LONDON:

PRINTED BY HENRY BAYLIS,

Fleet Street.

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.

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