Part of a collection of 22 letters to Lord Charles and Lady Beresford from various friends and associates; the letters are described individually (MA 13315.1-22).
Written on stationery with the seal of the H.M.S. Dolphin.
Year of writing inferred from internal evidence; the events referred to took place in the Sudan during the first half of 1885 immediately following the failure of the Nile Expedition and the fall of Khartoum.
Congratulating him on his safe return to England and the honors accorded him for his service in the navy; sending news of his experiences while assisting in the defence of Suakin as commander of the H.M.S. Dolphin, "I was unfortunate enough to lose my 1st Lieut & several of my best men in Mr. Neil's zareba. We were very glad to get away in May & are now standing by for a brush with the Russians. I have my eye on one ship not hundreds of miles off which though larger than the "Dolphin" I would gladly tackle"; and mentioning that he would welcome a word in favor of his promotion to post captain.