The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 1 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of PowisMalcolm, John
History
The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 1 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of Powis
Malcolm, John
Clive, Robert Clive, Baron, 1725-1774; India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947
"Captain Clive, to preserve his men, relinquished the intention
of bringing off the enemy's cannon, and ordered them to enter the
choultry; from hence the artillery-men, stepping out and retreating
into it, immediately after they performed the services allotted to
each of them, continued to load and fire their field-pieces, until
they had recoiled into the north street. The troops then, quitting the
choultry, joined their guns, and proceeded to the fort without meeting
any further molestation. Ensign Glass's platoon returned at the same
time: these had encountered, and put to flight three or four hundred
of the enemy's sepoys, whom they found posted as an advanced guard in
an inclosure adjoining to the street through which they intended to
pass to the palace; where, by this interruption, they were prevented
from arriving in time to render the service expected from them. The
garrison suffered this day the loss of fifteen Europeans, who were
either killed on the spot, or died afterwards of their wounds: amongst
them was lieutenant Trenwith, who, perceiving a sepoy from a window
taking aim at Captain Clive, pulled him on one side; upon which the
sepoy, changing his aim, shot lieutenant Trenwith through the body.
Lieutenant Revel, the only artillery officer, with sixteen other men,
was likewise disabled. This sally would be condemned by the rules of
war established in Europe, for they forbid the besieged to run such a
risk, unless they are assured of greatly outnumbering the party they
attack; but it is not reasonable to strain the rules calculated for one
system to the service of another differing so widely from it, as the
modes of war in Hindustan differ from those in Europe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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