| Description | Saying that he has received his father's letter of yesterday. He notes that his father got a few beasts at Hope and Tideswell. If a little rain would come he would have plenty of grass, but there has not been a shower since the Chatsworth Regiment of Local Volunteers came [to Buxton]. The roads are uncommonly dusty making their march to Fairfield Common, the drill ground very unpleasant.
They fall in about 7.00 am and generally return between 11.00 am and 12.00 pm, then drill with the awkward squad from 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm and dine at half past. They march to Fairfield again at 5.15 pm and it is often nearly 9.00 pm before they are dismissed. They do not have much time to themselves, but James would not mind the duty if all Companies were regular with exact numbers of men, lists, paying etc. The Sergeants only do half their duty which plagues the affairs very much, and the Colonel seems strict. The men march uncommonly well and are much improved. James hopes his mother and sisters will come for a day towards the end.
James saw the cow killed. It was very nice beef with pretty well of loose fat, but weighed very little over 40 stone. Clough expects James, senior, on Saturday, and said that he would send to Whaley [parish of Bolsover] to know what time Hesketh's cattle would pass through here [Buxton].
Captain Carmichael is very badly off for a horse. James asks if his father can lend his for a few days. It would be a great kindness to Carmichael and James for they are entirely indebted to him for the state of discipline of the regiment. Then if his father would like it, James could go to Ashbourne Fair on Monday to meet him there, if he is going. |