HC Deb 19 May 1865 vol 179 c563
MR. W. MILLER

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, with reference to his reply to a question addressed to him on the 15th instant, Whether he is prepared to order that the Medal be now distributed to all the Troops, regular and irregular, who were actually engaged (that being the admitted principle and limitation) in the field against Rebels and Mutineers in the Bombay Presidency during 1857, 1858, and 1859, as it was a matter of absolute certainty that Officers and Men of several Corps, regular and irregular, employed in the Deccan and elsewhere, and who were actually engaged against Rebels and Mutineers, have not received the medal?

SIR CHARLES WOOD

, in reply, said, he did not admit that any officers or men who were entitled to medals had not received them. As far as he knew, all those who wore entitled under the general orders of the Government of India and the recommendations of Lord Clyde had received the medals, and therefore he was not prepared to issue any fresh order upon the subject. If any particular cases were brought under his notice they should receive his careful attention.

SIR JAMES ELPHINSTONE

said, he wished to know whether there were not certain officers employed against the Bheels, and as in the case of the Tantia Topee raid they were practically rebels, and whether those officers were not entitled to medals?

SIR CHARLES WOOD

said, he was under the impression, without having the papers before him, that there were present officers employed in putting down the bands of robbers, the Bheels, and the Government of India did not consider that the ruffianism of robbers was to be treated in the same way as the putting down of a mutiny.