THE LIFE OF GENERAL, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR DAVID BAIRD, BART. G.C.B. K.C. &c. &c. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. (LATE COLBURN AND BENTLEY.) 1832. THE following Memoir of SIR DAVID BAIRD has been carefully collated from the voluminous papers and extensive correspondence of that eminent and estimable man. If to those, better acquainted with the subjects treated of, than the writer, there should appear any omissions or imperfections in the detail of the services which he performed for his country, they may be attributed to the inherent modesty which ordinarily accompanies exalted merit, and which, in the case of Sir David Baird, led him at all times sedulously to avoid referring to his own exploits, or alluding to the dangers and difficulties which he had encountered during his long, arduous, and distinguished career. For the valuable assistance which the writer of this memoir has received from several quarters, his acknowledgments will be found specifically made in those parts 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. 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 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 Conjevéram - Joins Colonel Baillie-Attack of Hyder and Tippoo-Sanguinary battle-Treachery and barbarity of Tippoo - The English |