This small collection includes a photocopy of the original letter showing that it was written both in horizontal and vertical lines to reduce the amount of paper used, as well as two typed transcriptions. The letter refers to the siege of Sevastopol and other aspects of the war.
Letter from the Camp before Sevastopol
This material is held atHull University Archives, Hull History Centre
- Reference
- GB 50 U DX106
- Dates of Creation
- 1855
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- 1 item
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
The Siege of Sevastopol lasted a year, from September 1854 to September 1855. The combined British, French and Ottoman forces had landed at Eupatoria and intended a swift march to the capital of Crimea, Sevastopol. However, it took a year a year of fighting to take the city, including the battles of Alma (September 1854), Balaklava (October 1854), Inkerman (November 1854), Tchernava (August 1855), Redan (September 1855) and Sevastopol (September 1855).
Sevastopol was the base for the Tsar's Black Sea Fleet and the siege of the strategically important port heralded the end of the campaign in the Crimea. The siege involved several artillery bombardments, the first began on 29 October 1854 and was resumed on 8 April 1855 after poor weather conditions over the winter ruined the Alllies' camps, destroyed supply lines and caused sickness and starvation in the army. The final attack on the city was made on 8 September 1855.
Access Information
Access will be granted to any accredited reader
Custodial History
Deposited by John Baker, Department of Social Administration, University of Hull, 18 December 1975. The original was withdrawn and replaced by a photocopy in February 1988.