CHAPTER III. Naval reconnaissance Health of army Cholera Expedi 'Times'. tion of the French to the Dobrudscha Fatima Hanoum - 66 - '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 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 officers of their "Etat Major." I understand that there are several officers of high rank, French and English, and of both services, who strongly object to the proposed invasion of the Crimea, as being far too late in the year for so large an undertaking. I believe those most strongly against it are Marshal St. Arnaud, Admiral Dundas, and Lord De Ros. On the other hand, there are many strong advocates for its being done, on the score that it would be impossible for the army to remain where it is for the winter, on account of Bulgaria being so unhealthy, and it is said that the climate of the Crimea is particularly good. They say that at any rate a landing might be made, and Sevastopol itself not besieged till next spring. I don't think that would ever do, for the Russians would make it during the winter just as strong by land as it is at the present time by sea. It has lately been discovered that the soil in the neighbourhood of Sevastopol is of a very rocky nature, and mixed with sand, consequently it will only be with great labour that entrenchments of any strength can be opened, and therefore the siege would in all probability be much protracted beyond 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 5-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 reason is, that he thinks it likely to stay the prevalence of cholera. I know he wanted Lord Raglan to do the same, but he very wisely declined to march any troops into the Dobrudscha, which is notoriously the most unhealthy portion of the Danubian provinces. All the divisions have had orders sent them to change their camping-ground in consequence of the cholera. I saw Horace Vernet the other day. Having met him when I was in Algeria, we had some conversation together. He is employed by the French Government to paint historical pictures of the war. Rather premature I think. He is somewhat alarmed at the cholera, and I doubt his staying here much longer. He told me he had had two slight attacks already. He has gone with General Yusuf and his Bashis. He showed me a capital drawing of the famous female Bashi-Bazouk, Fatima Hanoum. You never saw anything half so repulsive as this horrid old hag. I had the pleasure of seeing her the other day, surrounded by some fifty followers: it is said she has great influence over these gentry, as they think this dirty old piece of goods a prophetess. |