From Brigadier C. Grant to Brevet-Colonel S. G. Wheler concerning the inspection of the Enfield rifle cartridge paper, (no date)

Demi-official from Brigadier C. Grant, C.B., Commanding at Barrackpore, to Brevet-Colonel S. G. Wheler, Commanding the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, President, Court of Inquiry.

        On the Court of Inquiry to-day, besides the evidence of what occurred on parade from Captain N. C. Boswell and the men (sepoys) who objected to the cartridge paper, it is desirable to have the evidence of all the senior and highest caste native commissioned and non-commissioned officers, Hindus; as also all the subadars, jemadars or havildars of the Mahomedan religion, and direct them to examine the paper of which the Enfield rifle cartridge is made, the powder and the bullet. To explain to them that the cartridge is different from the musket, the paper being thinner but more tough, so that the cartridge may contain the quantity required to throw the bullet to the utmost range without being of too long a form; for if it was made of the old thick paper, without it was made very long, it could not contain the powder required, the bore of the Enfield rifle being so much smaller; that the material of the paper is the same, but it is more carefully made; the powder a little stronger perhaps, and the bullet made of lead to the shape that will go most true to the mark aimed at from long distances.

        The new Enfield musket is much lighter and therefore less fatiguing for a sepoy to carry on a long march; in fact, a very superior weapon to the old musket; and that all European and the Turkish Mahomedan Army are gradually being armed with it.

        Let each native officer be asked separately if he can point out anything in the paper, powder or bullet that can, in any way militate with the caste of the men.

        Have the answers and opinions of each native officer carefully inserted in the Proceedings of the Inquiry.

        Lieutenant J. Hearsey, A.D.C., has kindly come forward to attend the inquiry with his Enfield rifle, he having passed the Enfield School of Practice, and explain anything that may be required.

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, 13-14.