COV-5714
1849
1849 ANGLO-SIKH WAR INDIA COVER ARMY LETTER BATTLE GUJRAT WUZURABAD TO SCOTLAND
Sender: Endorsed on the front: "From Gunr John Jamieson 1st Compy 1st Battn Arty, Wuzurabad, Punjaub". As revealed in the letter, John Jamieson was the enlisted alias of Robert Hamilton.
Countersignature: The front panel is countersigned by his commanding officer, Captain W.H. Delamain, to authorize the military concessionary postal rate. A manuscript "2" rate mark is visible.
Routing & Marks: The letter traveled overland, receiving a red segmented "BOMBAY" transit mark on the reverse. It was addressed to South Queensferry, Scotland, and readdressed to the Grassmarket in Edinburgh. It bears two crisp circular Edinburgh receiving datestamps: "JUL / P 25 / 1850" and "JUL / C 26 F / 1850".
Historical Archival Content (The Second Anglo-Sikh War): The enclosed transcribed text is an absolute treasure trove of British Raj military history. Writing on May 2, 1849, Hamilton provides a vivid account of the Punjab theater:
The Battle of Gujrat: He explicitly details his participation in the war's final, decisive battle: "The last engagement I was at, Goograt, we were 40 000 strong, with 110 guns, what a devil of a noise we did make...".
Troop Deployments: He notes the massive military buildup in Wuzurabad, stating: "The Troops here are about 9000, including H.M. 9th Lancers and the 10th and 24th Regts of Foot...".
Future Campaigns: He accurately speculates on future regional conflicts, hoping the army will "penetrate the Kyber" to reach Peshawar or Kabul.
Military Finances: In a fascinating aside, he details the lucrative nature of Indian service for thrifty soldiers, noting he and his brother have saved "about 2 000 Rs" in the Bank of Agra.
Condition Notes: The outer wrapper exhibits standard transit wear, age-related toning, and edge tears/paper loss along the top reverse flap where the seal was broken. The manuscript addresses and countersignature remain bold and legible. Please note: This lot includes the original outer folded letter wrapper and a full 3-page modern typewritten transcription of the original letter's contents. Sold exactly as photographed.
Full Transcription of the Letter Text
(Below is the text transcribed from the accompanying typewritten pages).
Wuzurabad - Punjaub 2d May, 1849
Dear Mother It is now a long time since I personally addressed you, but knowing well that Jack writes monthly giving you all information relative of us both, I thought that it was needless on my part to do the same, all letters from home I need scarce tell you are transmitted me by Jack, so of course I know all that goes on, Happy am I that your health continues good, for my part I never was healthier, happier or more comfortable in my life, nothing whatever to do but enjoy myself, and having the means to do it, It's quite a mistaken idea that people at home have of this country, certainly 5 or 6 months in the year is very hot, but the rest is nearly as cold as at home, and if it was not for the very warm clothing we wear in the cold weather, we should feel it very much, we have plenty of frost and no snow, It is much colder here in the Punjaub than where Jack is at Agra, I am 500 mile from him, The Hills at the present time, which are in sight, are covered with snow, whereas down in Bengal the Hot winds will be blowing fearfully, here one might walk all day as yet, In Agra and indeed in Bengal generally you could not go out after 9 o'clock, this is the healthiest part of India, no disease whatever prevails, The Troops here are about 9000, including H.M. 9th Lancers and the 10th and 24th Regts of Foot, there is no sickness in the station, I think (but I may be wrong) that there will be an army formed next cold season (November) to penetrate the Kyber, to punish the natives thereof if possible for their late conduct, if so, this Compy & Battery may likely go as we are only some 30 marches from it, much closer than any others except those at Peshwaur.
I should like it very much, as we might go as far as Cabul, it would be a change fighting in the Hills, I have been in five Battles on the Plains, and escaped unhurt I should like to try a Hill one now, (The last engagement I was at, Goograt, we were 40 000 strong, with 110 guns, what a devil of a noise we did make, for the enemy I suppose was not as strong) I might have the chance of gaining another Medal.
Provisions here are pretty reasonable considering it's a new station Beef & Mutton 1d per lb, Tobacco 6d, Sugar 3d Flour (sic) 1d, Brandy Butter, Cheese & Potatoes rather dear, no green Fruits but plenty of dried Fruit from Cabul, Cashmeer, Peshwaur &c.
How are you liking the Queensferry, it's a dull place but it should suit you bery well, being the place of your birth you must know a good many people there, who will no doubt assist in keeping up your spirits, as long as you have got your health you need care little where you are, but I think your present p;ace superior to Edinr for you I wish I was but a week there I would make it cheery enough, but I soon would tire and wish myself back here again, your plain home living would not do for me now, accustomed as I have been for years to the high and cheap living of India I see from Andrew's letters that he thinks of commencing in Edinr again, I think he could not do better. It for him must be a dull life at the Ferry, after being so long in trade in the city, and for young Donald it's a waste of time, by the bye the young rascal is greatly improved in writing, I like his letters very much is he still as good looking as when he had on his Tartans, I should like well to see him now, A little Bob too you have got among you, he is a merry little chap I believe and is your pet, is he anything like me when I was the same age, A little Martha likewise, long may each of them live, and may they never cause their parents a sigh, may they be obedient and dutiful children, and not like their two uncles, wayward and under no control, but however that may be, may each one be as happy and contented in their after life as we two are, and as fortunate tho' in a different sphere. ---
To Andrew I wish my respects to be given, whatever he attempts may it succeed in, he is one among a thousand, he has striven hard with the world, may fortune never desert him, taking him all in all he is the most deserving man that I ever met.
To Martha give my kind love, I nver have wrote her personally, but donT ley her think worse of me for that, I have not forgot her, we were always on the best of terms, and may our friendship for each other never know a dimunition (sic), sorry I am for the bereavements she has met with in her young family, but such will happen it's the Lord's will, and she must not despond as those who have no hope, To Andrew, Martha and Bob I would say Obey your Father and Mother and they will instill nothing wrong in your young minds, If I had done so perhaps I would have had less to regret, as you grow up avoid evil company, drink of all kinds abhor, or else it will in time work your ruin. Sabbath breaking avoid carefully, love and cherish one another, As my Father often told me (or us) when we quarreled that the time might come when we were far distant from each other, and might be glad to see one another, is it not the case, 20,000 mile of raging sea Andw your Father and me. Jack I have not seen since Jany 1847, and years may elapse before we join, in his letters to me during the late Campain (sic), after each Battle (not knowing that among the thousands killed but that I might have been one of them ) how full of brotherly affection, Fear, and Joy, at my safety and earnestly praying the war be at an end, he being on the staff of the Battn is always at Head Quartrs and consequently /has not/ been nor ever likely will be in Action.
To you Mother I wish health and life, rest your mind as to us, we never were better We write (each)other almost weekly, itIs about you our thoughts are mostly taken up, now in your old age it must be a comfort to have friends around you, I know your temper well, but don't let it lead you astray be friendly with all around you, if the Remittances which we send be not enough say but the word and it will be augmented, be it known to you we are not poor, what you receive we never miss altho' our outlay is great, our income is greater, we are saving money, in the Bank of Agra also we have about 2 000 Rs, we could muster as much again, so don't for a moment think but if you want more say the word, I need ask you about no person, you are now out of the way of hearing anything, hopeing to hear from you soon
I Remain /Dear Mother/Brother, Sister, Nephews & Neice, Yours affectionately /Robert Hamilton.
Direct as usual to Jack. The Overland does not go from here till the 15th inst, so I must keep this by me till that time RH
From Gunr John Jamieson, 1st Compy, 1st Battn Arty, Wuzurabad, Punjaub.
1849 Mrs Hamilton Senr care of Mr Andw Hamilton, South Queensferry, Scotland
Readdressed to 1 Grassmarket Edinburgh
