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draft who were left at Malta. I must conclude now. I have not prepaid any of my letters, as though stamps may be got with a little trouble, I cannot keep them in a fit state to put on.” “J. Granville Harkness.”
More men and more fighting. In another letter dated 22nd of November, Lieut. Harkness wrote –}
- “A draft of two subalterns and 160 men arrived today. One of the officers has been left at Balaclava, sick, but we hope he will join us in a few days, as duty is very heavy on us, we being so few. We expect another draft of 130 men soon, but without officers, I am afraid. We shall then be a strong regiment again, as far as men are concerned. Many other drafts have arrived; also the 71st, 97th, and 62nd regiments. The French say that they have an army of 20,000 landed at Alma or the Katcha on the north side of Sebastopol. This will probably enable us to cut off the enemy’s communication with the country which we could not do for want of a force on that side....The weather is very cold, and frequently rainy. I had a miserable picket two nights ago on Shell Hill, the whole day raining and the night extremely cold, and no shelter. The nights now are so very long and all dark from 4.30 p.m. till 6 a.m. During the night the Rifles attacked the Russian sharp-shooters who have all along been established in holes and behind little heaps of stones in front of their own batteries. Sharp musketry and some shelling continued for an hour or two, when all the Russians were drawn out. They returned, however, about three in the morning, and endeavoured, but unsuccessfully to regain possession. I am sorry to say the Rifles lost one officer – Lieut. Tryon – and seven men killed. You will be glad to hear that we have at last got our baggage. The Timandra came into Balaclava yesterday, and nearly all our things were taken up to camp. I have not opened mine tonight, as it came late; but tomorrow, if I have time, I shall have great pleasure in inspecting and arranging it. We shall still be obliged to sleep in our trousers and coats, as we are always liable to a sudden turn-out. I saw myself in a glass this evening and was startled at my appearance. I have not touched a razor for ten weeks. How I wish I had a pair of long leather gaiters here. Anything is permitted to be worn for warmth. Many of the men wear the legs of the Russians’ big boots over their trousers; having cut the feet off, they are capital against mud and cold.” “J. Granville Harkness”
[ The attack by the Rifles referred to by Lieut. Harkness is more fully described by the Correspondent of the Morning Post, thus:-
- “Last night (Nov. 21st), we had a smart little skirmishing affair, in which some of the enemy’s riflemen were drawn from Sebastopol, with loss. For some days past some 300 or 400 sharp-shooters had been posted under cover of the loose stones which lie about the ground between our green-mound battery -
