iv

of the work which more particularly derive their interest from it. For himself, his object has been faithfully to transcribe what has now become matter of history; and wherever it appeared to him that a question of opinion might possibly arise, he has taken the direct course of submitting to the reader the letters of the different individuals concerned in the discussion.

London, Oct. 28, 1832.

CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

Birth-Military education-Appointment to an ensigncy-

Joins his regiment at Gibraltar-Promoted to a company in the

73rd-Ordered to India-Proceeds to Guernsey-Returns to

Portsmouth Insubordination among the troops - Sails for

Madeira Goree-Cape of Good Hope-Madras

CHAPTER II.

1

State of Affairs at Madras-Conduct of the Government of

Fort St. George-Hyder Aly-His war with the Mahrattas-

Appeal to the East India Company-Their refusal-His junc-

tion with the French-Improvement of his army - Coalesces

with the Mahrattas-Advances to the mount-Differences of

opinion in the Council-Lord Macleod refuses the command of

the army-Sir Hector Munro takes the command — Captain

Baird marches with Colonel Fletcher to Conjeveram - Joins

Colonel Baillie-Attack of Hyder and Tippoo-Sanguinary

battle - Treachery and barbarity of Tippoo - The English

force betrayed and cut to pieces-Captain Baird desperately

wounded

-

8

CHAPTER III.

Captain Baird providentially escapes death-Hyder retreats

to Damal-Barbarity of his triumph-Colonel Baillie-Captain

Phillips-Dr. Wilson-Captain Baird's sufferings after the

action-Sir Hector Munro retreats to Madras-Arrives there

safely, closely pursued by Hyder's cavalry-Captain Baird

reaches the French camp and surrenders himself to M. Lally

CHAPTER IV.

Reception by the French officers-Removed to Hyder's camp

-Detained with the army - March-Tippoo's duplicity—

Arrival at Seringapatam-Description of their prison-Put in

irons-Dreadful illness of Captain Baird-Death of Captain

Lucas and Mr. Hope-Hyder proposes terms to such officers

as would enter his service-His offers rejected-Death of

Colonel Baillie

34

CHAPTER V.

Death of Hyder-Disappointment of the hopes entertained

of Tippoo's leniency-His religious zeal in forcing the Euro-

peans to embrace Mahommedanism-Colonel Braithwaite -

Captain Leech-Alarming report-Account of one of Tippoo's

sons-Affecting letter from General Matthews-His death-

Insanity of Lieutenant Stringer-His accusation-The proba-

ble consequences -Murder of sixteen officers-Prospect of

release-The prospect realized - Rejoicings and congratulations

-Departure for Madras

CHAPTER VI.

51

Captain Baird proceeds towards Madras-Interview with

Captain Robertson-At Madras finds himself anticipated in a

recommendation for the majority of his regiment-Memorial of

his brother officers-Confirmation of General Stewart's recom-

mendation refused-Captain Baird assumes the command of

the 73rd-Secures the majority-Proceeds to England-Pur-

chases a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, and exchanges into his own

regiment-Returns to India-Joins Lord Cornwallis's army-

Appointed to the command of a brigade-Capture of Hill

Forts-Siege of Rundydroog-Its fall

CHAPTER VII.

71

Siege of Savendroog-Lieutenant-Colonel Baird commands

a brigade-Capture of the Fort-Lord Cornwallis concentrates

his forces-March of the allied armies from Hooleadroog -

Arrives before Seringapatam-Account of that place-Orders

issued for the march-Detail-Colonel Baird attached to the

third column-Gallant attack and pursuit of the enemy-

Perilous situation-Joined by Colonel Stewart-General Me-

dows deceived by his guides-Fails to execute Lord Corn-

wallis's design-His feelings on the occasion-Colonel Baird

ordered to recross the river-Arrival of the Bombay army 86

CHAPTER VIII.

Orders for opening the trenches-Tippoo's distress and

revenge-Destruction of his beautiful gardens-Attempt to

assassinate Lord Cornwallis-Frustrated-Attempt to dislodge

General Abercromby-Its failure-Tippoo's defeat-Exten-

sive preparations for the siege-Stopped by negociation-

Treaty-Delays of Tippoo-His sons sent as hostages-Ac-

count of their reception-Striking anecdote of General Medows

-Treachery of Tippoo-Hostages put under restraint-Tip-

poo's explanation-Treaty signed and delivered-Peace con-

cluded-The army returns to the different Presidencies

CHAPTER IX.

104

with

Colonel Baird proceeds to Warrienne as Commandant-State

of the 71st regiment-Ordered to the siege of Pondicherry-

Commands a brigade-Surrender of Pondicherry-71st ordered

to Tanjore-Extraordinary conduct of Mr. M.

regard to the Rajah-Correspondence with Colonel Baird---

Lord Hobart-General Floyd-Salute fired-Consequences

resulting therefrom-The 71st ordered to Pondicherry—Their

destination changed-Proceed to Wallajahbad-General order

-Orders to disband the 71st-Colonel Baird's feelings upon

that occasion
115

CHAPTER X.

Real causes of Colonel Baird's removal from India-His con-

scientious feelings upon the point-Injustice of the treatment

he received-Arrives at the Cape of Good Hope-Sent for by

Lord Macartney the Governor-Offered a command there,

with the rank of Brigadier-General-Explanations and arrange-

ments-He accepts it, and takes charge of a brigade-Colonel

Middlemore's report of their condition and improvement-

French policy with regard to India-Tippoo sends Ambassadors

to Mauritius-Perilous situation of the British Government at

Madras-Arrival of Lord Mornington at the Cape-Meets

Lord Hobart - Conversations with General Baird on the state

of public affairs in the East-Orders from the Court of Direc-

tors concerning Tanjore-Baird's anxiety to know their cha-

racter-Lord Mornington declines communicating them—Sub-

sequent conduct of the Honourable East India Company

CHAPTER XI.

147

Lord Mornington arrives in India-Commences operations

against Tippoo-Malartic's proclamation at Mauritius-Ignor-

ance of Tippoo of the French force in that Island-His baseness

and duplicity-Colonel Baird promoted to the rank of Major-

General-Appointed to the staff in India-Leaves the Cape of

Good Hope-Arrives at Madras-Meets the Governor-General

-Co-operation of the Nizam-Affair of Hyderabad-Overthrow

of French influence-Voluntary contributions at the different

Presidencies-General Harris enters the Mysore-Negociations

with Tippoo-General Baird appointed to the command of a

brigade-Colonel Wellesley commands the Nizam's force-

General Baird's remonstrance and letter to General Harris-

Communications between Tippoo and General Harris-March

towards Seringapatam-Battle of Malavelly-Defeat of the

enemy - Advance beyond Malavelly-Tippoo's anxiety and

want of decision

163

CHAPTER XII.

March to Sosilay-Description of the surrounding country-

Alarm of the inhabitants-Passage of Sosilay-Passage of the

Cauvery Retrograde movements of Tippoo-Affair of the

Sultaunpettah Tope General Baird's return-Lieutenant

Lambton and the stars- Second attack under Colonel Wel-

lesley with the 33rd, and Colonel Shaw with the 12th-Colonel

Wellesley returns in the night to camp-A third attack ordered

under the command of Colonel Wellesley-His absence from

parade to take the command-General Baird directed to assume