CAMP NEAR KOTREE (JUST UP-STREAM OF HYDERABAD) - UNPAID STEA...

Hammer

£220

CAMP NEAR KOTREE (JUST UP-STREAM OF HYDERABAD) - UNPAID STEAMER LETTER TO KIRKEE; 9 Feb. 1839 EL (minor creasing and small closed tear just at foot of address, otherwise tears to flap or internal) from Gillespie in "Camp near Kotree" to his wife in Kirkee with a faint boxed "BOMBAY/Bearing Ship 3 [+] 3 [=]6" mark across the join, endorsed"Major of Brigade Cavalry" on the front. Good contents about the progress of the advance northwards; "Kurachee has been taken possesion of by the Admiral... I believe the place is to be occupied by a part of the reserve force..." [He was to have visited Hyderabad the previous day but the over-crowded boat put him off...] "On our first arrival here we were prohibited going over [to Hyderabad due to the] "infuriated rabble so soon after the Treaty... we march from this tomorrow morning en route to Sheekapoor... Now that matters have been settled in Sinde, Sir Harry Fane comes down river and is expected in our camp shortly... It is the general opinion that the Afghans will submit to our rule without opposition and that the extent of our travels will not exceed the distance to Candahar..." How wrong could he be!