Soldiers of the Regiment
Major James Paton
Letters from the Crimean War
In Camp near Sebastopol. 28th October, 1854, Charge
3d
My dearest Ellen,
I take the opportunity of another Mail to let you know I am quite well,
and trust you are all in the predicament. I have a middling good pen and
tolerable (?) ink so hope this Note may be readable. Very short notice
is given before our letters have to be in the bag sometimes, and this is
my present case.
Well, notwithstanding all the rejoicings in England, the Russian
Stronghold has not fallen yet. I recd. a Mail (the 9th) this morning and
have also seen Papers of the 10th and 11th Inst. in which I see there
are full accounts of the Battle of Alma, about the 3rd. All England was
under the delusion that the place had fallen, and it is queer enough for
us to see the Illustrated London News’ Engravings, when nearly a month
after the place is as strong as ever - indeed I cannot see that our
Batteries have made any impression. The French are certainly getting
nearer the Town, and we shall probably open a new Trench in a day or so,
but things do not look well. No sooner do we construct a new work than
the Russians make one opposite it. The work is getting harder every day,
but for my part I take things very easily. For 72 hours I have been on
duty with only 12 hours rest, and that in the day time. Two nights
running I was in the Trenches, and the next, viz. last night, on guard,
laying on the hard ground. When on the latter duty I have a Blanket,
which comfort is denied us in the former. It is bitterly cold towards
morning, but then the day is lovely, quite warm at times. We have only
had one heavy shower.
I regret to say that our Light Cavalry was nearly cut to pieces 2 days
ago. All that arm are down near Balaklava along with the 93rd and the
Turks, the latter were attacked in their entrenchments by the Russians,
and of course ran away, so that the Enemy got possession of three
Redoubts with 9 English guns in them, which the cowards had charge of.
Lord Raglan ordered the Light Cavalry consisting of the 8th, 11th, 13th,
17th to retake, the nearest and smallest redoubt with only two guns in
it, but Capt. Nolan who carried the order, mistook it and led them into
a regular trap. They charged some thousands of the Enemy and, though
only 500 in number, broke them. The Russians in retiring unmasked 30
guns, which cut our poor fellows up most fearfully, 13 officers killed
and 21 were wounded. 386 men and 500 horses killed and wounded, in fact
our light Cavalry is nearly hors de combat, and that is our weakest arm.
We heard from deserters that Menschioff told the people in Sebastopol
that he had licked the British and taken 70 guns, which news together
with a double ration of Brandy made them so cocky that they came out and
attacked our right, they got well punched on the head however by our
Artillery, and numbers killed I hear; we had only one or two wounded.
The 4th were under arms but were not wanted. Col. Sadleir was hit on the
head by a fragment of shell two days ago, but is doing well, it was in
the Trenches. Lord Wemyss had a son killed in the cavalry affair. We are
delighted to hear that Admiral Dundas is to be superseded, he is a
coward. I hope Lyons will get the Command, he is a man of a different
stamp and the Fleet will not remain inactive in his hands.
You must make some sort of excuse to Fanny for me, I never answered
either of her notes, but probably she has forgotten all about it. Are
the Ancrums all right? Does Mary keep the Winter in Liverpool? I hope
Uncle Mark does not go to market now, he will kill himself if he does.
One of the Kerndeans (?) or some person should live with him, let him
ken that Jimes was axing after him. Everyone who has hair on his face is
a perfect sight, or rather I should say would be so to civilized eyes.
Beard and everything is grown, but of course to us it does not seem a
bit funny. We are almost all in good health, but among the men a great
deal of sickness prevails. I hear that it is Lord Raglan’s intention to
give up Balaklava since this last business, our force is too much
scattered and exposed to attack. You will see everything of interest in
the Times which at present must be indispensable.
Kindest and best love to dear Father, Mother and Bill, also to any
relations handy. Believe me ever, darling Nelly, you most affect.
brother,
J.P.
Only a proportion of our collections
are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display
in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of
our collections which are held in store.
