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24 Apr 58 Julius Fort Azimgurh Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Fort Azimgurh
24th April 1858 –
My dear Mother
I am still in daily expectation of letters. They say the mail is in, so once more I am on the qui vive to hear my name pronounced by the Orderly Sergeants. The people at Calcutta do not know, or do not care, that we have moved from Lucknow so I expect all my letters are up there. It is rather remarkable that everyone else gets them all right.
Things have gone on very quietly with us since our arrival here. The Rebels are still being pursued & occasionally we hear reports that Douglas,* our Brigadier, has come up with the Rear Guard, killed 200, taken some carts, Elephants & sometimes even a gun. He has at present got them in a net, drawing them into the angle of the Gogra & Ganges. They say there are two gun boats coming up to take them in rear & unless he allows them to out-general him, they are in Queer Street.
Disease is beginning to show itself among our officers. Poor O’Loughlin * died three days ago. It was very sad, poor fellow. He was as hearty as anyone ten days ago – was then bragging that he had never been so well in all his life. Dysentery carried him off very sharp. A young Cadet who is doing duty with us leaves today. Chalmers, our Doctor is at Calcutta on his way to England. I am thankful that I am very well indeed. I have been bothered rather with prickly heat* which the Doctors all say is a great sign of health.
It is dreadfully hot here. I think one begins to get accustomed to this perpetual state of perspiration & do not mind it so long as I am not exposed to the sun. The only time one is cold here is in the swimming bath.
My Father is always talking of steps going in the Regt. I think we shall have a good run between this & next two years. Gwilt cannot stay here as it does not agree with him. Warry * at the Depôt declares he will never come to India & it is understood he is under orders & must take Substantive* or come.
Harman* has applied for a Substantive as he will never last here. Marsh * says he goes (sells) as soon as ever things get a little quiet. Besides these, several doubtful cases Best *, Steuart *; Cassidy * very likely gets a District Inspector in which case he will be seconded. Kelly, if he can only be bribed a good round sum. Dashwood, * our junior Ens. was down for general purchase & is now Lt. in 5th. Why should not a Junior Lt. of the same Regt. find himself a Capt. some day by the same process.
I hope all right at home. Send me lots of letters & some must reach.
Love to all
I remain
Yr. affect. Son
J D Laurie
[Inside envelope]
You had better direct I think 34th Bengal & not as I told you from Lucknow. It has just struck me that very likely you have been in a great bustle in changing houses & that will account for my not having heard from you.
JDL. –
* Douglas – Brigadier General Sir John Douglas (1817-1888)
* O'Loughlin – Lt. John W Brooke O'Loughlin
* prickly heat – Also known as heat rash, or miliaria. An itchy red skin rash associated with hot or humid climates which often causes a stinging, or prickling, sensation
* Substantive – Substantive rank is the fully paid and confirmed (commissioned) permanent rank (as opposed to Temporary, Local, Acting or Brevet). In this instance, taking substantive rank was clearly regarded as a step backward.
* Warry – Capt. William Warry (1826-1887) Brevet Major 1858, remarried June 1864 in Somerset
* Harman – Later Lieutenant General Sir George Byng Harman KCB who became Military Secretary
* Marsh – Capt. Edward Herman Marsh (1827-1908), later promoted Major
* Best – Capt, Mawdistly Gaussen Best (1826-1906) retired as Brevet Major, later J.P., High Sheriff for Kent 1881
* Steuart – Capt. David Steuart (1830-1890) J.P, D.L, buried Kirk Wynd, St Ninians, Stirling
* Cassidy – Capt. Francis P Cassidy, retired August 1866 (as a Major on half-pay) by sale of his commission
* Dashwood – Charles Lewes Dashwood, promoted Captain (by purchase) March 1865, retired 1874