Manuscript 'Report on the Road from Frimley to Yorktown [Surrey, England]' 'Ewart' [Sir John Spencer Ewart, while a Sandhurst cadet], with coloured manuscript map and four other field sketches by him; with sketches by 'Sterling' and 'Gordon'.

The collection, deriving from the Ewart family papers, is in good condition, on aged paper, with fraying to the extremities of the report. Sir John Spencer Ewart, son of General Sir John Alexander Ewart, Colonel of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, entered Sandhurst in 1880, and left the following year, with the sword of honour, to join the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. (For more information about Ewart and his father, who also obtained 'special distinction' at Sandhurst, see their entries in the Oxford DNB.) ONE. Manuscript 'Report'. Unsigned, but in Ewart's hand, and with the accompanying map (Item Two, below) docketed with his name. Written on a printed 'W[ar]. O[ffice]. Form 33. | Road Report' form, on one side of a piece of grey paper roughly 34 x 40 cm. It describes three locations - Yorktown, Watchetts and Frimley - under six columns: Places on or near the Road; Distances in Miles and Furlongs (subdivided into Intermediate and Total); Population (subdivided into Houses and Persons); Accommodation | On a March (subdivided into Men and Horses; Supplies, Transport and Water; and General Observations. Among the details are the number of bakers, butchers, waggons, carts, horses oxen and tons of hay, and the observations give the details of th suitability of the locations as defensive positions. TWO. Map (30 x 30.5 cm) attached to Item One, and furled up with it, with 'Ewart' in pencil at head. In ink and colours, to a scale of six inches to the mile, with Frimley at foot and 'York Town' at head. THREE to SIX. Four more field plans, each with 'Ewart' in the top left-hand corner. Each 31 cm square and in black and white (two with roads picked out in brown). Comprising: 'Eye Sketch' of the Midrow Hill area, and 'Night Fd. Sketch' of the Wishmoor Hill area, both dated October 1880; 'Extra Compass Sketch' of the Wishmoor Hill area, dated May 1881; 'Ext. Eye Sketch' of the Turf Hill area, dated 19 May 1881. SEVEN. '1st. Fd. Sketch' of 'Bare Hill' by 'Sterling'. 29.5 x 30.5 cm, in black and white, with buildings in red. EIGHT. 'Field Sketch of South Side of Windsor Ride' by 'Gentn. Cadet Gordon'. 29 x 28 cm. In black and white.