Crimean War Diary – Part Six

This is the final entry in the Crimean War Diary written by John Harris and published in the Swindon Advertiser after his death in 1902.

Jan. 1 (1856) – Very cold, with much snow. Firing from the north side continues during the day. At night rockets are observed on the heights.

Jan 2. – The troops are comfortable in huts – several of the outpost sentries have been found frozen to death at their posts. The Russians continue to throw shot and shell into the town. The rations are, generally, of a better quality than have been hitherto served out to the troops.

Jan. 3. – Received orders yesterday to hold ourselves in readiness to proceed to Kertch, as the Russians are collecting in force in that district. It will be a difficult march at this time of the year, although the distance is not great. But the mountain passes are covered with snow, and very deep.

Jan. 4. – Marched to-day at 10 a.m. for Kertch and encamped at Bidar for the night, caught a violent cold, which I thought would prove my death. We had to keep our watch fires going the whole of the night, as wolves came down in great numbers. We lost one man during the night, and it was supposed that he was taken away whilst on sentry duty, as his carbine and much blood was found near his outpost.

Jan. 5. – Awoke this morning before daylight. It was bitter cold, and my limbs nearly contracted with the damp and cold. I was nearly ready to give up. We are to remain at Bidar until the river is going down, and we shall be able to ford it to-morrow.

Jan. 7. – Marched over the Bidar bridge this morning and reached Kertch at 9 p.m. much fatigued. Have the damp wet ground and the dreary tent once more.

Jan. 12. – All the Russian outworks round Kertch were destroyed by our men yesterday and to-day. Fresh butter was offered to-day by the Tartans and the country people at 3s per pound.

Jan. 25. – The Russians are very quiet in their batteries, and fresh supplies are coming in great abundance from the out villages. The English and French mail arrived with the intelligence of an armistice between all the powers for the space of six weeks.

Having between Jan. 25^th, and Feb. 6^th, gone to Balaclava, the writer of the diary continues:

Feb. 7. – The Russians hoisted a flag of truce from the heights, and from the staff fort in Sebastopol. They have received the news of an armistice. The Russian General and the generals of the French, English and Sardinians will meet to-morrow at 11 o’clock, half-way on the traction bridge, to sign the articles of the armistice. No firing or any other warfare to be carried on for six weeks.

Feb. 8. – All hands employed raising the dock gates. Great rejoicing among the Russians on account of the Armistice. Salutes were fired for the occasion.

Feb. 9. – A holiday was given all the troops, and all Government offices closed for the day.

Feb. 10. – Wind bitter cold; several men frost-bitten in their fingers, ears, noses and above the ankles. Others have had their fingers and toes amputated. One man was obliged to have both his feet taken of just above the ankle. Other have had their fingers taken off, and another had his ear off. My nose was frost-bitten, and as white as a lily, but I got it round by rubbing plenty of snow into it.

Feb. 14. – Escorted prisoners to Balaclava. One got away on the road, but was recaptured.

Feb. 16. – Stores and men arriving from England, and in the course of other two months Camp to Balaclava; distance, nine weary miles. We shall be able to take the field with a fine and powerful army.

Feb. 23.- Two Greeks shot on the Heights for killing a French soldier.

Feb. 27. – Snow fell very heavy during the night. A Greek sailor was hanged from the yard-arm of the Black Eagle, for attempting to set fire to an English vessel laden with powder.

Feb. 28. – Wind bitter cold; many cattle found frozen on the plains. Two French soldiers shot for killing and robbing an English soldier on the road from Balaclava to the camp. A Greek spy was caught in the English camp and shot.

Feb. 29.- Two English officers suffocated in their huts by using charcoal to keep them warm.

March 7. – The English mail has arrived with good news. Peace is proclaimed. All men paraded for a field-day. Salutes fired from all the forts, fires lighted on all the hills, and fireworks displayed.

From this date to the 18^th July the old soldier records the various incidents which lead up to the close of the war and the return home. On the 18^th of July he records as follows:-

Entered the chops of the English Channel, and passed the island of Jersey at 4 p.m. We then caught a glimpse of the white cliffs of old England, and all the crew and the troops gave hearty cheers, which seemed to echo back to the good old ship the news of our welcome home.

July 19. – Landed at Portsmouth at 9 a.m., and marched to the Railway Station with several bands playing “Cheer, Boys, Cheer,” “Auld Lang Syne,” and “See, the Conquering Heroes come.” We are now safely landed in England after twelve months hard toil on the battle field.

The diary is concluded with the following statistics in relation to the death roll:-

English loss                         30,301

French loss                          45,284

Sardinians loss                      9,112

                                             84,697

Russian loss                    174,989

Swindon Advertiser, Friday, August 8, 1902.

John returned to England and in 1859 married Sarah Coleman at St. Mary’s Bathwick. By 1861 they were living in Swindon at the appropriately named 5 Alma Terrace* with their year old son John Frederick Mark. John was employed as an accounts clerk in the GWR Works, a job he would retain until his retirement.

Subsequent census returns record him living at 19 Bridge Street (1871); 2 Queen Street (1881) and finally at 24 Sanford Street (1891 & 1901) where he died in 1902.

He was buried on August 2, 1902 in grave plot E8002, which he shares with his wife Sarah who died in January 1908.

*The Battle of Alma took place in Crimea on September 20, 1854