CAMPAIGN LETTER SENT UNDER COVER TO G.B. EX "CAMP" (SENT FRO...

Estimate

£220 - £300

CAMPAIGN LETTER SENT UNDER COVER TO G.B. EX "CAMP" (SENT FROM LARKHANU?); 27 Feb. 1839 EL (minor creasing; mainly of flap & internal, and closed seal tear just affecting address side) from Gillespie at "Camp" (possibly at Larkhanu; see contents and next lot dated 11 March 1839) to his wife (now returned to GB with their children for health reasons) in "Surrey" without postal markings (presumably sent under cover or carried by a returning officer) with good contents (full typed transcript) about the progress of the advance towards the Bolan Pass; "...we are now progressing and hope to reach Larkhanu [100 miles north of Hyderabad] in two marches, leaving Shikarpore to the North East. From the former place (after halting 2 or 3 days) we expect to be in the far-famed Bolan Pass therefore by the 4th or 5th April next...we hope to eat fruits at Cabul in July, where we shall be by the end of May! With regard to resistance, I am convinced there will be none made...Unless it is deemed advisable to leave a part of our Force in that quarter for the security of Shah Shooja's throne... [so we will return to Kirkee for winter] or be stationed at Candahar, unless the Persians advance on Herat... We have at present 6,000 camels... the Bengal people have 15,000...". Fascinating insight into the British underestimating the ferocity (and tenacity) of the Afghan people.