Crimean War Diary – Part Four

The death toll from disease rises as John writes in his diary – Oct 8. – Sickness dreadful. Sixty men in hospital; twenty men have to do the work of 100. If we stay here much longer we shall lose all our company. We came here a few days ago 126 strong, and we have only 58 left.

Continuing …

Extracts from the diary of Crimean War Veteran John Harris.

Sebastopol storming of the Great Redan

Oct. 1. – Ordered to march from the Windmill miles after much rain.

Oct. 2. – Arrived last night at the heights and encamped.

Oct. 3. – Went to Balaclava on “fatigue” after rations, but could not get any, biscuits all we have had for two days.

Oct. 4. – Two gunners fell sick and died. This evening one corporal and a bombardier died. Several more men sick.

Oct. 5. – Two more men died this morning.

Oct. 6. – Four men of our company died during the night. Two men died this evening; sickness on the increase.

Oct. 7. – Two sergeants and one lieutenant died this morning.

Oct. 8. – Sickness dreadful. Sixty men in hospital; twenty men have to do the work of 100. If we stay here much longer we shall lose all our company. We came here a few days ago 126 strong, and we have only 58 left.

Oct. 9. Orders came yesterday to remove to Kamara from this valley of death on account of sickness.

Oct. 10. – Marched to Kamara this morning. A great number of men fell out on the way from weakness.

Oct. 15. – Order to march to the right attack, so as to be employed in Sebastopol getting out the stores, and mounting guns.

Oct. 16. – Arrived at the Windmill Camp, right attack, yesterday evening, very much fatigued.

Oct. 17. – Employed in Sebastopol in raising the iron lock gates of the docks. The Russians fire at us from the Staff Fort, but very little damage, as all their shot and shell fired at short range.

Oct. 21. – In Sebastopol raising the ribs of the dock gate. Two of our men injured by a shell from the enemy.

Oct. 22. – The Russians are throwing up Battery on the left of the Staff Fort so as to prevent our men working.

Oct. 22. – The English destroyed the new battery yesterday by shelling the men out of it.

Oct. 24. – The Russians continued to fire all over the town with very little damage to anyone.

Oct. 25. – Two men blown up by a shell near the Creek battery.

Oct. 26. – The sappers are at work at the docks, sinking shafts in order to blow them up.

Oct. 27. – Rain fell in torrents the whole night; our tent nearly blown away. Heavy fire from the left.

Oct. 28. – Sun very warm; washed our dirty linen, which was very verminous.

Oct. 30. – Mounting guns in the Redan to be forwarded home to England.

Continued tomorrow …

Crimean War Diary – Part 5