Nothing of importance has occurred since I last wrote to you although I am sorry to say I have missed three mails which is rather an usual occurrence as I generally write to you every second mail. We have received some reinforcements of late. The 3rd Regt arrived at Balaclava a few days ago. I had a note from R. Hyndman asking me to have dinner on board the ship "Miandra" [sic – for "Miranda"] I went down next day and dined with him on board. There is an officer belonging to the 32nd attached to the 3rd who came from India as a volunteer. He told me he saw John about two months ago. He was then on his passage home at "Bombay". He said he intended going home in the ship "Earl Balcanas", I suppose he must have arrived in England ere this.
From the Ayr paper you sent me I observed that Robert had got an Ensigncy in the “Ayrshire Militia”. An Ensign in a Militia Regt is no great affair however if he comes home you can very easily get him appointed to the line.
I believe the Highland Brigade were suddenly ordered off to "Eupatoria" some say to "Kertch". We are at present making great preparations for the re-commencement of the bombardment, the weather is delightful.
The French had another fight last night on the extreme left. It is reported that they lost over 50 in killed & wounded besides 13 officers. They took six mortars from the Russians & took six Russian officers prisoners. We have had no disturbance with the Russians since we took the rifle ambuscades from them.
We had horse races in the Light Division to-day, and afterwards we had a dog hunt, after a fine Russian sheep dog. We captured the dog, which I have now got in my tent. We intend running him again the day after tomorrow. We make the best of our spare time in this Division, always some amusement going on. We are only in the trenches once in ten days. I have got a Turkish pony but want a saddle and bridle. Ponies are sold enormously high now.
I was sorry to see from the papers that the 75th was ordered to the "Crimea", however I hope the order may be countermanded. An Asst. Surgeon is about the poorest appointment a man can hold here.
There is no more news here that I remember but will write to Mary Jane by this mail if I have time,
My dear Father,
Yours mo. affectionately