Soldiers of the Regiment
Major James Paton
Letters from the Crimean War
In Camp before Sebastopol. 28th May, 1855. Charge 3d.
My dearest Ellen,
I only received dear Mother’s letter of the 5th along with yours on the
25th. Thank you both very much.
If Willie Jones ever wrote me, the letter must have miscarried, as it
never came. Robinson left Camp for Balaclava, in order to embark for
England on the 24th. Has my Father done anything to forward my
interests? When I ask this I hardly expect an answer in the affirmative,
as it takes time, trouble and expense to go to London, and with the
exception of Sir Hew Ross, there is no one to speak. I cannot help
thinking that a trip to London wd. be well repaid by my getting the
Company without purchase. Poor Arnold’s things were sold by Auction on
the 25th. The prices things fetch now are perfectly ridiculous; what
cost £20 in Winter may now be bought for 5/- or 10/- - clothing, I mean.
On the Queen’s birthday we had a Grand Review of the English Cavalry,
Horse Artillery & 2 Heavy 18 Pound Batteries. I rode to see it and
thought it most beautiful. The 10th Hussars looked perfect, bar their
weight, 22 stone! – but what business have I to write to a lady about
these things.
Next day, 25th, the French and Sardinians made a most important move by
marching to and taking up positions on the Banks of the Tchernaya; on
the 26th I rode over with Hamilton & Eccles. Without exception I enjoyed
no day in the Crimea so much. The plain is perfectly covered with
beautiful flowers, Red & White Clover, Grass &c &c., with shot and
broken arms & dead horses – the last remains of 25th Octr./54. On
reaching the Tchernaya, most splendid scenery broke on our view, with
the pretty river (which I of course imagined full of Trout) as the
centre of attraction, here brawling like a Scotch Burn, there stagnant
like an English Brook. There are plenty of deep pools & in one of then
we bathed. Willie came & breakfasted this morning at 7. We then rode
over to the Tchernaya to fish, but Alas! the heavy thunderstorm of
yesterday ‘hath made her vara full!’ and muddy to boot, so we had to
content ourselves with the scenery, & trying to stem the swollen torrent
by swimming. We got on to a hill where the most advanced post is & had a
peep at the Village of Tchourgoum – a most lovely spot. The Ruski are
quite close to our Allies, the advanced Cossack Vidette was within Rifle
shot. You at home have no idea of the charm of this new ride. I mean to
go every day till satiated.
On Sunday morning the Brigade was assembled very suddenly, & Gen Eyre
read out an order from Lord Raglan announcing that Kutch was taken on
the Queen’s Birthday without loss, also 50 guns. This was recd. with
loud cheers which must have astonished J. Ruski in the Town. Saw A.
Scott & D. Milroy within the last 2 days, both well. Report says we are
to open fire this week. Trench duty comes hard now on us, only 3 nights
in bed. Robinson took home a Pistol for J Wood; he left this [week]
perfectly confident of getting Arnold’s Company.
Goodbye dearest sister – with best love to dear Father, Mother & Willie.
Believe me ever your affect. brother J.P.
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