In 1868, a lengthy copy letter in a fine secretarial hand was sent from A.G.O. Hd. Qrs. Simla, addressed to Lt. Colonel Lumsden and signed by F.W. Flood. It was written on six sides of two blue paper bifolia pasted together, which were then attached to an old card album page with red cord. The letter, marked Confidential, informed Lumsden that the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Robert Napier, wanted him to be aware of its contents. It detailed the appointment of the Quarter Master General of the Army and listed three candidates: Brigadier General D. Stewart, Colonel The Honble. F. Thesiger, and Lieut. Col. P. Lumsden. The letter stated that each officer had served under Napier for a considerable time and was highly regarded. However, Lumsden was the preferred choice due to his extensive departmental knowledge of affairs during peace and war, his experience in the North West frontier campaigns, and his understanding of the policies pursued over the past 18 years.