The Crimean War
The Crimean War through the
perspective of John Farndale, who took part in the long campaign
Pre War
Years
John
George Farndale (1836 to 1909) was a soldier in the Crimean War. He may
have initially joined the Coldstream Guards when he would have been aged about
15, and then joined the 28th Regiment of Foot.
There may
have been some relationship between the Coldstream Guards and the 28th of foot.
For instance the Morning Post on 27 December 1854 recorded that Lord Bownlow Cecil has been gazetted to a captaincy in the
Coldstream Guards. His lordship has lately served in the 28th Foot.
The 28th
Regiment of Foot was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, raised
in 1694. In 1881 the Regiment amalgamated with the 61st (South Gloucestershire)
Regiment of Foot to form the Gloucestershire Regiment.
The
Presentation of new Colours to the 28th Regiment at Portsmouth, 1850. The last
Colours to be carried into battle by the Regiment
The Regiment
served in India from 1842 to 1848 and fought at the Battle of
Alma in September 1854, the Battle of
Inkerman in November 1854 and the Siege of
Sebastopol in winter 1854 during the Crimean War. It then served in India
from 1858 to 1865, before spending further time in the Mediterranean.
On 16 July
1852, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Adams was in command and the 28th of Foot were
stationed in Yorkshire, Tyneside and Northumberland areas. The Regiment was
initially at Newcastle with detachments at Sunderland, Tynemouth and Carlisle.
In May 1853, the Regimental Headquarters moved to Leeds,
with detachments in Bradford, Hull, Scarborough and Barnsley.
The British
Army Despatch of 19 March 1852 recorded an order for units including the 28th
Foot, from its headquarters in Newcastle, to send parties to Woolwich next week
for practice at the Royal Arsenal and in the Marshes. In May 1852 a royal
salute was fired for the Queen’s Birthday by detachments of artillery and the
28th Regiment of Foot from the Spanish Battery in the Castle Yard at Tynemouth.
Life for the Regiment seemed to be relatively pacific in these pre war years since in September 1852 Captain Andrews of
the 28th Regiment of Foot was engaged in interesting excavations at Tynemouth
Priory. In November 1852 the 28th Regiment of Foot took part in the
solemn ceremony at Newcastle upon Tyne on the death of Arthur Wellesley, the
First Duke of Wellington.
In June 1853
the 28th Regiment of Foot were engaged in training the Second West York
Light Infantry Regiment of Militia and ’making the privates proficient in
military tactics’. In July 1853 detachments of the 28th Regiment of Foot
arrived at Scarborough from Hull and Bradford, numbering together about 90 rank
and file, and they're now encamped in the Castle Yard, for the purpose of
practising rifle shooting with the Minie rifle. The practise commenced on
Monday, and has continued during the week, attracting great numbers of spectators.
Each detachment will be employed about 16 days in firing, when they will be
relieved by other detachments from the same Regiment. In December 1853
three companies of the 28th Foot were dispatched to help extinguish a fire at a
warehouse in Bradford.
The cause
of the Crimean War
The Crimean
War arose at a time of the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the expansion of
Russia in the preceding Russo-Turkish Wars. The British and French preferred to
preserve the Ottoman Empire to maintain the balance of power in central Europe.
A flashpoint arose by a disagreement over the rights of Christian minorities in
Palestine, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. The French promoted the
rights of the Catholics and Russia promoted the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Napoleon III and Tsar Nicolas I of Russia each refused to back down. Nicholas
sent an ultimatum demanding the orthodox subjects of the Ottoman Empire be
placed under his protection. Britain attempted to mediate and Nicholas agreed
to a compromise, but when the Ottomans demanded changes to the agreement,
Nicholas prepared for War.
In July 1853
Russian Troops entered the Danubian Principalities,
now part of Romania, and in October, with promises of support from France and
Britain, the Ottomans declared War on Russia. The Ottomans led by Omar
Pasha fought a strong defensive campaign.
Public
opinion was hostile to Russia and Austria and Napoleon III was ready for action
against Russia. The British and French both saw intervention as a struggle
against tyranny.
By January
1854, the British and French were worried about an Ottoman defeat and entered
the Black Sea. The Allies decided that they would attack Russia’s main naval
base in the Black Sea at Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula. The Italian
Kingdom of Sardinia also sent an expeditionary force to Crimea to join the
French, British and the Ottomans.
There is an Empire
podcast on the
Crimean War.
Embarkation
in February 1854
The 28th
Regiment of Foot sailed for the Mediterranean in February 1854. On 11 February
1854, every day, every hour, furnishes additional matter for observation and
comment on the immense exertions being made to meet the requirements of the
coming war, the campaign on land, the operations of our naval forces at sea.
With respect to the Army, we may now repeat with confidence that the number of
troops to be dispatched at once is 10,000 officers and men. But as many more
will be held in readiness to reinforce the British contingent, should necessity
demand their services in the east. If possible, the following will proceed on
the 18th or 19th: three battalions of the Guards, 7th Regiment of Foot, 28th
Regiment of Foot, 33rd Regiment of Foot, 79th Regiment of Foot, 2d Battalion of
Rifles, 4 companies of Artillery.
On13
February 1854, a report on the Line Regiments recorded that the
following, making 10 battalions of 1,000 strong each, are expected to embark
immediately for the Mediterranean stations. A list followed which included
the Second Battalion of the Coldstream Guards, at present in the Tower of
London and the 28th Foot, stationed at Leeds.
On Wednesday
15 February 1854 the 28th Regiment of Foot marched from Leeds barracks en
route for the East. They left the town amidst the greetings of thousands of
spectators.
On Thursday
16 February 1854 at noon, the 28th Regiment of Foot left Leeds, en route for Constantinople. Immense excitement attended
their departure. From the barracks to the railway station they were most
enthusiastically cheered by thousands of spectators, who filled the streets. It
is estimated that no not less than 60,000 persons assembled to see them off. So
strong a war spirit has never before been manifested in the town, and it was
with difficulty that the soldiers could pass through the streets. The 28th went
to Preston, and will embark probably on Saturday, on board the Niagara, at
Liverpool, for their destination.
By 17
February 1854 the Government has chartered the Peninsula and Oriental
Company’s steamers Himalaya, Ripon, and Manilla for the conveyance of troops.
The three vessels will carry about 3,500 soldiers. The troops will be
victualled by the company. The number of troops to be dispatched at once is
10,000 officers and men, but as many more will be held in readiness to
reinforce the British contingent, should necessity demand their services in the
east. If possible the following will proceed on the 18th or 19th. A
list followed which included the 28th Regiment of Foot.
Wednesday 21
February 1854 was fixed for the departure of the 28th Regiment from
Liverpool in the Niagara. 28th Regiment of Foot left Leeds on Monday, en route for Liverpool. Immense excitement attended their
departure. The Cunard steamer Niagara, Captain Leitch, will take her departure
from the Mersey, in her new character as one of her Majesty's troop ships, on
Wednesday next, with the gallant 28th Regiment, about one thousand strong, on
board. She is now in the river, her fittings having been completed, and
received the approbation of the Admiralty agents. The figurehead and cutwater
of the Niagara have been removed. On the exciting occasion of the embarkation,
she will in all probability be anchored in the Sloyne, and the troops will be
taken on board by one of the Cunard’s tenders, either from the Prince’s Pier or
the Great Landing Stage. The 28th regiment is now at Preston. They will enter
the town, it is thought, on Wednesday, when we have no doubt they will receive
in enthusiastic reception from her Majesty's good lieges of Liverpool. The 28th
Regiment distinguished itself at Quatre Bras, and has on its colours Corunna,
Albuera, Vittoria, and Waterloo.
RMS Niagara was a Cunard Line vessel, built in
Glasgow in 1847.
Ensign James
Williams of the 28th wrote to his cousin Sophy before the Regiment left England.
A line in adieu before leaving old England to fight the Roosians.
I send you a piece of Music which I hope you will approve of and play it in
remembrance of our past acquaintance. We leave Liverpool on Wednesday by
Niagara steamer. All who are going are in the highest spirits and you cannot
think how miserable the poor fellows look who are to be left behind at the
Depot. The Depot is to be at the Isle of Wight, and I can recommend to your
notice, should you happen to meet him out, Lieutenant Turner, a capital dancer,
and generally liked as a partner for a waltz. I went to say “goodbye” to them
at Hampstead last Tuesday. The place looked sad, at least it did to me – I only
hope I may live to see it again. If any confounded Russian does hit me, God
grant it may not be in the back – I shall have to carry the Colours and of
course shall be the first to be picked off. Never mind, we shall live to meet
again.
RMS
Niagara as Crimean War transport, passing Gibraltar in 1854 RMS Niagara
On 22
February 1854, few events of late years have created so great a sensation in
Liverpool as the embarkation of the 28th Regiment of Foot for Malta, which took
place on Wednesday morning. From an early hour the streets, more particularly
in the neighbourhood of the Tithebarn Street Station and the Exchange Buildings
were filled by a dense crowd of persons, of every class of the community, high,
low, rich and poor, all animated by the same excitement and the desire of
bidding farewell to one of the most famous Regiments in the service, previous
to its departure for the East, to defend the honour of Great Britain and humble
the presumption of the universally detested Russians.
On
Wednesday morning four companies of the 28th Regiment of Foot, being in all
about 850 men, rank and file, arrived at Liverpool by the East Lancashire
Railway, from Preston, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Adams. A large
and enthusiastic multitude of people followed them, cheering vehemently, to the
Exchange Area, and thence to the landing stage, where they were speedily
embarked on board the Cunard steamer Niagara, Leitch, commander, which lay at
anchor in the Sloyne. The scene of embarkation was intensely spirited.
On 22 February
1854 the 28th
(North Gloucestershire) Regiment set sail from Liverpool on the troopship Niagara,
bound for Gallipoli to support Turkey in her resistance to Russian designs upon
Constantinople and the Mediterranean. On 28 March 1854 War was declared upon
Russia. The allied expeditionary forces were not to become engaged with their
Russian opponents until the invasion of the Crimea in September.
By 20 April
1854, the troops may have changed ships at Malta, as the Cyclops and the
Vesuvius, with the 28th Regiment and two companies of the 50th Regiment are
ready for sea.
14
September 1854
On 14
September 1854, the Allies, comprising the British, French, Ottoman and
Sardinian Forces, landed at Eupatoira. They planned
to march immediately upon Sevastopol (known as Sebastopol by the British),
which was the capitol and main Russian sea port of The Crimea. On 4 November
1854, John
Farndale wrote to his father that he had landed without opposition
September 14th, and started for Alma on the 18th.
We know from
his letters home that John
George Farndale took part in the battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman
and was at the Siege of Sebastopol.
John
Farndale
20
September 1854
The main
Anglo French effort was aimed at destroying the Black Sea naval base at
Sevastopol to remove the amphibious threat to Constantinople. This was the
first war which was brought directly to public knowledge by the press led by
the pioneering Times correspondent, William
Howard Russell, early photography and the work of Alfred Tennyson.
The Battle of
Alma was the first major encounter fought in the Crimean Peninsula since
the Allied landings at Kalamita Bay on 14 September
1854. An Anglo French Force defeated the Russian opposition. Alma, and was a
clear battlefield success, but a slow pursuit by the Allies failed to gain a
decisive victory, allowing the Russians to regroup, recover and prepare their defence.
The 28th Regiment were part of Sixth Brigade under Brigade General Eyre,
with the First Royal Regiment and the 44th Regiment of Foot. That
Brigade was part of the Third Infantry Division under Lieutenant General
Richard England.
The battle
of the Alma was fought on 20 September 1854, and the 28th Regiment
were present but not engaged. They were in reserve with Third Division, and
when the opportunity for pursuit of the defeated Russians was missed, Third
Division was not committed. The Battle of the Alma was the last occasion in
which the Colours of the 28th were carried in battle and as an ensign of the
28th, James Williams was one of the two last men to have that honour.
On 4
November 1854, John
Farndale wrote to his father, that on the 20th we were before Alma, and
commenced the attack about eleven o’clock against 50,000 Russians, and defeated
them after three hours’ cannonading and musketry; and it took us two days to
bury the dead, and send our wounded on board ship for Scurati.
Map of
the Battle of Alma
An official
return of wounded at the Alma, from the general hospital at Scutari, at
Istanbul, where Florence Nightingale made her name recorded 582 wounded
between 22 and 28 October, with 72 amputations, and a further 500 admitted
since 28 September.
Private
of the 28th (North Gloucester) Regiment of Foot in full marching
order, Crimean War
Early
October 1854
The Allies
decided against an immediate assault on Sevastopol and instead prepared for a
protracted siege. The British, under the command of Lord Raglan, and the
French, under Canrobert, positioned their troops to
the south of the port on the Chersonese Peninsula. The French Army occupied the
bay of Kamiesch on the west coast whilst the British
moved to the southern port of Balaklava. French and British engineers started
to build siege lines along the uplands south of Sevastopol, from their base at
Balaklava. By 5 October 1854, the Allies had 120 guns ready to fire and the
Russians had about three times as many. An artillery battle began. The Allied
Fleet pounded Russian defences. The British were committed to the defence of
the right flank of the Allied siege operations, for which Raglan had insufficient
troops.
John Farndale continued his record. We then started for Sebastopol, and
reached it after eight or nine days’ march; we had to go a great way round. As
soon as we got in front and settled, we commenced throwing up batteries and
breast works, under fire of the enemy. We finished them after about five days
and nights’ hard working, and opened fire on them on the 17th of last month,
and have been battering away ever since, and are likely to continue doing so
for some time to come. We have greater opposition than we expected. There was a
faint attack made on our rear army a few days ago, which cut up our cavalry
fearfully, but were defeated in the end. Our loss is not so great, considering
all the circumstances of the case. I have escaped as yet, thank God! I have had
a narrow escape: one morning, as we were relieving guard, two privates and a
sergeant were shot close by me with one ball.
On 13
October 1854 siege operations were begun against the Russian naval base of Sevastopol,
and the 28th Regiment took up their positions in the trenches. The Russians
undertook two offensive operations to relieve the besieged city but in both
resultant battles, Balaklava and Inkerman, the Allies prevailed. Except for a
hundred men led by Lieutenant-Colonel Adams at Inkerman, the 28th took no part
in either battle, remaining in the lines before Sevastopol.
On 16
October 1854 Captain Thomas Maunsell of the 28th
volunteered to lead the sharpshooters of Third Division, composed of ten crack
shots, also volunteers, from each regiment in the Division. Their instructions
from headquarters were as follows. General officers and officers commanding
regiments will be pleased to explain to the sharpshooters the duty for which
they are selected. It is in this case to approach within four or five hundred
yards of the enemy’s works, and there to establish themselves in an extended
order (by single men) under cover of anything which may present itself to
afford them protection. They will endeavour to improve their cover behind any
natural obstacle by scraping for themselves a hollow out of the ground; and
they will carry with them provisions, so that they will be enabled to remain,
being under cover, for many hours together, even twenty-four hours, without
relief. While so established they will endeavour to pick off the enemy’s
artillerymen in the embrasures. The approach of the sharpshooters to the spots
they will occupy will be rapid and in scattered order, each man acting for
himself and exercising his intelligence to the utmost extent of his ability.
Each man will select a spot which suits him best, and be guided only by that
choice of cover he may find which shall give him an effective fire into the
embrasure.
A return on
casualties between 18 to 21 October 1854 recorded the casualties for the 28th
Regiment of Foot. Killed: Colour Sergeant W Faulkner, and Private S Door.
Wounded: Privates J Bailey, P Daley, J Tinson, J Tinson, F Cavan.
Field
Marshall Lord Raglan’s dispatch to the Duke of Newcastle for 23 October 1854, Before
Sebastopol provided an operational update. My Lord Duke, The operations
of the siege have been carried on unremittingly since I addressed your grace on
the 18th instant. On that afternoon, the French batteries not having been able
to reopen, the enemy directed their guns almost exclusively on the British
entrenchments cover and maintained a very heavy fire upon them till the day
closed, with less damage, I am happy to say, to the works, and with fewer
casualties, than might have been anticipated. A considerable body of Russians
appeared 2 days ago in the vicinity of Balaclava, but they have since withdrawn
and are no longer to be seen on our front.
Cossack
Bay, Balaklava The
Ordnance Wharf, where military supplies arrived
25
October 1854
The Battle
of Balaklava on 25 October 1854 gave the Russians a morale boost and
convinced them that the Allied lines were spread too thinly.
The battle
began with a Russian artillery and infantry attack on the Ottoman redoubts that
formed Balaclava's first line of defence on the Vorontsov Heights. The Ottoman
forces initially resisted the Russian assaults, but lacking support they were
eventually forced to retreat.
When the
redoubts fell, the Russian cavalry moved to engage the second defensive line in
the South Valley, held by the Ottoman and the British 93rd Highland Regiment in
what came to be known as the Thin Red Line. This line held and repulsed
the attack, as did the British Heavy Brigade who charged and defeated the
greater proportion of the cavalry advance, forcing the Russians onto the
defensive. However, a final Allied cavalry charge, stemming from a misinterpreted
order from Raglan, led to one of the most famous and ill-fated events in
British military history, the Charge of the Light Brigade.
The thin red
line
The
charge of the light brigade
The Charge
of the Light Brigade, by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
|
Half a
league, half a league, Half a
league onward, All in
the valley of Death Rode
the six hundred. “Forward,
the Light Brigade! Charge
for the guns!” he said. Into
the valley of Death Rode
the six hundred |
“Forward,
the Light Brigade!” Was
there a man dismayed? Not
though the soldier knew Someone
had blundered. Theirs
not to make reply, Theirs
not to reason why, Theirs
but to do and die. Into
the valley of Death Rode
the six hundred. |
Cannon
to right of them, Cannon
to left of them, Cannon
in front of them Volleyed
and thundered; Stormed
at with shot and shell, Boldly
they rode and well, Into
the jaws of Death, Into the
mouth of hell Rode
the six hundred. |
Flashed
all their sabres bare, Flashed
as they turned in air Sabring
the gunners there, Charging
an army, while All the
world wondered. Plunged
in the battery-smoke Right
through the line they broke; Cossack
and Russian Reeled
from the sabre stroke Shattered
and sundered. Then
they rode back, but not Not the
six hundred. |
Cannon
to right of them, Cannon
to left of them, Cannon
behind them Volleyed
and thundered; Stormed
at with shot and shell, While
horse and hero fell. They
that had fought so well Came
through the jaws of Death, Back
from the mouth of hell, All
that was left of them, Left of
six hundred. |
When
can their glory fade? O the
wild charge they made! All the
world wondered. Honour the
charge they made! Honour
the Light Brigade, Noble
six hundred! |
There is an
In Our Time podcast on the
Charge of the Light Brigade.
Lord Raglan
reported to the Duke of Newcastle.
Before
Sebastopol, October 28, 1854
The enemy
attacked the position in front of Balaclava at an early hour on the morning of
the 25th inst.
The low
range of heights that runs across the plain at the bottom of which the town is
placed, was protected by four small redoubts hastily constructed. Three of
these had guns in them, and on a higher hill before
the village of Camara, in advance of our right flank, was established a work of
somewhat more importance.
These
several redoubts were garrisoned by Turkish troops, no other force being at my
disposal for their occupation.
The 93rd
Highlanders was the only British Regiment in the plain, with the exception of a
battalion of detachments composed of weakly men, and a battery of artillery
belonging to the third division; and on the heights behind our right were
placed the marines.
The enemy
commence their operation by attacking the work on our side of the village of
Camara, and, after very little resistance, carried it.
They
likewise got possession of the three others in contiguity to it, being opposed
only in one, and that but for a very short space of time.
The
furthest of the three they did not retain, but the immediate abandonment of the
others enabled them to take possession of the guns in them, amounting in whole
to seven. Those in three lesser forts were spiked by the one English
artillerymen who was in each.
The
Russian cavalry at once advanced supported by artillery in very great strength.
One portion of them are assailed to the front and right flank of the 93rd, and
were instantly driven back by the vigorous and steady fire of that
distinguished regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Ainsley.
The other
and larger mass turned towards Her Majesty's heavy cavalry, and afforded
Brigadier General Scarlett, under the guidance of Lieutenant General the Earl
of Lucan, the opportunity of inflicting upon them a most signal defeat. The
ground was very unfavourable for the attack of our dragoons, but no obstacle
was sufficient to check their advance, and they charged into the Russian
column, which soon sought safety in flight, although far in far superior in
numbers.
The
charge of this brigade was one of the most successful I ever witnessed, was
never for a moment doubtful, and is in the highest degree creditable to
Brigadier General Scarlett and the officers and men who engaged in it.
As the
enemy withdrew from the ground which they had momentarily occupied, I directed
the cavalry, supported by the 4th division, under Lieutenant General Sir George
Cathcart, to move forward, and take advantage of at any opportunity to regain
the heights; and not having been able to accomplish this immediately, and it
appearing that an attempt was making to remove the captured guns, the Earl of
Lucan was desired to advance rapidly, follow the enemy in their retreat, and
tried to prevent them from affecting their objects.
In the
meanwhile the Russians had time to reform on their own ground, with artillery
in front and upon their flanks.
From some
misconception of the instruction to advance, the Lieutenant General considered
that he was bound to attack at all hazards, and he accordingly ordered Major
General the Earl of Cardigan to move forward with the light brigade.
This order
was obeyed in the most spirited and gallant manner. Lord Cardigan charged with
the utmost vigour, attacked a battery which was firing upon the advancing
squadrons, and, having passed beyond it, engaged the Russian cavalry in its
rear; but there his troops were assailed by artillery and infantry, as well as
cavalry, and necessarily retired, after having committed much havoc upon the
enemy.
The Earl
of Lucan not having sent me the names of the other officers who distinguished
themselves, I proposed to forward them by my next opportunity.
The enemy
made no further movement in advance, and at the close of the day, the brigade
of Guards of the 1st Division and the 4th division returned to their original
encampment, as did the French troops, with the exception of 1 brigade of the
first vision, which General Canrobert was so good as
to leave in support of Sir Robert Sir Colin Campbell.
The
remaining regiments of the Highland Brigade also remained in the valley.
A Casualty
report for 22 to 26 October for the 28th of Foot recorded one
soldier wounded. Private Edmd Flaherty, slightly.
4
November 1854
John
Farndale wrote to his father on 4 November 1854.
Heights
of Sebastopol, November 4th, 1854
Dear
Father.
I
received your letter of 26th of last month, and was glad to hear that you were
all well and in the enjoyment of health. I suppose your papers in England say
that Sebastopol is taken, but I can tell you very differently. It is now
seventeen days since we commenced the attack on the town, and there is no sign
of it being taken yet. I thought we should have had it by now, but I assure you
it is no easy task.
Since I
wrote last we have had great ravages in the army – the first by sickness; then
the cholera came amongst us and swept a great many away.
We then
went on board for Russia, in the latter part of August, and landed without
opposition September 14th, and started for Alma on the 18th. On the 20th we
were before Alma, and commenced the attack about eleven o’clock against 50,000
Russians, and defeated them after three hours’ cannonading and musketry; and it
took us two days to bury the dead, and send our wounded on board ship for Scurati.
We then
started for Sebastopol, and reached it after eight or nine days’ march; we had
to go a great way round. As soon as we got in front and settled, we commenced
throwing up batteries and breast works, under fire of the enemy. We finished
them after about five days and nights’ hard working, and opened fire on them on
the 17th of last month, and have been battering away ever since, and are likely
to continue doing so for some time to come. We have greater opposition than we
expected. There was a faint attack made on our rear army a few days ago, which
cut up our cavalry fearfully, but were defeated in the end. Our loss is not so
great, considering all the circumstances of the case. I have escaped as yet,
thank God! I have had a narrow escape: one morning, as we were relieving guard,
two privates and a sergeant were shot close by me with one ball.
I think I
have given you all particulars up to the present.
Next time
I write, I hope Sebastopol will have fallen.
Your
affectionate son.
John
George Farndale.
5
November 1854
At the Battle of
Inkerman, the Russians were defeated, so moved their forces inside the
city.
A return of
casualties from 2 to 6 November 1854 for the 28th Regiment recorded 1 rank
and file wounded. Private 2259 Christopher Manison.
Towards the
end of November a winter storm ruined the Allied camp and supply lines and men
and horses starved in the appalling conditions.
Another
letter was sent by Lord Raglan to the Duke of Newcastle. Before Sebastopol,
November 23, 1854. My Lord Duke. The Russian advanced posts in front of our
left attack having taken up a position which incommoded our troops in the
trenches, and occasioned not a few casualties, and at the same time took in
reverse the French troops working in their lines, a representation of which was
made to me by our own officers. The weather is again very bad, and steady rain
is constantly falling. I attach the nominal list of killed and wounded at the
battle of Inkerman. The list included the report for the 28th Foot, 1 rank
and file wounded.
The Siege of
Sebastopol followed
December
1854
The list of
casualties from 27 November to 5 December 1854 for the 28th of Foot
recorded 2 rank and file killed; 8 rank and file wounded. Killed, November
29, 28th Regiment of Foot, Private Michael Fitzgerald; December 5, 28th
Regiment of Foot, Private Patten Smith. Wounded, Private James Steale,
slightly; Privates Joseph Take, severely; Michael Hagerty, severely; Patrick
Kelly, slightly; S Mountain, severely, T C Irwin, slightly. On 22 December
1854, Private Charles Smith, slightly.
In another
dispatch from Lord Raglan
Before
Sebastopol, December 13
My Lord
Duke.
Your grace
will be happy to hear that the weather has continued fine.
Since the
time I had the honour to address your Grace, on the 8th instant, the enemy has
made no movement of importance, and nothing of any consequence has taken place
before Sebastapol.
The
Russians moved upon our advanced picquets in front of our left attack the night
before last, in some force, but they were instantly driven back by a detachment
of the first battalion rifle brigade on the right, and by one of the 46th on
the left. The firing, however, was kept up for some time, and the third and
fourth divisions were held in readiness to support in case their assistance
should be required.
I enclose
the return of casualties to the 10th instant. I am etc.
28th
Regiment – 2 rank and file, killed; 8 rank and file wounded.
Captain
Thomas Maunsell described the progress that he and his men made during the
siege. Thus the long and weary winter dragged along. As the trenches drew
nearer Sebastopol the sharpshooters got closer to the enemy. There were also
the Russian sharpshooters to contend with, and we had many exciting affairs
with them, and some personal encounters. Our casualties, as I have said, were
heavy, but every evening the gaps were filled up by fresh volunteers, so that
the party always went out in full strength. For seventy-six days I led my men, by which time I was one of the very few left
unhit of those who had first joined; but on the seventy-sixth day, December 31,
while on duty I was severely wounded in the left arm by a rifle bullet, which
broke the bone. I was carried by four of my men on a stretcher, right across
the open where we were, up to the camp, and it shows the humanity of the
Russians to the wounded that they never attempted to fire at us, though they
could easily have shot us all.
January
1855
By the 3rd
January 1855 the Allied trenches were so close to the Russian positions that
sharpshooters were no longer required. Captain Thomas Maunsell was sent to the
hospital at Scutari, and nursed back to health under the supervision of
Florence Nightingale. He later rose to the rank of Major-General.
John
Farndale was promoted to Lance Corporal in about January 1855.
Some of
John’s colleagues were being evacuated to Scutari, under the care of Florence
Nightingale in January 1855. On 22 January 1855 Private Charles Bridgewater,
28th Foot, was suffering from dysentery, and Private John Palmer, 28th Regt,
diarrhoea.
There was
another dispatch from Lord Raglan on 27 January 1855. Before Sebastopol,
January 27. My Lord Duke, I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Grace that
the weather continues fine. There are severe frosts at night; but the sun
shines brightly through the day, and there is an absence of wind, which , while
it continued, added considerably to the sufferings of the troops. Every
exertion is making by public transport and individually in getting huts up; but
this is the most difficult operation, and the ground is so rotten that it is a
most arduous labour to pass along it. The extremely confined space of
Balaclava, and the vast accumulation of stores, have obliged me to erect huts
at some distance outside the town for their reception. I enclose the list of
casualties to the 25th inst inclusive. I have etc,
Raglan, His grace the Duke of Newcastle etc.
Nominal
return of non commissioned officers and privates
wounded from the 22nd to the 23rd of January included Wounded January 22,
28th Regiment of Foot - Private John Rogers, slightly. January 24. 28th
Regiment of Foot - Private Richard M’Gainey,
severely. January 25. 28th Regiment of Foot - Private Patrick Hogan, severely.
February
1855
John
Farndale was laid up in my tent with frost bitten feet nearly all this
month, but I am better again and fit for duty and later wrote another letter
to his father.
These
letters are copies of the originals made by Grace Farndale
(1880 to 1966) who was John
Farndale’s niece, when she retired to Saltburn.
Camp
before Sebastopol.
I now
take the first opportunity of writing to you hoping you are in good health as I
am at present. I received your letter on the 5th of this month and also the
newspaper and was glad to hear from you.
You are
in great haste to hear from me again, you hardly will give time to write! I
have been for writing all this month but had not the ink. I had to send to
Balaclava for it.
I have
been laid up in my tent with frost bitten feet nearly all this month, but I am
better again and fit for duty.
I have
had capitol health ever since I landed in the Crimea, thank God for it. I can
assure you there is very few of the old hands left now of what came out with us
from England.
The
Colonel received your letter and thinks that I never write to you by the way
you write.
As to the
promotion you were talking about, I received the Lance Stripe about a month
ago. The Colonel promised to push me forward if I minded myself, but he was
afraid to promote me sooner on account of being so very young.
You also
mention in your last that you heard from D W Waldy that I was slightly wounded.
I never received any wound more than a slight cut on the nose from a stone that
was sent up from a ball.
The siege
is progressing very slowly but I think we will soon open a new siege. Things
begin to look a little better. We have received the winter clothing and are
getting provisions a little better. We want the wooden houses next, although I
think as we have done so long without, we could manage without them altogether.
However I hope that before you get this, Sebastopol will be ours and then we
will be thinking about returning to old England again.
I think I
have given you all the news I can at present.
The Colonel
will send you a few lines in this letter of mine.
I am
getting tired and want to go to bed, so I must conclude with kind love to
brothers and sisters and all enquiring friends. I accept the same yourself.
Your
affectionate son.
J G
Farndale.
There was an
Ensign Waldy who was promoted to Lieutenant on 8 February 1855, who served with
the 28th Regiment in Crimea. There was a reference to an Edward Waldy appointed
Ensign to the 28th Foot in the Globe on 16 July 1853. There was another
reference to Edward Garntonsvay Waldy, on 23 July
1853 a gentleman appointed as Ensign to 28th Foot.
In October
1854 there was a report on Northern officers in the Crimea. The
following officers, connected with families in this immediate district, are now
engaged in the Expeditionary force in the east, and no doubt shared in the
dangers and glories of the battle of Alma and the operations before Sebastapol. In the absence of official returns, as to the
killed and wounded on these sanguinary occasions, the fate of our gallant
countrymen is an object to the deepest interest to their families and friends.
That they may have been mercifully preserved in the awful struggle to which
they have been exposed, and that they may have distinguished themselves by acts
of courage and humanity in a manner worthy of their country and county, is the
ardent wish of all who are familiar with their brave and noble spirits. The
list included Ensign Edw G Waldy, 28th Foot, son of T W Waldy, Esq of Eaglescliffe.
Besides
the above, the following officers, connected with the families of this
immediate district, are engaged in the Expeditionary Forces in the East, and no
doubt bared the dangers and glories of the Battle of Alma, and the operations
before Sebastopol.
Again the list included Ensign Edward G Waldy, 28th Foot, son of T W Waldy, Esq
if Eaglescliffe.
The
following is a list of the officers connected with families in the North of
England, who are now serving in the Crimean expedition. Again the list included Ensign
Edward G Waldy, 28th Foot, son of T W Waldy, Esq if Eaglescliffe.
Easglescliffe is a borough of Stockton on Tees,
then home of John’s father, John Farndale.
So this must be the Ensign whose father was D (this was probably T) W Waldy in
John Farndale’s letter.
In February
1855 the following infantry regiments are forthwith to have each a second
battalion of 190 companies of 100 men each, thus increasing their strength
respectively by 1,000 bayonets, viz 28th Foot and others.
Spring
1855
The Allies
started to restore their supply lines after the winter ended. A new Grand
Crimean Central Railway was built by the end of March 1855 and brought supplies
to Balaklava and the siege lines, delivering over 500 guns and significant
amounts of ammunition. The Allies resumed their bombardment on 8 April 1855.
John
Farndale wrote another letter at about this time.
Camp
before Sebastopol. 1855
Dear Sir.
I now
hasten to answer your letter which I received this morning. I was glad to hear
from I assume you! My father oft mentions you in his
letters. I have had a letter written these two or three days waiting for the
mail to send to father. I have to say you have had all particulars from him
about the war. You ask when will we get into Sebastopol? I can tell you we are
making great preparations. We are getting a great many more guns than we had
before, and mortars which will fire 112 pounders, which will shake Sebastopol.
And if they do not give up then, we will storm it by force. English, French and
Turks. There will be a great many lives lost in taking it, we have lost all our
army we have brought with us. They are all young soldiers who have come out
last.
If I live
to see it over and get back to old England again, which by the blessing of God
I hope to do, I will tell you tales that will make your hair stand on end!
You ask
if all accounts were true about what I sent you. I can assure you it was but
too true.
Now the
weather is a great deal warmer and better provisions.
When the
main army has gone to the grave, any man who has got
A 13 inch
mortar in action, 1855
June 1855
The French
army, which were far better cared for than was the British, assumed the role of
the senior partner and the decimated British were reduced to a supporting role.
Nevertheless, with Spring, conditions began to improve and the health of the
British soldiers started to recover, and the army grew in strength. The first
major assault on Sebastopol was launched on 18 June 1855, the 40th Anniversary
of the Battle of Waterloo. It was not a propitious date for Anglo-French
co-operation, and the attack was badly bungled. The 28th was not as heavily
engaged as some, but still suffered some 67 casualties.
Cousin Sophy
heard from Ensign Williams. The papers will have told you of the failure
that the English and French met with on the 18th June in trying to wipe out the
recollections of Waterloo. The whole affair was so badly arranged that without
any credit to the Russians and with no disgrace to ourselves we got a splendid
licking. Nothing more can ensure failure than a divided command. The Generals
arranged one plan for attack and at a late hour all was changed and awful
confusion was the inevitable consequence. For instance, Eyre was told that 10,000
French would support his Brigade: he rode to the French General late at night
to arrange matters, when he learnt that the French General knew of nothing
concerning the attack and that he and his troops were on the Tchernaia. Well, for our Brigade, the only one that did
anything: we advanced in rapid time, took some houses, held them all day, and
retired at evening with the loss of 31 officers and 650 men killed and wounded
– Voila tout. The men behaved splendidly. I don’t think we killed 50 Russians
in all. For whilst we were exposed they were hid behind parapets. Some Russians
tried to turn us out of the houses we took, they were led down the trench to
within about 30 yards of us by an Officer, who amused himself by striking his
men with the back of his sword, pulling their hair etc. etc. until a shot
knocked him over and his men turned and cut. The houses were very nicely
furnished, Books, Pianos, Damask Chairs etc. The men made themselves quite at
home lounging on Sofa and Chairs, eating the Ration Pork off the Russian Books
in lieu of plates. The day before we all went into action all the Minies were changed for the Enfield Rifle, a highly
finished Rifle with a small bore and light bullets. Curiously enough on that
day the Russians took to firing very large bullets at us for the first time.
They seem to have discovered the value of a heavy ball at the time that we with
our new light-fangled inventions have discarded them. We have got five wounded
officers, one wounded in the right leg is staying in our hut and quite jolly at
the idea of getting home. Several times during the day I longed to get a nice
little calf wound, and so get done with the Crimea.
Wounds
are at a premium, provided that they are not too serious. The 28th is now the
strongest Regiment in the Brigade, and as we are very short of Officers, the
trench duty is very heavy.
The
French say that we were the cause of the failure, the English say the French.
All here expect, and most would like to hear of Lord Raglan’s recall. Poor Sir
J. Campbell was killed leading on our grand storming party of 400 men who of
course were snuffed out as soon as they shewed outside the parapet. Strange to
say I think the Army is not disheartened, the whole thing was such a bungling,
disgracefully childish failure, that it is rather laughed at as a joke. That
ruffian Astley has not yet sent my clothes and I am obliged to borrow a jacket
to go out in. Now Good bye.
August
1855
On 24 August
1855 the Allies started their most severe bombardment after the
Battle of Tchernaya, a final attempt by the
Russians to break the siege of Sevstopol. On 28
August 1855 the Russians had abandoned the southern side of Sebastopol.
September
1855
The British
assault on the
Great Redan in September 1855 failed.
8
September 1855
The second
major assault against Sebastopol was launched on 8 September 1855 when the
French seized the Malakoff
redoubt, making the Russian defence untenable. The French were successful
in achieving their objectives but the British were driven back. Third Division,
including the 28th, had remained in reserve, but the 28th had been selected for
the storming party due to go in the following day. In the event, this was not
required, for overnight, the Russians evacuated the city and abandoned it to
the allies.
The fall of
Sebastopol led to Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War, but cost heavy Allied
casualties. The Crimean War was one of the first campaigns which used
techniques of modern warfare including explosive naval shells, railways and
telegraphs. There were however significant logistical, medical and tactical
failures. The Imperial Russian Army took decades to recover and the defeat was
a catalyst for social reforms and the abolition of serfdom in Russia.
1856
Peace was
not signed until 31 March 1856. The Russian fleet had been scuttled in the
harbour, and the progress of the siege was marked by its miserable conditions,
the armies rife with disease, and acts of gallantry and heroism displayed by
both sides. The 28th Regiment had gone to the Crimea around 800 strong, all
ranks. Only 140 were killed and wounded in the fighting, but 395 died of
disease, together with many others whose lives were permanently blighted. On
the 8 February 1856 Ensign Williams reported to his cousin Sophy that only 50
men remained of the 28th who had set sail from Liverpool. There were over 300
men still with the Colours, but 250 of these were new recruits sent out from
England.
The 28th
Regiment left the Crimea on 24 May 1856, bound for Malta.
Crimean
War Medal of Ralph Webster of 28th Regiment in Crimea
After the
Crimean Wars, the 28th of Foot served in India from 1858 to 1865.
There was a
Private John Farndale, discharged from the Grenadier Regiment of Guards on 25
May 1872, of very good character. This doesn’t match the date he went to
Canada, but it is possible that he went to Canada a little later, after he was
discharged. As we know John George Farndale was promoted to Lance Corporal in
January 1855, this would suggest that he didn’t retain that rank.
Research
Notes regarding John Farndale’s service during the Crimean War
It has been
very difficult to track John
Farndale down to the military records. It seems likely that he used an
assumed name, as a runway apprentice.
The Gorst
Research in 1985 concluded I am therefore sure that he was with the 28th
Regiment of foot under an assumed name. One piece of information gives reason
for this. Besides the probable family disapproval is the fact that he was a
runaway apprentice. If he had not completed his apprenticeship, then the Army
would have been bound to hand him over to the responsible authorities. The Army
or Regiment had no choice in the matter. It was clearly laid down in the muster
books that any apprentice who had not completed his time had upon discovery to
be given up. Therefore if John George Farndale did run away from an uncompleted
apprenticeship, then he would have had to enlist under a false name. One of the
questions on the attestation papers signed by any recruit was concerned with
any apprenticeship.
The Dagger
& Dagger research:
The Hilary
Marshall research:
or
Go
Straight to John George Farndale