Letter from Laura Riddell, in Hingoli, India, to her son Henry [in England]

Scope and Content

Oppressive heat in Hingoli; departure for Matheran in 20 days’ time; sleeping on the verandah; ride into the country with George; excitement at prospect of an immediate war with Russia; possible postponement of war if Russia caves in; hopes to return to England before the autumn; insufficient money to leave India before August; cost of children’s education; suspension of war in the Sudan; possible march to Berber in September to smash Osman Digma (one of the Mahdi’s Generals) and meet Lord Wolseley’s forces; hope that the troops will regain Khartoum and secure retribution for the murder of General Gordon by the Mahdi and his men; regiment’s anxiousness to fight in the Sudan or against Russia; superiority of the 3rd Cavalry; possibility of return of their regiment to Secunderabad; Gungaram the gardener

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