Page images
PDF
EPUB

which in most places was above the ancles of his men; he was therefore glad to encamp, and afford fome repose to his fatigued troops.

As the city of Futtahpore was marked in Mr. Thomas's military career, as a place of fignal fuccefs, an account of it may not perhaps be deemed intrusive.

Kaieem Khan, a Tartar nobleman, accompanied the standard of the Moguls on their firft invafion of Hindoftan; and as a reward for his military fervices on that occafion had been prefented with the government of the adjoining country of Hurrianah and Jinjinnoo, where he fettled with his family and adherents.

In procefs of time, however, the Mogul princes who fat on the throne of Delhi, unmindful of the fervices of this illuftrious family, endeavoured to effect their ruin; and finally by a tyrannical procedure, expelled them from the province. On their expulfion they fought an afylum in the dominions of Jypore, by whofe ruler they were kindly received, and where they remained until the present time. The city

of Futtahpore was allotted for their refidence: where, fince that period, the descendants of Kaieem Khan have continued to refide, retaining, along with the name of their founder, the characteristic energy and military fpirit of the tribe; and are to this day termed by the natives Kaieem Khanee, or defcendants of Kaieem Khan.

The city of Futtahpore being full of people, Mr. Thomas, in order to fave the effufion of blood, was defirous to treat with the inhabitants for its ransom; but the demands of Vavon Row were fo exorbitant, that they declined compliance.

The Mahratta chief afked no lefs a fum than ten lacs of rupees, whilft the townspeople only offered one, encouraged perhaps by the hope of receiving affiftance from the rajah of Jypore, who was rapidly advancing to their relief.

During these negotiations night came on, and nothing was done refpecting the proposed ranfom: fome perfons, however, who had been

fent into the city by Mr. Thomas to protect the place until they could make the terms of furrender, unluckily began to plunder the inhabitants; which circumftance fo exafperated the commandant, that he broke off all further treaty, and the united force then took poffeffion of the place by ftorm. This was scarcely effected, when intelligence of the rajah's approach was announced to Mr. Thomas, who then thought proper to fortify his camp, which he did in the following manner. In the neighbourhood were abundance of large thorn-trees, which are common in the weft of India: a fufficient number of thefe were cut down, and, by Mr. Thomas's direction, piled one upon another in the front and flanks of his camp, his rear being fecured by the city of Futtahpore. To render it more impenetrable, the branches of the trees* being closely interwoven

[ocr errors]

* It is remarkable that Mr. Thomas, who had read very little, should, from the resources of his own mind, have adopted a mode of defence parallel with one related in the History of Modern Europe. Speaking of the approach of the British army under the command of General Abercromby, in the war of 1758, against the fort of Ticonderago, in North America, "The French (says the historian)

with each other, were then made faft with ropes, thus forming chevaux de frize to keep off the cavalry; and lastly a large quantity of fand was thrown between the branches which pointed outwards toward the enemy.

A trench could not be dug, as the fand was fo loose in its quality that the excavations were inftantly filled up as foon as made: but the abbatis above-mentioned was on feveral accounts highly ferviceable, particularly as it not only fecured Mr. Thomas from the attacks of the enemy's cavalry, but afforded protection to the camp. He next directed batteries to be made for the defence of the different wells in the neighbourhood, which had by this time been cleaned out and opened afresh for use. He took poffeffion of and fortified the city in the best manner that the shortness of the time

"were stationed under the cannon of the place, behind an "abbatis or breast-work formed of the trunks of trees "piled one upon another; and they were farther defended "by whole trees, with their branches outward, some of "which were cut and sharpened so as to answer the purpose of chevaux de frize."-See Russel's History of Modern Europe, vol. v. p. 288.

[ocr errors]

admitted; ordered a large fupply of provifions to be brought into his camp; and had scarcely finished thefe preparations, when the vanguard of the enemy's army appeared in fight.

On their arrival, the enemy encamped within four cofs of Mr. Thomas, and foon after pushed on a detachment of cavalry and infantry to clear the wells in the neighbourhood. For two days he allowed them to proceed with their work uninterruptedly; but on the third morning, he with two battalions of infantry, eight pieces of artillery, and his own cavalry, marched out with a refolution to attack their grand park of artillery, leaving directions to the battalion that remained behind to attack and difperfe the advanced party before-mentioned. On his departure, he left a written paper for Vavon Row, requesting that chief to follow with the remainder of his cavalry, and with the infantry which he had with him, to provide for the fecurity of the camp.

Mr. Thomas was disposed to act in this manner from his experience of the Mahrattas, who he well knew, if acquainted with his plans,

L

« PreviousContinue »