HC Deb 06 July 1855 vol 139 cc518-9
SIR ERSKINE PERRY

asked the President of the Board of Control, whether accounts have been received at the India House that the Guzerat Irregular Horse, the Nizam's Irregular Cavalry, and some regiments of Bengal Irregular Cavalry, have volunteered for the Crimea; and whether he can inform the House what is the total amount of Irregular Cavalry that has so volunteered?

MR. VERNON SMITH

said, in 1854 the Native officers in the Guzerat army volunteered to take part against Persia, when a war between that country and England seemed to impend; but no such war having taken place, they subsequently offered their services in the Crimea. There was also an offer of service from the Bengal Irregular Cavalry. No offers had been made from the Nizam's Irregular Cavalry; but the offers which had been made from the four regiments of Bengal Irregular Cavalry amounted to 2,000 men. The spirit of these officers was highly to be praised; but it had not yet been determined by the Government to accept their services, the subject involving political and economical consideration, of which his hon. Friend was aware.