17 August 1916

We are returning to Abd again.  
The new horse is a good strong one. N.D. Just the ususal camp life at a place near el Abd. The end of the campaign. (I’ll say the end of the campaign because I don’t think there will be any more fighting in this zone unless of course we push on towards Damascus or Jerusalem) by us making a reconnaissance in force on Mazar which was held by about 1000 Turks 80 camel men and a couple of batterys of anti-aircraft guns.
The 2nd and 3rd Brigades and Camel Corps with 1st Brigade in reserve at Salmana and 4 batteries of field guns, 1 battery of Indian mountain guns and I don’t know how many machine guns but we (our Brigade) had 35 maxim and 9 Lewis guns. We captured enemys patrol and began hostilities @ about 0530, but had to withdraw later on account of water trouble. Horses had to be watered and the only water obtainable was in possession of the enemy, so we had to return. Altogether our horses had the saddles on for 28 hours and the distance traveled was over 40 miles. The Turks who were well entrenched evidentally feared our return and a few days later they evacuated the position. 
Our Camel Corps now hold the place. The rations and water were kept up to us remarkably well right through the campaign. Of course there were days when we were short of water, but that couldn’t be helped. 
The march on Mazar was a wonderful sight and one that I’ll never forget. It was a most trying time for us though. We were half dead for want of sleep. One kept dozing whilst on the march and that seemed to make us worse. 
During the fighting we pulled ourselves together wonderfully and one would think to look at us that we had a full nights sleep. However, on the return home in the fierce white heat of the day, we relaxed once more into the semi conscious state we were in before the fight took place. This was the end of our second campaign.
​These notes are really only for the purpose of recalling memories in detail. I intend to describe to you fully by word of mouth as one does not get the opportunity to write detailed accounts of everyday happenings. 
J. A. Graham