The infamous "greased cartridge"

[Mark]

Is or was there any actual evidence that the cartridges for the Enfield Rifle were greased using animal fats (i.e. pig or cow) or is this a total myth?

I have read several books on the Indian Mutiny but no real evidence is put forward regarding this issue. Rather the issue is normally treated as the 'spark' to a already strained relationship between some of the Indian Sepoys and their British officers etc. then left to the reader's own assessment.

However is there actually any truth in the cartridge myth?

Mark

[kaiser]

Mark, it was a ''Factor''! relations between Officers and Sepoys as you say were strained, with the annexation of Ouda the home Province of many of the Sepoys, one thing lead to another and the greased cartridge was the final straw

[Billy Fish]

Hello Mark,

In answer to your question. The cartridge at that time was coated or waterproofed with a mixture of linseed oil and beeswax, but when ill-disposed people decide to put a rumour about which they knew would inflame an already delicate situation, the notion of the cartridges being greased with either pig or cow's fat was the spark that lit the fire of the Indian Mutiny.

The relationship between the British Officers anfd their Sepoy troops had been slowly decaying for a number of years.

Regards
Billy Fish

[Mark]

Thanks guys, what you say is what I was thinking. I was just wondering if there was any actual evidence that pig or cow fat was ever used. Is there any source/reference as to what was used exactly to grease the cartridge - i.e. written regulations or manuals etc. published at the time.

Mark

[Billy Fish]

Hello Mark

In 1847 orders issued and approved by the Commander in Chief and Governor General.......the balls to be put up, five in a string in small cloth bags with agreased patch of fine cloth, a portion carried in a ball bag attached to the girdle on the right side, the remainder in pouch. Patches to be made of calico or long cloth and issued ready greased from magazines a portion of the composition will also be issued with the patches for the purpose of renewal when required, instructions for its preparation forwarded to magazine officers by the Military Board.(The following instructions for the preparation of the grease and its application to the cartridge cloth as follows: To 3 pints of country linseed oil add a quarter of a pound of beeswax, which mix by melting the wax in a ladle pouring the oil in and allowing it to remain on the fire until the compositionis thoroughly melted. The cloth is then saturated and held by one corner until the mixture ceases to run, after which it is to be laid out as smoothly as possible on a clean spot to cool. The above quantity of composition will answer for 3yds of of long cloth, from which 1,200 patches can be made'
These instuctions were approved by the Governor General Lord Hardinge, in a letter from the Miltary Secretary to the Adjutant General dated 6th April 1847, no subsequent cancelling of the oreder can be traced.

Regards
Billy Fish.

[Mark]

Cheers Billy, that's the kind of thing I was looking for.

Mark

[Billy Fish]

Hello Mark,

As a point interest an officer who's medal is in my collection came very close to losing his life to the mutineers within his own regiment, over the use of the greased cartridge. This is just a short extract form his story regarding the cartidge incident:

............Appointed Adjutant 7th Oude Infantry in February 1856. On 30th April 1857 prior to the Mutiny, Lieutenant Clifford Henry Mecham who was stationed at Lucknow took his men out for firing practice, however they refused to use the cartridge. Mecham managed to convince the men that their reasons for not using the new cartridge were absurd. The men appeared satisfied, and the firing drill proceeded. On the 1st May there was again a change in the attitude of the men who again refused to use or even handle the cartridge. These men began to assemble in groups in the lines and would not disperse, their native officers reluctant to get involved or offer assistance. By the morning of the 3rd May these men were threatening to kill all the European Officers, who had been warned by the Quarter – Master – Sergeant. The historian Malleson describes Mecham as ‘ a cool, determined and resolute officer’ and added “ It was related at the time of Mecham that he owed his life on this occasion to his coolness and presence of mind. Taken unawares by the mutineers and told to prepare to die, he replied, “ It is true you may kill me, but what good will my death do to you? You will not ultimately prevail. Another Adjutant will take my place and you will be subjected to the same treatment that you receive from me”. The mutineers did not injure him.

Regards,
Billy Fish

[Mark]

Hi Billy

What a great story, and this is exactly why the Indian Mutiny has become my main interest during the Victorian period. I have a number of Indian Mutiny Medals in my collection - almost exclusively 38th and 80th Foot (South Staffords) - including one to an HEIC Captain who later became a Major-General. After purchasing my first HEIC medal for the campaign I have been drawn to such stories and wish to find examples to British officers of Indian regiments that mutinied.

If you get chance to post a photo of the medal I would love to see it.

Thanks for sharing this story.

Mark

[Unknownsoldier]

Hello Mark,

In answer to your question. The cartridge at that time was coated or waterproofed with a mixture of linseed oil and beeswax, but when ill-disposed people decide to put a rumour about which they knew would inflame an already delicate situation, the notion of the cartridges being greased with either pig or cow's fat was the spark that lit the fire of the Indian Mutiny.

The relationship between the British Officers anfd their Sepoy troops had been slowly decaying for a number of years.

Regards
Billy Fish

Thats what my teacher discussed with us over a pint, the interesting useage of propaganda (although not strictly called that at this point), and of misconception as a "weapon with unlimited ammunition" at such an early stage, by people one would often, possibly wrongly, consider as ill-educated, in comparison with the British.

I have never seen any indication that animal greased cartridges were issued to any troops, seems to be a very dangerous 'urban legend'.

Tom

[Berkshire Dragon]

I have just started to read a book on the Mutiny by Julian Spilsbury (The Indian Mutiny, published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 2007) where there is an intimation early in the book that when General Anson (the C-in-C) instituted enquiries about the sepoys concerns, it seemed to suggest that the claim about greased cartridges may well have had some truth in it. Apparently there were some batches of ammunition sent from England that may well have been greased although Anson ensured that no more were delivered that could have then been distributed to the native troops.

This is the first time that I have read of this in a book about the Mutiny although the author does not provide any more evidence to support this story, at least that is the way that I read it.

Anyway, it is a great read with many first hand eye-witness passages and I am enjoying it immensely (just got to the massacre at Meerut)


Mark

[Tim B]

Mark,

There is an excellent, scholarly discussion of the greased cartridges in The Mutiny Outbreak at Meerut in 1857, by J.A.B. Palmer. If you are interested in this issue, it is a must read. Palmer devotes an entire chapter to the greased cartridges and has really done his homework.

Tim B.

[Mark]

Cheers Tim, is there anywhere in particular I can get hold of a copy?

Mark

[Tim B]

Mark- Palmer's book is still in copyright so you can't find it on Google Books or the Internet Archive, but there are several copies about "fairly" cheaply on the used book sites. It is too long to scan, but if you send me your address, I would be happy to copy and mail the chapter about the greased cartridges to you.

All the best.

Tim B.

[Mark]

Thanks Tim, much appreciated. I don't want to put you to any trouble mate so will have a look for a second-hand copy first.

I've read several well-known and popular histories on the Mutiny but I still feel the 'cartridge question' has been skipped over too much.

Maybe there just isn't any more to it but I will see what else I can find.

Mark

[Tim B]

Thanks Tim, much appreciated. I don't want to put you to any trouble mate so will have a look for a second-hand copy first.

I've read several well-known and popular histories on the Mutiny but I still feel the 'cartridge question' has been skipped over too much.

Maybe there just isn't any more to it but I will see what else I can find.

Mark

Mark- I think you will be pleased with the depth in which Palmer examines this issue. He looks at all the available sources of information, some of which appear never to have been considered before. Although the book is actually about what the title suggests, there is an entire chapter dedicated to an analysis of the greased cartridge issue. I think you will find it very illuminating.

All the best.

Tim B.