BAIRD, SIR David, British general: b. Newbyth, Scotland, 6 Dec. 1757; d. 29 Aug. 1829. He entered the English army in 1772, and going to India distinguished himself at a disastrous engagement at Peramboucum, 10 Sept. 1780, in which the small British force engaged was nearly cut to pieces after sur rendering. His life was spared, but he was kept prisoner for four years. He attained the rank of major in 1787, and in October 1789 ob tained leave of absence and returned to Great Britain. In 1791 he joined the army under Cornwallis, and as commander of a brigade of Sepoys he was present at the siege of Seringa patam, in 1791 and 1792; and likewise at the storming of Tippoo Saib's lines in the island of Seringapatam. In 1793 he commanded a brigade of Europeans, and was present at the siege of Pondicherry. On 9 May 1799, he com manded the storming party at the assault of Seringapatam; when, in requital of his bril liant services he was presented by the army, through the commander-in-chief, with the state sword of Tippoo Saib. In 1800 he had a com
mand in Egypt, and with the increased rank of lieutenant-general commanded an expedition which sailed in October 1805, for the Cape of Good Hope, where he defeated the Dutch army and received the surrender of the colony. After a short period of service in Ireland Sir David sailed in command of an armament of 10,000 men for Corunna to assist Sir John Moore. Moore was killed in the battle of Co runna and Sir David succeeded to the chief command. He was created a baronet in 1809. In 1814 he was promoted to the rank of gen eral, and in 1819 became governor of Kinsale, next year commander of the forces in Ireland and in 1827 governor of Fort George in Scot land. Consult Hook, (Life of Sir David Baird' (1832).