CHAPTER I

“SHOLINGHUR,” “CARNATIC”

[Sidenote: December 10th, 1776: Formation.]

Owing to a threatened invasion of the Carnatic by the Mahrattas, the growing power of Hyder Ali of Mysore, and war with the French, it was considered necessary to increase the troops of the Madras Government. The native portion of the army then consisted of eight battalions, and eight more were raised, the present 3rd Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment being formed by drafts from the other battalions and designated the 16th Carnatic Battalion or “Lane’s” Battalion. Captain Thomas Lane was the first Commandant, and Ensign James Richardson the first Adjutant.

[Sidenote: 1778.]

The Battalion remained at Trichinopoly, where it was raised, until 1778, when it joined the main army under Sir Hector Munro for the reduction of the French Settlement of Pondicherry. This place was invested on August 8th and capitulated on October 17th. The Battalion’s casualties were:—Killed—1 sergeant, 1 naik, 19 sepoys. Wounded—1 lieutenant, 5 havildars, 2 naiks, 1 drummer, 26 sepoys. A total of 56.

The 16th was one of the battalions left to garrison the town and to assist in dismantling the defences.

[Sidenote: 1780: Defence of Permacoil Fort.]

In September, 1780, Hyder Ali, the Sultan of Mysore, invaded the Carnatic in alliance with the French. The Battalion, less one company under Lieutenant Bishop at Permacoil Fort, joined the main army which marched to Conjeeveram, with the object of joining hands with a detachment under Colonel Baillie, which was marching from Guntoor.

[Sidenote: Defeat of Colonel Baillie’s Detachment.]

This detachment was attacked by Hyder Ali within eight miles of the main army. Sir Hector Munro sent a force, consisting of the flank companies of the army, to rescue Colonel Baillie, but the entire detachment was either killed or taken prisoner to Seringapatam. The army, thus reduced, was forced to retire to Madras, with the loss of baggage, being harassed the whole way by the Mysore Cavalry. Sir Hector Munro was relieved of his command for not having supported Colonel Baillie with his whole army instead of with a detachment only. Sir Eyre Coote took over command and formed the army into three divisions, the Battalion being placed in the 2nd (or Left) Division under Colonel Lord MacLeod.

[Sidenote: 1781: “Carnatic”.]

Arrangements having been made for the supply of the army, it marched from The Mount on January 17th, strength 7,450 (including 1,600 Europeans) and 62 guns.

[Sidenote: Relief of Permacoil.]

The first object was the relief of various forts besieged by Hyder Ali, among them Permacoil, held by one company of the 16th. This was effected. Lieutenant Bishop was noted for immediate promotion for the gallant manner in which he had carried out the defence, but this was disallowed by the Directors of the Company as contrary to the established custom.

[Sidenote: Battle of Cuddalore.]

After several skirmishes, Hyder Ali made a general attack on the British while they were in camp near Cuddalore. This was repulsed, the 16th Battalion being cited in orders as having behaved especially well.

[Sidenote: Battle of Porto Novo.]

The Army continued its march southwards, and found the united armies of Hyder Ali and the French, under Lally, in position near Porto Novo on July 1st. The enemy numbered 60,000 regulars with 47 guns and 120,000 irregulars. Coote attacked the enemy’s left flank, which was broken, and caused the general defeat of the enemy. The 16th was in the second line under General Stuart, which covered the left of the attack and finally repulsed the cavalry under Lally, which made a desperate final attempt to break the British line.

The casualties were:—Killed: European, 19; Native, 64. Wounded: European, 38; Native, 198. Missing: European, 1; Native, 18. Total, 338.

The Battalion’s losses were:—Killed: 1 European drummer and 3 rank and file. Wounded: Ensign John Haynes, 2 subadars, 2 havildars, and 20 rank and file. Missing: 1. Total, 30.

Coote especially praised the steadiness and spirited behaviour of the Sepoy Corps.

The victory could not be followed up owing to lack of cavalry and supplies, but it broke the spell and terror of Hyder’s name.

The army now moved north to effect a junction with the Bengal detachment, which was marching down the coast. This having been accomplished, the whole force returned to St. Thomas’ Mount on August 8th, and was reorganized into five brigades. The 16th was placed in the 2nd Brigade, Colonel Ross Lang, Right Wing, under Sir Hector Munro.

On August 16th the whole army marched, and having taken Tripasore, continued its westerly advance.

[Sidenote: Battle of Pollilore.]

The whole strength of the enemy was found in position at Pollilore, on the same ground on which Baillie’s detachment had been destroyed the previous year. The effective British strength was 11,000 and that of Hyder Ali and the French 150,000 (regulars and irregulars), with 80 guns. Coote attacked and penetrated the enemy’s centre with his right wing, while his left outflanked the enemy’s right. A general retreat of the enemy then commenced.

The British casualties were:—Killed: Europeans, 24; Native, 105. Wounded: European, 54; Native, 207. Missing: Native, 63. Total, 453.

Again the lack of cavalry, supplies, and transport prevented the victory being exploited, and the army fell back on Tripasore on August 29th.

[Sidenote: Battle of Sholinghur.]

The Fort at Vellore, which was besieged by the enemy, being in urgent need of relief, Coote with great difficulty collected sufficient transport and rations to march with this object on September 21st.

Hyder Ali was holding a pass through the Sholinghur Hills on the direct road with his whole army. The British army arrived at the pass on September 27th, and at once attacked. Hyder Ali did not realize that the British were seriously attacking. The 2nd Brigade and the Cavalry were sent to turn the enemy’s left flank while the rest of the army attacked frontally. The attack was entirely successful and the enemy fled in disorder after the defeat of the Mysore Cavalry. The strengths of the opposing armies were: British, 11,500; Mysore, 150,000, and 70 guns. The British casualties were only 20 killed, 58 wounded and 9 missing.

Owing to the continual dissensions between the civil and military authorities, an efficient supply and transport service was impossible. Government also would not sanction the raising of cavalry. So for the third time in this year decisive victory was missed. Coote declared that he would rather have had five days’ rice than the trophies and credit of the victory.

In 1889 the battle honour “Sholinghur” was sanctioned for the Battalion in commemoration of its services in this battle.

[Sidenote: Relief of Vellore.]

Vellore having been relieved on November 3rd, the army returned to Madras, where it arrived on December 3rd.

[Sidenote: Defence of Tripasore.]

Tripasore, the main base of the army, was attacked by Hyder, but held out until relieved, the garrison being under the command of Lieutenant Bishop, of the Battalion.

[Sidenote: 1782: Relief of Vellore.]

Early in January it again became necessary to relieve Vellore, to effect which the army marched on the 2nd, and, after some fighting, the place was relieved on the 11th. Hyder intercepted the return march, but on two occasions refused battle.

[Sidenote: Surrender of Permacoil.]

In May the Fort of Permacoil, held by a company of the Battalion under Lieutenant Plaw, was forced to surrender.

[Sidenote: Relief of Wandewash and Battle of Arnee.]

Owing to the continued lack of transport the army was practically immobile, and Hyder Ali laid siege to Wandewash and other forts. To draw him off Coote marched towards Arnee, Hyder’s principal depot. This had the desired effect and the British were overtaken on June 2nd, about three miles from Arnee. The rear guard held the enemy until the army was formed up, when the whole line advanced and drove the enemy back. The advance had to be stopped for a time owing to an attack by 11,000 cavalry on the baggage, which was covered by the 2nd Brigade. This being repulsed, the advance continued until the exhaustion of the infantry called a halt. There being no cavalry, the pursuit could not be continued. The army later fell back on Madras.

Owing to ill-health, Sir Eyre Coote handed over command to Brigadier-General Stuart in September, and returned to Bengal.

[Sidenote: 1783.]

Reinforcements of British troops having arrived from England, the army was reformed in January, the 16th being placed in the 3rd Brigade, 1st Line. Hyder Ali died in this year and was succeeded by his son, Tippoo.

[Sidenote: Attack on Cuddalore.]

The army marched south on February 4th and came up with the united forces of Tippoo and the French near Neddingol. The enemy refused battle, and the army marched to the relief of Vellore. This effected, it moved in a leisurely way to Cuddalore, where it arrived on June 7th. Coote, who had returned to command, died on April 27th, to the grief and consternation of the army, especially of the native portion.

Cuddalore was attacked, but, owing to the faulty timing of the three columns, the attacks were not simultaneous and were brought to a standstill. The British lost—Europeans: Killed, 165; wounded, 428. Natives: Killed, 60; wounded, 292; of which the Battalion sustained 6 killed and 36 wounded. The force on either side is supposed to have been 11,000.

The situation was critical, especially as the fleet had been so badly damaged by the French, under Suffren, that it was forced to retire on Madras. Fortunately, at this juncture, news was received that peace had been declared on July 2nd.

General Stuart was relieved of the command, and was succeeded by Colonel Ross Lang.

[Sidenote: Capture of Palghatcherry and Coimbatore.]

The Battalion now formed part of a force which was sent south and captured Palghatcherry and Coimbatore. It was then to advance on Seringapatam from the South.

[Sidenote: 1784.]

Everything was ready, but the orders were countermanded owing to a truce with Tippoo. The army dispersed, but had no sooner done so than it was ordered to reassemble owing to Tippoo having refused to sign. This had the desired effect, but it was not till March 11th, 1784, that peace was finally declared. In this year the designation of the Battalion was changed to the 16th Madras Battalion.

For services during the campaigns of 1780-84 the battle honour “Carnatic” was granted to the Battalion in 1889.