"My Dear John,
"I have taken the earliest opportunity to inform you of my arrival as far as this place. I should have written sooner, but my time has been most fully engaged since we landed. We are quartered for a day or two in a village contiguous to this town, are in hourly expectation of receiving orders to proceed to the frontiers to join the army under the Duke of Wellington. There are an immense number of troops daily arriving, and the united forces of the Allies, will it is stated, in a short time amount to 900,000 men.
"We are here quite ignorant of the politics of the country. Nothing is said of Buonaparte, but he has doubtless many adherents in Flanders. Deserters from his army are constantly coming into Ghent. They state that they receive neither their rations nor pay. Some of the inhabitants seem well inclined towards the English and are what may be termed hospitable, but adieu to English comforts.
"We embarked at Gravesend on the 15th, sailed on the 16th, and reached Ostend on the 19th. We had a rough passage the last day and night—the wind blowing hard right in our teeth, with snow storms. Many of the horses were a good deal bruised, but none sustained any material injury. We expect some hard fighting before the business will be settled. Never was a Regiment in better condition for service than this, both in men and appointments.
"Louis the Eighteenth is here. He keeps himself closely shut up, and is at present in an ill state of health.
"I am, my dear John, your ever attached friend,
"F. C. Kinchant."
"Denderhanten, near Gramont,
"May 21st, —15.
"My Dear John,