194] 
and a considerable proportion of 
the native officers belonging to our 
troops, that became prisoners of 
war, and were forced into the ser- 
vice. They are slovenly, and un- 
steady in their exercise and duty, 
and little acquainted with any evo- 
lutions. The irregulars are an un- 
military rabble, variously armed, 
with old muskets, match-locks, 
pikes, and scimitars. Little de- 
pendence can be placed in such a 
multifarious collection, who prin- 
cipally depend for their subsistence 
on plunder. 
“* From such an army what js to 
be apprehended, when oppused to 
a body of gallant troops, many of 
whom are veterans in the service, 
and commanded by British of- 
ficers of experience and_ abili- 
ties? 
** Yet, to despise an enemy is the 
greatest fault which an officer can 
commit; as it puts him from his 
guard, and renders him open to 
their assault. Let it, therefore, not 
be supposed that exertion is unne- 
cessary against so respectable an op- 
ponent. Some excellencies must 
prevail in Tippoo’s army to render 
it in general respectable, and, since 
the commencement of the present 
war, in the opinion of our ablest 
officers. But the advantages which 
he possesses are easily counteract- 
ed; and when placed in competi- 
tion with regular system and exact 
discipline, must at all times be 
overcome, if followed up with dis- 
cretion and perseverance. 
‘* In the mode of carrying his pro- 
visions, and of transporting his can- 
non and stores, an evident superi- 
ority is discernible, The attention 
he has paid to the artillery depart- 
ment, evinces a knowledge of its 
utility ; which would not disgrace 
the midst of profound peace. 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1792. 
the tactics of the present day. In 
carrying provisions for his army, 
Tippoo’s advantages are material; 
preserving a system of warfare in 
His 
bullocks are always trained for ei- 
ther draught or carriage; and his 
extraordinary demands are supplied 
from his Banjara bullocks, em- 
ployed in transporting merchandize 
through his country, or carrying 
salt from the sea-coast. In these 
different services, not less than one 
hundred thousand are employed. 
“* The surprise of his army, or 
the loss of a detachment, is attend- 
ed with consequences of no mo- 
ment to the general interest of the 
war. 
“« The bazar of either is generally 
ten miles in the rear, and encamped 
on an open road, where their re- 
treat is attended without difficulty 
or danger. As the army retires or 
advances, the motions of the ba- 
zar are accordingly regulated. His 
superiority in cavalry, and the ne- 
cessity there is for the English 
troops to preserve a connected bo- 
‘dy, and the smallness of our num- 
bers, which prevents our detach- 
ing, tends to preserve the supplies 
of the enemy, and to render our 
means of procuring them more dif- 
ficult and precarious. 
‘¢ Tn transporting his cannon, and 
in cutting roads to facilitate their 
conveyance, his means are abund- 
ant. To a small gun he attaches 
one elephant, to a larger two, and 
to those of a greater caliber, three 
and four. By the assistance of a 
regular and well-appointed corps of 
bildaurs, or pioneers, 100 pieces 
of ordnance are moved at a rate not 
easily to be conceived, and far su- 
perior to our best conducted at- 
tempts. His guns are drawn by 
the 
