Indian Mutiny Medal, no bar, named to Major J.E. Hughes, 47th Madras Native Infantry. Who recaptured the Fort of Copal, and tried and executed many of the Mutineers. Colonel John Edward Hughes was born in Somerset 27th July 1809. Cadet 1825, Second Lieutenant 8th January 1826, Lieutenant 2nd September 1832, Captain 8th January 1841 and Major 23rd October 1855. During the Mutiny he served with the 47th Madras Native Infantry. However he unusually supplied copies of his letters which ended up as despatches in the London Gazette on 17th September 1858.  This was in his capacity as the Major Commanding Field Force, to the Military Secretary, Residency Hyderabad, Camp Copal dated 1st to 5th June 1858 to do with the reporting of his successful recaptured the Fort of Copal which had been besieged by a body of rebels under Beem Row Dessaye:‘I HAVE the honour to report to you, for the information of the Resident, that I was ordered on the 28th of May, 1858, to proceed with a field force from Bellary against rebel Beem Row and his followers in your territories. Hearing that they had surrounded Copal, I immediately marched to that place from Hospet, which I reached at break of day yesterday, and halted close to the fort unperceived by the enemy, by taking a circuitous route; and, having ascertained for certain that the fort was held by Beem Row and the rebels, I proceeded to surround as much of the fort as I was enabled with the infantry and Mysore Horse, on which the rebels opened fire on us, and have continued doing so up to the present time, which is occasionally returned by the infantry. The fort appears to be excessively strong with a lofty citadel, and I am therefore awaiting the arrival of the artillery, which I sent round by a route different to the one by which I came, escorted by a sub-division of the 47th Regiment Native Infantry. The rebels appear to have only 3 guns from which they can fire. I am informed by Tehsildar Bodun Khan, who was not in the fort when they seized it, that Beem Row's followers amount to about 400. A small force from Lingsoogoor under the command of Lieutenant Pedler, has just arrived in camp. The fort I have entirely surrounded, and am now commencing to take it. My artillery has also arrived.’ ‘I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of the Resident that I arrived at Copal on the 30th May, 1858, as reported in my letter, dated 31st May, 1858. On the following morning, at four o'clock, a small force under the command of Lieutenant Pedler, accompanied by Lieutenant Taylor, Deputy Commissioner, arrived in camp, when I despatched a letter to Beem Row, recommending him to allow all the villagers and families of Copal to evacuate the town, and that three hours would be allowed for that purpose, at the expiration of which time, having received no reply, my guns were placed in position, and action commenced by shelling, and endeavouring to make a breach. I had previously disposed of the infantry and cavalry of Lingsoogoor, to strengthen my chain of picquets and sentries. At twelve o'clock noon, as I was preparing a portion of the 74th Highlanders, under Captain Menzies, and a company of the 47th Regiment Native Infantry, under Captain Rutherford, to storm the lower forts, signals were shown from the Pettah that the rebels were retreating to the citadel. The storming party immediately rushed forward, and entered the fort by the breach (that was partly made) and gateway, which was opened by the townsmen, and pursued and attacked the rebels, following them up towards the citadel, till the passage of the storming party was stopped by a strong gate. Up to this time about 100 of the rebels had fallen, including the chief Beem Row, and Keuchema Gowd. During this time, I brought round the 2 guns, under Lieutenant Gloag, to a point below the citadel, to cut off the retreat of the rebels, and prevent their gaining the uppermost bastions. Shortly after this, a message was sent to me, from Captains Menzies and Rutherford, to send up powder and a bag, to blow open the gate. When proceeding to join them with the powder, the rebels who had gained the inside of the gate, offered to surrender, and by three o'clock w« had gained entire possession of the fort and town, and have taken, up to the present time, 160 prisioners. The 74th Highlanders and 47th Regiment Native Infantry, vied with each other in the pursuit. A portion of the rebels attempted to escape to the right of the fort by a breach, but were driven back by a sub-division of the Hyderabad Contingent. Their escape was entirely cut off. I had guarded every point; the chain of cavalry picquets and sentries completely surrounded the fort and range of hills at the back, for a distance of about seven miles. The infantry I had placed on the left of the fort and Pettah, advanced after the storming party had entered the breach. Had it not been for the great assistance rendered to me by every officer and man, I never could have accomplished what has been effected, namely, the complete annihilation of Beem. Row and his followers; a few may have escaped, but I have as yet heard of none. I am happy to add that, in the attack, only one Serjeant,, six privates of Her Majesty's 74th Highlanders, and a duffadar of the Mysore Horse were wounded, a return of which I beg leave to enclose; none were killed. I have been unable to ascertain by whose hand Beem Row fell, on whose head a Government reward of 5,000 rupees was placed; he fell between gateways amongst others, and, being so hotly pursued by the infantry, I am informed by the officers, who were present that it was impossible to discover who actually shot him, so many muskets being levelled at the time, Great assistance has been rendered to me by Lieutenant Taylor, Deputy Commissioner, Kaichore Doab.’ ‘I HAVE the honor to report to you, for the information of the Resident, that 77 prisoners, rebels in arms against Government, have been, by sentence of a General Court-Martial, executed, and that I have 100 more under trial. 2. Having received information from Mr. Collett, the Assistant Collector of Bellary, of yesterday's date, stating that Nurgoond is in our possession, and the chief supposed to have fled towards Copal, pursued by Colonel Malcolm ; in consequence of this, I have disposed 4 ressallahs of the Mysore Horse, 2 of which to Kookunnoor, and 2 to Yelburgah, and I have also sent out spies in other directions. All perfectly quiet round Copal.’ A reply to Majot Hughes from the Military Secretary, Resident at Hyderabad, to Major Hughes, Commanding Moveable Column, Copauldroog, Hyderabad Residency , dated June 5, 1858. ‘THE Resident has learnt the re-capture of the fortress of Copauldroog, by the troops under your command, and has directed me to convey his thanks for the rapidity of your advance, and the opportune important assistance you have thus afforded. He begs me also to congratulate you, and the officers and men under your command, on the successful storm of the fortress, and the gallantly of their conduct.’ However it seems despite these grand praises, no award to Major Hughes was forthcoming. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel 14th November1861, retired as a Colonel. Died 18th November 1887 Elsleben, Tavistock

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