James George Smith Neill

James George Smith Neill (27 May 1810 – 25 September 1857) was a British military officer of the East India Company, who served during the Indian rebellion of 1857.

Early career James Neill was born on 26 May 1810 at Swindridgemuir, near Dalry, Scotland, the eldest son of Colonel Neill. He was educated at the University of Glasgow.

Lucknow Residency. Original graves of General Neill and others seen at the left, Sir Henry Lawrence's tomb is at the right.

Indian Rebellion of 1857 Early in 1857, Neill returned to the Indian subcontinent. Six weeks after his arrival came the news that all northern India was aflame with revolt (see the Indian rebellion of 1857). Neill acted promptly; he left Madras with his regiment at a moment's notice, and proceeded to Benares.

On 9 June, Neill set out for Allahabad, where a handful of Europeans still held out in the fort against the rebels. According to one of his officers, he also allowed troops under his command to summarily execute non-combatants without due process and burn their houses. His Sikh forces stationed at Jaunpur revolted upon seeing these atrocities.

Meanwhile, Havelock, in spite of a succession of victories, had been compelled to fall back for lack of men; Neill criticized his superior's action. A second expedition had the same fate, and Neill himself was now attacked, though by his own exertions and Havelock's victory at Bithor (16 August) the tension on the communications was ended. Havelock's men returned to Cawnpore, and cholera broke out there, whereupon Neill again committed himself to criticisms, this time addressed to the commander-in-chief and to Outram, who was on the way with reinforcements.

Neill was commemorated by having a cantonment in Lucknow named after him, "Neill Lines" (now known as Neil Lines). An island in the Andamans was named after him, as a mark of honour and now Neill Island (or Neil Island).