CRIMEAN WAR - H.B Hunt, Royal Navy. Two autograph letters signed, 4 sides and 3 sides, 4vo, H.M.S Ardent (1841) at Chanak, Thursday 13th and 18th April 1854, to Lt T.M Kelsall.

Excerpts include (13th April) 'We are now calling here having landed 2 companies of the 50th Reg't at Gallipoli yesterday - and we are off from here for Malta tonight - we towed up a merchant ship also, with 150 or 200 merchant horses for Gallipoli and when we get back to Malta expect another trip for the same purpose. The 'Hymalaya' [SS Himalaya, purchased by the Royal Navy for us as a troop ship in 1854] and ? both very large ships have just passed us all taken up with troops and the 'Cyclops' and Vesuvius, last night - so now our forces at Gallipoli hoping to look ? - they are all encamped and the Highlanders look splendid... and we also hope that 'Mad Charly' has had a go-in on the Baltic and I wish to know shortly that our Black Sea Fleet are about to repair work.'

(18th April) 'Today a vessel arrived a Turkish steamer from Volo[s], stating that the Greeks had risen there and the Turks had been obliged to hook it - so that, it appears to be pretty well understood that, the Greeks are going to try their luck again [the 'again' referring to the earlier Epirus Revolt of January - March 1854] ... We have heard today that one of the French Transports with troops has been wrecked somewhere to the west and I am afraid we shall be bunked off to assist.'

Notes: H.B Hunt previously served with the recipient of this letter onboard HMS Trafalgar, and is listed as a Second Master on the Crimean War medal rolls.

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)