The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-04 00:00:00

THE VICTORIA CROSS.

(From the Gazette of last evening.)

WAR-OFFICE, August 3.—The Queen has been gra-
ciously pleased to signify her intention to confer the deco-
ration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officers
of her Majesty's Indian forces, whose claims to the same
have ban submitted for her Majesty's approval, in consi-
deration of their gallantry and distinguished conduct
during the operations of the expeditionary force in Persia,
in 1856-57, as recorded against their several names, viz.:-
20th Bombay Native Infantry—Captain John Augustus
Wood. On the 9th December, 1856, Captain Wood ed the
grenadier company, which formed the head of the assault-
ing column sent against Bighire. He was the first man
on the parapet of the fort, where he was instantly attacked by
a large number of the garrison, who suddenly sprang on
him from a trench cut in the parapet itself. These men fired
a volley at Captain Wood and the head of the storming
party, when only a yard or two distant from that officer ;
bat although Captain Wood was struck by no less than seven
musket balls, he at once threw himself upon the enemy,
passed his sword through the body of their leader, and being
closely followed by the men of his company, speedily over-
came all opposition, and established himself in the place.
Capt. Wood's decision, energy, and determined valour un-
doub:.edly contributed in a high degree to the success of the
attrick. His wounds compelled him to leave the force for a
time; but with the true spirit of a good soldier he rejoined
his regiment, and returned to his duty at Bushire, before
the wounds were properly healed.
3d Bombay Light Cavalry—Lieutenant and Adjutant
Arthur Thomas Moore, and Lieutenant John Grant Mal-
colmson. On the occasion of an attack on the enemy on the
Bth of February, 1857, led by Lieut.-Colonel Forbes, C.B. ,
Lieut. Moore, the adjutant of the regiment, was, perhaps,
the first of all by a horse's length. • His horse leaped into
the square and instantly fell' dead, crushing down his rider,
and breaking his sword as he fell amid the broken ranks of
the enemy. Lieut. Moore speedily extricated himself:and
attempted with his broken sword to force his way through the
press ; but he would assuredly have lost his life had not the
gallant young Lieut. Malcolmson, observing his peril,
fought his way to his dismounted comrade through a crowd
of enemies to his rescue, and, giving him his stirrup, safely
carried him through everything out of the throng. The
thoughtfulness for others, cool determination, devoted
courage, and ready activity shown in extreme danger by this
young officer, Lieut. Maicolmson, appear to have been most
admirable, and to be worthy of the highest honour.
Her Majesty has also been graciously pleased to signify
her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross
on the undermentioned seaman of the royal navy, whose
claim to the same has been submitted for her Majesty's ap-
proval, in consideration of an act of bravery which he per-
formed in the recent operations against rebel natives in New
Zealand, as recorded against his name, viz. :
William Odgers, leading seaman, of her Majesty's ship
Niger. On the 28th of March, 1860, William Odgers dis-
played conspicuous gallantry, at the storming of a Pah
during operations against rebel natives in New Zealand :
having been the first to enter it under a heavy fire, and
having assisted in hauling down the enemy's colours.