Letter from Charles Compton William Cavendish, 3rd Baron Chesham to Spencer Compton Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire

Lord Chesham writes concerning news from South Africa. He writes that the statement "a certificate of intelligence cannot be given for serving in S. Africa!!!" is not flattering and fears that a great many of the volunteers are now feeling the truth of that. He further writes that "K of K" does not "allow anyone who is fit for duty to leave S. Africa". He further writes concerning Boer raids and the cattle and horses they are making off with. He also writes concerning the climate and the vegetation. He writes concerning the price of eggs, butter and chickens and further writes that "the civilian element are tee totallers not from choice!". He further writes concerning the inadequacy of troops wishing that there were 150,000 fresh troops. He also writes concerning the work of the "Canadians and Bushmen". He also writes of the sheer scale of the landscape. He writes briefly of his day to day life and of a "very good Australian by the name of [Walter] Karri Davis". He finally writes concerning Arthur Paget. Sent from: Johannesburg.

Arranged in accordance with ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, Second Edition, Ottawa 2000 and The Devonshire Collection Cataloguing Guidelines.

Copyright held by Chatsworth House Trust.