Page:The Letters Of Queen Victoria, vol. 3 (1908).djvu/70

56 On the 14th we had a terrible storm, such a one as, fortunately for mankind, does not happen but very rarely. All our tents of course were blown down, and we passed the day very uncomfortably; but at sea it was terrible. At Balaklava alone more than two hundred and sixty souls perished, and eleven ships went down. George will have been able to give you a perfect account of it, for, for many hours, the Retribution was in imminent danger. I went a few days after the storm to see him on board. . . . He had a little fever or ague on him, but was otherwise well. He has now gone to Constantinople. . ..

May I beg of your Majesty to remember me kindly to Prince Albert and the Duchess of Kent. I have the honour, etc. Edward of Saxe-Weimar.

Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle. WINDSOR CASTLE, 30th November 1854, The Queen thinks that no time should be lost in announcing the intention of the Queen to confer a medal on all those who have been engaged in the arduous and brilliant campaign in the Crimea.

The medal should have the word “Crimea” on it, with an appropriate device (for which it would be well to lose no time in having a design made) and clasps—like to the Peninsular Medal, with the names Alma and Inkerman inscribed on them, according to who had been in oneor both battles. Sebastopol, should it fall, or any other name of a battle which Providence may permit our brave troops to gain, can be inscribed on other clasps hereafter to be added. The names Alma and Inkerman should likewise be borne on the colours of all the regiments who have been engaged in these bloody and glorious actions.

The Queen is sure that nothing will gratify and encourage our noble troops more than the knowledge that this is to be done.

We have just had two hours’ most interesting conversation with General Bentinck, whose sound good sense and energy make us deeply regret that he is not now on the spot ; he is,