| Description | Encloses a map of the "Left & Right Attack" at Sebastopol, in which he has spent all winter, with detailed explanation of construction of lines, previous actions & future plan of attack. "Before Thursday next we expect to be in Sebastopol. It will be a fine thing for the survivors. All one can do is to hope for the best. How luckythese Kertch [Kertch : a town in the Eastern Crimea, to which was despatched in May 1855 an allied expedition, including the Highland Brigade. The attack was called off at the last minute by the French General Canrobert] people are, no fighting & lots of plunder. The Highlanders who have not see a shot fired at Sebastopol & all winter were comfortably housed. I assure you it riles us not a little . . . About 50,000 men have gone round by the Tchernaya, a splendid country & like sending a person out to grass after a severe winter. The Russians are said to have fallen back on Mackenzies farm. Evidently intending to make a stand. If so there will be some very severe fighting but I think in the end we shall win. Is it true that Austria plays us false? In the end we shall be left in the lurch. Cholera is not gaining ground & I hope by precautionary measures it may be stopped. It is a dreadful thing in an army & I think an awful thing to have hanging over one." |