Letter from Colonel Charles Townshend (9th Division Headquarters, [India]) to WSC stressing the importance of maintaining the strength of the regular army and criticising the abolition of the militia system. Refers to the American Civil War, the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and the taking of Quebec [Canada]. Hopes to get command of a brigade and praises his superior, Lieutenant-General Sir James Wolfe Murray. Suggests making military service a pre-requisite of employment in administrative posts.