Umballah Sept 16th 1849

   Dear father

       I received yours dated July 6th and it is with much pleasure I take my pen to answer it, this being the first I received since Bombay. I began to form a great number of opinions what could be the reason. I am very sorry to hear of poor Mary Ann dying but as for Louisa I cannot forget, it is continually on my mind. I can’t call to memory what Neale it is, whether it is a son of Mr. J. Neale of Yate. As to who it is, please mention in the next letter but however I will drop the subject. It is      usual  to think of such, as love must have its cause. I hope with all my heart they will be happy. I am very glad to hear J. Godwin has arrived, please to give him my best respects. I am very glad to see in the papers such good account of the harvest dear Father, you never need trouble yourself of sending me any newspapers, as we have a subscription Library in the regt. We take in 9 English papers. They generally arrive twice a month.

The country seems to be very quiet at present and I think it is very likelihood of remaining so during our stay in the country. At least I hope so. I have seen what I always was anxious for and know I am very well satisfied. The hot season is nearly over, thank God. Next month we will get the breeze from the Himalayan mountains, enough to cut the nose off your face for 6 months. There is great talk of us marching to ‘Murert’. I hope it is truth as that will be our first stop towards the sea coast. The medal we are to get, they say will be a very handsome one and will have 3 silver slides for the other engagements. The ribbon is to have 5 water colours that is one for the passage of each River. We have got an excellent amusement in the station for those that choose, ‘--------------‘, of course I am one, that is a Ball once a week. Colonel allows us our hand, until time in the morning. Also the theatre opens twice a week, the Colonel upholds it himself . It is the means of a great number of men avoiding deprivation.

Dear Father, I hear say that you think it very strange to hear that I am still a private, but I will now give you an insight of the service the way it is. There is a great number of very respectable young men in the Regt. that has interest with Gentlemen in England. Of course if they wish to be promoted, they get them to intercede for them, by him writing to the Command office of the Regt., stating that he is acquainted with such a soldiers parents who are very respectable people and that it is their wish for their son to get on in the service. Of course the next step is that the man is sent for, to the Colonel office. Then the man is asked the question of his wish for promotion, the Colonel perhaps tells him that he has a letter of recommendation. Of course he is promoted and if a smart steady soldier, gets on well in the service. So you see there is a great deal of juggling about the matter and now Father their is a very good opportunity, as it is my wish. Mr. R. Hale at Alderly has a Brother Major in my Regt. he is in England on two years leave and I have no doubt but that he resides at Alderly. His time is nearly up and I would be very thankful if you would be kind enough to get me the favour, by speaking to Mr. R. Hale, for to institute for me a recommendation to his brother.  Loose no time.

You said Mr. W. Hockey was surprised I ‘-----‘ wrote to him. I expect Elizabeth has received one before I wrote this. I directed it to Hinton Farm Nr. Pucklechurch, please let me know whether to direct Hinton Nr. Chipping Sodbury or what. I am quite proud to hear that Grandmother and poor cousin Ann are still living, give them all my kind love and accept of the same yourself.
  I remain        Please to write as soon as
    Your dutiful Son     possible, let me know if Fitz
  Pt. J.P. Worlock         is still living at Wapley and
 H.M. 3rd – King’s own L. Dgns.    My love to him. I should be
  Umballah Station        very proud to hear from him.
              Bengal East India

P.S. If Elizabeth has received my letter on account of the Regt. being  likely to proceed to England in the course of 12 months as it is reported. I have dropped all thought of placing-myself in the hands of ‘Hymen’.
 Give my kind love to Mr. Hopkins and all acquaintances, if I am not soon home I expect there will be but very few left. Let me know in the next what has become of Ann Whickham.