Documents relating to Saul Magson in the Crimea

The Crimea.

We have much pleasure in inserting the following letter from a Halifax man which was written before Sebastopol.

We congratulate the worthy corporal on his promotion and hope that he will come home a sergeant at least

Camp. before Sebastopol [January 25th 1855]

Dear Brother and Sister,

I take this opportunity of writing a few lines to you, hoping it may find you all in the enjoyment of good health, and that I cannot say of myself for I have been suffering from a severe attack of diarrhoea for the last three months, and do what I will, or get what I can, I shall get no better; but as for brother John I am happy to say he is very well and I am afraid he will wear me out yet if I don't get better.

It is very hard to get material for writing, sometimes you can not get any for love nor money, and stamps, they are not to be got at all unless a friend gets them sent out from England.

Brother, we have had hard times since I wrote to you, no one knows what we have gone through. Since 14th September last we have been exposed to danger every day from the enemy's guns. I have cause to be thankful in this respect and have had many a hair breadth escape.

At the battle of Alma, I was hit three times in different parts of my clothing but, thank god, they did not touch my body.

We have had two general battles with the Russians but the firing from the batteries is still kept up. We expect to take Sebastopol in a day or two for our army is very strong at the moment, far stronger than the Russians in my opinion. They have not made any attempt to attack us since the battle of Inkerman on 5th November, when we gave them a great beating, but it was a very long fight, being 10 hours and we caused them to leave 2,000 of their comrades after them, either killed or wounded.

Dear brother the Government behaves very well to us as regards warm winter clothing, for they have left us short of nothing for the winter – such as flannel drawers, shirts, good comforters to wear around the neck, and stockings, besides a complete new suit from head to foot, and gloves, all free of expense to the soldiers. I have got promoted through war and am a Corporal now.

James Naylor was wounded at the fight. I expect he will be home by this time.

I must not forget to tell you I have won for myself a medal and two clasps and expect I will get another for Sebastopol whoever lives to see it happen.

If anything happens to me, I request you to look after them by applying to the regiment, for I assure you they were dearly won.

Your affectionate brother
CORPORAL SAUL MAGSON,
NO.4 Co, 55th Regt, Crimea