Colonel Pearse, although a colonel and the officer next in seniority in the Company’s service to the commander-in-chief, was declared available to command a battalion, thus lowering him from the command of a brigade, which the artillery had hitherto been, to that of a battalion, a command below what his rank entitled him to. This indignity was not, however, long continued, for in August he was appointed to the general command of the artillery stationed at the Presidency, and allowed an aide-de-camp.
The lascars lately broken up and dispersed among the regiments were withdrawn, to reform the companies, the first 6 of which were stationed at Caunpoor, the next 4 at Futteygurh, next 4 at Dinapoor, next 4 at Berhampoor, 6 with first battalion, and 6 with third battalion, at the Presidency; the tindals lately discharged were re-entertained; all lascars in excess of the establishment were discharged, and none in future were to be entertained, except such as were seamen or boatmen by profession; and in March, 1787, 5 feet 6 inches was the standard fixed for them.
The artillery companies were stationed, 10 at the Presidency, 1 at Berhampoor, 1 at Dinapoor, 2 at Caunpoor, and 1 at Futteygurh, and the companies were enrolled in the battalions according to the seniority of their captains at first; this, however, was shortly altered, by making the first and second battalions change numbers.
The regiment now stood, according to this arrangement—
| Establishment | Actual | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonel. | 1 | ||
| Lieut-Colonels. | 3 | 2 | |
| Majors. | 3 | 3 | |
| Captains. | 15 | 15 | |
| Capt-Lieutenants. Lieutenants. | 30 | 30 | |
| Lieut.-Fireworkers. | 30 | 30 | |
| Adjutants. | 3 | 3 | non-eff. |
| Quarter-Masters. | 3 | 3 | |
| Serj-Major. | 3 | 3 | |
| Qr.-Master Serj. | 3 | 3 | |
| Drill Serjeants. | 3 | non-effect. | |
| Drill-Corporals. | 5 | ||
| Drum-Major. | 3 | 2 | |
| Fife-Major. | 3 | 1 | |
| Serjeants. | 60 | 71 | |
| Corporals. | 60 | 59 | |
| Gunners. | 120 | 825 | |
| Matrosses. | 840 | ||
| Drummers. | 30 | 32 | |
| Serangs. | 30 | 27 | |
| 1st Tindals. | 60 | 60 | |
| 2nd Tindals. | 60 | 54 | |
| Lascars. | 1680 | 1679 |
The right hand line is actual strength, taken from the returns of the regiment for August, 1786.
CHAPTER III.
Artillery, one of the brigades of the army—An Infantry Officer, Brigade-Major—Succeeded by an Artillery Officer—Dress—School orders—School—Inoculation—Companies numbered by seniority—Method of exploding mortar-shells on reaching the ground—Fire in the arsenal—Death of Colonel Pearse—Lieut.-Colonel G. Deare, Commandant—War in the Carnatic—Second Battalion of Artillery sent—Sattimungulum—Bangalore—Retreat from Seringapatam—Nundydroog—Savendroog—Attack on fortified camp at Seringapatam—Return to Bengal.
Although so recent, the formation with which the last chapter closed was soon modified. In April, 1787, the artillery was constituted one of the brigades of the army,—a change made probably with the view of placing Colonel Pearse on an equality with other officers of his rank, though junior to him in standing. But a curious circumstance is connected with this formation, in the nomination of an infantry officer, “Lieutenant Peter Cullen, brigade-major to Colonel MacLeod, to act as brigade-major to the artillery, with the rank of captain, conformably to the orders of the Court of Directors, until a vacancy happens in that staff-line in the infantry to which he is to succeed.” The reason of this appointment is, however, clearly shewn in a subsequent order: “The Honourable Captain T. Maitland, H. M.’s 72nd regiment, is appointed major of brigade, to do duty under Colonel MacLeod vice Lieutenant Cullen.” In March, 1788, however, Captain Grace, of the artillery, succeeded to this appointment.
Several changes took place at this period in the army, at which we need only glance. The colonels were detached from their brigades, and placed in a situation similar to that of general officers of divisions and brigades in the present day; tent allowance was given to officers in all situations; fuzils and spontoons were superseded with infantry officers by swords; the dress of the army was altered, as was that of the artillery, and it is amusing to find that what is ordered in 1844 should be little more than reverting to the orders of 1786; for what is the order directing white covers to be worn on caps, but the principle of “White hats may be worn on the line of march, or black hats with white linen folded round them?” though, in truth, there may be little doubt whether the round hat so prepared was not a far preferable head-dress to the present shako.