8th October 1855
Camp near Balaklava
My Dear Brother and Sister
It is with great pleasure, that I have in answering you very welcome letter. I can tell by your writing that your thoughts are sometimes directed towards Tom and I cannot sufficiently describe to you the emotion of my bosom when hearing of your welfare etc.
I was glad to hear you was all well as thank God this leaves me at present, as regarding another winter, it is very certain that preperations are being made for again wintering in the Crimea but I think we shall be much better off than last time, as for one thing theres no trenches for us this winter as there was last year and there are lots of provisions in Balaklava and we shall proberbly be nearer to it, I must tell you as regards playmates there is none but there are a few stamfordians here who came out lately amongst who are young, Dan Belton and Boyle, the barber, Tom and Ted Williamson all in the Artillery, they were doing well when last I heard. There is also a young man named Monk here from St Georges Street,. The other Stamford lads are no more, Flint, Clarke and Pollard poor fellows died, Cousoin James also died of Brain Fever which made me feel rather low for a time, being the only relation I had out here, however we must not give way especially in the field, so Gods will be done....
Since the Battle of the Ichernaya, were we was in reserve, being attached at that time to the Cavelry Division. The Russians have showed no front on that side, although they have all their lines strongly fortified so that we should have to fight hard for their position before driving them into the Interior, for which I think it is too late this season.
Sebastopol is half in the French possession and half in ours, were we have thrown up batteries to play upon the north side were the Russians are still in great force, we have erected batteries to play upon the town were they and our fellows especially the French, keep firing at each other across the Harbour.
Nothing particular is expected to be done this season but there is an expedition, supposed to have quietly gone off in force, where to no one knows but tis thought by some to Nicholoff, or some such place, to take the place which is a strong sea port and to cut off the remaining chance of provisions coming to the Russian Army by Perecop, they are reported now by deserters to be starving. If so they are done for, for to retreat through the country in a wek or so will be almost impossible. So you can judge for yourself their position now is no enviable one.
We hear very little news now of any description, a party of French yesterday kicked up a row at Kadakor and kicked over all the stalls and stole the contents, a few of our cavalry soon settled them.
I must tell you now that the Country is doing well for us now, our winter clothing has arrived at Balaklava and we are now receiving 6d a day extra as field allowance, which is a good thing for a man that wishes to do himself justice but some of the rough christians make bod use of it. We received our war Medals on the 20th September, the Anniversary of the battle of Alma, when I and a few friends spent a very convivial evening at a supper in a large marque, of course it was in a rough style but twas very well for us being so long in the field.
I have since that received my Medal for Distinguished Service in the field with a gratuity of £10.
So that I am now nearly what you wished me to be , plenty of gold lace about me as a Sgt of Artillery, and I wear on my breast, two Medals and three Clasps and I am still entitled to another Clasp for the fall of Sebastopol granted to our army by Her Majesty per General order the other evening.
I thank you for the stamp for which I was hard up, hoping this will find yourself and Wife and Child well and wishing you every success.
I remain with my Love to you
Your affectionate Brother Tom.
My Wife thank God is doing well and has the blessed enjoyment of everything but my company.
Give my Love to all at home, Mother Father, Brothers Sisters and enquirers.
Sgt Thom Mitchell
"A" Field Battery
2 Company Battallion
Royal Artillery
Highland Division
Crimea