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15 May 57 John Dublin Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________

My dear Mother

I arrived here all right at seven o’clock this morning & after a good wash & breakfast went to work at nine. It is beautiful weather, of course very warm. Eccles arrived yesterday morning & I believe goes out with the regiment.

The ship will be round at Kingstown* about Monday & we shall embark about Wednesday. By the bye, I forgot all the stamps I had collected at home. Will you ask Mary to send them as Col. Smith is very anxious to make up his number as soon as possible. I sent him in 900 this morning.

Our mess is taken up & we have to dine anywhere that we can get dinner. I of course am besieged with congratulations* from all my brother officers & also strongly advised to stand Champagne to which I demur, but of course shall yield.

I must go & see Mrs Finlayson today & having to look after my outfit besides, I have not much time to turn round. After today I have no work to do as I do not see the use of beginning what we shall not have time to carry on.

I send my Father a list of the numbers going out & from that you will see that my estimate of a thousand souls on board is very little over the mark.

Love to all at home from

Your affectionate Son

J Wimburn Laurie

4th K.O. Regt

Dublin

May 15th 1857

* Kingstown – Now Dún Laoghaire

* besieged with congratulations – He had been promoted to the rank of Captain (by purchase) from 12th May 1857