Details
cover 1879 (18 Sep.) XU5, with contents, to his sister, endorsed "By first opportunity", bearing Natal 6d. tied by indistinct cancellation, showing "NO. 44 P.O./20/9/1879/NATAL" indented shield cancellation, backstamped "DURBAN/22 9/1879/NATAL", "EDINB. & CARSTAIRS SORTING TENDER/D/OC 29/79" and upon arrival; letter headed "Fort Williamson, Natal". Photo.
Further details
Extract:
Here we are again in Natal at the same place we were just before the relief of Ekowe, its curious to look back on it all and to think what we have gone through. I am glad it is over and that the 91st have got out of Zululand before the rains began. I did not like the idea of being shut up at Fort Inverary by myself.
My orders came suddenly to leave Inverary only three hours notice, in two days we were at Umlatoosi camp in three more here, rather a difference to the time we took getting there. Five companies were left at Port Durnford, they have now all joined us again so we are once more all together. Isn't it a bother not coming home; I thought we might have a chance for a year; I shall probably be quartered at the Cape. We leave this place for Durban tomorrow and I don't think we'll be more than three or four days there before starting for Cape.
Here we are again in Natal at the same place we were just before the relief of Ekowe, its curious to look back on it all and to think what we have gone through. I am glad it is over and that the 91st have got out of Zululand before the rains began. I did not like the idea of being shut up at Fort Inverary by myself.
My orders came suddenly to leave Inverary only three hours notice, in two days we were at Umlatoosi camp in three more here, rather a difference to the time we took getting there. Five companies were left at Port Durnford, they have now all joined us again so we are once more all together. Isn't it a bother not coming home; I thought we might have a chance for a year; I shall probably be quartered at the Cape. We leave this place for Durban tomorrow and I don't think we'll be more than three or four days there before starting for Cape.