Camp Crimea

10.00 p.m. 3rd. Sept.1855

My Dear Father,

I suppose my last gave a little unease as I told you that I was unwell but I am quite well now only a little weak.I had to stir myself and shake it off The Pay Sergt. of the Grenadiers took very ill and I had to take up his Company post at the end of the month so I had enought to do with two of them and to add to all my old friend Forbes was wounded in the trenches by a round shot and died next morning. The Colonel looks to me for everything, the acting Adjt. is young and I have to show him everything.

Poor Jock he will be long missed in the Regiment. He was the same as Adjt as he was as Sergeant, no pride, no nonsense and a staunch friend of the Non Com. Officers. He was buried yesterday, the Sergeants volunteering to carry him.

Whilst I am writing the firing at the front is very heavy, the musketery is continuing a long time and very sharp. The canonading too is heavy but it is only the musketery we mind, it is very likely we will have turn out. From the sound it is an affair with the French for it is about the Malakof as near as we can guess.

I hope that you are well and all kind friends, remember me in the kindest manner to all. Mr. Moore wishes to be remembered to you

I am very tired, I will bid you Good Night and get into bed - my Greatcoat and blankets but I am more comfortable than most for I am off the ground, ..... boards resting on boxes.

The musketery in front has nearly ceased so I think all will be quite for the night.

Good Night,

Your loving son,

Hastings.

Camp Crimea.

My Dear Father,

I received your very welcome letter on Saturday too late for that post. You wish me a whole skin, indeed it is very holy for there are 5 holes in it more than I wanted, but as I have them I glory in them.

I know indeed you must have been very anxious to hear from me and I lost not a moment in letting you know, and I hope you took it well and gloried that I had such a spirit to walk full 7 miles with 5 bleeding holes, when one time I would have fainted at the sight of them, but the “Bengal Tiger” was roused and I was equal to anything, but it is a bad soldier who boasts.

I got a little fevered from my wounds but it was not much.

I cannot exactly say when I will start for “home” for I am not able to use the left leg yet, though I can stand firmly on it and my left shoulder being wounded I can not use a crutch although the shoulder is the best of the lot, but I hope to eat my Christmas dinner with you. I know I will be welcome.

I hope you have received all my letters. You need not answer all, not but I would be glad to get them but I know you don’t like writing much. It will be late in this month before I leave.

Give my kindest wishes and my best thanks to all those friends for their kind solicitations about me.

I got a letter and paper from Uncle James, indeed he has written to me and sent me papers frequently. I received but one letter from……

Nine lines are crossed out here...

My kind love to and believe me to remain your ever loving son.

Hastings

Thank you for the stamps.