Letter envelope addressed to:
Major Grahame of Glenny
Mrs. A. Hunter
26 Carlton Villas
Kilburn Gate
London
Crimea 15th.Jan/55
N.G. Lt. 90th.
I will address this letter to Mary Jane’s house in London in hopes that it may reach you sometime or other. I received a short note from you which I answered by return of post. When I say short I am sorry to say it was far too short to have come from England.
In my last letter which I addressed to the "United S.Club" Edinh I stated what I thought you ought to say to Capt Close in reply to his letter which it seems you have taken no notice of. You have only to state that I was not promoted by his step. It is the Officer who obtains the promotion by him that is bound to give him the require sum. Don’t use threats &c. they are utterly useless and will only oblige me to leave the Regiment. Everyone seems to think I am bound to give Pennington twenty pounds for promotion I obtained previous to leaving Dublin. I should like for my ownsake that I were able to lodge the amount with Cox & Co. his agents as it would put an end to all demands. As I said before if I cannot get these little matters settled properly I must exchange, which would be an immense sacrifice as I am sure of my company in two or three years if I live. However I hope all will turn out for good.
We are suffering great hardships, wrought almost to death. The snow is three feet deep & still continues to snow. I have stood it pretty well as yet but am suffering from diarrhoea, like everyone else. We have two captains hors de combat. Capt O’Gorman is lying in his tent scarcely able to move from rheumatism.
I understand some promotion has gone on in the regiment. I got my lieutenancy so I am beginning to creep up towards my company. I should like very much to give the Hon. J. F. Pennington twenty pounds. It is not much considering I got my lieutenancy for nothing. I hope to hear from you soon. Write very often. Tell Mary Jane to be sure and write. I should be much obliged to you for any newspapers you might send. Tell Mary Jane to send me a newspaper.
Yours ever affectionately.
N. GrahameP.S. My hands are benumbed. There are no postage here & consequently cant pay this letter. I hope you wont grudge the postage, N.G.
Send me a newspaper.