CRIMEAN WAR - A series of nine lengthy autograph letters signed by Veterinary Surgeon Matthew J Harpley, Royal Artillery. Sebastopol, 18th October - 17th December 1854, to his family. Content documents multiple military actions, including an account of the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava and the immediate aftermath. Sold with complete typed transcriptions. 40 pages total, of which many are cross-written. Several letters with multiple date entries.

Excerpts include:
28^th October, 1854
Harpley describes the unfolding of the infamous charge, noting the tragic loss suffered by the Light Brigade: “800 sabres charged, 190 only returned, the remainder being killed, wounded or taken Prisoner.” The miscommunication that led to this disastrous attack is detailed, with the writer recounting how “Lord Cardigan said, ‘Who am I to charge?’ The answer he received was, ‘There, Sir, is your Enemy, charge them.'" Despite questioning the command, “The taunt was enough,” leading to an assault that saw “Russian gunners being cut down at their guns” but resulted in devastating British losses.

The vulnerability of the British position is underscored by the failure of the Turkish troops, described as “the miserable Troops of Silistria,” who “threw off their knapsacks and ran as hard as their legs would carry them … without scarcely firing a shot.” This abandonment exposed the British forces, enabling the Russians to capture nine cannons: “As they did not spike their guns, the Russians took the 9 and still have possession of them.”

The letter also praises the steadfastness of the 93rd Highlanders, “the only Regiment on the plain,” who repelled the Russian advance and made them “retreat as fast as they came.” The writer observes the French forces’ decisive actions, recounting how they “made a splendid charge with their Cavalry up a Hill, charged a Russian Field Battery, spiked their guns, and retired without suffering any serious loss.”

The chaotic nature of the battle is conveyed, including the writer’s near encounter with danger: “I thought I heard the heavy firing was going on … but soon discovered I was unexpectedly near to them, for the shot and shell fell very near to me.” He reflects grimly on the unreliability of the Turkish troops, noting Sir Colin Campbell’s biting remark: “3000 more Turks had landed. What was to be done with them? His order was, ‘Send them to the devil, the sooner they are there, the better.’” And much more in other letters. Inspection recommended for full contents.