impenetrable jungle, covered by a deep ravine. With less than 750 bayonets he undertook the service; and, after a severe and even doubtful contest, dislodged the enemy with great loss – an exploit considered one of the most brilliant by which this war was distinguished.
Owing to these circumstances, Lord Cornwallis was reduced to depend on the force under his own immediate command, amounting to 22,000 men, with a train of forty-two battering-guns, and forty-four field-pieces; and on that of General Abercromby, consisting of 8,400 men, which he ordered immediately to approach Seringapatam. He began his march on the 1st of February, 1792; and by proceeding in three lines instead of one, with his ordnance and heavy baggage in the centre, his infantry and light troops on the flanks, he avoided much of the annoyance hitherto experienced from the attacks of an active enemy.[1]
Nothing could exceed the astonishment and dismay of the Sultan of Mysore at the rapid conquests of the British troops; and doubt and terror began, for the first time, to invade his breast. He still, however, had a fine army, consisting of 45,000 infantry, 5000 cavalry, and 100 pieces of cannon; and with this formidable body he took up a strong position in front of Seringapatam, determined to make a desperate struggle for empire.
On the 5th of February the Anglo-Indian Army encamped within sight of Seringapatam; and reconnoissance having been made, Lord Cornwallis determined to attack the enemy on the night of the 6th, an event quite unexpected by Tippoo, and the apparent temerity of which, seeing that it was to be performed by infantry alone, without guns, filled the allies with astonishment. On
- ↑ Lord Cornwallis was desirous of marching, and sent to the Mahratta chiefs to request they would move next morning, as their camp lay directly in our route. They returned for answer, "That they should be happy to obey his lordship's commands; but as they had halted eight days, it was not lucky, nor could they, according to the custom of their religion, march on the ninth day." – Dirom.
