THE STORMING OF SERINGAPATAM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2387, 26 July 1892, Page 3

THE STORMING OF SERINGAPATAM.

Mr H. G. Keene has found in the diary of his late father an interesting description of the storming of Seringapatam, at which he was present, on 4th May. 1799. Captain Keene, who was a nephew of General Harris, the Commander-in-Chief, seems to have gathered from prisoners full details of the last moments of our once redoubtable enemy Tippoo Saib. In his entries, which have been forwarded for publication to the Calcutta Review, he says:—“ Tippo sat at his dinner till one of his servants told him that the English were coming, and they presently appeared ; this was the head of the left-hand column. He at once sent oft’a servant to the palace to bring up the troops, seized his rifle, and shot one of the first three that came on in front. Another was killed by a shot from the bastion behind. The third still advancing, Tippo cried out, ■ These are devils; two are killed, and the third comes on ! He fled, only to find himself hemmed in between the two columns. He fought bravely. When he fell wounded, an officer was about to say who he was. Tippo frowned and put his finger to his lips ; he then made a blow at a sergeant and cut into the barrel of his firelock. The sergeant killed him with his bayonet, and the body was soon covered by the slain.” It has been said that the success of the assault was necessary to the existence of the besieging array under General Hand, and Captain Keene’s diary confirms this.