The position chosen for this Reserve force enabled it to keep the Southern Mahratta Jagheerdars in check, and also to cover the British territories, while suppressing any disturbances that might be excited in consequence of what had just occurred, namely, the death of the Nizam. While Wellesley was pursuing a victorious campaign, which resulted in Scindia suing for peace, the 33rd were left unemployed. Major-General Campbell received information in December that a large body of Pindarees, numbering 10,000 horsemen and peons, had crossed the Kistna at the Daroor Gaut, and were proceeding towards the Toombudra and the British frontier, intending to ravage the country and capture our convoys. Campbell at once moved out of camp with the cavalry and flank companies of the infantry. He surprised a party of predatory horse at daybreak, then resumed his march in the evening, taking the Pindarees wholly by surprise the following morning. His cavalry drove right into the centre of their camp almost before they were aware, with the result that in the fight 2,000 of the enemy were killed, 1,000 were wounded or taken prisoners, while the remainder threw down their arms and fled. The whole of the baggage and the bazaars, with 20,000 Brinjarry bullocks, fell into the victor's hands, a success attended with the loss of two killed and fifteen wounded. The fatigue which the troops underwent was great, but the flank companies of the 33rd, after marching thirty miles, were up with the cavalry, and had their full share in the destruction of this formidable band.1 This fight took place on the day when Scindia signed the treaty of peace. The campaign had been a striking one, and up to that time one of the shortest on record; for "thus the seat of war, extending over the continent of India, exhibited in the short space of four months as many general battles, eight regular sieges, and storming of fortresses, without including that of Gwalior . . . in all of which British valour prevailed over accumulated obstacles, the combination of formidable powers, and every advantage arising from local position, military means, and numerical strength."2 When peace was signed the 33rd went to Vellore, 1804. a strong fortress in the North Arcot district of Madras, and where the family of Tippoo Sultan were confined. The princes had considerable liberty, and were generously treated, but a garrison was kept in the place to prevent intrigue, and any sudden incursion which would militate against peace. The 33rd do not seem to have been at Vellore when the sepoys mutinied at the instigation of the princes. They had left the fortress, 1805. and moved on to Hyderabad, in June, 1805, to join the subsidiary forces of the Nizam. 1 Thorn: "Lord Lake's Campaign in India." • Ibid. CHAPTER XX SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY, COLONEL OF THE 33RD 1805. At this point something may be said relative to the feeling which existed between the 33rd and their commander, and the deep attachment on MajorGeneral Wellesley's part for the regiment " with which so much of his rising celebrity was connected." 1806. Wellesley, suffering from fever after the short but arduous campaign against the Mahrattas, asked for leave to return to Europe. He was anxious to see some Continental service, and take an active part against Napoleon. When the day for departure came no manifestation of esteem moved him so much as that from his old regiment, when officers and men alike expressed their affection for him. The Order of the Day, issued the evening before his departure, contained one paragraph which may be quoted: "The MajorGeneral earnestly recommends to the officers never to lose sight of the great principles of military service, viz:-to maintain discipline among the troops, and to encourage in their own body the spirit and opinions which are becoming in gentlemen. This is the only way to accomplish all that is noble and great in their profession." It was a sentiment worth recording. In June, 1806, Lord Cornwallis died, shortly after his arrival in India as Governor-General, in succession to Lord Mornington, who, being wearied with the perpetual opposition of the Court of Directors in Calcutta, had requested permission to retire. By Lord Cornwallis's death the Colonelcy of the 33rd became vacant, and Sir Arthur Wellesley, who had served for thirteen years as its Lieut.-Colonel, was appointed to succeed. The news was received with enthusiasm by officers and men of the regiment. They felt that they gained prestige in having as their chief a soldier whose achievements gave promise of a brilliant career. It has been said of him that during the period of his command he was "the leader, the protector, and friend of every member of his corps." He never omitted to press the claims of officers who served under him whenever he considered them worthy of recognition. Thus, when the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the 33rd fell vacant, he wrote to General Lake as follows: "I beg leave to recommend to your attention, Lieut.-Colonel Elliott, the major of the 33rd Regiment. This officer served in the 33rd above twenty years, and has been major for above seven years. The letter was ignored, but Wellesley did not lose sight of Elliott, and urged his appointment to the 80th Regiment. It was an instance of his care for the advancement of capable men who had proved their worth, but were likely to be passed over through lack of influence. If he considered a man not suited for a particular post, he spoke against his appointment without hesitation. He urged others belonging to the 33rd not to allow their capable officers to be drafted into other regiments; "not to lose the services of useful men so long as you can keep them." As for the regiment, he was eager to bring it to prominent notice. One reads in one of his letters, "I shall be happy to have the regiment with me always"; but even thus there were times in his campaigns when he felt that it might be of more use elsewhere, and he acted accordingly. There was an instance of this in the Mahratta war. He wanted the 33rd with him at first, but, afterwards, realising the necessity for its being with the Reserve, he wrote: "The 33rd could not join me. I should have lost the campaign if I had attempted to have drawn troops from General Campbell's division." Whenever Wellesley, as Lieut.-Colonel of the 33rd, was absent from the regiment, Lieut.-Colonel Elliott commanded. Elliott's place was taken in 1803 by Lieut.Colonel Arthur Gore, who exchanged from the 73rd. The news that Wellesley was returning to England came to the regiment when at Vellore, and it called forth the following letter to him: HEAD QUARTERS, 33rd Regiment, Vellore, SIR, Although by the changes in the service, many of the officers have not individually experienced the peculiar advantages of having served under your personal superintendence, yet the benefits which have resulted to the whole corps, by having you at its head, will long be felt; and it must ever remain a source of pride to the 33rd Regiment, that the person who has so eminently distinguished himself in every branch of the public service entrusted to him, and who has been so deservedly honoured by our most gracious Sovereign, was the commanding officer of the 33rd Regiment. In the absence of half the corps, whose signatures cannot be obtained, I am requested by the whole to convey to you their unanimous sentiments; and to add their most earnest wishes that you may long enjoy every honour, prosperity, and health that your country can offer. |