Scope and Content
Ali Muckhee Khan’s House, Lucknow
Dearest Poppett,
How can I possibly thank you and Bielby sufficiently for being so kind as to take charge of my dear little girl, during dearest Julias absence in new Brunswick; believe me, I feel your kindness deeply, and shall forever be obliged. I have not written before because I had nothing to say, except what was contained in Julia’s or Cornwalls letter, the contents of which were, I hope, duly made known.
Now that J is away I will write twice a month to someone if it is possible to find anything to say. The Times correspondent has given a very good account of the conduct of affairs at lucknow, but of course not made mention of the services of the 97th as Sir Colin only showers his favours on the Regiments which are Scotch and wear their traces bare. In my two last letters to Cornwall I gave a long account of the [illegible] doings and will therefore not touch upon the subject.
I do not like dearest Poppett your being at any more expense on my account, and would feel much more comfortable dear Bielby woul accept a remuneration, however small, for the trouble and expense to which he must be put, on account of my child. I therefore would wish to give him five pounds a months, or if the little pet be with you three months say twenty pounds. This arrangement will I hope meet with both your approvals, and please write to me word if it does, and if not I am willing to abide by your opinion on the matter…My pay is certainly very good, which indeed is the only inducement to remain in India one single hour, everything else, now, is against it, although formerly it may have been bearable. The heat is really dreadful never below 96 and generally 98 – 99 in ones coolest room. The weather, however is changing and the thunderstorms with heavy showers such as tropical climates alone can boast of are the order of the day and night whilst prickly heat covers one’s body with a thick red rash and reminds one, too forcibly, of a bed of nettles…. Health, which, en passant, has been with me, thank god, pretty good, occasional headaches only having annoyed me, and a few slight attacks of throat. I am truly thankful to have been permitted to escape the many bullets and round shot which have whistled past in their career of death and been fatal to so many an honest heart…and devoted soldier. We have lost a great many men, chiefly from apoplexy, 35 last and 18 this month, a sad tale, but only indicating the mortality of the Army generally, which has been something frightful, as will be seen when the returns appear before the public.
The hot weather campaigns, the imperfect nature of the temporary barracks, the great exposure to the terrible hot winds of the last two months (the dread of India), the want of proper shelter from the heat of the sun and the tired state of the troops, when the hot season commenced, have been hard at work and combined put on the sick list, or laid low fully half, of as fine an Army as ever appeared in India, or could do again. Our poor Col. was shot at the Raiserburgh out of a window and I am consequently in command of the Regiment, which gives me plenty to do but is a difficult, responsible office, especially in times like these.
Only one half of the Regiment is here, the remainder being at the Moorsha Bagh 2 miles off – under Barton. My days are passed in a truly monotonous manner but they chase each other so rapidly that the end of one month arrives before the other is scarcely passed and which time progresses at a rapid rate. The state of the country is too disturbed to admit of Julias coming out, this year, and I have written to tell her so – giving her the option of remaining at Fredericton the winter, or returning to England, as she may feel inclined; and if she decides on doing the former, what will become of little Mary I do not know, and it would not be fair to ask you to undertake the charge. However, I have told her to do as she likes and make her own plans, as I am too far off to admit of my helping her, it taking more than four months for me to get an answer from her. The Authorities seem to think there will be no more fighting and that’s when the cold weather sets in, small columns will occupy strategical points in various parts of the country, such as Bareitch, Sultanpoor, Wyzahad and perhaps Roy Bareilly, which will serve to intimidate and keep down any incipient uprising, which the madness of fanatics my attempt to originate; and so I hope darling Julia may be able to join me, in October year, by which time I should be able to see my way more clearly, and look with a more calm, and penetrating eye, on the real state of affairs. You may perfectly conceive how miserable it makes me to arrive at a decision which causes separation from my family for so many many months. I sometimes almost determine on leaving the Army and settling either in New Brunswick or the South of France or Italy, which I should have sufficient income to do, and at any rate be with mine and more commutable to the family generally. I have been nearly 19 years in the Army & I hope shewn I can do my duty to my Queen & Country and I really think it is ample time for someone else to take my place and go on in the strife of war. My income would be just as large out of the Army as in it, if serving anywhere but here, and my expenses would not be more and I should have the pleasures of occasionally seeing my sisters and brothers. Whereas by staying in this land of death, there is little chance of my meeting them for many years to come, a misery to me incalculable, as my affections are strong and I love every member of my family from A to Z & Z to A.
When I say this land of death I mean that one is exposed to so many kinds of diseases – and all of a fatal nature; besides the sword, bullet and cannon ball, that one has not much chance. I perfectly feel that one is as safe in one place as another, and that God is the sole arbiter of our fate – but still, it is very disagreeable to live in a country where men are constantly dying all around one – and where each season – yea, each month, has its pest epidemic – as is really the case.
On the whole, I do not feel inclined to submit to a long separation from those I love – and should not be surprised at finding myself en route to Calcutta & Marseilles some of these fine days - nous verrons.
I was very glad to hear from Mary good accounts of the family, and their doings – but she does not say anything about the Stanley Place ménage – so I know not how it is getting on. You must write me a long letter in answer to this and make me au courant of the family affairs.
This is a very funny country – the natives literally wear nothing on them, except, what may be called a dishcloth; one gets accustomed to the black gentlemen but at first it appears so queer to see thousands of nearly naked bipeds in the streets, each apparently assisting the other to do nothing & chattering like a panel of monkeys; but their numbers compensate for the little work which each individual does and their pay is 3 halfpence or three pence per diem according to size, age and craft.
The castes are quite separate & each caste has its particular work to do and I have eleven and ought to have – to be in complete working order – fourteen.
The [illegible] wear no shoes and one never knows if they are in the room – which is an intolerable nuisance, but still one gets accustomed to it. The bath is the lunacy of India – and water is abundant – I indulge in this four times a day. I have gallons of water poured over my head, et cetera. My room is well furnished by loot, got from the different palaces we took before arriving here. I have three magnificent looking glasses – which too faithfully point out a face covered with the rash alluded to, and demonstrates how much older a few months in an Indian clime make one look. I cannot bear flannel and am obliged to give up the habit which I have had all my life – I generally get up very early – but not if tired. I am always in bed by 10 so that I am like a snake changing my skin by degrees. I miss very much domestic life – and shall be heartily glad to be in a civilised state once more. There are, I am told, two ladies here but have not seen them – they are kept up pretty close. It will be a strange sight to see such an article again.
Give my best love to Bielby, Elinor [Elinor Frances C Legh] and the rest of the family and please write me a line directed to Lucknow via Bombay & do not make a mistake and send the letter to Ramschattka!! Dearest Poppett, yours fondly, Edmund Legh.