CAMPAIGN LETTER FROM "JERRICK OR JERKH, RIGHT BANK OF THE IN...

Estimate

£220 - £300

CAMPAIGN LETTER FROM "JERRICK OR JERKH, RIGHT BANK OF THE INDUS" WITH RED "BOMBAY/FREE" OVAL; 27-29 Jan. 1839 EL (overall creasing and some closed/tears - mainly internal) from Gillespie at "Jerrick, or Jerkh, right bank of the Indus" (en route to Hyderabad) with a large part fine red oval "BOMBAY/FREE" d.s. on the front (part lost with part flap and part endorsement at left of address) to his wife in Kirkee with very long and interesting contents (typed transcript) incl.; "...[We are] within 25 miles of Hyderabad... the town of Jerrick... three rows of tents...occupied by the General Staff, Engineers, Horse & foot Artillery and Conyngham's Horse... numerous herds of Camels... The Ameers have positively refused to sign the Treaty, fearing the vengeance of their Beloochies... These Beloochies are collecting themselves in considerable numbers within the walls of the Capital...numerous bodies of them have crossed the river... for... attacking us, or to arrest our further progress... They are partial to night attacks... our men & horse more harassed than is desirable..." There follows a detailed description of turning out by moonlight to chase expected marauders who did not materialise, then "...our overland communication has been interrupted by order of the Ameers, and our last bag of letters seized...", so he is sending this letter by the steamer. He then describes the deaths of 3 officers in a grass fire started to ruin the local grazing. Fascinating reading about the advancing Scinde Field Force.