Soldiers of the Regiment
Major James Paton
Letters from the Crimean War
In Camp, before Sebastopol. 29th January, 1855
My dearest Ellen,
I received your long letter on the 27th dated 6th Inst., same day as one
from Father and Jack of the 11th Inst. one from J. Wood of the 10th,
also a note from N. Cadell dated as far back as the 9th December on
board the Colombo, between Varna and Eupatoria [?]; A. Ballard was with
him. On Wednesday last I went in to B. and got the parcel sent by
Welsman from Williamson, who by the way is a very good fellow. The
‘Imperatrice’ is a fine vessel with comfortable saloons, etc., and first
rate grub. I lunched on board. The parcel contained a fairish waterproof
coat, a souwester cap a great deal too small; and a pair of hybrid
concerns in the shape of boots, fishing stockings or something of that
sort – upon my word I don’t know what to call them. They are made of a
sort of duck (white) coming a little above the knee, with bad leather
soles about ⅛ inch thick, altogether of the most flimsy, rotten
description. It is a pity my Father got Welsman to choose the things; he
being about the worst hand possible. I may be wrong, but I don’t think I
recommended him. I only said ‘to ask him when a draft went’ so that a
parcel might be sent. I hope Granny’s will be of a better sort. There is
no occasion to fidget yourselves about parcels, there being every
probability of their coming safe. I must write to Lella and thank her
for their share of the contents of the sack, Atholl Crescent will find
her no doubt. The Randolphs are sending some things in John Wood’s box.
Folks are all very kind and I an sure I am much obliged to them.
I trust Jack will please his masters. He must improve his fist tho’;
otherwise his letter was not bad. Poor lad, it will be long ere he is
reconciled to the drudgery of an office. – What is Georgy thinking of?
He would make a sailor I think; not in the Queen’s Navy but in the
Merchant Service. There are many lads of good family aboard our fine
steamers.
I wish I had the kicking of the party who abstracted the ring from Uncle
John’s letter – it will be a warning not to send anything else; others
have sent things home safely. There was nothing else in the letter but
the five franc piece for Bob, how fortunate it was Jack’s noticing it.
It will please the bit laddie.
I have heard or seen nothing of Willie Elliot. Things are going on here
much as usual, with the exception of the weather which continues fine,
tho’cold. Warm sunny days and frosty nights, the ground being quite hard
three inches below the surface; all above that where thawed by the sun
is in a dreadful mess. There is some activity going on, e.g. getting
more guns up, mostly 21 pounders. Now as the Russians have 56 and 68
Pounders to oppose them it stands to reason that our fire will soon be
silenced, however there can be no doubt that something must be done and
that before long or we shall have the entire force of the Czar down on
us. I hear that there is a strong body of Turks at Eupatoria.
My Pony is of great service in taking me into B. and bringing out
comestibles, please the Pigs [?] he may’nt die. A little ago I observed
several flocks of wild geese steering Southwards, which does not look as
if Winter were over yet. I went into B. on Saturday to pilot a Draft up,
that which came out in the Robert Lowe. The state of the roads was
perfectly ridiculous, it was long after dark when the poor chaps
straggled into camp. We got about 150 young soldiers up last week and
two officers, Maule and Williamson. The men have nearly all got
sheepskin coats now, some down to the knees, others barely to the waist,
also sheepskin caps instead of fur ones. The two drafts have the latter,
also long boots; as yet officers have got nothing, nor do I hear of
anything.
The Levantines are all being turned out of their stores in B. to make
room for the Crimean Fund things which are said to near at hand now.
High time too and not before they are wanted. The Maltese and others
turned out are erecting shops half a mile from the Town.
Col. Sadler is going home to take charge of the Depot, but no one else
of ours. Robertson, one of those promoted, being alone here, he takes
Balgrey’s Company for the present. I hear the Colonel has written for
Welsman and Wilby. They ought certainly to be here, being the senior
Captains.
Have you done anything about a Pony yet? Get a good one when you are
about it. The Newspapers have been lately rather pacific, but I have no
faith in anything of the sort. Having run myself dry, I shall pull up.
With kind love to Father & Mother, believe me dear Ellen your most
affectionate brother,
J. Paton.
How is Aunt Mary this winter? Do you see her often?
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