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12 Oct 58 Julius Camp Keilsa Mother Hyde Park Place (West) ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Camp Keilsa
Nr. Azimgarh, 12th Oct. 58
My dear Mother
We have already commenced our Cold weather Campaign. A body of Rebels being about six & twenty miles from Azimgurh, Col. Kelly thought it would be a good opportunity to make a beginning.
Accordingly, he despatched Major Maxwell out to this place Keilsa with two Companies, two guns & a few Cavalry. On Receipt of that further information he found that they (Rebels) were coming into the District by another road, so Maxwell was ordered to march to a Bridge over which the Road runs & he was there to be joined by Col. Simpson with two more guns & a lot of Punjabi Infantry & Jat Horse.
Col. Gwilt came out with 3 Companies of Ours, 100 of the Punjabis & a Squadron (containing about 150 Sabres) of the Jat Horse to occupy the place vacated by Maxwell.
I was with the latter party. We arrived here about three days ago in two marches from Azimgurh. We got orders to move on to Atrowlia (about 6 miles) which we did & were then about 8 miles from 2000 of the enemy.
They heard of our approach & retired 20 miles. We then got orders to return to this place as Col. Simpson was coming to Atrowlia & Kelly wanted to get the Ns in between our Forces & the River Gogra. However they have not seen it in the same light & have bolted.
I suppose in the course of two or three days we shall all be together with Kelly as Brigadier. Maxwell arrived at the bridge just as the enemy were going to cross over it, but as soon as ever they saw our white faces they were off. I have not heard the particulars but with his bullock guns he could not have done much.
Although the beginning of the ‘cold season’ the thermometer is at 92° in our tent. The town here has been looted 8 times by the Ns so you may imagine there is not much to be got.
I hear General Hope Grant* is coming down through Oude towards us. Our District is pretty clear now, so there is nothing to prevent us advancing towards him.
I had a letter from Arthur yesterday from Madras. He is very well & says he likes the country ‘very much’. People of that opinion are the exceptions out here. It is a great pity he cannot get into one of the European Regts., as natives will never be trusted to any extent again & it is so much more satisfactory being with your own countrymen, who you can trust to stand by you.
I have not heard from you since I last wrote, neither from John or Peter. The former I suppose must be on his way to Bombay if he has not already arrived there. I expect he will have a slow time of it unless he is despatched up Country. I much prefer moving about when it is practicable.
This season we have so few Officers (only 4 English ones in our little Force) that we get off all the nasty work of Outlying Pickets &c. I have got my guns with me & whenever we come to a desirable piece of water we make a note of it & generally find our way there in the cool of the evening or early next morning to see if any Ducks are to be procured.
I hope Mary & little Riley are getting on well & getting strong.
Arthur tells me that Helen is already very much grown & speculates on what she will be in ten years time when we return home. If he imagines I am going to stay out here 10 years of a stretch of my own accord, he has reckoned without the Heat.
There are only three Subs senior to me out here, who are before me if I was anxious at any time to get away. I think about 1860 one may begin to think of taking a trip homewards. In the meantime I am perfectly satisfied as I am if I could only get a little promotion. I hear a great deal of Second Battalion & I hope they may do some good.
I hope you are all well & enjoying the sea Breezes in health.
With love to all from yr. affect. son
J D Laurie
When you write, HM 34th Regt. Bengal or elsewhere will do.
* Sir H Grant – Sir Hope Grant (1803-1878), distinguished commander of cavalry division under Sir Colin Campbell