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volunteering in india
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complished, we leisurely retraced our steps to Buste, where, without another hostile operation, terminated the first year's service of the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry.

And on that memorable anniversary, which called up a thousand recollections, the Corps assembled to hear the contents of a letter from the Government, addressed to the General commanding the Brigade. The mails from England, too, had been received in camp on the same day as the letter under reference, and there were, among those for us all, many letters from home for those whom we had buried in several forlorn and blood-stained fields, and where the rain and winds of the inclement monsoon, were now weeping and sighing over the lonely and premature graves, that were destined to be ruthlessly ploughed up year after year, during the agricultural seasons of tillage.

The following paragraphs are the only extracts from the Government letter, above mentioned, that need be inserted here.

“During the last twelve months the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry have eminently distinguished themselves, and the Government has repeatedly acknowledged their gallantry in the field, and their exemplary conduct on all occasions.

“As there may be some of their number to whom it may be very inconvenient to continue with the Corps for any further period, the Governor-General is willing to allow them to take their discharge at once.”

The retirement of those members of the Corps whose interests and prospects were at stake by their