Crimean War - Declaration of War. Lieutenant Theophilus Moultrie Kelsall, Royal Navy (1831-1911) Autograph letter, four sides, large post 8vo, Kavarna Bay, April 14^th 1854, Good Friday, HMS Trafalgar, to his sister [Ellen].

Excerpts include

'On Sunday last we received the official declaration of war and we greeted it with great joy as our patience has been sorely tried by being kept up here as well, as in our case, the ship being kept in commission over her time. Our Admiral manned the rigging of his ship and gave hearty cheers and we as well as the rest to follow motions did the same though not knowing what cause we had to cheer in fact. I was asked by many of our men why we had been cheering and could give no explanation for though my own interests are perhaps favoured by war it still does not appear right to exult in so public a manner on such a calamity.

I fancy our cheers must have meant that we were as ready ever to fight when forced to do so, as we have been by Russia. Though at war, we cannot yet realise it as there is no more precaution exercise or else to alter naval life from what I have always seen it. A good deal of this results from the knowledge that our enemy will never come out to attack us and we shall be obliged to act entirely on the offensive. We do not understand why we are now quietly laying here they say that the French have not yet received their official notice of war. It appears strange to stick to such niceties as our own ought to be sufficient for them…

They [the Turks] have been forced to retreat and for fear of meeting with any Russian soldiers we are not allowed when on shore to go farther inland than a mile from the beach. Just before we received the official news, the Ad’tly, acting on the telegraphic intelligence sent a steamer to withdraw the French and English consults from Odessa but although she had a flag of truce flying they would not allow her boat to communicate but ordered her back to her ships and on her way back fired shot and shell at her and then at the ships, but did not strike her.

Her Captain (Cpt Loring of the ‘Furious’) wished to return the fire but was overruled by his First Lieut’nt who advised him no one understands why to return and report the affair to the Ad’tly. They that moment discovered a Russian corvette … and steered for her but losing sight of her in a squall. When it cleared up she was safely under protection of forts near dangerous shoals. We were all very sorry that the Furious had not the opportunity of first opening the war as we wish the neglected Black Sea Fleet to have that honour but we have great doubts about it for the other fleet have of course had the start of us in the knowledge of our being at war and being commanded by Charles Napier, instead of the cautious Dundas. I fancy they stand perhaps more chance of commencing ….”

Theophilus Moultrie Kelsall was the son of Napoeolenic War naval veteran, John Theophilus Kelsall.

Theophilius' service includes the following:
HMS President - 2nd December 1846 - 6th February 1849 (As Naval Cadet and Midshipman)
HMS Rattler - 18th February 1849 - 15th April 1851
HMS Trafalgar - 9th December 1852 - 14th April 1955 (Mediterranean and Black Sea Fleet, including Crimea Service)
HMS Spiteful - 15th May 1855 - 2nd September 1855 (Made Lieutenant in August 1855, Mediterranean)
HMS Arachne - 23rd October 1855 - 27th November 1855 (North America and West Indies)
HMS Horatio - 10th January 1856 - 12th May 1856 (Sheerness)
HMS Cressy - 13th May 1856 - 14th May 1856 (Mediterranean and St. Petersburg)
HMS Cumberland - 17th September 1858 - 17th August 1859 (South-Eastern Coast of America)
HMS Weser - 18th October 1859 - 26th January 1860 (Mediterranean)
HMS Alecto - 27th January 1860 - 25th June 1862 (West Africa)
HMS Phoebe - 26th September 1862 - 29th June 1866 (Made Commander 11th April 1866, Mediterranean)
Coast Guard Commander - 29th June 1870 - 13th October 1873 (Ramsgate)