Lot 101

Guide price: £1000-2000

A signed letter by FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE with Thin Red Line Crimea War interest and reference to 93rd Regiment and Sir Colin Campbell. The letter is sent from Castle Hospital Balaclava addressed to Br. General Cameron Highland Brigade Kamara, dated November 10th 1855 and reads as follows: My Dear Sir, Your kindness in answering my enquiries has been such that it appears as if I thought it (indistinct). Private Thomas Ward 93rd Regt is not to be found. His parents are in great tribulation. Sir Colin Campbell supplied the following information ''Private Thomas Ward has been reported sick at Scutari since the month of December last to which place he was then sent. Scutari has this day sent me the following report which I copy verbatim because I do not precisely understand it. Thomas Ward 93rd Regt. left his regiment on October /34 (?) sent up to camp October 11 reported out again October 29, no record of him since'' Col. Atherley had the kindness to enquire about him for me and sent me a memorandum that since his being in hospital at Scutari he had not been heard of. Neither has he been struck off the regiment. Neither is he at Scutari now. Neither is there any record of his death at Scutari. I sent Col. Atherley (indistinct) to Scutari and have received no answer. Could you kindly obtain for me any certain information you would put an end to the poor parents anxiety. I have (indistinct) Please excuse the trouble I am giving you. I believe one to be, your truly obliged. Florence Nightingale. Unusual to find a letter sent from Castle Hospital, Balaclava with reference to an individual soldier and addressed to the Commanding Officer of ''The Thin Red Line'' so close to the event historically. Letter and envelope are both in good clean well stored condition and came from the effects of a military family although how it cam to their possition is unknown.

This will the 104th item up for auction(this may change closer to the auction)
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