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21 Sep 55 Julius Camp before Sebastopol Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Camp before Sebastopol

Sept 21st 1855

[Written in pencil]

Dear Mother

As I am not able to sit up to write a letter to you with pen and ink I see nothing to prevent your having a few lines in pencil.

I am as well as ever with the exception of this scratch on my leg. I believe the order now is to send a telegraphic message home once a week about wounded Ofrs. One went yesterday about me; I believe all it said was ‘Progressing favourably’.

John comes to see me constantly & gets me anything I want. I got a letter today from Mary & also one from you, which said a great deal about me being too idle or too forgetful in not writing to you for two mails. In future if you do not get a letter from me for even two mails pray remember that there is a reason for it.

I fancy I told you in my next letter the reason – if not, I will now.

We went down to the trenches at 6 in the evening to stop there 24 hours. There was an attack expected in the direction of the Tchernaya. The Highlanders who were to relieve us were marched down there & we had to wait, instead of 24 hours, 40; & got up here at 10 o’clock & the mail had gone at 8.

When a man is ordered on board ship it is because he is ill and nothing to do with showing the ‘White feather’ as you express it.

I hope to be able to get up in a fortnight. Peter was here just now with the Mate of his vessel.

One of our Lts. out here has purchased over 7. It was kept very secret as every one of the seven would have been for purchase. They have antedated me as a poor fellow died out here of his wounds. Reay who rose from the ranks of ours died of fever at Malta the other day.

Peter has been inside the town today. I wish that I could go too as I should like to see all that we have been fighting a whole year for.

with love to all

from your affect son

Julius Dyson Laurie

Lieut 34th Regt

P.S. A ham has just arrived from John.

I have enclosed something that came off a Russian.

P.S. Tell my Father that I would sooner draw on Cox when I want money than John, as it would be mixing all our matters up.