The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-24 00:00:00

THE INDIAN MUTINIES.

Yesterday were issued, in the form of a return
to Parliament, a series of despatches, 19 in number,
relative to the late mutinies, and addressed by the
Governor-General of India, in council, to the Court
of Directors of the East India Company.
In the first despatch, dated Feb. 7, the Governor-
General, in council, informs the directors of a dis-
play of feeling on the part of the Sepoys relative to
the use of grease for the cartridges. He writes :
" Fort William, Feb. 7.
" We have the honour to transmit for the infor-
mation of your honourable court, copy of a corres-
pondet,ce relative to an uneasiness which first mani-
fested itself amongst the men attached to the depot
of musketry at Dum Dum, in consequence of a re-
port having reached them that the grease used in
the arsenal for preparing the cartridges for the,En-
field rifles was composed of the fat of 'pigs' and of
' cows.'

" The men were appeased on being assured that
the matter woeld be duly represented, and, at the
suggestion of the Inspector-General of the Ord-
nance, we have, as a present measure authorised
the issue of cartridges without grease, the men be-
ing permitted to apply,- with their own hands,
whatever mixture they may prefer.
. " As it appears, however, that service-ammuni-
.

tion requires to be bundled, and to be greased pre-
' viously with a composition that should last for a
considerable time without renewal, we have re-
quested his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief to
cause some experitients to be made at Meerut,
where the presence of a Rifle Corps (her Majesty's
60th) offers means which do not exist at any other
station, for the purpose of ascertaining the beat in-
gredients to be used in greasing the cartridges,
with reference both to the feelings of the native sol-
diery and to the requirements of the service. We have
desired that we may be favoured with his excel-
lency's advice on this subject as early as may be
conveniently practicable. We would suggest to
your honourable court the expediency of *obtaining
some information on 'this subject in England,
where doubtless many experiments have been
made.

" Your honourable court will observe that the
matter bas been fully explained to the men at Bar-
rackpore and at Dum Dum, and that they appear
perfectly satisfied that there existed no intention of
interfering with their caste ; and also that proper
treasures will be taken to remove the cause of their
objection to the composition of the ma'erial used
for greasing the car ridges.
"At the suggestion of the Inspector-General of
Ordnance, we bag to recommend to your honour-
able court that no more ready-made ammunition
for the Enfield rifles be sent to this presidency."
The directors, in reply, express their entire ap-
proval of this order, and add that—" No more
cartridges will be sent from this country. In
making them up in India there will not, we are per-
suaded, be any difficulty in your prescribing a com-
position which, whilst sufficient for the purpose,
will be unobjectionable to any of the castes in our
native army."
In a dispatch, dated April 8, the Governor-
General mentions the expedient proposed to be
adopted. He says :
The cbi4 objection on the part of the sepoys
was to biting cartridges, which it was currently re-
ported among them, were greased with fat of pigs
and cows. On this point our letter to the adjutant
general of the army, No. 116, dated the sth March,
1857, has conveyed full information.

"it appe trs doubtful whether any composition
free from grease of some sort, as wax and oil, would
answer the required purpose ; and taking into con-
sideration the desirableness of avoiding the practice
of applying to the mouth anything which might
be repugnant to the religious prejudices of the
natives, we have adopted the suggestion of Major
Bontein, commanding the school of musketry at
Dum Dum, to aboli-h in the platoon exercise the
pr practice of biting off the end of the cartridge, and
with this object to alter the instructions so as to
cause the end of the cartridges to be torn off by the
left hand.

" His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief has
recommended that the altered mode of loading
should be applicable to the ordinary percussion
musket as well as to the rifle musket, and we have
authorised this change to be carried into effect.
" We consider that the new mode of loading
should be introduced in every regiment, European
or native, in India, and we have instructed the
governments of Madras and Bombay accordingly ;
but we are unable to extend the alteration to her
Maj-sty's infantry regiments serving in India."
The succeeding despatches continue to record
various demons•rations of a; mutinous feeling on
the part of the Sepoys, the punishment decreed for
individual offences, and at last the disbandment
of whole regiments. On the 18th of May the
Governor-General forwards to the directors a
narrative of the disastrous events at Meerut and
Delhi, and of the measures taken to meet the
emergency. In a despatcii of the following day,
the governor and council urge the necessity for a
material increase in the strength of the European
troops. They write :
" The necessity for an increase of the substantial
strength of the army in the Bengal establishment—
that is to say, of the European troops upon this
establishment—has been long apparent to us : but
the necessity of refraining from any material in-
crease to the charges of the military department,
in the present state of our finances, has prevented
us hitherto from moving•your honourable court in
this matter. The late untoward occurrences er-
hampore, Fort William, Barrackpore, and at B
Luck-
now, crowned by the shocking andlatramkrenngineventsof the past week at Meerut and Delhi,
con-
nection with the knowledge we have lately acquired
of the dangerous state of feelingintheßseenntr n
ulnaac--
na-
tive army generally, strange and, at pre
countable as it is, have convinced us of the urgent
necessity of not merely a positive increase in our
European strength, but of a material increase in
the proportion which our European troops bear to
the native regular troops on the establishment. We
are of opinion that the latter is now the more pres-
sing necessity of the two.
" We believs that all these objects, political, mi-
litary, and financial, will he immediately attained
in a very material degree, by taking advantage of
the present opportunity in the manner we have
now the honour respectfully to propose ; and we see
no other way in which all the same objects can be
attained in any degree, now or prospectively. We
recommend that the six native regiments, which are
in effect no longer in existence, should not be re-
placed, whereby the establishment of Regular Na-
tive Infantry would be reduced to 68 regiments ;
and that the European officers of these late regi-
ments should be used to officer three regiments of
Europeans to be added to your establishment at
this Presidency.
" We confidently affirm that the government will
be much stronger in respect of all important inter-

your honourab'e court, a continuation down to the )
present date, of the narrative forwarded by the last
mail, taken from messages by ihe electric telegraph,
of what has occurred at different stations n this
presidency, in connexion witLi the disaffection•pre-
valent in the native army. A report received front -
the Honourable Lieut.-Governor, North-western
Provinces, is transmitted herewith, but it brings
events down only to the 22d of last month.
" We regret that we are unable to forward re-
ports from Agra of a later date, and detaile I re-
ports from other stations, but we have received .
none. We have called on the civil and military
authorities to furnish us with reports of all that has
happened at the several stations, but the pressure
upon all persons in authority has been so great that •
it i 4 not to be wondered at that they have not
found time to compile connected statements of oc-
currences.

" Your honourable court will observe with satis-
faction that the tidings now sent to you are not,
without an admixture of hopeful intelligence. The
70th Regiment of Native infantry, stationed at
Barrackpore, has come fot ward to declare its
loyalty, and its desire to emulate the European
troops in punishing the rebellions regiments at
Delhi. The Governor-General proceeded to Bar-
rackpore, and personally thanked the regiment at
a general parade ; and we have reason to believe
that this act, while it is had a very beneficial effect
in strengthening the loyalty of the 70th Regiment
and others at Barrackpore, will have the happiest
influence on the minds of all well-disposed men in
the native army.
"The three companies of the 34th Regiment at
Barrackpore lost no time in following the good ex-
ample of the 70th.

"Meanwhile, we bad already received a sponta-
neous declaration of loyalty from the irregular
cavalry of the Rarnghur force, in which the infantry
of that force participated. An it was further re-
ported that the Rainghur irregular cavalry had sig-
nally marked their sincerity by baying, on first
hearing of the outrage committed by the mutinous
regiments at Meerut and Delhi, written to their
comrades who were on leave in the district to offer
their services to the general officer commanding the
Meerut division.

"The 6th Native Infantry, at Allabahad, has
also come forward with an assurance of its devotion
to Government, and an offer of its services against
the mutineers.

" We have publicly acknowledged these several
declarations of loyal and soldierlike feeling.
" On the 30th of May last, a part of the Meerut
force was attacked near Ghazeeoodden Nugger by a
large body of the insurgents from Delhi, with five
guns. The insurgents were thoroughly beaten by
our troops, and dispersed with much loss ; and the
five guns, with ammunition and a great quantity of
intrenching tools were taken from them. Our
loss was 44 mon, killed and wounded, chiefly of
the 60th Royal Rifles, but thA greater number of
these were injured by the exploAion of a tumbril
left by the fugitive insurgents at the bridge on the
Hindun Nuddee, near the place where the action
was fought. This victory will, no doubt, be of
great value in proving to the mutineers, and to
tho whole army, the prowess of our European
troops, even in comparatively small bodies ; and
its occurrence just now is still more impoi taut,
when, owing to the difficulty in procuring sufficient
clrriage,faud in moving the siege train which his
Excellency the Commander-in-Chief was organis-
ing for the at•ack on Delhi, a delay of some days
must take place before the attacking force can
reach that fortress.

"But we deeply regret to say that the attack
will not be made by General Anson in person.
An allusion to his having died was received by us
on the Ist inst., and on the 3d this was confirmed
by tidings of his Excellency's di-ease at Umballah,
on the morning of the 27th May by cholera.
General Anson must have proceeded to Kurnaul
some few days previously, for a message front his
excellency has reached us dated Kurnaul, 25th
of May. It is probable that he had been obliged
by illness to return to Umball,h, where he died.
" We lost no time after the receipt of this melan-
choly intelligence, in transmitting to Umballah, by
such means as may be available at Cawnpore and.
Agra, and northwest of those places, our instruc-
tions to Major-General Sir H. Barnard, K.C. 8.,
commanding the Sirhind Division, to assume the
command of the force proceeding against Delhi;
and we have urged upon that officer the necessity
of his attacking the insurgents at that place at the
earliest possible date ; the continuance of order and
quiet, already much imperille 1 by exci'ement at
the most important stations i f Allahabad, Cawn-
pore, Lucknow, and Agra, and in the adjoining
district, being dependent on the early and signal
discomfiture of the rebels in arms at Delhi, and in
its neighbourhood.
"Major-General Reed, C. 8., her Majesty's ser-
vice, commanding the Peshawur division, succeeds
by right of seniority, and according t) custom, t
the command of the Bengal Army as ProvinAal
Commander-in-Chief ; but considering the emer-
gency of existing circumstances, and the absolute
necessity of committing the command of the army
of this presidency to some officer of pre-eminent
qualifications, in point of knowledge of the naive
troops and Indian experience, we have thought it
right to requesb Lieut.-General Sir Patrick Grant,
K.C.8., the Commander-in-Chief at Foot Sg-
George, to come to Calcutta with all convenient
expedition, to assume the office of Acting Com-
mander-in-Chief of the Bengal Army. We trust
that this important measure Ni ill be approved of by
your honsot with theurableco home Government
court. It is temporary
toryonly, and
it will appoint
some officer to succeed to the high office of Corn•
mander-in-Chief in India, and of the Bengal presi-
dency,to the late General the Hon.
G.Ansoin
effortudeceased.n'sec ess
is being "Every being made to despatch Euro-
pean troops to Cawnpore. rue 84th Foot have
been sent up almost entire ; a detachment of that
regiment is expected by the Coromandel immedi-
ately from Rangoon.
The Ist Madras European Fusiliers have been
also sent up by transit carriages, by the bullock
train, and by steamers.
" Of the 64th Foot, who have just arrived from
Bombay, 350 men will proceed on a steamer and
flat immediately, and the remainder of, the regi-
ment will be sent up by dawk carriages and the
bullock train.

"The other regiments expected from B ).13.1aay
and Ceylon will be pushed upward as expedii
as pcs‘ible.

" We are now despatching instructions to Ran-
goon to send round her Majesty's 29th Foot, •as
soon as the corps can be brought down from
Thy etm ew.
" It is our confident hope that by the next mail
we shall have it in our power to 'report to your
honourable court that signal retribution has been
inflicted on the mutineers and rebels at Delhi,
and that the immediate result has been a percep-
tible tendency in all the districts to return, at ,no
distant period, to quiet and good order."

FATAL ACCIDENT.—CAUTION TO BATEERS USING
CORl:Ct.—Yesterday morning a very melancholy °co re
ranee took place in the Regent's Park Canal, afro,
Maida-bill. A fine youtb, between 15 and 16 years of
age, Lamed Andrew Cuthbertson (the son of a respect-
able solicitor in the neighbourhood), went with others to
batbe. The lad was unable to swim, but was learninf's
and bad the corks under his arms in the usual position,
when, in crossing the canal, they slipped away. The
unfortunate lad eank, and, before assistance could reach
him, was drowned. Accidents not unfrequently °Cour
from the use of the notice in deep water by persons • not
knowing how to swim.

lIER MAJE'S THE ATRE.
AT
FAREWELLSTY PERFORMANCES
ZEDLICED PRICES.
; THIS , EVENING, FRIDAY, July 24,
• LA CENERENTOLA.
Angelina, Alboni; Don Eimer°, Belart ; Don Magnifico,
d; and Dandini, Belletti.
Detween the Acts a Divertissement--Grand Pas de Deux.
Boschetti and M. Baratti.
?he ,Last Scene of

I IiARTIRI.
Paolina, Piecolomini ; Polinto, Ginglini.
To cowhide with the new Ballet Divertiss ment, by Paul
Togßoni, entitled

ALPHE
sidle. Marie Taglioni, M. Cecchetti, and M. Charles.
PRICES :
pit Tier, Grand Tier, and Oae Pair.. £2 12 6
Two Pair 1 11 6
Half Circle 1 1 0
Pit Stalls 0 12 6
0 12 6
Gallery Boxes
Gallery Stalli 0 3 6
Gallery Side Stalls 0 3 0
Pit 0 3 6
Gallery
No free list,—Applications to be made at the Box-office of
the Theatre. Doors open at 7, jpera to commence at half-
past 7.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE]
Farewell Performances at Reduced Prices.
TO-MORROW, SATURDAY, July 25— IL DON GIO-
VANNI.
MONDAY, July 27—LA CENERENTOLA. Last Act
of IA FAVORILA.
TUESDAY, July 28—DON GIOVANNI.
WEDNESDAY, July 29—LA SONNAMBULA. Last
Scene of LUCIA. DI LAMMERIIOOR
THURSDAY, July 30—Mozart's NOZZE DI FIGARO.
FRIDAY, July 31--IL TROVATORE.
The entertAinments in the Ballet will combine the talents
of Madame Rosati, Madlles. Katrine, Boschetti, and Marie
Te►glioni.

Prices as above.

THE A TRE-R 0Y A C., DRURY-LANE
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.
OPEN EVERY EVENIN,I.
GREAT EQUESTRIAN AMEBIC kN and CONTINENTAL
COMPANY.
trice's—Pit and Promenade, ls; Boxes, 2s. 6(1.. 25.. and ls.
6d.; Galleries, 6d. Doors open at hall-past 7. Commence
at S.
JACK THE GIANT KILLER, with novel effects.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE,
THIS EVENING will be performed
• Shakespere's Play of
•
THE TEMPEST.
Preceded by LIVING TOO FAST.

THEATRE ROYAL, HA YMA.R.ILET
1 Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone.
• THIS EVENING, to commence at Seve❑ o'clock, with
the new and greatly su••cessful original Comedy, entitled
VICTIMS, in which Mr. Buckstone, Mr. Howe, Mr. Wil iam
Farren, Miss Reynolds, (tc., will appear.
After which, by genera desire, she late Douglas Jerrold's
comedy of THE HOUSEKEEPER.
To conclude with a new Ballet, THE GLEANERS.
Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the
evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.)
First Wee. s. d. Second price. s. d
Dress Boxes
Upper Boxes ....... 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0
Pit
Lower Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6
Upper Gallery 0 fNo half-price to Upper Gallery.

lIEA.TItE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster.
For the Benefit of Mr, and Mrs. Barney Williams.
THIS EVENING, will be performed the new drama of
THE FAIRY CIR 'LE; or, Con O'Carolan's Dream. Mr.
a•,d Mrs. B. Williams.
After which; OUR GAL. Mrs. B. Williams.
Followed by THE HAPPY MAN.
Followed by a new farce, LATEST FROM NEW YORK.
Mr. and Mrs.. Barney Williams,

ROYA.L OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee, Mr. Alfred Wigan.
MR. ALFRED WIGAN'S FAREWELL BENEFIT.
THIS EVENING, Friday, July 24, will bo performed
A CONJUGAL LESiON.
After which, A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING.
Mr. Wigan will deliver a Farewell Address.
To conclude with the o iginal Extravaganza, by Robert
B. Brough, Esq., called MASNNIELLO. Messrs. Rob-
son, Cooke, Danvers, &c. ; Misses Swanborough, Thirlwall,
Hughes, Bromley, and Mrs. Melfont.
Commence at half-past Seven.

ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick.
Ninth appearance of the great English Tenor, Mr. Henry
quires.
THIS EVENING. (Friday), will be performed
IL TROVATORE
Mr. H. Squires, Lucy Escott, and Miss Lams.
To coric'ude with THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGI
VENT. Mr. Manvers and Miss Dyer. •

Asmwrs ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lome° and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke.
Under the patronage of Her Majesty and His Royal Highness

Prince :ilbert.

The ever popular Spectacle of IiAZEPPA continues its
triumphant career.
The renowned Parisian Equestrienne, Madlle. Mililos,
nig fitly hailed with enthusiastic approbat'on.
THIS EVENING (FRIDAY), the entertainments will
commence with the superb spectacle of MAZEPPA AND
THE WILD HORSE,

Mazeppa, Mr. James Holloway.
The entertainments concluding with a recherche pro-
gramme of Mr. W. Cooke's SCENES in the ARENA, intro-
ducing the talented Equestrian and Gymnastic Artistes, and
Madlle. Mililos, the grea Parisian Equestrienne, in her daring
SCENE D'EQUITATION.
Commet.ce at seven o'clock. Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper
Boxes, 3s. • Private Boxes, from 21s. no charge for booking;
Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. ; Upper Gallery, 6d. Half-price at
half-past Eight.
B ,s-oftico open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager,
Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun.

GREAT NATIONAL STANDARD
THEATRE.
Proprietor Mr Jnhn Douglas.
LAST NIGHT OF THE WIZARD.
THIS EVENING, Professor ANDERSON, the Great
Wizard of the North, in his entirely New Magical Drama, A
WIGHT IN WONDER-WORLD ; or, Magic, Mirth, and
Mystery. Extraordinary novelties every night, and three
new tricks each night for the concluding week of wonder:.
Attraction increasing every night. Great success of Mr. G.
rowle, who is the ring of Comic Vocalists.

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow-
ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance o
s:elections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses
Glees, Duets, Arc., viz.: Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. Palmyre, Miss
cott, visa Brunell, Miss Summers, and Madame Marietta.
Mr St. A'byn, Herr F. longhmans, R. Grover, T. Far-
rant, S. loaer., J. Barker, W. Melling, P. Cord, Senor An
tonio M. ,1e Solla, and E. L. Hime ; Master Corri ; Messrs.
Sam Collins, and E. Mackney. Pianoforte, Mr Cecil
Hicks; harmonium, Master Williams ; Director, Herr F
Jonghtuans. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely, Sn?.
per., kc., nail twelve o'clock