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15 Nov 59 Julius Fyzabad Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Fyzabad

15 Nov. 59

My dear Mother

It is not often that I allow myself an illness, but for the last ten days I have been in for it, with a nasty fever.

I am now much better again, but at one time was so bad that leeches had to be put on my temples. However now it is over & I hope I have a fresh lease of existence in this delightful country.

I rec’d a letter from you written whilst on the move & sent from Yarmouth. You seem to have had a very nice time of it up in Scotland. I see you talk of taking up fresh quarters & I am glad to see you think the country will be the thing to suit. I know you always liked it & do not see why you should tie yourselves to Town.

I told old Sergt. Norris about your seeing his wife & he was proud of you taking notice of her. As soon as ever the women arrive, out we go from our present quarters – so the only thing is to build oneself a Hut.

Some of our Officers are building good Bungalows, but they cost no end of Rupees which, not having, I cannot expend. So I must try & scrape together enough wherewith to make a shelter for my head.

It is now the cold weather & all drills &c. are in full swing, so that I once more come out strong in the Musketry department. It was in consequence of this I think, of coming rather too strong that I got laid up, so at least the Doctors tell me.

I heard from John a short time back. He seems to be full of work & also talks of trying to learn Hindustani but I shall advise him to give it up as it is too much of a good thing to my knowledge & requires a lifetime in the country afterwards to repay the trouble.

John does not seem to think he will be able to get home as you seem to expect. I doubt if he gets a chance. I have not heard anything of Arthur for some time. He certainly does not annoy one with his correspondence.

The 54th & Cavalry have left this for the other side of the River & are now in our old haunts. A wing (the Right) of ours is under orders to be ready at a moment’s notice, which hardly looks as if everything was square yet.

I should not mind a ‘tour’ during the winter provided we get back by summer, but I suspect we shall be left here in peace.

I am in the full enjoyment of the flannel shirts, socks, &c. also the soap, all which are of much better description that can be got here. They were a long time coming but were fully appreciated when they did arrive.

I hope you are all none the worse for your travels. I wonder where you will eventually pitch your camp.

About March 61* you may be getting my bed prepared as then my three years will be up.

I hope you are all right & well.

Best love to you all & Helen

& Believe me

Yr affect son

J D Laurie

* March 61 – He was not in fact to arrive home until 15 March 1865