Extracts of official and Demi-Official letters from Lieutenant General Sir James Outram [‎1v] (2/12)

Iii my Official of yesterday I mentioned my intention to defer moving the Troops until
the ratification of the Treaty is officially announced, but the Naval authorities have since
informed me that it will be impossible for the Regiment destined for Belgaum to reach
Vingorla, the nearest port to that station, later than the 22nd or 25th of this month,
should the monsoon have set in as it usually does about that date. That Regiment
is If. M. 64th, whosej families are at Belgaum, any delay in despatching which would
involve a further separation of the men from their families, of several months, till after
the monsoon, besides putting the Bombay Government to the inconvenience of providing
temporary barracks for more European iroops than can be conveniently quartered in
nombay and Pooha, which stations only would be accessible during the monsoon.
I have determined therefore to embark the 64th at once in the Punjauh and two
transports, the order has been issued, and I trust it will be off in 8 days, in time
to insure its arrival in ^ ingorla before the commencement of the monsoon.
I certainly should have hesitated ere sending back all the European Infantry, and
had determined to keep one Regiment here, as calculated to give heart to the Native
Troops, though certainly I have never seen our Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. in better spirits than those
now in 1 eisia, until (loneral Jacob expressed his willingness to remain in command of
this Division, if I desirod it, an act ot selt-denial on the part of that noble soldier
most truly admirable, for I know he yearns to return to the Sind Frontier now that
there is no prospect of active service in Persia. General Jacob's presence here,
i.^ ot more importance than the retention of a whole Regiment of Europeans, for where
he is, there never can be any want of confidence, all ranks, officers and men, white
faces or black, regard General Jacob with equal devotion, and his influence with Troops
is such as I have never seen surpassed in the thirty-three years I have served in the
Army. But General Jacob should be supreme here, and I shall consider that it will
be advantageous to the state, when I can transfer to that officer, all the Military and
Political Powers with which I myself am vested. In which confidence your Lordship
need have no hesitation in summoning me to India, whenever my services mav be required
there.
I have, &c.,
rr r . (Signed) J. O uteam.
io The Right Honorable Viscount C anning,
Governor General of India.
h
Kxtuact from an Official letter from Lieutenant General Sir James Outram,
K. C B, to the address of the Bight Hon'ble the Earl of Clarendon
K. G. and G. C. B., H. M.'s Principal Secretary of State.
Dated Bagdad, 2%th May 1857.
1 llave callcd u I' on Brigadier General Jacob, C. for a supplementary list of
meritorious services, and as soon as a reply thereto reaches me, I shall do myself the honor
of submitting it to your Lordship. At the head of that list, I shall place the name of
ioneral Jacob himself, whom I shall most strongly recommend for some adequate re
cognition of his well earned claim to a reward. It was at my special request that that
i • lssu ' aod th<! Command at Bushire on my departure for Mohnmra, nobly fore
going thereby an opportunity for distinguishing himself, which no man would" lightly
relinquish 1 he assurance that a man of such renowned bravery and skill held the com
mand of that important position, relieved me of a great responsibility, at the same time,
!u ,l!ersTt T 7 mCeC !T hiSSmaI, forCe Was by 3,1 Arm y 80 vas % ^rior in
nun ,ers, a ask which demanded unwearied vigilance and consummate military skill
It was I feel persuaded, the importance and possible danger of the post for which I
Pros,! cT of ' hlra ' ^ indU ^ d Genera, JilCOb t0 f0reg0 80 rCad ^ the more rartai "
1 inspect of winning renown at Mohumra, and I rely with confidence on your Lordship's
appreciation of such self-devotion, and on your influence in obtaining for it its due re-
waul from Her Majesty's Government, on my being able to submit to your Lordship the
Supplementary List above alluded to. *