hours (which are now rather plentiful) in the Crimea. The armistice has brought us in as close contact with the Russians as ever the field of battle did. Our daily amusement is to go to the banks of the Tchernaya, which is the boundary line during the armistice, and talk to the Russians who are on the other side, and buy their amulets from them, or pipes and whips from the Cossacks. It is strange enough to be on such terms with our old enemy, and on the very ground, too, whichwe have both been looking at for so long without either of us daring to break upon it. The Russians cross over sometimes and go up to the French camp, and on the day the armistice was signed Liiders' " daughter made her appearance. Next week there are to be games open to the whole army, and the plain of the Tchernaya has been chosen for the ground. There will be horse and foot races, steeplechases, etc., and we have sent printed bills of the games and races over to the Russians, who will appear in great numbers; and to wind up the whole the French are building a large ballroom (with our planks), where friend and foe will meet again, but under more pleasing circumstances than has hitherto been the case. Tell me if you or any of my sisters would care to have some Russian or English bullets, grapeshot, etc., which have been fired. I heard that people in England are frantic about Sebastopol relics. I have got the figurehead of one of their ships if you would like to have it, and I know where a dead Russian is to be got, clothes and all; you have only got to say the word and I will get him for you at once. It will be no trouble bringing him, for he is so decomposed that I could pack him into a carpet pack with the greatest ease — he is perfectly sweet. I suppose we are all really coming home soon; the Russians seem to have had enough of it and not to like the appearance of the future, and as the French are equally sick of the war, I suppose peace will come of these negotiations. The French have been suffering awfully this winter; they don't seem to take more care of their men this winter than
[fragment illegible in the scan of the first edition]
they did last. They had 3000 deaths last month, and during the last winter have lost about 12,000 men, dead and invalided home.... I wish you and all I care for were in the same health and spirits that I am. I never was better or happier in my life, and if the war does end I am afraid I shall say, like the Prisoner of Chillon when he was released —
"even I Regained my freedom with a sigh."
— Ever your affectionate son,
Fredk. Stephenson.
To Lady Stephenson
Camp Sebastopol, March 24, 1856.
My dear Mother, — We have had a very interesting day to-day. There was a regular Derby meeting in the Tchernaya Valley, plenty of racing and steeplechasing; the number of soldiers present was enormous and of all nations; the racing, however, did not afford me as much amusement as wandering along the banks of the Tchernaya, which on one side was crowded several deep with French, English, and Sardinians, and on the other with Russians, Cossacks, etc., gesticulating to each other across the river, and exchanging trinkets and all sorts of little trifles. There were some Russian priests in quaint dresses, plenty of Cossacks — Crimean, Don, and Caucasus — and a good sprinkling of officers, but chiefly of the Militia, which, I believe, composes the chief force of the Russians in the Crimea. You may depend upon it that they are very hard put to it for troops and everything else, and that they have had an uncommonly severe lesson taught them. Their making peace in the way they are doing is a pretty good proof of it.... — Your affectionate son,
Fredk. Stephenson.
To his Brother
Camp Sebastopol, April 18, 1856.