London, 20th October, 1826.
My dear Surtees,
I cannot suffer you to return to your home, without adding my mite of applause to that of our brother officers, who have, together with myself, known you so well and so long.
From the day that we were employed together at Ipswich, in obtaining volunteers from the Militia, when you were so instrumental in obtaining so large a number of men for the service, and during the whole of our services in the Peninsula, and elsewhere, when my situation as Assistant Quartermaster-General of the Light Division threw us so constantly together, until the last period of our regimental service, I have always known and respected your courage, your active discharge of your duties in times of difficulty and hardship, and your zeal and affection for the Rifle Brigade.
Your present poverty is the surest testimony of your integrity, which you have always kept in times of strong temptation, when very many others similarly placed have not resisted so well.
All my feeble services are constantly at your disposal, and wishing you content, and as much happiness as we can reasonably expect here,
I remain, my dear Surtees,
Yours, most sincerely,
Charles Beckwith,
Lieut.-Colonel.
Quartermaster Surtees,
Rifle Brigade.
No. 13.—From Lieut.-General the Honourable Sir Wm. Stewart, G.C.B.