"Will you kindly offer my Christian love to all at Beckenham, especially to your dear honoured father. Mercy, grace, abundant grace, be with you.
"Yours in the bonds of Jesus,
"Duncan Matheson.
FROM A PRIVATE IN THE 97TH.
"Camp before Sebastopol, March 23rd, 1855.
"My Dear Wife—Oh the night of the 22d we had a visit from the Russians. A strong force pushed up to our advanced works, and succeeded in getting into the trenches where there was a weak point. Several of our regiment got killed, and amongst them was our gallant Captain, poor Mr. Vicars, who was so deeply loved by all the regiment. Even the officers almost all cried the morning after the affair.
"He got a bayonet wound first, and then with a handful of his men drove the Russians off and out on their ground; for where the affair happened is close to their own batteries. He was seen to use his sword bravely, and cut down two men, and had his sword raised to serve another the same, when a bullet struck him in the breast, and he shouted out that he was only slightly wounded. But, alas! poor fellow, he fell, and died soon after. The Russians would have carried him off and stripped him of all he was worth, but our gallant lads bravely defended him, and carried him off the field.
"We had four killed and four wounded, besides fourteen missing, which we expect were taken prisoners, as we took a great many Russians, and a great many were killed. Amongst them some officers were killed at our mortar batteries in attempting to spike them. For several days here the Russians kept very quiet — did not so much as fire a shot. We could not tell what they were up to.
"Poor Captain Vicars will be deeply regretted by all who knew him, but I know his soul is in heaven.
"So no more at present, my dear wife, from your affectionate husband,
"John Cotterall, 97th."
