Mss Eur F699/1/1/3/3

Letters from Commander in Chief Sir Patrick Grant, numbered 1-61 with index. Detailed summaries provided by the Military Secretary's Office are written on the reverse of the letters or on separate dockets. Includes details regarding the day to day progression in the uprising or Indian Mutiny, including details of Troop movements and deployments, and Military appointments.

1. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 28 Jun 1857. Forwards letter from Major Holmes (not enclosed) regarding his conduct towards the Governor General and the Home Government. Proposes promotion of Hashnak Khan to Jemadar.

2. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 29 Jun 1857. Believes statements of the Native Officer of the 53rd Native Infantry are false and believes he may be liable for trial.

3. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 29 Jun 1857. Has received favourable news from Cawnpore. Brigadier Havelock is to reach Allahabad today. Colonel Neill is to assume command of the force proceeding to Cawnpore. Submits offer from numerous Officers at Benares and Allahabad from mutinous Regiments to volunteer to serve with Havelock's column.

4. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 30 Jun 1857.Goruckpore is in a doubtful state. Mr Wynyard requests two columns of Europeans from the corps at Benares. States mutineers at Fyzabad could easily destroy them. Asks if treasure could be removed, and if Gurkhas could be sent to support Mr Wynyard.

5. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 8 Jul 1857. Respecting the moveable column from Kamptee.

6. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 8 Jul 1857. Comments on the evidence against Troopers of the 7th Cavalry and the character of some Officers.

7. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 9 Jul 1857. General Havelock will start on the 7th instance. Proposes sending an Engineer and an Artillery Officer to Brigadier Neill.

8. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 9 Jul 1857. Desires to send Major Cooper to Allahabad with 8 Gunners and some European Infantry. Refers to exchange of Divisions between generals Reid and Barnard and Brigadier Cotton.

9. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 10 Jul 1857. Lieutenant Duval of the armed steamer 'Coromandel' to be employed in any capacity in the Upper Provinces.

10. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 10 Jul 1857. He is mistaken with regard to Brigadier General being a substantive rank. Offers suggestions to be sent to Brigadier General Havelock, who is to act under the orders of Sir Henry Lawrence commanding the troops in Oudh.

11. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 10 Jul 1857. Colonel Neill is in error regarding the Benares Battery. One half is to be sent to Allahabad. refers to Major Holmes proposal to advance on Lucknow. Forwards telegraphs from Colonel Neill about the strength of the revels at Cawnpore and Lucknow (not enclosed). Wishes to send two steamers up river.

12. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 11 Jul 1857. Captain Crommelin and Lieutenant Watson are suggested to carry out the passage of the river at Cawnpore. Forwards letters from Colonel Abbot regarding the ordnance and ammunition at Cawnpore when the mutiny broke out, and from Major Sanders regarding dispatch of the 5th Fusiliers.

13. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 11 Jul 1857. Forwards reply from Colonel Abbott regarding the Cawnpore magazine (not enclosed). Refers to the sad news from Lucknow. Believes General Havelock's force will be in time to save Lucknow if Sir Henry Lawrence can hold his position.

14. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 11 Jul 1857. Refers to the delay of the 'Coromandel' calling at Rangoon.

15. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 12 Jul 1857. Sends telegraph from Allahabad. refers to proposal to send 'Rockets' by armed steamer.

16. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 12 Jul 1857. Forwards letter from Major Sanders (nor enclosed). Desires Sanders send rifles and ammunition for the 10th Foot and for Captain Rattray's Police corps. Colonel Abbott is unsure what rockets are in store.

17. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 12 Jul 1857. Mr Plowden's arrangements at Nagpore. Refers to General Woodham's column and Mhow. Supply of coals for steamers.

18. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 12 Jul 1857. Neither Benares or Allahabad can spare Europeans. Detachment of 5th Fusiliers to Mirzapore. Major Sander's explanation for delay in despatch.

19. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 13 Jul 1857. proposes sending General Reid the accompanying letter (not enclosed).

20. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 13 Jul 1857. Mr Wynyard now has sufficient strength to disarm the 17th Native Infantry and retain them without arms. Treasure may be sent elsewhere.

21. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 14 Jul 1857. Agrees that Brigadier Neil may assume command in the event of anything happening to General Havelock. Is confident that General Lawrence will hold out at Lucknow until Havelock reaches him.

22. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 15 Jul 1857. Forwards telegraph with news of Lucknow (not enclosed).

23. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 16 Jul 1857. Good account of Gurkhas. Forwards for approval message for General Neill (not enclosed).

24. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 16 Jul 1857. His Minute will be found amongst the papers on the subject of the Bangalore Barracks. Is forwarding copy of Minute from his private letter book in case it cannot be found (not enclosed).

25. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 16 Jul 1857. Telegraph desiring Colonel Neill to join Brigadier General Havelock was send on the 14th and again on the 15th.

26. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 17 Jul 1857. Formation of new Sikh Corps.

27. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 18 Jul 1857. Sir H. Barnard will not attack until reinforcements arrive, though he believes had Barnard undertaken an instant assault [on Delhi] he would have been successful.

28. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 19 Jul 1857. Refers to Mr Plowden's belief that all other stations north of the Nerbudda except Nagpore had fallen. States Plowden acted hastily and without information. Mhow and Saugor are the points on which the Bombay moveable column ought to be dedicated.

29. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 19 Jul 1857. Alleged sale of a thousand rifles to a 'native'.

30. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 22 Jul 1857. Unpleasant news from Azimghur. Believes Governor General's order will secure Jaunpore, Azimghur and Goruckpore, to be occupied by the Gurkha Force.

31. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 22 Jul 1857. General Havelock is in possession of Bithoor. The Nana [Sahib] did not stand and fight. Solicits sanction for the appointment of Lieutenant Moorson. Colonel Neill will be placed at Cawnpore which is important in line of communication.

32. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 22 Jul 1857. Encloses anonymous letter regarding the Nana Sahib.

33. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 24 Jul 1857. Appointment of Lieutenant Johnson to command of Yeomanry Cavalry. Refers to publication of letter from Mr Colvin to Mr Tucker in the Englishman.

34. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 25 Jul 1857. Accounts from Delhi are not satisfactory. Stock of provisions at Agra. Present Brigadier and staff should be deposed if incompetent. Refers to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Cotton.

35. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 25 Jul 1857. Forwards telegraph from General Havelock (not enclosed). Gives opinions on the points submitted by General Havelock.

36. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 26 Jul 1857. Extent of force now at Delhi. Delay in assault is incomprehensible. Suggests rank of Major General is conferred upon General Havelock.

37. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 26 Jul 1857. Forwards note from Colonel Gordon, Commanding at Benares (not enclosed), regarding selected entrenched position.

38. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 26 Jul 1857. Recommends Lieutenant Colonel [Henry] Cotton and Lieutenant Colonel Riddell to be appointed at Agra.

39. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 26 Jul 1857. Forwards General Havelock's despatch (not enclosed).

40. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 27 Jul 1857. Forwards General Havelock's Cawnpore despatch (not enclosed) before being sent officially. Has telegraphed Havelock for his estimate of losses.

41. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 29 Jul 1857. Will telegraph Colonel Neill to raise Sowars. Asks for permission to publish the orders from General Havelock about plundering. Resident at Hyderabad is uneasy, there is a limited European Force. Sends letter from Mr Wingfield (not enclosed).

42. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 29 Jul 1857. Proposes to ask Captain Abbott if Captain Maude's wants can be supplied from stores on the 'Himalaya'. Requests to ask the Governor of Ceylon to send detachment of Maude's Company. Efforts to relieve General Havelock's Regiments.

43. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 30 Jul 1857. Forwards condemnatory account of General Lloyd (not enclosed).

44. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 30 Jul 1857. Forwards letter from Mr Farquharson giving account of General Lloyd (not enclosed). refers to Lloyd's mismanagement. Need for further statements. Does not know who to name to succeed Lloyd, names Colonel Baird and Lieutenant Colonel Fenwick.

45. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 31 Jul 1857. Brigadier Hearsey is uneasy of mind as he could be sanctioned for trail. Better to authorise an offer for service in China to these Barrackpore Corps. Encloses letter from Dr Maclean to Dr Grant (not enclosed).

46. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 31 Jul 1857. Asks for approval to send messages to General Lloyd and Officers at Dinapore.

47. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 31 Jul 1857. 'All this is workmanlike - now that the mischief has been initiated'.

48. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 31 Jul 1857. Forwards reply from General Havelock about re-crossing the Ganges (not enclosed). Believes Havelock deserves highest credit.

49. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 31 Jul 1857. How should he reply to the Officer Commanding at Bhaugulpore about disarming the 5th Irregular Cavalry? Does not know whether there are Europeans or Treasuries or other valuable property at Rahnee and Doomkee.

50. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 31 Jul 1857. Forwards detailed report from General Lloyd (not enclosed) which shows he acted with 'unparalleled weakness'. Colonel Dawes has proceeded to Buxar and Ghazeepore. Colonel Gray at Bhaugulpore. Movement of guns and Europeans.

51. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 1 Aug 1857. Wishes to know reply to Lieutenant Stanton's enquiry whether Shergotty people were to hold or move towards Calcutta. Wishes to have back telegraph

52. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 1 Aug 1857. Forwards letter from Colonel Birch (not enclosed). There is no objection to the Chunar guns being placed in position at Rajghat. European Artillery at Allahabad. Arrangements to send men and arms to Chunar.

53. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 2 Aug 1857. Encloses letter from Colonel Baker regarding the disarming of the Body Guard.

54. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 3 Aug 1857. Good services of Colonel Campbell. Colonel Hannyngton and Captain Alexander may be called to account for their shortcomings.

55. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 6 Aug 1857. Did not expect General Havelock to put up with his subordinate Brigadier Neill's reproof. Has heard from Havelock that he will advance immediately.

56. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 7 Aug 1857. General Lloyd's explanation does not improve his position. Forwards letters send by Havelock from Agra and Delhi (not enclosed). Colonel Gordon has disarmed the 13th Irregular Cavalry.

57. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 9 Aug 1857. Offers suggestions regarding Officers in the Contingents and Irregular Forces.

57a. Memorandum from Sir Patrick Grant relating to payment of 'Trans Indus' Batta, 17 Aug 1857.

58. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 19 Aug 1857. Agrees to Mr Plowden's letter to Major Erskine. Prohibiting brigading of Bengal Mutineers with Madras Troops. Major Erskine's opinion of 52nd Native Infantry at Jubbulpore. 4th Madras Light Cavalry.

59. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 22 Aug 1857. Strongly recommends appointment of Major E.W.S. Scott as Inspector General of Ordnance due to Colonel Brind's death. Appointments to arsenal.

60. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 23 Aug 1857. Lists various Officers not holding permanent detached employment.

61. Letter from Sir Patrick Grant, 26 Aug 1857. Has asked Sir Colin Campbell to recommend Colonel H. Fraser for the command of the garrison at Agra.