January 22d.—There has been no news of public importance for some days, so I am taking advantage of the halt and comparative idleness to work off arrears of business and papers, and to prepare rolls and pay abstracts for Captain Swinton's office. I have consequently not been half a mile from my tent these two days; moreover, I am resting my unlucky ankle, which has given me much pain and trouble lately. I am very glad Mr. Montgomery is at Umbâla. I am sure you would tell him how grateful I have ever felt for his assistance in raising my regiment; the two troops he sent me I shall call Montgomery's troops, and the men will like it too. I am sadly off for horses, so if you really do not care to ride until "the sweet time of grace" of our reunion, I shall be very thankful for Selim. Will you ask Mr. Forsyth to ascertain for me by telegraph, whether Mr. Eliot at Loodiana has sent off my other troop from thence? I must try and get as many of my men together as I can during this halt.
23d.—Our friend Colonel Seaton is to have command of a district to be formed of Allygurh, Futtehgurh, Mynpooree, and the post at Meerun-ke-Serai. It is a very honorable and important post; but he would prefer, and I for him, a more active command. I expect the rest of the force will move into Oudh soon, and I do trust to be at the ultimate capture of Lucknow, which ought to earn me the Queen's Cross, if "deerin do" can gain it.
24th.—They say we are to move soon, but no one knows for certain, as I have not been into head-quarters for some days; meantime my pen is busy, very busy, with six months' arrears to work off, but I am getting on at it famously.
Futtehgurh, 26th.—Late last night I was roused up by an order to march in here at dawn, so here, accordingly, we came; and now at 10 p. m. we are off again, on some expedition which will last us a few days.[66] The Chief sent for me as soon as we came in, and was very communicative, and asked my opinion in most flattering terms. I gave it honestly, and only hope he will follow it, if we are to make an end of this business before another hot season sets in. I fancy the whole force will be in motion soon towards Oudh; but nothing is certainly known as yet, except that we go to our old place Shumshabad. Colonel Adrian Hope again commands the brigade; we start almost immediately, and shall, I hope, do something effective.
Fort Futtehgurh, Jan. 28th.
(Written with the left hand, in pencil.)
Though I sent you a telegram, I must manage a few words by letter to tell you that there is not the very slightest cause for alarm on my account, for I am really quite well; only my right arm will be useless for some weeks, but I can do my duty, and intend to march with the Commander-in-Chief. What grieves me most is the loss of poor Mac; he was invaluable to me as a brilliant soldier, a true friend, and thorough gentleman,—I mourn as for a brother.[67]
January 29th.—My constant fear is that you should be alarmed for me. I assure you there is not the slightest occasion for anxiety. I have a cut on my hand, and another sabre-cut over the forearm, but neither will be of more than temporary inconvenience. I am obliged to write with my left hand, that is all. I go about as usual, and dined with the Chief last night. It was a splendid little affair at Shumshabad, and our men and officers did wonders, and have gained great credit. We charged a large body of the enemy's cavalry, superior in numbers, and all else, to ourselves. They fought us desperately, returning twice to the charge. We then attacked their infantry, all fanatics, who fought with the courage of despair. Their loss must have been immense; but we have lost one who outweighs them all. I cannot tell you how much I feel it. We bury the dear fellow this evening by the side of the murdered Tudor Tucker.
In a letter to England of the same date, he says:—