From Major-General J. B. Hearsey to Major W. A. J. Mayhew concerning the sepoys' objections to the cartridges, 7 February 1857

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. 44, dated Head-Quarters, Presidency Division, Barrackpore, 7th February 1857.

        With reference to my official letter to your address, No. 24, dated the 24th ultimo, I have now the honor to forward, for submission to the Government, the Proceedings of a Special Court of Inquiry which has been assembled at Barrackpore for the purpose of ascertaining from the evidence of a selected portion of the 2nd Regiment, Native (Grenadier) Infantry, the cause of their continued objection to the paper of which the new rifle cartridges are composed.

        2. A perusal of the several statements and opinions recorded in these proceedings clearly establishes in my judgment that a most unreasonable and unfounded suspicion has unfortunately taken possession of the minds of all the native officers and sepoys at this station, that grease or fat is used in the composition of this cartridge paper; and this foolish idea is now so rooted in them, that it would, I am of opinion, be both idle and unwise even to attempt its removal.

        3. I would accordingly beg leave to recommend, for the consideration of Government, the expediency (if practicable) of ordering this rifle ammunition to be made up of the same description of paper which has been hitherto employed in the magazines for the preparation of the common musket cartridge, by which means this groundless suspicion and objection could be at once disposed of.

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, 7.