Henry Clifford V.C.

His Letters and Sketches from the Crimea

Maj.-Gen. Sir Henry Hugh Clifford V.C.

• Publisher: Normanby Press
• Year: 2016
• eBook ISBN: 9781787202689
• Topic: Storia
• Subtopic: Storia britannica

First published in 1956, this book is a rich collection of letters written by Major-General Sir Henry Clifford during his service in the Crimean War, where he received the appointment of aide-de-camp to Sir George Brown, commanding the light division, and was present at Alma and Inkerman. For his gallantry in the latter battle, Clifford was decorated with the Victoria Cross, in honour of leading one of the charges, killing one of the enemy with his sword, disabling another, and saving the life of a soldier.
"In reading these letters one cannot fail to be impressed by the noble character of the writer: a man of great courage, both moral and physical, a fine leader of men, and a first-rate officer, quick in his grasp of a difficult situation, forthright in his opinions and criticisms. Even by our standards of today he would certainly be classed as well above the average of his rank. […]
It is a great privilege to read these frank and vivid letters of 100 years ago and to learn from them at first hand of the courage and endurance of the British soldier in adversity."
Richly illustrated throughout with Clifford's own sketches and notes, plus three maps.

THE LETTERS

“Extract from Henry Clifford’s Journal—

25th September, 1855:

‘We have got our “medals” and Major

Clifford, looks no end of a cove with his

Alma and Inkerman clasps, tho’ they do

remind me of the labels one has seen on

Decanters, “Port” and “Sherry”.’”

On Board the ‘City of London’

May 30th, 1854

Dearest Letty,

Our embarkation for Varna{3} was postponed for two days and our horses went on board on Friday morning. On Sunday we received fresh orders to embark on Board the ‘City of London’ on Monday at 9 o’clock. The embarkation of the troops on board the transports, steamers and sailing vessels began at 9 o’clock and the baggage and camp equipage began at 6 and we left Scutari at 2 o’clock p.m.

We have on board General Airey{4} and his Staff, and General Buller and his Staff; the medical Staff of the Light Division and Commissariat Department belonging to it are also on board.

The view all the way up the Bosphorus was most magnificent. Only General Brown and the Light Division have left Scutari yet, but they will all follow shortly. This sudden move of one Division has been caused by a report that the Russians are moving down upon Varna which they are most anxious to occupy as a port on the Black Sea, and also because, as I have previously mentioned, Austria will not declare itself for the Western Powers, till a movement to the front by the French and English Armies has been made.

I mentioned in my last that our Camp was to be formed at a place called Paravadi, about 20 miles from Varna, but this has since been changed as it is thought too far from Varna, and that with so small a force as we shall have at first, till the remainder of our Army and the French come up, the position would not be a safe one, and that we might be cut off from Varna before we could retreat.

The French Army is coming overland from Gallipoli so that they will not be with us till the end of June. Our Camp is now to be formed close to Varna, our right resting on the French Army who will occupy the ground to our right, and their right will rest immediately on the town of Varna.

Lord Raglan{5} went up to Schumla from Varna the other day with General St. Arnaud,{6} to see Omar Pasha{7} and Admiral Dundas. He gives sad accounts of the state of the country in every direction—the towns and villages are laid waste in every direction. Cossacks have been met with, within ten miles of Varna, so I fancy we shall be confined pretty well to Camp.

I hear we are in sight of Varna, so I shall shut up my desk for the present and finish my letter when I get into Camp.

‘City of London’ at Anchor off Varna 9 o’clock p.m.

30 May

A fog came on just as we sighted Varna today, and we had to lay to for three hours. It was four o’clock when we came to an anchor in the bay of Varna. The country much resembles the Cape; there is very little cultivated land in sight and the hills are covered with bush. The transports, some of which left before us and arrived at Varna at midday today, were landing their living freight as fast as possible. I went on shore with General Airey to see General Brown and receive orders.

The town is much the same kind of place as Gallipoli. Houses made of wood, two stories in height, some few with glass windows, but most without, red tiles to the houses, the streets paved with stone and slanting to the centre, which forms a sort of large drain, into which is emptied all sorts of filth. Constantinople is just the same, so that you step in all sorts of filth. In trying to get out of the way of a dead dog the other day, I found my foot on a dead rat. The streets are never cleaned in any way, so the stench beats anything I have ever smelt.

The 88th Regiment with the Band playing in front, was just marching up the Town to the Camp ground.

When we landed the sight was a strange one. My friends the Zouaves, a regiment of whom were shaking hands with all our men, and walking with them in the ranks, talking French as fast as possible and our fellows answering or rather talking, for they could not understand a word each other said, in broad Irish.

SCUTARI: Drilling in Square.

The Turkish soldiers looked on in astonishment at the size and fine clothes of their English allies; but I do not observe any warmth of feeling between them and us. They look upon us I think with much suspicion and wonder how it will all end. The inhabitants look upon us almost with fear, and the old Pashas and nobles with a sort of desponding heartbroken civility, and think their Empire will soon be at an end.

I do not wonder at this, for the French are not ceremonious nor backward in making known their sentiments and intentions. They say the Turks have laws and prejudices that won’t do, and that must be put to rights before we leave the country. An old Pasha said the other day to me through an interpreter: ‘Oh! young man—we are not what we have been, we are fast going down hill. We have allowed the Christians to build a church in Constantinople, and the veils of our women fall lower and lower every day.’

I am afraid that the old Pashas with their 100 young wives are not over-pleased with the appearance of so many young officers, and I think one or two more promenades at the ‘Sweet Waters’ will make an even greater change in the ladies of these dear old gentlemen. The fact is, the Turkish ladies are quite as fond of admiration as English or any other women, and like to be looked at better by a dashing handsome young officer with a fine uniform, than by an old gentleman with one foot in the grave. In vain the guardians of these fair dames walk after them, with frowns and hints that the old gentleman shall hear all about it when they get home. The veil will drop, and the head will turn over the shoulder to exchange a smile and a glance with some young admirer. However sorry others may be, I have no doubt the old Turks are delighted the troops are leaving Constantinople.

I must send this letter off by this ship tomorrow or I shall not be able to send you a letter for ten days. We are to form Camp tomorrow, only one mile from Varna, and move to our Camp, nine miles further off, the next day.

I do not know if I have mentioned it in any part of my letter, that the French march overland to Varna from Gallipoli. I do not know the exact distance, but I believe it to be about three hundred miles.

I will write by the opportunity. I have not received a line from anyone in England yet; so I conclude the letters have remained in some post-office, for I have not yet made up my mind that I am quite forgotten, or that all have ceased to take some interest or care still a little about me. If, however, this falls into the hands of any kind friend or relation, who formerly wrote to me regularly, I trust that they will spare a moment to write me a line, for I do not forget quickly, and though I cannot write to each one individually, I think of and still love you all most dearly,

Henry.

***

15th June

9 miles from Varna

My dear Charles,

I have been fortunate enough to receive your letter of the 31st May written from Thorndon Hall. I am very glad you did not come up to Southampton to see me off and am sorry to hear the greater part of your family have suffered from the same illness. You do not say how Agnes is but as you are moving about and you do not say anything about her having suffered I conclude she is well and stronger than when I paid you my last visit. I am very glad she has been with Lady Petre and her brothers.

I have not sent you a direct letter but I have written long ones to Francesca to send to you, Conny and one or two other relations and friends to whom I have not had time to write separate letters and who may wish to know how I am going on.

I have been in constant hard work since I left England, for on board our horses were a very great anxiety to us and tho’ we got them here all right it was only by the greatest care and trouble. Our 1st Division is at Varna and we expect a third eventually. Lord Raglan is most anxious to move us on but they say the French are not ready to move and that they have no transport for baggage. The Division of the French Army that marched from Gallipoli is said to have crossed the Balkan Mountains and goes direct to Schumla. It is very hard to get any correct information in Camp. I am about the first after General Airey and Buller to hear anything in the way of a move. It was intended that we should move our present camp ten miles further up to Devna, but yesterday Omar Pasha sent word from Schumla that Silistria could not hold out more than five days longer if we do not go to help him. I believe we shall start the moment it is practicable.

June 19th

I have not been able to write again till today. It is out of the question our being able to go to the aid of the Turks at Silistria. The French are just in the same way as we are. There is the greatest difficulty in moving troops out here, the country is very thinly inhabited, the transport very bad, and food hard to get. It would be absurd to move against a force of 95,000 Russians with 12,000 French and English, which is all we could send at the moment. The French are determined not to move till they can give the Russians a good account of themselves and we are great fools if we don’t do the same. It will be six weeks or two months before we can accept the challenge. The Russians are strongly encamped, and seem to say ‘Here we are, all ready for you to come and see what we are made of.’ Silistria must be taken and every day we expect to hear the bad news.

You must pardon the abrupt way I bring my note to a close. If I don’t send it into Varna now I may not be able to send it off for some days. Give my love to Agnes and the little ones. I will write again soon. God bless you. I have heard that letters can be sent by the Queen’s Messenger from the Horse Guards. Do you think you can find this out in England and send my letters that way? I shall be so much obliged to you for this.

Your affectionate brother,

Henry.

***

Varna

Undated, but written on 23rd or 24th July

We are in the same state of idleness and suspense as when I last wrote. It is said the combined Fleets are to be at Varna on the 29th of this month to convey the troops to Sebastopol.{8} I cannot give you this in any other shape than ‘on dit’, and that it is thought probable such will be the case. Something must be done before long, and as Austria will look after the enemy over the Danube, we have but this move to make, if we are to do anything before winter comes on. Everyone is convinced of one thing and that is, that if an attack is made upon Sebastopol, with the best possible management and under the most favourable circumstances the loss of life will be very great on our side. The least sanguine look upon the plan as that of a madman and the taking of the place as impossible. We can only tell by trying, and the sooner we do try the better. I should say I thought we came out here to fight, but if something is not done soon I shall think my present life a sample of the future. Before leaving England the attack on Sebastopol was spoken of, and it has been the grand plan and hobby ever since we left. Three years ago the place was a very strong one, and there is every reason to believe its strength is now much greater. If more time is given it will become stronger every day, and by next spring we shall find it harder work even than now so I am for going at it at once and I hope the report is true and that I shall be able to confirm it in my next letter.

I am very sorry I ever asked for my letters to be sent through Mr. Grace of Constantinople. I have had to pay about 5 shillings a piece for four letters received through his hands, and though I am glad to get them at any price I don’t like to be cheated and pay 5 shillings when others only pay a few pence and get them much sooner than I do; so if anyone writes to me, which does not seem to be likely to take place, as I have only heard from Charles and Conny yet, I hope they will not write by Mr. Grace as his ‘care’ is too expensive and does not bring me my letters sooner.

You will see in the papers, the death of the three English officers leading a force of Turks against the Russians. It was a sad mistake and they wo...

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• DEDICATION
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• ILLUSTRATIONS
• MAPS
• INTRODUCTION
• BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
• THE LETTERS
• APPENDIX I
• APPENDIX II
• REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER