Lot# 1529 - Auction 309-320
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Lot# : 1529 Great Britain
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British Forces in Bulgaria prior to the Crimean Campaign 1854 (June 26): Entire letter written from Shumla (HQ of Ottoman Forces in Bulgaria), some 90 kms. West and inland of Varna (and more strategically placed to block a Russian advance), mailed to Middlesex and charged "3d." to pay for concessionary rate. A fascinating entire with outstanding content "Rested for the night in a Bulgarian village and marched at 3 the next morning for Shumla and although this is about 80 miles from Silistria we could distinctly hear the firing from the Russian Guns. We were told to keep a sharp look-out for "Bashi-Bazooks". On meeting Omar Pasha....I fell in with the Surgeon of the large hospital in Shumla, an Italian, who told me his hospital was filled with wounded men lying heaped together and dying almost hourly....he had to prepare 500 beds immediately as we diod not know whether Silistria had been taken. The Siege was raised on night of the 23rd (June). The Russians retreating across the right bank of the Danube and in the morning not a man was to be seen near its walls....Three weeks ago 2 Russian Spys were detected. They were ordered to be shot, but the Turks thought the death too good. They blindfolded them, shot them through the legs and body 16 times and at last shot them through the eyes and slit their throats...". A rare letter from this theatre of the War.Starting bid : 250 CHFHammer price : 460 CHF -
