King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

Captain James Paton, 4th King's Own, at Chatham, 1862
Accession Number: KO2590/394

Major James Paton

Letters from the Crimean War

In camp near Sebastopol. 18th November 1854. Charge 3d

My dearest Ellen,

Why don’t you write? I have not had a letter for a month and a half now, and am almost tired of wearying for one; no matter how little news you may have to communicate you can have no idea what a pleasure it is to receive a letter; ditto a Kelso Mail. There is a Mail due to-night when I hope to get one. Things are going on the same as ever, that is there is nothing doing in the way of fighting as we are too weak and must wait for reinforcements. Immediately after the Battle of Inkerman, fought on the 5th, Steamers were sent off to Malta and elsewhere for more Troops, the 3rd, 9th, 14th, 62nd, 97th and 13th are all to come here, and not before they are wanted, our force being very small, about 17,000. The French too are getting strong reinforcements.

I am sorry to say the weather is very much changed for the worse, it being very cold and wet, a great contrast to the burning heat of the past summer. On Tuesday 14th we had a terrible storm. 17 ships that know of are total wrecks, 8 went down or ashore at Balaklava alone and upwards of 500 people drowned, and where the Fleet (English) are at anchor to the North of Sebastopol 9 are ashore; none of them I hear are men of war, which is owing in a great measure to their being better manned and looked after. The Prince, a steamer larger than the Fleece, is our greatest loss as she had immense stores on board, first and foremost warm hosiery for the entire Army, an irreparable loss at this season, also 2,000,000 rounds of ammunition, besides other stores. She brought out the 46th Regt. lately, also two of our Ensigns, Howley and Laurie, the former lost the whole of his kit, it being on board her. Our Armourer Sergeant died at Gallipoli, a new one coming out went down on her.

It was about 6.30 a.m. I was half asleep when suddenly the Tent was pulled right over my head, the pegs having been uprooted and the pole smashed by the force of the wind. I instantly jumped up (we turn in between the Blankets with all our things on) and in the shape of a ‘Spread Eagle’ tried to keep down as many of my things as possible from the force of the blast. It rained in torrents and I was wet through in no time. Some of my things, a Cap, Blanket & C [?] were blown right down the valley, most of them were recovered again. At first I was beside myself with rage, but on turning round and seeing all the others in the same condition, burst into an immoderate fit of laughter. Many people who had things blown away have never seen them again. Everybody was alike, Generals and all, save Lord Raglan who has a House. The wind and heavy hail and sleet continued till 4 when some were able to raise their tents again. Robinson and self could not do so until next day and now the pole is so broken and patched that at the slightest breeze we are in a state of nervous apprehension; it is no joke I can assure you to be out all day such as Tuesday was, at dark the ground was quite white; and even now the Hills are so. How we are to remain here all Winter I don’t know. The Doctors say it is impossible to live in in tents. The cold is intense and my feet are hardly ever warm, but I am quite used to that now. I was fortunate enough to get a Pea Jacket (at treble the value) in Balaklava which proves invaluable; there one is able to purchase Hams, Tea, Brandy, Candles, Soap, Potatoes & c, & c, all at enormous prices, for example Potatoes are from 3d to 6d per lb. according to quality, but money is no object here and one must have a change of food from Pork and bad Beef or one’s health would suffer. I am thankful to say my health is excellent, but so is not everyone. Dowbiggin has gone to England with Dysentery. Thomson is very ill with the same. The 46th lost 12 men from Cholera the night before last, newcomers you see.

I must cross, however reprehensible you may consider it. [The writer refers to writing across the page of his letter from top to bottom]. We are well off for Medical Men now; three additional having been appointed to the Regt. within the last 24 hours, making 5 altogether. Another is at Gallipoli and a 7th, Ekin, gone home sick. In last night’s orders 50 men are to be sent to cut wood; this looks like hutting us. I always keep up my spirits and look at things on the bright side, which owing to the gloomy appearance of matters is decidedly exceptional, almost everyone being down in the mouth and sick of the whole thing. Our Batteries hardly ever fire a shot now, Rooshians the same, but we have the same Guards in the Trenches as at first, they made a sortie on the French one night about a week ago, which the latter repulsed with great slaughter. [Note. Perhaps the writer has made a slip of the pen here, it was surely Russian Guards who made the sortie]. A Polish Officer was brought in to-day, he says there are 50,000 men in the Town, but suffering greatly from scarcity of provisions and want of water; they, the men, can’t be got to attack us again, but will defend the town to the last. He says there are plenty of mines.

I was outlying Picket last week for 52 hours quite close to the town, in fact our most advanced party; we were fired on and blazed away in return. It was shameful neglect leaving me on double time, both nights were very wet and I and my men were pitiable objects at the end of it.

I trust you are all well at home, & all friends. How is Granny this Winter? And Uncle Edward too. Has anything been done about sending me some warm things – All the Officers have got their baggage from board ship, having left mine at Scutari I am in pickle, but have written for them. Will you be Willie’s amanuensis for the account of any field sports worthy of notice.

Kindest love to dear Father, Mother and Willie from, dearest Ellen, your loving brother J.P.