2-982-484 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A Souvenir of the Mutiny in India, 1858. Pendant of a waistcoat-chain commemorating '...the extraordinary escape of Lieutenant Henry Edward Hall...On the 6th of April 1858, a desperate engagement, by unequal numbers, was fought between five companies of the 15th Light Infantry against several thousand sepoys [Indian soldiers]...whilst gallantly heading his men...Lieutenant Hall was wounded...The ball entered the right side, striking the edge of the rib-bone, and settled amongst the muscles of the spine, and for six weeks defied the efforts of the army surgeons to extract it. At length it...was removed by cutting, and now forms the interesting souvenir de guerre...mounted as it is by Messrs. London and Ryder, of New Bond-street...It is inclosed in a perforated case of fine gold, displaying the usual crown, crossed swords, and emblems of the regiment on one side, and on the other the monogram (H. E. H.) of Lieutenant Hall...Our Engraving shows...the open view exhibiting the bullet with a deep indentation caused by its striking against the ribbone. Lucky indeed for Lieutenant Hall that those same greased cartridges that led to the rebellion had not reached the regiments that day engaged, for a conical bullet from a rifle must have proved fatal'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.