On the 30th of March, 1857, Major-General Hearsey convened a European Special Court of Inquiry at Barrackpore to investigate the “conduct of the native officers and men of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, on duty at the quarter·guard of that corps..” during which he also presented the evidence taken from four men – as Hearsey points out, the statements were voluntarily given – who were on duty with the guard. This would serve as the precursor to the trials of Sepoy Mangal Pandey and Jemadar Issuree Pandey, which would convene in April.
The transcripts in the three subsequent posts are verbatim from the source material and have been presented in the following manner:

• Special Court of Inquiry,
• the Trial of Mangal Pandey and the
• Trial of Issura Pandey

Special European Court of Inquiry at Barrackpore

Inclosure 2, 3, 4 in No. 11

From Captain RICHARDS, Officiating Major of Brigade, to H.W. MATHEWS, 43rd Regiment, Native Infantry – dated Barrackpore, 30th March 1857.
With reference to station morning orders of this date; I have the honour, by desire of the Brigadier Commanding· at Barrackpore, to inform you that the Special Court of Inquiry, of which you are President, is convened with the view of eliciting the circumstances attendant on the adjutant, the sergeant·major, and a sepoy of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, having been wounded in the lines of that regiment, on the evening of Sunday, the 29th March 1857.

From JAMES ALLEN, ESQ., F.RC.S., Assistant Surgeon, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, to Colonel S.G. WHELER, Commanding the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry – dated Barrackpore, 30th March, 1857.
In reply to your demi·official letter of this date, I have the honor to inform you that I consider it would be hazardous at present to the health of either Lieutenant B. H. Baugh, or Sergeant-Major J. T. Hewson. for the Court of Inquiry to assemble at their quarters now for further investigation. In the event of no unfavourable symptoms showing themselves during the next twelve or sixteen hours, the further investigation required by the Court of Inquiry may perhaps be proceeded with, and .due notice of which shall be given to the officiating adjutant of the regiment for your information.

PROCEEDINGS of a Special Court of Inquiry directed in the station morning orders today, to assemble at the Mess-House of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, at 11 a.m., to investigate circumstances which occurred yesterday evening in the line of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry – Barrackpore, 30th March, 1857.
PRESIDENT
Major H.W. MATTHEWS, 43rd Regiment, (Light) Infantry
MEMBERS
Major COOKE, 2nd Regiment, Native (Grenadier) Infantry
Captain GREENE 70th Regiment, Native Infantry
INTERPRETER
Lieutenant CORBETT, 43rd Regiment, Light Infantry

Colonel S.G. Wheler, Commanding the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, will produce evidence.
The President, Members and Interpreter all present.
Letter dated Barrackpore, 30th March 1857, from Officiating Major of Brigade to Major H.W. Matthews, President of the Special Court of Inquiry is read and appended. Colonel S.G. Wheler proceeds to call the following evidence:

1st Witness
SHAIK PULTOO, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, acting Lance Naick at the drill, is called into Court, and duly cautioned.
Question – State what occurred yesterday evening at the lines of your regiment?
Answer –At about half past three o’clock a sepoy of the 5th Company of my regiment, of the name of Mungul Pandy, called out of the lines onto the parade ground with a musket and tulwar; he had his regimental coat on and haversack, he had also his military cap on. A report of the above was made to the sergeant-major, who came out near to the quarter-guard in his uniform. The sepoy fired at him, and missed. The sergeant-major then went into the quarter-guard and told Issuree Pandy, the jemadar of the guard, to make arrangements about seizing the sepoy. The jemadar did not obey the order he had received; he did nothing. The sergeant-major sent someone to call the adjutant of the regiment, who
came riding up, after about a quarter-or-an-hour, in uniform; he came close to the quarter-guard, no-one teIling him that there was a sepoy on parade with his musket loaded. While I was teIling the adjutant of the sepoy being there, the sepoy fired a shot, wounding the adjutant’s horse. The horse fell, the adjutant faIling with it. The adjutant had a loaded pistol in his hand. The sepoy was about thirty yards off when he fired. The adjutant told the sepoys who were about him to seize the sopoy, but no one obeyed his orders; the adjutant went towards Mungul Pandy, and also the sergeant-major. The adjutant fired his pistol at the sepoy and missed him; the sepoy then came at them with his sword, and wounded the adjutant on the face and on his left hand. The sergeant-major drew his sword. Some sepoys from behind knocked down. the sergeant-major and the adjutant with the butts of their muskets; they got up and ran away.

This evidence corrects the above statement and now says: “that after Mungul Pandy had cut down the adjutant and the sergeant major, some sepoys knocked them down with the butts of their muskets. I don’t know who they were, but they had their regimentals on. I got wounded myself in the hand, trying to protect the adjutant when Mungul Pandy was cutting at him, I had got Mungul Pandy down; a great number of sepoys, in undress, were assembled round us, they abused me, saying_ “why don’t you let him go,” and struck me on the back and on the head with stones and shoes. I then let him go: the adjutant had got out of the way in the meantime.
The witness having had the above read to him now states: “I let Mungul Pandy go when the sergeant-major, as well as the adjutant, had got clear away.”

BY THE COURT
Question – Where and how far from Mungul Pandy were you when you saw him go out on the parade?
Answer – I was near the kote of the Grenadier Company of the regiment. Mungul Pandy came out from the centre of the lines; he was about a hundred yards from me.
Question – What did you hear him calling out?
Answer – He called out to the whole regiment to turn out; the Europeans had arrived.
Question – Were there many men present and within hearing. on the occasion; and how did they act?
Answer – All that were in the lines were present looking on, but were quiet. Mungul Pandy called out,_ “The magazine has come with the Europeans, and the Europeans are here to make us bite the new cartridges, and destroy our religion.”
Question – Was there any sympathy or exhibition of feeling shown by the men who were looking on when Mungul Paudy called out to them to turn out?
Answer – No, not any whatever, except that Jemadar Gunnness Lalla, of the 5th Company, remonstrated with him, and said_ “Haven’t you heard that you are not to bite the cartridges? Don’t make a disturbance.”
Question – Were all those men still spectators when the adjutant and sergeant-major were fired at by Mungol Pandy and assaulted?
Answer – Yes, they were all looking on.
Question – Did anyone of them step forward to assist you in defending the adjutant and sergeant-major?
Answer – Not one of them.
Question – How many men in uniform assaulted the adjutant and sergeant-major with the butts of their muskets?
Answer – Three or four men, but I don’t know whether they belonged to the quarter guard or the pickets.
Question – How do you account for not recognizing them?
Answer –I was wounded and confused.
Question – Were there any commissioned or non-commissioned officers amongst those men you saw in uniform?
Answer – I did not see any.
Question – How were the men of the regiment engaged at the time of the occurrence, and were the bells-of-arms open?
Answer – Some were open and some shut, and some of the men were engaged in cleaning their accoutrements.
Question – Prior to yesterday’s occurrence had any similar manifestation displayed itself amongst the men of the regiment?
Answer – No, not that I know of.
The witness withdraws.

2nd Witness

GUNNESS LALLA Jemadar, No.5 Company, 34th Regiment, Native.Infantry, is called into Court, and duly cautioned.
BY THE COURT
Question – State to the Court what occurred yesterday in your regiment?
Answer – I was sitting yesterday in my house when Goorbucus Sing, pay-havildar of the company, came and told me_ “I don’t know what has come over Mungul Pandy, sepoy; he is walking about on the parade with a musket and tulwar.” I went to the front of the lines near the kote of my own company, and saw him on the parade walking about. I sent Gobin Sing, havildar, to report to the sergeant-major, the adjutant, and the commanding officer. I also sent Goorbucus Sing, orderly-havildar of the company. to report to Captain Allen in charge of the company. I heard Mungul Pandy got the musket from the kote to clean. ‘
Question – Did you see Mungul Pandy yourse1f, and what was he doing?
Answer – He was walking about in front of the quarter-guard, distant about a hundred and twenty-five paces.
Question – Did he say anything at all?
Answer – He called out for a bugler to blow the assembly, and said_ “all who are men turn out at three o’clock.”
Question – What did he do after this?
Answer – I saw him discharge his musket in the direction of No.6 or No.7 Company. I do not know whom he fired at. He immediately reloaded and walked backwards and forwards in front of the lines.
Question – What occurred after this?
Answer – The sergeant-major came up in rear of the quarter-guard, and told the jemadar of the guard, Issuree Pandy, to make his men fall in; they did so. Afterwards, I saw the adjutant coming up on horseback towards the quarter-guard. He was pretty close to it when Mungul Pandy fired at him, wounded” his horse, which fell down; the men of the guard rushed up to pick up the adjutant. Mungul
Pandy was about eighty or a hundred yards off’ when he fired at the adjutant. The adjutant got up instantly, and went towards Mungul Pandy with a pistol in his hand and accompanied by the sergeant-major and Shaik Pultoo, who came from the direction of the Grenadier Company; the adjutant discharged his pistol at him, and missed; he then threw the pistol at him. The adjutant drew his sword, as also the sergeant-major; sepoy then drew his tulwar, and they fought together. I spoke to some sepoys of the quarter-guard to go and assist the adjutant; when they got a short distance Mungul Pandy threw down his tulwar and seized his musket by the barrel, and was striking with the butt-end of it, but I could not see whom he struck. I saw Shaik Pulton seize him by the waist. I afterwards saw Mungul Pandy loose again, but 1 don’t know how it happened.
Question – Did you see any sepoys, either in dress or undress, strike the adjutant or sergeant-major?
Answer –No, I did not.
Question – Did any of the sepoys assist the &djut4nt or the sergeant-major?
Answer--Only one man, Heeralall Ditchit, or Tewary (I don’t know which), got up to them; all the rest returned when the adjutant made a sign to them to do so.
Question – Is it likely the adjutant, when his life was in danger, would make a sign to those who were coming to assist him to go away?
Answer – I cannot say, but I saw him make a sign.
The witness withdraws.

The Court adjourns till to-morrow at 11 a.m.. it being 4p.m.

The Court re-assembled this day, pursuant to adjournment. President, Members, and Interpreter all present. Letter dated Barrackpore, 30th March 1857, from Assistant Surgeon J. Allen, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, to Colonel S. G. Wheler, Commanding the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, is appended; a record to this effect having been inadvertently omitted in the former day’s proceedings. In consequence of the above letter, and the Brigadier having informed the President of the Court that it was advisable not to hurry the inquiry, there has been a delay of one day.
Colonel S. G. Wheler proceeds to call in evidence.

3rd Witness
MOOKTA PERSAUD PANDY, havildar, 5th Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, is called into Court, and has had explained to him para.. 11, section 22, Military Regulations.

Question – State what occurred on the parade of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, on the 29th of last month.
Answer – Between four and five o’clock on the afternoon of the 29th of last month, a Sepoy, Mungul Pandy, 5th Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, standing near the quarter-guard of the corps, called out to the bugler of the guard to blow the”assembly.” I was in my house close by and heard him. I came out and saw him standing near the quarter-guard, with his musket and a tulwar; he was abusing the bugler, and saying_“Why don’t you sound the bugle? I will shoot you if you do not.” I said to Issuree
Pandy, jemadar, on duty at the quarter-guard_ “Confine the man; I think his musket is loaded.” The jemadar said_ “I cannot do so.” I then said_ “If you don’t confine him, I will report the circumstance to the captain.” (meaning the captain of the jemadar’s company).
At the time we were in front of the quarter-guard: we went to the rear of it, and I told him_” You have neither confined him nor reported the circumstance, which you ought to have done.” I then ran to Captain Drury, and told him what had happened; he said he would come immediately, and told me to go that instant to the jemadar of the quarter-guard and tell him to confine the sepoy on his (Captain Drury’s) authority. On this I ran to· the jemadar, and found him, the sergeant-major, and some sepoys, standing in rear of the quarter-guard. I gave Captain Drury’s order to the jemadar. The jemadar said_ “How can I confine him 1 his musket is loaded.” I said_ “It is the captain’s order, he is to be confined somehow or other; you have a guard with you.” He repeated what he had before said.
I then ran and reported the occurrence to Captain Allen of my company; I found he had gone to parade. I then returned, and when I had arrived opposite the lines of the Grenadier Company, I saw the adjutant on horseback; he rode up to the quarter-guard; and stopped his horse; the sepoys called out to him to come in rear of the guard. He was looking round when Mungul Pandy, sepoy, fired; the adjutant’s horse fell, and the adjutant fell backward; he got up and seized a pistol, and rushed towards the sepoy; the sergeant-major and Shaik Pultoo, sepoy, followed him from the right of the quarter-guard, at about eight or ten paces interval. The adjutant, when some ten or twelve paces from Mungul Pandy, fired his pistol at him; he missed, and threw the pistol at Mungul Pandy. By this time the sergeant-major and Shaik Pultoo had got to within two or three paces of the adjutant. ‘The adjutant and sergeant-major drew their swords, the latter made a cut at the sepoy: he lifted up his musket to guard the cut, and the sergeant’s sword broke off at the hilt. The sepoy then took the musket in his left; hand, and drew his tulwar, with which he made a cut at the adjutant: at this time a sepoy of the quarter-guard, Heeralall Tewary, of the Light Company, rushed forward, Shaik Pultoo having seized Mungul Paudy round the waist from the rear: he was, however, still fighting with the adjutant, who received a cut on the left hand, which fell down by his side.
Mungul Pandy then broke away from Shaik Pultoo, and wounded him with a swordcut. It was at this time Heeralall Tewary, who had rushed from the quarter-guard, struck the sergeant major over the head with his musket; the adjutant and Shaik Pultoo had withdrawn. Heeralall Tewary again lifted up his musket and struck the sergeant-major, who fell, and Heeralall Tewary went back to his guard. Shortly after, the sergeant·major got up, and made towards his house; the sepoy, Mungul Pandy,-made two or three cuts at him. Mungul Pandy then went out to the parade in front of the quarter-guard, and, loaded his musket; having done so, he walked backwards and forwards at about a hundred and fifty paces in front of the guard, calling out something which I did not make out, excepting once, when I heard him say_“If anyone comes near me I will shoot him.”
The colonel and Captain Drury then came to the quarter-guard; the colonel gave the order for two sepoys to load, afterwards for four, and then for the whole guard. The colonel told the jemadar to take his guard and seize Mungul Pandy; the jemadar took his guard about eight or ten paces to the front, halted them, and came back himself to the colonel and Captain Drury, reporting, the man’s musket is loaded, and he says he will shoot anybody who goes near him. The colonel and Captain Drury said to the jemadar_“What ! are you afraid then, that you have returned?” He replied_“The sepoys say they will not advance without a European officer.” The colonel said_ “This is shameful; if you don’t want to go, bring your guard back.” The jemadar then ordered them to the right-about and brought them back, then ordered arms. The General afterwards came to the quo. quarter-guard with a number of gentlemen; he asked the jemadar if, his men were loaded; he said they were. He then ordered the advance and all proceeded towards Mungul Pandy; when they had got ten or fifteen paces, he sat down and shot himself.
Question – Did you hear a musket fired by anyone besides Mungul Pandy?
Answer – No.
Question – How many musket shots did you hear fired?
Answer – I heard one when I was reporting to Captain Drury, and a second when I saw Lieutenant and Adjutant Baugh’s horse shot under him.
Question – Did you hear a third musket shot when the struggle was going on between the adjutant, the sergeant-major, and Mungul Pandy 1
Answer – I did not.
Question – What reason did· Mungul Pandy assign to the bugler when he ordered him to eound the assembly?
Answer – I didn’t hear him assign any reason.
Question – Had you a distinct view of the scuffle while it lasted?
Answer – Yes, I had; they were about a hundred or a hundred and twenty-five paces off; I was standing near a peepul tree, eight or ten yards to the left of the quarter guard.
Question – What other men of the quarter-guard, besides Heeralall Tewary, did you see go forward?
Answer – No others went forward.
Question – Did you see any men of your regiment, of any other guard, in uniform, with muskets in their hands?
Answer – No, only those of the quarter-guard.
Question – Were many men of your regiment witnesses of the whole occurrance, and what did they do?
Answer – Yes; I should say from a hundred to a hundred and twenty-five men were looking on.
Question – What was the jemadar commanding the quarter-guard doing at this time?
Answer – He did nothing.
Question – How did Mungul Pandy get possession of his musket and cartridges at the same time?
Answer – The bells-of-arms are open at two o’clock, and sepoys can take out their arms and accoutrements to clean.

BY COLONEL WHELER
Question – During the time that I was standing near the quarter guard, did you hear anyone remark to me that the man in front (meaning Mungul Pandy) is a Brahmin, and no one will fire at him?
Answer – I did not.
The witness withdraws.

4th Witness
Bugler John Lewis, No.8 Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry , is called into Court and duly cautioned.
BY THE COURT
Question – Were you at duty at the quarter-guard on the 29th of last month?
Answer – I was.
Question – Did anyone call out to you from the front to blow the assembly?
Answer – Yes, the sepoy who lies wounded in the hospital (his name I don’t know) ordered me to sound the assembly, and threatened to shoot me if I did not; I said I could not without proper authority.
Question – Did the sepoy assign any reason for making such an unusual request?
Answer – No, he did not to me, but I heard him say to a sepoy, by name Meher Lall_ “I am doing this for my religion.”
The witness withdraws.

The Court proceeds to the quarters of Lieutennt and Adjutant B. H. Baugh to take his evidence.

5th Witness
Lieutenant Bempde Henry Baugh, Adjutant, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry.

BY THE COURT
Question – State to the Court what occurred on parade on the 29th of last month.
Answer – On the afternoon of the 29th, at about half-past four or five o’clock, the havildar-major, Madhoo Tewary, came and reported to me that there was a sepoy of No.5 Company out in front of the regimental quarter-guard, who had fired a shot at the sergeant-major. I told him to report the circumstance to Colonel Wheler.
I ordered my horse, put a brace of pistols in my holsters, and proceeded at full gallop to the spot. On pulling up at the quarter-guard a shot was fired by a sepoy of the name of Mungul Pandy, and my horse fell; not a sign was given me by any of the guard as to the proximity of my danger, and though I once. called. out to the jemadar, Issuree Pandy, in command of the quarter-guard, saying why was not some arrangement made to secure this vagabond, he stood perfectly quiet and indifferent. On seeing Mungul Pandy, sepoy, about to reload his musket, as soon I could disentangle myself from my horse, I took a pistol from one of my holsters, and presented at the sepoy, who was about fifty paces from me; he stopped loading and began retreating, but he again stopped, and I fired, and immediately rushed on sword in hand to secure him; I had not reached him half-way when the sepoy drew a tulwar, which I was not aware he had about him.
I stopped and turned round to see where my horse was, intending to get my second pistol, and seeing him gone I concluded the pistol in the holster had gone with him, so continued my advance and engaged the sepoy. I must now call the Court’s attention to a remarkable fact: my syce states that on coming up to where my horse had fallen he saw Mookta Persaud Pandy, the late havildar-major, standing close by with my remaining loaded pistol in his hand; the syce asked him_“Where did you get that pistol?” He said_”I just now picked it up. ” So that Mookta Persaud was positively standing by with my sole means of defence in his hand, both keeping it from me and not using it in my defence, though only a short distance from me. During my conflict with Mungul Pandy, both I and the sergeant-major were jostled a good deal by men who were about us: a shot was fired by some man so close to us that I saw the sergeant-major put up his hands to his head, as though he had been hit. I received a severe cut on my left hand, and two other wounds, one on my head and one on my neck; the one on my head I believe was from the butt of a musket.
The sergeant-major complained to me when returning, that as we were retreating he was knocked down by some of the sepoys of the quarter-guard; I, myself, saw him in the act of falling, and it seemed as if he had been struck by someone behind him; he, however, got up and joined me, and we both went to the bungalow of the sergeant-major of the 43rd Regiment, Native Infantry.
A sepoy of the name of Shaik Pultoo, Grenadier Company, of my regiment assisted me to the best of his endeavours during the whole of the fight and received a severe sword wound in his hand. To the best of my belief, my getting out of the business in the way. I did was principally owing to this sepoy, as he drew off the attention of the men from us on himself, and allowed us time to retreat.
Question – At what distance from the quarter-guard did the conflict take place?
Answer – I should say at about fifty or sixty yards.
Question – Was there time for the men of the quarter-guard to have come to your assistance when your horse fell to the time of the conflict?
Answer – There was plenty of time, but none came to my assistance; my horse fell only eight or ten paces from the quarterguard.
Question – Did you see any sepoy regimentally dressed with a musket in his hand near you during the scuffle?
Answer – Most of the men that were near me were behind me; the only men that I could see were the sergeant-major, Shaik Pultoo, and Mungul Pandy. I was so much excited that I could not take upon myself to say more than the above; my whole attention was taken up with the conflict.
Question – From what direction was the last musket shot fired, and could it by any possibility have been fired by Mungul Pandy?
Answer – I believe it to have come from the direction of the quarter guard, and not from Mungul Pandy, certainly, as he was in front of me.
Question – Did you make a sign to any men not to come to your assistance?
Answer – Most certainly did not.

The Court now proceeds to the quarters of the sergeant-major 431·d Regiment, Native Infantry, where Sergeant-Major J. T. Hewson, of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, lies wounded: he is duly cautioned.

6th Witness
Sergeant-Major James Thornton Hewson, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry
BY THE COURT
Question – State to the Court what occurred on the parade of your regiment on the 29th of last month.
Answer – Between the hours of 4 and 6 P.M., the naick of the 2nd guard came to my bungalow, and reported that a sepoy of No.5 Company had dressed himself and loaded his musket, and was standing in front of the quarter-guard.
I immediately ordered the naick to acquaint the adjutant of the regiment. I then dressed myself, and went out on the parade. On reaching the left first kote, that of the Light Company, a sepoy, regimentally dressed but without his pantaloons, took deliberate aim at me with his firelock; the shot did not take effect. I then went round in rear of the kotes towards the quarter-guard.
During the time it took me in doing so, the man loaded his piece and then returned in front of the quarterguard. I found some of the men on duty at the quarter-guard dressed. I ordered the native officer to make them fall in. He told them to do so; they grumbled, but did not obey his order, nor did the native officer, Jemadar Issure Pandy.No. 1 Company, draw his sword. I then spoke again to the native officer, and told him that it was his business to do his duty, and arrest the sepoy, Mungul Pandy. He answered me _ “What can I do? The havildar’s gone to report the circumstance to the officer of the day, and the naick to the adjutant.” I then ordered two men to be stationed, one on the right hand and the other on the left·of the quarter-guard, and to keep an eye on Mungul Pandy. Several times I went beyond the ‘quarter-guard, and each time the sepoy· presented his piece at me, at the same time saying_ “Get out of the way or I will shoot you.”
Several of the sepoys that were standing round about in undress, called to me to get out of the way; also the native officer of the quarter-guard. I recognised the native officer No.5 Company, Gunness Lalla, jemadar, and the colour havildar, Mookta Persaud Pandy. Gunness Lalla advanced between the quarter-guard and No.5 kote, and spoke to Mungul Pandy, calling on him to throw down his arms, and he refused. A little after this time I heard the sound of horses hoofs, and, the adjutant of the regiment came riding up. He called out_“Where is the man?” and I immediately answered him_” Look to your left, and ride to the right for your life, for he will fire at you.” The words were hardly out of my mouth, when the sepoy, Mungul Pandy, fired. The horse fell; the adjutant then drew a pistol, having first dismounted,
fired at Mungul Pandy and missed him. The adjutant then rushed up with his sword drawn to the sepoy.
I also followed him, drew my sword, at the same time calling out to the guard to come on and take the sepoy. The sepoy loaded, but had not time to put on the cap. Before the adjutant reached him he drew a tulwar. He made a feint at me and cut the adjutant. I struck at the sepoy several times, but was knocked down from behind.
On rising up I found that the men who struck me wete all dressed in regimentals and had their firelocks,
but no bayonets fixed. I rushed again at the man, and caught him by the collar. I received some cuts and was again knocked down by blows from muskets; and when down the second time I received a blow
from a musket on my head. On rising up, I saw the adjutant walking away, covered with blood. I followed him. On arriving near my own bungalow, opposite the Light Company kote, I heard footsteps, and on turning round I saw the jemadar of the quarter-guard following me. I told him_ “You have acted shamefully, and I will place you under arrest.” I tried to grasp his sword, but he stepped back, and prevented my taking it. then saw my wife a few yards off and she brought me to the sergeant-major’s bungalow of the 43rd Native (Light) Infantry. Outside it I again saw Lieutenant Baugh. I saw then his hand was cut very badly.
Question – Did the naick of the quarter-guard, when he reported to you, mention the reason of Mungul Pandy’s arming himself?
Answer – He said he had drunk bhang and intoxicated himself, and I myself heard Mungul Pandy, when I was near the quarter-guard, calling out to the regiment to turn out.
Question – At what distance from the quarter-guard did the adjutant’s horse fall?
Answer – About five or six yards to the left, and ten yards to the front.
Question – Did any of the guard advance to pick him up?
Answer – Nobody came to his assistance.
Question-Were there many men assembled near their bells-of-arms and looking on; and if so, did any of those come to his assistance?
Answer – There were a great number in undress, and none of them came to the adjutant’s assistance.
Question – Did you see anyone strike Lieutenant Baugh with a musket?
Answer – Yes, I saw a sepoy dressed in regimentals strike him, but I could not recognise his features.
Question – Did you hear a shot fired while you and the adjutant were engaged with Mungul Pandy?
Answer – Yes I did, from behind, close by in the direction of the line.
Question – Are you personally acquainted with Heeralall Tewary, sepoy of your regiment, and did you see him during the scuffle referred to?
Answer – I know him; he was there, along with seven or eight other men in uniform, with muskets; but though I have a strong suspicion, I am not quite certain that he struck me.
Question – Did you receive assistance from Shaik Pultoo, sepoy?
Answer – I cannot say; I did not observe him.

There being no further evidence to produce, the Court adjourned at at 6 p.m. sine die.

Barrackpore, 6th April 1857.
The Court re-assembled this day at 6 a.m. at the Mess-House of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, agreeably to station orders of yesterday, for the purpose or taking further evidence, particularly as
to the conduct of the native officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, on duty at the regimental quarter-guard on the 29th March 1857. The President and Members all present, Ensign Chamier, Interpreter, 34th Regil!lent, Native Infantry, is appointed Interpreter to the Court, in the place of Lieutenant Corbett, 43rd Light Infantry, on other duty.

7th Witness
Lieutenant Colonel S.G. Wheler, Commanding the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, is called into Court.

BY THE COURT
Question-State to the Court; what happened on the evening of the 29th of last month at the quarter-guard of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry?
Answer – Captain Drury called at my house, and informed me that there was a man parading in front of the lines, exciting the men to mutiny. I immediately proceeded with him to the lines, calling upon the Brigadier, whose house was on my way, and reporting the circumstance to him.
On arriving at the lines, I found all the men gathered in rear of their kotes. I at once went to the quarter-guard, and on my way there I saw the man walking up and down in front. It was reported to me and Captain Drury that Lieutenant Baugh, the adjutant, and the sergeant major had both been wounded by the sepoy in endeavouring to secure him. On arriving at the quarter-guard I directed two or three men to load. Captain Drury suggested it would be better to order the whole guard to load, which I did. I then directed the native officer to take his guard and secure the sepoy. He murmured, and said_ “The men won’t go.” I repeated two or three times to the native officer, it is (“hookum hue”) ordered.
He at last ordered the guard to advance. They did so six or eight paces, and halted. The native officer returned to me, stating that none of the men would go on. I felt it was useless going on any further in the matter. Someone, a native in undress, mentioned to me that the sepoy in front is a Brahmin, and that no one would hurt him.
I considered it quite useless, and a useless sacrifice of life to order an European officer, with the guard, to
seize him, as he would no doubt have picked off the European officers, without receiving any assistance from the guard itself I then left the guard, and reported the matter to the Brigadier, who ·was standing in the street dividing the 34th and 43rd Regiments, Native Infantry. On this Major-General J. B. Hearsey came up, and proceeded towards the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry quarter-guard, and a number of officers were with him. He rode up to the quarter-guard, and directed them to advance. They did so for a few paces, when the sepoy in front shot himself.
Question – After you ordered the guard to advance, and they halted, did the native officer order them to halt, or did they halt of their own accord?
Answer – I cannot say, as I did not hear the order given.
Question – Did you give the order to load through the jemadar commanding the guard, or did you give it direct from yourself to the men?
Answer – I am not quite certain, but I think it was through the jemadar.
Question – Was that order readily obeyed?
Answer – Yes, I believe it was.
Question – What are the Court to understand by your last answer, inasmuch as you were a witness as to the manner of carrying out of the order?
Answer – On re-considering, the order was sluggishly obeyed.
Question – What was the conduct of the jemadar throughout; did he exert himself as he ought to have done?
Answer – Certainly not.
Question – Did the refusal of the guard to advance extend to the whole of the guard, or was there any exception?
Answer- I did not notice any exception.
Question – Had the jemadar set a proper and determined example, do you think the men would have advanced on his order?
Answer – I do not think they would, that is, to seize the prisoner, or to touch him.
Question – When Major-General J. B. Hearsey placed himself at the head of the guard, and ordered them to advance, did they obey his order at once, and did they show any hesitation during that advance?
Answer – They appeared to obey the order in starting off at once. After advancing a few paces, I noticed. the rear rank began to step short, and did not lock up till directed to do so by an officer who was mounted in the rear.
Question – Were there any young sepoys in the guard who were on guard duty for the first time on that day?
Answer – I cannot say.
Question – Was there any other European officer present of your own regiment except Captain Drury, when the guard refused to advance on your order?
Answer – I did not see any.
Witness withdraws.

8th Witness
Captain Drury, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, is called into Court.

BY THE COURT
Question- State what happened on the evening of the 29th of last month at the quarter-guard of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry?
Answer – I accompanied Colonel Wheler down to the lines, on reaching which we saw Mungul Pandy parading up and down, at about a hundred or a hundred and twenty yards in front of the quarter-guard with a musket in one hand and a tulwar in the other. He kept calling out something; I couldn’t understand what he said; he spoke in a defiant manner.
Colonel Wheler first of all ordered part of the guard to load; I suggested that they should all load, that no invidious distinction should be made under existing circumstances. The colonel gave the order and the men loaded, after which the jemadar of the guard took me aside and said he wished to say something. He said_ “It’s no use, the men won’t go; even if you go they won’t follow you; they would take the man’s part.” I pretended to pooh-pooh it, saying_”That was all nonsense; whatever orders the guard received they must obey.” Colonel Wheler then ordered the guard to advance under the jemadar he murmured, but led the guard on some ten paces to the front in an unwilling manner, when the guard halted, but whether by any word or sign from him, I can’t say, as he being on the right of the guard, I couldn’t say if he moved his hand or made any sign.
Matters seemed to be getting so serious that I suggested to Colonel Wheler that I should go and try and get a rifle somewhere and shoot the man, when I went up towards the lines of the 43rd Regiment,
Native Infantry, to try and get one. At this moment Major·General J. B. Hearsey rode down, accompanied by some officers on horseback, and was joined by several others. On his arrival on parade, he rode up to the guard, who advanced with him some paces, when the man knelt down and shot himself.
Question – Had the jemadar set a proper and determined example, do you think the men would have advanced on his order?
Answer – lt is a difficult question to answer; but I think the men would have advanced, though I much doubt whether they would have fired at ,or injured him in any way.
Question –Did the non-commissioned officers of the guard show the same reluctance as the other to advance when ordered?
Answer – I didn’t notice anyone man in particular, except the jemadar, he being the responsible person in command in the guard, but all showed equal wavering and reluctance.
Question – What reason have you for thinking that, although the guard might have advanced if properly led, they would have refused to shoot Mungul Pandy?
Answer – I judged partly from what the jemadar told me, still more so from their sulky and reluctant manner, also from their natural disinclination to kill a man of his caste, and also from the fear of the opinion of their comrades in the lines, as it is impossible to say, there being a very large proportion of Brahmins in the regiment, who were approving or otherwise of what the man was doing.
Question – Were there many men of your regiment present on the occasion?
Answer – Almost all; they were clustering about in rear of the bells-of-arms.
Question – Were any of them invited to do the duty which the quarter-guard refused to do?
Answer – No, certainly not in my hearing.
Question – From what you saw of their manner and bearing on the occasion, do you think they would have obeyed an order to shoot Mungul Pandy?
Answer – I doubt it, though individually 1 am certain there are numbers who were well affected; still I think the fear of consequences from their comrades would have deterred anyone man from being the first to come forward on the occasion. I think that the men distrust one another, and neither dare do or say anything tending to criminate a comrade.
Question – How many Sikhs are there in your regiment?
Answer – Seventy-three by the last monthly return.
Question – Had Colonel Wheler called them out, would they have shot Mungul Pandy?
Answer – I really cannot say. I have the highest opinion of the Sikhs in every way. I don’t think they are mixed up in these disturbances, but for the reasons I stated above, and their being in such a minority, I think they would have feared to come forward; I think had volunteers been called for, there would have been quite a slinking back of the men into their huts.
Question – Were there any young sepoys on duty at the quarter-guard on that day, who were on duty for the first time?
Answer – There were one or two who joined from the last squad of recruits somewhere in the middle of last month. ..I can’t say whether -they had been on duty before, but I think they must have been once or twice.
Question – Did you expostulate directly with any of the men of the guard at the time referred to?
Answer – No, I was on parade in a subordinate position, my commanding officer being there, and I had nothing to say to the guard.
Witness withdraws.

There being no more evidence to call the Court closes its proceedings.
The Court adjourns at 9 a.m.

Inclosure 5 of No. 11
From Lieutenant-Colonel S.G. WHELER, Commanding 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, to Captain S. RICHARDS, Officiating Major of Brigade, dated Barrackpore, 7th April 1857.
I have the honor to forward the accompanying letter of this date to my address, for the information of the Brigadier commanding the station, reporting what took place at the quarter-guard of the 70th
Regiment, Native Infantry, when in conversation with some of the prisoners on Sunday last.

Inclosure 6 of No. 11
From Ensign F.E.A. Chamier, Quartermaster, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, to Captain C.C. DRURY, Acting Adjutant, 34t Regiment, Native Infantry – dated Barrackpore, 7th April, 1857.

I have the honor to report, for the information of Colonel S. G.Wheler, Commanding the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, the following circumstance:-
On Sunday evening last, I accompanied Captain Drury to the quarter-guard of the 70th Regiment, Native Infantry, who was directed to make arrangements for fastening the hands of the Sikh sepoy for
whom handcuffs could not be procured large enough.
In the course of putting a few questions to the prisoners, I was informed by three sepoys there confined that the jemadar commanding the guard had prevented them from seizing Mungul Pandy, saying_ “Do not go near the madman.” These sepoys refused to state whether they were prohibited rescuing the adjutant, but two Sikhs distinctly stated that the jemadar ordered them not to go to the rescue of the adjutant. They then said that they would repeat this before a court; and added, to prove this, if the jemadar had not the courage to use his own sword why did he not give it to the sergeant-major, whose sword was broken? Ensign Bushby, 70th Regiment, Native Infantry, was visiting the guard at the time, and, I have no doubt, will corroborate the greater portion of the above statement.

SOBHA SING, Sepoy, 6th Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, a prisoner in the quarter-guard, 43rd Regiment, Native Infantry, voluntarily states as follows:–
“I was on duty on Sunday, the 29th March 1857. In the afternoon, I saw the prisoner, Mungul Fandy, walking about the parade with .musket. I, and one or two others, asked the jemadar if we should load.
He said_“You take your orders from me.” The sergeant-major came up and asked for the jemadar’s sword, as his own was broken. The jemadar refused to give it. The jemadar distinctly refused to let anyone go to the rescue of the adjutant, and said_ “If you go at all, you must go by my orders.” Before this., the jemadar had prohibited our seizing the sepoy, who was walking up and down the parade. One of the sepoys of the guard and of the light company, I think (I should know him if 1 were to see him), ran forward and, with the butt-end of the musket, struck the sergeant. The jemadar did not order the sepoy to attack the sergeant but did not stop him. The sepoy and Shaik Pultoo both arrived about the same time. At one time, some sepoy of another regiment was passing the prisoner, who called out_ “If you do not give me some water from your lotah, I will fire at you.” Havildar Mookta Persaud Pandy was standing
by the bells-of arms, but offered no assistance.”

ATMA SING, Sepoy, 6th Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, voluntarily states as follows:
“I was on duty at the quarter-guard on the 29th March, when Sepoy Mungul Pandy came forward on the parade. The jemadar shut the front door of the quarter ·guard. and assembled the guard in the rear.
I, Sobha Sing, lind two others, not. Sikhs, offered to seize the prisoner but the jemadur would not allow it. After the sergeant had broken his sword, he asked the jemadar for his, which the jemadar refused. We
offered o go to the rescue of the adjutant, but the jemadar said_ “When you get the orders from me, then you will go.”

Taken by me, in the presence of Major H. W. Matthews, Commanding the 43rd Regiment, Native Infantry.
Barrackpore, (Sd.) F.E.A. Chamier, Ensign
The 7th of April, 1857 Qr.Mr. 34th Regt. Nat. Infy.


Inclosure 7 in No. 11

From Lieutenant-Colonel S.G. WHELER, Commanding the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, to Captain S. RICHARDS,, Officiating Major of Brigade – dated Barrackpore, 10th April 1857.
I have the honor to forward the statement of Sewbucus Tewary of the 8th Company, and Mehee Lall, of the 1st Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, who were on the quarter-guard on the 29th March 1857, taken in the presence of myself, Lieutenant Bunbury, subaltern officer of the day and Lieutenant Grierson, quartermaster of the week.
The two statements differ with regard to what is said about receiving the word, “halt,” after advancing by my orders. The latter one by Mehee Lall, I beg to state, is the more correct one of the two.

Sepoys Atma Sing and Sobha Sing, having been taken to the quarter-guard of the 70th Regiment, Native Infantry, recognise the prisoners Sewbucus Tewary of the 8th Company, and Mehee Lall, sepoy, 1st Company, both of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry.

Sewbucus Tewary, sepoy, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, on being called on, states as follows:-
“On the day when Mungul Pandy fired at the adjutant and sergeant-major, I was on duty at the quarter-guard of my regiment; and had obtained permission to go to the rear, when I heard a disturbance, aud
immediately ran and fell in with the guard.
“Mungul Pandy came in front of the guard with a loaded musket and sword, and when the sergeant-major came out to the guard, he (Mungul Pandy) fired at him. I at once called out, ‘Come, let us seize
him’; but the jemadar called out that no man was to move without orders; that a report had been sent to the European officers, and, until orders were received from them, no man was to move.
“We were all behind the quarter-guard-house at this time with the sergeant-major, who had run there after being fired at.
“I did not see any man of the guard fire a shot during the conflict between the adjutant and Mungul Pandy which ensued, but I saw Sepoy Heeralall Tewary returning towards the quarter-guard with the cap of the sergeant-major, a sword-hilt, and a pistol. He was the only man who went to the front.
” The whole guard wished to advance to the rescue of the adjutant, but tbe jemadar would not allow us.
“Afterwards, when he had loaded and advanced a short distance by orders of the lieutenant-colonel, the jemadar went up to the colonel of the regiment, and said something to him (I don’t know what), and
then ordered us to halt, and right, about-face.”

Mehee Lall, Sepoy, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, states as follows:-
“On the day in question, I was on duty at the quarter-guard of my regiment, and had obtained leave to go to the rear; and on my return, seeing a disturbance was going on, I ran and joined the guard. Both
when the sergeant-major and the adjutant were fired at, I, and all the guard wished to seize the sepoy, Mungul Pandy, but the jemadar in command ordered us not to advance until we got orders.
“I saw Heeralall Tewary returning with a pistol, a cap, and a sword-hilt in his hand from the direction in which the affray had taken place. His clothes were bloody, and I heard the jemadar tell him to go and change them.
“When the jemadar refused to let us advance to the rescue, I saw Sepoy Sobha Sing strike his head with the palm of his hand in grief.
“Afterwards, when we had advanced some twenty-five paces, by order of the colonel (after loading), the jemadar halted us, on Mungul Pandy aiming at us, and then went and said something to the colonel, after which he ordered us to the right-about, to take off the caps, and to pile arms.”
(Sd.) W. M, GRIERSON, Lieut.
70th Regiment, Native Infantry.

The trial of Sepoy Mangal Pandy would be swiftly followed by that of Jemadar Issuree Pandy – one would be tried for mutiny and attempting to kill his officers, the other for grave derelictions of duty – on the 6th of April, the Barrackpore trials began.

^{Sources:
Forrest, George W., ed. Selections from the Letters, Despatches and Other State Papers Preserved in the Military Department of the Government of India, 1857-58. Vol. I. Calcutta: Military Department Press, 1893.
Great Britain Parliament. Appendix to Papers Relative to the Mutinies in the East Indies (Inclosures in Nos. 7 to 19). London: Harrison and Sons, 1857.}

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