CHAPTER XIV.
Description of Seringapatam – It is invested by the Anglo-Indian Army – Junction of the Bombay Force – General Harris resolves to attack the western Angle of the Fortress – The Siege is vigorously pressed – Sortie of the Garrison repulsed – Attempt at Negotiation – British Ultimatum – Distracted State of Tippoo's Mind – Formidable Batteries erected – The Guns open on the Curtain – A practicable Breach effected – Preparations for the Assault – The Storming-party take post in the Trenches – Singular Instance of retributive Justice – Superstitious Rites of the Sultan – The Hour of Attack – Advance of the Storming-party – The Forlorn Hope – Death of its Leader – Success of the right Attacking-party – More difficult Progress of the left Column – Dreadful Slaughter of the Enemy – Gallant Conduct of Tippoo during the Assault – He is twice wounded – And ultimately killed by a private Soldier – Surrender of the Palace and Family of Tippoo – Search for and Discovery of the Sultan's Body – Funeral of Tippoo – Awful Storm – Casualties of the Siege – Plunder taken at Seringapatam – Submission of the Mysorean Troops – Removal of Tippoo's Family to Vellore – Partition of Mysore – Restoration of the Hindoo Dynasty.
Seringapatam stands on an island of bare and somewhat sterile appearance, formed by the river Cauvery, which is here divided into separate streams; the waters creeping sluggishly along for nearly three miles, when they again become united. This insulated surface is in no place above a mile across; and on its upper extremity the city is built, both channels of the river flowing immediately beneath its walls.
The fortifications are in the Eastern style; the works irregular, and the defences rather numerous than well-constructed. Several walls, one within the other, connect bastions of different forms; some being the ancient Hindoo tower, while others are of regular proportions, and formed after the designs of European engineers. At the commencement of the siege, the garrison numbered twenty thousand men of all arms; and more than two hundred and fifty pieces of cannon were mounted on the works.
