Soldiers of the Regiment
Major James Paton
Letters from the Crimean War
Camp near Sevastopol. 9th May, 1856
My dearest Ellen,
Your letter of the 24th Ult. came yesterday, for which my best thanks.
I can easily imagine you all very anxious to know the destination of the
K.C.R.; well, it is generally believed to be Home, for this reason, that
the names of the Regts going to Gib: Corfu, Malta, &c have appeared in
orders, and ours is not amongst them. I think that if we return home,
the Regt. is almost due to be Quartered in Ireland, for it had 5˝ years
of English Service.
I would sooner have gone to Canada & then got six months leave. The
Regts. destined for service there have all gone, the 9th about a week
ago. I saw Willie a couple of days before he sailed; in high spirits, &
sure of getting leave to be in time for the 12th – About that date I
hope myself to be not very far from Crailing.
I do not write so often now, there being little to tell.
Yesterday morning about 11 a.m. W. Cadell & Mr. Laird walked into Camp,
they came by the same steamer that brought the Mail. I took ‘em over the
Karabelnaia, Redan, Malakhoff &c. in the afternoon. They have the great
advantage of fine weather for this trip. At present they are living with
me; one sleeps in my Tent, t’other in the Mess Tent. Unfortunately for
them I am on duty today, & cannot therefore accompany them in their
wanderings, but I sent them over to John Dunlop of the 88th who will
guide them I hope. Mr. Laird brought a letter of introduction from John
Cadell, he has been a month travelling in Algeria & met Willie at
Marseilles.
I am sorry that the James’ are not going abroad, it would have been such
a nice trip to Genoa.
The Colonel has received seven French military medals for distribution
amongst the non-Commissioned Officers & men; it is not an easy matter to
pick out that number from among so many. We hear nothing of any medal or
decoration to be given to the English Officers. General Trollope is
ordered home & Colonel Adams 28th assumes Command of the remains of the
3rd Division. No one ever thought it would be the first to be broken up.
Sir Colin Campbell is going home too; his Aide de Camp Sir D. Baird has
gone away sick.
With best love to Father, Mother & Willie.
Ever dear Ellen Your very affect. brother,
J.Paton
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.