By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 8th September, 1855, reproduced this letter from a youngster who went to fight in the Crimea – 170 years later the same piece of land is still being fought over.
LETTER FROM THE CRIMEA.
The following is an extract from a letter written by a lad, 18 years of age, a bugler now in the Crimea, to his father, a sergeant at Parkhurst.
It was written the day after the Battle of the Tchernaya:-
“Camp before Sebastopol, 17th August, 1855.
“Dear father, – It is with pleasure I sit down to write these few lines to you, hoping to find you in good health as it leaves me at present, thanks be to God for it.
“Dear father, the siege is opening once more. We are going on very well, and are giving it to them this time. I think we shall have it this time by the help of God.
[…]
“We had a great day yesterday. The Russians made an attack on the French and Sardinians, but they found themselves mistaken. There were two companies of the French Zouaves hid underneath a ditch while two columns of the Russians passed, and when they got about 100 yards from them the Zouaves opened fire on them and killed a great many, and what they did not kill they took prisoners of war. If you had seen the French cavalry escorting them to head-quarters you would have laughed indeed.
[…]
To the best of my opinion there are about 6,000 or 7,000 Russians killed or wounded and about 50 or 60 of the French. We have had no account of the Sardinian loss, but I believe it is considerable: they were in the hottest part of it, the same as ourselves when we go at it.
“Dear Father, I was in the trenches on the 13th inst., when a poor fellow went out and fell, and he was shot through the shoulder blade and the ball came out through his breast. He was not killed, but poor Dennis Collins of No. 2 company, who went out for him, was shot through the back and never moved after. Poor fellow he is gone. There are narrow escapes these times: when we are sitting down in our tents getting a bit of grub a 32-pounder comes within one or two yards of us.
“From your affectionate son,
“J…..F…., 95th Regiment.”