Mr. Lloyd said that Ella was the admiration of all on board, for the pluck she showed and for the noble manner in which she faced her misfortunes. That is quite like her, she is really a noble character; nothing could be more affecting than her letter to me, for in it she talks of an exchange of prisoners, and then how she intends taking Henry home to nurse him. The captain of the Caradoc also spoke of her in such high terms (she went on board his vessel on first arriving at Constantinople, thinking he was going off immediately to the Black Sea), and said she was in capital spirits. I long for more news of her, and more especially to see her; it was very unlucky for me missing her last Tuesday. We are still quietly reposing in our camp at Scutari, and I know of nothing which can lead me to think we are likely soon to enter upon active operations. The utmost that I hear of is that we may move to another encamping-ground a few miles up the Bosphorus. Our army will be quite ready to take the field in fourteen days. All the cavalry and artillery will then be out, but the French are sadly behindhand, and Heaven only knows when they will be ready. If we do not begin work in three weeks from now it will be entirely their fault. I suppose you heard of the last repulse of the Russians from Silistria; it was entirely owing to two Englishmen, a man named Nasmyth in the Indian army (I believe a correspondent of the Times) and another officer in the Ceylon Rifles. The Governor of Silistria placed the whole disposition of his troops in their hands, and Omar Pasha writes to Lord Raglan in the highest terms of them. The next news from the town is looked forward to with great anxiety, for a very strong reconnaissance is to be made from there to ascertain the real state of the Russian force. There is a vast track of wooded country running south of Silistria and parallel with the Danube; some 1 500 cavalry will be thrown into this forest and operate on the enemy's flank to gain information. This party will be under the control of Lieutenant Nasmyth, who they say has already shown first-rate military talent. Another reconnoitring party, under Major Sir T. Trowbridge,^^ of the 7th Fusiliers, is also being made in the direction of Trajan's Wall, so that we shall shortly get more authentic information, I hope, about the enemy. We do so long to be at them, but Heaven only knows when that will be. We are all, as usual, in first-rate health and spirits. We have hardly any sick, and though our strength is half as much again as when in London we have fewer sick. Our men and officers are now in full enjoyment of the porter, tea, sugar, etc. etc., which the Government have sent out to them; the articles are all first-rate, being unadulterated. We drink porter at 3d. per pot, and buy tea for is. a pound; we ought to be very grateful to Government for this boon: the men are so contented and behaving like angels. I have just completed my stud, having to-day bought my fifth horse, two baggage animals and three chargers, so I have plenty, you see, to have shot under me. I dined, I think I told you, with the Duke of Cambridge the other day; hearing of Ella's arrival, he desired one of his aides-de-camp to write me word to that effect. Wasn't it kind of him? he is constantly asking after her and poor Henry. He is a thoroughly kind-hearted man, and a first-rate officer. —... Ever your affectionate son,
Fredk. Stephenson.
To Lady Stephenson
Camp Varna, June 19, 1854.