lasted for half an hour, accompanied by a smart Gale of Wind; —And during this storm a lucky shot from the Enfilading Battery, on the South side of the River, struck and knocked down the Sultaun's Flagg-Staff in the Lower Cavalier- Tower-Bastion; –on which Bastion, our Batteries, on both sides, have principally directed their fire since they first opened, and have now almost totally demolished the Defences of it. —

Casualties of this Day – as Pr. Return of Ditto. —

Wednesday 24th. April —
There was very little firing this Day either from our Batteries or the Fort. —Our Howitzers threw several shells into the Fort – which did not appear to do much execution. —

We had a storm of Thunder, Lightning, and Rain this Night at 8 o'clock, with heavy showers at first of Hail Stones of a very large size; the storm however did no injury. —

Casualties of this Day – as Pr. Return of Ditto.

Thursday 25th. April. —
The fire from the Fort has slackened very considerably within these last Twenty four Hours, owing to most of the Defences of the S. West Bastion being demolished, and many of the next much defaced and damaged. —

The Grand Army commenced making approaches last Night towards the Spot where our Grand Breaching Battery is to be erected – and worked forward about 200 Yards directly in front of the 8 Gun Enfilading Battery before Day-break this morning. —

No Casualties this Day in the Bombay Army.

Friday 26th. April —
The Enemy gave us another alert this morning at Four o'clock – by attacking our Picquets in the usual manner with both Rockets and Musquetry – their attack on this occasion being principally directed at our Park and Mooda-Khauna. –They were however immediately driven off on our Picquets being reinforced from the Line; which had got under Arms immediately on the alarm and remained so until it was clear Day-light.

Our Batteries on both sides of the River kept up a very close and constant Cannonade all this Day upon the Fort, which appeared to do great execution. —

At half past Six o'clock this Evening a Detachment of the Grand Army stormed and Possessed themselves of the Enemy's Entrenchments and Out Works to the Right of our Post at Powder Mills – on the South side of the River. —The Enemy were very soon driven from these Works, abandoning them immediately on the near approach of our Troops after a very Slight Resistance. —The only loss our Troops sustained was in advancing to seize the Intrenchments – but this was comparatively very trifling. —As soon however as the enemy's Troops had been driven from the Intrenchments – and had retired to some Works still further to the right, the Fort opened a heavy fire of Cannon – Rockets – and Musquetry on our Troops in the Posts they had seized and just driven the Enemy from. —This firing was continued without any interruption until Nine o'clock at Night – when it entirely ceased. —The Sultaun must have been dreadfully alarmed on this occasion – as he had the whole Fort frequently completely illuminated during the Night with Blue Lights. —

No Casualties this Day in the Bombay Army: – those in the Grand Army being as Pr. Return of Ditto —

Saturday 27th. April —
We were teased and harrassed again this morning at 3 o'clock by an attack from the Enemy on our Rear Picquets, which obliged us all to turn out and the Line to remain under Arms until Day-light, when we returned again to our Tents. —The Enemy threw a great number of Rockets this morning into our Camp - Park and Mooda Khauna, and fired a few Vollies of Musquetry at our Picquets; but which fortunately, did no injury or execution either amongst our men or Cattle. —

At 5 o'clock this morning, the Enemy in very great force came out of the Fort and attacked our Troops occupying the Intrenchments they seized last Night on the South side of the River, and from which the Enemy made repeated attempts to force them this morning; but all their efforts proved fruitless – our Troops gallantly repulsing all their attacks, and maintaining their respective Posts with great steadiness under a most galling heavy fire – which continued from Five until Nine o'clock in the morning – when the Enemy drew off – after sustaining a very great loss; Ours also was considerable in both officers and men. —

A New Enfilading Battery of Four 18 Pounders, constructed in the course of last Night – on the south side of the River – a little in front and to the right of the former one – Opened this morning at Day-break with very good effect on the Defence of the S.W. face of the Fort. —

Casualties of this Day – in both the Grand and Bombay Armies – as Pr. Returns of Ditto —

Sunday 28th. April —
There was a great deal of firing from both the Fort and Our Batteries from Day-break this morning until Noon – when it ceased on both sides, as if by mutual consent – until 4 o'clock in the afternoon; – it was then renewed again and continued on both sides until 8 o'clock at Night.

Our Troops occupying the Advanced Posts and Intrenchments on the South side of the River were put under complete cover in the course of last Night from the Enemy's fire from the Fort, to which they have hitherto been very much exposed. —

A Six Gun Breaching Battery was begun on the South side of the River last Night within 450 Yards of the foot of the Wall of the Fort – opposite to the S.W. Angle of it; and which is expected to be completed in time to open tomorrow morning. —

We had another very severe Storm of Thunder, Lightning, and very heavy Rain at 5 o'clock this Evening – which lasted for about an hour – a great number of uncommonly large Hail Stones fell at the commencement of the Storm. —

Casualties of this Day – in both armies – as Pr. Returns of Ditto. —

Monday 29th. April —
We have had no Alert on our side of the River from the Enemy either this morning or yesterday —Our Breaching Battery on the south side not being ready to open this morning as was expected, our Enfilading ones on both sides of the River kept up a constant and very heavy fire upon the Fort all this Day, and which did great execution in demolishing the enemy's Defences. —The Sultaun still continues to return our fire pretty warmly and closely all Day from as many Guns as he can bring to bear upon our Batteries; frequently firing Random Cannon Shot into our (Bombay) Camp, which, however, has hitherto done no injury. —

During the Night there is little firing from either the Fort or our Batteries – only a Gun or two, perhaps, in an hour being fired from either side throughout the Night. —

We had a quiet Night in Camp – but our Troops at the Batteries and Advanced Post were very much annoyed again this Night by the Enemy's Snipers – who keep up a constant teasing fire on them from behind the Banks of the River – by which we have lost many men killed and wounded. —

Casualties of this Day – in both armies – as Pr. Returns of Ditto. —

Tuesday 30th. April —
Our Breaching Battery of Six 18 Pounders having been completely finished in the course of last Night, opened this morning at Day break with very considerable effect on the Defences of the South West Bastion nearest to the Curtain to be Breached. —Our Enfilading Batteries on both sides of the River opened a very warm fire on the Fort at the same time, which was continued with very little intermission during the whole of the Day. — The Sultaun returns our fire pretty smartly from a great number of Guns from the Fort. —

Casualties of this Day – in both armies – as Pr. Returns of Do. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal 14 February 1799 - 5 May 1799.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A769-A pp.5–27. [Microfilm Reel CY Reel 299 Frames #8–#30].