General Sir James Scarlett by Martin Sheppard

Author:Martin Sheppard [Sheppard, Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography & Autobiography, Military, History, Wars & Conflicts (Other), Modern, 19th Century
ISBN: 9781399089999
Google: pzRREAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
Published: 2022-03-30T16:17:48+00:00

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* Horace, Ars Poetica, lines 412–14,‘Qui studet optatam cursu contingere metam, multa tulit fecitque puer, sudavit et alsit, abstinuit Venere et vino.’ ‘He who in the race-course craves to reach the longed for goal, has borne much and done much as a boy, has sweated and shivered, has kept aloof from women and wine.’

48

Sir James Yorke Scarlett to Robert, Lord Abinger Camp Kadikoi, Crimea, 4 January 1855

Camp Kadikoi, Crimea, 4 January 1855

My dear Robert, though I have nothing new to add to my last, yet, as I have time and opportunity to write, I think you will be glad to hear from me. In my last I mentioned, I think, how much we felt your kind and affectionate anxiety about us and our thankfulness for the things come and coming. One or two boxes have been delivered containing some warm socks, jerseys, drawers, two famous plaids and gloves; all of which will be most useful; also a box from Fortnum and Mason.62

We hear too that on board Manilla, Charité, Arabia etc there are other packages for us, but that such is the mode of stowage that we cannot yet come at them.63 However, we have at this moment all we need as we have a good roof over our heads, a fireplace and fuel, so that we can keep ourselves warm enough and have plenty to eat, all well and have no bodily ailments of which to complain and no duty at present to perform which keeps us out in the cold. Intense cold we have had none, though the ground is now covered with snow and it snows still. For those on the heights in tents it is a much harder trial and on their account I am very anxious. Our horses are without any protection but horsehair clothing as yet, but the process of making huts goes slowly on for want of men to work at them, and I fear we shall have few horses to stable by the end of this month. My own horses are under cover and tolerably well.

I think I mentioned the Commissariat, Transport and the Ambulance had so failed as to necessitate our regiment’s horses doing their duty carrying provisions to the infantry and bringing away invalids to hospital.64 As this entails daily a march of some ten to fourteen miles (daily at least), on horses much weakened and impoverished, and keeps men and horses from their camp six hours per diem, loading and unloading and the journey, little time remains for grooming, cleaning opportunities etc. The consequence is that the cavalry cannot recover their strength and appearance. I have represented it in vain and wash my hands of it. I will not be responsible. There seems some strange notions in the Quartermaster General’s department about cavalry and their uses. What may come from England I don’t know. None will be left here of this lot for any spring campaign, I fear. In my brigade we have lost something more than one half the horses and still more in the Light.

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