COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 171 



the mud. Many thanks for it. I have read several 

 letters from the Atherstone country lately, from Sir 

 George and old Arkwright to Freeman (who is chap- 

 lain to our division), from which it appears there has 

 not been much sport theVe. We jog and scramble 

 on rather in a fix. The want of transport, the origin 

 of all our discomfort, mismanagement, etc., caused 

 more deaths than all the fighting. I live in a dug- 

 out tent, which is pretty warm, with a capital fire- 

 place made out of potato tins ! French reinforce- 

 ments keep arriving and a few of ours, but they 

 (i.e., ours) invariably go sick at once. All the fellows 

 here are quite well. We have about forty-five nags 

 left, the nth I think twenty-five. We could turn 

 out fifty-nine in the Light Brigade and not much 

 better in the heavies. It is too absurd. The loth 

 are on the way. Bosser brought a state on to Lord 

 Lucan yesterday ' 700 strong ' (horses) ; such items 

 as 60 caste cooks, 40 horse keepers, etc. They will 

 be pretty well cut down in these luxuries here, poor 

 devils. I am so afraid they will not send out enough 

 horses and men to us at once, but will send 100 or so 

 at a time. I have no news. We expect an attack on 

 our rear every day, and strong rumours of peace. 

 With best love from Jos and Goad. 



"Yours ever sincerely, 



" SOAME G. JENYNS." 



" BALAKLAVA, i$th December, 1854. 



" MY DEAR JACK, 



" It never struck me till last night that since 

 poor dear Goad's death there has been no one in the 



