The picture opposite is a copy of an engraving by T Hodgetts showing General Sir David Baird in staff uniform. Born 1759, second son of Sir William Baird who was the 3rd Baronet of Saughton he entered the army in 1772 and served under Sir Arthur Wellesley who later became the Duke of Wellington.
During his time fighting in India he became one of the captives and spent 4 years in captivity as a P.O.W. in Mysore, but in 1799 on the 3rd May after leading the storming of Seringapatam, the Tippu Sultan's island capital, he apparently discovered the body of the Tippu Sultan, The Tiger Of Mysore, This was the last of the organised opposition to the British in India.
He is accredited with
1. The storming of Seringapatam 3rd May 1799
2. The forced march of the Anglo-Indian Army across the great desert from Kossier to Alexandria in 1801
3. and the capture of the Cape of Good Hope from the Dutch on 8th Jan 1806.
The above three itens are recorded on the monument outside Crieff.
In 1808 he joined Sir John Moore at Corunna where he lost an arm in battle. After Moore's death he assumed the chief command, Corunna apparently was his last active command.
After leaving the army he seems to have settled in Crieff making his home at the Mansion House which is now a ruin on what is now the local golf course, photo on the left.
In the drawing room at the Hydro Hotel at Crieff was a painting of the man, unfortunately I never got to see it, maybe another time.........
One Baird Legend that is told - the Earl of Aberdeen purchased the estate of Auchmeddan (a Baird Estate), after which, as prophesised by Thomas the Rhymer, the eagles which nested in its craggs, disappeared. They only returned after the marriage of the Earl's heir to General Sir David Baird's sister where they remained until the estate passed to the Gordons, they once more disappeared.
In 1829 General Sir David Baird died without issue, he was succeeded under special remainder by his nephew David. (as per Debrett's illustrated Baronetage page 37)
1832 the monument was erected to the man who was possibly Scotlands greatest General
1999 Martin Baird found the monument, it was't lost, just forgotten ..........???
The story of the Siege of Seringapatam is loosely portrayed in the book "Sharpe's Tiger" by Bernard Cornwell isbn 0006490352 - it is a rattling good tale.
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Last Updated on 20/01/2004
"Copyright 2002,2003,2004 By Martin Baird" All rights reserved