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RECONSTRUCTION
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led them into open rebellion. Our power has been shown by the suppression of that rebellion in the field; We desire to show our mercy by pardoning the offences of those who have been thus misled, but who desire to return to the path of duty.'

We now come to the measures of military reorganisation undertaken after the Mutiny. Masses of Reports so dear to Indian administrators were collected in India; while a Royal Commission was issued in England, to decide, for good or for evil, the future destiny of the Indian Army. This Commission recommended the abolition of the local European Army, and its amalgamation with the so-called 'Queen's Army.' Their proposals were accepted, and the European troops of the Company's forces, numbering about 14,000 officers and men, ceased to have a separate existence. The Artillery became Royal Artillery, the Cavalry became the 19th, 20th, and 21 st Hussars, and the Infantry were formed into regiments of the Line numbered from 101 to 109.

This transference of the Company's Europeans was not unattended with disturbance. Many regretted, and still regret, the change. The European soldiers, led astray by evil advisers, and resenting what they regarded as a breach of faith on the part of Government, displayed a spirit of insubordination which, weakly dealt with in its birth-throes by the military authorities, grew into the so-called 'white mutiny.' The measures taken for its suppression