Memoir of the Services of the Bengal Artillery: From the Formation of the Corps to the Present Time, with Some Account of Its Internal OrganizationBuckle, E. (Edmond)
History
Memoir of the Services of the Bengal Artillery: From the Formation of the Corps to the Present Time, with Some Account of Its Internal Organization
Buckle, E. (Edmond)
India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947; India -- History, Military; India. Army. Bengal Artillery
In Bundelcund disturbances still continued, and during several years a
force continued to find employment in that district. In February, 1806,
Gohud was taken, and in January, 1807, Chumar, near Kooch. The General
Orders on the capture of the latter, notice “the professional ability
and zealous emulation displayed by Captain Hopper, of the
artillery * * * employed on that service in preparing the way * * * for
which all are entitled to his lordship’s particular praise and thanks.”
Captain Turton and Lieutenant G. Faithfull also appear to have been in
this campaign.
The following year, towards the conclusion, the force again took the
field to reduce Adjeegurh, which Luchmun Dowlah refused to yield,
agreeably to stipulation.
A portion marched against Heerapoor, with which were Major Brooke,
Lieutenants Granishaw and C. H. Campbell, of the artillery; after
ascending the pass on the 19th December, with much difficulty, the fort
was reconnoitred, and batteries formed of fascines and sand-bags on the
20th, and by 3 P.M. a breach was made; a fire was kept up at intervals
during the night, the enemy made a feeble attack on an outpost, and
evacuated the fort during the night.
The report of the Governor-General’s agent to the secretary to
Government said, “The exertions of the pioneers and their officers, and
those of Captain Brooke, Lieutenants Granishaw and Campbell, the
Europeans and lascars of the artillery, in preparing the batteries and
serving and laying the guns, could not be surpassed.”
Captain Brooke’s services were also acknowledged in orders by
Major-General Martindell.
On the 22nd January the force was brought into contact with the enemy,
who, surrounded in the strong position of Rugowley, made a desperate
resistance, and, although driven to a corner, rendered it necessary to
withdraw the troops from the attack.
Major Brooke, Captain-Lieutenant Ferris, Lieutenants D. Macleod,
Granishaw, Campbell, and Marshall, were present in this action.
On the 27th January the army took up their position before Adjeegurh; a
battery was erected on the plain, but the distance was found to have
been miscalculated, probably from the overhanging appearance which forts
built on hills assume, and it was found necessary to occupy the spur up
which the road ran to the gate. Much labour was required to convey the
heavy guns to their positions, and it was not until the morning of the
11th February that they opened their fire; it continued during the 12th
and the morning of the 13th, when the whole of a wall came down; the
killidar then came out, and the fort was given up.
“To the artillery the heavy duties of the siege more particularly fell;
their exertions were great, and vied with the natural objects they had
to encounter. Their fire was inimitably well directed, and the
commanding officer must ever feel himself indebted to the officers and
men who conducted it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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