have no idea how snug we all are in our huts; two or three live in one together, and we are always giving dinner parties to each other. Most of us keep poultry which supply us with plenty of new-laid eggs every morning, a luxury you can't get in London, and our cookery would astonish you. In short, in comforts we have nothing to wish for.... I hope my mother continues well, and that poor Fan ^^ is not suffering What an angel of patience she is! All the rest of you are, I conclude, in blooming health; and talking of blooming makes me think of the gardens at Hampton Court, how pretty they must be looking just now I I long to see you all in your new abode, but in spite of all your hints as to seeing me some day there with a lovely sposa, I am afraid that prospect will never be realised. I have seen by far too much of the folly and misery of a married officer in Service ever to make me marry as long as I wear a red coat. Five out of every six married officers out here are worth next to nothing owing to their thoughts being too much centred in home. Moresom is one of the few exceptions, and he behaves like a trump. But it is sad to see (strictly enire nous) the sad depression of spirits I have witnessed in more than one married officer — firstrate officers spoilt. Never encourage, as long as you live, marriage where a red coat is concerned.... — Ever your affectionate brother,
Fredk. Stephenson. Balaclava, April 13.
To Lady Stephenson
My dear Mother, — Our bombardment came to an end last Tuesday after nine days' firing, and without our producing any very sensible effect upon the enemy's mud forts, so I suppose we have taken another lease of this part of the country. We made a reconnaissance yesterday, which was extremely pretty to see. It was composed of about 8000 Turkish infantry and 2000 French and English cavalry and artillery; there was no fighting, our object being only to ascertain what force of Russians there was on the Tchernaya in the neighbourhood of Tchoogven. Only one wretched Cossack was killed, having been bowled over by a rocket sent to frighten some of those amiable beings. We only found between 2000 or 3000, but it was necessary to ascertain this, because we are so very near to the Tchernaya that an enemy in force might advance upon Balaclava during the night and be close to our works ready to assault at dawn of day, and this would be their only chance of taking this place. Our 77th Regiment did a very gallant thing last night when on duty in the trenches. The Russians had established a quantity of riflemen in some pits in front of their works to annoy our men in the trenches. The 77th were ordered to take them, which they did at the point of the bayonet without firing a shot, although exposed themselves. This has gained us ground; and the pits being joined during the night, now form a regular trench. Poor Colonel Egerton commanding the 77th was killed, and about four other officers and 36 men killed and wounded. The Russian loss was, I believe, very severe. So much for the siege of Sebastopol, which will, so far as I can see, rival in duration that of Troy. I am now finishing my letter late at night; there is a great deal of heavy firing going on in front, and I have no doubt the enemy is making an attempt to retake their pits. I have just heard at dinner that we have sent home for 150 68-pounders and 1000 artillerymen, so that does not look like abandoning the siege; we are evidently in for it for another four or five months.... How is poor Fan getting on? Will you thank her for me for her letter, and tell her that the young lady must indeed be fascinating that I am doomed to marry, for I have seen quite enough of married life in this campaign to prove to me that marriage and soldiering are totally incompatible. I have witnessed in this war men who