Major-General Hearsey at Barrackpore

Besides a long history of service in India, starting back in 1808, Major-General John Bennett Hearsey was a commander who understood sepoys, their ways and beliefs, and was not one to downplay their fears. While the government in Calcutta and quite clearly other commanders were unwisely labouring under the delusion that the greased-cartridge affair was a bothersome, embarrassing, but in all, a trifling matter, Hearsey was not. He clearly saw just what significance this lack of judgment had in the eyes of Hindus and Muslims alike and was not surprised when the sepoys reacted with fear and resentment. In his opinion, the entire affair could only be mastered with “kindly treatment and delicate handling” and he set about doing what others should have done already.

On 9 February, Hearsey called on the regiments at Barrackpore to be paraded, which included not only the 34th BNI, but the 2nd (Grenadiers), the 43rd and the 70th regiments of Bengal Native Infantry. Hearsey was well-known throughout the Bengal army, and if any man would be able to hold the sepoys to their allegiance, it was he. When the men were assembled, Hearsey gave the sepoys a speech, ” every word well chosen for an emergency.” It was also delivered without a translator, as Hearsey had long since mastered the vernacular.
“…energetically and explicitly,” Hearsey explained, “in a loud voice to the whole of the men the folly of the idea that possessed them that the Government or that that their officers wished to interfere with their caste or religious prejudices, and impressed on them the absurdity of their, for one moment, believing that they were to be forced to become Christians. I told them the English were Christians of the Book, i.e., Protestants; that we admitted no proselytes but those who, being adults, could read and fully understand the precepts laid down therein; that if they came and threw themselves down at our feet imploring to be made ‘book’ Christians it could not be done; they could not be baptised until they had been examined in the tracts of the Book, and prove themselves fully conversant of them, and then they must, of their own good will and accord desire to become Christians of the Book ere they could be made so. I asked them if they perfectly understood what I said, especially the 2nd Grenadiers; they nodded assent. I then dismissed the brigade. I have since heard from officers commanding regiments that their native officers and men appeared quite ‘koosh’ – pleased, and seemed to be relieved from a heaviness of mind that had possessed them.”