Letter from James Drummond, the Retribution off Crimea, to his sister Marianne, 1854 November 1 : autograph letter signed.

Describing the bombardment of Sevastopol, which took place on October 17th, including references to the heavy damages incurred by the British fleet, the large number of killed and wounded, and loss of the HMS Retribution's main mast; stating that the siege has lasted for 16 days and that he sees no prospect of it ending, that winter is approaching and they must expect some rough weather, that casualties have been "comparatively few in the trenches", but that they have experienced a serious loss of cavalry on a recent engagement with superior Russian forces; concluding that he trusts that their cause is just and that they are in the hands of Providence and must do their duty and "support the honor of our country"; expressing his opinion that the war will spread to the whole world, "unless we can strike such a blow against the Northern Bear, as will push him back half a century."; discussing news from home, and mentioning the sudden death of their friend George Morissey and John Grant of the 79th.