aird objected strongly to the decision to promote his junior officer, Col. Arthur Wellesley, over him, and wrote in angry disbelief to the Commander in Chief, Lord Harris. Lt.Col. Agnew, the Military Secretary, acknowledging receipt of Baird's letter, reproved him for 'a total want of discretion and respect in an officer of your high rank.' On 10th May, he wrote again to Baird that the tenor of his communication was 'wanting in discretion and respect. Lt.Gen Harris desires that this letter may conclude a correspondence which you are at liberty to make as Public as you think proper.'

Two years later, in February 1801, as Baird prepared to join the campaign in Egypt, Wellesley wrote to him, 'A more worthy sequel to the Storming of Seringapatam could not be presented to your genius and valour,' and referred to 'that glorious War which has rendered your name memorable in the annals of your country.'

Not surprisingly perhaps, the Scotsman could never entirely suppress his disappointment and bitterness. After his death in 1829, his widow commissioned three tributes :an obelisk, a biography and a portrait. It was Wilkie's great canvas which immortalised Baird's triumph at Seringapatam.