6 Gladstone Place,
Leith
Edinburgh
Scotland
12th October 1882
My dear Sister,
I write to say thjat yesterday we had another letter dated CAIRO 1 October from CHarles he was quite well and had gone through the whole campaign with the 7th Gragoon Guards including all the engagements and forced marches never missing a days duty. He had only received two letters, out of the 9 or 10 we had sent him, from us one from me and one from auntie from DUBLIN and his letters not all having reached us. He commenced to detail the campaign fro his march with his Regiments from ISMAILIA on to MOHATA where Sir Garnett WOLESLEY was heavily pressed by an overwhelming army of Egyptians.
This was a forced march they left at night and after two miles lay in the sand for a nap and rest the horses and at 2a.m. restarted another 15 miles when they at once came under fire and with the Household Cavalry charged and thrashed the enemy. Early in the action Major BIBBY of his regiment was badly hit and rode up to Charles who helped him to dismount, improvised a stretcher for him, out of his own blanket and four carbines. Found bullet holes in chest and back dressed them and sent him on to field Hospital and they had to tend to other simialr cases, the papers have described this action of Mondays by publishing Sir Garnetts despatch - they then encamped at MAISAMA ubntil after the first attack in KASSASSIM which I think I notified inletter to Mary (?). The rest of the campaign and second attack on KASSASSIM and battle TEL-AL-KEBER and march (forced) on to save Cairo I expect in next letter which I hope may soon arrive now that the post routes are more regularly open.
John's letter you will have received. It is qyite a history. He has had his ups and downs- it is however satisfying to find he and his family are all doing so well. I wonder whatever became of all the letters I and others, cousing Tom for instance, have sent to him to AUCKLAND and never acknowledged or returned in any way - of course he could not have got any of them and we being scattered away from old STANFORD it would occur to him to write to cousin FRANK - our best love to Lis and yourself and your two men and all friends.
I remain,
Your affectionate brother,
T. MITCHELL.
(Not an accurate account)