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Eyewitness In the Crimea: The Crimean War Letters of Lieutenant Colonel George Frederick Dallas
George Frederick 'Fred' Dallas wrote 137 letters to his family and friends while on active service in the Crimea. A company commander in the 46th Foot, his first letters reflect a soldier's enthusiasm for the ‘brilliant affair’ that awaits the British Army overseas. Within weeks of arriving, excitement turns to disbelief at the continual misjudgment of his leaders. Poor preparation and divided command exposed the troops to surprise attacks from ‘The Russe’, and to the appalling conditions of the Crimean winter. By contrast, Dallas' reports on the casual bravery of his comrades recognize the true heroes of a mismanaged campaign.
Through these letters we relive the terrible perils of combat and siege the author’s almost miraculous escape from serious injury, whilst continually witnessing his comrades’ slaughter; the monotony of being entrenched in Sebastopol; the ‘utter confusion’ surrounding instructions to attack; the mistakes at Inkermann and the Redan; the wearying cold. We also get an insight into the quieter moments in camp and the friendships forged between the men.
Supplemented by the editor’s excellent footnotes and detailed biographical index, this is a revealing and intimate history of all those involved in the Crimean War.
Through these letters we relive the terrible perils of combat and siege the author’s almost miraculous escape from serious injury, whilst continually witnessing his comrades’ slaughter; the monotony of being entrenched in Sebastopol; the ‘utter confusion’ surrounding instructions to attack; the mistakes at Inkermann and the Redan; the wearying cold. We also get an insight into the quieter moments in camp and the friendships forged between the men.
Supplemented by the editor’s excellent footnotes and detailed biographical index, this is a revealing and intimate history of all those involved in the Crimean War.
- GenresHistory
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2006
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July 15, 2023
This is a fascinating, engaging, first hand account of day to day life and loss in the Crimean war, most particularly in the long seige and fall of Sebastopol. It is one of the best history books I have read in a long time. The format of reproducing the 137 letters of an officer, works particularly well, assisted by helpful footnotes, a splendid bibliography and nearly 30 pages giving details of those mentioned in the letters. It is amazing how many of those mentioned were recorded as having had their "horses shot from under them" and how many times individuals were wounded (quite a few wounded multiple times).
George Frederick Dallas notes in his letters home to family and friends day to day activity (or in many cases no activity). He comments regularly on the changeable weather and lack of supplies, particularly inadequate clothing and food, and is openly critical about the poor organisation of the so called leaders of the grinding campaign, the inadequate reporting by the "Times" correspondents and his disgust at the system of promotions, undeserving in many cases. The letters are written in a homely style, and are not without amusing anecdotes. In the same letter he can write about appalling death and the activity of pregnant rat in his tent. The letters record the brutal and banal.
The letters also show the futility of many activities in a war zone, long periods of boredom, and the difference in experience of the officer class and the soldiers on the front line. A rank good read.
George Frederick Dallas notes in his letters home to family and friends day to day activity (or in many cases no activity). He comments regularly on the changeable weather and lack of supplies, particularly inadequate clothing and food, and is openly critical about the poor organisation of the so called leaders of the grinding campaign, the inadequate reporting by the "Times" correspondents and his disgust at the system of promotions, undeserving in many cases. The letters are written in a homely style, and are not without amusing anecdotes. In the same letter he can write about appalling death and the activity of pregnant rat in his tent. The letters record the brutal and banal.
The letters also show the futility of many activities in a war zone, long periods of boredom, and the difference in experience of the officer class and the soldiers on the front line. A rank good read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review