Journals of the Sieges of the Madras Army, in the Years 1817, 1818, and 1819; With Observations on the System, According to Which Such Operations Have Usually Been Conducted in India, and a Statement of the Improvements That Appear (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825 edition. Excerpt: ...having become unserviceable, and all the shot being expended; Secondly, the length of time that would ' probably elapse before the arrival of a reinforcement of artillery. Thirdly, .on account of the threatening state of the weather, and the expected approach of the monsoon, which might render the river an insurmountable obstacle to our operations on that side.. '; i: i.: . It was therefore proposed to commence an entirely new attack on the East face of the Fort, as the possession of the Pettah afforded our troops ample cover, and a safe approach, on that side, to the outer wall, the nature of which was now for the first time ascertained, as also a facility of mining, to which the river on the West side was an insurmountable obstacle. In order to confine the Garrison as much as CHAP, possible, it was proposed to leave a battalion of IV. Sepoys on the West side of the river, which might take up its quarters in the village (H), whence parties to be relieved occasionally might be sent to the post (I), and to a redout, which it was recommended to construct near the breaching battery. The streets of the Pettah, communicating with the Fort, to be barricaded, by which means an excellent parallel would be obtained, along the whole extent of that side of the Fort. It was then proposed to establish mines under the three towers (/, m, and n) of the outer wall, and for this purpose to sink shafts within the houses immediately opposite to them, and eventually to form lodgments on the breaches caused by these mines, in consequence of which it was expected, that the enemy would be driven from the outer wall. Having proceeded so far, it was not expected that much more could be done till the arrival of a reinforcement of artillery. May 31st. Working parties were...