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7 Nov 58 Julius Camp Dortapore, Oude Father Hyde Park Place (West) ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Camp ‘Dortapore’ Oude 7th Nov. 58

Last date from home 14 Augst. 58

My dear Father

I have not written to you for a long time, but I know it gives you pleasure to receive a letter occasionally, so I will see what I can jot down for your amusement.

We have had the ‘Queen’s Proclamation’* read here, as at all stations & places where troops are quartered, amidst Royal Salutes & Cheers. I do not profess to know in the least what will be the result of it, but every body seems to think that it will do very little good; that Rebels being naturally liars, imagine everybody much the same & that promises to pardon all those giving themselves up (except murderers) will not be respected.

In fact, that the whole affair is simply a dodge to get hold of some of them, or else that we are getting tired of trying to catch them – in which case they will hold out all the longer.

Lately they have been following the very best system of tactics (if they have any at all?) for themselves & the very worst for us – that of always running away. It is very harassing for Regular Troops who carry in this country a great quantity of Baggage & stores, to be continually making forced marches.

Their line is nearly run out now, a large number of them have been driven over the Gogra into a province called ‘Baritch’; there they are pretty well surrounded. On one side of them there is a large Jungly country which I believe is very nearly certain death to be in & I am told the natives are so superstitious that they would face us & take their chance of being killed that way, rather than go in there to die of fevers, &c.

Nepaul, the country of the Goorkhas is also along side of them, & our District of Gorakhpore in which there are lots of troops, so if the Commander-in-Chief advances across the Gogra & takes them in front, there will be left for them a choice of the means by which they will die – the Goorkhas’ Kukri knife, the Englishman’s bayonet or the jungle fever.

Our Force came in here the day that Sir H Grant left. Colonel Kelly is at ‘Akbupore’. We are not very far from ‘Fyzabad’ where the notable ‘Man Singh’* lives. I believe it is one of the oldest cities in India, so should like to take a look at it. Fyzabad was the capital of Oude before Lucknow came into existence.

There has been a great deal of nonsense written lately by the newspapers about ‘Jung Bahadoor’ who, they say, is going to turn against us. We are now too strong out here to care much if he does, but it would be a very bad policy for him even to think of it.

We got hold of an Illustrated London News the other day, with a wonderful picture of an Elephant race at Rangoon. It was a great fund of amusement. It must have been a hoax as an elephant race is a very slow affair. The fastest they go is a swing trot & they were at full gallop in the picture.

Poor Gilley. Did I tell you of his death? It was a very sad affair – shot in the head by his servant out Duck shooting.

Have you seen anything of Powell lately & is there anything going on, as promotion would be very acceptable. All our Captains are in England except two & we are doing their work. However we get on very well & am very happy. No cares to bother us.

We look forward to the mails & lately I must say I have not got much, but generally have a good share.

Give my love to my Mother & all

from yr. affect. Son

J D Laurie

* Queen’s Proclamation – The Queen’s Proclamation guaranteed religious freedom for all, and offered pardon to all mutineers, except those who had taken part in the murder of British subjects, harboured their murderers, or led or instigated the rebellion.

* Man Singh – Chief of Narwar who betrayed his friend Tantia Topee (Nana Sahib's commander in chief of forces in the Cawnpore region) to the British