THE ENGLISH AND TURKISH COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF.
Miss Nightingale indisposed--More visitors--Admiral Boxer--A
valuable receipt--The admiral’s indefatigable industry--Miss
Nightingale’s perseverance--Off to the hospitals again--Genoese
Heights--Return--Last day on board the _Robert Lowe_--Removal to
the _London_--A rough ride to Balaklava--Meeting with Lord
Raglan--Introduction--Omer Pacha--Conversation--Arrival at
Kadikoi--Reception of General della Marmora--Fraternization.
The next morning was wet, chilly, and uncomfortable; and I heard with
sorrow that Miss Nightingale was rather indisposed. It did not, indeed,
surprise me, considering the fatigue she had undergone the previous
day--more especially as she had taken no refreshment the whole of the
time. I made sure that she would postpone her visit to the hospitals.
Numbers of visitors poured in as usual; amongst them was Admiral Boxer,
Chief Admiral of the Port of Balaklava. Mr. Bracebridge was upon deck,
and directly he saw the admiral waiting, he went and spoke to him. “Good
morning, admiral,” said Mr. Bracebridge, and then did me the honour of
introducing me.
“Oh! so you are the Monsieur Soyer I have often heard of; and I made
sure you were a much older man than you appear to be.”
“Did you, indeed, admiral?”
“Yes, that I did. I bought one of your large cookery books about fifteen
years ago, and in your portrait you are represented as a man of about
forty years of age.”
“I must have grown ten years younger since then; as I am only forty-five
now, admiral.”
“I wish you had put that receipt for growing younger into your book. I
should have tried it long ago, and have been satisfied with five years,
knowing as much as I do.”
“Well done, admiral,” said a friend of his. “If Monsieur Soyer could
give such receipts as that, everybody would like to take a leaf out of
his book.”
“At all events, Monsieur Soyer, you are welcome to Balaklava, and when
you like to come and see me upon business--mind, I don’t invite you for
anything else at present, as all here is business, business, from
morning till night, and sometimes all night.”
“I assure you, Monsieur Soyer,” said his nephew, “the admiral is always
out first and on his rounds; and I, who seldom leave, often find him
writing when every one else is fast asleep.”
“Well, well, business must be attended to,” said Admiral Boxer. “At all
events, recollect that I give you the _entrée_ of the admiral’s ship.”
“Many thanks, admiral. You may rest assured I will not trouble you
often, and then only upon special business.”
“Monsieur Soyer, several officers from Scutari have spoken very highly
of your services there; and I sincerely trust you will be as successful
here.--By-the-bye, I must be off.” Looking at his watch. “Oh, I have ten
minutes yet; but could I not see Miss Nightingale?”
“Certainly, admiral. Some gentlemen are with her now--Doctor Henderson
and your Balaklava chaplain.”
“Oh, never mind, if the lady is engaged; but I believe you came on board
the same ship, and wish to remain together. I must look out for another
vessel for you, as the _Robert Lowe_ will be off in a day or two.”
“In that case, admiral, pray see Mr. Bracebridge about it. He is there
talking to Thomas, his servant. I will fetch him.”
“Pray, Mr. Bracebridge,” said the admiral, “give my compliments to Miss
Nightingale, and tell her from me that I am sorry to disturb her, but
the _Robert Lowe_ will sail in a day or two; however, I am going my
rounds, and will try and get her quarters upon one of the best vessels
in the harbour, and let you know, Mr. Bracebridge. Good-bye! good-bye!”
In a second he was in his boat, holding the helm, and talking to every
one he met. His boat was seen in every part of the harbour, and often in
the bay, even in rather rough weather. From daybreak till sunset, he
might be seen rowing about like a hunted pirate--very active, quick, and
expeditious--though very sailor-like--rather rough and straightforward--by
report generally liked. Such I found Admiral Boxer.
The weather having cleared up a little, and as I made sure that Miss
Nightingale would not go out as it was so very dirty on shore, I
prepared to visit the hospitals alone, in order to see how the workmen
were going on; intending to ride thence to head-quarters. I purposed
getting there about one or two o’clock, his lordship’s lunch-time--the
most likely hour to obtain an interview. On my way to Mr. Bracebridge’s
cabin, to inform him of my design, and ask him at the same time to go
with me--he having expressed a wish that we should go together--Thomas,
Miss Nightingale’s page, came and inquired if I was ready to go with her
to the hospitals.
“Pray, my lad, tell Miss Nightingale that I was going alone; but that,
if she is well enough to go, I shall be very happy to accompany her.”
Before I had time, however, to finish the sentence, Miss Nightingale had
ascended the cabin stairs, and, I must say, looked very well.
“Good morning, mademoiselle; how are you after your long journey of
yesterday? I heard you were rather indisposed.”
“I did feel unwell this morning, but am much better now. I am extremely
sorry about Mr. Anderson, who, I am afraid, will be very much disfigured
by last night’s accident.”
“I hope it will not prove very serious.”
“It may not; but it will be very disagreeable, as he is obliged to see
so many people.”
“No matter; all wounds are honourable in time of war, excepting,
perhaps, a pair of black eyes.”
“But what has become of your brave _compagnon de voyage_, P. M.? Has he
recovered from the effects of his fright?”
“All I know is, that he was not at breakfast this morning, and he told
everybody last evening that he would not, for any amount of money, again
accompany you, mademoiselle, or even her Majesty, through such danger as
he incurred yesterday.” Every one who knew him laughed at his bravery,
particularly Miss Nightingale, who, turning to Mr. Bracebridge,
said--“Monsieur Soyer and myself are going to the General Hospital, and
thence to the Sanatorium, where I wish you to be kind enough to meet
us.”
“About what time?” inquired Mr. Bracebridge.
“Two o’clock, as at that hour Mr. Anderson and Dr. Sutherland will be
there about the ventilation.”
We then started. The roads were very muddy. I observed to Miss
Nightingale that she ought to have had boots made on purpose for such
rough walking, to which, she assented, saying, “I will do so, Monsieur
Soyer.”
As we were passing, I left my card at Colonel Hardinge’s, the commandant
of Balaklava. I had the pleasure of meeting many officers there with
whom I was acquainted; they all gave me pressing invitations to visit
them in camp, and others to dine with them. As I had no time to stay, I
promised to call upon every one, and rejoined Miss Nightingale. On
arriving at the hospital I found the workmen in full activity. Miss
Nightingale remained there about two hours. We went next to the
Sanatorium, and, in going up the hill, called upon the sick officer who
was in Dr. Henderson’s hut. The nurse said that he was a little better,
but far from being well. He was delirious at times.
“You had better go back to the hospital this evening, Mrs. ----, and tell
Miss Weare to appoint another nurse to attend in your stead.”
“Thank you, madam, I will do so; and am rather glad of it, as I feel
very tired.”
We then proceeded to the Genoese Heights, where I had the pleasure of
meeting Captain King, the chief engineer, whom I found very ready to
assist me in every way.
“You are aware,” said he, “that we are not in London; and I cannot build
a kitchen in the Crimea such as you had at the Reform Club.”
“I should be very sorry if you could, as in that case you would have to
get somebody to manage it, for I assure you I should not like to begin
my gastronomic career again; and I must say I feel every bit as proud in
having to cook for the soldiers, if not more so, than ever I did in
cooking for the greatest epicures or the first lords of England.”
“Then,” said Captain King, “we shall work well together.”
“I have no doubt of it, captain, as I only require a few workmen, such
as carpenters and bricklayers; some planks, nails, and a few bricks and
a little mortar. If my new field stoves were finished I should not
trouble you at all, as they will cook in the open air, and do not
require any fixing.”
“If you do not need anything more elaborate than your kitchen here, we
shall be able to give you satisfaction. Have you seen the plan I have
drawn out for you?”
“Yes, I have--it will do very well.”
I then went to look after our party. Miss Nightingale, Dr. Sutherland,
the hospital surveyor, and several other doctors, were all together, and
they had nearly finished their rounds. They informed me that they were
going to see a small naval hospital, situated nearly at the top of the
high mountain to the left of the Sanatorium.
The boy Thomas came, and said Miss Nightingale was going home
immediately, inquiring, at the same time, for Mr. Bracebridge.
“He has been here,” I said, “these two hours; and I saw him ride with
Captain King towards the heights, as if he was going to the naval
hospital.”
“Very well, sir, I will tell Dr. Sutherland.”
We were then all going towards the new kitchen. I showed my plan to Miss
Nightingale and Dr. Sutherland, who both admired its simplicity and
expedition as regards cooking. I observed that this one, when
completed, would serve as a model for any others which might be
required in the camp.
“Where are the utensils?” asked the hospital purveyor; “we have nothing
in store.”
“I assure you you are mistaken,” said I, “because it was only yesterday
that I saw them in Mr. Fitzgerald’s store-room.”
“I declare,” said he, “that for days and days I have been asking for
kitchen utensils, and the only things I could get were some spoons, a
frying-pan, and large forks.”
“Oh,” said I, “very likely; but they only arrived with us, and were
ordered, at my suggestion, by Mr. Robertson, the purveyor-in-chief at
Scutari.”
“I beg your pardon; that’s all right; but I can assure you that if you
had depended upon the Balaklava or Kadikoi tinkers, they would have made
you pay as much as five or six shillings for an article worth one in
London.”
Miss Nightingale and party were by this time half way to Balaklava, but
we soon caught them. The weather was bad, the road worse, and rain kept
falling. In fact, the mud was so deep in front of the ship, that we were
obliged to form a kind of bridge across the road for the lady to get to
the boat to go on board. Dr. Sutherland, the captain of the _Diamond_,
and the doctor of the Naval Brigade, then made an appointment to go and
visit the new hospital building for the sick sailors on the Leander Bay
side, facing the Genoese Tower. After this we parted--to meet early the
next morning. Upon our return, a message was delivered from the admiral,
to the effect that there were two ships at our disposal, and requesting
Mr. Bracebridge to go and see them, and choose the one he liked best
without delay, as probably the _Robert Lowe_ would leave the harbour for
Constantinople.
Mr. Bracebridge attended to the order immediately, and having inspected
both, selected the _London_, as she was likely to remain the longest.
The captain informed us that it had at one time been called the _Great
London_, and that it was launched in the beginning of the reign of
George the Third. The inhabitants of London used to go and view it as a
curiosity; but when it sailed from the Thames the crowd was immense. It
was built by Mr. Green.
This being probably our last day on board the _Robert Lowe_, we invited
a few friends to dine with us, and, despite the bad weather, we passed a
very pleasant and sociable evening, enlivened by the sound of merry
glees and national songs. Our hearts and souls were fluttering either in
France or England, according to the style of harmony. As Miss
Nightingale’s state cabin was at a good distance from the saloon, she
could not be in the slightest way disturbed by the double harmony which
reigned among us. The conversation was turned chiefly upon the arrival
of the Sardinian army, and of the destruction by fire of one of their
vessels, called the _Capitole_. She was filled with troops, but I
believe none were lost. This made a sad pendant to the French vessel,
the _Semillante_, wrecked some time before.
The next morning, some large vessels were reported in sight, supposed to
be the Sardinian fleet, though, from their great distance and the
contrary winds, they were not expected in till late in the afternoon.
This led to the departure of the _Robert Lowe_ that day, and earlier
than the captain had expected. We all left her early, and Miss
Nightingale installed her nurses in the Sanatorium at the Genoese
Heights, near the Tower, a sketch of which appeared in the _Illustrated
London News_, of the latter end of May, 1855, where we accompanied her
with a numerous escort.
As it seemed probable that Miss Nightingale would be engaged the whole
of the day classing her ladies in their various departments, we
postponed our visit to the Leander Bay naval hospital till the morrow.
It was also necessary for us to take up our quarters on board the
_London_. The morning had been gloomy, and about one o’clock it began to
rain. I thought this would be a good opportunity for obtaining an
audience with Lord Raglan at head-quarters. Having mentioned the matter
to Mr. Bracebridge, he approved it, and proposed accompanying me. We
dressed to face the weather. I rode the mule, and off we went through
the rain and deep mud.
In going, we took the longest way and the worst road, and were nearly
two hours on our journey instead of three-quarters of an hour, which is
about the time required, and even less in fine weather. We had almost
reached the general’s house, when we perceived, at a short distance, a
kind of squadron of cavalry coming towards Balaklava. Mr. Bracebridge
exclaimed, “If I am not mistaken, Lord Raglan and his staff are going
out.”
We perceived that some of them wore their rough weather coats. We
immediately galloped towards them, and found that it really was Lord
Raglan and his staff, with about thirty mounted officers, amongst whom
were some attached to the French and Turkish army.
Our first intention was to retire, but seeing Colonel Steele, I rode up
to him, told him I had called, and requested him to fix an hour for an
audience. Colonel Steele replied, “You could not have come at a better
time. Come with me; I will introduce you to his lordship; he will be
delighted to see you; he has been inquiring daily after you and Miss
Nightingale.”
While this conversation was going on, we had got quite close to Lord
Raglan. Colonel Steele addressed him, “I beg pardon, my lord; Monsieur
Soyer is here.” Lord Raglan turned suddenly round, and, before I had
time to salute him, said, “Ah, Monsieur Soyer, how are you? I am indeed
very glad to see you.” I assured his lordship I felt highly flattered at
his kind reception.
“You are welcome to the seat of war, Monsieur Soyer. It is many years
since we had the pleasure of seeing each other.”
“It must be about ten years, my Lord.”
“More than that; let me see--it cannot be less than fourteen, I am sure.
I recollect going with some friends of mine, to visit you in your
interesting kitchen at the Reform Club. You remember?”
“So well, that I recollect your lordship saying you never had a good
dinner excepting when they gave you the _pot-au-feu_ made after my
receipt, and that I was one of your great benefactors.”
“Perfectly right, Monsieur Soyer. You have been one not only to me, but
the public at large, in making all your receipts known. Since we met,
you have worked very hard, and, although I did not see you, I watched
your progress and industry.”
“I am still quite ready to render myself useful, and willing to work
harder than ever, under your direction.”
“Well, well, you may depend upon it I shall do all in my power to render
your services available.” Turning to an officer on his left, Lord Raglan
said, “Will you allow me to introduce Monsieur Soyer?” Then addressing
himself to me, Lord Raglan said, “Monsieur Soyer--His Excellency Omer
Pacha.”
I bowed to the distinguished Turkish commander, who said in French, “Ah,
Monsieur Soyer, I have frequently heard Beyram Pacha speak of you; only
yesterday he mentioned your name. He is acquainted with you?”
“Yes, your excellency; I had the honour of sailing from Marseilles to
Constantinople in company with the general.”
“He told me you were about to open a large hotel at Eupatoria.”
“No, no, your excellency; Monsieur Soyer is come to show our soldiers
how to make the best of their rations, which I consider very kind of
him; and no doubt they will improve under his tuition. They will not
change their old style of cooking for anyone else. Myself, several
colonels, and even generals, have taken a deal of interest and trouble
in trying to teach them a better way of cooking. They adopt our plan
while we are present, but when once our backs are turned, they go on in
their old way.”
“Very true, very true,” said Omer Pacha. “It is just the same with my
men. Show them anything better than their pilaff, they will not adopt it
for the world.”
“You have done wonders, Monsieur Soyer, in the hospitals at Scutari, as
I perceive from the report and the letter addressed to me by Lord
William Paulet.”
“I am very happy to have succeeded so well; and hope the system will in
time be followed out by every hospital, as it is less trouble than the
old one, not more expensive, and has been highly approved by all the
medical authorities.”
“Oh,” said Lord Raglan, “if it has been approved of by the faculty,
there is no doubt of its being adopted at home.”
“I have great numbers of testimonials from the heads of the medical
departments.” By this time we had arrived near Kadikoi, which then
consisted of only a few wooden huts. The rain never ceased, and we went
at a foot-pace all the way, which gave us an opportunity of conversing.
I had the honour of riding on Lord Raglan’s right side, and Omer Pacha
was on his left. No sooner did we come within view of the plain of
Balaklava, than his lordship pointed out the spot where the battle was
fought, and asked me if I could see a small church at a distance.
“Perfectly well,” was my answer.
“From this spot, on a fine day, you can see the enemy quite distinctly,”
said Lord Raglan; “and on that large mound which appears so close to us,
you can easily see their sentries.”
“So I can, my lord. Is that a Russian picket?”
“Yes, it is.”
I thanked Lord Raglan for the information; saying, “As I have no
particular fancy to have the honour of being made a prisoner of war, I
shall take care not to go too near our friends the enemies.” His
lordship turned round and made some remark to Omer Pacha, who laughed
heartily; but I did not distinctly hear what he said--the road was
rugged, and Lord Raglan wore a mackintosh with a hood over his head--it
was, however, to the effect that the Russians could not secure a more
useful prisoner than myself, especially for---- (the name escaped me),
who is a great epicure.
We were by that time near the Col of Balaklava. Lord Raglan asked me if
I had seen the Sardinians land. I replied that, although I knew they
were expected, I was not aware of their arrival.
“Oh yes, General della Marmora has arrived, and I am going to receive
him.”
A large crowd had by this time gathered round the general and his staff.
When near the harbour, I took leave of his lordship, who kindly invited
me to call at head-quarters, whenever I liked, and told me that Colonel
Steele would give me all the information and assistance I might require
to carry out my views. I followed the brilliant _cortège_, being anxious
to witness the reception of the Sardinian general, which was most
cordial and effective, especially when the band struck up “God save the
Queen;” such an animated and enthusiastic _tableau_ never met my eyes.
The sketch was worthy the pencil of the great Horace Vernet.
Mr. Bracebridge, who had been introduced to Lord Raglan at the same time
as myself, but who drew back and conversed with Colonel Steele, left us
at the small bridge leading from the Col into Balaklava, and went direct
to the town side, while we turned to the left hand, where the Sardinian
fleet was anchored. The arrival of the Sardinians had created quite a
stir in Balaklava. Towards dusk, they might be seen in all directions.
Their dress, manner, language, &c., all formed a marked contrast to the
usual daily routine. The fraternization between them and the English
took place immediately; they were like brothers who, not having met for
many years, were at last united in order to defend the same cause and
brave the same dangers. All was joy, heroism, and thirst for glory. The
incessant roar of the cannon of Sebastopol had for the first time
re-echoed on board the English and Sardinian men-of-war, producing a
double impression upon the feelings of both armies. The evening closed
with the vibration in the ear of “God save the Queen,” “Partant pour la
Syrie,” and the grand Sardinian national air, which was performed by
their band.