Description:

Anglo-Mysore Wars

Colonel John Floyd, stationed in India during the 2nd Anglo-Mysore War, ALS: "But when His Majesty's Service calls, as it does now pretty loudly … I consider nothing is impossible"

 

3pp ALS on cream bifold watermarked stationery inscribed overall and signed by Colonel John Floyd (1748-1818) as "J. Floyd, Col: in Ind:" at center of third page. Docketed on blank last page. In near fine condition, with expected light horizontal folds. Minor mounting traces located along the gutter of the fourth page. Each page measures 7.25" x 8.875".

 

"But when His Majesty's Service calls, as it does now pretty loudly, I learned of General Eliott, long ago, to consider nothing as impossible."

 

Colonel Floyd wrote this letter regarding military recruitment to commanding officer General Campbell while stationed at "St. Thome" (modern day Santhome, part of Madras on the eastern coast of India) on June 30, 1784. Floyd reported that he had recruited 50 new soldiers, and was targeting recently discharged soldiers for reenlistment. The resourceful colonel also hoped to consolidate the remnants of other fighting units into his band.

 

A complete transcript of the letter can be found below:

 

"St. Thome 30th June 1784

 

Sir,

 

In consequence of your letter of the 20th of June, wherein you give me full power & permissions to enlist Men for the 23d Light Dragoons - I have, accordingly, enlisted about fifty at St. Thome. -

 

In the same letter you inform me this Government has agreed to give Bills on the Court of Directors for the Recruiting Service, & that, as I appear to have sufficient Funds, my zeal will prompt me to receive those Bills as Money. -

 

And in the extract of a Letter from the Select Committee to you, dated the 19th of June, which you sent to General Ogle, and intended, I imagine, should be public, I observe the Select Committee says they are willing to adopt the same mode to Supply you with Money for reenlisting the discharged Men that are here - I therefore beg the favor of you to pay me the Bounty for the Men I have enlisted, & to advance me a Sum for about as many more, which I have hopes of getting from other parts of reduced Regiments. -

 

If this Government furnishes you with Cash, it will render the matter very easy - but, if they only furnish you with those Bills, I am ready to take them - not because I have sufficient Funds to Supply Cash; for I have none. - not a farthing. But when His Majesty's Service calls, as it does now pretty loudly, I learned of General Eliott, long ago, to consider nothing as impossible. -

 

I beg leave to inform you that I have great reason to believe several Men have been enlisted for this Regiment, at Ellore [modern day Eluru on the eastern coast of India, & request you will be pleased to point out to me by what means they are to join the Regiment, as it strikes me the sooner it is accomplished, the better.

 

I am,

Sir,

Your most obedient

Humble Servant

J. Floyd

Col: in Ind:".

 

Floyd alluded to the current tense military situation on the Subcontinent. British forces, protecting the economic interests of the British East India Company, were then embroiled in the 2nd Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84) against Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), the ruler of the Mysore Kingdom. During his lifetime, Tipu Sultan had strengthened and enlarged his kingdom in southern India, and allied himself with arch British enemies: France, Afghanistan, and the Ottoman Empire. The 4 Anglo-Mysore Wars erupted periodically between 1767 and 1799; Colonel John Floyd would be heavily involved in the 3rd and 4th Wars. The British won the conflict following the death of Tipu Sultan in 1799, and began consolidating their new power into what would become the British Raj in the next century.

 

Floyd's comments about "General Eliott" probably refer to General George Augustus Eliott (1717-1790). Eliott, as commanding officer and Governor of Gibraltar, had managed the impossible just one year before, when he withstood a 4-year-long siege of the island by Spanish and French forces. Eliott's tenacious leadership during the "Great Siege" resulted in his nomination as a Knight of the Bath, and he became an exemplar of military endurance. 

 

John Floyd began his exceptional military career at age 12, when he participated in the Battle of Emsdorf during the Seven Years War. Floyd was an expert equestrian and cavalry officer trained by his guardian the Lord of Pembroke. In 1782, Floyd was sent to Madras where he would serve as a field officer for the next 18 years. He participated in critical engagements of the 3rd and 4th Anglo-Mysore Wars, including the 1790 Battles of Coimbatore and Satyamangalam, the 1791 Battles of Bangalore and Arikera, the 1792 Battle of Seringapatam, the 1793 Battle of Bangalore, the 1794 Battle of Maravilla, and the 1799 Battles of Mallavelli and Seringapatam. Floyd then returned to England where he was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1801.

 

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