A different Third Anglo-Mysore War

Not far to the north, an Indian palanquin slowly moved toward the English Army garrison. Now, Seringapatam was flooded and muddy, making it difficult even for horses to travel. People could only go anywhere by sedan chair.

Then Wellesley saw the Governor of India, Cornwallis, whom he had been talking about, step onto the back of a sedan chair carrier and jump down from the sedan chair. Although the servants had laid out straw mats on the ground, they still splashed up a lot of mud, which soaked his legs.

"I was just about to send someone to inquire about the remaining supplies on your side, and you just happened to arrive." Wellesley took off his gloves, stepped forward, and embraced the Governor. "I hope you brought good news."

"One good news and one bad news."

Cornwallis disgustedly flicked the mud off his boots and glanced at the chairs placed outside the command post:

Do you mind if I sit here?

"Of course not. This is for you." Wellesley gestured for a servant to bring another chair from the tent and sat down opposite the Governor. "Then, please tell me the bad news first."

Cornwallis lifted his leg so the Servant could wipe the mud off his trousers, then pointed to the teapot on the table. "Please have a cup too, this awful weather... Oh, I'd like to tell you the good news first, since it can be said in a minute."

"Then it's up to you. Actually, this is bad news."

"Savanur has brought dried meat and rice. Yes, damn rice again, and almost no Wheat, so there's no bread," Cornwallis said. "However, this amount of food is enough for the army until October."

Savanur is located in the Southern Provinces of Maratha, bordering Mysore. Currently, English Army ' logistical supplies are stuck in Malabar Port, and they can only obtain supplies from Maratha. However, the Indian Princely States can only provide food; weapons, medicine, Wine, warhorses, and even tents must be transported by the United Kingdom from Europe.

Cornwallis picked up his teacup, his expression darkening.

"The bad news is that the four transport ships that arrived in Malabar Port last month will be the last batch."

"The East India Company's board of directors has decided not to allocate any more funds to the Far East front. In fact, the company's negotiators should be arriving in North Kanara soon."

Wellesley didn't seem very surprised, and looked at the Governor, saying:

"So, we don't have many opportunities left to organize an attack?"

He already knew that the East India Company had invested Pound Sterling 3.2 million in military spending in Mysore, which exceeded the company's annual domestic tax payments to the British Government.

This resulted in the company making almost no profit this year, and it will also be significantly affected next year. It is said that the company's stock price has fallen rapidly as a result.

Therefore, the board's decision to cut losses was expected.

Cornwallis nodded. "The Expeditionary Force must return home by the end of this year at the latest, otherwise they won't even get their pay."

"I understand. Let's wait for the heavy artillery to arrive before engaging in the final battle."

A month and a half later.

Tipu Sultan gazed at the misty rain and turned to the Guard Captain, saying:

"Has the location been determined?"

"Yes, great Sultan, the United Kingdom cannons are just two miles ahead."

Tipu Sultan nodded, turned and drew his sword, and addressed the 1,700 Guard Corps guards around him:

"Those infidels killed our relatives and friends, and threw innocent children into pots to cook!"

"They're trying to invade Seringapatam now, and we absolutely cannot let that happen!"

"If you want to save your families and your children from becoming food for the United Kingdom, then follow me and send them back to hell with your knives!"

Thanks to the propaganda of Salah, the consul in Mysore, the image of the United Kingdom as devils has now taken root in the hearts of the Mysore. It is widely believed that every United Kingdom soldier eats a child every week to maintain his bravery.

This rumor has even spread to the United Kingdom -controlled princely states such as Hyderabad and Carnatic. Three months ago, there was also an incident where Udayagiri killed two passing English Army soldiers out of fear that his child would be captured and eaten.

Therefore, the Mysore are now united in their hatred of the enemy and are risking their lives to fight the English Army.

The rain has stopped.

Once the ground had dried slightly, the Marquess Wellesley immediately ordered a force of 5,000 English Army to oversee the advance of 30,000 Maratha troops toward Seringapatam.

At the same time, 4,000 English Army from Cornwallis's Army, along with more than 30,000 soldiers from Indian Princely States, launched an attack on the northern flank, encircling Seringapatam.

The English Army 12-pound Cannon began to roar. Seven cannons fired at their maximum rate of fire, using a barrage of bullets to suppress the Mysore cannons 1 kilometer away. The latter only had 10 8-pounder Cannon, which had to be dispersed outside the city for defense, while the rest were 4-pounder Cannon, whose range was far inferior to that of the United Kingdom heavy artillery.

Around 4 p. m., Tipu Sultan, leading nearly 2,000 Mysore soldiers, suddenly emerged from the flank and rear of the English Army Artillery positions and rushed towards the cannons that were firing wildly.

The United Kingdom Infantry responsible for providing cover were clearly unprepared for an enemy attack and hurriedly began drumming to organize their ranks.

Tipu Sultan had slipped through the gaps between the English Army and Maratha troops during the rain to reach this place. Because he was extremely familiar with the terrain and the heavy rain made it impossible to use Telescope, no one discovered their presence.

Tipu Sultan led the charge, charging into the United Kingdom Infantry Line without even using Musket, brandishing his Scimitar.

These 1,700-plus men were his most elite Guard Corps, each one extremely fierce. They braved three volleys of fire from over 400 United Kingdom Infantry in front of them and finally managed to get close to them on their right flank. Fortunately, their attack was very sudden, and the United Kingdom formation was not well-organized, resulting in the volleys being less than ideal.

After suffering nearly 300 casualties, the Mysore broke through the United Kingdom Infantry Line, and then sent out more than a thousand men to block the Maratha vassal army that came to reinforce them, while the others took out iron nails to nail the cannon vents shut.

Meanwhile, Tipu Sultan's eldest son Nawaz, was leading 50,000 Mysore troops in a frontal battle against the English Army.

These soldiers, having undergone training in Lafayette, were far superior to the armies of other India states in both their formation and discipline.

Therefore, as long as they did not directly face the United Kingdom "Lobsterbacks," Mysore's defenses were rock solid, and they could even launch local counterattacks.

After the English Army arrived, they exchanged fire for a few rounds, then quickly moved away, using their rear guard to continue delaying the enemy—the area outside Seringapatam was more than ten miles wide, with plenty of mountainous terrain suitable for defense.

On Tipu Sultan's side, after destroying six 12-pound Cannon and a large number of other artillery pieces, the English Army reinforcements sent by Wellesley finally arrived.

Tipu Sultan glanced at the already darkening sky and immediately ordered a retreat.

His fighting style was like that; he loved extreme risks and was willing to risk his life for surprise attacks. Historically, he relied on this style of fighting to contend with the world's superpower, United Kingdom, in southern India for several years.