Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1897

File PB130047

Legal document

1897

The Misses G.A. and R.J.Marsh-Caldwell

Re Alsager Cottages.

6.0.0

Barnard and Taylor

47LincolnsInn Fields

The Misses G.A. & R.J. Marsh Caldwell

To Messrs Barnard & Taylor

47 Lincolns Inn Fields. W.C.

Re Alsager Cottages.

March/April 1897

To deducing title to freehold hereditaments at Alsager. Perusing and completing conveyance. Scale fee on 400. 6.0.0

Received

Barnard and Taylor

6^th May 1897

Introduction to the book “Letters from the Black Sea” by Admiral Sir Leopold Heath

These letters have lain on a shelf untouched and almost unthought of for many years, but, as is the habit of old men, I took them down recently to refresh my memory of the events in which I had taken part during the most stirring times of my earlier life. They interested me much, and I publish them thinking that perhaps they may also interest others.

The earlier letters that is, those previous to February, 1855 describe events occurring whilst I was in command of the “Niger,” or of the “Sanspareil,” and carrying out the ordinary duties of the service; but those of a later date were written whilst I was holding the position of Harbour Master at Balaklava or of Principal A gent of Transports. It will be seen that the series begins with the declaration of war and ends with the fall of Sebastopol.

It will be seen that the series begins with the declaration of war and ends with the fall of Sebastopol. Some few letters have been lost, but none of much consequence, except, perhaps, that which described the battle of Tchernaya, in which victory over the attacking Russians – said to have been sixty thousand strong – was won by the Sardinians, aided partially by ourselves and the French, and, I think, by a few Turks.

Many “Letters from the Crimea” and histories of the campaign have been brought before the public, but I think they have all been written by Officers of the Sister Service and that these are the first from a Sailor’s pen. I have included amongst the Letters a semi-official report upon the loss of the “Prince,” and also two documents and two photographs showing the real conditions of Balaklava Harbour. On both these points the English newspapers used very strong language, but the “Correspondents” of those days were not the steady, history-recording gentlemen who now accompany our armies; they apparently considered that to interest and excite the readers of their newspapers was their only mission.

In the Appendix are two or three documents of interest, and it closes with the despatches from the Duke of Newcastle, after receiving reports of the first bombardment – of the battle of Balaklava – and that of Inkerman. The last-named is extraordinarily eloquent, and one cannot read its many tender and pathetic passages without a strong suspicion that although the pen was that of the Minister of War, the words were those of a more exalted person. What can be more Queen-like than “Let not any private soldier in the ranks believe that his conduct is unheeded – the Queen thanks him – his Country honours him.”

It was my great good fortune to obtain the good opinion both of Admiral Dundas and Sir Edmund Lyons, and I take this opportunity of expressing the gratitude with which I received their many acts of kindness both professional and private.

L.G. Heath

Anstie Grange, Holmwood

May, 1897