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13 Sep 55 Julius Camp before Sebastopol Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Camp before Sebastopol
September 13th 1855
[written by Peter]
My dear Mother
Sebastopol is taken. The Russians have retreated. The fleet is destroyed and I am hit.
I was in one of the advanced trenches on the 8th while they were storming the Malakhof & the Redan. A shell burst near to me, part of which cut the back of my thigh and I was carried up in a stretcher and have since been confined to my bed.
I am happy to say it is only a slight flesh wound so do not frighten yourself.
The mare arrived the day before yesterday having been 42 days on her passage and having also had the fever. I hear there was a fire on board in which 16 horses were destroyed. I fancy she occasioned a great deal of trouble to the Officer commanding our depot at Malta. I believe John has written to him to enquire the expenses & to thank him for his trouble.
She will not be much good I am afraid out here as she has already a bad cough.
John & Ernest have been over here this afternoon and the latter as usual is so fond of ‘Racket’ that he has given me a bad headache.
Peter is writing this for me as you may guess I can do nothing that way now. The mail which should have arrived on Monday only arrived today (Thursday) & brought me no letters. Another should have arrived today but has not.
I lost a great many friends on the 8th I am sorry to say.
I must now conclude with best love to all & hoping I shall soon be well again.
I remain
[remainder in Julius’ handwriting]
Yr affect son
Julius, Dyson Laurie
Lt. 34th Regt.