Soldiers of the Regiment
Major James Paton
Letters from the Crimean War
In camp at Varna. 28th August 1854
My dear Ellen,
I received your letter of the 8th Inst. on the 26th Inst. also a Kelso
Mail which makes the 3rd I have got; they are very amusing. The mail
goes out to-morrow and this will probably be the last letter I will
write before the Expedition sails.
We are encamped on high table land about 3 miles to the South of the
Town and about a mile from the Black Sea; where we bathe. The 28th, 79th
and 93rd are close to us, and lots of other regiments as well as Cavalry
and Artillery in the immediate vicinity. The country has a very
different aspect from Gallipoli, being densely wooded; there are no
large trees, but all copse. It is very beautiful, one might almost think
it were a gentleman’s park on a large scale. There are thousands of
Hazel Bushes covered with Nuts.
I rode into Varna on Thursday to see Nasmyth, the defender of Silistria.
He came out to the camp, but I was no in, and having got an appointment
as Queen’s Commissioner in Circassia, where he is going instanter, I
lost no time in seeing him; he has been very fortunate; his brother who
was at the Grange with me has gone to Madeira in a decline, poor fellow.
Varna looks dirtier than Gallipoli but then the fire has just taken
place, and if it had been just sacked after a storm it could not look
more tumble down. There are a couple of good English stores where almost
anything may be got. The Town has a finer appearance from the outside
than I expected, but the chief sight is the Bay filled with shipping of
every flag and size. Never saw such a number before except in some of
our great English Sea Ports. All the Men of War boats are engaged taking
stores to the Transports, also Japions [?] and Fascines and other siege
equipment. The Artillery is nearly all embarked. Of course there are
numberless shaves afloat as to the day of sailing, but no-one knows
except the Chiefs. I should think not before the end of the week. The
2nd and Light Divisions have not come down the country yet and they
number some 10 or 12,000 of the Best Troops. The Simla went back to
Scutari on Thursday to take stores on board.
I was engaged all Saturday in changing the mens old Firelocks for the
new Mimi rifles; we marched down to the water’s edge and having got into
Boats were towed across the Bay to Varna (by a Tug) where they were
changed. We came back the same way; it took the best part of the day;
the men had nothing to eat for 28 hours. We are to take nothing with us,
I hear, save what each man can carry on his back. No Tents, Horses or
Baggage of any sort; on landing each man and officer carries three days
provisions. Of course our destination is a profound secret but the
general rumour sends us to Sebastopol; which that excellent party also
alleges may be taken with the loss of 20,000 men. There will be first a
contested landing, then a contested river to cross, then an entrenched
camp and lastly a strong fort from which the Town will be bombarded.
Such are some of the shaves afloat - talking of a different kind of
shave the men all grow Moustaches and Beards which give them an
exceedingly dirty appearance at first. For my part I don’t think it is
Sebastopol! Sir John Burgoyne came out on Saturday from England. I saw
him land along with Admirals Dundas and Lyons. A Council of War was held
by all the Big Wigs, French, English and Turkish - the French are very
averse to the whole thing, they are quite dispirited, having lost a
great many men, from 5 to 10,000, by disease. We have lost about 1000
altogether, but then our medical department is so much better attended
to. We are to embark 25,000, the French 23,000, Turks 20,000.
I saw John Scott of Ancrum two days ago, he is close bye. They have lost
3 officers now, the Colonel, a Major and a Lieutenant. We left Ekin, our
Junior Doctor, on Board a Transport as he was not well enough to be
brought on shore. A number of our men have been laid up the last few
days. Everyone said we looked very healthy on landing. An old
schoolfellow of mine, Turner of the 93rd, died of Cholera. I saw him at
Gallipoli. We had Service yesterday morning at 6 o’clock, all our
Division and the 4th Light Dragoons attended. I shall finish this
tomorrow as some news may turn up ere that. I see poor Skinner got his
Company a few days before his death, he never knew it.
29th 7 a.m. We are off this afternoon sometime. Some Regts. are
embarking now, viz:- 28th, 42nd, 44th and the Guards. There will be
great confusion doubtless. All our baggage accompanies us, but the
horses do not, they will be probably left for anyone who likes to take
them. When the Transports are filled they sail round to Baltchick Bay,
the general rendezvous where we wait till all are ready.
I think it will be time to be getting some warm winter clothing now and
have it in readiness to send out. If my Father were to write to Meyer
and Mortimer to make me a Shooting Coat or rather suit of very warm
Plaid or Frieze, and tell him to get 4 or 6 Flannel Shirts of different
Patterns, he will know what is meant; they are made quite loose like a
linen Shirt and of pretty variegated Flannel. I have three or four but
they are nearly worn out, I haven’t had anything else on my back since
Malta. Tell mother to get me some strong Socks and Drawers. These
together with a Macintosh Coat and Leggings will be my Winter Equipment.
You can either make up the Box at home or in Edinburgh, whichever is
most convenient. When sent it must be directed to the care of Mr.
Charles Grace, Constantinople, but it had better not be sent till I
write again. We leave a Sub. here to look after sick men and Baggage;
Bower is the unfortunate victim. I must now pull up. Give my remembrance
to all friends. Kindest love to my Father, Mother, Willie, the Boys,
George and Bob and Everybody. And Believe me dear Ellen with best love
Your affect. Brother, J. Paton
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