I may write to you again to-morrow, but I cannot delay a letter any longer in case my communication should miss you.
With the warmest greetings to you and your gallant officers and men, and wishing you all a Merry Christmas,
Believe me,
Yours sincerely,
P. Playfair.
Lieutenant-Colonel Lumsden (Lumsden’s Horse),
Bombay.
Colonel Lumsden replied, December 31, 1900:
On behalf my corps please offer my best thanks to people of Calcutta for promised reception. Much regret we have arrived too late to join in Proclamation Parade. Our numbers are seven officers and eighty-nine men. No arms. Our train leaves Bombay 7 to-night, timed arrive Calcutta 6 P.M. Wednesday.
The luncheon was a delightful success, as it always is at the Yacht Club. Then all officers went on board and the official disembarkation was got through.