Mr.Wilks did his best to cheer us all, but I could see that he, too, felt it very greatly.

However, when your letter came we were all made happy again, though, of course, we cannot be but anxious, as you say you are just going to join another expedition; still, we must hope that that will do better, as it won't be managed by regular soldiers.

Mr.Wilks was quite angry at what you said about the folly of making men stand in a line to be shot at, he thinks so much of drill and discipline.

The squire and he have been arguing quite fiercely about it; but the squire gets the best of the argument, for the dreadful way in which the soldiers were slaughtered shows that, though that sort of fighting may be good in other places, it is not suited for fighting these wicked Indians in the woods.
"The squire has himself been up to London about your commission, and has arranged it all.

He has, as he will tell you in his letter, got you a commission in the regiment commanded by Colonel Otway, which is to go out next spring.