We have suffered a severe loss owing to a hurricane which visited us last Monday; it was the most fearful weather I ever witnessed. Our tents were all blown down, and then we were exposed the whole day to a storm of wind, snow, hail, and rain which gave us an unpleasant hint as to our future winter campaign. Nine transports laden with provisions, ammunition, and winter clothing went to the bottom, together with some poor wounded fellows who w^ere on board. In the meantime the weather has cleared up, and to-day we are enjoying the most delicious spring weather. The way in which the men bear up against all their privations is beyond all praise, and I assure you last Monday was a trial. Fancy poor fellows coming off outpost duty at sunrise, when for the last twenty-four hours they had been exposed to the inclemency of the weather, soused to the skin, and finding their tents, the only thing that can give them shelter, blown down, and having to spend that day too without shelter, the wind blowing too hard, and the rain and snow falling too heavily, to allow fires being lighted, either to dry their clothes or cook their food; but not a complaint do I hear: there is an admirable spirit in them. I hope all this business will yet end well, and reward them for their good behaviour.... I am still in excellent health and never have the least thing the matter wdth me.... I have just learnt that the Russians have sunk one of their own two - deckers in the harbour, but why, I cannot learn. Some of their army is now marching round towards Balaclava, where they are expecting an attack every instant. As we shall probably be all called under arms (though Balaclava is five miles off), I must conclude.... — Ever your affectionate brother,
Fred. Stephenson.
To his Niece f Catherine Wilson
Before Sebastopol, November 27.... The siege is still at a standstill, — we are waiting for some large mortars from Malta, — but I hope that in about a week's time we shall begin again; everything seems to promise favourably. I begin to wish it was all over, for it is dragging on too long, and begins to get wearisome. I can assure you that this campaign has been a very severe one, and we shall all be glad of rest. We have still got the remains of the beaten army in our rear, and are constantly on the alert in case of another attack. We are still living in tents, which at this season of the year is not such substantial protection against the weather as huts or houses would be; but we have no materials for building the former, and the latter are of course out of the question. We have had very rainy weather lately, which has been most trying to us all. On the 14th it blew a perfect hurricane, with snow, rain, and hail; we lost eighteen transports out at sea.... We on land were awoke by the fearful storm, and after in vain trying to keep our tents steady, were at length forced to strike them, to prevent their being destroyed, so we had to turn out in the storm and wait till evening, when the wind went down and enabled us to pitch our tents again; but then the floors were all mud, it was impossible to cook, and so you may imagine what an agreeable day we passed. The poor men were sadly to be pitied, for they are very badly off for clothes, having had no change since they left England in February; but they are in capital spirits, and behave in action beyond all praise. You have no idea how highly the French talk of the conduct of our men, and nothing can exceed the cordiality and high opinion we entertain towards each other. It seems to me as if this campaign, which has brought the English and French so closely together, had already formed a friendship between them which promises to be lasting, as it is built on a solid basis — mutual respect and esteem. Our Rifles had a most gallant affair with the enemy the other day, near the trenches, and drove them from some very difficult ground, where they were causing much annoyance, both to ourselves and to the French. Canrobert ^^ so highly appreciated the