James Blair (VC, CB) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
On 12 August1857 at Neemuch, India, Captain Blair volunteered to apprehend seven or eight armed mutineers who had shut themselves up in a house. He burst open the door and after a fierce encounter during which he was severely wounded, the rebels escaped through the roof. In spite of his wounds he pursued, but was unable to catch them. On 23 October at Jeerum, the captain fought his way through a body of rebels who had surrounded him. In the action he broke his sword and was wounded, but nevertheless he led his men in a charge on the rebels and dispersed them.
JamesBlair and James Hart turned their horses and started to make a dash back toward Camp Colorado, but JamesBlair's horse was anxious to go on toward home, and simply refused to go in the other direction.
James Hart also thought he was going to die, but stated that he was determined to live until he could reach home, so he could report what had happened to JamesBlair, whom he thought was being carried away by the Indians.
Blair, the mother, was so overjoyed she shouted all over their premises, and thus ended one of the most dramatic acts of the great western drama.
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