Part 34

The advancing columns having approached within a few yards of the summit of the eminence, halted, and deployed into line, and thus marched on, when having reached the apex of the ascent, the formidable army of the redoubtable Tippoo Saib appeared drawn up on the plain below in battle array, with woods on both flanks, covered with tens of thousands of horsemen: the first indication of a serious attack proceeded from a body of cavalry, who charging the light infantry skirmishing front, soon drove them with headlong speed into the British line, where they rejoined their battalions; this body of horse, of about 1500, was formed in a compact wedge-like shape, with the front angle headed by two enormous elephants (saddled with howdahs, filled with distinguished officers), having each a huge iron chain dangling from the proboscis, which they whirled about with great rapidity, a blow from which would have destroyed half a company of infantry; at the first superficial view they were mistaken for the Nizam’s troops, but as they rapidly approached (firing their pistols and carbines, which produced some trifling effect) towards an interval of a few yards extent between his majesty’s 12th regiment and a battalion of Sepoys on the right, it was soon obvious they intended passing through this interval to the rear of the British line; fortunately, at this momentous crisis, a detachment of the Company’s native cavalry suddenly galloped from the rear, and completely filled up the space, when the enemy edged off, and directed their whole column to the front of the 12th regiment. General Harris, the commander-in-chief, suddenly appeared in the rear, vociferating aloud, “Fire, 12th! fire!” To their eternal credit, coolness, and unexampled discipline, be it recorded, that although standing with recovered arms, not a shot was fired, nor even a movement made, that indicated indecision; the men knew it was not the voice of the colonel, who, however, thus pressed by the authority of his superior officer, now gave the command--“Steady, 12th! and wait until these fellows are within ten yards of you,--then singe the beggars’ whiskers.” This order was implicitly obeyed. At the word “Fire!” a volley was effectually poured into the wedge of cavalry, followed by a rapid and well-directed file-firing, which produced the happiest effect; for on the smoke clearing away, a complete rampart of men and horses lay extended on the earth, in front of this invincible old corps! The elephants, maddened, with pain from their innumerable wounds, were shuffling away with speed, and swinging the enormous chains to right and left amidst the retiring cavalry, many of whom were thus destroyed. The howdahs (from which the leading chiefs had directed the charge) were dashed to atoms, and several of these brave men’s heads hung from the backs of the enraged animals; horses rearing, and crushing the riders to death--other loose and wounded horses scouring the plain on all sides--the scene was awfully terrific! Just at this eventful period, two 9-pounder field-pieces replaced the cavalry in the interval alluded to, at once opening a destructive shower of grape-shot on the discomfited horsemen, who were attempting to join their main body stationed in the woods below; these latter, perceiving the entire defeat of the “_Forlorn Hope_,” poured forth their tens of thousands, scouring rapidly over the sandy plain, exposed to the exterminating effects of the British artillery. The battle now became general along the whole line--infantry, cavalry, and artillery, all exerting their utmost efforts of destruction. Unfortunately, a large body of the Mysorian cavalry outflanked and cut into the rear of the British line, destroyed crowds of sick men and lascars, who were considered safe from such indiscriminate and inhuman butchery. Many of these gallant fellows, although in the last stage of human debility, crawled out of the doolies (rough palanquins for sick men), and fought manfully to the last gasp. On the extreme right of the line, the hon. colonel Wellesley was stationed, with his majesty’s 33rd regiment of foot, surrounded by the Nizam’s cavalry. The Mysorians at once charged the Nizam’s horse, who as suddenly scampered off. When the 33rd regiment were first observed by the enemy, the usual cry of “Feringee bong chute!” (“Rascally English!”) was uttered, and Tippoo’s cavalry fled in confusion, leaving several battalions of infantry to receive the dreadful charge of the British regiment! One hurrah! and the opposing infantry came in contact; several thousands of the Mysorians were bayonetted, the rest retiring in dismay, followed by the 19th dragoons, who cut and slashed without mercy. The right wing of the enemy being thrown into irretrievable confusion, and all parts of their line wavering, the battle was soon ended, Tippoo Saib drawing off with all possible haste. The British line now began to advance from their fighting position; but so numerous were the dead bodies of men and horses in front of the 12th regiment, that some difficulty was experienced in surmounting the obstacle! Two or three horsemen, in the attack of the wedge of cavalry, cut through the 12th regiment, but were immediately shot in the rear. To give an idea of the temper, sharpness, and weight of the swords of these men, who had all drugged themselves with bang (a narcotic herb, resembling opium in its effects on the human frame), for the attack, I have only to mention, that the barrel of one of the European’s muskets was completely severed by one cut from a Moorman’s sabre, the blade of which was three and a half feet long, half an inch thick at the back, and four inches broad, weighing fourteen pounds!

It is now only necessary to add, that the victory was in favour of the British, who with the right wing of their army (about 16,000 men) had engaged the combined forces of the sultan, destroying several thousands, with the loss only of a few hundreds. No guns were captured on either side. About six o’clock in the afternoon, the only indication of the proximity of an enemy was the distant booming of heavy artillery. The British, on reaching their original ground of encampment, were congratulated by the left wing of the army (just encamping, after a tedious hot march) on the success of the engagement, expressing regret that they had not arrived in time to participate in the glory of the day.”

SERINGAPATAM, OPENING THE TRENCHES BEFORE.--“On the morning of the 5th April, 1799, the British army encamped on their permanent ground for the siege of the celebrated fortress of Seringapatam; and, after due deliberation, it was decided to open the trenches, if possible, the same evening. In accordance with this determination, two separate bodies of troops were ordered to parade, at six o’clock in the afternoon--one destined to drive the enemy from the dry bed of a nullah, or narrow river--the other to take possession of a small wood situated in a line on the right of the river, and rather nearer the encampment, which had been occupied the night before by a detachment of flankers under General Baird, and evacuated, the enemy having silently retreated from it on the approach of the English. Both these positions were, on the 5th, strongly occupied by select bodies of Tippoo’s troops. To accomplish these arduous enterprises, his Majesty’s 12th regiment, with a proportion of sepoys or native troops, consisting of about 2000 effective men, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Shaw (of the 12th foot), marched from the British lines at a quarter past six o’clock, to take possession of the bed of the river; his majesty’s 33rd regiment of foot, with a detachment of sepoys, amounting, in toto, to 2000 men, under the command of colonel Wellesley (now the duke of Wellington), quitted camp about the same time, to occupy the tope, or wood, on the right of the bed of the river. The two posts were intended to be carried at or near the same time as possible, for the mutual protection and security of both detachments--as one position was almost untenable without the occupation of the other. The British encampment was situated three miles from Seringapatam, on a rising ground gradually sloping up from the fortress, with the exception of partial undulations, which, however, did not prevent a perfect view of the whole intermediate spaces. The two posts (nullah and top) were midway between the camp and the besieged town. Scarcely had these two little columns quitted the camp, than they were assailed by showers of rockets and blue lights from every direction in front, which completely illumined the atmosphere, and exposed the British to the fire of Tippoo’s tiger sepoys; heavy masses of whom poured death into Shaw’s force, with the most terrific effect. Still this gallant little body moved slowly on (as the night was exceedingly dark), although more encumbered each moment with dead, dying, and wounded: the rockets and musketry from upwards of 20,000 of the enemy were incessant--no hail could be thicker; with every blue light came a shower of bullets, and several rockets passed through the head to the rear of the column, causing death, wounds, and dreadful lacerations:[2] the cries of the wounded were quite awful. Not a shot did the British fire, nor had the men even loaded their pieces; a caution from the brave old colonel Shaw, that “_all must be done with the bayonet_,” needed no repetition to ensure obedience; but scarcely had this caution been conveyed through the ranks, when a tremendous peal of musketry was heard on the right flank, in the direction of the wood, which caused Shaw’s force to halt, as the attack became so formidable from the front, and both flanks, that it would have been an useless sacrifice of the men’s lives to stand up; they were consequently directed to lie down for a few minutes, to avoid the effects of the enemy’s scorching fire, which now proceeded from a very few yards’ distance--the brilliant light of their fire-balls or blue lights exposing Shaw’s column to the full force of their musketry; and imagining, from the recumbent posture of the British, that the majority was killed, a large column of the tiger sepoys ventured an attack with the bayonet, and drove in the battalion of the Company’s sepoys, who were a few yards in advance on the right, and killing their major. The command, “_Up, 12th and charge!_” was no sooner given, than each man sprang up and advanced to the charge in silence and compact order. The tiger sepoys stood, until a very few yards intervened between the combatants, when a general shout of “Feringee bong chute!” (“the rascally English!”) was uttered, and the enemy dispersed on all sides in considerable confusion; but, shortly after, again threw out their blue lights, and recommenced their murderous file-firing, which once more compelled the British to resume their prostrate posture. It was now about twelve o’clock at night, when the solemn trampling of a body of troops was plainly distinguished, approaching from the right flank in a hasty and rather tumultuous manner. Once more Shaw’s column were on their feet and preparing to charge, when a few stragglers from the hon. colonel Wellesley’s force rushed in, and announced that the detachment had been repulsed from the wood, and that the approaching trampling was part of the force coming to join Shaw--that two companies of the 33rd, with their colonel (Wellesley), were missing! A few minutes after this report, major Shea (second in command to Wellesley) joined Shaw’s force with the remains of that detachment: he stated that colonel Wellesley, with two companies of the 33rd regiment, had been either taken prisoners or had retreated to camp! As second in command, he had considered it his duty to traverse the wood in search of him, which proving unsuccessful, and the fire from the enemy becoming so exceedingly heavy, had induced him to lead the remaining troops to colonel Shaw, for the purpose of obtaining information, and receiving instructions how to act. Colonel Shaw replied, ironically, “that he had better follow his colonel to camp”--a hint that was implicitly and immediately complied with. Indignation here overcame prudence, as Shaw soon saw the enemy pouring in from all sides, and the stoutest heart in his force predicted a fatal result, from the united and concentrated efforts of so numerous an enemy. Large quantities of ammunition were sent from camp during the night, for the supply of Shaw’s column, as, from the tremendous firing, it was naturally apprehended that all their cartridges had been expended; but these incessant peals of musketry had all proceeded from Tippoo’s troops (not a single shot had been returned by Shaw’s column). The oldest soldier in camp declared they had never heard so tremendous a fire: in fact, it continued for twelve hours without intermission, blue lights and rockets illuminating the air the whole time--beautiful, though terrific. It was generally imagined in camp that Shaw and his detachment must have been inevitably annihilated; but this gallant old officer only waited the dawn of day, to exhibit one of the most glorious and impressive spectacles that ever added lustre to the annals of British military fame! The appearance of Wellesley in camp, followed by part of two companies of the 33rd regiment, reporting that the remainder of his detachment had been cut to pieces, increased the probability of the inevitable destruction of the other attacking column, and all was anxiety and commiseration, in camp, for the fate of this devoted little band.

At five o’clock on the morning of the 6th April, the fire of musketry began to relax; the whole were under arms, and generously anxious for the safety of the column under Shaw’s command: but scarcely had the day dawned, than a glorious and exhilarating scene was displayed: the gallant old 12th, and the sepoys in line with them, were seen rushing on the entrenched enemy at the point of the bayonet, and driving them from the bed of the river, in spite of a heavy cannonade from the fortress of Seringapatam, and the resistance of the numerous columns opposed to them. Never did men more heroically perform their duty: the conflict was excessively murderous and obstinate, as the tiger sepoys were brave, numerous and well-disciplined. For some time the result of the attack appeared most dubious, as a considerable body of French troops persevered in most gallant style, in leading on Tippoo’s sepoys. The rapid charge of the 12th regiment, supported by the sepoys composing the force, excited the admiration of the whole British army. General Harris was heard to exclaim, “Well done, old 12th! why, they are going to take Seringapatam!” The occupation of the bed of the nullah being at length achieved by Shaw’s column, it had scarcely secured itself under the embankment of the river, from the thundering cannon of the fortress, when the enemy in the wood (who had opposed and put Wellesley to flight) opened a destructive fire from several field-pieces, which completely enfiladed Shaw’s post. A mound of earth was quickly thrown up on the right flank of the 12th regiment, to protect them, as much as possible, from this fresh annoyance; but this precaution could not have prevented the British from being dislodged from the bed of the river, had not several brigades from camp been observed advancing to support the position of Shaw’s post, and to drive the enemy from the wood. The certainty of speedy support inspired Shaw’s column with renewed ardour, and a fire was for the first time returned, with a rapidity and effect that completely disconcerted the enemy, who retired in good order, ever and anon facing about and firing a volley of musketry.

They were not relieved until the close of the evening of the 6th, as the enemy’s firing from the fortress of Seringapatam was so destructive, that Baird’s brigade was compelled to halt and return to camp; the other brigade, under Wellesley, advanced and took possession of the wood which the enemy abandoned, and thus relieved Shaw’s post from an annoying enfilade of cannon and musketry, from which they suffered for at least an hour and a half after daybreak, with the greatest constancy and courage. Eleven officers and 180 rank and file were killed and wounded in this small force during the night and morning of the 5th and 6th April. About seven o’clock in the evening of the latter day, the 74th regiment relieved the 12th, who were right happy to break their fast after twenty-four hours’ hard fighting and fasting.”

SEVILLE.--Surrendered to the French, February 1st, 1810; taken by assault by the British and Spaniards, after the battle of Salamanca, August 27th, 1812, when the French left it, at the general evacuation of the south of Spain, in consequence of their signal defeat in that battle.

SHERRIFMUIR, BATTLE OF.--Fought, November 12th, 1715, between the Royal army, under the Duke of Argyle, and the Scotch rebel forces, who favored the Pretender, and commanded by the Earl of Mar. The insurgents were defeated. Fought on the same day in which the rebel forces were defeated at Preston.

SHREWSBURY, BATTLE OF.--Fought, July 21st, 1403, between the Royal army of Henry IV, and the army of the Nobles, led by Percy, surnamed Hotspur, who had conspired to dethrone Henry. Each army consisted of about 12,000 men, and the engagement was most obstinate and bloody. Henry was seen everywhere in the thickest of the fight, while his valiant son, who was afterwards the renowned conqueror of France, fought by his side, though wounded in the face by an arrow, still kept the field and performed astonishing deeds of bravery. On the other hand, Hotspur performed prodigies of valour; 2300 gentlemen were slain, and about 6000 private men. Hotspur was killed by an unknown hand, and his death decided the fortune of the day.

SHROPSHIRE, BATTLE OF.--In which the Britons were completely defeated, and Caractacus, their leader, taken prisoner and sent to Rome; fought A.D. 51.

SIEGES.--Numerous in History; the following are the most important:--

_Acre_, 1799, by Bonaparte; siege raised after sixty days, open trenches.

_Algiers_, 1816. _See this article._

_Almeida_, August 27th, 1810.

_Antwerp_, 1576, use of infernal machines; also besieged 1583, 1585, 1706, 1792, and 1814.

_Badajoz_, March 11th, 1811, but raised June 9th. Taken by escalade on the night of April 6th, 1812.

_Bagdad_, 1248.

_Bayonne_, 1451.

_Berwick_, 1293. _See this article._

_Bommel_, 1794; the invention of the covert-way used here.

_Burgos_, September to October, 1812, raised; the French in their retreat blew up the works, June 13th, 1813.

_Calais_, 1347; British historians affirm cannon first used here at this siege. _See this article._

_Candia_, 1667; the largest cannon then known in Europe, used here by the Turks.

_Carthagena_, 1706.

_Chalons_, 1199.

_Cherbourg_, 1650.

_Ciudad Rodrigo_, 1706, July, 1810; January, 1812. _See this article._

_Constantinople_, 1453.

_Copenhagen_, 1700, 1801, and 1807. _See this article._

_Cracow_, 1772.

_Dunkirk_, 1646, 1793.

_Frederickshall_, 1718, Charles XII killed here.

_Gibraltar_, 1704, 1799, and 1782; red hot cannon balls used here to burn the French fleet. _See this article._

_Ismael_, 1790. _See this article._

_Kars_, 1855. _See this article._

_Londonderry_, 1689. _See this article._

_Mons_, 1572, 1691, 1709, 1746, 1792, and 1794.

_Mothe_, 1634; the French taught by Mr. Muller, an English engineer, first practised the art of throwing shells.

_Naples_, 1381, 1435, 1504, 1557, 1792, 1799, and 1806.

_Orleans_, 1428, 1563.

_Philipsburg_, 1644, 1675, and 1688; first experiment of firing artillery à-ricochet here, also besieged 1734 and 1795.

_Romorentin_, 1356; according to Voltaire, artillery first used here in sieges.

_St. Sebastian_, September, 1813.

_Salamanca_, June, 1812.

_Saragossa_, oftener spelled _Zaragosa_,--appended to this article is a graphic account of the 2nd siege. It was besieged three times, in 1710, 1808, and 1809, the two last were dreadful sieges.

_Schweidnitz_, 1762 and 1807. Here was the first experiment to reduce a fortress by springing globes of compression.

_Sebastopol_, 1854 and 1855. _See this article under the heads of Bombardment of Sebastopol, Mamelon, Quarries, Rifle Pits, Sortie, &c._

_Seville_, 1096, 1247, 1248, one of the most memorable sieges mentioned in Spanish history.

_Silistria_, 1854. _See this article_.

_Stralsund_, 1675, 1713, and 1807; the method of throwing red hot cannon balls first practiced here with certainty.

_Tarifa_, December 20th, 1811.

_Toulon_, 1707 and 1793.

_Tournay_, 1340, 1312, 1581, 1667, and 1709. During this siege the best defence ever drawn from countermines was here practised; also besieged in 1765 and 1794.

_Tunis_, 1270, 1535.

_Valenciennes_, May 23rd to July 14th, 1793. _See this article._

_Warsaw_, September 8th, 1831.

_Zutphen_, 1572 and 1586.

SILISTRIA, SIEGE OF.--In 1854.--The following is an admirable account of the siege of this place:

“After the battle of Citate, so bitter a blow to the pretensions of Russia, the enemy’s Generals found it advisable to change their plan of operations. Adopting Foktchani as their basis, they accumulated a large amount of military stores, and finding that the Turks were not to be tempted into crossing the Danube, calmly awaited reinforcements. When these had arrived, it was resolved to make a desperate effort to force the passage of the river. Imperative orders arrived from St. Petersburg to press the war vigorously, and at any cost. On the 13th of February they attacked Giurgevo, on the Wallachian bank of the Danube, with a considerable force, and after a vigorous resistance, the Turks were forced to evacuate their position, though not without being able to effect an orderly retreat across the river, and establish themselves firmly in the opposite town of Rustchuk. The Russian Generals now resolved on concentrating their strength, and making an irresistible advance into Bulgaria. With characteristic promptness, however, Omer Pacha initiated the attack. Throwing a small column across the Danube at Rahova, he assaulted and drove back the outposts at Kalarasch with considerable slaughter; and the Turks, after this dashing feat, retired in security to Rahova. Another attempt was made by the extreme right of the Russian line, on the 11th of March, to seize Kalafat; but they were energetically repulsed by the brave garrison of that renowned town. Four days later, Prince Gortschakoff made a desperate effort to wrest from its Ottoman defenders the island in the Danube between Tukurtai and Oltenitza, which had been so important a position in the battle at the latter place. The Russians were again driven back, but some idea of the sanguinary nature of the struggle may be formed from the fact that 2000 soldiers of the Czar left their bodies on the disputed ground.