“I have never yet met with an officer of Lieutenant Wood’s age (not yet twenty-three years) who gave higher promise of making a brilliant soldier. His whole heart and soul are in his work, and he is an impersonation of Sir Charles Napier’s _beau idéal_ of an Irregular horseman, for he is intent on his duty in eating, drinking, and sleeping, while his gallantry and devotedness in the field have won for him the recorded praise of Lord Raglan, Sir William Peel, and all who knew him in the Crimea, where he was recommended for the Victoria Cross, and all under whom he has served in India.... Lieutenant Wood is much loved in the brigade, and I consider his resignation as a loss to the public service.” Major Mayne also recorded his sense of his merits in Brigade Orders, and such proofs of esteem must have been soothing to his spirit as he bade adieu to the shores of India. That he did so with sorrow the reader will readily imagine; no one can renounce the prospect of a brilliant career without regret. Kind and appreciating friends were waiting to welcome him to his native shore; home, with all its endearing ties, was waiting his return; and yet, even at the last hour, he turned a longing eye to the scene of his former labours, and began to think of accepting employment in the Indian service at some future period. On the 4th of October, 1860, immediately before embarking for England, he wrote to Colonel Travers, Commanding Central India Force, requesting him to keep him in view if a vacancy should occur, and stating that he would rather command the 1st or 2nd corps, on the present system, than any other regiment. This letter produced a kind reply from Colonel Travers, who expressed the warmest admiration of his qualifications as an officer, and promised to place him in command of the first cavalry regiment where a vacancy occurred, provided that he could do so without injustice to others. Satisfied with this assurance our young hero set out for England, where he found that fame had preceded him, and won for him the tardy recognition of his services. In truth, the Victoria Cross had been awarded to him before he left India, though he only learned this on reaching England. In the _Gazette_ of September 4th, 1860, it was announced that the Queen was about to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on Lieutenant Henry Evelyn Wood, 17th Lancers, on account of acts of bravery performed by him in India, as recorded against his name—viz., Lieutenant H. E. Wood, 17th Lancers, for having, on the 19th of October, 1858, during action at Sindwaho, when in command of a troop of the 3rd Light Cavalry, attacked with much gallantry, almost single-handed, a body of rebels who had made a stand, whom he routed; also for having subsequently, near Sindhora, gallantly advanced, with a Duffadar and Sowar of Beatson’s Horse, and rescued from a band of robbers a potail, Chemmum Singh, whom they had captured and carried off to the jungles, where they intended to hang him.