網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

Not only these 200 officers were destined for the service of Perron's army, in alliance with the Mahrattas, but the greatest part of the private men also were to be employed as serjeants, bombardiers, and gunners. The artillery, which the British had already found to be far advanced, was to have derived an entire finish from adapted artists and engineers. The annual revenues of the countries subject to monsieur Perron, derived partly from territorial possessions, partly from forms of taxation, are stated to have amounted to 1,700,0001. sterling: they were levied in a district, extending toward the left bank of the Indus, through the Punjaub, and comprehending Agra, Delhi, and a large portion of the doab of the Jumna and Ganges, on the northwestern frontier of our Hindostan.

"The existence of Monsieur Perron's power was not, however, the cause of the present war in India; although, in the event of a continuance of the war with France, it might have proved highly dangerous to the British interests, and must have occasioned discussions with Scindia. The causes of the war with Scindia were confined to the military movements, and to the hostile language and conduct of that chief and of his allies. The destruction of Monsieur Perron's force neces

sarily became a primary object of the war, commenced on distinct grounds of complaint against Scindia.

The forces assembled in different quarters of India, for the purpose of carrying into effect the governor-general's compréhensive plan of operations against the confederate Mahratta chieftains, amounted to about 54,918 men, exclusive of pioneers, gun lascars, and persons attached to the store and ordnance departments.

"The army under the personal command of general Lake consisted of three regiments of European, and five regiments of native, cavalry, about two hundred European artillery, one regiment of Europeans, and eleven battalions of native infantry, amounting altogether to about 10,500 men. The disposi tion of this force, towards the commencement of the month of August, 1803, is exhibited in the order of battle which is annexed. It is necessary however to observe, that of this force, his majesty's eighth regiment of dragoons, the sixth regiment of native cavalry, and the second brigade of native infantry, had not yet joined the army. The second brigade, and sixth regiment of native cavalry, were at Anopsheer, and the eighth regiment

of dragoons had only, at this period, received its horses from the Nawaub Vizier, and was not yet prepared to move from Cawnpore.

In addition to this force, about 3500 men were assembled near Allahabad, for the purpose cund; and about 2000 men were collected at of invading the province of BundelMirzapoor, to cover the province and city of Benares, as well as to guard the passes in that quarter. Measures were also adopted for the defence of the whole line of the frontier, from Mirzapoor to Midnapoor. mand of major-general Wellesley, in the De "The troops under the immediate comkan, amounted to 16,823 men; exclusive of which, a force was left at loonah, consisting of a detachment of his majesty's 84th regiment, and 1033 sepoys, which were deemed fully sufficient, in conjunction with such troops as the peishwah himself had at Poonah, to afford complete protection to his highness, and to repel any attack which might bled for the invasion of the province of Cutbe made upon that city. The force assemtack amounted to 5216 men."

Of this army the operations are here detailed in an historical military official documented manner; but with less lucid order and distinctness of design than the narrative of sir Robert Wilson has dis played. It will be read, however, with entire reliance and with patriotic satisfaction. The turning point, or catas trophe of the war, may be placed at the storming of the fortress of Ally-ghur; we transcribe the impressive relation:

"Under these circumstances, the commander in chief, by the direct order of the governor-general above stated, on the 29th of August, 1803, moved into the Mahratta territories, with the intention of attacking monsieur Perron's force, which had been asseinbied at a short distance from the fortress of All-Ghur. The army reached this point about seven o'clock in the morning of the 29th. The enemy immediately struck their tents, and the whole of their cavalry drew up on the plain close to the fort of AllyGhur. Monsieur Perron's position wa strong and favourable for repelling the attack of the British army. His front was com pletely covered by an extensive swamp, which in some parts is not fordable; the right flank was protected by the fort of Ally-Ghur; and his left derived considerable strength from the nature of the ground on that side, and from the position of some villages which were occu pied by parties of his troops. Monsieur Per ron's force was estimated to amount to about

It has appeared unnecessary to state in this place the detail of these measures, as it would be difficult to exhibit, in a short compass, the number and disposition of the troops employed on this service. It will be sufficient to observe, that every arrangement was adopted, which could insure the complete attainment of the important objects proposed to be derived from a comprehensive and efficient system of defence.

fifteen thousand horse, of which from four by assault, rather than by the slower operato five thousand were regular cavalry. tions of a regular siege.

"The commander in chief having determined to turn the left Bank of monsieur Perron's force, the British cavalry were formed into two lines, and advanced to the attack, supported by the infantry in three and four lines, according as the confined nature of the ground would permit. During the advance of the cavalry, the enemy kept up a smart fire of matchlocks from a village which the cavalry had to pass; and a large column of the enemy's cavalry, headed by a regular corps of horse, approached sufficiently near to enable the British cavalry to fire a few rounds from their galloper guns, which succeeded in forcing the enemy to retire. The excellent front displayed by the British cavalry, and the regular and determined advance of the whole army, so completely overawed monsieur Perron and his troops, that they retired as fast as the British troops advanced, and finally quitted the field without venturing to risk an engagement.

"Several attempts were made to charge the enemy's cavalry, but the rapidity of their rcat prevented the possibility of effecting this desirable object. The commander in chief was with the British cavalry the whole das, and charged in person at the head of the 27th dragoons.

"Although the early retreat of monsieur Perron's force prevented the commander in chief from bringing him to a general engage rent, the operations of the 29th of August were attended with beneficial consequences, in establishing the superiority of our arms over the power of the enemy: monsieur Perron's reputation received a powerful shock from the events of that day; and the defection of several of his confederates demonstrated at once their doubts of his power, and their conviction of our superiority. After the action the commander in chief took possession of the town of Coel, and the army encamped to the northward of it, between the town and the fort of Ally-Ghur.

"This fort is of singular strength: it has a broad and deep ditch with a fine glacis, and the country for a mile round is levelled, and completely exposed in every point to the fire of the fort. There is only one entrance, which is very intricate, and over a narrow causeway, under which the enemy had commenced a mine, but had omitted to construct a drawbridge; and thus our troops were enabled to pass the ditch on the causeway, and immediately to assail the body of the place.

“In conformity to this resolution, the fort was stormed on the morning of the 4t of September. The honourable lieutenantcol. Monson commanded the storming party, consisting of a detachment of artillery with two twelve-pounders, four companies of his majesty's 76th regiment, the first battalion 4th regiment native infantry, four companies of the second battalion 17 di regiment, reinforced afterwards by the second battalion 4th regiment native infantry.

"Lieutenant-colonel Monson conducted the attack with the utmost degree of Lallantry, judgment, skill, and fortitude. The troops moved down to within six hundred yards of the sortie of the fort about three o'clock A.M. There was only one passage across the ditch into the fort, and this road was followed by lieutenant-colonel Mouson

"After waiting until the hour fixed for the assault (half past four o'clock), the storming party moved on (under cover of a heavy fire from the British batteries erected for that purpose), and arrived within one hundred yards of the fort before they were perceived: as soon, however, as col Monson saw that he was discovered, he endeavoured, by pushing on with the two flank companies of the 70th to enter the fort along with the guard stationed outside of the gates, behind a strong breast work which covered the entrance. The colonel succeeded in passing the breastwork, but he found the first gate shut. Two ladders were immediately applied, on which major Macleod, of the 76th regiment, with two grenadiers, attempted to mount; but they were forced to desist by a most formida ble row of pikemen, who menaced every assailant with certain destruction. A twelve. pounder was then brought up, but some time elapsed before it could be placed opposite the gate, which was situated in an inconvenient direction near the flank of a bastion. Four or fire rounds were fired before any effect was produced on the gate; and during this interval, which lasted about twenty minutes, the storming party was exposed to a most severe and raking fire of grape and wall pieces, and matchlocks. Our principal loss was sustained at this place. Colonel Monson was wounded here by a pike, discharged, it is thought, from a gun at this spot were also killed the four grenadier officers and the adjutant of the 76th regiment, with lieutenant Turton, of the 4th regiment of native infantry.

"As soon as the army had taken up its "As soon as the first gate was blown ground near Coel, general Lake summoned open, the troops advanced in a circular dimonsieur Pedron, the commander of Ally-rection (round a strong bastion of masonry, Ghur, to surrender the fort; but after several unsuccessful efforts to save the effusion of blood, and to persuade the garrison to evacuate the place, general Lake found himself compelled to adopt more decisive measures, and determined to attempt to carry the fort

along a narrow road, and through two gate. ways, which were easily forced) to a fourth gateway leading to the body of the place: during which time they were much annoyed by a heavy cross fire in every direction. It was a work of great difficulty before the

twelve-pounder could be brought up, and when it arrived, the gate was too strongly fastened to be forced. Major Macleod, how ever, pushed through the wicket and entered the fort; after which very little opposition ensued, and the fort was completely carried. The general defence of this fort was very vigorous, and lasted for one hour; and our loss was extremely severe. The French commandant, M. Pedron, was taken prisoner. As soon as the British troops had entered the body of the place, the garrison endeavoured to escape in every direction: many jumped into the ditch, others were drowned. About two thousand were killed; some surrendered, and were permitted to quit the fort by the commander in chief, who was close to the fort observing the result of his bold and wellplanned attack..

"A large quantity of stores and ordnance was found in the fort, with some tumbrils of money, which the storming party divided on the spot.

The fall of the fort of Ally-Ghur was attended with the acquisition of most of the military stores belonging to the French party. This was the place of residence of monsieur Perron, and it was the great depôt of his mi

litary stores.

"The necessary arrangements for the security of the fort of Ally-Ghuur, and for the march of the army having been completed on the 7th of September, the commander in chief moved on that day towards Delhi: A battalion of sepoys was left in Ally-Ghur, and a drawbridge applied to the gateway: the place may now be considered as impregnable to any native power

66

On the 7th of September the commander in chief received a letter, under date the 5th of September, from monsieur Perron, informing the commander in chief that he had resigned the service of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, and requesting permission to pass with his family, property, and the officers of his suite, to Lucknow, through the territory of the honourablecompany, and of the Nawaub Vizier. Monsieur Perron also applied to the commander in chief for a sufficient escort, to be composed either of British troops, or his own body guard. General Lake immediately complied with monsieur Perron's request, and permitted monsieur Perron to proceed through the British territory attended by a British officer, who had been appointed to meet monsieur Perron on the frontier, and

[blocks in formation]

The subsequent battle of Delhi was a contest with native generals, and ter minated in the usual assertion of European superiority. General Lake had a horse killed under him, and displayed his habitual gallantry and resources. The unfortunate emperor Shah Aulum sent to general Lake immediately after the action, to express his anxious desire to place his person and authority ander the protection of the victorious arms of the British government. And thus every object of the war was completely attained: the native news-writers cele brated, with oriental warmth of colouring, the emancipation of their ancient emperor from the long controul of a French faction; they described him as recovering his sight from excess of joy; and as conferring on general Lake, with unsolicited eagerness, the titles "sword of the state,' "hero of the land," "lord of the age," and "victor in war."

The appendix contains various treaties and other public papers, referred to in the narrative. It is decorated with engraved plans of the principal engagements. A document, which was to have been numbered B, is apparently sup pressed; perhaps because it contained have endeavoured to learn and to supply particulars of Mr. De Boigne, which we from less responsible sources of intelligence.

The cosmopolite will partake the satisfaction of the country in this extension of British influence over the east ; an influence which dispenses the benefit: of increased security, of wiser legisla tion, of comprehensive tolerance, of estended traffic, of arts more useful, o opulence more diffusive, of exemplary civilization, and of printed instruction.

ART. VII. Brief Remarks on the Mahratta War, and on the Rise and Progress of the French Establishment in Hindostan, under Generals De Boigne and Perron. Svo. PP. 33.

THIS is a shorter, but a less instructive and less interesting account of the Mabratia war, than that contained in lord Wellesley's notes: whence a neat eptone, cheaply accessible, would yet

be welcome to a numerous class of readers.

What most peculiarizes this publica tion is the following attempt at a legical justification of hostilities; the policy.

prudence, and good conduct of which have not been brought into question.

"After all that has been said and rumourel respecting the justice and the policy of the Mahratta war, the question may be resolved into four short and simple propositions. "First. Has not the peishwa, who is an acknowledged sovereign prince, a right to ter into an alliance with a foreign state, pro vided the terins of such alliance did not rench upon the privileges, territories, and Estates, of any of the feudal chieftains of the Mahratta cmpire?

even had the confederated chieftains acted otherwise than they did, and not sought the quarrel, to have insisted on Sindia's dismiss. ing the French officers, and disbanding the French army? or at least to have coerced and modified it in such a manner, as to prevent its becoming an instrument of our destruction in the hands of France? en-To these propositions it is easy to reply; and in common justice the only answer that can be given is obvious. But, laying aside the relative rights of the peishwa and feudal chieftains; the latter question is of such magnitude, as to render it the imperious duty of the governor-general to protect the empire committed to his charge; and by all justifiable means in his power to establish British induence paramount to that of France throughout the Mahratta empire."

Secondly. Had not the British govern ment a right to enter into an alliance with the peshwa, provided such treaty did not inde the lawful interests, or the possessions of other states, or of the feudal chieftains of tut Mahratta empire?

"Thirdly. Had the confederated chieftains, Scindia and the rajah of Berar, a right to make war on the British government, berue their meditated schemes of treasonable ggression against their lawful sovereign were counteracted, and likely to be frustrated, by La treaty in question?

"Fourthly and lastly. Would it not have been incumbent on the governor-general,

A French poet observes:-
"Les usurpateurs des provinces

En deviennent les justes princes,
"En donnant de plus justes loix."

Happy the nation, whose conquests, although accompanied with this excuse, require not this apology!

ART. VIII. Sir JOHN FROISSART'S Chronicles of England, France, and the adjoining Countries, from the latter Part of the Reign of Edward II. to the Coronation of Henry IV.; newly translated from the best French Editions; with Variations and Additions from many celebrated Manuscripts. By THOMAS JONES. Vol. I. 4to. pp. 835.

[blocks in formation]

the most successful adventurer for lite rary Lonours would coolly analyse the applauses which he obtains, and investigate the different motives to which they may be traced, he would receive a ful though humiliating lesson. Perhips his works derive an interest from Lis personal circumstances, which will necessarily die with him. A friendly reviewer may have promulgated his praises in the plural tone of authoritative criticism, or the talking critics find it Convenient to be upon good terms with him, because his table is well-served, and his guests well chosen. Perhaps he s been extolled by the laudable pride of his townsfolk; the nationality of his countrymen is interested in exaggerating lis merits, or his fellow sectarians force im into notice. He may have blown

the trumpet of liberty and made himself conspicuous by standing alone; or played first fiddle in the chorus of loyalty, have ridiculed those whom the public thought ridiculous, and calumniated those who were already the objects of popular hatred. He has hit the temper of the times, and fancies his little bark sails rapidly, when she has only been going with the stream.

66

Haud longum tales ideo lætantur, et ipsi
Sæpe suis superant monumentis, illaudati-
que
Extremum ante diem fetus flevere caducos,
Viventesque suæ viderunt funera famar.”
VIDA.

These things will pass away, and if his reputation be founded upon these only, or such as these, it will soon be like the beauty of the last generation, or the popularity of a dead monarch, when the current money is stamped with his successor's head, and God save the king hath been transmitted, with the other heir-looms of the crown; the dust will lie light upon his volumes; and if. no provident collector should secure them with Russia leather, or in the cedar book-case, the worms will make

them of some use in the system of na

ture.

As the public voice is more frequently erroneous in its praise than in its censure, so its favourable sentences are the soonest reversed. The multitude indeed receive their literary opinions as they do the articles of their faith; they believe in Shakespeare and Milton as in the Athanasian creed, and ages pass away before they can be reconciled to what they have once anathematized. Mandevil is still with them, as the pious punster called him, a man-devil, while the hard-hearted system of Adam Smith continues to be the political bible of England. Time is even slower than the court of Chancery in his decisions, but his decisions are certain, and the writers who deserve it are sure of their millennium at last, a resurrection of their own, in which the unworthy shall have no participation.

This is not one of those sermons which will suit any text, though such sermons, Heaven knows, might well be excused in reviewers, who have in general such miserable texts to preach upon. The present case is in point. We are beginning to do justice to the historians of old. Herodotus, who has been depreciated for a thousand years, has been in our days restored to his due rank; Machiavelli is no longer execrated as the enemy to vir. tue and freedom; we read the conquest of Mexico in the True History of Bernal Diaz, and the wars of the Black Prince in the Chronicles of Froissart.

Lady Wortley, who is entitled to a statue in St. Paul's, as the most delightful letter-writer of any age or country, as well as the benefactress of Europe, she calls history the stupidest of all romances; and considering history as it has latterly been written, she does not greatly undervalue it. In the alembic of a modern history-maker, every thing that enlivens and distinguishes is evaporated, and a mere caput mortuum of results is left. Instead of the manners of men, the metaphysical narrator chuses to display their motives, as if he had been father confessor, as well as of the privy council, to the kings of old; instead of making the characters speak for themselves, he must sum them up in a string of fine sentences to show how neatly he can point an antithesis, or round a period. A boy will go to sleep over Hume, but give him Hollingshed in stead, and he feels as when he comes from Mrs. Salmon's waxen figures into

the motion and life of Fleet-street. the Chronicles we deal with living me they move before us as in the drama their characteristic dresses, and the sce of action and the bustle of action are presented with all their circumstan Modern history reduces all to the stratum of essential facts, regardless the accidents which give the varieties colour and beauty. Their narratives a in comparison what a gazette is to drama, a plan to a picture, a skeleten flesh and blood. This system has p ceeded partly from want of feel. imagination, still more from a honest industry. Henry indeed done his duty in collecting ma but he has only collected them for better architect to build with. H can no more be called a history plate of plumbs, and another of sum, a third of flour, with a little wat one cup, and a little brandy in anot should be called a plum-pudding. Glass's directions to mix the ingred. well, are as applicable to the one cas to the other.

Froissart has at present a higher putation than any chronicler, the he is less intrinsically interesting th Joinville, did we not take a livelie: terest in his subject. Mr. Ellis and Walter Scott have quoted him so w that even the unlearned, and those w read merely for amusement, will joice that Mr. Johnes has thus ma Froissart accessible to general reade Indeed the taste for books of chival has long been perceptibly reviving. A ter slumbering so many ages upon t shelf, they have come to life again, the snails of the virtuoso in warm wate Sentimental lady letter-writers are like to give place to wandering damsels, an the gentle knights errant have fou their way into the circulating library, the great danger of the love-sick lords gentlemen, who have so long maintains quiet possession there. It is the pecul good fortune of Froissart that his her are as perfect knights as Amadis or e Tristram, while their actions are the n splendid that occur in the histories o France and England.

Mr. Johnes has bestowed much labo upon this work in correcting the names persons and places, where it was possible He has collated the printed copies wil several manuscripts, and added to them some chapters which now first appear From these we shall take our specime

« 上一頁繼續 »