affair, and sent assistance, and got the party off, but not without difficulty.

Two Austrian officers arrived on the 11th instant at Varna, on a mission from General Hess and the Austrian government, to confer with the allied Generals. They had a long conference with Marshal St. Arnaud and Lord Raglan, but left, I understand, an impression on the minds of both the allied Generals unfavourable to Austria; they not approving of the position the Austrians propose taking in the ensuing war. Some of the French go so far as to say that these officers were sent more to see in what sort of state the French and English armies were, and whether preparations for immediate moving were going on.

The brevet of the 20th of June has caused many changes in the army here, to the disgust of some and the delight of others.

Varna, July 19th, 1854.

This morning Lord Raglan sent one of his aidesde-camp to Devna for Sir George Brown. It appears

that orders have arrived from home that an expedition is to take place without loss of time against the Crimea; the great point of attack to be Sevastopol. So it has been settled that certain officers shall be sent from each of the allied armies, to cruise along the coast of the Crimea, to ascertain the best place for landing the invading army. This afternoon Sir George Brown and one of his staff arrived in Varna. He is to embark to-morrow morning on the cruise I have spoken of. On Sunday last (16th), the day on which the order from home for the expedition was received by Lord Raglan, he also heard that another division of infantry is to be sent out under command of Sir George Cathcart; it is to consist of six battalions of the line; there are also two more regiments of cavalry under orders, viz. the 4th Light Dragoons and 2nd Dragoons (Greys), and two batteries of artillery more.

This is but a short letter, still the facts I have told you in it are of importance, as much may hang upon them. "Coming events cast their shadows

before."

the usual time necessary for the reduction of a fortified place. Two siege trains have arrived, consisting of 60 heavy pieces of ordnance, and 20 54-inch mortars, and a third is expected shortly. The 44th regiment is employed making gabions and fascines, and I understand the whole of the brigade of Guards are to begin making them tomorrow. The health of the army is not so good as it was; there are many cases of cholera. French have had it very badly. I was told yesterday by one of St. Arnaud's aides-de-camp (Duc de Grammont) that they had lost, in one of their battalions of the 5th Infantry of the Line, over 200 men. This was at Gallipoli. They have many men in hospital with it here.

The

On Thursday last I went to call on General Yusuf: we had a long talk of old times in Algeria. He left two days later with his 3000 Bashi-Bazouks for the Dobrudscha. This is to be a sort of trial trip for them. I don't think General Yusuf was over sanguine as to the result: he said he did not think he would ever make them even as good as the Spahis; and they are useless except against Arabs.

The French have marched two of their divisions (General Canrobert's and General Forey's) towards the Dobrudscha; and this morning two battalions of Zouaves embarked from Varna for Kustendij, on the Black Sea, and about sixty miles north of this. These are to disembark, and make a junction with the troops going by land, a few miles from the sea, at a small place, the name of which I forget. They are then to advance on Karasu, where it is reported there is a small Russian force. The ostensible reason for this movement of the French is to make a diversion and mislead the Russians, and try and make them believe that we are not going to the Crimea. However, it matters little, as of course the newspapers will do all in their power to inform the enemy of any movement likely to take place. Oh, the blessings of a free press! Another reason given for Marshal St. Arnaud's sending these troops is, that he wants it to be said that the French army was the first to be in the field and the first to meet the enemy. I think this all humbug, especially as we could move the whole of our force now with greater ease than the French. However, I believe his real

VOL. I.

F

CHAPTER III.

Naval reconnaissance Health of army

Cholera Expedition of the French to the Dobrudscha Horace Vernet Fatima Hanoum-"Fury" reconnoitring- Admiral Dundas — Theatricals — Preparations -- Cholera French losses General Canrobert-Dreadful mortality - Illness of heads of departments, &c. - Cholera in allied fleets - Council of War - Fire at Varna - Austrian Commissioners-Times'. Continued cholera- Mr. Calvert, chief interpreter-Baldjick Bay-Accident to Zouaves - Distress of Canrobert — Sir George Cathcart General Airey, &c. - Embarkation of horses, &c. French hospitals - Left Varna - Plan of transports Mail from England- Off Eupatoria - Conference of allied Generals - French Navy Reconnaissance of coast-Katcha River - Allied fleet off Cape Tarkan, &c. "Old Fort"-Summons of Eupatoria.

--

Varna, July 24th, 1854. I HAD hoped by this time to have given you some certain information as to the future movements of the army, but at present nothing final has been decided upon, nor will be until the return of the naval reconnaissance. Sir G. Brown started on the

20th instant from here, accompanied by staff officers from the different departments of the army. The French sent General Canrobert, and also several