CRIMEAN LETTERS FROM THE 41st (THE WELCH) REGIMENT 1854-56

The Crimean War of 1854-56 was the first of the 'modern' wars. The opening round at the Alma was a direct throwback to the Napoleonic campaigns of 50 years earlier, whereas the Siege of Sevastopol was a foretaste of the Great War more than 60 years later. Based upon the correspondence of Lieutenant William Allan, a young Scottish officer serving with the 41st (the Welch) Regiment throughout the campaign, these letters provide insight into the experiences of the officers both in action and in their day to day lives, the ravages of ill health and the incompetence of those in authority. As a young subaltern, Allan was amongst the first to arrive in Turkey and during the following 21 months he served in Varna and fought at the Battles of the Alma, Little Inkerman and throughout the Siege of Sevastopol. He corresponded regularly with his family in Scotland about his life at the Front. He published these letters in 1897 in a very limited edition intended for family use. Now the editor W. Alister Williams has supplemented Allan's letters with those from other officers of the regiment and provided a narrative background to the events described. A complete Crimean nominal roll of the officers, non-commissioned officers and the men of the 41st Regiment has been compiled in the appendix. 224pp, illustrated. 2011 first edition.