Camp Aladdon
8th July 1854
Dear father and Mother
I sit down in my tent once more to address a few lines to you hoping that they find all in the enjoyment of good health, as thank God this leaves me at the present.
Dear parents, I must tell you all I know about the country, We embarked at Coolati after being in camp at Scutari for Varna on the 13 of last month, was towed up by the Emperor Steamer after breaking down one steamer, to varna about 200 miles up the country you will understand that we come all that distance through the Black Sea.
We were encamped at varna on what is called the Plains of Bulgaria were some years ago, a hard fought battle was fought between Turks & Russians, we were encamped close by a beautiful lake but the country around is wild looking. The town of Varna is like all other Turkish towns, not fit to set your foot in though pretty well Garrisoned, it has a splendid harbor I believe there were about 100,000 troops encamped about the town, English,French & Turks.
The French dress is a great deal looser and consequently cooler than ours, especially the Algerians, they are noble but wild looking fellows, especially the cavalry they dress and look like Gypsies.
We marched from Varna to Aladdon on the first of this month it is about 10 miles, quite far enough for a British soldier to march in this heat of the sun. The Guards fell to the rear in dozens not able to keep up, the sweat ran through their clothes and their belts, poor fellows you would think they had been ducked in a river.
We are here encamped in the bush, our battery, the 3 Battalions of Guards and the 42nd,79th and 93rd Highlanders and
HRH the Duke of Cambridge's Division.
We are not in sight of a town although there is one about 3 miles off across a river, the town of Aladdon, this place is all mountains and valleys covered with bush, we have 1 and half miles to go for water and the worst of it is we get no porters here from England.
I was on escort 3 days ago to Davenah about 15 miles from Schurnla where our Light Division has moved to, it is far before this a town near at hand, plenty of everything to buy cheap and above all plenty of water close to, I wish we had moved to there.
Omar Pasha the Great Turkish General was reviewing our troops, he has been down to Varna, I cant say whether he went further or not but he is back to day the 6th and inspected our division, the Guards etc charged and we marched to camp, I believe he was highly pleased with the appearance and discipline of the Dukes Division.
While I was at Davenah a report spread that a the war was over, I brought the news down to our camp, whether its over or not I cant exactly say but the Russians have fled from this quarter and we begin to expect to return to England without firing a shot. So much the better but we get no honour's.
Omar Pasha is a clever looking as he proved himself to be a General, I think there must be some slackness in the fighting trade or he would have left his army, he has gone back now, I can give you no more news at present so I must conclude hoping to hear from home as I have not heard from you since I have left England, I hear from my beloved Wife and I am happy and proud to say that she has bourne me a beautiful little Daughter, God bless them both and she told me that master Bob had acted the goat in running away, which I was sorry to hear but I was proud to hear that Charles was married, I congratulate him and hope he will be happy. I would still like to hear from the old house at home. Hoping this finds you all well and comfortable, I remain with Love to all of you not forgetting Susan.
Your ever affectionate Son
Corpl T.Mitchell
A Battery 2 Company Royal Artillery
Varna
ps- I saw Cousin James on the 6th, he arrived on that day from Varna, he came out with the spare men of the regiment, he marched away again on the 7th to join his Regiment at Davenah, he looks well and desired me particularly to send his kind respects to all, goodbye for the present to Varna Turkey or elsewhere and the letter will follow up, send me word how Ann gets on - yours etc T.M