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23 May 57 John Kingstown Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________

On board Lord Raglan

Kingstown

May 23rd 1857

My dear Mother

We are on board at last & I thought you would like to hear it, so you must make this scrawl out as well as you can.

My servant preferred stopping at home to going out & was absent when the regiment left Dublin. I gave him some money to get some things for me last night & he got all for me so it shows there was no dishonesty about the matter, as soon as he hears the regiment is gone, he will make his appearance, but he did not like going abroad.

Some of my men who deserted last week made their appearance this morning rather liking the idea of going abroad. I console myself with the idea that after all, Mauritius is not much farther off than Ireland was 50 yrs. ago.

Eccles stops at home & seems very glad of it. I think he is looking out for a wife. I will write again if we put in to any home port & will manage to let you hear from me as often as possible.

With best love and remembrances to all at home & hoping it may not be so very long before I see you all again.

Believe me ever

My dear Mother

Your affectionate Son

J Wimburn Laurie

4th K.O. Regt

May 23rd 1857

You never sent me an Almanac with all the Birthdays marked as you promised. Do, when you can.