Mss Eur F126/33, ff 21-24

Memorandum regarding the defeat by the Turcomans of the Persian Force at Merv, describing the Persian Force's movements and tactics in the five days prior to their final defeat including their decision to retreat from their position in order to acquire more provisions and the Turcoman's success in attacking their rear as they retreated which resulted in the Persians having to abandon their fort, and on again coming under attack from the Turcomans the Prince Governor and his second in command fled leaving their force behind to be captured by the Turcomans.

The letter goes on to discuss the expectation that the Prince would go to Herat for support and supplies, his unexpected decision to turn eastward and seek the support of the Saloor [Salur] and Sarookh [Shahrukh] Turcoman tribes who were enemies of the Tekkie [Tekke] Turcoman's, these tribes welcoming the Prince and his followers before turning on them and taking them captive and the Prince's escape from them and flight from there.

The letter goes on to discuss reports of small groups of survivors from the Persian Army reaching Herat, others being en route to Meshed and stories of some of those captured being stripped of their clothes and belongings and turned adrift rather than kept as slaves owing to the sheer numbers of captured men available.

The letter also mentions a French Gentleman who was with the Persian Force (as a photographer) and Pelly's ongoing efforts to determine what happened to him, including if necessary visiting the Turcoman Camp, and requesting that Mr Alison inform Baron Pichon of this.

The letter concludes by discussing the future and the reality that the Persian Frontier from Meshed to Herat was defenceless and the safety of the city of Meshed depended on the Tekkies not attacking it. Pelly also notes that as the Turcomans now possessed guns and Persian artillerymen they may be more inclined to press their advantage; before going on to discuss the situation along other borders, the possibility of the Shah's Government raising another army in the spring and their likely lack of resources to defend any position over the winter, Sultan Ahmed Khan's ability to protect the Eastern Frontier and making some suggestions on how the Persian frontiers could be defended over the winter.