world
or any other, you know I am and always shall be,

"Your affectionate friend,

"H. EAST."

CAMP OF THE SUTLEJ, January.

"DEAR MASTER TOM;--The captain's last words was, if anything
happened I was to be sure to write and tell you. And so I take up
my pen, though you will know as I am not used to writing, to tell
you the misfortune as has happened to our regiment. Because, if
you was to ask any man in our regiment, let it be who it would,
he would say as the captain was the best officer as ever led men.
Not but what there's a many of them as will go to the front as
brave as lions, and don't value shot no more than if it was
rotten apples; and men as is men will go after such. But 'tis the
captain's manners and ways, with a kind word for any poor fellow
as is hurt, or sick and tired, and making no account of hisself,
and, as you may say, no bounce with him; that's what makes the
difference.

"As it might be last Saturday, we came upon the enemy where he
was posted very strong, with guns all along his front, and served
till we got right up to them, the runners being cut down and
bayoneted when we got right up amongst them, and no quarter
given; and there was great banks of earth, too, to clamber over,
and more guns behind; so, with the marching up in front and
losing so many officers and men, our regiment was that wild when
we got amongst them, that 'twas awful to see, and, if there was
any prisoners taken, it was more by mistake than not.

"Me and three or four more settled, when the word came to prepare
for action, to keep with the captain, because 'twas known to
everyone as no odds would stop him, and he would never mind
hisself. The dust and smoke and noise was that thick you couldn't
see nor hear anything after our regiment was in action; but, so
far as I seen, when we was wheeled into line and got the word to
advance, there was as it might be as far as from our old cottage
to the Hawk's Lynch to go over before we got to the guns which
was playing into us all the way. Our line went up very steady,
only where men was knocked down; and, when we came to within a
matter of sixty yards, the officers jumped out and waved their
swords, for 'twas no use to give words, and the ranks was broken
by reason of the running up to take the guns from the enemy. Me
and the rest went after the captain; but he, being so light of
foot, was first by maybe ten yards or so, at the mound, and so up
before we was by him. B