Note to Captain Vickery

My dear Vickery,

I saw three hares and some quite appeticing birds on my excursion yesterday. Would it be quite against the rules if you gave me my next lesson in how to handle a rifle with life targets?

Your most obedient servant,

Torrington

[In one corner, a little shooting scene was sketched]

My dear Torrington,

By all means! It is unfortunate that I do not have any dogs to aid in such a worthy pursuit, but perhaps I can prevail upon my Father to send me a couple of animals for later on in the season?

I am at your disposal at any time you should care to name.

Your most obdt srvt
Jon Vickery

(At the bottom of the note was a sketch of a Rifle officer with a very eager-looking pointer dog at his feet.)

[under the picture of a trembling and frightened looking group of rabbits]

Dear Vickery,

a pack here would indeed be splendit. I wonder whether there is any big game here during the hunting season? Galloping over these hills in pursuit of something other then French (or even worse pursuit by them) would be a very acceptable change.

If you care to test the waters, so to speak, would the day after tomorrow suit? I'm sure there are some soldiers who would volunteer as beaters, should we need them.

Your most obedient servant, drowning in the most boring paperwork imaginable,

Torrington

PS: The quatermaster general's office is seriously enquiring whether it was indeed absolutely necessary to leave behind the two rifles and the other gear we lost when that French patrol chased us. I am very close to writing back that we nearly left two officers, two riflemen and eigth hussars behind instead. Cornet Atkins is recovering, but he will be shipped back to England – I hope they don't pester him with these questions as well. Otherwise he might decide never to come back.

[Above a sketch of a mournful-looking pointer watching a flock of birds flying past above it]

My dear Torrington,

I am sure something could be arranged. We have at our disposal a whole Company of Riflemen, after all. I believe we may find something of interest were they to beat towards the river, so if you do not object too strongly, I am of a mind to combine our shoot with a bathing party for the men.

As for the QMG's office, they are more than welcome to send someone to ask the French if we might have our rifles back. I am glad that we only lost two rifles and not the alternative you gave. I am pleased to hear that Cornet Atkins is recovering, although I do not think that the journey home will aid overmuch in his recovery.

Your most humble and obdt srvt,

Jno Vickery