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An interesting set of documents tracing the military career of James Dundas Gregorie Tulloch (1804-1879), from his initial struggles to obtain a commission to his promotion to Major under Queen Victoria. Tulloch was the younger brother of the statistician Major-General Sir Alexander Murray Tulloch (1803-1864), famous for his controversial report on the Crimean War. He served in India, Burma and North America, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. The collection includes a most interesting letter written by Tulloch around 1828, providing a potted autobiography. Having detailed his studies at the 'Academy of Perth' and then at Edinburgh, where he attended 'the Natural History Class', Tulloch describes his frustrated attempts to obtain a commission in the army, in spite of support, he claims, from Lord Viscount Melville, Sir John Hope and Sir Herbert Taylor. Only able to obtain a position as a volunteer in the 45th Regiment, he trained at Chatham before sailing to Calcutta 'in a private ship at a very heavy expense', only to find that his contact there, Colonel Macdonald, had died. This letter is complemented by a small account book kept by Tulloch when serving as a volunteer in Calcutta in 1828 and 1829, recording sums spent on, for example, wine, haircuts, boots, chairs, servants, billiards, a grass cutter, tailoring, 'shoeing and bleeding pony', and 'Hindoos wages'. Letters to Tulloch include one from his brother Alexander Murray offering him the post of Staff Officer of Pensioners in North America in 1849. Contents:
1. TAYLOR, Herbert, Sir. Autograph letter signed to Tulloch. [London] Horse Guards, 5 July 1826. 4to, p. 1; creases from folding. Assures Tulloch that his application for a commission has not been forgotten. 2. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Autograph letter signed Cowles(?) to the commander of the steam vessel 'Irawaddy'. [N.p.], 18 June 1828. 4to, p. 1; crease from folding. Requests the commander to receive Tulloch and his servant on board for passage to Moulmein (Mawlamyine) to join the 45th Regiment as a volunteer. 3. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Letter signed from unidentified sender to Lieut. Col. Casement. Fort William, 21 June 1828. Folio, pp. 2; creases from folding. Notes that the commander of the 'Irawaddy' requires 200 Rupees for Tulloch's passage. 4. TULLOCH, J.D.G. Autograph(?) copy of letter to unidentified recipient. [Calcutta?, c. 1828-29]. Folio, pp. 4; creases from folding. Details his education, struggles to obtain a commission, and arrival in Calcutta. 5. TULLOCH, J.D.G. 'Private account book belonging to James Tulloch'. [Calcutta?], July 1828 - July 1829. 8vo, pp. 15, ruled and written in brown ink; toned, central crease. 6. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Manuscript note recording Tulloch's appointment as Ensign to the 1st Regiment of Foot on 27 October 1829, with additional note to reverse. [Calcutta?, c. 1829]. 4to, pp. 2; creases from folding. 7. BUTLER, W.H. Autograph letter signed to Tulloch. Moulmein, 10 December 1829. 4to, p. 1; creases from folding. Tulloch should consider himself a guest of the Regiment during his stay in Moulmein. 8. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Letter from unidentified sender to Tulloch. [N.p.], 17 March 1830. Folio, p. 1; loss to upper corner, creases from folding. Permits an advance of 385 Rupees to pay for passage to Madras. 9. EAST INDIA COMPANY. Printed promissory note completed in manuscript, with various signatures, for 152 pounds and 5 shillings payable to Major W. Strahan 'in satisfaction for interest due on promissory notes of five per cent Bengal Loan'. Fort St George, 14 September 1830. p. 1, paper with East India Company watermark, ink note to verso 'of no use JDGT'; creases from folding. 10. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Printed certificate completed in manuscript appointing Tulloch Ensign in the 26th Regiment of Foot. London, 9 November 1830. 24 x 34.5 cm, on vellum, signature of William IV at head, seals and stamps; creases from folding. 11. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Printed registration of baptism completed in manuscript for James Gregory McDonald Tulloch, son of 'Lieut. James Dundas Gregory Tulloch of the 26th Regiment of Foot' and Anne Stainton. St Cuthberts, 20 April 1833. p. 1; creases from folding. 12. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Printed certificate completed in manuscript appointing Tulloch Lieutenant in the 26th Regiment of Foot. London, 25 March 1834. 24 x 34.5 cm, on vellum, signature of William IV at head, seals and stamps; creases from folding. 13. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Printed certificate completed in manuscript appointing Tulloch Lieutenant in the 19th Regiment of Foot. London, 1 May 1834. 24 x 34.5 cm, on vellum, signature of William IV at head, seals and stamps; creases from folding. 14. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Printed certificate completed in manuscript appointing Tulloch Captain of the 19th Regiment of Foot. London, 18 August 1842. 30.5 x 39, on vellum, signature of Queen Victoria at head, seals and stamps; creases from folding. 15. TULLOCH, Alexander Murray. Manuscript letter signed to 'Captn Tulloch Edinburgh', marked 'Confidential'. [London] War Office, February 1849. Folio, pp. 4; creases from folding, some tears along creases, light foxing. The Secretary at War wishes to employ Tulloch as a Staff Officer of Pensioners in North America, on a salary of one guinea per day, for five to six months. 16. [TULLOCH, J.D.G.] Printed certificate completed in manuscript appointing Tulloch to the rank of Major. Windsor, 10 July 1854. 30.5 x 40.5, on paper, signature of Queen Victoria at head, seals and stamps; creases from folding. 17. Biographical notes on the Tulloch family. [N.p., c. 1850?]. 8vo, pp. 4; creases from folding.

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