A History of the Mahrattas v2.c53.1

Language: English

v2.c53.1.1

A.D. 1805.—THE Bengal army arrived before Bhurtpoor¹ on the second day of the new year. General Lake being accustomed only to success, without properly reconnoitring the (Jan. 4.) place, and with a very inefficient battering train, commenced the siege by taking possession of a grove which afforded a partial cover to his operations.² Bhurtpoor is a fortified town, six or eight miles in circumference, everywhere surrounded by a high strong mud wall and bastions planted with a numerous artillery, having a wide and deep ditch, capable of being rendered unfordable. It was strongly garrisoned by the whole of the Raja’s troops and the remainder of Holkar’s infantry. The Raja pressed a great proportion of the neighbouring villagers, many of whom were of his own cast, to assist in repairing the works; and having a very large treasury, nothing to obstruct his supplies on three sides of the town and Holkar’s cavalry to act upon those of the besiegers, his means of defence were proportionate to his resolution to use them. In addition to Holkar’s cavalry, Umeer Khan was summoned from Bundelcund, and during the progress of the siege, after making on one occasion a considerable but unsuccessful effort on an important convoy, where (Feb. 7.) a number of his men were killed, he went off to effect a diversion, crossed the Jumna and the Ganges, and invaded the Company’s districts in Rohilcund.

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He was, however, so closely pursued by the British cavalry, detached by General Lake, under General Smith, that he had not time to effect extensive mischief. He was at last overtaken on the 1st March, and after a sharp skirmish routed with considerable loss. This defeat encouraged the people of the country to resist him, and his followers began to desert. Tired at length by a campaign less profitable and more hazardous than he expected, Umeer Khan, about the 20th March, returned to Bhurtpoor, which still defied every effort of the British general, who had by that time come to the resolution of suspending operations until the arrival of stores, and the junction of a more powerful artillery. The army had been repulsed in four assaults; the first, led by Colonel Maitland, who lost his life on the occasion, was made on the night of the 9th of January. Several causes were assigned for its failure;—owing to the irregularity of the ground, and the extreme darkness, a confusion took place at the outset, from which many of the men lost their way; the ditch was very deep, and the breach was not only imperfect, but defended with determined courage. A better breach induced General Lake to try the second assault on the 21st of the same month: it failed from the depth of water in the ditch.

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Means had been taken to ascertain the extent of this impediment by a stratagem of three of the Bengal native cavalry, who, pretending to go over to the enemy, and being fired upon with blank cartridges from the trenches, had thus an opportunity of making their observations, and returned with a favourable report. The enemy, however, dammed up the ditch in front of the breach, which, on the part of the besiegers, rendered valour unavailing, and perseverance destruction. On the 10th February, the Bombay division under Major-General Jones joined the Bengal army, to assist in the siege, which was now going on by regular approaches. On the 20th of that month, another assault was made with no better success than the former. Two European regiments, one of them the hitherto brave 76th, refused to follow their officers, and thus gave the 12th regiment of Bengal Sepoys an opportunity of immortalizing themselves. Following the gallant remains of the flank companies of the 22d regiment of foot, the Sepoys advanced with the greatest alacrity, planted their colours on the top of a bastion, and it was supposed that an equal degree of ardour on the part of the 75th and 76th regiments would have made them masters of the place. Next day, the men of these regiments, when addressed by General Lake, were overpowered by shame and remorse; they volunteered to a man; and a fourth and last attempt was made on the 21st February.