Josephine Butler to Miss Priestman.

Written from Winchester. First deals with the dates of meetings. Then relates that after nearly two months in suspense they have at last heard from Charles. 'He is mentioned by General Graham's aide de camp as being very brave in volunteering for hard work. As a result of horrors experienced and work under trying conditions he 'took fever the last night and was delirious'.

5 May [1885] date: no year but she mentions the fighting in the Sudan and General Graham who was in charge of the fighting there 1883-1884 and proposed sending a helping hand to Gordon. This is in connection with her son Charles.

'I quite hope to be with you at the Annual Meeting of the Friends, which I always so much enjoy.' The Annual Meeting that year was held on 21 May at Devonshire House, London. JB attended and spoke giving 'a resume of her work during the past 2 1/2 years as far as it regarded Winchester and district' (For fuller account see Shield Jun 6 185 p.84) 'after nearly 2 months suspense we have news of dear Charles from the Sudan. He is mentioned by General Graham's aide de camp as being very brave in volunteering for hard work.' General Graham was engaged in service in Egypt from 1882. In 1884 he commanded the expedition to the eastern Sudan and fought the successful battles of El Teb and Tarmat. In 1885 he commanded the Suakim expedition, defeated the Arabs at Tashim and Hamai and advanced the railway from Suakim to Otao, when the expedition was withdrawn. (Enc Brit) (See also note to letter of JB to Miss Priestman 26 Feb [1885] on the War [in the Sudan] 'I do hope there will not now be war with Russia' See Note letter of 26 Feb [1885] 'Trouble with Russian on the Afghan-Turcoman frontier' Biog: General Graham.