Baird, SIR DAVID, Bart.

Baird, SIR DAVID, Bart., British general, was born 6th December 1757, at Newbyth, Haddingtonshire. He entered the service in 1772, and in 1779 sailed to India as captain, in a Highland regiment. He was soon in the midst of a sanguinary war. In July 1780, Hyder Ali burst into the Carnatic at the head of 100,000 men, disciplined and commanded by French officers. A portion of the English army fell into an ambuscade and was cut to pieces. Among the few who remained alive to be taken prisoners was Baird. He was thrown into a dungeon at Seringapatam, where he endured a captivity of nearly four years. In March 1784 he was released, and after a two years' visit to England (1789-91), he took part in several important sieges, attacks, and skirmishes; till in 1799, now a major-general, he memorably signalised himself at the victorious assault of Seringapatam. He led the storming-party, Colonel Wellesley (afterwards Duke of Wellington) commanding the reserve. Baird indignantly complained when Wellesley received the appointment of governor of Seringapatam, which he felt was due to his own services. He commanded an expedition sent to Egypt in 1801 for the expulsion of the French. On his return to India in 1802, he found that the star of Wellesley was in the ascendant; and Baird applied for leave of absence. He was received at court with great distinction, knighted in June 1804, and made a K.C.B. in the following August. In 1805 he commanded an expedition against the Dutch settlements at the Cape of Good Hope. In 1807 he commanded a division at the siege of Copenhagen; and in 1808 was sent to Spain with an army of 10,000 men, to assist Sir John Moore. He distinguished himself in the battle of Corunna, January 16, 1809, when his left arm was shattered by grape-shot, and had to be amputated. On the death of Moore, he succeeded to the command. On this occasion he received, for the fourth time in his life, the thanks of parliament, and was created a baronet. He retired from active service in 1810, and in 1820 was made commander of the forces in Ireland. He died at Fern-Tower, Crieff, August 18, 1829. See his Life by Theodore Hook (2 vols. 1832).