Letter from Colonel Campbell to the President and Council of Bombay, 4 October 1783

Hon'ble Sir and Gentlemen,

I do myself the honor to lay before you the particular events of the siege that have taken place here since my letter of the 18^th May, wherein I acquainted you that the whole of the enemy's army to the number of * * * * * * * * * had arrived and encamped on a hill distant about three miles from the fort. At the same time I received information from William Cherrington, formerly in the Company's service at Madras; who came in to us, that General Mathews had, twenty-seven days before, given up the Fort of Bedinore to Tippoo Sahib after settling terms of capitulation.

On the morning of the 20^th at day-break a body of the enemy, consisting of about 3,000 infantry and a small party of horse with three guns, were discovered moving from their encampment round the left of the hill, on which our advanced troops (the 1^st and 8^th Battalions) were posted. About noon they gained the bank of the river to the northward of the fort, along which they advanced and obliged a small party of ours to retreat to a breast work thrown across the bazaar, from which our people effectually stopped their progress. A constant but irregular fire was kept up by the enemy to draw our attention from the works we perceived they were erecting on the bank of the river. Our fire of musquetry and from a 3-pounder did not prevent their going on with them, and in the afternoon a gun was brought to bear upon them, from which only a few shots were fired. Here Captain Alexander Campbell of the 98^th Regiment, an active and vigilant officer, fell by a musquet shot. The Commissarys and Quarter Masters were now employed carrying their stores received from the ships into the fort. In the afternoon three guns more were brought from the enemy's main body to our left, and all night they were busy in constructing batteries. Towards evening they opened one gun about 700 yards distant from us. The above detachment encamped about a mile from our post, with their right to the river and their left extending towards their main encampment. On our part we had large working parties constantly employed making abbatis and blocking up all the roads and passes leading to the fort.

The following day several sepoys from the 8^th Madras Battalion deserted. A small reinforcement was sent to the enemy's encampment on our left, but their main body remained in- active. Several Europeans were seen reconnoitering our outposts. In the bazaar the enemy still kept up a constant irregular fire, added considerably to their works, and threw a traverse across the bazaar. Our working-parties were employed as before, and in drawing a line of communication from the street to the river side, the enemy fired but little from their battery, but by their fire of musquetry we had several killed and wounded ; a traverse was also thrown up by the enemy at the street leading into the town, which is nearly in the rear of hill where Captain Nugent was posted. Four lascars loaded with ammunition for the hill, by mistaking the road, were made prisoners.

About 8 A.M. (22^nd) the enemy opened a 24-pounder against our works on the water side, which damaged them much. Several small parties of the enemy advanced, but were drove out by our sepoys from the houses they had taken possession of. Two sepoys of the 5^th Battalion came in this day and confirmed our intelligence respecting Bednore, and we received further information that a number of bullocks were despatched to bring up the enemy's heavy artillery from Husson Gurry Ghaut. About two o'clock in the afternoon, a great part of the force the enemy had to the northward changed their ground, some went to their old encampment, but a considerable number took post behind the hills in front and on the flank of our outpost on the hill. Two guns with their tumbrils returned to their old encampment, and the enemy were observed to be busy making fascines in the front of our outpost. Rocket boys were placed on all the neighbouring hills, and every movement evidently pointed out that our advanced post on the hill was the enemys first object. Captain Nugent had taken every possible precaution against the intended attack, the certainty of which was confirmed by a few of the enemys working people, who were picked up by our advanced picquets; and a sepoy of the enemy's informed Captain Nugent that the whole of Lally's Corps and the French Battalion had that day taken post on a hill in front and rather to the right of his post.

Next morning, about half-past five A.M., showers of rockets from all quarters fell upon the hill, and immediately the enemy opened a battery of five guns, from which they kept up an incessant fire upon our advanced party. The attack was led by the French, supported by two columns of sepoys, one at each flank; the French pushed at the front of the hill a little inclined to the right, the right column went to the left of our post, and that on the left came along the road leading to the right of our post, with a view of cutting off their retreat. As soon as the, attack commenced, I ordered Captain Dalyall with the 42^nd Regiment and Lieut. Disney's Corps to march and support the hill, by which means the progress of the last-mentioned column was stopped. As soon as the French ascended the hill, the sepoys gave way on all sides, and fled with the utmost precipitation (in spite of every exertion their officers could use). Captain Dalyall remained for a considerable time on the road, so as to cover the retreat of our people from the hill, by which most of them got off; but at last, from the immense superiority of numbers, the fire becoming too heavy, he was obliged to retreat which he had but just commenced, when he unfortunately received a mortal wound, of which he died in a few hours. It now became necessary to draw in all our advanced posts and betake ourselves to the fort and outworks. Our loss from the 19^th, including this day, was not less than 300, a considerable number of these by desertion, which was rather an alarming circumstance in our situation.

During the night the fire of musquetry was kept up on both sides.

The enemy were heard working all last night, but no place could be discovered where their works were erecting, several guns were seen moving to the southward, a brisk fire was kept up all day against the places where we suspected the enemy were working. The Engineer was at the same time employed in deepening the ditch opposite the East Gate, and in making facines, gabions, and other necessary materials for constructing the necessary works, or repairing such as might be damaged. During the siege a supply of ammunition was also sent over to the Octagon Battery. This day a pattamar boat arrived with despatches from Tellicherry, and a flag of truce came in, to demand the fort. It was returned without an answer.

Since the 24^th, the enemy having still kept hard at work notwithstanding our fire, we this day (26^th) discovered a battery for no less than 12 guns opposite the magazine curtain, upon which our guns opened immediately, and before night damaged it considerably, having opened 8 embrasures in the curtain, into which we got five guns mounted before dark, and the rest during the night.

From this to the end of the month we had frequent heavy showers of rain, the enemy constantly carrying on their work in different quarters, and we on our part giving them every annoyance and disturbance in our power. On the 27^th we observed a battery for 2 guns opposite the Lower Gate to the left of the Darbar; and another of two guns at the Pagoda to the southward against an advanced battery of ours 156 yards in front of the fort. Next day the battery at the Pagoda appeared finished for 6 guns, and that at the Darbar for 3, and the grand battery appeared lengthened for 2 more guns with an unfinished work at the rope walk opposite the East Gate. Anxious to retard the operation of the enemy, about 11 P.M. on the 28^th I ordered a covering party of 40 Europeans and 200 sepoys, with a working party of 20 Europeans and 200 sepoys, to take possession of and destroy the enemys grand battery and that facing the North Gate; but the enemy collected in such number and kept up so heavy a fire of musquetry upon the working party as obliged them to retire. The enemy assembling from all quarters, the French advanced to their support. The covering party finding the working party had got all in, retreated under an immense fire of small arms. On the night between the 28^th & 29^th the enemy threw up an intrenchment within 200 yards of the fort along the east curtain, and about noon began to annoy us with stones of immense weight thrown from four large mortars, from which they generally sent a shower of stones every half hour intermission day and night. The enemys lines appearing nearly complete and in general so near that musquetry could take effect, I found it necessary to employ all the private coolies that could be collected to carry boxes filled with earth to highten the parapets. The Engineer was employed in securing the magazine, deepening the ditch where requisite, and strengthening our advanced casks battery, called Mackys Battery, from the officer who commanded, the Lieut^t Mackay of the Royal Navy.

The month of June commenced with 4 guns from the enemys grand battery, one 24, one 9, and two 6-pounders, which opened upon us at 8 A.M., but were silenced before noon. Their large guns having considerably affected our merlins, I now found it necessary to remove the powder from the magazine curtain, which was done as expeditiously as possible, and our damaged merlins repaired. Severity of the weather daily destroyed our cattle, our hospital increased both in sick and wounded, and without any place of security to shelter them either from the stones or shott. On the 3^rd another flag of truce came in, and was dismissed as formerly.

The 4^th being the anniversary of His Majestys birthday, a Royal Salute was fired. Not- withstanding the severity of the weather the enemy persevered in their intentions, and this day opened a battery of 10 guns, of which 7 were 32, 24, & 18-pounders, from whence they fired briskly all day, damaging our weak merlins very considerably, and the axle of one of our 18-pounders being broken, we were obliged to shut up the embrasure. The enemy taking advantage of this accident directed their whole fire against the merlins of the curtain and the centre tower, which they so effectually demolished that I was obliged to call the men from their guns, which gave the enemy full time to take advantage of our situation. About 1 A.M. of the 7^th an attempt was made by the enemy upon Mackys Battery. Our troops there being alarmed by the enemys shouting in front stood to their arms, when a rocket discovered a large body in front of the guns, which a few shot from thence soon dispersed, and. they fled with much confusion and noise into their trenches. Lights were seen moving round toward a tower on the left, but were not perceived by those in the tower till they were close under the walls. A shot or two from the guns dispersed this body also. A third column moved up to the East Gate, and from the darkness of the night were almost upon the sentries before being discovered, but a gun from a tower to the right of the gateway and the fire of our musquetry drove those off likewise. What the enemy proposed by these attacks I cannot say; but if their intention was so bold as that of carrying all our strongest outworks at once, their execution was feeble and cowardly beyond expression. From this to the 14^th little material happened, the enemy strengthening their batteries and advancing their works on every side. Being suspicious of a mine near Mackys Battery, I ordered a sally a little before day into the enemys trenches. It was conducted by a serjeant with a corporal and six privates, one havaldar, 2 naiques, and 12 sepoys. They reached the end of the trench before they were discovered, and giving their fire threw the enemy in confusion and drove them out of the trench. The serjeant and one private then examined the trench a considerable way, and finding no trace of a mine brought back the party in good order. As we sustained much damage from the stones, to which the sick and wounded were greatly exposed, I judged it necessary to attempt to spike up the large mortars now increased in number and divided in two places. I had for some nights before determined upon a sally for that purpose; but the weather being remarkably clear, the danger of our troops being discovered too early, its being put in execution was delayed till the 15^th. At 4 A.M. two parties of companies ^B.1,^S.3,^O.2,^C.2, ^P.25 and ^O.2,^I.4,^H.6,^N.6,^Sep.50, each under the command of Captains Grant and Dunn, were in readiness to attempt both batteries. I ordered a false attack to be made at Mackys battery, which drew the enemy to the southward. This was the signal for our parties to advance. They instantly pushed out; and though the distance was considerable and the roads intricate, they got into the enemys battery almost undiscovered and without resistance. The alarm now spread as the enemy collected on all sides, but our parties in the space of ten minutes executed the intention of my sending them by spiking up these mortars in each battery, which were all they could discover, and returned to the fort with the pleasing idea of having rid the garrison of the apprehensions they were under from the stones, but not without considerable loss, particularly of that party under Captain Grant, which went to the muriem yard. The enemy are said to have suffered very considerably, but to my extreme astonishment and mortification I found that both batteries opened again in the afternoon. On the 19^th the enemys grand battery opened with a small battery to the left and one against the gateway; they fired very briskly all day, but at the times the rain slackened; therefore about 5 P.M. their fire had made a considerable impression on the wall, in so much that part of it was practicable for two men to get up abreast during the night. The enemy fired every quarter of an hour, and having made an addition to their battery they next day commenced their cannonade, though not so briskly as yesterday, their fire being directed more generally along the curtain. At 12 another breach was made more practicable than the former. About 5 P M. the whole curtain was much shattered, and the ascent possible in most places; the magazines also on that side beginning to leak, I now found it necessary to direct the Engineer to clear away during the night five feet of earth from the rivetment and to erect a stockade from the shoulder of the north-east tower to the edge of the ditch, on purpose to cover our musquetry that flank the breach, and to prevent the enemy from passing that way.

During the remainder of this month the enemy kept advancing their works, erected several new batteries and strengthened or repaired their old ones, we endeavouring to counteract and impede their operations as much as possible, in which we were much assisted by the shells thrown into different works, which killed and wounded a number of their men. About day break of the 26th the enemys guns opened against the lower fort, and on the 28th they opened a battery against Mackys. Another battery during night was raised opposite the Ram Tower to the left. Whenever the enemy perceived they had any advantage, it was generally followed by a flag of truce proposing the surrender of the fort, and offering to treat with us by sending one of their principal men into the fort, and requesting an officer of ours might be sent into their camp for the like purpose. Conscious I suppose that their general character for breach of faith might operate with us to their disadvantage, and prevent our trusting them, they took great pains to assure us of the reality of their intentions and of the faithful performance of any agreement they might come to with us, but to all their offers and proposals I gave a flat denial. A considerable part of this month the weather proved remarkably moderate and greatly favored the operations of the enemy: our working parties were never idle, but kept constantly employed day and night.

From the end of June to the 3rd July the enemy were employed in erecting a battery against the east gateway. About 7 A.M. they opened their battery, and at the same time played two guns from their grand battery which flanked the curtain, and their number of guns and superiority of metal soon obliged us to shut up the embrasures of the Ram Tower and that on the right of the gateway. About 9 P.M., the enemy made a sally from their trenches into our court-way headed by Frenchmen with a seeming intention to examine our works, suspecting that we were mining in that quarter, but I believe they did not discover the mine we really had there, as they retreated immediately upon the approach of our Europeans next morning about 6 A.M. After a severe cannonade, which obliged us to draw our men under cover, the enemy attacked the East Gate with a number of spearmen in front. They soon got possession of one of the towers and court-way, but were as quickly dislodged by our troops. The enemy had large bodies of men ready to support them had they succeeded.

Apprehensive lest the enemy should discover our mine, which was in the court-way to the north, as they had been heard countermining, at no great distance, I thought it necessary to load it as quickly as possible, and at the same time put three 13-inch shells loaded to be blown off with the mine when the enemy should be within three feet of us. About 10 P.M. of the 5th, judging it a proper time, the mine was sprung; but from the guttery not being properly secured, the force of the powder chiefly vented itself that way, and occasioned the failure of its intent.

The enemy having got possession of the north-east tower in the covert-way threw up a strong breastwork along the covert-way to the westward, from whence, had they been suffered to remain, they would have enfiladed the whole of the covert-way to the southward and westward. I therefore found it necessary to order a party to scour the rear of the enemys trench and to take possession of it. This was effectually executed by Lieut. Rattery a little before day, though with some small loss; but the enemys lines being strongly manned, a heavy fire commenced on both sides, upon which I immediately ordered Captain Dunn to support our post with all his men off duty. The European guard at the East Gate also joined him. The enemys fire increasing considerably, as they collected in great numbers from every quarter, and a party of French troops with two of their regular battalions coming into the opposite lines, I suspected they meant to retake the work, and sent a great part of the 42^nd Regiment with a party from the 8^th Battalion of sepoys to their support. The French took post in a trench very near ours, and some of them came even so close, that the bayonets of each party met over the works; our people were at the same time much annoyed with 9-pound shot and stones thrown over the tranches, but a few 5 1/2 inch shells soon drove the French into the next trench, where they remained some time, and then withdrew, not inclining to continue the attempt. The enemy at this time made a faint attack at the gate, but soon retired. Never were troops more eager for action, and the sepoys equally so as the Europeans. About 11 P.M., finding the enemy had off their troops and everything quiet, I called in Captain Dunns detachment. This days action has been one of the severest we have yet been engaged in, and cost us no less than 130 gallant soldiers and sepoys, besides four spirited officers.

The enemy still continuing to erect new works and batteries behind our gates and towers, a 2-gun battery of 18 and 12 pounder was erected against the tower at the East Gate, which drove the enemy out of it, and we recovered possession of the gateway. In the afternoon of the 11^th the enemy attempted to regain possession of the north-east tower in the covert-way: giving a loud shout, some of them jumpt in sword in hand, which being observed by a sentinel, he fired, and the enemy retreated by the guard. At this post, commanded by Lieut^. Powel1 of the 1^st Battalion, sepoys were seized with a panic and ran off in the utmost confusion. This being perceived by Captain Wolsely, who happened to be captain of the day, hastened down to the North Gate, and calling to the Europeans to follow him, he recovered the post and gallantly maintained it with only one European and two sepoys, until the dusk of the evening gave us an opportunity of reinforcing him, during which the enemy sprung two mines a little to the left of the post, but not with any execution. On the 12^th the enemy having finished their battery at the Ram Tower and another of 4 guns pointing towards the East Gate, and one of their embrasures along the ditch to the North Gate, the East Gate and arc over it was soon demolished, and the walls of the great tower near it so much damaged, that we were obliged to desist from firing. The stone mortars were now brought close to the covert way; we now endeavoured to erect a battery in front of the gateway, but from a gun that enfilades our new platforms, added to the fire of the musquetry, we were obliged to throw up a strong epaulement to the left, which owing to the few hands we had to work proved a laborious business, and the clear moonlight gave the enemy a full view of what we were about. The gateway being entirely blockaded by the ruins, we were now under the necessity of cutting a sally port thro' the wall to preserve our communication with the Fausse Bray, and soon after another sally port was cut in the lower fort, the North Gate being so much exposed to the guns of a battery near the Darbar as to render it very dangerous to pass thro'. On the 15^th a new embrasure being finished, the gun was kept playing upon a tower to the right of the North Gate for six hours, which demolished the enemys works in that quarter.

In the night the enemy having dug a trench along the covert way leading towards the North Gate, began to fill the ditch with junks cut from the cocoanut tree, which they continued every night, having got themselves under such strong cover from their numerous workmen, that our musquetry could have little effect.

On the 18^th two toneys arrived from Tellichery with letters from Mr Sibbald, with the pleasing intelligence that we might soon expect very considerable reinforcements; the letters, however, were of an old date. The day following, a flag of truce brought me a letter from Monsr. Purron de Morlai, Envoy from the Court of France with the Nabob, informing me of a peace having been concluded between Great Britain and France, that a cessation of hostilities had in consequence taken place on the Coromandel Coast, that he had a letter for me from Messrs Sadlier and Staunton, which he was directed by the Nabob to deliver in person, and to settle with me the necessary preliminaries for establishing a cessation of arms.

The enemy having on the 20^th finished a battery of 7 embrasures against the Octagon, began to play their heavy guns, which must soon have damaged the works; a large force was also collected at some distance in the rear of the battery. Finding that the enemy, instead of putting a stop to hostilities, the necessairy preliminary to a cessation, had made an attack upon the Octagon, I wrote to Mons^r Purron, remonstrating against such proceedings, and sent my letter with a flag; but the enemy refused to receive it, having, as they said, no orders for so doing. The flag was accordingly withdrawn, and hostilities again commenced about 11 A.M. The same choubdar who brought the letter yesterday, appeared with another from Monsr. Purron and acquainting me that he had represented to the Nabob the necessity of putting a stop to all hostilities before any negotiation could be entered upon, and assigning that as his reason for not coming in this morning according to agreement. In answer, I enclosed him the letter I had written in the morning, and strongly enforced the absolute necessity of putting a stop to hostilities. About 12 o'clock he arrived and delivered the letter from Messrs Sadlier and Staunton. Monsr. Purron acquainted me with the Nabob's proposals, which were, that I should deliver up the fort and march with the garrison and baggage, &^c to Tellicherry. This I absolutely refused, and Mons^r Purron departed to endeavour to prevail upon the Nabob to change his proposals. The enemy still kept up their attack upon the Octagon. About 9 A.M. (21^st) I received another letter from Monsr Purron, which I immediately answered, and made proposals for articles respecting the Octagon, but they proved too late; for about 11 A.M. the enemys troops on the other side of the river appeared in motion, and making preparation for the assault. The breach being sufficiently practicable by two days' battery, the garrison were obliged to surrender.

In consequence of the information given me of a cessation having taken place between the English and French on the other coast, I wrote to the officer commanding the French troops to demand a compliance with it on this coast also. I have since learnt that he never received that letter, but had withdrawn from the Nabob's Army in consequence of a letter from Monsr de Bussy. Even these letters the Nabob had kept up for several days.

From this to the 28^th, hostilities ceased and commenced according to the answers given to the letters passing betwixt us. At last the Nabob agreed to a final cessation of arms, grounded on the articles I had the honor of sending you by one of the Nabob's halcarahs.

The enemy having thus accomplished their aim of reducing the Octagon Battery, the track through which all communication to us by sea must come, now appeared desirous of ceasing hostilities. It is needless here to trouble you with a detail of the various acts of treachery the enemy were guilty of ; but there is one that is too infamous to be omitted, that when the Nabob's flag of truce was flying at one of our outposts, his people sprung a mine at the East Gate, by which we lost two gallant soldiers and three spirited steady sepoys. The officer of the guard and several others made a miraculous escape.

The Morning Star having sailed sooner than I expected, prevented me of the honor of sending you this letter by that opportunity.

I have the honor to be with great respect,

Honble Sir and Gentlemen,

Your most obedient & very humble servant,

J^s Campbell

From: George W. Forrest, ed. Selections from the Letters, Despatches, And Other State Papers Preserved in the Bombay Secretariat. Vol. II, Home Series. Bombay: Government Central Press, 1887, 287-293.