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Foreign News
October 17, 1805
Alexandria Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Dispatches from General Lake to Governor-General Marquis Wellesley detail two failed British assaults on Bhurtpore fort in February 1805 during the siege. The February 20 attack was thwarted by a deep ditch and obstacles, though 11 enemy guns were captured. The February 21 assault failed due to a steep bastion and heavy enemy fire, with significant casualties including Major Menzies' death.
Merged-components note: These two components form a continuous report on the siege of Bhurtpore, with the text flowing directly from one to the other across the page boundary.
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GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY
Wednesday, February 6, 1805.
Fort William, Feb. 5, 1805. - Dispatches of which the following copies are published for general information, have been received by his excellency the most noble the governor general, from his excellency the commander in chief: -
To his Excellency the most noble Marquis Wellesley, governor general, &c.
My Lord,
I have the honor to inform your lordship that the breach appearing in a sufficient state of forwardness, I determined to attempt the place again this afternoon. The storming party moved out of the trenches, where they had been lodged for the purpose, a little before three o'clock; and I am sorry to add that the ditch was found so broad and deep, that every attempt to pass it proved unsuccessful, and the party was obliged to return to the trenches, without effecting their object. The troops behaved with their usual steadiness, but I fear from the unavoidable fire they were exposed to, for a considerable time, that our loss has been severe. I shall have the honor to forward returns of the killed and wounded as soon as possible. I have the honor to be, my lord, your lordship's most faithful humble servant.
[SIGNED] G. LAKE.
Head quarters, camp before Bhurtpore, Feb. 21, 1805.
Saturday, March 9, 1805.
Fort William, Saturday March 2, 1805.
Dispatches of which the following are copies, have been this day received by his excellency the most noble, the governor general, to his excellency the commander in chief: -
To his Excellency the most noble marquis Wellesley, governor general, &c. &c.
My Lord,
My dispatch of the 20th will have informed your lordship of our failure, on that day in an attempt to carry Bhurtpore by assault.
I have the honor to detail for your lordship's information, the plans that were formed to ensure, if possible the success of the attempt.
The storming party, under the orders of Lieut. col. Don, was formed of the greater part of the European force, belonging to the Bengal army, and three battalions of Sepoys.
One column composed of two hundred of his majesty's 36th regiment, from the Bombay division, and the first battalion of the 8th regiment of Bengal native infantry, under captain Grant, of the former corps, was ordered to attack the enemy's trenches and guns outside the town, whilst a third column composed of three hundred men of his majesty's 65th regiment and two battalions of Bombay Sepoys marching to attack the Beem Narain Gate, which, from every report I had received, was easy of access for guns, &c.
The signal for the storming party to move out was the commencement of captain Grant's attack on the enemy's trenches, which took place a little before four o'clock in the afternoon.
Capt. Grant's column was completely successful, and got immediate possession of the enemy's guns, eleven in number, all of which have been brought into camp.
The gallant conduct of Capt. Grant and his party merits every praise.
I am sorry to say, that neither of the other columns succeeded. Lieut. Col. Don's was unfortunately delayed by some unexpected circumstances, and on its arrival at the ditch, it was found to contain such a depth of water as to render it impossible to gain the breach. The troops immediately attempted to ascend by the bastion, but the obstacles they met with were of so serious a nature, that their utmost efforts were unsuccessful, though the colours of the 12th native infantry were planted within a short distance of the top.
The column from the Bombay division, under lieutenant colonel Taylor, notwithstanding every exertion, could not effect their object. They were very considerably delayed on their march by a large body of the enemy's horse; and by a mistake on the part of their guide, were early exposed to a most heavy and destructive fire from the town, which by destroying their ladders, rendered the attempt on the gate impracticable, and obliged lieutenant colonel Taylor to draw his men under cover, until he received orders to return to camp. I feel it my duty to assure your Lordship that though unfortunately not crowned with
success, the exertions of colonel Don were meritorious and gallant in the extreme, and I feel under infinite obligations to this officer.
I have the honor to be, my lord, your Lordship's most faithful humble servant.
(Signed) G. LAKE.
Head-quarters, Camp before Bhurtpore, February 21, 1805.
To his excellency the most noble Marquis Wellesley, governor general, &c.
My Lord,
My dispatch of yesterday date will have conveyed to your Lordship intelligence of our want of success in a fourth attempt made to carry this place by assault.
As it appeared that our failure on the 20th was to be accounted for, in a great measure, by the occurrence of unexpected accidents and delays, as part of the corps who formed the storming party, had surmounted the principal difficulty, and had nearly gained the summit of the bastion, where I was informed a few more hours battering would render the ascent perfectly easy, I determined to make another attempt yesterday.
The party for this service consisted of the whole European force, and two battalions of native infantry of the Bengal army, and the greater part of his majesty's 65th and 36th regiments, and the grenadier battalion and flank companies of the first battalion third regiment from the Bombay division.
The whole moved to the attack about three o'clock in the afternoon, under the command of the honorable brigadier Monson.
The troops, most confident of success, commenced the attack, and persevered in it for a considerable length of time, with the most determined bravery; but their utmost exertions were not sufficient to enable them to gain the top of the breach.
The Bastion which was the point of attack was extremely steep, the resistance opposed to them was vigorous, and as our men could only mount by small parties at a time, the advantage was very great on the side of the enemy. Discharge of grape, logs of wood, and pots filled with combustible materials immediately knocked down those who were ascending, and the whole party, after being engaged in an obstinate contest for two hours, and suffering very severe loss, were obliged to relinquish the attempt, and retire to our trenches.
I have to lament the loss of very many gallant officers and men, as will appear to your lordship by the accompanying return of killed and wounded on this occasion.
It is with sincere grief I inform your Lordship, that among the killed is my aid de-camp, major Menzies, of his majesty's 80th regiment, who proceeded with the storming party, and fell whilst among the foremost, he was making the most heroic exertions to ascend the breach. I feel sincere sorrow for his loss, no less on account of the great regard I entertained for his private worth, than for the high estimation in which I held his merits as an officer.
The honorable colonel Monson, to whom the conduct of the attack was entrusted, made every possible exertion; and has received my best thanks for his uncommon gallantry and perseverance on that occasion.
Though the troops were unable to effect their object, I am happy to assure your lordship, that they have on no occasion displayed greater steadiness. Those of the Bengal army supported their former character, and the Bombay division displayed a degree of resolution and discipline, which entitles them to my highest praise and approbation.
I have the honor to be my Lord, your Lordship's most faithful humble servant,
(Signed) G. LAKE.
Head Quarters, Camp before, Bhurtpore, February 22, 1805.
Wednesday, February 6, 1805.
Fort William, Feb. 5, 1805. - Dispatches of which the following copies are published for general information, have been received by his excellency the most noble the governor general, from his excellency the commander in chief: -
To his Excellency the most noble Marquis Wellesley, governor general, &c.
My Lord,
I have the honor to inform your lordship that the breach appearing in a sufficient state of forwardness, I determined to attempt the place again this afternoon. The storming party moved out of the trenches, where they had been lodged for the purpose, a little before three o'clock; and I am sorry to add that the ditch was found so broad and deep, that every attempt to pass it proved unsuccessful, and the party was obliged to return to the trenches, without effecting their object. The troops behaved with their usual steadiness, but I fear from the unavoidable fire they were exposed to, for a considerable time, that our loss has been severe. I shall have the honor to forward returns of the killed and wounded as soon as possible. I have the honor to be, my lord, your lordship's most faithful humble servant.
[SIGNED] G. LAKE.
Head quarters, camp before Bhurtpore, Feb. 21, 1805.
Saturday, March 9, 1805.
Fort William, Saturday March 2, 1805.
Dispatches of which the following are copies, have been this day received by his excellency the most noble, the governor general, to his excellency the commander in chief: -
To his Excellency the most noble marquis Wellesley, governor general, &c. &c.
My Lord,
My dispatch of the 20th will have informed your lordship of our failure, on that day in an attempt to carry Bhurtpore by assault.
I have the honor to detail for your lordship's information, the plans that were formed to ensure, if possible the success of the attempt.
The storming party, under the orders of Lieut. col. Don, was formed of the greater part of the European force, belonging to the Bengal army, and three battalions of Sepoys.
One column composed of two hundred of his majesty's 36th regiment, from the Bombay division, and the first battalion of the 8th regiment of Bengal native infantry, under captain Grant, of the former corps, was ordered to attack the enemy's trenches and guns outside the town, whilst a third column composed of three hundred men of his majesty's 65th regiment and two battalions of Bombay Sepoys marching to attack the Beem Narain Gate, which, from every report I had received, was easy of access for guns, &c.
The signal for the storming party to move out was the commencement of captain Grant's attack on the enemy's trenches, which took place a little before four o'clock in the afternoon.
Capt. Grant's column was completely successful, and got immediate possession of the enemy's guns, eleven in number, all of which have been brought into camp.
The gallant conduct of Capt. Grant and his party merits every praise.
I am sorry to say, that neither of the other columns succeeded. Lieut. Col. Don's was unfortunately delayed by some unexpected circumstances, and on its arrival at the ditch, it was found to contain such a depth of water as to render it impossible to gain the breach. The troops immediately attempted to ascend by the bastion, but the obstacles they met with were of so serious a nature, that their utmost efforts were unsuccessful, though the colours of the 12th native infantry were planted within a short distance of the top.
The column from the Bombay division, under lieutenant colonel Taylor, notwithstanding every exertion, could not effect their object. They were very considerably delayed on their march by a large body of the enemy's horse; and by a mistake on the part of their guide, were early exposed to a most heavy and destructive fire from the town, which by destroying their ladders, rendered the attempt on the gate impracticable, and obliged lieutenant colonel Taylor to draw his men under cover, until he received orders to return to camp. I feel it my duty to assure your Lordship that though unfortunately not crowned with
success, the exertions of colonel Don were meritorious and gallant in the extreme, and I feel under infinite obligations to this officer.
I have the honor to be, my lord, your Lordship's most faithful humble servant.
(Signed) G. LAKE.
Head-quarters, Camp before Bhurtpore, February 21, 1805.
To his excellency the most noble Marquis Wellesley, governor general, &c.
My Lord,
My dispatch of yesterday date will have conveyed to your Lordship intelligence of our want of success in a fourth attempt made to carry this place by assault.
As it appeared that our failure on the 20th was to be accounted for, in a great measure, by the occurrence of unexpected accidents and delays, as part of the corps who formed the storming party, had surmounted the principal difficulty, and had nearly gained the summit of the bastion, where I was informed a few more hours battering would render the ascent perfectly easy, I determined to make another attempt yesterday.
The party for this service consisted of the whole European force, and two battalions of native infantry of the Bengal army, and the greater part of his majesty's 65th and 36th regiments, and the grenadier battalion and flank companies of the first battalion third regiment from the Bombay division.
The whole moved to the attack about three o'clock in the afternoon, under the command of the honorable brigadier Monson.
The troops, most confident of success, commenced the attack, and persevered in it for a considerable length of time, with the most determined bravery; but their utmost exertions were not sufficient to enable them to gain the top of the breach.
The Bastion which was the point of attack was extremely steep, the resistance opposed to them was vigorous, and as our men could only mount by small parties at a time, the advantage was very great on the side of the enemy. Discharge of grape, logs of wood, and pots filled with combustible materials immediately knocked down those who were ascending, and the whole party, after being engaged in an obstinate contest for two hours, and suffering very severe loss, were obliged to relinquish the attempt, and retire to our trenches.
I have to lament the loss of very many gallant officers and men, as will appear to your lordship by the accompanying return of killed and wounded on this occasion.
It is with sincere grief I inform your Lordship, that among the killed is my aid de-camp, major Menzies, of his majesty's 80th regiment, who proceeded with the storming party, and fell whilst among the foremost, he was making the most heroic exertions to ascend the breach. I feel sincere sorrow for his loss, no less on account of the great regard I entertained for his private worth, than for the high estimation in which I held his merits as an officer.
The honorable colonel Monson, to whom the conduct of the attack was entrusted, made every possible exertion; and has received my best thanks for his uncommon gallantry and perseverance on that occasion.
Though the troops were unable to effect their object, I am happy to assure your lordship, that they have on no occasion displayed greater steadiness. Those of the Bengal army supported their former character, and the Bombay division displayed a degree of resolution and discipline, which entitles them to my highest praise and approbation.
I have the honor to be my Lord, your Lordship's most faithful humble servant,
(Signed) G. LAKE.
Head Quarters, Camp before, Bhurtpore, February 22, 1805.
What sub-type of article is it?
Military Campaign
War Report
What keywords are associated?
Bhurtpore Siege
British Assaults
General Lake
Failed Storming
Major Menzies Killed
Bengal Army
Bombay Division
Captured Guns
What entities or persons were involved?
Marquis Wellesley
G. Lake
Lieut. Col. Don
Capt. Grant
Lieut. Col. Taylor
Brigadier Monson
Major Menzies
Where did it happen?
Bhurtpore
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Bhurtpore
Event Date
February 20 22, 1805
Key Persons
Marquis Wellesley
G. Lake
Lieut. Col. Don
Capt. Grant
Lieut. Col. Taylor
Brigadier Monson
Major Menzies
Outcome
assaults failed; severe losses including death of major menzies; 11 enemy guns captured on february 20.
Event Details
General Lake dispatched reports to Governor-General Wellesley on failed storming attempts at Bhurtpore. On February 20, storming party under Lieut. Col. Don faced deep water-filled ditch and obstacles; Capt. Grant's column captured 11 guns; other columns unsuccessful due to delays and fire. On February 21, under Brig. Monson, troops assaulted steep bastion but were repelled after two hours by enemy resistance, suffering heavy casualties.