After promotion to the substantive rank of major in 1856, he went to British India, where he took part in suppressing the Indian Rebellion of 1857. With a force consisting of two horse artillery guns, 150 men of the 8th Regiment, and a detachment of Punjab cavalry, he surprised the garrison and took the fort of Phillur, on the Sutlej. With the 8th he also served at the Siege of Delhi (June to September 1857), when during an assault he was dangerously wounded. As a result, he had to amputate his leg. For he service, he received the Indian Mutiny Medal and the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel.