rain fell while we awaited the arrival of our baggage, which came up but slowly. Had the orders not been so hurriedly issued, much time would have been saved in its transit. The tents were of double weight, in consequence of their being saturated with rain, and were oppressively burdensome to the emaciated bullocks, scarcely able to crawl beneath their load. Two of the poor animals died from the ill-treatment which they received at the the hands of some European European soldiers.

Here I must pause to make a few remarks on what more particularly affects a column composed, like this, of various corps. I would suggest that every precaution necessary to enforce strict regularity should be taken; that the orders should be

written, not verbally issued, and nothing be left doubtful or uncertain.

Prompt attention on the line of march is indispensable for the preservation of discipline, without which soldiers degenerate into an armed mob. A commanding officer should consider nothing either trivial or unimportant which in the least affects the well-being of his men, whom he should save from fatigue as much as possible, so as to be able to act promptly and effectively when occasion requires. Judicious leading always inspires confidence, while vacillation or unsteadiness is fatal to it.

JULY 9th.

We marched on Khanga, four and a-half miles, and halted again near the line of railway, beneath a tope of Mangoes, on

D

ground better than that of the last two days, which was almost completely under

water.

Fresh inconvenience, however, arose from the hurried orders of the preceding evening. It was quite dark when the baggage could be got upon the ground; there was no shelter for our men, and no mercy for the miserable bullocks, laden with wet tents; had we but started at dawn, all this might have been avoided, man and beast spared, and our advance to relieve the brave band at Cawnpore accelerated. According to an old law, "Delays are dangerous." May they not prove so in the present instance."

JULY 10th.

Well may I exclaim, grant me patience, for I feel sorely in need of the virtue.

How tedious has our progress been to this place, Arrahpore, only four miles and a-half. When shall men learn foresight to provide for contingencies.

It is the old story. Experience must be the teacher, and dearly must her lessons, like all other good things, be paid for. By neglecting the the military work of levelling a small piece of ground, which four men could easily have done in two hours, the advance of our carts has been greatly retarded through the obstruction in their route, and the wretched, ill-fed, over-worked bullocks have been doubly tasked.

Joyfully have I just heard of the advance of Brigadier-General Havelock to within four miles of this

has

place, which he

accomplished with great

celerity.

JULY 11th.

We halted at Arrahpore. In the evening, I visited General Havelock's camp, and fortunately gained his permission to join the 78th Highlanders, or Rossshire Buffs. Both officers and men look much fatigued and worn, having recently arrived from service in Persia. I am glad to say, there are but few in hospital-fine fellows. They are all in good spirits.

SUNDAY, JULY 12th.

I joined General Havelock's column, and felt exceedingly gratified to receive his thanks for having recommended the halt at Lohanda, which he was pleased to call "a good service." Yet I cannot flatter myself that my opinion would