"My Dear John,
"I have only time to tell you that we received orders yesterday to hold ourselves in perfect readiness for foreign service.
"To-day another order arrived for the regiment to proceed to North Fleet (about 30 miles below London) and there embark for the Continent. It will be about seven days' march from hence to North Fleet. The order and march came so near together that most of us are unprovided with tents, camp equipage, canteens, &c., all which necessaries I must order from London to meet me by the time I arrive at North Fleet. We have been long expecting this move. Since I joined I have not had a spare half hour. Three drills a day on horseback and on foot I assure you did not a little fatigue my bones. However, I trust I am now a tolerable good match for a Frenchman.
"The Regiment is in the finest condition and in the highest spirits and most anxious for an opportunity to distinguish itself.
"Believe me, &c.,
"F. C. Kinchant.
"We shall have seven days' march—the first day from hence to Chippenham,
the next Marlbro',
" Newbury,
" Reading,
" Staines,
" Camberwell,
" Gravesend.
"In greatest haste."
"Ghent, April 23rd, 1815.