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5 Nov 60 Julius Fyzabad Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Fyzabad 5 – 11 – 60
My dear Mother
Your letter from Folkestone arrived yesterday. I am sorry again to hear my Father has undergone a slight relapse, but it does me good to see his hand writing again.
I am full of work and I write a short note today as I took a holiday yesterday. My letter writing day (Sunday) besides the Mail brought news which I ought to let my Father know. Who can tell what John & he will not be able to manage. Peel (our Capt.) left this for England last night. He will be Gazetted out in this Country & Dunbar * will be promoted in his place. But the latter, Dunbar, expects the promotion will be quashed at home as he does not appear to think his money will be forthcoming in time. Last night from our Depot came the news that Steuart is going to be married & to sell out. So if Dunbar’s promotion to Peel’s vacancy is quashed, Holroyd will get it & I shall be first for Steuart’s step.
Steuart is now at the depot at Colchester, but you have a good adviser in John at home who, I have no doubt, will see to the matter. I feel pretty sure my Father would not let me be purchased over.
Peel sells out for Regulation price. Steuart got his Company without purchase, so suppose he wd. do the same. At the same time, it wd. be worthwhile to give a little extra to get over 5 heads.
I have been a little ill lately, from Ague, * for a week or ten days, which pulled me down a bit, but I am picking up again rapidly. The cold weather is on & so is all my work.
I trust my Father is set up again by John’s presence. I was in hopes Worthing had put him straight altogether again.
Excuse the shortness of this.
Love to Helen & all
Believe me, yr affect son
JDLaurie
* Dunbar – Lieutenant Dunbar was finally promoted to Captain in September 1862 – fifteen months after Julius
* Ague – fever or shivering