From Major-General J. B. Hearsey to Major W. A. J. Mayhew reporting on the rumor surrounding the greased cartridges, 24 January 1857

Barrackpore and Berhampore

From Major-General J. B. Hearsey, C.B., Commanding the Presidency Division, to major W. A. J Mayhew, Deputy Adjutant-General of the Army,--No. 24, dated Head-Quarters, Presidency Division, Barrackpore, 24th January 1857.

        I have the honor to forward herewith, for immediate submission to the Government of India through its Military Secretary, the accompanying letter in original from the Officer Commanding at Dum-Dum, dated the 23rd instant, together with, two others as marginally noted reporting that an unpleasant feeling exists amongst the native portion of the men attached to the depot for instruction in rifle practice, caused by the belief that the grease used in the preparation of the ball cartridges received from the Arsenal in Fort William consists of a mixture of the fat of cows and pigs.

        2. This foolish report must have been invented and circulated by some evil disposed persons, possibly the khalasi or other workmen employed in that arsenal, and, though no doubt totally groundless, still it will be now most difficult to eradicate this impression from the minds of the native soldiers, who are always suspiciously disposed when any change of this sort affecting themselves is introduced.

        3. I would accordingly beg leave to recommend, for the consideration and orders of Government, that the Officer Commanding the Rifle Depot may be authorised to adopt the necessary measures in obtaining from the bazar [sic] whatever ingredients may be required for the preparation of the bullet patch, which the sepoys themselves may be allowed to make up.

        4. This appears to me to be the only remedy, though it will doubtless be attended with much additional trouble and inconvenience.

From: Selections from the Letters Despatches and other State Papers preserved in the Military Department of the Government of India, 1857-58.  Edited by George W. Forrest.  Calcutta: Military Department Press 1893, 1-2.