A considerable amount of prize money gained during the war was further enhanced by the surrender of their respective shares by Lord Cornwallis and General Medows, and by liberal gratuities from the Government. The share of every private soldier amounted to £14, 11. 9., the shares of other ranks being in proportion.
Sixty-seven forts and eight hundred and one guns were captured during the three campaigns; of which, fifty-six forts and six hundred and fifty-six guns were captured by the British forces, the remainder falling to their native allies.
On the 20th March, the Treaty of Peace was duly ratified, and on the 26th, the army marched from Seringapatam, for Madras, which was reached about the end of May. The 19th Light Dragoons returned to their old quarters at Shevtamodoo.
A medal for the three campaigns, 1790–92, was bestowed on the Bengal native troops who took part in them.
CHAPTER VI
FALL OF MYSORE
1793–1799.
France declares War—Expedition against Pondicherry—Surrender of Pondicherry—Peace reigns in India—Lunkia Naik—Floyd’s large allowances—French adventurers in India—Tippoo’s growing hostility—Disarmament of Nizam’s force under French officers—Army formed under General Harris—Tippoo’s intrigues—Galloper Guns—Advance on Mysore—Battle of Mallavelly—Seringapatam invested—The Bombay Army—The Rajah of Coorg—Signal guns—Seringapatam taken—Tardy recognition in England of services performed in India—Badge of “Seringapatam.”
On the 1st February 1793, the French National Convention declared war against Great Britain. The news was at once dispatched to India by the British Consul at Alexandria, and reached Calcutta on the 11th June. Lord Cornwallis acted with great promptitude, and, without awaiting further communications from England, issued orders for taking possession of the French territories in India. The troops in the vicinity of Wallajabad, among whom were the 19th Light Dragoons, were at once put in motion under Colonel Floyd, and encamped before Pondicherry on the 11th July, while the place was blockaded by sea by such ships as were available. On the 28th July, Colonel Brathwaite, who had succeeded Major General Medows as local Commander in Chief, took command of the force, which by this time amounted to 10,500 men. According to the returns of 1st August, the strength of the 19th Light Dragoons, at that date, was 274, exclusive of sick. Siege operations were commenced on the 10th August, and fire was opened on the 20th. On the 22nd Pondicherry capitulated, and was taken possession of on the following day. The British loss amounted to 248 killed, wounded, and missing. One hundred and sixty-six guns, with a great quantity of military stores, fell into the hands of our troops, and Pondicherry ceased to be a French possession until the Peace of Amiens. The part taken in the siege by the cavalry was naturally a subordinate one, as the enemy had no force in the field that could interrupt operations.
On the fall of Pondicherry, the 19th Light Dragoons returned for a time to their old quarters at Shevtamodoo. Colonel Floyd remained at Pondicherry, in command of the place, for a few months, when he was appointed to command the Southern Division of the Madras forces, with his Head Quarters at Trichinopoly. In 1794, we find the 19th quartered at Seringham, near Trichinopoly. In the following year, they were encamped on the Trichinopoly plain, and in 1796, they were moved into the cavalry cantonments at Trichinopoly.