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14 Jul 55 Julius on board 'War Spirit' Mother 2, Portland Place, Worthing ______________________________________________________________________________________________
On board the Ship Warspirit
off coast of Spain
Saturday July 14th 1855
Dear Mother
As I expect we shall stop at Gibraltar, I am going to write you a letter to have ready to post when I get there.
We started on Wednesday the third of July* at 2 in the morning & if I remember right, I sent you a letter by the tug which left us off Holyhead. We had very calm weather for the three first days, but afterwards it came on rather stormy but I am happy to say that I have weathered it out so far – that is to say I have not been troubled with sea sickness.
At one time we were a good way towards America, as we had to go wherever the wind chose to take us, but it was kind enough to change, so ‘here we are’ as the Governor would say.
I have amused myself most of the time by firing at the porpoises & whales which we have seen in great numbers.
We passed Cape St Vincent at 6 o’clock this morning & hope to get to the straits tomorrow morning.
They feed us horribly on board although we pay quite enough.
My telescope has been of great use to me in looking out at the ships which are constantly in sight.
I am afraid that I have not brought a proper supply of plain clothes out with me, as I counted on always wearing uniform. We have baths of salt water every morning on Deck. The sailors pour buckets full over us while we sit in a kind of tub.
There is a great scarcity of berths so, I being one of the juniors on board, I have to go without & sleep in a cot strung up in the cabin & as there are always some of the fellows playing cards &c. till late at night, I have to wait until they have done.
What is the name of the ship that Peter has gone out in. I have forgotten. I should not be surprised if I was to meet him somewhere out here.
I am looking out anxiously for a paper with a Gazette in for our regiment.
I used to sleep in hospital but I was turned out by some of the men coming in with all sorts of diseases which I thought proper to avoid.
Hoping that all goes on prosperously, & with love to all at home
I remain
yr. affect. son
Julius, Dyson, Laurie
Ens. 34th Foot
PS There is an Ofer. on board who knew John very well both at Sandhurst & at Hythe*, by name Howard of the 71st*.
Most likely you will get another letter from me.
JDL
[Inside the envelope, written in pencil]
I hope you have recovered again from your illness & are now enjoying the beautiful weather of Worthing. JDL 34th
* Wednesday the third of July – Actually Wednesday 4th July
* Hythe – Hythe Barracks, near Folkestone, Kent; since 1853, the School of Musketry
* Howard of the 71st – Lt. C J H Howard