I wrote to you on the new year’s day everything that had happened up to that time; the letter was to have gone by the overland mail of the 19th.  I hope you will receive it safe, as I should be sorry you should lose anything from me now, as it may be the last you may ever have, so precarious are the chances of a soldier’s life on actual service.  Shortly after writing to you, I got ill again, and it ended in a slight fever, which cleared me out altogether, since which I have been in perfectly good health, thank God.  I came off the sick list on the 22nd January, the day before we marched from Tatta.  I will give you my journal from that time to the sad event which has just happened.

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 1839.—­On this day, at 6 A.M., the corps d’arme of Sinde marched out of the encampment near Tatta en route for Hydrabad, the Cutch Auxiliary Horse in advance, detaching flankers, &c., then the main body in the following order:—­The 4th Light Dragoons in front; next, one squadron of horse artillery, followed by two squadrons of the 1st regiment of Bombay Light Cavalry, one company of foot artillery, then the first brigade of infantry, under General Willshire, consisting of the Queen’s Royals, 5th and 1st, or Grenadier regiment, Native Infantry, a second squadron of horse artillery, a second company of foot artillery; the 2nd infantry brigade, consisting of H.M. 17th regiment, the 19th and 23rd regiments Native Infantry; the whole closed by two other squadrons of 1st Light Cavalry.  We (i.e., the 1st brigade) left our ground a quarter before six, and halted on a rising ground close to the walls of Tatta, whence we had a very fair view of the cavalry, artillery, &c., that were in the advance of us, winding their way through a pretty avenue of trees:  the whole presented a very animated and martial appearance, the different corps marching off with colours uncased, band playing, &c.  Cunningham’s, or the Poonah Auxiliary Horse, having only arrived the night before, did not join the main body, but came up somewhat later in the day, I believe.  The march of the main body this day was not more than ten miles; but our brigade was posted two miles in advance of the rest of the force, and the Queen’s were nearly a mile in advance of the other two regiments of the brigade; so that we marched about thirteen miles.  We encamped in a rather pretty valley surrounded by barren rocks, with our right resting on a shikargur (or hunting thicket); we had a fine pebbly bottom, which was a great relief to our feet after the hot dust of Tatta.  My baggage did not make its appearance till about five o’clock, my unfortunate young camel having proved restive, and flung its load two or three times, thereby considerably damaging my cot and table:  mess at six,—­nothing particular.