CAMPAIGN LETTERS FROM THE MARCH BACK THROUGH SCINDE FROM CAB...

Hammer

£280

CAMPAIGN LETTERS FROM THE MARCH BACK THROUGH SCINDE FROM CABUL - EX "QUETTA" & "CAMP, SUKKUR"; 3-10 Nov./25-28 Dec. 1839 pair of ELs (mainly fine but with some minor closed tears - mainly internal or on flaps) from Captain Gillespie at "Quetta" (near the Afghan border) or "Camp, Sukkur on the Indus" to his wife back in GB but without postal marks, so presumably sent under cover with the Commander's dispatches? With excellent contents (fully typed transcripts) ref. the march back from Afghanistan incl.; "[3 Nov.] We have had a most awful march of it... To prevent our retracing our steps over the same road by which we reached Candahar on our way to Cabul... [we crossed] a range of mountains... inhabited by savage tribes with whom no conversation could be formed... availing themselves of every opportunity to plunder and murder our followers... many died in a state of the most wretched helplessness!. Since the 27th September we have had the thermometer as low as 18 and 20 [below freezing]... [The camels have suffered]...the mortality rate amongst them has been great...I have lost 12... Sir John Keane left the capital [Cabul?] on the 13th... he rejoins us at Bukhur where we shall probably have to await the result of an Expedition against Kelat (90 miles from this)... We leave this tomorrow ... [to make] our way through the pass of Bolan where no food for man nor beast is to be found for 7 days.... [4 Nov.] I have received an invitation from Lord Elphinstone to reside at Government House when I arrive at Madras... Dadur 10th November. We arrived here this morning... we march again in a day or two for Sheekapoori en route for the Indus...". The second letter (25 Dec.) gives a detailed update on the continuing campaign in Scinde with details of "The capture of the stronghold of Kelat...". Good pair. (2 covers)