Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/174

Rh sentries did not molest us whilst we were digging the grave, although they must have heard us quite distinctly. We can hear them talking and coughing at their works.

"Dec. 17th. — Another of my company died this afternoon. The regiment has now lost about sixty since we came here, and other regiments are losing in like porportionproportion [sic]. There is great talk now about our soon going ahead to storm. I trust they will not delay much longer. I do not care in the least for fatigue and hardship myself, but it is sad and painful to lose one's comrades every day. Owing to the weather, we were unable to have Divine service to-day with the division, but several of us met together in the tent, and we shall again this evening, please God.

"On my return from the trenches last night, I found great comfort in reading the first chapter of the first Epistle of Peter, although as soon as I had finished it, I went off to sleep like a top! The other night the Russians made a sortie on the French advanced batteries; we were turned out, but our gallant allies drove them back without our assistance. We had, however, a good view of the firing, which was kept up with a thundering roar, the glare making the sky look like a scroll of fire; it was kept up steadily for about two hours.

"I have great hopes for some amongst our poor sick fellows just sent to Balaklava, that they have cast themselves on the mercy of God in Christ. They were so earnest to be read and talked to about Jesus Christ, and delighted in hearing of free pardon and salvation through the blood of His cross.

"Forty have just been sent to Balaklava Hospital, out of our tents; but we shall soon have their places filled, it this weather continues. I never saw the men of my regiment so eager for religious instruc-