The Ben Smyth / Kinglake Archive

CUL Add.9554/1/1

3.

to what is to be our next move. Brown went up some days ago, with a part of the Fleet, & Canrobert to reconnoitre the Crimean Coast, with a view to an Attack on Sebastopol, —

I am not aware in what force the French are prepared to co operate in such an undertaking, or how far that Army is provided with the Necessary Material, for such an Enterprise

I have myself great misgivings as to our own state of readiness to disembark Troops in presence of an enemy, and to maintain ourselves there having only the Sea to depend upon, so late in the Season. — I would prefer playing a surer game in April next, — before the Baltic is free, & having the co-operation of that Fleet. — the intervening Months being spent in the most energetic preparations for so great an object —

We took 4 days to disembark one Division at Varna, altho we were well assisted by the French, — and are really destitute of the requisites necessary for such an operation at this moment There can be no doubt that the object of this War ought to be the capture of Sebastopol, but is to be beyond doubt, or almost possible failure, & I do hope that a violent, & on such points, ignorant Press, will not force the Government into what may prove a Disaster. —

It must be remembered that we have here the British Army, we have not another, & I understand the Navy say "We can only guarantee to land you, we can assure nothing more, — the fogs so prevalent, the storms etc, prevent any thing more." —

We have also had a reconnaissance of Anappa — & this place there would be no great difficulty in carrying by assault, & would pretty well finish the Russian footing on that side, the other smaller places falling without difficulty into our hands.

4.

On the other hand we have a very imperfect knowledge of where the Russians really are, or what they are at, beyond the Danube so that some Anglo-french force must be left to watch Constantinople.

I saw Lord Raglan a week ago at Varna, looking well, — but he rarely stirs out of his cool house at all, & I should be sorry for him to be much exposed to the great heat of a Camp & tent life.

He is a little nervous about himself too, & is much afraid of the Damp. I hear a most excellent account of Arthur from all his Division — very intelligent, active, quiet, & doing his work well. In riding from Varna to Devna a few days ago I stopped at 9 o/c at Night & eat something at Duke of Cambridge's where I heard the whole of them speaking in the highest way of Arthur. I am so constantly with my own Division — that I've not actually seen him for some time myself.

Whenever Your Lordship has an opportunity, I venture to mention the name of B^r. Gen^l. Buller for the Ł100 a year — owing to his being already a C.B. for former Service and a full Colonel, he got nothing for last War at Cape, in which he was actively engaged — — He was badly wounded in the thigh, his Horse killed, — & is a very excellent officer. —

Arthur Cunynghame I have seen more of, he is very smart and active, but I suspect Royalty, & Royalty Staff, to be somewhat trying occasionally.

Hoping Your Lordship & Lady Emily and all at South Park are quite well, I remain

My Dear Lord
Most faithfully Y^rs.
Richard Airey

27 July /54

CUL Add.9554/1/2

Camp Monastere, 5 pm
13. Aug^t 1854

My dear Lord,
I enclose to your Lordship a Return of the No of Sick in the Light Division — making a total of 525 between this place and Varna, — these are men actually in Hospital. — The number that are in daily attendance, — under medium & superficial treatment — but unfit for the ranks incapable of marching or standing under Arms, amount to about the same number in addition. — I moved the 77^th. Reg^t to new ground — a mile and a half off, two days ago. — These were really the strong & effective men. — 25 men fell down & were obliged to be carried into Camp. — Had the march been 10 miles — I don't know what we should have done. — The great heat weakens the men so much, that they do not recover their strength, & almost every man, & every officer has had some little the matter with him.

I also enclose a Return of the Deaths that have occurred since the commencement, by cholera only.

However the men keep up their spirits very well, and are really much more weak in body than in mind . . and had any more active operations been carried on, I am sure they would have been better in both respects.

In the French Army between 5 and 6000 men have been buried, it is said — There is no doubt, but that they have suffered terribly. One officer told me he had counted 47 waggon loads of dead, thrown into pits, in one Night. — Canroberts Division which marched a few weeks ago, Northwards from Varna, full 10,000 strong, —— (called 12000), could not now bring 5000 under Arms. — I don't think the whole French Army of the East could muster 25,000 men, for any Enterprise we might have to undertake! — The pestilence has assailed their fleet too, even to a more alarming extent than their Army — and in Admiral Bruets ship, the "Montebello," up to yesterday Morng. they had lost 48 men in little more than 24 hours — We have had some cases in our ships — The Agamemnon lost two men in a few hours in the fine air of the Bosphorus, whither she had conveyed General Brown. — Your Lordship will see by the papers that a great fire has occurred at Varna. More than half the town is burnt down — a large proportion of our stores destroyed and a still larger proportion of those of the French. — It is supposed that this has been the result of Russian agency. There are stories of Greeks having been detected in the act of firing houses. — All this is very unfortunate, for under these circumstances, it is quite certain we could not undertake any operations with the same spirit or prospect of success as a Month, even, ago. . — Lord Raglan I am informed bears all this with great equanimity, but he has great responsibility upon him at this moment. . — The heat in tents has been very great, but today is cooler & pleasant.

I saw Captn Dawkins, Coldstream Guards yesterday — he had seen Arthur in the Morning & gave an excellent account of him, quite well & in good spirits — as also of Arthur Cunynghame — This Country is so beautiful, covered with every beautiful shrub & wild flower — I am quite in love with it, — but I fear quite impossible to act in, in Winter, or even wet weather, according to our System of War, — with Artillery, heavily horsed Cavalry, and Army Stores. — Still I am sure our soldiers without Camp Equipage would very soon become totally inefficient & useless. — The cold of these vallies, the depositaries [?] of surrounding deep ravines full of snow must be very great.

The other Divisions I hear have suffered more than we have, in fact nothing can look more healthful or delightful than this very position . . The Duke of Cambridge is confined to his bed by Erysipelas in the leg, — but I hear not bad. — I hope yr. Lordship & Ly Emily continue quite well, and I beg your Lordship will believe me,

Ever most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

CUL Add.9554/1/3

Camp Monastere,
Wednesday, 23rd. Augt 1854

My dear Lord,
I have had the pleasure of receiving your Lordship's letter of the 3^rd. of this month. I am very glad to say that we have had some days of quite cool weather, the cholera, I hope I may say has ceased, — for the last few days we have had only two and one death daily, & these not not of that malignant character — I believe that the Light Division has suffered most from actual cholera, but we have not so many other cases of sickness. — Fevers & Diarhea & Dysentery as our neighbours. The French have suffered dreadfully — it is said that they have lost 5000 men by cholera only — and that with General Espinasses affair on the Danube, that they are deficient of 10,000 — The ravages in both Fleets have been severe. — In the Britannia the deaths in three successive days were 50 - 21 - 14. In the Ville de Paris they lost 149 — In the Montebello 154 — in about 36 hours — and in most of the other ships nearly the same proportions — but I hear all this is mending. — One place does not appear either better or worse than another, for ships fresh in the Bosphorus caught it as much as others — . The 1^st. Battn. of Rifles I hear have had 11 deaths from cholera in the Bosphorus.

In the mean time all the transports have been watered & victualed and have rendezvous-ed at Varna — Embarking & dis-embarking has been daily practised, The Artillery I am informed is now embarking for good — the 1^st. Division / Guards 42^nd. 79^th. 93^rd.) are next to Embark, the 2nd. Divn & ourselves following. —

The French are also preparing for immediate embarcation, and it is expected and hoped that in a few days we may be able to make a descent on the coast of the Crimea with from 60 to 70,000 fighting men. Captn Sankey, arrived here today from Varna, to take in, for embarcation my Battery of 9 Pounders, & informed me that Arthur is perfectly well — I am very sorry that I so rarely see him. — but Sir George Brown, being always at Head Quarters or otherwise employed, I do not leave the Division.

I have not seen Lord Raglan for more than a month. — he felt the hot weather even in a house at Varna very much, but is now with all his Staff very well —

Poor de Ros has been very unwell — and B Genl Cator also — and your Lordship will deplore the death of several officers by fever etc. . .

With many thanks for all your constant kindness

Pray believe me,
My dear Lord
Most faithfully y^rs
Richard Airey

General The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

CUL Add.9554/1/4

Balaklava
3rd. October 1854 3 PM

My dear Lord.
It is a very great pleasure to me to inform your Lordship that I have this moment come away from a visit to Arthur on board the Diamond, which is lying close in here. — I also had a long conversation with D^r. Smart — the Naval Medical Offr. on board, so as to send you the most authentic & correct accounts, which are all that could be desired — so that Lady Emily and yourself may now feel perfectly at ease regarding him. D^r. Smart said I might communicate now, that "there was not now the slightest danger, in his case. That Nature had quite returned all functions, & that there is nothing now the matter with him, beyond the natural weakness after so severe an Attack — In two days he would leave his Cabin, and in two 3 more be fit to resume his duties"

Arthur only now looks pulled down & thin — in other respects well & in excellent spirits — Lord Raglan intends that he should be appointed henceforth to Head Quarters, & live with him, so that he will remit his strength rapidly. Altogether no account could possibly be more favourable. —

Our lines are now within 1500 or 2000 yards of the works of Sebastopol — they are pretty formadable — the ground being a thin coat of Earth upon rock, will be a serious obstacle to our Entrenching — The Enemy are working day & night in making a continuous line of works on the South front, which hitherto was little protected.

We attack on Right. The French on left. —

I hope we commence our Batteries tonight. Our ranks are much thinned by cholera, weakly men, & men lost in Action. — We are now about 16300 Bayonets — The French I cannot believe above 20,000 at the most.

On our march here from the Belbec, we fell in with a Russian Division, which after a few rounds retreated rapidly — so that we only killed a few men, but secured a considerable quantity of Baggage — and transport Carriages —

Next day we captured this place — a great deal of firing for so insignificant a Garrison — Some men only, of ours, being hurt by Shells. —

The weather continues wonderfully fine — no rain yet, — & fine Nights — — The Russians are moving in strong Mass from the Belbec towards the plains in front of BaktchiSarai. — apparently waiting for strong, expected, reinforcements from the North —

I am writing on a stone in the open air, interrupted every moment so I hope your Lordship will excuse a somewhat disjointed tale, and hoping this may find Lady Emily & your Lordship quite well, I remain

My dear Lord
Most faithfully yrs
Richard Airey

CUL Add.9554/1/5

Lines before Sevastopol
Sunday 8 Octr, 1854

My dear Lord
Arthur is going on, as well as could be desired. He has a room in Lord Raglans Head Quarters House, and lives with His Lordship — In a very few days, we may confidently say that he will as well as ever. He is in tip top spirits, and only too anxious to reassume his duties. He has had a narrow escape poor fellow — and thank God, he has got through it. —

We have now been here before Sevastopol 12 days — We have made little advance or progress — each day adds to our difficulties and the nearer we approach, the more insurmountable do they appear — The people at home are much in error, if they imagine that because our landing and Battle of Alma have been successful that we are much nearer a successful result, in our Entry into Sevastopol —

Our inability to prevent the Enemy from communicating exteriorly from the North, protected by Fort Constantine gives them every facility to strengthen themselves by reinforcements & the heavy armament of their New Batteries — every day they have new guns in position. — which our work, dragging heavy siege Material up rocky heights is slow, & most toilsome — We cannot entrench, the ground being a mere thin coating of earth 3 or 4 inches, & sometimes bare, on rock. — Our only means is filling gabions from the rear, and all this under a tremendous fire, that our men hardly like facing, nor is it fair to place them under — our position is terribly extensive, and our forces weakened every day by cholera, and what is called consequent fever —

My own opinion is that we are here for the winter, maintaining only a strong position, till we can be efficiently reinforced.

I am writing under a bit of as wall so yr. Lordship will excuse style etc —

Lord Raglan continues remarkably well. The weather is much cooler — He is a good deal thinner. — Weather very fine

The men have their tents — the Regt officers have great hardships to undergo poor fellows & deserve more than credit.

Believe me
My dear Lord
Ever most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

CUL Add.9554/1/6

Head Quarters, before Sevastopol
13th. October 1854

My dear Lord..—
Arthur may be said now to be quite well.. He may not be quite so strong on his legs, but otherwise he is well, — he drinks Brandy and water instead of wine at dinner — and is now tout comme un autre.— Everyone is rejoiced at this. — None more so than myself. —

We have now established a trench or parallel, of about 1200 yards, in front of our own position (the Right Attack) — at from 1200 to 1600 yards from the Enemy's works. — This work has been well done, and altho' the approaches to it, are under a heavy fire, the troops in it are well protected.

The fire from the Russians is now continuous — Night and Day, but has hitherto done little or no damage — We have succeeded in placing Six large Guns — 95 cwt — into Battery, and we are proceeding with the Armament of several others — in 48 hours I hope we may open our fire. — The French on the left, and resting on the Sea, have made a corresponding movement forward, & will be ready at the same time, and if the Navy really cooperates, and bombards spirittedly from the Sea also, great confusion, if not consternation, must take place in the town. —

It is not to be concealed that great difficulties are, still, before us. — the place really bristles with Cannon — and there are powerful Stone towers, and Batteries in all directions, and flanking every part of the ground — —

The nature of the Soil too is a vast impediment, in many places the bare rock presenting itself, and in no place is there more than six inches of ground — Almost every Night there is some sort of Alert, requiring our covering parties, about 3000 men to be very vigilant. — The general health of the Army, since the cold weather is somewhat improved — but we still have cholera, and the regts are dwindled down to between 5 and 600 really effective men.

Lord Raglan appears to have got new health, he is now extremely well, and bears his work most cheerfully — at one time in the great heat, I thought he would have broken down — & all were anxious

Our position tho' extremely good is far too extended for our force — but the nature of the ground makes it imperative that we should occupy it, — but to do so at all properly would require at least 10,000 more troops on our side alone. — Mentchikoff, it is said, is in the Neighbourhood of Bashickl serai, assembling a very large army, to compel us to raise the Siege. . — He may have with him some 40,000 men. — 30,000 are on March, we know, from Odessa — and a Corps d’Armée 36,000 marching from Russia. — so that time is a great object to us.

The army is pretty well fed, & we have not yet been in want of supplies, to any extent.

All the General Officers continue well — except Pennefather — who has some bad symptoms. —

Hoping you are quite well, and begging my kindest remembrance to all yr. Lordship's family —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Yours most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

CUL Add.9554/1/8

Crimea 18 Novr. 1854

My dear Lord
I have been so pressed with work for the last fortnight, that I have not found it possible to write. Arthur who is quite well, now, will however have kept your Lordship au fait — I don't think I exaggerate when I say that I have not had an uninterrupted one hour & a half during the day or night for the last 3 weeks — I am in a room outside Lord Raglan's, and the reports from the outposts during the night never cease, from constant alerts, from the Inkerman, the Town, & from Balaklava heights. The action of the 5^th has been sufficient to impress me, with the formidableness of our Enemy, repulsed and beaten as he completely was — Every day the loss which the Russians suffered, appears to increase — Indeed [?]

withstand — there was not a tent left standing — in 5 minutes the sick were exposed to all its fury — it was also bitterly cold — the glass suddenly falling 25° — it was not possible to light a fire —— and altogether the scene of desolation was more than can be imagined. — You will read of our loss in Ships, and Stores with dismay — in fact a greater disaster could scarcely have befallen the Army . . .The loss of the "Resolute" with our Ammunition, and of the "Prince" with our Stores, is almost fatal. — In all this we require immediate and active assistance. I enclose a first report we received of loss of Ships at Balaklava, since which we have heard of 5 more transports lost at Eupatoria. It has not yet been possible to estimate what the precise loss of Stores, provisions and Ammunition has been — I enclose however rough memos. From the Ordnance in Pallmall yr. Lordship can always get a list of the numberless things on board the "Prince" Steamer. . .

The weather has taken up — it is now clear & mild — the Barometer at "change". — but the Tartars tell us that in 10 days we must expect Snow. . The Mountains beyond our Heights are already covered — and the Nights are terribly cold for the men in the Trenches. — Our Horses suffer much — and many die. — Hay being naturally very scarce, 6 lbs. became the ration, this to our large Artillery and Cavalry Horses is nothing — the Barley alone makes them sick — and they look poor things most dreadful — covered with mud & dirt — wet, & as weak as cats — — My orderly Dragn. was blown down Horse & all three times on the 14^th. & finally was obliged to walk. —

It is difficult to arrive at any conclusion as to the force of the Russians — Their exterior position is on the heights extending from what is called in England Fort Constantine on the North Side of the Harbour, to Mackenzie's Farm, and then a very large force in the Valley of the Tchernaya from the ruins of Inkerman to the Village of Kamora, which you will find to the ENE of Balaklava — on Major Jarvis' map. — They can scarcely have less than 100,000 men, with great power in Artillery. — The Garrison of Sevastopol is about 32 or 35,000, sailors included. —

Lord Raglan has sent, some time ago to Sinope, Samsoon, and Constantinople for timber of all kinds for Hutting our men. — To Constantinople for Nails — hoop-iron — hinges — carpenters tools, in fact every thing — Horse clothing in abundance — Warm clothing of all kinds for the men, in fact every thing that can be thought of, — but it is extremely improbable, — if at all possible, that any thing like the quantity required will be obtainable — so I pray yr. Lordship not to allow this fact to interfere with any quantity of similar stores which Government, I have no doubt, will hasten to send off to us.

I have been interrupted and must close, with my very good wishes.

Believe me
My dear Lord Hardinge
Most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

CUL Add.9554/1/9

Head Quarters
Decr. 3rd 1854

My dear Lord
The strength of my eyes not being yet re-established, I am obliged to spare them a little.

Arthur Hardinge rode down to Balaklava yesterday on duty and having got a little wet has been induced to keep his bed today with a little feverish cold, but nothing more, and I write to tell your Lordship this, as he is asleep at this moment, and perhaps may not write himself, but there is nothing more the matter with him, and he will tomorrow, most likely be quite well. Arthur Cuninghame is quite well, although exposed to all this dreadful weather, than which it is impossible to imagine anything worse. It has rained almost incessantly since the 5^th of last month, the state of the communications, knee deep in thick clay mud quite awful. All wheel carriage has been abandoned, and the transport of the Army confined to small, half-starved bât horses. It is with the greatest difficulty that the men can collect a sufficiency of firewood to boil up their little mess tins of water, and altogether the suffering of the troops is very great.

We are compelled to occupy a position with 14,000 men which would require at the least 30,000 but we dare not leave an inch of it.

A lodgement re-established by the Russian would roll us up into the sea or separate us definitely from our supplies.

What we suffer from most of all is want of Transport, good stout mules, with a well constructed, strong pack-saddle.

The pack-saddle of the country, of green wood nailed and tied together, is a failure for the rough work of military Service, and one good stout Spanish or French mule would carry twice the load, and do twice the work of one of these little small horses; most of them bought by the Commissr. By their low price, rather than by their efficiency — for instance seven horses in a lot would be bought for five pounds a head, containing only one or two at all fit for the service. But upon all this I have written a paper, which I will send to the Qr. Mr. General.

Lord Raglan continues most perfectly well and indefatigable at his unceasing work, he is at it until 12 oclock at night, and at 4 or 5 oclock in the morning.

Ten thousand thanks for your Lordship's kindness to M^rs. Airey and children.

I have the honor to remain
My dear Lord
Yours most faithfully
Richard Airey

10.

CUL Add.9554/1/10

Head Quarters
Dec^r. 8^th. 1854

My dear Lord
I am sorry to say that Arthur has not rallied so quickly from his feverish attack which I mentioned to your Lordship last week, as could be desired, he remains weak & feverish with a difficulty of keeping things in his stomach. I have spoken to Lord raglan, and on the first favorable opportunity he will go to England, as I don't think that he will ever get quite right here — he wants a thorough change. He is as comfortable as can be in Lord Raglan's house, but in such a life as this, there must be a want of the little delicacies required by a sick man. I am anxious to get him on board a comfortable Man of War if possible. I will take care to keep your Lordship warned of how he goes on. The 34^th. and 90^th. Regts. have arrived, the Guard's reinforcements not yet, but our ranks are thinned daily by disease, and these will not even fill up casualties.

The weather has taken up and the troops I hope will do better.

I have made a large requisition upon the Q^r. M^r. Gen^ls. Depart^t. since the disastrous storm of the 14th. Nov^r. which I hope will be expedited without delay. The tents wear out fast.

I hope Gen^l. Freeth will not hesitate about sending out the field telescopes altho' perhaps new, and a new want, but we cannot do without them, and I had two excellent double opera glasses shot away on the 5^th. Everything conduces to show that the whole Army ought to be dressed in red, I would even have red great coats. In the thick of the fight on the 5^th. most of the Reg^ts. having their great coats on, it was impossible to distinguish them from the Russians. Being able to distinguish one's own troops in action is everything. I hope all the cavalry will be put in red.

I have the honor to remain
My dear Lord
Your very faithful servant
Richard Airey

11.

CUL Add.9554/1/11

Crimea
13 Dec^r. 1854

My Dear Lord
Arthur progresses — still too slowly — he requires care and change of air, — & on first opportunity a Medical board, for the sake of form, will recommend this . I hope to manage that he may return in the Ripon, a fine very easy, well found comfortable Southampton Steamer.

He is good spirits does not want to go away & all that you would like in feeling & spirit, but he will never get permanently well here, so he had much better go — in which view Lord Raglan agrees. — He and Cunynghame who is remarkably well & cheery, both write themselves. I am only too thankful to say neither Lady Emily, or Your Lordship need be uneasy or anxious about Arthur requiring any thing more than care & change of air to put him quite up & right again & when he returns to us we may be campaigning under more agreeable circumstances. —

I have to answer one or two questions in Y^r Lordship's letter of Nov 23^rd.

There is the most decided inferiority of the fire of poor Cathcart's Divn with smooth bore, in comparison of the Minié.— No question about it, & not the same confidence in the men themselves — Whatever 1853 pattern Y^r. Lordship has, pray send them all out — The 97^th, 34^th, 90^th, 62^nd, & 9^th (partly) all have smooth bores.

Simferopol & Bakshick Sarai are both said to be well and largely magazined with Stores & Provisions of all kinds and kept up from the North. — It appears to me, that as the Emperor can embargo for military service every wheel carriage in the Empire he has great power, even at this Season to move troops, Ammunition, Stores, & food into the Crimea & once in Crimea the nature of the Country is such, so open, so light and dry a soil, that he can transport without much obstacle — Our communications have been during heavy rain, & for many subsequent days very deep, but then we have but one road for the whole traffic, — not a made road, (that the Woronzoff, we dare not use) but a mere natural "way" across Country. — A few days ago 300 waggons of Ammunition went in to Sevastopol from BakshickSarai & there is a constant traffic to & fro — & until the place can really be invested from the Belbec to the Inkerman this must go on —

Deserters & Prisoners tell us the whole place is mined & like one huge shell. —

If Austrian Policy unties the hands of Russia in the Principalities, and on her own Frontier, I see no end to the Force that may be sent here —

Our Commissariat means of transport is a failure, and our Medical Chiefs — & arrangements too bad — apathetic, inhuman & careless.— A great reflection upon us! —

We have now 3227 sick on these heights,— exposed and miserable, & we borrow means to take them down to Genl Hospital from the French — We have between 10 and 11000 sick altogether in this Army —

The Commissariat is a Department of Accounts & Contracts, but not a Field Commissariat

Had it not been for the individual efforts of Regiments, employing where they could their own animals, & marching men from 11 to 13 miles to carry up their own provisions they must have starved — & these men just turn out, or going in to the Trenches — No Army ever endured more. And great absence of the issue of Medical Comforts, altho provided liberally by Government — Dr. Hall is quite unfit.—

I send Yr. Lordship my Service effective State These are the Actually Effectives, I can lay hold of at Daylight, in case of attack,—

Of these	17906	r & file
	2427	are at Balaklava
	_____
leaving	15479	up here.—
	_____

Of these about 3650 are employed in the trenches — guarding trenches & on Piquets, leaving the actual fighting force 11829 —

The Royal Albert is not arrived yet — we have 34^th, 90^th, 62^nd and 97^th and 9^th — but Your Lordship will see our Divisions are still weak —

My eyes are better but weak & inflamed

with a thousand thanks for all Yr. Kindness to Mrs. Airey & my children & hoping Lady Emily & Miss Hardinge are quite, well, I remain

My Dear Lord
Ever most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

Lord Raglan continues remarkably well & very good spirits —

12.

CUL Add.9554/1/12

Crimea
18 Dec^r. 1854

My dear Lord,
Arthur continues to progress. — He has chocolate & toast for breakfast, — Mutton chops & Port wine for dinner at about 3 — and again some chocolate, with some times a little roast fowl or turkey, (very little) at 7. — He goes to bed at about 9 and gets up after his breakfast — We camarade a great deal, and notwithstanding the difference of age a wiser fellow, and more sensible, — thinking, and agreeable companion, with fun & a sense of the ludicrous, so almost essential to me, could not possibly be. The "Ripon" of which I spoke, was obliged to return immediately, and indeed Arthur is not yet fit, for at least 10 days or a fortnight to move. — He himself, moreover is extremely averse to a move — He wants to see Sevastopol out, but all this will be settled for him, because there is something in this climate against recovery in it, and on a favourable opportunity he will, I am glad to say, go home — where I have no doubt he will arrive quite himself. I have this moment confirmed with his Doctor — Prendergast, possibly clever but not an agreeable Medical Attendant — He reports that he is going on well, that he is still suffering from remains of fever, & that his liver is out of order — I should very much like the opinion of D^r. Paris to be taken of him, who tho' somewhat of the old school, I have a high opinion of, in such cases. — Arthur is in very good spirits, & tells his stories with great character. — I hope Lady Emily is quite well — I feel very deeply for her natural anxiety and it is an exceeding pleasure to me, to be able to report so favourable & faithfully as I am permitted to do.

We have had another turn of bad weather, Snow and heavy rain combined, but the men are cheery, and doing wonderfully. . The supplies which Government have so liberally & generously sent out are reaching us daily in profusion — every thing appears to be thought of, and nothing spared — never was any Army so cared for — Our break-down, however, is the Commissariat Transport and until this Department is newly organised, and embodied for itself, we shall not be an Army fit to take the Field. . It requires Superintends, Issuers, Labourers, Drivers, of its own — the system of taking Non Com. Officers, and Soldiers from the ranks of the Army — (effective men) — for these services is most imperfect, and neutralizing to our efficiency, for independent of weakening our ranks, there can be no worse class of conductor & driver of Horse, or Bullock-waggons than our Private Soldiers left to themselves, they don't understand the animals, ill use them — and all works ill. — They are not Brigaded on any system, and not half the work is got out of them, that might be, under a proper method of feeding — employing and superintending them. — At this moment we are indebted to a means of transport the Commissariat have no right to rely upon, — Regt. Bat Horses — Ammunition Reserve—Horses — and the Cavalry & Artillery Horses for bringing Provisions up to the Camp. —

Lord Raglan is working hard at the Medical Department, and in time things will get better, — already there is vast improvement — but the General Doctors, are far too much inclined to consider themselves as mere Administrators, and leave all the practical details to youthful inexperienced subordinates, without considering it their duty to see anything carried out & completed themselves. —

The inactivity of the Russians since the 5th. of November would lead to the supposition that they have found difficulties in maintaining themselves in the field, during this inclement weather. — Our Siege operations at this moment are, I may say at a Stand—still — all available means of transport being necessarily employed in bringing up food for the men in Camp —

Lord Raglan continues perfectly well, — works very hard, & is in excellent spirits. — This being S^t. Nicholas Day — a Russian festival on which occasions they take advantage of Religious influence (and Rum) to lead their men to Attack, all preparations were made before Day to receive them — but all has been quiet. .

I beg to remain
My dear Lord
Y^r Lordship's most faithful & obliged
Richard Airey

13.

CUL Add.9554/1/13

Crimea
23rd. Dec^r. 1854

My dear Lord,
Arthur is going on faster now, and satisfactory so far.

I have had a great deal of conversation with him, about his going at once Home, but he is so averse to it — particularly now that he is really better, that we have been compelled to yield to his request to go only in the first instance to Scutari, and if after a few days he does not feel really and rapidly mending then he promises to go on. — To use his own words to me he said — "I assure you, I am not fool enough to back my pluck against my constitution, and am far too sensible of the value of health."

So the matter rests, and on the first favourable opportunity he will proceed to Constantinople.

He does not yet dine at Lord Raglan's table, and it is much better that he should not. — He has his dinner quietly at 3. and tea at 7.

On the Night of 20^th.-21^st. at 2½am — the Enemy made a Sortie from the town, on both our Right & Left Batteries of Attack. — It was extremely dark, & they got almost unperceived close upon us — The people on the Right near Inkerman, were surprised, left the Advanced Parallel for some minutes, but soon regained possession, reinforced under Major Wellsford 97^th. Regt. from the main trench. —

On the left the Russians were recd. with great gallantry by Lieut Gordon 38^th. Regt. — and when reinforced by a party under Lieut Colonel Waddy of the 50^th. drove them back at once. — However, we suffered some loss —
Major Moller — 50^th. mortally wounded
Captn Frampton 50^th.
Lieut Clarke 50^th.
Lieut Byron 34^th. all missing. —

In the two attacks we had 18 men killed 35 wounded — 20 missing —

The weather is very very wet and inclement.

We shall have some difficulty in taking care of all the vast Stores coming out —

I remain
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
and obliged y^rs
Richard Airey

14.

CUL Add.9554/1/14

Crimea
30th. Dec^r. 1854

My dear Lord,
Arthur was put comfortably on board the Bellerophon — Lord George Paulet on the 28th. — He determined to avail himself of the Mail Steamer from Constantinople so as to get home as quickly as possible. — I have no doubt that Home — English air & diet will soon put him right — He is a great, and will be a greater loss to me. —

I am delighted at Your Lordship being able to send 6000 Miniés of 1853 with 2 Millions of rounds—

There is no comparison between even the 1851 Minié and the old Musquet — and the 1853 is superior again to the 1851. —

It is not only the positive effect in firing from their superior excellence but very much from the greater confidence the men themselves feel in the weapon in their hands.

Estcourt declares he sends the daily State, and organization of Divisions and Brigades to Wetherall every Mail. —

Our Mail has suddenly been sent for.

There is nothing new in our operations —

We fail for want of Commissariat Transport — and a Storekeepers Department. The Commissariat have far more on their hands, than they can carry out and half my time is occupied in receiving complaints of non-issues — Requisitions not answered — deficiencies of Rations & Forage etc, and referring them to the Commissary General. The Russians appear to be leaving the valley of the Chernaya, a reconnaissance in force between the English & french is now going on —

Lord Raglan continues in great health and spirits. —

I don't know what His Lordship intends doing about recommending any Regimental officers for promotion, who may have been overlooked —

Our regts. have sunk dreadfully low, for which reason Lord Raglan feels a difficulty in forming any additional Divisions — no Division having now more than 3650 Rank and file.

We experience too, great difficulties from the Ambulance being a failure — We require 2000 Stout Mules with the French Cacolet, and Litičre carrying pack saddle —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

15.

CUL Add.9554/2/2

H G^ds
5. Jan ?

private

My dear Airey,
You will have read with indignation the attacks made upon L^d. Raglan & his Staff by The Times — encouraged in their attacks by letters from Field Officers & others in the camp — abusing the arrangements made, by which they state the Army is perishing.

Some persons here criticise the Staff, as being inefficient, and appointed originally by Horse Guards favour — & not by their own merit & professional efficiency — & recommend that they should be withdrawn & replaced by abler men.

You know that all the Captains on the Adj^t Genl & Q M Genl Staff were selected by reports of their examinations at Sandhurst, & as I hear all these have done their duty well.

If I were to go to the Head the same result would follow. The juniors can only obey the orders they receive from the Heads of their Departments, or from the General Officers to whom they are attached, & I am not aware that any have been found wanting in zeal or capacity, & I have given my opinion in writing that I am not aware of any deficiency on the part of the Heads of Departments.

I have recapitulated your career — Mil Coll — Command of Reg^t — Adj^t. & Q M Genls Staff — Mil^y. Sec of C.C. Command of a Brigade — & on De Ros' retirement selected by L^d Raglan to be Q M Genl. on w^h. appoint^t. by Lord Raglan I wrote expressing my confidence that he had made the best choice.

These squalls go down as suddenly as they rise up, & they more or less belong to every public man, whose abilities & merits have raised him to high station. I merely write this much to shew that within these walls every justice in our power will be done.

I have taken care that the name and services of every officer on the Staff of whose appointment I am aware, should be given to the Sec^y. at War, & Sec^y. for War, & shewn if necessary to the Cabinet.

The Duke of Newcastle wishes to attach 4 or 5 Eng^r. Offrs. to the Q M Gen^l's Staff.

I have replied that 1 Eng^r. Officer for each Divisⁿ. as regulated by the Duke, will do better — The names have all been sent to me.

Lt. Col. M^cMurdo, A.Q.M.Gen^l. Dublin has been recommended by me to the D. of Newcastle as an Asst Q M Genl, & the Duke has I believe written to Lord Raglan by this Mail.

I wrote to recommend Major MacDougal, Mil College, to be a Dep. Asst. Q.M.Genl to Lord Raglan — He is a clever Scientific man, and very amenable in his manner.

M^cMurdo is ready to take charge of the Baggage Animals as Baggage M^r. Gen^l. & seems a ready resolute Off^r.

The D. of Newcastle has as I have said written to Lord Raglan, & therefore I abstain from interfering, for fear my explanation might not strictly accord with those of the Sec^y. for War — as we are both too busy to compare what we write.

Make my best regards to Lord Raglan — The Queen talked to me of him in terms of great favor when I was at Windsor 2 days ago. I hope you are better —

Yours my dear Airey
Very sincerely
(signed) Hardinge

16.

CUL Add.9554/2/3

Horse Guards
8 Jan^y 1855

My dear Airey,
I have just sent your letter addressed to me to Lady H. at S.P. I came up this morning, & the family return tomorrow, for I am here every day & the whole day, exhausting every expedient to provide you with men.

The Cavalry measure of the Heavy Regts & Light Regts each purchasing Horses & enlisting & training men for Reg^ts of the Same Class in the East is satisfactory.

Those at home have enlisted 500 men & 1000 horses 5 y^rs old for the Regts in the Crimea — — exclusive of the exertions of each Regimental Depot of Cavalry abroad.

But the Enlist^t. Return decreases —

I propose to try to enlist men past 24 y^rs of age for 3 years limiting these Recruits to the 40 Battⁿ. in the Crimea, not allowing any to enter the Colonial service.

In fact the more systems we try & fail, then the more the Nation must be forced to the Conviction that Voluntary Enlistment will not answer for a sudden Emergency — The Times furor has evaporated by the very general disgust its animadversions have caused. We hope the arrival of the animals by the Jason will enable you to feed & keep the Troops in camp well supplied.

How do the French soldiers keep warm under the Tente ŕ l'abri?

I am glad it is decided that Arthur is to come Home on Sick Certificate.—

I will write to you more at length by the next Mail. Lord Raglan's health is a great mercy.

17.

CUL Add.9554/2/4

(Copy)

Horse Guards
11^th Jan^y 1855

Private

My dear Airey,
I have received yours of the 30^th. Dec^r, & am glad that Arthur is on his way home, under the formal sanction of a Medical Board. Nothing can have been kinder than Lord Raglan's protection and vigilant attention to his health, and we are all very grateful for his care of the health of a young man, who under a Cold Manner has much professional ambition, and high spirit to do his duty,— and from my observation on the Sutlej great coolness of judgment in trying Emergencies.

I feel confident that the defective part of the Commissariat Department — the Transport — has before this time been so remedied that the Artillery Store Waggons, Ammunition Carts, and all available Animals of Cavalry and Artillery have been used to supply the Camp with food, warm clothing, & fuel, in preference to the progress of the Batteries, in arming them with Guns & Ammunition.

The papers are less violent — the letters from the Camp with the names of the writers are still very angry, but I only hear of their Anger from others.— I correspond with no one but Lord Raglan, yourself, Arthur Hardinge, & Arthur Cunnynghame, and this has been the case from the month of April to this day. In fact the head of the Army at home not being a Political Character, ought not to have anything to say to the Military operations. We have worked very hard, and exhausted every expedient to send you out men — and since Lord Raglan embarked, I have considered it just and proper that he should fill up all vacant appointments — The only exception was on the Appointment of Sir G. Cathcart to the 4^th. Division collected in England, when he was allowed to take his Caffrarian followers with him.

I am anxious that the Brigadier Generals should be selected from the materials now existing at the head of the 42 Battalions by this time in the Crimea. All are past 40 years of age,— and some, if unfit now after such a campaign, can never be tolerated for so ordinary an exertion of intellect as a Brigade. If scruples of seniority interfere, and we attempt to send M. Generals from England, one half the Army will be commanded by Guardsmen & high Aristocracy. This apparent monopoly is causing a great deal of animadversion against Lord Raglan;— and if I were to send out more General officers after Rokeby and Barnard, it must be Guardsmen, who would supersede Colin Campbell, Bentinck & Pennefather, intended for Divisions.

If 3 or 4 of the Colonels are too old or incompetent, they must be brigaded under a Major General; and the brigades for which Colonels are to be selected must be supplied with the best you have on the spot.

Lord Melville's health will not permit him to go out. Markham remains in Melville's place. Gough is not worth having, although he will be made a Major General very shortly;— and the whole list of Generals is so inefficient from age, that I am reconciled to the Promotion Warrant by the practical proof of its absolute necessity.

I am late for the post —

Y^rs. very sincerely
(signed) Hardinge

18.

CUL Add.9554/1/15

Crimea
13 Jany 1855

My dear Lord
I am most anxious to hear of Arthur's safe arrival with you all where he will, I pray God, soon be put right. It is impossible for anything to have been finer , or more manly than his whole conduct.

His loss to me, here, in every way, is immense, and felt hourly. We are getting on well with the Huts, but each requires 3 stripped Artillery Waggons with from 8 to 12 horses — or 180 men — to bring up to the ground from Balaklava, by hand — we have relieving fatigue parties by stages to facilitate this Service — I am so cold I can hardly hold a pen. — The ground is covered with snow, drifting about and blowing a gale — I have 3 windows without glass or shutters in my room, covered with linen, but difficult to keep warm. — every man in this army has been provided with 2 Blankets at least, woolen Jersey frock flannel drawers, warm socks — comforter, and mitts, with an additional over coat. — (a gt coat capote, sheep-skin, or Turkish fur — ) so every thing has been done that can be, and issues constantly going on — our duties are pretty severe, tho the "Times" are not satisfied.

All our difficulties are from the incompleteness of the Commissariat transport.

In great Haste
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

19.

CUL Add.9554/1/16

Crimea
20 January 1855

Private

My dear Lord
I am very anxious to hear of Arthurs safe arrival at Home — not having heard from, or of him since his departure on the 28^th ultimo, I conclude he just hit the Steamer at Scutari, & proceeded on immediately. —

Lord Raglan is extremely wounded & indignant at letters from the Duke of Newcastle, who appears to adopt, and frame into accusations against His Lordship, all that is written by Newspaper Correspondents in Camp, and is contained in the private letters of Subordinate officers.

His Grace speaks of me as quite inefficient & unfit for my position and attributes all the difficulties of this army, carrying on a winter campaign in such a climate, & where we have only the ground we stand upon, to my careless mismanagement.

This War will teach us a good deal, and if disgrace & disaster is not to follow us, Parliament must allow the Army to have an organized — Commissariat — Transport — Ambulance Transport and a Store Keepers Department, Militarily embodied. —

All our difficulties arise from want of Transport — we have no means of conveying the warm clothing, — the Hutting — the fuel, — even the men's rations can with difficulty be carried to them, by the Commissariat — Half the Army is employed on fatigue Duty, which Service the Commissariat ought to perform. Mr. Filder a clever man, is appointed Store Keeper of the Army, independent of his other comprehensive duties. — It is too much for him & he fails — he will make out a case, because he is subtle & clever enough, but the facts remain the same. — We want 2000 fine Mules, fully equipped with the French Pack Saddle, and a muleteer for every 3 Mules, — these would be more to be depended

20.

CUL Add.9554/1/17

Crimea
23^rd. January 1855

My dear Lord,
We are getting on as speedily as we can with the erection of our Huts, which are already here in great numbers.

Our great difficulty is in the means of transporting the frames and materials up to the heights occupied by our troops, which, besides being steep, & the road from immense traffic deep in mud, are 7¾ Miles from Balaklava to the position of the farthest Division, and 6½ to the nearest. —

All this is performed by Pack Horses — and fatigue parties as best we can.

Your Lordship will see by Genl Estcourts Daily State sent to the Adjutant General that our Effective force of Infantry Rank & File is 15956, inclusive of the 14^th Regt. onboard ship, at Balaklava, about 600 r & f performing duties in the village on the landing places, being disembarked, (about half a stone's throw every day) — every day.

Our arrangements have been accomplished but not without extreme difficulty — negotiation and delays, with the French, for relieving us in part, of the extended ground which we occupy —

The ground is so wet with Melted Snow that it is not possible to change the ground of troops, but we are thus enabled considerably to reduce the number of our duty men.

The French have taken the Piquets and advanced posts hitherto undertaken by the 1st Divn — 2nd Divn. on Inkerman Ridge — and in front of the plateau & the (?) Tower of Malakoff, held by the Light Division, & the (?) amount of about 1600 men daily — which by allowing 2 nights in bed, is equivalent to 4,800 men.—

Lord Raglan has been urging, begging, and entreating Genl Canrobert upon this matter ever since the 5th. Of Nov^r. — when it was provided — but never fulfilled,— until now.—

Our Siege operations go on slowly, on account of the difficulty of bringing up Guns and ammunition, — platforms, and other material for the trenches.

Our men are now well supplied with warm under clothing, flannel drawers, Jersey frocks, and Socks — with a sheep-skin Coat over all, besides Capotes — Gregos — and Buffalo Skins for Sick in Hospital tents, and a considerable proportion of the other men.

All our difficulties have arisen from the only cause — the defective transport. I have now a return from the Commissary General — He has only

333	Horses and
12	Camels.

And so long as the transport of the Army remains under the Commissariat, I doubt, in fact I don't believe it will ever be efficient to move or supply our army — the whole question requires new, and military organization.

We are now landing 250 mules from Alicant which, if taken proper care be taken of them, and not allowed to die, from want of proper looking after, will be of great assistance.

I am anxious for the Army Transport being placed under the Quarter Master General who would supply the Commissariat like any other part of the Service upon the Requisition of the Commissary General.

If we are to take the Field in the Spring — we should require, at once, independent of which carriage animals (such as Oxen, Buffalos and Camels) — two thousand Mules at least (say for 30,000 men) with a body of one thousand men, all ranks included, as Superintendents, Conductors — Batmen etc. — each Mule fitted with the French Algiers Pack Saddle. — which is excellent, and brought to its present effective State by practical experience.

It is curious to hear the French exclaim "Ah you are just in the same state now, as we were, when we commenced first in Algeria, but now, nous avons organisé tout ça."

Our Ambulance for Sick, is nothing at all.

It is utterly and hopelessly broke down — No Nation builds a worse vehicle for bad roads, as such a thing is unknown in England — they are all far far too heavy, and too tight, no facility of moving —

The Ambulance Men (corps) a poor decrepid old, hard drinking, pensioners, completely useless — one likes a good strong armed Nurse each for a baby — these poor old wretches are unfit to lift, or assist a wounded or sick man —

All this requires organizing, and men enlisted for the service —

The mail of 8^th. has this moment come in — The Duke of Newcastle finds great fault with me, & wishes some one else in my position. I can have no objection & will make none if Lord Raglan desires it — but I am amused at the causes of my alleged incompetency — principally because the Army Transport is defective, — with which unfortunately, I have nothing to do — Then because the Ship arrangements, under the Naval Authorities is bad — I might as well complain of the insufficiency of the Colonial Department because the Excise dues are not collected—

I wonder Colonel Mundy does not explain the Duties & functions of the Departments of the Army to His Grace, if he knows them. — I quite think the Transport & Waggon train ought to be a Military body, & under the Q. M. Genl. But unhappily it is not. — It is entirely and exclusively under the direction and control of the Commissary General.

Then His Grace makes me accountable for the issues, or non-issues of warm clothing — I am in no sort of way a Store Keeper, of the Army — of which there ought most indisputably to be one — but the Commissary General is. —

All I do is to approve Requisitions, so that each Division gets its fair proportion.

The Commissariat has far far too much on its hands, no such Department as now constituted can work an Army in the Field, quite impossible —

I'll take all my own Sins, even those of the Newspaper Correspondents, & Subalterns of the Army, & their angry relatives in England, but I cannot undertake more. —

All this must be thought of for next Spring, — but great organic changes are required. —

I have only time to close. And write a thousand — good wishes

I beg your Lordship will believe me
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge

21.

CUL Add.9554/1/18

Crimea
27th January 1855

My dear Lord
The weather has now taken up — it is clear & frosty, making a great improvement in our Roads. — or rather communications for over these wide tree-less plains there are no actual roads, — they are the mere most direct tracks, from point to point, adopted at the discretion of those proceeding to these points.

The French from their vast numbers have been able to employ many hundred men, in laying down stones & breaking them, thus making sorts of causeways. — their position also differs widely from ours — Kamish Bay where their stores are disembarked is on the same level plain as their army. — they have no deep precipitous gulleys & ravines to descend & ascend, — or to widely détour, as present [illegible] throughout ours, so that independent of their great superiority in numbers, the task is comparatively light & easy.

I have been stopped
& some Dragoon wait
I remain most faithfully
Richard Airey

22.

CUL Add.9554/1/19

Crimea
29 Jan^y 1855

My dear Lord. —
The weather has taken up a good deal, & things are looking brighter, — the general health a little on the improve. —

Our men get two nights in bed, or might do so — the roster is a little faulty, & wants organizing — the French have been, at length, induced to take the right of the Light Division — the Inkerman ground which Arthur will explain — our 2nd Divn. and Guards Brigade will thus go to the rear of our 3^rd. & 4^th. Divns and thus all duties will be lessened. —

Lord Rokeby, & Genl Barnard not yet come. — Genl Brown is to be back in a few days from Malta.

I believe HRH Duke Cambridge thinks of returning too. —

The two Russian Princes have just returned to Sevastopol, — a Deserter just come in, says, they say they will conquer or die.

Our Siege work goes on slowly. — Sir John Burgoyne is really too old for the work. the French complain sadly of him. and not quite without some reason — he is cold & methodical, while time is every thing — Our men are all well clothed now. — we are overstocked with every thing but winter boots. We have about 7000 pairs expected daily in Clyde — Kangaroo, & Lady Eglinton — In 3 days I expect 1000 pairs besides from Constantinople and 3,000 on the 10th. Feby. — this is independent of 30,000 pairs ordered from England, on my requisition to Sec^y for War —

Lord Raglan is very well — not annoyed at papers, but much so, at D. of N, in adopting, even officially all that the "Correspondents" and young officers, choose to write. .

The Doctors are in conspiracy, and to cover mis-management of their own, write attacks against all branches —

Two or three good Campaigns would a 'guere' [?] us, and cause an organization of Field Commissaries & Transport, much wanted. — No army can get on, without a Waggon train, — efficient Ambulance and a Storekeepers Department. Our transport does not improve — and Mr Filder has no Hay for any increase. —

The Huts are getting up

I am dying to hear of Arthur. —

I remain, My dear Lord
Most faithfully y^rs
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

23.

CUL Add.9554/2/5

H G^ds
2^nd Feb^y 55

Private

My dear Airey,
I have rec^'d. your Note of the 20^th. Jan^y. — You will have received, a few days later, a note from me as to the Staff Officers of the Army. What has occurred since is the resignation of the Government occasioned by L^d. John Russells objections to entrust the direction of the war to the D. of Newcastle; a sharp vindication from the D. of Newcastle resenting L^d. John's conduct.

I wrote to you early in Jan^y. on most of these points, but I have not seen the D. of Newcastle's letters to L^d. Raglan: therefore I know not the extent of blame attributed — and when the Staff was assumed to have failed I expressed my opinion, that even if such were the fact, L^d. Raglan could alone be referred to: that I could take no steps — as I knew nothing of their alleged demerits.

I have never written to any General Off^r. or Staff Off^r. or Regimental Off^r. except to you, & except my Son, & Son in Law — & have had no correspondent, acting strictly on the Letter of Instruction given to Lord R. copied from the Duke of York's to Sir A. Wellesley, that all Instructions to the General in the field must proceed from the Minister of the Crown — & my information is very much confined to what I see in the Newspapers, altho' one or two important letters detailing the state of the Army have been shown to me —

When you were appointed Q. M^r. General, I avoided to enter into any details with you, but about the 10^th. or 12^th. Jan^y. I wrote to express my confidence that the Transport for the arming of the Batteries would preferably be employed in transporting the warm clothing of the men. The chief points on which the fault is found are that the Troops have been exposed to excessive fatigues in working in the Trenches — to want of rest — & the delay in sending up the warm clothing to the Camp — considered more important than the progress of the Work to be done in the Trenches.

By y^r. note to me 10 days ago I found that every man had Warm Clothing & Blankets issued the end of Dec^r. or beginning of Jan^y.

What I would advise would be, to take a date of departure, say the 14^th. Nov^r. after the great Storm, and explain why the Stores were not issued till late in Dec^r. General Cannon, an Officer of Omar Pacha's Staff, stated yesterday that 1,000 Animals were at Varna with 4 or 500 men, & had been there since Sept — until recently.

This period of 6 weeks — the sickness — the exposure — & incessant fatigue in the Trenches, requiring relief by employing the Artillery Animals to bring up warm clothing in preference to mortars, Shot & Shell — is the point the most important, on which to show that L^d. R. could not have acted otherwise, without incurring some more grave & important mischief.

In g^t. difficulties the decision taken must be alternatives — & you must show that the course taken was the best under the circumstances.

Mr. Stafford's speech has made a great impression on all Societies.

I earnestly advise the strongest possible explanation, of the 30 or 40 days between the loss of the Prince on the 14^th. Nov^r. by the hurricane — up to the time of the clothing having been issued, and the French giving us the assistance of 1600 men a day, for you must not imagine that the public feeling arises solely from the Press. The letters of Officers of rank abound in the strongest expressions of the extremities to which their men have been worked in the Trenches, & from want of rest —

I have repeatedly said that I should have selected you to be QMGen^l after De Ros had retired if I had been in L^d. Raglans place.

His great qualities of the coolest courage & equanimity under the most trying circumstances were never surpassed.

Fill up the months of Nov^r. & Dec^r. by proving the course taken to have been the right one, & he will rise triumphant.

Since the War commenced we have obeyed the Instruction not to write on passing events, strictly following the Rule laid down between the Duke and the Duke of York. I have, as I told you after y^r. first appoint^t. as QMGen^l no objection to your showing at all times what I write, as your entire confidence ought to be centred in a Comm^r. placed in the greatest difficulty, & I know from all y^r. letters how entirely you merit his friendship.

It is very difficult to write on such a subject — success is the healing salve that will cure the Evil of discontent — & his personal g^t. qualities are such that his friends will do him full justice.

I am ever
My dear Airey
Yours very sincerely
(signed) Hardinge

24.

CUL Add.9554/1/20

Crimea
3 February 1855

My dear Lord
The weather has turned very cold again — 24ş of Fahrenheit at this moment, and snow on ground — but the Army is well supplied with every description of clothing.

Our great want is Hay — we have not a blade at this moment — I fear many horses will perish — they require something in their stomachs besides Barley. —

The French are equally without Hay — the Horses eat anything they can reach — a chef d'Escadron, yesterday informed me & Lord Raglan that his Horses about 100, had eat upwards of 140 blankets. Ours have also eat many.

If this be not mended speedily our transport will fail, even more than it has done.

My time has been so taken up, in meeting the accusations from the Duke of Newcastle, founded upon anonymous, and newspapers statements, — against Lord Raglan and the conduct of this army that I have only time to close —

Nothing material is going on in the Siege or in the Country — Sorties are occasionally made, but with no great results on either side —

I remain, My dear Lord
Most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

25.

CUL Add.9554/1/21

Crimea
6 Feby 1855

My dear Lord
The weather has been extremely cold, for the last few days. — Today it is again milder.

We have for many weeks discontinued doing more than merely Guard, our guns in the trenches, and very weak Guards too, — but we are not strong enough for the work —

I of course see a vast deal of complaint and abuse of my Department, I can only do my Duty and work hard, but I am nearly done and my Night writing and little rest will finish me soon. —

The Duke of N. is not a very staunch protector of his Subordinates — The first mistake was the only one, viz — ordering the Invasion, without knowledge of the circumstances of the country — — I am really afraid the Army will perish — every thing is done to relieve the men except to raise the siege, — and which I am sorry to say I am afraid ought to have been done —

I am so very glad that Arthur has reached you all safe — he I can but wish and well.

Believe me, My dear Lord
Most faithfully yrs
Richard Airey

25a.

26.

CUL Add.9554/1/22

Crimea
10th February 1855

My dear Lord
After some days of fine weather, with a drying wind, snow again fell last night, — but the temperature being warm — the mud and slush is dreadful —

I am very glad to say that the general health of the Troops is improving, that is the tone, altho the actual numbers in Hospital have not yet diminished —

We are proceeding with the Arming of the Right Attack, — our allies have been insisting for many weeks upon this, and we are very gradually carrying the work on. — but our Allies are most difficult people to deal, — full of "phrases" and protestations of granting all assistance, but impossible to bring into action.

We have had most arduous & severe duties, to perform, with a very inadequate force — and an army ill organised for War.

I am exceedingly glad that a Military Transport Service established under a Military officer, and I have no doubt that Lt Colonel McMurdo is an excellent selection and will be of great Service.

I have however a great objection to the formation of a New Department, again separate from others. —

The bane of our organization is the separation, and want of connecting links of our existing Departments, and unless we adopt the system of a Head of the Staff — always hitherto repudiated, — additional separate departments add to the machinery not working together & properly in details.

I have been called upon to reply to a variety of questions, copy of which I send, for yr. Lordships information —

I have not time to [illegible — possibly “say more” — DK]

I am too delighted at Arthur's safe arrival — pray beg him not to smoke for a time.

I regret haste

I beg to remain
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Your obliged
Richard Airey

27.

CUL Add.9554/1/23

Crimea
11th February 1855

My dear Lord
I sent, for your Lordship's perusal, yesterday, replies to certain extracts from The Duke of Newcastle's dispatch to Lord Raglan dated

There have been others since, to which replies are also passed [?] — a copy of which I will not fail to transmit. — These imputations, at least to us, being anonymous, many of them based upon newspaper reports, letters from individuals of subordinate rank in may instances unacquainted with the necessary Machinery of an Army, and of a most general nature from officers, who are not even cognizant of the peculiar functions of the different Departments, and not aware of the necessity of certain checks, for the issue of Government Stores, are annoying to have to explain, while still more unjust.

As for me, if I am called upon to refute every general statement almost any one chooses to make, my whole time which should properly be devoted to the Field Duties of this Army will be taken up in writing explanations.

I heard at the commencement of this expedition, that Prince Albert, who with his great good Sense sees deeper into matters than others, observed "Now we will see whether it be possible to carry on War, in the state [?] of the English Press." — and never was a more just remark. — I am sure I don't see how it is possible, & if the Government at once adopts all these statements as facts, and makes them the ground of formal conviction of officers at the head of Departments, I really don't see how it will be possible to go on. — The least, that in fairness might be expected, is that the accusatory statements should be in writing & signed by the person making them, and an explanation received, before condemnation, by so high an Authority as a Secretary of State, is expressed.

This Army has suffered immensely, — it was weakened and debilitated by the summer in a very unhealthy part of Bulgaria, where Dysentery and cholera thinned our ranks — it was decided, upon what Military authority I know not, that the Invasion of the Crimea should take place — individually I could never ascertain that any thing was known of the Country we were going to, — what Army we might expect to meet, — what the resources of the Country were, — the Garrison of Sevastopol, — its means of defence, in fact any of those details so absolutely requisite before the undertaking of such an operation. —

After the Siege was once commenced, and the heavy Guns in Battery it was not possible — to take them out again, — to abandon ours was to compromise the French Army also, — their attack depending on, & being flanked by ours — & thus we have been compelled to carry on the moist arduous duties — but all this could have been done — and all well borne, had the Commissariat Department been able to transport Provisions and Military Stores to the Division Commissaries in front.

We have never ceased doing all in our power to make a road from Balaklava — from the very commencement — partially too, it has been accomplished, but the old story, we have really not had the men to give to this work. — all available means have been necessarily devoted to the progress of the Siege.

That our Military constitution requires a new organization there can be no doubt — I am in favor of a Chief of the Staff, under a Commander in Chief, or Comr. of the Forces in the Field, so that he may look to some one, instead of half a dozen, for the conduct of details.

I write as usual in haste —
Believe me, My dear Lord
Ever most faithfully yrs
Richard Airey

I hope and pray that Arthur is going on well — and that he is careful of himself. — Burghersh sends his kindest remembrances to him. —

R.A.

28.

CUL Add.9554/2/7

H Guards
19^th. Feb^y. 1855

My dear Airey,
The Gov^t. is in a critical state — the next Mail is Friday, and on that morning the Vote of the H^se. will determine whether the Gov^t. can stand or not. Your course is clear — to stand firmly by Lord Raglan — do nothing without his acquiescence — his judgment is good — & he has a manly resolution to despise anonymous attacks, and prove himself a devoted servant of the Queen — This is the Line he ought to take — Her Majesty's wishes are paramount to all other considerations — Her letter on the Baton is irresistible — devoted attachment to such a Mistress puts everything into the Shade, and everything becomes insignificant compared to the Duty of Obedience in such a case. This is my advice:— by firmness & equanimity — both virtues which he possesses in a greater degree than other men, this Crisis will be honorably overcome.

I have not seen M^rs Airey lately, as one of the children has the Scarletina.

In great haste
Yours very truly
(signed) Hardinge

29.

CUL Add.9554/1/24

Crimea
20th. Feby 1855
4 pm

Private

My dear Lord.
During all my practice, in 14 or 15 years in North America, I have never seen worse weather, than has burst upon us during the last twenty hours, and from what, for several days, had been extremely agreeable and fine. — Extreme cold — heavy snow, with a fierce wind which nothing can with stand. I sit down at the last moment, having this instant got off my horse, after a six hours ride, — besides being up all night, and out. — An expectation had been projected, for 9 or 10000 french and 2,000 British — with 30 Guns to surprise a body of the Enemy in the Tchernaya valley, near the village of Chagouna — The troops were to assemble at 1 am in the Balaklava plain, to march quietly to the Traktir Bridge, (where we had bivouked on our way here) — and to the small stone bridge above Chagouna — before day light we were to crown the heights in their the Enemy's rear, taking their entrenchments in reverse, & in all probability cut off their means of escape. — The night had closed in apparently for light warm rain —

Our troops 42nd. 71st. 79th. and 93rd with the 14th. on the heights on extreme right, — 12 Guns and somewhere above 200 Cavalry marched. — — In an hour the weather dropped [?chopped?] round, the thermometer falling from about 47ş down to 18ş, with snow and a high North East wind —

The French who got into great confusion in assembling, returned to Camp, on our heights — while Colin Campbell uninformed of this change in their intentions marched on — and at ½ past 5, on as bad a morning as could be desired, was at his post — and formed, ready for anything. — The Enemy's videttes retired before him, — but they were so close in the dark — that they had scarce time. — Campbell remained on high — capital ground, commanding Woronzoff ground, and Chagouna till 9 am — and then quickly came home —

It appears that the Russians did not amount to more than 1000 [? 2000 ?] men with some cavalry — and 6 or 8 pieces of Artillery. —

If the French had gone on the thing would have been completed satisfactorily. —

I have had a very hard 36 hours and have only time to say that I remain My dear Lord

Ever most faithfully
Richard Airey

30.

CUL Add.9554/2/8

H G^ds
23^rd. Feb^y 1855

My dear Airey,
I have received your note of the 8^th. and 9^th. & the replies to the alleged neglect of the Staff.

Lord A. [?] Hay [?] wrote to me from Scutari a very good letter, but I have not seen or heard of any written complaints that the Guards had no Guide from Balaklava to the Guards Camp, the Drafts [?] having remained for several days near the Port.

It is now near 5 o'clock & the Peelites are giving their explanations in the Commons for receding from Palmerston's Gov^t. — The Peelites are strongly opposed to any H. of Commons Committee, but were ready to have enquiry from or through the Executive Authority of the State — & had made terms to that effect with them — but could not muzzle Roebuck or the H. of Commons Opposition.

There is a conspiracy ag^t. The Aristocracy & the blow is aimed through the Army.

I should be glad to have the names of the Senior Captain of every Reg^t. & the Sen^r. Major of every Reg^t. present at Alma & Inkerman, & any Regimental Officers who have distinguished themselves in the Trenches.

I should then have it in my power to promote these 2 ranks for their conduct whether by Gallantry in battle, or endurance of Privation during the campaign. Pray let me have such a Return. Motions without end in the Commons, trying to show how the Staff have monopolized the rewards. I have just put into the Coldstreams a Lieut Gordon of the 38^th. praised by Lord Raglan for his conduct in the Trenches — These Reg^l. Names w^d. settle this feud ag^t. the Staff — or at any rate do much good —

Y^rs my dear Airey
Very sincerely
H

31.

CUL Add.9554/1/25

Crimea
24 Feb^y 1855

My dear Lord
I have to thank your Lordship, for your letters of the 2nd — and 9th of this Month. — All points therein alluded to shall be strictly attended to, and I will further communicate upon those points upon which you would like to be informed. —

Last Night the French made an attack upon a Russian work, on the extreme right opposite to their own front. — Entre-nous, it was a "Coup Manqué"—. Some 150 French were killed & wounded. Général Monet, wounded in three places, but insignificantly — The Russians are again at work on the Redoubts intended to be taken from them —

The French very wisely say, their operations were completely successful. —

The Enemy are active in, I think, gradually concentrating a large force on Inkerman & Mackenzie Heights, from whence they will pour down, on plain in front of Balaklava. — We must be prepared sooner or later for their movement —

The troops are certainly picking up in health, their spirit has never flagged.

The Brigade of Guards is now on move to Balaklava, — Grenadiers and Coldstream already down. — but I much fear that Balaklava will be noisomely troublesome, when heats commence.—

In my next I will give your Lordship the number of Cavalry Horses we shall have fit for use —

Your Lordship deserves a Column, from old Musquet barrels and Locks for the 1853 arm. — It is quite beautiful. —

Believe me, My dear Lord
Most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

32.

CUL Add.9554/1/26

Crimea 3 March 1855

Private

My dear Lord
I was obliged to be out on duty last Mail day, — so I could not write. — I now beg to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter of the 9th Ultimo.

I have no doubt that the Malta Depot will work well. — It should be supplied with every description of Camp Equipage, in great abundance — the wear & tear of War, beats all calculation, — and issues according to numerical Regulation, cannot be attended to. — Five Pickaxes per Regiment are allowed — 42 per Battalion have been issued within the last two Months, in this rocky country, getting up the roots of trees for fuel, they break fast, — and other stores go in vast numbers. —

I am much disappointed at hearing nothing more of the sending out of various articles, written for on the 25th of November — more than three months ago. — I then asked for 3000 tents, Circular, which are much wanted — In the mean time I have been compelled to write for 1000 turkish tents from Constantinople. —

I have communicated with MGenl Scarlett, regarding the number of Men and Horses, that will be fit for Service in the Spring. — — He expects to have at least 500 Horses, and 1100 Men —

Your Horses between 5 & 8 years old will be invaluable. —

I was under the belief until I received your Lordship's letter of the 2nd of February, that you had full cognizance, and saw all the letters — Public & Private — addressed by Lord Raglan to the Secretary of State for War. — As I find this is not the case, I will, for the future enter into more details of what is going on here, than I have hitherto been in the habit of doing.

After the most unceasing & urgent representations on the part of Lord Raglan, — at last terminating in an intimation that he would be compelled to abandon the Siege, — Genl Canrobert very unwillingly consented, to put troops on the Inkerman Heights on our right. — This arrangement permitted us to withdraw the Brigade of Guards to Balaklava — and to add the 2nd Division to our Men in the trenches. — It will also enable us, when the weather permanently improves to concentrate all our Divisions into 1st and 2nd lines, which with our meagre means will be very desirable. —

I have mentioned that the French did not at all willingly take the right of the position, altho' they preferred it, to the prolongation of their own right, which would have placed them opposite to the Barrack, & Redan Batteries of Sevastopol. —

The Enemy have in the mean time made an Advanced work before the Tower of Malakoff — the commencement of which the French failed in demolishing when they made their Night Attack on the 23^rd — and are arming it fast . . . — They have also sunk 3 or 4 additional Ships of War across the Harbour, so as to make another obstacle to its being forced. . .

The French are by no means in spirits at the state of affairs — they have no Huts up, and if it could be known, there is no doubt that their mortality & Sickness fully equals ours. —

The weather has again turned to great cold — our Hutting is going on very well, and our troops certainly much improved. Our greatest want is Fresh meat — we have vegetables in great quantities — Potatoes, Onions, turnips & cabbage. . I am now distributing 20 tons of Onions, and 400 cases of Oranges, — they come in Ship loads. —

Our miserable little bit of a Harbour, less than a second rate Dock is a great difficulty —

The rail road is completed to about a mile beyond Kadakoi — Arthur will know — at abt ½ a mile from which is the first stationary Engine. — We have already made great use of it. In carrying up Huts. and Stores of all kinds —

Colonel McMurdo, is here — he appears a clever active man, and I have no doubt will conduct the transport of the Army perfectly. — but he is not ready to commence yet.

Lord Raglan is well, but worn fatigued, and thoroughly disgusted with the treatment he has received from both Duke of Newcastle, and worse from Lord Panmure, Of course I have seen all the letters they have each written about my insufficiency —

In great haste I beg to remain,
My dear Lord
Most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

Our Electric Telegraph is now at work from Head Quarters to Kadakoi — 1 Mile from Balaklava where Sir Colin Campbell is.

R.A.

33.

CUL Add.9554/1/27

Crimea
5 March 1855

Private

My dear Lord
The Russians continue their work in advance of the Tower of Malakoff with great assiduity. — The failure of the French in dislodging them, after the first Night is much to be deplored. — I believe they themselves admit & feel, that if a Brigade of English had been with them all would have been accomplished.

They did not apply for any assistance, — on the contrary, we were only informed of their intention to attack, late in the Evening — they wished to make a little "Guerre" of their own without us, and to recover the hanging back on the Night of the 23rd—24th of February.

In all matters of fact, there can not be a more disagreeable, and more difficult people to deal with. and I believe very few besides Lord Raglan, could have kept in tact with them! It is one grand evasion. —

The feeling on their part, now, appears to be that nothing can be done until the place is systematically invested on the North Side — The vast convoys of all sorts covering Six Miles of ground which have within the last two days entered the town, and still continue streaming in, increases this opinion. —

Now that the weather is fine again, and troops can be moved, it is Lord Raglan's intention to bring the 2nd Division, under Lt Genl Pennefather, away from the Inkerman Heights, and place them on the Woronzoff road, in support of the Light, and 4th Divisions — This arrangement will concentrate the four British Divisions, in rear of our Right & Left Attacks, in front of the Great Redan, — Barrack — and Garden Batteries of the Enemy. —

6th March Tuesday.

At day light this Morning we opened fire of red-hot shot upon two Steamers at the head of the great Harbour, which had annoyed us very much by their heavy fire — We fired 61 shot — the Enemy replied with great and rapid vigour from the Steamers themselves, & from Batteries of heavy ordnance and long range, on the opposite side of the harbour, firing 163 shots — the firing continued a little more than one hour — The Steamers were compelled to shift their berth — and since, there is an idea that one is sinking — as there is an appearance of the crew abandoning her.

The weather is now beautiful and warm . . . The men's general health improving —

The Guards have much improved since going down to Ballaklava, — Officers have gone down to Scutari from each Regiment in order to inspect their Sick there, & bring up any Convalescents. — but there is something in that climate which appears to prevent men recovering. — The reports we receive of the Hospitals there, & their arrangement is satisfactory enough. — In fact, whatever it may be owing to, I believe no Sick in War, were ever so attended to — poor fellows, — they deserve every thing. —

Our men are still very hard worked — Of course in such matters I have no control — the fact even belongs to the Adjutant General's Department — It is the subject of unceasing negotiation with Genl Canrobert, by Lord Raglan — It appears to me, that nothing short of giving up the Attack on the place, can relieve us. — Such a decision or step (?) must come from Instructions by the two Governments — — The Emperor, Canrobert says, won't hear of such a thing — in fact, no one would dare to propose it. — — Our Government is fully aware of our Effective Strength, and Duties, as the Army States accompany the Dispatches by every Mail. —

With the view of somewhat relieving the men in the trenches the 39th Regt have recently been hutted behind the 3rd Division, — now Lord Raglan proposes bringing up the 14th Regt from Balaklava, but all this is most embarrassing. —

Balaklava is our Heart, our vitality comes from there — if Balaklava goes, we are, independent of the immense irreparable loss, morally finished. — Still the work in the trenches calls loudly for reduction. . . —

A very strong force on the North Side, to threaten the rear of the Russians, and cut off their supplies, appears to me the only resource. —

I turn to private matters — I cannot express myself sufficiently grateful for your kind expressions, and acts, towards me . . — Lord Raglan has also written in very strong terms, as having no reason to be dissatisfied with either my zeal, or exertions in the performance of my Departmental Duties. .

These are most perfectly and completely consoling to me — I can wish for no more — and leave not a feeling in my mind — At the same time I am fully aware that when the Secretary of State for War, adopts such opinions & views, as have been most emphatically expressed by both the Duke of Newcastle & Lord Panmure regarding not only my absolute inefficiency but even want of common exertion in performing my Duty to The Queen, that my career is finished. —

The fact is, when things do not succeed according to Public expectation, there must be victims, and victims must be furnished. Lord Panmure does not hesitate at once to apply the word "delinquent" to me, — and that I am not to "escape." — Before such expressions are written, the mind must be made up, — and so I wait the result. —

I have no other intention than to stand firm to Lord Raglan, so long as His Lordship thinks proper to make use of me — and in any capacity, to show my entire devotion to The Queen, and Her Service — I have no other ambition. As Your Lordship says, devoted attachment to such a Mistress, must put every thing else in the shade & everything else becomes insignificant, compared to the Duty of obedience, in such a case.

It is great happiness to me to hear that Arthur is going on well, — but pray do not allow him to come out here again, until his health is completely reestablished. —

With every feeling of gratitude and attachment pray believe me, My dear Lord
Most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

34.

CUL Add.9554/2/9

H G^ds
5^th. March /55

My dear Airey,
You will observe by the Papers, that L^d. Lucan read the correspondence the day he arrived in London, having an hour before visited L^d. Panmure & me — said not a word of his intention, — & is in the highest spirits.

I have duly sent him a reply to his demand for a C^t. M^l. that I do not intend to advise H.M.

But L^d. Panmure has privately sent Lucan Lord Raglans letter of the 16 Dec^r. in order that L may not say he has been recalled on secret representations to his prejudice.

I send you the article in Saturday's Globe, w^h. is well done.

Then Press anxious for mischief will set up a cry for the trial of Lucan, having by his incapacity in obeying the orders at Balaklava been the cause of the loss of so many lives, &c &c . . However we shall force all these matters, altho' they interrupt the power of getting thro' the work which is very heavy, and at 70 is a great toil

Y^rs very truly
s^d. Hardinge

35.

CUL Add.9554/1/28

Crimea
10 March 1855

Private

My dear Lord
I send to Genl Yorke a fine long story, regarding a representation made by a Gentleman, of high standing, residing in the Country, — to the Duke of Newcastle. —

The weather is now quite beautiful, — birds singing & flowers all over the place. —

The Men are very cheery and clean in their new red clothing. — Hospitals all improving.

There is nothing moving — now and then a few shots flying about, when a cocked Hat, or gold laced cap is seen.

They keep a wonderfully vigilant lookout from the Riflemen's Pits in advance of the Enemies lines. —

We have heard of the Emperor's death. —

Things appear very critical and dangerous in England —

Believe me,
My dear Lord
Most faithfully yrs
Richard Airey

36.

CUL Add.9554/1/29

Crimea, 13th. March 1855
Saturday

Private

My dear Lord
The Enemy continue working with great activity upon the work on the Mamélon in front of Malakoff Tower. — which has assumed the form of a strong square redoubt.— supported by a Battery on its proper left. —

This Mamélon is about 600 yards in front of the Tower Batteries — and will prove troublesome. . Both the French and English have kept up a fire on this new work, but it progresses.

The weather is extremely variable — Mornings fine & warm, — but turning to cold, wet, sea fog in the afternoon, so thick scarcely possible to find one's way home, when out. — This circumstance prevents our sending more store ships away from Balaklava Harbour. — It being impossible to make the Coast again at a few miles distance. . . The Navy are somewhat anxious upon this subject. .

The men are improving much in appearance and health. — they are well supplied with every sort of thing . warm clothing in abundance, — food, — vegetables — Medical comforts — — Fresh meat only is scanty, and this the Commissary General is exerting himself to supply.

Work in the Trenches is still very — far too severe — — but who is to give up the Siege? and upon what authority? — When threatened the French General replies "Mais Milor, vous ne le pouvez pas."!! but in fact ours have been more Entrenchments in front of our Camp against assault, which assuredly would have been the case —

Lord Raglan, I think, is dreadfully disgusted! — and is much worn.

Nothing but a strong sense of Duty, and devotion to The Queen, keeps him here. — he is continually sighing after the society of his Daughters and I think Kitty had better come out, — but he is quite wonderfully well & strong.

Believe me,
My dear Lord
Most faithfully yrs
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

37.

[The edge of this document is damaged in the places indicated by a change of background colour, thus: . Guesses as to some of the missing words and letters are shown within that background thus.]

CUL Add.9554/2/10

H G^ds
16 March /55

Extracts from Lord Hardinge's to Gen^l Airey

Your Requisition was sent by Freeth to the Ordnance for Tents, Kettles &c, & the answer from the War Depart was the orders of that description must proceed from the War Dep and not to the Ordnance, as was the case in former Wars.

We have got ?000 Volunteers from the Militia, but General Recruiting has fallen off nearly one—half since the articles in the Papers appeared.

The remounts 1000 Horses, & 550 Recruits are ready & wait for Shipping — Your quota of 550 men from the Crimea will meet them at the appointed place of Ecudya [?]

We can then send ab^t Soldiers from each of 9 Regts at home 9 strong squadrons — each tak^g a seasoned Horse — & when these 2000 Cav^l have embarked I have no doubt of our ability to keep that force of Cav^l effective.

38.

CUL Add.9554/1/30

Crimea 17 March 1855

My dear Lord
We have had many Conferences with the French, regarding the dislodging of the Enemy from their new strong position on Mamélon in front, 600 metres, from Tower Malakoff. —

This must be done, or in connexion with the Batteries which they have built, on the North Inkerman heights, and at the light House — they will be enabled to construct an advanced line of works, which will materially retard our progress, and cost great increase of loss of life.

The French can, and will do nothing without us. — and since their failure on the Russian entrenchment enfiladeing the Mamélon Battery, they seem to have lost all pluck.

Our men are improving vastly, —

They are well fed & very well clothed, —

We have erected about 700 huts, & in all ways are doing well. —

But the trench work remains severe. —

In great haste
I remain, My dear Lord
Most faithfully yrs
Richard Airey

Sir John McNiel
Genl Simpson
Col. Tulloch
Etc — etc all arrived —

R.A.

39.

CUL Add.9554/1/31

Crimea
23rd March 1855

My dear Lord
On the Night of the 22nd the Enemy attacked in considerable force both our Attacks, and that of the French on the extreme right, opposite Malakoff tower. . — They were repelled with considerable loss. —

On our side, Captn Browne 7^th Fusiliers, son or brother of Lord Kilmaine, Captn Vicars 97^th Regt and Lieut Jordan 34^th Regt killed. — Lt Colonel Kelly 34^th Regt missing, supposed to be killed, Captn Montagu R. Eng^rs missing — and about 60 men killed & wounded.

The French have 10 Off. killed & 5 wounded. 120 men killed, 180 wounded —

From prisoners we hear that 4000 of the Line & 1000 Marines composed the attacking force.

The struggle was very severe — as being so close, they were on our parapets in a moment, and the wind was so high, blowing towards the Enemy, that their approach could not be perceived.

Our men behaved with the utmost gallantry, charging the Enemy and driving them from the trenches at the point of the Bayonet.

The Enemy's loss has been very considerable, there are between 3 & 400 lying dead close to our works. — Today there is a suspension of firing for a couple of hours to bury the dead on both sides.

I am sorry to say that the Enemy still hold the Rifle-pits, or Screens in front of the French, from whence they have failed in driving them away, — Captn Gordon R. Engineers and Lieut McHenry of the 7^th Fusiliers are both wounded — — We have a few prisoners. — They say they are well off in the town — great quantities of flower coming in daily.

Our trench duty continues too severe — they have at this moment two Nights in bed — but if our works are to advance, the men's rest will be still more diminished. — This is to be a subject of immediate conference with the French. — who already declare they have only one Night in bed. — Our men are looking very well, & are a noble set of fellows, and a couple of Campaigns would make them better soldiers in other respects as well as in the actual fight, than the French, so much vauté. — but what can be expected of soldiers after so many years peace — officers excellent, but hitherto inexperienced in great War, and an organization of Regimental Systems, with a Civil Commissariat.

The New transport will no doubt eventually work well — M^cMurdo is active and intelligent, but all his organization must be experimental at first, and all his schemes modified by circumstances. —

I am very badly off for Camp Equipage — great want of huts, and every thing else mentioned in my requisition of four Months ago — 25th Nov^r 1854. — I cannot get any huts at Malta, Corfu, or turkish tents at Constantinople. —

Hutting is going on rapidly, but the vacated tents are quite useless, being in shreds. — The weather is very mild & warm. Lord Raglan is very well —

Believe me, My dear Lord
Most faithfully y^rs
Richard Airey

40.

CUL Add.9554/2/11

(Copy)

H G^ds
23 March /55

Private

My dear Airey,
You will see by the Debate in the Times what passed when L^d Lucan made his explanation to the Lords.—

At the time the D of Newcastle referred to me the correspondence between L Raglan & L^d. Lucan; there was a notice of Motions on the Balaklava Charge of Cavalry, & the Gov^t felt something must be said when L^d. L so positively declared that he had been treated by L^d. R in a manner so unmerited.

I said when it came before me, I took the ground, that the correspondence disclosed such a want of a good understanding between them, that they sh^d. be separated, w^h. could only be done by L^d. L's recall — & if this had not been done, & the Correspondence had transpired, w^h. it w^d. have done (L^d. L having sent it to his Lawyer M^r Parkinson for publication but who wisely had refused to do so.) we should have had the same charge against L in L^d. Raglan's letter of the 16 Dec^r. — By the other mode of proceeding, the Recall has justified L^d. R, & there is but one feeling, that he is right & L^d. L wrong — There may be a discussion in the Commons, but the Legal difficulties, & the inexpediency on grounds of discipline, to take any other course, are so strong that you may consider the case settled and at an end.

I am suffering from Influenza — After the Easter Holidays L^d. Panmure brings forward his plan — I can do nothing in resisting any measures brought forward by the Gov^t, & approved by the Crown —

If the discipline of the Army be taken out of the hands of the C.C. he may as well be relieved by an Adj-Gen^l acting under the War Sec^y. — at least that is my feeling.

Even in the Lords, when a debate arises of Lord Grey's seeking by attacking the conduct of Army Depart^ts. it is very difficult for the C.C. to defend any Mil^y. Depart. — for Panmure may (as he has recently done) get up & say he entirely concurs, & will abate the nuisance — & a debate arising out of my dep^t. could not be tolerated. It would nearly approach the squabbling of colleagues in either H^ses. of Parliament.

As to the Rifle 1853, we have got a Gutta Percha Stopper for Muzzle — & a Copper Cap lined with the same — so perfect, that the Rifle loaded may remain a week in a pond, & go off without fail.

The Nipple is ab^t to be greatly improved, & we can send out new Nipples for 2^d a piece, w^h. any Regt^l. Armourer can fit in lieu of the present one.

Yrs. very sincerely
S^d. Hardinge

41.

CUL Add.9554/2/12

Horse Guards
26 March 1855

My dear Airey,
Lord Cardigan has just been here with a plan prepared under Lord Lucan's Directions, which he circulated in the H. of Lords last Monday, & on which the Explanations in his speech were founded.

Lord Cardigan has made some marks in Ink on the plan of L^d. Lucan's, showing that the Enemy's Guns were more formidably arranged on his flanks & front, & that No. 4 Battery was not occupied by the 4th. Division under Sir G. Cathcart as L^d. L. maintained they had been.

I merely send you the plan with Lord Cardigan's Marks in Ink

On Thursday Mr Berkeley brings the case forward at the Commons. I presume asking for a Court M^l. w^h. will be opposed by the Government.

Yours very truly
(signed) Hardinge

42.

CUL Add.9554/1/32

Crimea
27 March 1855

My dear Lord
Since the attack on our line of advanced works, and that of the French, on the Night of the 22^nd, we have been quiet. — The Russians have not only held the Rifle pits, or Screens for sharp shooters, in front of the French, and the object of their contests with the Enemy, but the Russians have since converted them into a trench, or parallel and they will prove at least very annoying.

The French are very much down, at not having succeeded in gaining possession of this ground — . and appear for some reason to have almost suspended their operations on the right. . .

We hear that large masses of troops are collecting on the Belbec river, to the North. —

Their supplies into the town must be enormous — trains of immense convoys covering miles of ground coming in daily.

The weather is unpleasantly hot, but the men are looking very well, the health materially improved.

We hear that the French Emperor is certainly coming, and as certainly determined to do something desperate.

It will be a hard card for Lord Raglan! —

Until there is a strong force, to act on North Side, I fear we shall not achieve all we desire.

The firing is continuous, tho' by no means violent. — every now and then without any apparent cause or object the whole of their line opens and fire rapidly every sort of projectile for 15 or 20 minutes.

We have now 970 huts erected for about 10,000

We have also a very good Convalescent Hospital on the heights towards the Sea above Balaklava.

The rail-road is very nearly up to these heights and will be of great Service. — Mr Beatty a very excellent man, and deserves every encouragement.

Believe me,
My dear Lord
Most faithfully y^rs
Richard Airey

Cunynghame has had a slight return of that abominable ague — he was at the races yesterday tho', and looking well — but he complained — a little. —

R.A.

Many of the 970 huts are devoted to store purposes etc etc — so that I only reckon 10,000 men Hutted —

43.

CUL Add.9554/2/13

Copy

Horse G^ds
30^th. March /55

My dear Airey,
You will observe by the Report of last nights debate that the Lucan affair came before the H. & the C.M. (not pressed either by Berkeley or L^d. Elcho the nephew of L^d. Lucan) fell to the ground.

L^d. Palmerston said a few complimentary words to L^d. Lucan, & I suppose we shall hear no more about it.

L^d. L says the Adj^t. Gen^l. came down to see him embark, & expressed L^d. R's regret &c &c.

We are sending 1200 Drafts of the Guards for the 3 Reg^t includ^g. those ab^t. to proceed to Malta.

The Cav^ry. are ready to send out 550 Recruits & 1100 Horses — to which the 10 Reg^t. will add a n^o. equal to remount the remainder of the Horses going out.

The 2^d. Embarkation will consist of 1 squadron, 1350, of each of the 9 Reg^ts. at Home, of Old Soldiers, & 1170 picked Horses.

The 3^d. Embarkation will consist of 1350 Recruits of the 10 Reg^ts, amongst which the remainder of the old Soldiers at Balaklava will be intermixed, so that the 10 Reg^ts will we hope have 1300 seasoned Horses & 1800 young Recruits with Horses from 5 to 8 years old, & the 10^th Hussars.

But I really know nothing of the Numbers of the Army in the Crimea, & have desired Simpson to order Gen^l Estcourt to send the Returns which it is his Duty to forward to the A.G. at the H.G^ds. by every mail.

I don't suppose I shall be exam^d. before the Committee till after Easter.

Y^rs very truly
S^d. Hardinge

44.

CUL Add.9554/1/33

Crimea
2nd. April 1855

My dear Lord
A letter has been shown me, in which it is stated, with reference to Lord Lucan's case,

"He denies the truth of Lord Raglan's assertion, that he declined to withdraw his letter, saying that the offer was never made". —

It is right that your Lordship should be in possession of all the facts of the case. —

As I had been the channel of communication with Lord Lucan, Lord Raglan, upon the receipt of his letter desired me to see him, and represent to him Lord Raglans opinion, that he had better not revive the subject.

I was confined to my bed at this moment, so that Lord Lucan came up to see me. . — We had a long conversation, in which all the details of the operations of the Cavalry before Balaklava on the 25^th. of Ocbr were discussed, so well as the expression "misconception" in Lord Raglan's dispatch. — Lord Lucan insisted that the order to charge, or attack were imperative. — I brought to his mind the two orders, he had received referring to the same movement. — That the second order sent to him, "to advance rapidly to the front, follow the Enemy, and try to prevent the Enemy carrying away the Guns", was in close connexion with the one just before taken down to him by Colonel Somerset, stating "The Cavalry to advance, & take advantage of any opportunity to recover the heights. — They will be supported by Infantry which has been ordered to advance on two fronts." and which had not been acted on, by which means, we could see the Russians hooking their long traces to the Turkish Guns, with the intention of carrying them off.

It was expected that by rapidity of movement this would have been prevented. — and that by following the retiring Enemy closely, that they would have been taken at disadvantage. — but that certainly it was very evident the orders given could not be construed into orders to attack the Enemy in position at all hazard, after the accomplishment of the very operation, it was intended to prevent.

We had a long conversation, in which we differed in opinion, but at all events I said, that Lord Raglan thought he had much better, reconsider the matter, and not forward his letter. — Her Majesty had publicly noticed the brilliant conduct of the Division of Cavalry under His Lordships command, and that his letter would not result in anything to his advantage. — in fact, that it would be far better to let the matter drop.

It was my impression, and I mentioned it, at the time, to Lord Raglan, that Lord Lucan was positively disinclined to adopt this course, altho' he did not actually say so, but he expressed a wish to see Lord Raglan which I said he could do, whenever he liked.

Some days afterwards Lord Raglan desired me to see Lord Lucan again, regarding the withdrawal of his letter. — He came again to me, I being still ill, and remained about three hours with me, arguing his case — We went over the case a dozen times — I told him Lord Raglan had no objection to forwarding his letter on his own account, — but strongly recommended him not to insist upon it. — That if Lord Raglan did forward his letter, in which he states that Lord Raglan had accused him of what was unmerited, His Lordship would accompany it with such observations as he might think fit. . Lord Lucan here became exceedingly excited, — he said, he had nothing to say to that — of course Lord Raglan would say anything he liked, — he did not even want to know what he said. — and did not even expect an answer, — that he felt it a hardship, that so much time had already been allowed to pass, and all that he asked was, for his letter to be forwarded through the same channel, as Lord Raglan's report of the affair. —

I told him I thought he was wrong, and was very sorry for it, and that my only feeling in recommending him not to ask that his letter should be forwarded, was for his good as I thought it would be disadvantageous to him —

Upon this Lord Lucan became most violently angry — asked me if I intended to be his Protector, in a very sneering way, so that I was obliged to beg that our interview on this subject might terminate. —

When we met afterwards all seemed to have passed off, and we were on the same terms as formally, never very intimate. —

Lord Raglan and Lord Lucan frequently met after this, on friendly terms, & rode thro' the Cavalry Camp & to Balaklava —

Believe me,
Most faithfully yrs
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B

45.

CUL Add.9554/1/34

Crimea. Saturday
14 April 1855

My dear Lord
According to agreement, all the French and English Batteries opened fire upon the works of the Enemy, at daylight on Monday the 9^th. Inst. Since then the fire has continued steadily, & with precision more than rapidity — the Mortars only during the Night. — The Enemy have returned the fire from all their Batteries, regularly, but by no means with the same vigour as when we first opened on the 17^th. Of October —

This fact is not easily accounted for. — They have a vast number more Guns mounted & many new Batteries, and one cannot believe that they are short of ammunition. — They may desire to entice us into an assault, for which to all appearances they are well prepared. —

We cannot perceive that our fire has caused any very great positive destruction of the Enemy's works. — altho' here and there a Battery may be demolished, — but in rear they have strong interior works, from which fire is maintained until the damaged Battery is rearmed and reconstructed. —

Our weather has unhappily been extremely unpropitious, a continuance of at times very heavy rain, and misty fogs. — rendering it difficult, if not impossible, to see any object, at a few hundred yards. —

Having now had six days continual heavy fire, it becomes a question, what is next to be done? Neither our Ammunition, nor our Men, on duty nearly every Night, will stand a continuance of this state of things! — and the Engineers of both Armies are engaged in framing a report, in conjunction with the Commanding Artillery Officers. —

Last Night, the French made a strong push forward in front of the centre of their own Attack, to gain some ground occupied by Russian sharp-shooters, and which caused them much annoyance, and which after a couple of hours of hard fighting, they succeeded in possessing themselves of, and establishing 700 Gabions upon. — In this affair however they had six officers killed — and 200 men killed & wounded.

Our fire has been chiefly directed against the Garden Battery Barrack Battery, Redan — Malakoff Tower and Mamélon, and has been very effective — the Enemy's works suffering very considerably, altho' they have made good use of the Night, in repairing damage.

The fire from our Mortars has been particularly good — Our casualties have been few, but owing to the accuracy with which the Enemy have ascertained the range of our Batteries, several Guns have been disabled in our right Attack. — Our Batteries and Parapets contrive to stand remarkably well, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, which is heavy rain, and mist,. —

Altho' for the last week the duties have been extraordinarily severe, they have been carried out, night and day, with the utmost willingness and zeal, reflecting the greatest credit upon both Officers and Men —

Omer Pasha, with some 23000 Turks are now here from Eupatoria — their stay is uncertain, but we feel safe towards Balaklava, so long as they are here. — and they occupy in part, the extreme right of our Balaklava position. — They are goodish set of troops, sturdy fellows.

The Fleet is off the Mouth of the Harbour, but of course out of range, at night smaller vessels go inside, and throw shells into the town. —

Believe me,
My dear Lord
Yours most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

46.

CUL Add.9554/1/35

Crimea, Tuesday
17th. April 1855

Private

My dear Lord —
We have now been firing heavily, in conjunction with the French for 10 days and Nights, on the Enemy's works. — and whatever the Engineers may say, the damage done to them, is comparatively trifling.

There is little or no sensible diminution of the Russian fire, when they show it, and every night they are able to repair the damage of the foregoing day. —

There are daily conferences between the Comg Generals — and between the Chief Engineers, but without much result.

On Sunday Night at 8 pm the 15th. the French, determined upon blowing up a set of small mines which they had constructed, half way between their advanced trench in front of the Flag Staff Battery 150 metres, — and that Battery. Their intention was to crown the ruins of the mine, and thus form a still more advanced parallel, at about 75 metres from the Battery. —

The explosion was only partial, the centre part did not take effect — so that they could not carry out their project. — in 5 minutes the whole of the Russian Batteries commenced the most tremendous fire we have yet seen, volleys of Musquetry, shot and shell in the most profuse manner, evidently under the impression that the place was assaulted — the ground was light with shell, which at the same time were traversing thro' the air like hail — in the directions where advancing Columns might be expected. —

However as there were no troops out no harm was done and in about an hour, the firing relapsed into its usual night work.

Yesterday they turned their guns upon our advanced Batteries of Right & Left Attacks (British) — the Left Battery was nearly demolished — and a shell falling close to the Magazine of the right Battery, it exploded — killing one man — desperately wounding two others and otherwise wounding 7 men besides —

Immediately upon this the Russians jumped out upon their parapets and cheered — and then opened a very hot fire, showing they were neither in want of Gunners or Ammunition as had been to a certain degree imagined from the slackness of their previous fire, during this last bombardment.

We have lost killed Lieut Patton [?] 88th. and Lieut Mitchell R.A. — Captn Dowson [?] 33rd. severely wounded — & Lieut Green E.C.S. [?] acting Engineer —

Poor General Bizot [?] Chief Engineer of the French — a great loss died of his wound in Sunday and was buried with great Honours yesterday (Monday) Lord Raglan and Genl Canrobert and Staffs attending —

Canrobert, Genls Niel (Engineer & Successor) and Genl Pelissier making long formal Funeral Orations.

I hope most sincerely that your Lordship is quite well, and beg you will believe me, your Lordship
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The 10th. Hussars are disembarked without a single accident — a well mounted & most efficient regt—

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

47.

CUL Add.9554/1/36

Crimea
21 April 1855

My dear Lord —
Lord Raglan's public dispatch will inform your Lordship of the gallant conduct of our troops — detachments of 33^rd.—34^th. & 77^th. on the night of the 19th. in driving the Enemy from their advanced Rifle-pits & maintaining them under a tremendous fire — We have to deplore the loss of Colonel Egerton 77^th. a fine fellow indeed, and excellent officer. Also of Captn Lempriere 77^th. both killed —

Captn Gilby	77^th.
Lieut Morgan

Wounded —
Captn Owen R.E. Leg amputated —
Lieut Baynes R.E. wounded
Lieut Trevor 55^th. wounded —

We had some 12 men killed and 40 or 50 wounded in this affair. —

But it has had a very great and exhilarating effect —

The French had failed in a similar attempt, on their advanced pits.

On the same day we made a strong reconnaissance in front of Balaklava, down to the Black River — to examine position of Russians — We had, I may say, no opposition — a few Rockets amongst the Cossacks, sent them off, and we accomplished the object — Omer Pasha commanded, & was much pleased with the parade, it was little more, — and particularly with the 10^th. Hussars who had two Squadrons out. —

It is supposed that the Russian force is increasing fast to the Northward of the town, and in their entrenched Camp on the Belbec.

Lord Raglan keeps up wonderfully is in great health & spirits. —

Arthur Cunynghame gets touches of ague occasionally, but is otherwise well —

The weather is again beautiful, but I dread the Summer here — extreme heat and little water —

I always write at a gallop — and much interrupted. Our Sick improving and diminishing. —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

48.

CUL Add.9554/2/14

H G^ds
23 April

My dear Airey,
The Emperor's visit went off admirably.

I had my curiosity gratified by being in Council with His I. Majesty for 4h at Windsor — & Lord Raglan will by this Packet receive the result of the Conference, s^d. by L^d. Panmure on the one hand, & by Marshal Vaillant on the other.

Canrobert will not I sh^d say like his distribution of the duties devolving upon him

Up to this hour we believe that the Emperor is as determined as ever to go to the Crimea — You will see the repartition of the various troops, & their Commanders, subject to future Contingencies.

I am nearly done up with Influenza & constant work.

Arthur returns to the Crimea this week.

I thought it better for Cunynghame to enter the Service of Turks, under Vivian than to remain where he is.

Y^rs very sincerely
Hardinge

49.

CUL Add.9554/5/37

Secret

Buckingham Palace
April 21 '55

It has been agreed upon in consultation between the Emperor of the French and Her Majesty's Government as follows:

1. Whether the result of the fire now opened upon Sebastopol be favourable or otherwise: that such measures shall be taken as while they secure the siege materials from risk shall not require a larger force than 60,000 men for holding the present position of the trenches or for holding the town if it should have been taken.

the intended services. That all the troops of both countries are to be concentrated before Sebastopol as complete & as soon as possible except the 25,000 French now concentrating at Constantinople. That the Sardinian Contingent is to proceed at once to Balaklava and that all the means of steam transport now in the Mediterranean & Black Sea, after landing the Sardinian Contingent & the French troops for whom vessels have been ordered to Marseilles are to be left in the Black Sea.

Subscribed by Command of Her Majesty		Par ordre de L'Empereur
Panmure		Le Ml. Ministre de la guerre
April 21 — 1855		Vaillant

50.

CUL Add.9554/1/37

Crimea — 24 April 1855

Private

My dear Lord
There have been latterly daily conferences between the Engineer and Artillery Officers of both armies — as well as between Lord Raglan, and General Canrobert, as to the next steps to be adopted in our combined proceedings against the Enemy. —

Your Lordship is aware that we have had ten days very heavy fire against the Russian works; since then, we have had five days of very reduced fire. — This has been occasioned by the vast expenditure of Ammunition and the not corresponding effect in damaging the Enemy's works. —

In the mean time both the French and English Attacks have arrived at such a point of advance that they can go no further. —

An unceasing and murderous fire of Musquetry goes on all day, and all night from the advance of both, — the Russians from lines of Ambuscades or Rifle pits in their immediate front, and we from our advanced Trenches.

The French lose more than a hundred men a day, and there is a strong feeling of dissatisfaction in the French Army at this state of things.

Under these circumstances it has become a grave question whether the assault, should not be attempted and upon the whole, altho' the fire and power of the place can scarcely be said to be lessened even, it has been considered better that it should! —

Neither party, I imagine, being very sanguine of success, but are driven to it by the unfortunate expression of Public feeling, that some thing must be done! —

On the 26th. the fire will be returned with the greatest energy for about two days, after which the place is now arranged, to be assaulted. —

Altho' this has been the result, more or less, of a proposition on the part of the French, it is quite evident to those behind the scenes that this concurrence on the part of Lord Raglan, is really both unexpected and distasteful to Genl Canrobert. — to whom it would have been much more satisfactory, could he have announced that the English would prefer a delay. —

He has been desired by the Emperor himself to risk nothing! — and in the mean time, he is pressed by the unequivocal expression of opinion in his own army to do some thing!!.

There is little concealment in the expression of opinion about Canrobert, in the French lines!.—

Bosquet, also, enjoys little of the confidence of the soldiery — and he and Canrobert are not on the most cordial terms. —

Pélissier now appears to be the favourite of the French Army here, and many say they would not be surprised at Canroberts recal. —

All this is very different from our Army, where at all events there is but one feeling. —

Lord Stratford Canning is expected here tomorrow.

Believe me,
My dear Lord
Most faithfully yrs
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

51.

CUL Add.9554/1/38

Crimea, Saturday
28th. April 1855

Private

My dear Lord
I mentioned in my last of the 24^th. that an assault, after two days & a half fire from the Batteries, had been agreed upon, should it be found at all practicable. — I was not sanguine, however, that when it came to the point, that such an operation would be carried out. —

It appeared to me that the programme was one of those got up things not expected to be agreed to, by Lord Raglan. . — Since then General Canrobert, has been with His Lordship regarding the seizing and holding of the Mamélon by the French, as a necessary primary measure to any attack. — which has ended in the whole thing being postponed, until either a communication can be made to Paris, or until reinforcements arrive from Scutari, where the French have some 20,000 men. —

In the mean time our fire is very much slackened, and both parties are busy in repairing works.

The Buffs have just arrived and the 31^st. are now sent for from Corfu. — the Royals and 48^th. also from Corfu, being already here from the same place.

I have only time to close and remain
My dear Lord
Most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B

52.

CUL Add.9554/1/39

Crimea 8th. May 1855
Tuesday

Private

My dear Lord
When on the point of writing to your Lordship, by the Mail of the 5^th. (Saturday) an Explosion took place in one of the French advanced Batteries on the left, which obliged me at once to mount my horse, to see what might be required to be done. — The explosion was caused by a shell falling on No. 10 French Battery Magazine, by which two men were killed, and 8 or 10 wounded, but the Battery was not injured, and the Enemy did not attempt any thing in consequence. On my return, I found the Mail bag closing, so that I had barely time to put up, and send off to your Lordship a Report by major Gordon —R.E.—, and LtCol Désaint, of the French Etat Major on the approaches to, and Defences of Kertch, together with a memorandum dated the 2nd. Inst, for an Expedition to be embarked on the following day, — which was accordingly effected with the utmost order, and regularity. .

Altho' it is difficult to keep such matters secret, it was given out, that the object of this Expedition was to form a junction with Omer Pacha, at Eupatoria, and to move upon Simferopol, and the ships were ordered in the first instance to rendezvous at Kazatch Bay, instead of bearing away at once towards their destination. — This at least caused some diversity of opinion.

The French had agreed to send 8000 men on their part, with this expedition, under General Dautremarre (d'Erville) (but in fact the number embarked fell considerably short). — It was arranged that the expedition should sail during the night of the 3^rd. —

At about 11 o Clock that night Genl Canrobert came to our Head Quarters, to confer with Lord Raglan —

He strenuously proposed that the Expedition should be abandoned — and the Ships recalled. — — After a long discussion Lord Raglan succeeded in persuading him to concur in the propriety of its going on. — Canrobert urged his positive orders from France, "de ne rien compromettee." — He went away at about 1 am Morning of the 4^th. —

At ½ p. 2 I was called up again — Genl Canrobert had written to say, that a telegraphic despatch from the Emperor had been received, and that he was compelled to order his part of the expedition back again — That he was to undertake no movement until reinforced by the Reserve from the Bosphorus. —

Steamers were sent off in pursuit, and the troops ordered back —

The expedition had arrived off Cape S^t. Paul — — The weather was beautifully calm & every thing in favor. In 4 or 5 hours it is probable that the Batteries on Cape S^t. Paul would have been taken in reverse and in our hands. —

Lord Raglan in his recall instructions to General Brown, and Sir Edmund Lyons left it open for them to act in any way they liked, or might judge best, and that he would take all responsibility.

The Expedition, is now back — and the troops have joined their respective camps.

I have not yet heard of Arthur, I suppose he may be expected daily.

I will take every care of him.

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

53.

CUL Add.9554/1/40

Crimea Tuesday 15th. May 1855

Private

My dear Lord
Your Lordship will have seen by Lord Raglan's Public Dispatch dated 13^th. Inst. the account of the two Sorties, made by the Enemy against our Attacks on the Nights of the 9^th. and 11^th. and how admirably, as always, our officers, and men behaved. Since then we have been left quiet.

The various projects of The Emperor, HRH Prince Albert — Sir John Burgoyne etc — for the future operations of the Allied Armies, have occupied the serious attention of Lord Raglan and General Canrobert — There have been many councils held. The coming to a solution is not easy. It is the most difficult thing in the world to arrive at any positive knowledge of what force the French really have. — At one time they declare one chiffre, at another another. — This morning in conference, Martimprey the Chef d'Etat Major, stated that the French Army in the Crimea would when the Scutari Reserve joined amount to 113000 or 114000 men, — tout compris — of all arms and Metiers. — We shall have 20000 Effective Infantry — The Sardinians 15000 all arms —

It was decided that a force of not less than 90000 fighting men were required for this position and Balaklava. — This would leave between 58 and 59,000 men on paper, for a Field Army. —

The composition, or disposition of this Field Army was not settled. —

Neither the French or the Turks will take our Attack, — that is take our trenches. — — An advance from Alushta upon Simferopol, thro' the Mountain passes would be a most difficult and hazardous operation . . . The country is most intricate and difficult. —

From Eupatoria, the country is so open, and the Enemy have so numerous a cavalry, that I am afraid a demonstration only, from that quarter can be attempted, which may divert in a certain degree the attention of the Enemy. — — My opinion is that the most feasible operation is an advance from our Balaklava Right, upon BakshickSerai — securing the pass and valley of Baidar, and the Tchernaya, and turning the Russian left, on the Plateau of Mackenzies Farm. — Once in possession of BakshikSerai, we could command the resources coming in to Sevastopol. — but, it's the old story, for this we want transport and in this we are still deficient.

McMurdo is an excellent fellow, active, intelligent energetic, but he has no machinery, no men, not half staff. — He at this moment employs 69 non. com^d. Officers, and 367 Privates, from the ranks of the army, — and really requires many more, to carry on the details of his work. — Omer Pacha declines separating his army, and at this moment the Turks, who have been here for some time, and a portion throughout the winter, are marching past, en route, to embark at Kamiesh for Eupatoria. — He will there have a strong force, but I doubt his having the means of advancing far into the country, or really threatening Simferopol.

Lord Raglan has written at length to Lord Panmure on this subject.

I have only heard of Arthur, as at Constantinople — I shall be much disappointed if I don't find him quite well. — I have not heard from him, myself. — I hear Cunynghame has. . —

The weather is again dry and fine. . but cholera has in a small degree shown itself. —

I have only time to close, and to remain
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

54.

CUL Add.9554/1/41

Crimea Tuesday
12th. June 1855

My dear Lord.
There has been so much embarking & disembarking latterly going on, & such constant changing of grounds of Regiments to try and check any tendency to cholera, that I have had no time to write. — We have had also a succession of movements in our Ballacklava front towards Baidar with the Sardinian - French - & Turkish troops, in which direction we have extended ourselves very considerably. . The Enemy, however, maintain themselves concentrated on the Mackenzie Ridge or plateau, on the left bank of the Belbec, — which ridge is strongly fortified, besides having their camp entrenched. —

Your Lordship will have heard with pride the gallant attack on the quarries & Mamélon on the 7th. The loss on all sides has been severe. The sick and wounded are doing well, altho' from the nature of the assault, there are many very desperate wounds. .—

Your Lordship will have heard that we hope on Saturday next, the 16th. to assault the Redan — Bastion du Mat or Flag Staff Battery — and the Tower of Malakoff Battery. — In the meantime the Enemy are making great efforts. — They are working hard at all their interior defences — they have brought forward their large ships anchored broad side on, and are at the same time engaged in constructing works on the other side of the harbour to fire into the town.

Our troops are in excellent spirits, but they are too hard worked, & this state of things cannot continue long. — as it is . . .

Arthur continues quite well — and apparently very well. — He lives at Lord Raglan's, by Ld. R's desire. — Our work is very severe indeed — almost more than I can stand, the unceasing calling up night after night — month after month I find very trying — since I landed in the Crimea I've not had one undisturbed night. — The weather is now very hot indeed, but I hope the cholera, which is of a mild kind is on the decrease —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Yours most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

55.

CUL Add.9554/1/42

Crimea 19th. June 1855
Tuesday

Private

My dear Lord.
Your Lordship will have heard by Telegraph of the ill success of the Allied Attacks upon the Heights of Malakoff, and on the Redan, yesterday morning. —

It had been arranged, and all details carried out, that the assault should be given at Six o Clock am.—

When I came in from my rounds at about 8 o Clock the Evening before, Lord Raglan sent for me to change the hour of attack to 3 am instead of 6. — General Pelissier had sent for Maj General Jones R.E. and represented that "pour des raisons incontrollables," it was necessary to adopt this course —

Arrangements were accordingly made to meet this change.

At 12 I laid down, to be called at 1, and at 2 I rode down to the advanced Trench. —

It had been determined that our Attack upon the Redan, was not to take place until the French should appear to have established themselves on the Malakoff Battery. —

The French it appears met with a series of contretemps. —

General Mayran who commanded the right attack, mistook the signal, started 20 minutes before his time. — When the proper time arrived (3 o Clock) General Brunet, who commanded the left attack was not ready — owing to some want of arrangement in sending down a relieving party to his trenches, — and General Pelissier was late, and not at his post, to order the signal rocket to be fired. — and no other officer would take upon himself to give the order. — Great delay occurred — during which the right attack being unsupported, and General Mayran killed, the Russians came out in force, & drove them back. —

When the Left attacked General Brunet was killed, and the troops came back. — They rallied and renewed the attack, and seemed to be getting on —

Upon this Lord Raglan, with a view of assisting the cause commune ordered our attack to go on — —

The showers of grape from 68 Pounders, — and round shot is not to be described — the ground too was covered with buried fougasses — no troops could either form or stand — led by their officers, whose conduct was beyond all praise, on they went, — but they were knocked down in heaps. — It was not possible to get up to the ditch, no sooner were a few men formed than they were knocked down — many got back into our advanced trench, about 250 yards — the rest laid down, and there lost many men. . — New attempts were made, when at about 7 o Clock after four hours hard fighting, it was evident the thing would not do. —

During this Lord Raglan sent to propose to Genl Pélissier to attack the town by the French Left, and the Bastion du Mat, but he would not hear of it. — so the day ended. —

I enclose your Lordship a rough List of the killed & wounded — but I cannot answer for its accuracy quite. — Immediately after a thing of this sort there is so much doubt & uncertainty.

Arthur is very well indeed — and worked hard in the Office

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

56.

CUL Add.9554/1/43

Crimea, Saturday
7th July 1855

My dear Lord,
The unexpected and almost sudden death of poor Lord Raglan, has been severely felt by all. — To me, it has been a very great blow — even yet I can scarcely realize that I have lost one to whom I was so sincerely attached — and who on all occasions had stood so thoroughly my friend. — His illness was only of a few days, and until the last 3 hours no positive and actual danger to his life apprehended. — The day week [?] preceding his death he complained of a little internal relaxation — such as we have all felt — and frequently. — This all passed off, but he did not rally in strength. — His voice in particular gradually becoming lost. —

He died on Thursday Evening at 20 min to 9. — On the previous Saturday Lady George Paget dined with him, when he was what might be called well — altho' a little subdued and without appetite. —

I was away on a reconnaissance with Omer Pacha. — at Baida.

We had a terrible Night of rain and storm. — I came in on Sunday. — Poor Estcourt had died that morning. — I found Lord Raglan much affected. — but on Monday he had slept well and was much better. — I sat next to him at dinner, and he was very nearly as usual — on Tuesday and Wednesday much the same, but unaccountably weak —

At ½ p. 5 on Thursday —28th. he had a bad turn and never rallied.

His death was the most peaceful that can possibly be imagined. Without a groan or a struggle, or even a sigh, life passed from him. — I mourn for his poor daughter, who must be in the greatest woe.

I am interrupted and remain
Your Lordships
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

57.

CUL Add.9554/1/44

Crimea, Monday
9th July 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
It is my fate always to be suddenly called away, when in the middle of a letter to your Lordship. . On the 7th I was compelled to terminate abruptly, in consequence of having to ride off six or seven miles to meet Omer Pasha and Genl dela Marmora, regarding the occupation of an advanced post, which neither appeared willing to surrender. — I may now tell you, that already in such matters, we feel the loss we have sustained by the death of Lord Raglan. — By his peculiar manner, & calm dignity in discussion, all questions of differences in opinion, and amour propre, were at once settled, and all evinced readiness to abide by his veto. — . I now see difficulties ahead. and no one is more sensible of this than General Simpson. — General Pelissier is pretty off hand, and not unwilling to exercise le droit du plus fort. . . Omer Pacha is now very much on his stilts, and continually threatens to be off, with his force to Eupatoria, which of course means nothing, but is still an obstruction, and dela Marmora, is somewhat inclined to consider himself as an independent chief with his Sardinian troops, and by no means under the Command of the General of the English Army. —

With the exception of the 13th Regt. the whole of the English Force /Infantry, is now upon these Heights, carrying on the operations of the Siege — and hard work they have. — The defence of Balaklava, and the plain is entrusted to the Turks under Omer Pacha. — The French occupy the Hills on the left bank of the Tchernaya, their left being where the Woronzoff road ascends these heights — and their right upon the Ford of the Tchernaya near Tchorguna. — The Sardinians then take up the line, and occupy the ridge commanding the left bank of the Souhaia river (which falls into the Tchernaya close to Tchorguna.) — looking into the Woronzoff pass to the Vanouka valley, and trending back to the destroyed village of Kamara. —

The Turks in addition to occupying the Heights and Lines of Balaklava, have a strong Advanced Guard of some 10 or 12000 men in the valley of Vanouka, reaching back by the old Baida road, to the extreme right of the Balaklava position. — The French for the sake of Forage sebraui [?] detached nearly the whole of their cavalry to the valley of Baida. — a little en l'air, still I think safe enough with the Turkish Infantry close behind them. —

Altogether the disposition of the troops is good, — but in case of Attack it is necessary that these troops should be under one Commander, or fatal results may ensue. — and I hope this may soon be settled between the four Commanding Generals. — The Siege works are gradually pushing forward, — we towards the Redan — the French towards the Malakoff. — I regret to say we do not advance without casualties. — The French lose, by fire, killed & wounded from 80 to 90 men daily — we some 20 . . . The French are also suffering much from Cholera, with us it has considerably abated, — but all new comers suffer it has even now laid hold of the 13th. Regt. who have many cases. — We have just changed their ground, altho' they had water—space, and good hut accommodation in the old place. —

At the Hd. Quarter Camp we have had heavy Cholera visitations, several servants etc. — I regret to say that Mr. Catlin (commonly called Calvert) the Head of the Secret Intelligence Depart. is lying dead in the next room — and Colonel Vico the French Officer of Etat Major attached to Lord Raglan, lying in a hopeless state in the House.

I have many subjects of great importance which I am anxious to bring under your Lordship's notice connected with the position of this army for the ensuing winter. I must however wait for the Mail of the 14th. — Our position requires a great deal of reflection, and subsequent action. —

Lord Panmure has Telegraphed to General Simpson that a Chief of the Staff is to be sent out. —

I take it for granted that your Lordship is aware of the Sentiments which have been expressed by The Duke of Newcastle and Lord Panmure, regarding my Efficiency as Quarter-Master-General — or rather Non-Efficiency — — in fact that I have only been retained in my Appointment in consequence of the wishes and opinions of Lord Raglan. —

I am now extremely anxious for that assistance and advice, which your Lordship, has at all times been good enough to afford me. — I have no wish, and ought to be careful not to put myself in the wrong. — but at the same time I have no desire to remain any longer with this Army, and should be very glad to get away. —

I have suffered a great deal for the last eight months. — I have been at great personal sacrifices, — very great labor. — no rest night or day. — my health has much suffered, tho' I have made no case of it. I have received nothing but unmeasured abuse, and no one single advantage, — I became a Major General by my actual position in the Army — I went over no ones head, as was the case with Estcourt — Scarlett, Torrens — Buller — Eyre — and should have recd. the same promotion if I had been living quietly in England —

I have no wish to serve under another Head of the Staff. — The whole Machinery requires change for such an officer, as General Simpson will inform y^r. Lordship.

There is not one single general officer, who in my belief knows the Staff duties — from mere want of experience —

I therefore leave myself in your Lordships hands, having expressed my wish now to be withdrawn from this Army. . and which I should have done long ago, had not Lord Raglan over and over asked me to continue with him. — .

On all occasions I begged His Lordship not to hesitate in appointing any body else, he might consider better fitted for my position.

I should be extremely obliged to your Lordship, for an early decision. I am thoroughly and quite disgusted with the whole state of things. — I see nothing but ruin, in this general state of upset, staring one in the face. —

Any vile accusation from ignorance or malice is listened to, and judgement passed without explanation or appeal — and I would ten times over prefer passing the rest of my days in the back woods in Canada. —

I was charmed to see Charles — Arthur and he are both well —

Pray believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully and obliged
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

58.

CUL Add.9554/1/45

Crimea Tuesday
17th. July 1855

Private

My dear Lord
As Arthur for two or three days had not been quite right, and looked pale and weak, I determined to let him have a little change of air, by sending him on board Ship. —

He rode down to Kamiesh Bay at ½ p. 8 yesterday Morning, and is now with Tom Steele, comfortably on board the Royal Albert, Sir Edmund Lyons having at once invited him to his Ship. — I have not heard from him today, but I have no doubt that he is all right. Charles Hardinge returns home on Friday or Saturday, and I intend that Arthur should go with him and remain a few days at Constantinople with him. — However, what I wish to inform your Lordship is this, — Altho' there is nothing actually the matter with Arthur, I don't think that the climate is suited to him, and if I find on his return from Constantinople, that he does not completely retain his strength and appearance, I shall send him home. — It is no use holding on here, and possibly impairing his health permanently. Lady Emily and your Lordship may rest satisfied that I will do what you would wish. — I know what you wrote to Lord Raglan, and upon what conditions he is now here. — If it be necessary, or expedient to send him home, I shall regret his loss on more than mere personal grounds. . .

Nothing particular has occurred with regard to our operations. — The French are Cheminé-ing gradually towards the Malakoff works, rendered difficult by the nature of the ground, — (very rocky) — the nearness of the Enemy's works — and the heavy fire they are exposed to from the Batteries on the other side of the Harbour.

Their losses are considerable — from 80 to 100 every night by the Enemy. — but the cholera likewise makes sad havoc. — I am so much about at all hours of the 24 — and I know incontestably what is going on in the lines of our Allies. — Their burials are very numerous indeed and extremely unceremonious. — A long deep trench being dug, into which all the bodies are thrown, — generally naked. — The Religious rites being performed at some distance before. —

On our side we are likewise gradually working on towards the Redan.

You will be glad to hear that Cholera has much abated in our Army. — but there is much Dysentery amongst officers and it is very rare to meet any one wholely free from more or less ailment of this kind. . .

It is most important that some positive decision be come to, between General Simpson and General Pelissier on the following subject.

The French have enclosed their position round Kamiesh Bay with a chain of Redoubts, and connecting Lines. — Sevastopol may not fall before the bad weather sets in, — and when it does fall, it is quite possible, that we may not be able to maintain ourselves in it, — against the fire from the North side, where every day the Enemy are constructing new Batteries.

I don't think we can keep an Army a second winter, in the trenches, in fact from various things I hear, I don't think the French Army would go. — Our poor fellows will do any thing they are ordered! — Even the Press has not destroyed that Sentiment yet. —

Under these circumstances Genl Pélissier may some day announce to General Simpson his intention of withdrawing his Guns, and concentrating his Army round Kamiesh. — This would oblige us to retire upon Balaklava, and the abandonment of the Heights is virtually the abandonment of the Crimea. —

From what I see, I don't think that Genl Pélissier is very willing to enter into the discussion of such grave subjects with General Simpson — Nor do I think that Genl Simpson insists sufficiently upon the importance of being early prepared with a line of action, under certain circumstances and of obtaining a positive expression of intention, from the French general. .

My opinion is that we must not for one moment entertain the idea of abandoning the position on the heights.

They are quite defensible, and very strong, but we must be prepared to maintain them, and intend to do so. — but this position and Balaklava will require not less than 90000 Infantry, and we further require some 10,000 on the ridge of heights overhanging the Tchernaya, which in reality is the defence of Balaklava valley. —

All this is a question for the two Governments to consider. — and if it come at all within the calculation, that we may have to leave the heights, it must be settled where the Army is to go to.

So far as we are concerned we could get away from Balaklava, after the wet season. — No Enemy could easily attack it in the winter Months, and perhaps about 6000 could hold the position, during embarcation, who could be withdrawn at one time, by selecting a convenient opportunity, when the country becomes impassable.

The decision of Government should at once be taken, in the event of such necessity, as to the disposal of the Army — the creation of Stabling for Artillery and Cavalry horses, and Barracks for Men . —

Omer Pacha has gone off to Constantinople — He wants much to withdraw his Army, and this Cars news adds strength to his reasonings. —

I have written under a thousand interruptions, and beg to remain

My dear Lord
Most truly yours
Richard Airey

I assure you not an hour passes but we feel the loss of the Personal [?], of Lord Raglan. — with our Allies and friends

R.A.

The Viscount Hardinge K.C.B.

59.

CUL Add.9554/1/46

Crimea, Saturday
21 July 1855

Private

My dear Lord
You are aware that Arthur went on board the "Royal Albert" Sir Edmund Lyons on Monday last the 16^th. Inst. — He informs me by letter that he is quite well — and Colonel Steele who left him, the day before yesterday, informs me, that he does not consider that he is much amiss, or ailing — but he agrees with me that he is delicate, and that after one more trial, if he does not positively and really pick up, and gain strength, that he had better at once go home. —

I have already settled all with General Simpson, and pray be assured that every thing that your Lordship and Lady Emily could desire, will be done about him. —

The weather now though very hot for 10 or 12 hours is very fine, and the general Health very good — we have occasionally some startling cases of Cholera but upon the whole there is vast abatement of that scourge. —

I have nothing more to report report regarding the French, or our own operations —

The Allies are approaching very near to the Malakoff, and to the Redan, but the place is quite strong enough not to yield, even if these features be taken. — in fact I am persuaded that the Engineers are not very sanguine of ultimate success. —

The necessity of a positive understanding with the French Army — and between our two Governments is very apparent. —

Being here, I am opposed to abandoning the Crimea, but if the French retire behind their Kamiesh Lines, and one cannot comprehend for what other purpose they have been constructed, we must descend from this position to some other, near, and round Balaklava, when we shall have nothing left for us but embarcation.

I am only arguing for such an event as Sevastopol not falling before the bad weather — for which we should at least be prepared —

If we are to stay up here we shall require Hutting, Stabling — skilled workmen — road makers — with their Implements — tarpaulins — etc etc in profusion . . . As yr. Lordship says a burnt child dreads the fire. —

With regard to my Self and my expressed desire no longer to remain with this Army, I beg to enclose your Lordship the copy of Lord Panmures dispatch regarding my position. —

After such reflections I don't consider any man of Honor, or proper feeling for his own Character could remain — and I only did remain at the urgent request of Lord Raglan, whose opinion upon the subject your Lordship will see, in the reply to Lord Panmure, but which I refrain from troubling you with. —

The recent appointment too of M Genl Barnard as Chief of the Staff, altho' my Senior Officer, is entirely confirmatory of The Minister for War's opinions — an officer who has never commanded any thing beyond a company of the Guards — has seen no foreign Service beyond a comfortable stay in Montreal or Quebec, with the Guards in 1840 or so, and without other experience that the routine Staff details of an English District.

I am quite aware that all these matters are entirely at the disposal of, and settled by the Minister for War, but when he states I have failed in my Quarter Master Generals Duties in the past, I deny it — my Employments tho' multifarious have not been Q M Genls duties. — they have been more of a Store Keeper and Commissary and the one great complaint of no road, was simply the impossibility of obtaining from an already over worked Army a single fatigue party — and that Native labor was not to be obtained, and even if obtainable, I'll put it to those who have experience and know the characteristics of these men, what could be expected from them, during the winter months.

But the fact is no one expected or dreamt of wintering here in the open —

I was quite regardless of all the libellous lies of the Press, — I worked on, early & late at my Duty, & so long as your Lordship and Lord Raglan were satisfied that all was done that could be done, and that the Govt through the Minister of War, had even acquiesced, I should have had nothing to say. — As it is I feel degraded in the eyes of this Army and I cannot suppose that after the reflections which have been cast upon me, that I am failing in my Duty or Devotion to The Queen, in wishing under such circumstances , no longer to continue. — At the same time, I put myself in Your Lordships hands, so that I may not do what would be wrong as a Loyal Subject and devoted Servant of The Queen. — tho' I wish Lord Panmure to know my sentiments. —

It is impossible for me to conceal a feeling of excessive annoyance and mortification. — but — Now thanking your Lordship a thousand times for most valuable and more kind support, and confidence at all times, I remain

My dear Lord
Most faithfully
and obliged
Richard Airey

60.

CUL Add.9554/1/47

Crimea, Tuesday
24 July 1855

Private

My dear Lord —
Arthur came back here, on Sunday afternoon last, — and I have the satisfaction of saying that I really believe he is well, — he certainly now looks so, altho' the great heat makes him, and really every one else looked a little "pulled down" and pale — but there is I think no one who has not this appearance —

He assures me that his inside gives him no annoyance. — Your Lordship may depend upon my watching him, and taking every care —

He is all day at work in the office, and so escapes the sun. — but it is dreadful hot work sitting writing — and actually streaming all the time. —

I have made a great many reconnaissances lately towards the left of the Russian position.

I send your Lordship by this mail a plan of the ground, it will afford some indication of the sort of Country, and how impracticable for the advance of an army in separate columns with an opposing army — holding all the high lands. —

The Russian position extends from the North Fort Constantine, to Albat, on the Belbec. — consisting of a high ridge of rocky scarps, with only three tolerable places of ascent. One at Inkerman at the head of the great Harbour, defended by heavy batteries on North side —

One, where we came down, near Mackenzie's Farm, strongly entrenched and armed, and one a narrow mountain gorge, also defended by Entrenchments and Batteries at Aitodor, at each of these points the Enemy have a force, with a reserve at Kukes Kuinan [?] and at Korales. — It is difficult to estimate the Enemy's force on this Belbec plateau, but probably not more than 40,000 men —

From all I can make out the Allies positive available fighting Infantry force is

English	—	21000
French	—	65000
Sardinian	—	10000
Turks	—	22000
		———
		118,000
		———

90,000 are required for siege works, and for the defence of Balaklava —

I confess I should be glad to see a determined & powerful move made upon Simferopol, from Eupatoria, or the Katcha. —

Our Cavalry is looking very fine, and well — Horses and men — and so are the Artillery. —

I should like to see our Cavalry and Horse Artillery well commanded, between Katcha and Bakshik Sarai or Simferopol With a French and Turkish army —

I hope that under no circumstances that we leave these heights, and that any such intention on the part of the French be frustrated.

The health of the Army continues good —

I remain
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

61.

CUL Add.9554/1/48

Crimea, Tuesday
31 July 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
I have great pleasure in telling you that Arthur is really very well and looking well too. — His appetite also is very good and spirits excellent. — He does not accompany me in any of my long rides and thus escapes the Sun.

I yesterday was on Horse-back from 11 am till ½ p 9 pm making a reconnaissance of the roads out of the Baida Valley. — I am persuaded nothing is to be done from that Quarter, and that our advance upon Simferopol, and BakshickSarai must be from the Eupatoria side, upon the flank and rear of the Russians.

The Turks and French could carry such an expedition out — Sir R. England is just struck down and goes home — immediately, as does Colonel Ward of the Artillery — as well as Sir Richard Dacres cmg R.A. who is very ill —

I have now nearly seen them all out, and should have no wish to go, had I had only fair play on the part of either the D. of Newcastle or Lord Panmure — under neither of whom as I feel any satisfaction, honour, or confidence in serving. —

I do not desire to fall short in my Duty to The Queen, but I have no other feeling. — If I had had one word of support, or the expression that I was doing my best, under circumstances that as poor Lord Raglan used to say, no Q M General was ever before placed in, I should have been satisfied & never uttered one syllable —

My K.C.B. I feel indebted to your Lordship for, but even that, the dream and aspiration of former days, comes tasteless and with indifference to my feelings, after all the abuse that has been entertained of me —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithful and grateful
Richard Airey

62.

CUL Add.9554/1/49

4 August 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
Arthur is quite well — as well as any one need be — I check his smoking so much as I can, but he is an obdurate. — as afraid me, as he is of anybody I believe, which is some comfort —

By Telegraph, Scarlett, is promoted to be a local Lieut. General. — There is nothing in the world I grudge Scarlett. — but as the "Times" says susceptibility in some cases is a virtue, indifference a crime. He is not only my junior officer, and was not present at either Alma or Inkerman, but was away on leave during the great inclemency of the winter, under great domestic distress.

My colleague Colonel Pakenham, has been brought up nearly to me, by two steps of Army promotion, and has received the Honours of his rank —

I hope I may be allowed without impropriety, or neglect or forgetfulness of my Duty to the Queen to leave this Army. —

I have worked hard, and tried to do my duty, unsparingly of myself. —

I am quite satisfied in my own conscience with the opinion formed and expressed by Lord Raglan —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

63.

CUL Add.9554/1/50

Crimea, Tuesday
7^th. August 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
On the 2nd. Instant a conference took place at this Head Quarters, in consequence of a Telegraphic Message from Lord Panmure, to "take into consideration the state of the Siege — What prospect of capturing or destroying the South Side — What are you prepared to do under all alternatives." — — .

This meeting was attended by Genl Pélissier — Genls Martimprey, Chief of the Staff. — Niel, Chief Engineer, Thierry, Comg Artillery — Le Boeuf Left Attack — D'Alesine Engr left Attack Froissart — Right Attack. —

General Simpson, General Barnard, Genl Airey, Colonel Dupuis, Comg Artillery in Genl Dacres absence, MGenl Jones Comg R. Engineer — Colonel Adye R. Artillery and Colonel Steele. — —

General Pélissier took the chair — He commenced by declaring that each successive day he had congratulated himself more and more, that he had not pushed on, and repeated his Attack on the Malakoff on the 18th. of June. — which would have resulted in complete disaster! — It was unnecessary for him, then, to enter into the causes of the failure that had occurred, — the Authors of those misfortunes had paid the penalty due to those who disobey orders. — . and it was well known to all, that his orders had been contravened and disobeyed, — that even those who had counselled & over-persuaded him to anticipate the original hour, fixed for the assault, had not taken the necessary steps, in time, to carry out their own recommendations — so that had the supporting columns advanced, it was alarming to think what the consequences would have been —

He then paid a tribute to the intrepidity of the English, under a fire which was "Meutrier" — and which even British "Solidité" could not withstand. —

The Engineers still owed us something that we were without "Places d armes" and which must be constructed etc.

The Engineers and Artillery Officers of both armies had met, they had drawn up a report conjointly upon the State of the Siege, — and what was to be done under all alternatives. He would read that report, (and he did so.).

The report was not encouraging with regard to the successful issue of the Siege!!! He entirely disagreed with the conclusions drawn. — He believed that six or eight weeks would put us in possession of the place. — but putting that opinion aside he had "frisonnéd" on reading a calm and deliberate proposition of withdrawing from the Siege, before the setting in of the bad weather, and taking up a defensive position elsewhere, for the two Armies! — It was not possible for him to express what his feelings were on reading such a proposition!

No consideration should induce him to yield to such a conclusion.

He was told that he would not be able to feed his trench Magazines!! He denied such an axiom! — He would get thousands of Donkeys from Egypt, who with their "petit pas" would make little paths for themselves, — in short that there was no resource he would not adopt, before the alternative suggested. —

He said the French were sending out 200 Mortars, and that we were going to do the same — — he would put Mortars in every trench and "écrasé la ville" —

That the idea of attacking the Enemy exteriorly on the Belbec was abortive from this side, it was ascertained we could do nothing there — The investment could not be completed. —

Under all circumstances he proposed that the Engineers and Artillery Officers should meet — draw up a full report upon the works — Armament, and Ammunition — their further requirements — and that then the Generals should again meet, and mutually recommend to their Governments, what in their opinion had best be done, during the ensuing winter. —

So the conference broke up — & tomorrow I believe the conjoint report is to be prepared and read. —

In the mean time our approaches are steadily advancing — the French towards the Malakoff Battery, & we towards the Redan. — the Enemy raise their Platforms and depress their guns, and thus our casualties are severe, there is an unceasing battle of small arms going on from the front trenches, & Enemies works and rifle-pits. — there is no stratagem of cunning warfare, that they are not up to. —

All who have gone thro' this war, /and very much the Engineers/ will have learnt much.

This mode of advance by rifle-pits, — subsequently to be connected into an advanced trench, is one new element. — Their Embrasure screens, and many other devices, are all remarkable. .

I am glad to tell your Lordship that Arthur continues quite well.

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

64.

CUL Add.9554/1/51

11 Augt
Saturday

Private

My dear Lord —
I have been so busy all day in writing a "Secret" dispatch, for Genl Simpson, who is considered ill enough to be ordered on board Ship immediately, that I cannot say even one word, beyond that Arthur is quite well — & in excellent Spirits

I take it for granted you will see the "Secret" dispatch of this date. —

I have entered very fully into the question, but there was much more to be said, for which there is no time today.

Bentinck is now Senior Off. of this Army —

I remain
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

65.

CUL Add.9554/1/52

Private

14 August 1855

My dear Lord —
On the very day that General Simpson felt so unwell the 12^th and had passed so bad a night from repeated Diarrhea attacks that Dr. Smith ordered him immediately on board ship, — we received very strong accounts of the determination of the Enemy to assail us in great force on the 13th yesterday down the Inkerman Heights, and at same time to make powerful sorties to regain the Mamélon bat, in front of Malakoff and from the Bastion Centrale [?] against the French left centre Attack. —

General Simpson, altho' he was laying on his back, and not allowed to do any thing, determined to remain at his post, — All arrangements were made to meet any attack in the Plains before Balaklava — where there are some 12 or 13000 French — and about 10000 Sardinians — the Soi disant 17000 Turks being away more towards the Vanoulka Valley, and by a little movement to their left rear, in a good position to come round upon the village of Kamara. —

We were all away by 3 am and I, after being persuaded that no sortie was intended, rode down the plains to join dela Marmora, who was on the Heights beyond Chorguna, and pushed on with him to the Russian outposts, — the Cossacks retiring as we advanced, till under cover of their Guns in position. —

All was more than usually quiet, and yet the Secret intelligence department, who have Emissaries at Batshik Sarai & between that & Inkerman, again reiterate today the preparation & intention of the Russians to attack us in the manner stated. — without a days delay. —

We have not a man to spare from the Heights — a determined Sortie in great force from the town, would oblige us to bring every man we have into the field up here. —

The great points of defence are given to the Sardinians, smart active little fellows, but how far prepared to meet the heavy shock of artillery supported by strong determined masses of Russian Infantry, I do not yet know, and can not but feel a little anxious.

Simpson has a turn of Slight [? Night ? light] gout, which takes away other ailments.

Arthur is very well — indeed & good —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
R. Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

I only ask your Lordship's advice, to take it — I will not resign now, if I be not superceded in my rank —

I am a little unwell from a long horse ride from 3 am till 2 pm yesterday without eating —.

R.Ay

66.

CUL Add.9554/1/53

Royal Albert, Tuesday
21 August 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
An attack of Crimea Fever obliged me to come on board ship on the Evening of the 18^th, after the dispatches had been compiled, and the Mails off. — I consented to come away, as the speediest means of getting at my work again. — An officer of the Department comes off to me every day, with such papers as may require my action, but I hope in two days to be again at post. — For the last 10 days I had been many hours exposed to the sun, returning home between 9 & 10 at night when it is damp, and thus got knocked down. —

The Public dispatch of the 18^th. gives all that is to be said of the Russian attack of the 16^th. — It is satisfactory to think that the attack was a positive, and determined one, and that every intention existed, and that every arrangement was made, on the part of Pr: Gortchakoff, Laprandi [sic - meaning Liprandi], and Wrede or Rede to establish themselves on the left bank of the Tchernaya. — in fact that they did their best. . — They were playing a great game too, for it must be remembered, that failing in their object these troops, and hordes, were without water till they got back to the Belbec, up to the Plateau of which, they had to ascend, altho' defended by guns above, by the slow process of a very narrow front up a Simplon road. — The Manoevre was steadily & well performed, keeping their Field Batteries in position, covering their columns of Infantry and protected by masses of Cavalry.

My own mind is not satisfied that the most was done, to embarrass the Enemy, in this position. — There was a fine body of French and English cavalry, accompanied by magnificent Horse Artillery, in the Balaklava plain. — By strongly reinforcing the Infantry on the Tchernaya position, and crossing the river, which altho only to be accomplished at several separated points, would have been uncontested the Russians, tired & dispisilléd [?] would have been compelled to fight, or at least defend themselves under distressing circumstances, and where the getting away of their numerous artillery, always a matter of great jealousy with them, would have been most embarrassing. —

Scarlett proposed crossing to Maurice [sic, meaning Morris], who commanded the French Cavalry, but he said, No, the ground was not fit for Cavalry movement. — I had marched across the very ground, & galloped across it, I know it is fit, there's no such thing as a swamp at this season, its all hard baked, — When Pélissier came up, he determined to cross, and begged Scarlett to support him with our cavalry, — the movement was commenced, but Pélissier changed his mind and counter ordered it. — All this is in Scarletts report. — The allies would have been subject to a plunging fire from the Mackenzie heights, — but all know how comparatively harmless such fire is — I have seen their shot go two feet straight under ground, — it's the fellow who goes hopping along that does the mischief to gun carriages, horses etc. —

I don't think it was ever sufficiently considered that the Enemy had to get back to the Belbec. — — I hear that there is a story that the Sardinians ran away — this is not true — they behaved very well — and very Militarily — When hard pressed their outposts came in upon their main body:— there was very little for them to do, but what they had to do, they did properly. —

It is my impression that we shall have a repetition of this attack, and perhaps accompanied by a simultaneous sortie in great force upon our trenches, to which the raft Bridge, now very nearly completed from Fort Nicolas to Fort Constantine will be a good auxiliary, but properly handled we have force enough to meet both handsomely. — We want some predisposition, and arrangement to meet all contingencies! some fixed plan of operations! for possible circumstances! and I don't see enough of this to please me. — Upon all these subjects I am very anxious. — To consider, whats to be done when the time comes, is too late! —

Lord Panmure I am informed considers the requisition for Hutting for the winter as too large. . and it is certainly drawn upon a liberal scale with a per centage, too, upon loss — but the Huts are very fragile & the summer heat, after the wet has cracked the thin boards very much, and after being once nailed will not bear taking down to remove — the Materials all turn to some use, still the siding is so very thin that it takes a great deal of it to make a shelter for a Stable, or a Latrine or such like. — The wants of an Army now also become every day greater — We have Chaplains, Sanitary Commissions, — Works Corps, — Sanitariums and every sort of thing in the way of Novelty, every regt requires I don't know how many Store huts, and every demand and representation is now made in a tone & expression fit to publish at a moments notice in the Columns of a news-paper. —

I have spoken to the Commissary General on the subject of preserved meats — I am persuaded that it would be found advantageous to have a large Supply to issue to the Army as rations. In a Money point of view, I daresay it would be as cheap as the buying — keeping, transporting, etc, etc, of live cattle, considering all the expense & loss which occurs in supplying them. — I am quite aware that preserved meat is not so nutritious, but the difference is not so great with the miserable half dead Animals we have served out. — It would also be so easy cooked by men going on, and coming off duty. Perhaps y^r. Lordship will consider this subject. —

Our Ambulance is very very far from perfect — our Heavy Waggons, and our top heavy Jaunting Cars, are positively killing — I would sooner have walked down here, than have come in one of the Jaunting Cars. — the motion is not to be borne. — Weighed down by 6 or 7 soldiers, of course, they are easier.. — I was always an advocate for the Jaunting Car, but I meant the Irish travelling Car, with a very broad good seat, — upon 4 wheels, and a curtained canopy. — No 2 wheeled carriage will ever answer as an easy carriage over bad roads, or no roads at all, as must often be the case. —

We have also no means of carrying a sick or wounded officer. — both the French and Sardinians have very nice light panelled spring carriages like Omnibuss's — for 2 — and some for 4 officers.

The English from not knowing what a bad road is, are the worst contrivers and builders of carriages for bad roads of any people going. —

Arthur is well, but my own impression is that he has never really got completely over his last winter attack, and I should feel more really comfortable if he were at home. — At the first signs of ailment, I shall apply to Genl Simpson to send him home. —

Militarily there is little to say. the French have sapped up to within 60 yards of the Salient of the Redan and of the Redan du Carénage. — The cross fire upon one head of Sap upon the Grand Redan is so heavy we cannot advance.

I have now only to express my thanks to your Lordship for your kindness with regard to my Local rank — of which I have just been informed from Head Quarters. — I feel most sensibly that I owe every thing to your Lordship, and the undeviating manner in which you have supported —

I can only say I am quite ready to anxious [?] to give my poor Services to The Queen, so long as they can be considered of the slightest use — and in any capacity. —

Believe me, My dear Lord
ever most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

67.

CUL Add.9554/1/54

Crimea
4th. September 1855

Private

My dear Lord.
For the last two Nights we have been kept upon the alert, by very positive reports received both by the French & ourselves, from our spies, and confirmed by every Deserter, of an intention on the part of the Enemy, again to attack in great force our position on the Tchernaya, while at the same time a great Sortie was to be made upon our trenches, from the town. —

These reports came from the same individuals who notified to us the intention of the Enemy to attack on the 16^th. Ultimo, and have therefore been treated with some respect. in fact we have been on horse back before 3 each Morning to receive them

From all the accounts which we have latterly received we are inclined to estimate the Russian Army in the Crimea, independent of the Guards, of whose arrival we have no positive information at about 130, or perhaps 140 000 men, — of which 50,000 are said to form the Garrison of Sevastopol. — 10,000 are distributed about Perekop - Kertch - Arabat, Theodosia etc, in small bodies, so that under any circumstances, there are not more than 80,000, as a disposable force. —

These remain still in position on the Mackenzie Plateau, extending from Fort Constantine on North Side of the harbour, along the Heights to Mangoup Kale — and Albat — with strong detached posts at Forts Sala, and Mackoul.

On the 1^st. Septr. Gortchakoff himself with a strong escort descended into the valley, between Aitodor and Chouliou, where a Council was held, at which (it is said) it was decided to attack on the Morning of the 3^rd. — Since then we hear it is decided to attack either on the 5^th. or the 7^th.

50,000 men are to assemble between Aitodor & Chouliou, and attack Tchorgoun, the Sardinian position — and the French at Tractir. . — 20,000 to advance upon Valley of Baida by Buyak Miscornia [?], and 20,000 on Turkish position above and East of Kamara, from Alsu [?]. —

I hardly myself think such an attack probable — we have been forewarned by the 16^th affair, & they can hardly expect us to be less prepared. —

The Highland Division is now moved down, between & supporting, the Sardinians and Turks, and we have 50 pieces of Field Artillery on the plain of our own — besides the French and Sardinians. —

I am interrupted & sent away

I remain most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

68.

CUL Add.9554/1/55

8^th. Sept 1855

Private

My dear Lord.
The French and our fire has been opened since daylight on 5^th. with the view of assaulting the place at the expiration of three days. —

On Night of 5^th. a Russian frigate on North side of Harbour was set on fire, and consumed.

Yesterday another frigate, apparently laden with stores was fired, and is still burning — down to waters edge. — but did not extend fire to other shipping. —

Today at 12 it is arranged that the French attack the Redan du Carénage (between the Malakoff and Harbour) — and the Malakoff Batteries — when "le succés de cette attaque soit assurée) — then the English attack the Redan by assault — The 2^nd. & Light Divisions under Genls Codrington and Markham — — being the divisions of attack, supported by Guards Division (Rokebey) and Highland Division under Colin Campbell in Reserve —

Column of assault 1000 men. — Support 1500 men
1^st. Reserve 3000 men
2^nd. Reserve 3200 men
Guards and Highlanders
3^rd. and 4^th. Divisions Guard trenches, and support, each with a Brigade to protect the left attack. —

Genl Jones is just well enough to crawl into trenches poor fellow, from fever —

Genl Simpson very well indeed.

—

I quite concur in yr. Lordships most kind advice & am very grateful.

Arthur is very well indeed—

I remain
Yr. Lordship's
Most faithful
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

69.

CUL Add.9554/1/56

Sevastopol
11 Sept 1855

Private

My dear Lord.
The official dispatch of the 9^th will have put your Lordship, in possession of all the main facts of the attack of the 8^th. — and every thing has been described pretty accurately. . .

I closed a few hurried lines to your Lordship on the Morning of the 8^th. just before I set off to the trenches, but I have been so occupied for that, and the three or four preceding days, that it was not in my power to enter into any details.

The French Sap had arrived to within 23 Metres of the ditch of the Malakoff and the Redan du Carénage.—

The rush upon the Malakoff was made first — a mere hop-step-and-jump, while the guns were almost still playing into it. — The Russians were in their fireproof soustenains, and actually taken by surprise, and fled — down the Karabelnaiya ravine.

The French pressed on their heavy Supports & Working parties, and established their lodgement. —

This gave a little time to the Russian troops, who rallied in great power & force behind the Redan du Carénage — The French could not go down the inside line, & attack this Redan, in reverse, in consequence of the heavy fire from the internal works — and that from the forts on the North Side — their attack was thus carried on from the outside, and after suffering great loss, it is said 12,000 men did not succeed in taking it. — [There is here an interpolation, possibly in another hand: "The Redan du Carénage"]

Our attack took place in 13 minutes after the French on the Malakoff — so quick was their "succés assuré". — —

Our want of success must be handled delicately. — Our officers behaved heroically — and I am afraid there was not sufficient reason, for our not establishing ourselves — and wish for less loss than occurred. —

We were well in the work, almost equally by surprise, — and our strong support handy in the advanced trenches, — but the thing failed, and our great loss was on the crest of the Glacis and in the ditch, contemptible as an obstacle, by the Musquetry of the Russians, from the crest of the Parapet of the Redan. —

No man laboured better than Colonel Windham. —

At ¼ p. 1 our men were all back in their trenches — I strongly urged the assault to be repeated, with other troops under Colin Campbell, at all events just before dark, — but it was postponed to be on the following Morning. As events have turned out, they would have found the place abandoned, and would have obtained some additional celebrity as causing the evacuation — however all is well that ends well, and we may all be satisfied with the capture and possession of the town — Arsenal DockYards, — and destruction of the Fleet.

The Russians in my opinion will retire from the Mackenzie position, but, whether beyond Simferopol and BatshikSarai will depend upon our movements.

I am anxious that 50000 should embark immediately and land at the Belbec, and at once take the Enemy in flank — or at Eupatoria, so as to cut off their Supplies. —

A harrassed retreat would be fatal to them. —

I am as always hurried. — Last Night was the first Night since my landing in the Crimea that I have not been called up during the Night to write. —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

70.

CUL Add.9554/1/57

ARMY OF THE EAST
Quarter Master—General's Office
Head Quarters
Saturday 15 Sept 1855

Private

My dear Lord.—
On Thursday the 13^th. Inst. a conference took place at the French Head Quarters, at which the Admirals Brouat, Lyons & Stewart, and Generals Pélissier and Simpson were present, in order to discuss future operations.—

The Admirals were desirous that an expedition should be organised from the Allies to land some where on the West Coast at Eupatoria,— the Alma, or Katscha so as to act upon the flank of the Russian Army — or march upon Simferopol. — this was strenuously opposed by General Pélissier — first on the ground that he preferred waiting until the Enemy further developed their movements, — also that he required Instructions from his Government, but chiefly because any such action would be "benevolement" to play the Russian game, and divide our forces in such a way as to give the concentrated Russian Army a positive superiority. —

The Admirals also proposed a movement towards Kaffa, which for the same reasons was opposed. — and the conference ended.

Genl Pélissier is really against any movement at all. — however, he now proposes taté-ing a little towards Aitodor. — He has two Divisions marching down to Baida Valley — and two other Divisions to support these. — He has announced his intentions to construct roads for Artillery, in order to turn the Russian position on that flank — and has asked Genl Simpson what part the English will take, & in what force assist.

Genl Simpson has replied "three Divisions. — the 1^st. Rokeby's — 3^rd. Eyre's — 4^th. Bentinck's — leaving Light, Codrington's, and 2^nd. Markham's on this Plateau — and the Highlanders — Colin Campbell — in position on the left bank of the Chernaya. — on the Right of the Sardinians. —

General Pélissier says, if he moves at all, he will only move in great force, with twelve Divisions, and Genl Simpson has since had a conversation with me, on the propriety of adding a fourth English Division — Sir Colin Campbell's. — All this must depend upon our means of transport, which is not so efficient as is necessary for such a force —but I am making out an Estimate with Coll McMurdo upon this subject, in order to verify our real position. — We have had a few days of very rough boisterous weather, almost Equinoxial, — but it has now settled down fine, dry, and healthy. — the Tartars say, so to remain for six weeks. — and good for any Field movements. —

Our position is now so changed that I feel no anxiety upon any point. — From first to last, our main, almost sole difficulty has been want of hands, and had the Siege continued, I should still have felt extremely uneasy. It was not decided until the 8^th. Of last Month, where the army was to winter. — I have collected however, 2300 labourers for fatigue parties & road making paid enormously, — still difficult to be obtained, — and the most idle, indolent, difficult set of scoundrels to be managed that can be conceived, and whole positive labor is only to be estimated at one third of their numerical force. — These men before landing stipulated not to remain beyond the 1^st. of Nov^r. —

They are like the Irish Haymakers — they only desire to make a few hundred Piastres to carry them thro' the cold winter months. lying and basking during the two or three sunny hours at Stamboul. —

Here they would be useless — and last winter it was impossible to get even the Turkish Soldiers out of their half tents half sous-tenains (?) to assist in road making.

From the Army Works Corps I can, I see, expect little beyond the picketting out the directions of the road — and general superintendence perhaps, — but the road is to be made by the Army. —

[The rest of the letter is missing.]

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

71.

CUL Add.9554/1/58

Sevastopol, 22nd. Sept 1855
Saturday

Private

My dear Lord.
I have this moment finished writing the Military Dispatch of this days date, and have but a few minutes to devote to Your Lordship.

I send your Lordship the last reports which have been received of the movements and position of the Enemy. All these minor details could not well be brought in to the dispatch.

The Russians are not a common Enemy to deal with! — It is by no means easy, to come to any positive conclusion, even in one's own mind, as to their real intentions.

They are working with great activity at the strong Earthworks on the North side of the harbour, and also defending all the strong mountainous passes towards Aitodor, and the Upper Belbec. —

Every thing would indicate an intention to remain the winter where they are, in position, and supply themselves from their Magazines at Simferopol Bakchi Sarai — and Batchay on the Tchalgir.

General Pélissier is strenuously opposed to any Field Movement, and I am quite of his opinion with regard to any attempt to turn their left flank by Aitodor and the Upper Valley of the Belbec.

I was in favor of at least a flank demonstration from the West Coast, — so as to divert their attention, and possibly cut off their line of communication with the Perekop, but the whole secret is that the French are really much weaker numerically, and have much less facilities of transport than is generally supposed. . .

Pray believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

72.

CUL Add.9554/1/59

Sevastopol, Tuesday
25^th. Septr 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
It would really appear that the Russians intend wintering in the Crimea, if we are to judge by their proceedings, and the works they are constructing. — They are well off as to supplies, and by their indifaticable labor, they may, if they chuse certainly maintain themselves. . They are gradually occupying the positions I have mentioned in former letters, and defending the various approaches to them. — We are waiting now with great anxiety for the plan of future operations, to be submitted by The Emperor, and which we understand, has met with the concurrence of both Governments..

Our operations for the blowing up of the Docks — Dockyard buildings — and other Public edifices, have of course been suspended — since the Instructions to that effect have been received by General Simpson.

I am very sorry for it. I should have been glad to see Sevastopol completely destroyed, and advantage taken of the winter, when the country is impassable, to have embarked the Army & its Materiel and opened the Spring campaign elsewhere — leaving the Russian Army, to its own resources here!

Our Army is doing well — very well, and our road making, my "Bete noir" — progressing fast. — but without Military labor, we should not have achieved it! inexcusable as it may appear to all at home, except perhaps to a Civil Engineer. — We have now some 7000 Soldiers employed — Native labor is very nearly to be calculated at "Nil" — now we cannot obtain them. —

I am very very sorry that we lose Fred. Markham — He is the only General Officer Commanding a Division that there is any pleasure or satisfaction in working with. — He at all events understands the customs of the Service, & knows what Soldiers ought to do & what not, and has no crotchets of his own. — He is a very old & much regarded friend of mine, and I sincerely hope he will soon rejoin us, sound & well. —

Our weather is now lovely and troops well. — I am too much obliged to Your Lordship, and most sensible, of all the kindness you have shown me, in my personal affairs, — and I cease to occupy your valuable time. — Certainly I cannot pretend to be a judge of my own deserts, — and I was only pained at feeling that I did not meet with the approbation of The Secretary for War. —

I was quite indifferent as to Newspapers, or the correspondence of Officers. —

Arthur I am glad to say continues very well indeed.

I beg to remain
My dear Lord
Most faithfully y^rs
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

73.

CUL Add.9554/1/60

Sevastopol, Saturday
29th. Sept 1855

Private

My dear Lord.
The little information of the movements of the Enemy which we have received since I wrote on the 25th. Inst. would, if any thing, induce me to think that the Russians will leave the Crimea ŕ petit a petit, and that we may suddenly discover that they are gone, leaving only a rear guard of Cossacks who may disperse. — At one of the conferences into which I was admitted, I gave a strong opinion upon, what I considered would be the advantages of a movement, by the West coast upon their flank and rear, if only to intercept their Supplies — and I have as yet seen no reason to change my views.

Our Armies were strong enough to admit of such a detachment — however it was not entertained.

General Pélissier, whether acting upon Instructions from Paris, one does not know, — but he is not enterprising. —

The Enemy have certainly retired a little, and their Head Quarters are removed from Orta Korales to Batchick Sarai. — — I cannot but believe that they are in a suffering State, and that all their operations on the North side against the town, into which they fire a good deal are mere faire semblant.

The Admirals are here today, and are to confer, but I shall not be present, so cannot at this moment inform your Lordship, of what takes place.

It would be well, if at these conferences an understanding were come to, as to what officers are to be present, and that a regular note, or procés verbal took place of decisions, on the spot. — I have, on occasions observed a want of consistency in the after reports. — Colonel Steele is a very intelligent & sensible fellow, & as Military Secretary might advantageously be present. —

We hear vaguely of a strong detachment of the Enemy moving towards Theodosia — and that an Augmentation of the Grenadiers have arrived in the Crimea.

Markham went away today, & I am sorry for it.

We have a great many men near 10,000 soldiers employed under the direction of the Army Works Corps in making our Military roads — We have had a few coldish days and therefore our Native Labourers strike work. —

Arthur continues very well, & well looking — in great spirits he is very clever, and does well anything he undertakes. — I instil "Method" into him, he laughs & says I am a very hard Master. — He is Chief in the office — but has the general personal superintendence of the Road making. —

I sincerely hope your Lordship and Lady Emily are quite well —

Believe me
My dear Lord
very faithfully
Richard Airey

Nothing can exceed the confidence with which General Simpson treats me, — and is quite Lord Raglan over again.

R.Ay.

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

74.

CUL Add.9554/1/61

Sevastopol, Saturday
6 Oct 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
The French not having completed their Embarcation, the Kinboorn Expedition, will not sail until Monday the 8^th. — Our troops are all on board, and comfortable. —

Early next week, in fact whenever the transports can be got ready, we send a Brigade of Light Cavalry under the command of Ld. George Paget, and a troop of Horse Artillery under Captn Thomas, to Eupatoria — The French send the same. —

The French have pushed on pretty well, on the right towards the left of the Russian position at Forts Sala and Markoul — and lower valley of Belbec, towards the Katcha.

My impression is that the Russians are leaving the Crimea.

There are many points to write upon, but my time with these Expeditions, and reconnoitring has been a good deal in the saddle for last few days.

I am truly sensible of your Lordship's consideration and kindness towards me. — I am ready to attempt anything I may be considered fit for.

Arthur is very well, consider carefully what may be best for him — He is very clever, and works very hard & well, I liked, in this magnificent weather, to give him the outdoor work, and he is all day on the roads. —

We have some trouble with these Civil Corps. — Rail way & Army Works Corps who get into Antagonism. .

If I am to leave this Army, I shall be sorry to leave it, so long as I am of any use —

The Turkish Contingent go to Kertch, and we keep a small contingent there.

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

75.

CUL Add.9554/1/62

Sevastopol, Tuesday
9^th. October, 1855

Private

My dear Lord
The Expedition to Kinboorn sailed on the 7^th. since which no intelligence has been received.

We are now embarking a Brigade of Cavalry, and a troop of Horse Artillery, as mentioned in my letter of the 6^th. for, Field Service, at Eupatoria. By the end of this week, the 14^th, I hope they will be at their destination. —

We are at the same time embarking the remnants of Omer Pacha's Army left here, for Asia Minor. — 5000 have gone.

It is said, that the Russians attacked Kars on the 20 Sept. in force, and were defeated, carrying away 200 arabas of killed & wounded. —

The Turks at Kars are provisioned to the end of this year. .

I send your Lordship, all we know and can collect, with regard to the Russian Army in the Crimea.

The French are still pressing forward gradually by Baida and a reconnaissance is going on today, but no report is yet come in from them, — — I think the Russians are at all events diminishing their force in the Crimea. — — and I wish our Army was on their flank —

Arthur is extraordinarily well and quite fat, difficulty in buttoning his coat, he's out all day, from 7 am, on the Road — very active.

The weather is quite beautiful.

I thank your Lordship, more than cordially for all you have been so good as to do for me, and am ready to do anything that may be thought best —

Poor Scarlett is very ill indeed — but I hope not dangerously. He would be a real and a great loss. —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

76.

CUL Add.9554/1/63

Sevastopol 13 October 1855
Saturday

My dear Lord.
I send yr. Lordship the last news from Kars. —

Genl Simpson is sending Sir Colin Campbells Division 1^st. & 2nd. Batt. Royals — the 42. 72^d. 79^th. 92^d. & 93^rd. with two Field Batteries, immediately to Eupatoria.

Marshal Pélissier sends a French Division and 2 Batteries also. —

The wind has prevented our Cavalry Brigade embarking for the same place, or those that are embarked getting away..

The harbour of Balaklava is chock full of ships — I have never seen so many. Freemantle is in a terrible way

The wind has driven vessels in, with no possibility of getting out. I am just going down there.

The weather is beautiful.

I beg to congratulate our Lordship upon being a Field Marshal. I have never seen Arthur so well, plenty of Exercise — early Morning hours — and fair food. —

I remain
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

The French have all returned from Baida Valley lines — Reporting any advance on BatshikSarai, on that side as impracticable — and useless

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

77.

CUL Add.9554/1/64

Sevastopol, Tuesday
16^th October 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
In consequence of Lord Panmure's Telegraphic Message to Genl Simpson, the Infantry Expedition to Eupatoria under Sir Colin Campbell, has been countermanded. — The Cavalry Brigade under Ld. Geo. Paget goes on, with a troop of Horse Artillery.

We, here, cannot give credit to the Russians of an intention to make another attack upon our position — of which they have the most accurate information.

I send your Lordship General Pélissiers reply to Genl Simpson, on this subject. — That General is quite opposed to any attack, by the Allies, upon Inkerman and always maintains, "Ils filéront." —

The last Secret Intelligence Report, a copy of which I enclose, does not, on this occasion, quite confirm this view. —

There can be no doubt that which ever party attacks, does so, on disadvantageous grounds, — both pretty equally so. —

It does not appear to me that a correct idea of this very peculiar Country exists either in London or Paris. . — Some of the proposals for Military movement, appear to us, here on the spot, as quite extraordinary, and more impracticable, independent of not being based upon any Military principle, or of what an Army in the Field really is.

General de Salles who has been engaged with a large Force — 4 Divisions — say 32,000 men, besides Cavalry & Field Artillery, has reported that nothing is to be done, on the Baida, & head of the Belbec side. — I have myself been over that ground — it presents a series of high — bold rocky features, with plateau surfaces, favourable to any Enemy, separated by deep rugged ravines, impracticable for Military operations, on any scale, — while any such line of movement would draw the Allied Army away from its resources, — the small Mouth, or eye of a Needle Balaklava — and Kamiesh. —

We have no news, or any account yet from Kinboorn — the high winds from the South have been very unfavourable, for any landing — but its odd that we have not heard at all. .

Genl. Simpson is well — but annoyed at all this tracossérie [?] about his appointment here — — but will remain. — His health however would not allow him to undergo any Campaigning.

Our roads are going on very well. On that score we shall be independent. — The way the Hutting is put on board the ships is a subject of never ending representation and complaint, — — portions of many Huts, without the power of erecting one. I believe Genl Simpson will communicate with Lord Panmure on this subject — Altho' it can now do no good.

Our Native Labourers have commenced deserting by Hundreds. — no consideration will induce these people to remain here during even cool weather, and wet is their aversion. — a little rice, tobacco & coffee is all they require, and two months works at our rates of pay realizes to them, as much as will keep them in comfortable idleness several winters.! — and what with the Contingent, — our vast Commissariat, — the French Intendance — our Land Transport Corps, etc, it has been with great difficulty that we have secured, and kept together the few, about 2,300, we have, — Still they disappear 300 of a Night. —

The Tartars won't engage, they fear being compromised hereafter with the Russian Government.

The weather is fine & sunny — Nights cold —

The Army very healthy.

Arthur is still at work superintending the road-making fine healthy employment — and is looking & is very well indeed. —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully y^rs
Richard Airey

Scarlett is very much better, tho' not well. As the cavalry go to winter near Constantinople he will & need not go home.

R.A.

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

78.

CUL Add.9554/1/65

Sevastopol, 23^rd. October 1855
Tuesday

Private

My dear Lord,
I have sent, officially to General Tueth, Colonel Ready's (71^st. Regt.) letter regarding an Expedition to Taman. — —

From Kinboorn we hear that a reconnaissance had been projected to come off, on the 20^th. by land, towards Aleschki opposite Kherson — between Genl Marzaine, and Spencer, — carrying six days Provisions with them, while Houston Stewart goes in to the Bay, or Harbour of Kherson. —

There has been no movement on the part of the Russians either on North Side, nor upon Mackenzie Heights . —

I have recently been on the extreme left of their position, overlooking the Valley of the Belbec — thro' a country quite impracticable for any but Guerrilla warfare, the few passes of which the Russians hold, and command.

The weather continues beautiful, and the road will be a chef d'œuvre. — Our Natives are all deserting — poor creatures, even this cold is unbearable to them, and no wages will tempt them to undergo such misery as the feeling of cold! —

Arthur continues very well indeed. He is out all day, looks fresh & fat, and plays two rubbers of Whist every Night.

General Simpson is pretty well, indeed he has no outward signs of ailment, but he complains of being wrong.

The Army is very well indeed, healthy and strong.

Believe me
My dear Lord
Ever most faithfully
Richard Airey

Field Marshal The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

79.

CUL Add.9554/1/66

Sevastopol, Saturday
27th. October 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
I have enclosed to General Tueth, the last report from Kinboorn. It is to be occupied by about 2000 of the French, during the winter, and Spencer's troops come back here about the 3^rd. of Novr. — —

There is some idea, however, previous to disembarking them, of adding a couple of Regiments, and sending them to Kaffa, to march across and destroy Arabat. —

The communication by Tschougar, however remains open. —

All the contingent are now at Kertch — with the 71^st. under Colonel Ready — and a force of about 5000 french troops, under Colonel D'Osmond [?], but which are the brought back here [sic] — —

The whole of Omer Pacha's troops have now been removed from the Sevastopol position, and are at Soukem Kale.

Our weather continues most beautiful — neither hot or cold, with the brightest Sun, and dearest blue sky. — Our roads going on well, and Arthur marvellously well.

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully yours
Richard Airey

Field Marshal The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

80.

CUL Add.9554/1/67

Sevastopol, 1855
6 Novr. Saturday

Private

My dear Lord,
Any movement from Eupatoria at this advanced season is really, at least, very inexpedient..

Except from Position to Position there is no water. — Horses have died for the want of water in D'Allonville's and Lord George Pagets, little Reconnaissances, only to a few miles distant.

The Russians in superior numbers have always retired before them, and have even refused Battle, with the evident desire to entice the Allied Forces on. .

If they had had ten Divisions there six weeks ago, something might have been effected. —

The Anchorage off Eupatoria is not safe — a mere open road, and after this date, the communication with shipping not certain one day in seven. .
No facilities for Wintering a force there. —
Altogether Eupatoria cannot now, be looked to, as a Base for operations. .

Lord Panmure telegraphs "take Kafa & Arabat.". A Meeting has been held. Genl Pélissier Genl Simpson — Admirals Lyons & Brouat — Generals de Martimprez and Airey present.

Marshal Pélissier, strongly opposed any such Enterprize. Kaffa may be taken and destroyed (if that be an object) — any day.
A mere open town. — To Arabat is 20 miles over an open Country, with the Enemy on both flanks and in force at Karagu-Bazaar [?] — 40 miles off. The Land defences of Arabat would require Guns in position, a small Siege train . . and such an expedition must be accompanied by a respectable body of Cavalry and Field Artillery.

Kafa must be made safe, by works, to reumback [?] the people.
Martimprez and Pélissier declare it would require 30 days. — Say 21. — which would throw us almost into December, in a climate where sometimes the ground has two feet of Snow, on it, in a fortnight hence. .
Pélissier denounces such an undertaking as "une folie." —

Brouat equally opposed to entering the Sea of Azoff at this Season. — when its navigation is notoriously abandoned, by those who know it best. —
In Northerly and N. Westerly winds the Coast not to be approached — combined with heavy black fogs. —

The above has been telegraphed, so that, I, for one, hope, that the Public appetite "to do something" — will not on this occasion be gratified, — if we do, and succeed, it will be against all probabilities. —

My belief is that the Russians will leave the Crimea, — a petit a petit. Altho' they have hutted themselves comfortably. —
Our weather continues most beautiful — but we are at the end of a fine Moon —
Arthur is very well. .

We are waiting for the name of the new Comr. of the Forces here — Eyre or Codrington I assume. .

Believe me
My dear Lord
most faithfully
Richard Airey

Field Marshal The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

81.

CUL Add.9554/1/68

Sevastopol, Thursday
8 November 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
I have great satisfaction in informing you, that the Great Military Road from Balaklava to the Commissariat Depot, on these Heights, and from there to the several Divisions of this Army, is now completed, and open to general traffic. — It is really a magnificent work — reflecting the greatest credit upon all concerned — All have worked hard & well — I placed Arthur Hardinge as General Superintendent of the whole line. — I have the Assistant Q M Genls of each Division upon their respective portions, and inspected the whole line, foot by foot, every and each successive day, from beginning to end, myself, from the first spadeful of earth that was thrown up. — I have been in some slight antagonism with Generals of Division, regarding the number of men employed, and demands by Mr. Doyne [?], the Superintendent of the Army Works Corps, but as I should have been most culpable, and in ten times more antagonism, had no road been made this year, with all our means and appliances, I urged General Simpson to insist upon the number required.

We have thus an admirable road finished, before there has been a drop of rain, and the men have been kept by its construction, in the most healthful exercise, and no army can be in a finer state of physical efficiency.

The Rail road, also, is entirely ballasted, for one line of rails, & nearly for two. — The Locomotives have arrived, are disembarked, & in a few days will be running, so that on the score of roads no anxiety, I am happy to say, need be felt.

With regard to Supplies of Meat, Biscuit, Rum, Fuel (coal & wood) Barley, and Hay — there is at this moment more stored in any one Divisional Camp, than there was last year landed for the whole Army at one moment, — Besides this, there is a continuous stream of Rail-way-waggons — and Pack Animals from Balaklava to the General Camp Commissariat Depot, and from the newly constructed line of Wharves at Balaklava — the Ships slide their Cargoes down from their Sterns on to the Wharves, rendering unnecessary the employment of any Boats, so that there is a vast amount of Army Supplies landing all day long. — . In short, it will be satisfactory to your Lordship to be able to assure Lord Panmure that no Army could possibly be better provided for, or put more thoroughly ŕ l'abri of all adventitious circumstances. —

The troops are already by no means badly put up in the way of cover, in consequence of vast quantities of planking contracted for at Constantinople, and obtained out of Sevastopol, — but the regular Government Hutting has been so promiscuously put on board ships at home, and so much jostled about at Malta & Scutari, from one ship to another by the Naval Authorities, that the greatest confusion, and difficulty prevails. .

General Simpson will write to Lord Panmure regarding all this —

Our weather continues marvellously fine, clear, and beautiful. — and altogether everything is riant. —

Poor McMurdo has been, & is very ill — He has not ever had time to organize his transport Corps, and we are still very crude, — a great deal still wanted. — Each Division ought to be complete in itself. Our waggons too want much alteration in many respects — and the French "Equipage du train" — are more perfect. —

Arthur Hardinge is very robust, so different from last year — He thinks me hard, but I have been his best Doctor. —

Breakfast over, and on the road every day before 8, is excellent for him. —

I hope now in a fortnight or so to have completed all my duties here, and I trust to the Satisfaction of your Lordship and Lord Panmure. — I shall, curiously perhaps enough, regret leaving this Army, with which I have been so much connected & intensely interested, but I shall have the gratification of leaving my Department in that state, that my Successor will have an easier, and I hope a more successful issue, than myself. —

Believe me
My dear Lord
very faithfully
Richard Airey

Field Marshal The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

82.

CUL Add.9554/1/69

Sevastopol, Saturday
10^th. Novr. 1855

Private

My dear Lord,
I yesterday received your Lordship's letter dated 22nd. October, which I confess has puzzled me. — I have no doubt I have Enemies, who give words & acts to me, and I cannot say that I can afford to be wholely indifferent to such calumnies, for they unfortunately frequently, at least, complexion whatever the previous impression may have been! . — In this instance the Attack is a bold one, at all events, for it is at my strongest point. Had I failed this year in making a road, with the whole of this fine Army unemployed, and at my call, I should have deserved to be dismissed the Service, but my letter, of two days ago, settles all this question. —

With regard to refusing tools for the road to the Sappers and Miners for their road — I borrowed tools from them, from their overplus, for the great trunk line!!! — but what the Engineers call their road was made by Linesmen like all the other branch roads to the Divisional Camps. — This road is called the Engineers road, because it leads to the Great Engineer Park. — voila tout. —

I would ask any man, if I could be such an Idiot as either to oppose the Sec^y. for War — or wish to see the sufferings of last year repeated?

Every Q M Genl who is made the Issuer of Stores must have Enemies, if he refuses the Selfish demands of Individuals, and which are daily. —

I feel confident of being able to answer to Lord Panmure's satisfaction any question, His Lordship may please to send, or put to me. —

Sir W^m. Codrington's Appointment, and the others was rec^d. yesterday. —

I shall soon be able to go . . but I wish to complete my Mission.

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

I enclose list of tools borrowed from R. Engineers. — and now returned to them.

Field Marshal The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

83.

CUL Add.9554/1/70

Paris. Thursday Evng.
17 January 1856

Private

My dear Lord,
The War Council met at the Tuiléries at ½ p. 9 this Morning, and sat till 12. —

The Emperor had desired to have the written opinion of each member, with regard to the possible operations of the Crimean Army, based upon the reports already given in by the Sub-Committees.

I send your Lordship the rough of the paper I gave in. —

The French officers — Canrobert, Bosquet & Martimprey, are all more or less opposed to doing anything in the Crimea, and are desirous of transferring the theatre of War to the Rhine Frontier.

Admiral Dundas considers that nothing is to be done in the Baltic. — beyond a Blockade. —

The landing of an Army to operate in Bessarabia is considered, by Lyons, as extremely difficult, for want of any Port, to keep up the communication with the Fleet. —

Admiral Lyons informs me, he concurs in my views regarding the operations of the Army of the Crimea. —

Whatever is to be done large disembarcation Boats drawing little water will be required in Abundance. — The absence of these has always been our difficulty —

The Emperor gives no opinions. — but is patient to all — and very affable. —

The news of the acceptance by Russia of all the Austrian Points arrived here at 6 this Morning — The Emperor merely remarked — "We shall now see what a Phantom, we have all been fighting."

I will obtain for your Lordship all the details regarding the Gun and Small Arm Ammunition. —

The Duke of Cambridge pressed for us to go back to England tomorrow — H.I.M. did not receive the proposition at all willingly — at last he said, "In two or three days."

I imagine we shall be back on Monday. —

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully & sincerely
Richard Airey

The Viscount Hardinge G.C.B.

84.

CUL Add.9554/1/71

Tuesday Morng
12 Feby 1856

My dear Lord,
I saw Mr Kinglake (Eothen) last Evening at the Horse Guards — He did not appear unwilling to undertake the preparation of the Case, — but looking at the size of the Report, and the Portmanteau full of correspondence and letter-books — he said he would require Six weeks! — however, with the practical assistance that he would receive from — Steele — Gordon — myself and others, this obstacle could be, in my opinion, be surmounted.

Mr. Kinglake will wait upon your Lordship to day at the H Guards — if you like to see him. —

In the mean time, I enclose a note, I recd. last Night from Mr. Justice Cresswell, and I am now mounting my horse to ride down and see him, after which I will see your Lordship.

I am fully impressed with the importance of not allowing time to beat us.

Believe me
My dear Lord
Most faithfully
Richard Airey

85.

CUL Add.9554/5/25

Princes Gate
Monday Evg

My Dear Airey
I feel greatly interested in the matter mentioned in your note & wish I could be sure of naming a person who on trial would prove efficient. But that which is required differs from the ordinary qualifications of an advocate & I may be very wrong in the estimate which I have formed of those whom I am about to name — Nevertheless I need not, because I may unfortunately give bad advice, shrink from doing my best — I name them:

Hugh Hitt of the Northern Circuit — 1 Beech Court Temple — but I fear he is too much engaged to undertake such a matter

C S Whitmore, Oxford Circuit — 12 K B Walk Temple & 2 Wilton Crescent — I believe both he & his wife are children of Officers of some rank & he [?] will have a deep feeling for the service —

T J W Phipson — Oxford Circuit 3 Nafar Buildings Temple — a clever clear headed lawyer — but much engaged —

P A Pickering — Northern Circuit — 6 Kings Bench Walk Temple —

I D Coleridge — Western Circuit — a son of the Judge 3 Kings Bench Walk Temple & 26 Park Crescent Holland Place —

I should like to see you for a minute on the subject — At what hour do you leave your house in the morning?

Your very truly
C Cresswell

The Airey-Hardinge letters

1.

2.

3.

4.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

7a

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

25a.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.