FROM THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES, ADDRESSED TO M. SOYER DURING HIS STAY IN TURKEY AND THE CRIMEA.
FROM THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES, ADDRESSED TO M. SOYER DURING HIS STAY IN TURKEY AND THE CRIMEA.
Head-Quarters, Scutari,August 3rd, 1855.Dear Monsieur Soyer,—As you are about to leave the hospitals at Scutari for Balaklava, I think, in justice to your unremitting attention and zeal in your endeavours to improve the culinary department, it is incumbent on me, as the military commanding officer of the troops in the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, to express to you how much the sick and wounded of this army, as well as those who have their interest at heart, are indebted to you for the improvement you have made in the cooking of these establishments. Your alterations of the kitchens and stoves must add much to the economy of fuel, which is of the greatest consequence here; and your successful attempts, combined with simplicity of making such palatable beverages and soups out of so small a portion of ingredients, is highly advantageous.Wishing you a pleasant voyage, and hoping to find the cooking in camp as much improved as the cooking here,I am, yours ever faithfully,(Signed)W. Paulet,Brigadier-General.I am sure General Simpson will afford you every assistance in carrying out your wishes.
Head-Quarters, Scutari,August 3rd, 1855.
Dear Monsieur Soyer,—As you are about to leave the hospitals at Scutari for Balaklava, I think, in justice to your unremitting attention and zeal in your endeavours to improve the culinary department, it is incumbent on me, as the military commanding officer of the troops in the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, to express to you how much the sick and wounded of this army, as well as those who have their interest at heart, are indebted to you for the improvement you have made in the cooking of these establishments. Your alterations of the kitchens and stoves must add much to the economy of fuel, which is of the greatest consequence here; and your successful attempts, combined with simplicity of making such palatable beverages and soups out of so small a portion of ingredients, is highly advantageous.
Wishing you a pleasant voyage, and hoping to find the cooking in camp as much improved as the cooking here,
I am, yours ever faithfully,(Signed)W. Paulet,Brigadier-General.
I am sure General Simpson will afford you every assistance in carrying out your wishes.
Head-Quarters, Scutari,20th Nov., 1855.My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I regret exceedingly to learn that you have been ill, and hope you are recovered by this time. When do you leave for the Crimea? I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you before you depart. The British army owes you much, and is grateful for all you have done.Thanks to your exertions, we have at least ameliorated our military system of cookery, and we thank you sincerely for it.Accept my best wishes, and believe me, yours truly,H. K. Storks,Brigadier-General.
Head-Quarters, Scutari,20th Nov., 1855.
My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I regret exceedingly to learn that you have been ill, and hope you are recovered by this time. When do you leave for the Crimea? I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you before you depart. The British army owes you much, and is grateful for all you have done.
Thanks to your exertions, we have at least ameliorated our military system of cookery, and we thank you sincerely for it.
Accept my best wishes, and believe me, yours truly,
H. K. Storks,Brigadier-General.
Head-Quarters, Scutari,March 22nd, 1856.My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I cannot allow you to leave Scutari without expressing my perfect satisfaction with all you have done to ameliorate the culinary system for our soldiers. The kitchens you have established at Scutari answer admirably, and I am satisfied that we are as much redevable, if not more so, to the cooks for the good health we now enjoy, as to the doctors.Pray receive, my dear Monsieur Soyer, the assurance of my sentiments of kind regard.Yours truly,H. K. Storks,Brigadier-General.To Monsieur Alexis Soyer.
Head-Quarters, Scutari,March 22nd, 1856.
My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I cannot allow you to leave Scutari without expressing my perfect satisfaction with all you have done to ameliorate the culinary system for our soldiers. The kitchens you have established at Scutari answer admirably, and I am satisfied that we are as much redevable, if not more so, to the cooks for the good health we now enjoy, as to the doctors.
Pray receive, my dear Monsieur Soyer, the assurance of my sentiments of kind regard.
Yours truly,H. K. Storks,Brigadier-General.
To Monsieur Alexis Soyer.
Soyer’s Villarette,May 15th, 1856.After doubting many of your enthusiastic views as to cooking, I acknowledge that I am fairly beaten. Every one to his trade.Yours very truly,C. A. Windham,Major-General, Commander of Staff.
Soyer’s Villarette,May 15th, 1856.
After doubting many of your enthusiastic views as to cooking, I acknowledge that I am fairly beaten. Every one to his trade.
Yours very truly,C. A. Windham,Major-General, Commander of Staff.
Camp, First Division,May 25th, 1856.Monsieur Soyer,—I accept, with many thanks, the portable cooking-stove you have been kind enough to present me; and I perceive it will henceforth be the means of my eating after a civilized fashion, so long as I have a coat-pocket to carry it in.I beg your acceptance of an inkstand, made with a Russian grapeshot. It bears upon its surface the proof of having been projected during the siege, and will, therefore, serve you as a lasting reminiscence of your sojourn in the camp.I also hope it will cause you to bear in mind the assurance of the value I attach to all the exertions and arrangements you have made to ameliorate the position of our brave soldiers, by teaching them to utilize their rations, and improve the cooking of their food—formerly so often spoiled or wasted.Pray accept the assurance of my highest consideration.Rokeby.
Camp, First Division,May 25th, 1856.
Monsieur Soyer,—I accept, with many thanks, the portable cooking-stove you have been kind enough to present me; and I perceive it will henceforth be the means of my eating after a civilized fashion, so long as I have a coat-pocket to carry it in.
I beg your acceptance of an inkstand, made with a Russian grapeshot. It bears upon its surface the proof of having been projected during the siege, and will, therefore, serve you as a lasting reminiscence of your sojourn in the camp.
I also hope it will cause you to bear in mind the assurance of the value I attach to all the exertions and arrangements you have made to ameliorate the position of our brave soldiers, by teaching them to utilize their rations, and improve the cooking of their food—formerly so often spoiled or wasted.
Pray accept the assurance of my highest consideration.
Rokeby.
Head-Quarters, Scutari,May, 1856.Dear Monsieur Soyer,—Many thanks for your obliging letter of the 29th April.I thank you for the trouble you have taken with Marshal Pelissier, and am much flattered by the cordial acknowledgment of his Excellency. Should you have occasion to see him again, pray tell him so.I sincerely compliment you upon the success of your stoves. The British army owes you much; and I assure you we are highlysensible of the value of your devotion, and the disinterested and honourable sentiments you have displayed.Our system of military cookery much required reform, and in introducing a new one you have rendered us immense service.Pray accept, my dear Monsieur Soyer, the assurance of my esteem and highest consideration.H. K. Storks,Brigadier-General.
Head-Quarters, Scutari,May, 1856.
Dear Monsieur Soyer,—Many thanks for your obliging letter of the 29th April.
I thank you for the trouble you have taken with Marshal Pelissier, and am much flattered by the cordial acknowledgment of his Excellency. Should you have occasion to see him again, pray tell him so.
I sincerely compliment you upon the success of your stoves. The British army owes you much; and I assure you we are highlysensible of the value of your devotion, and the disinterested and honourable sentiments you have displayed.
Our system of military cookery much required reform, and in introducing a new one you have rendered us immense service.
Pray accept, my dear Monsieur Soyer, the assurance of my esteem and highest consideration.
H. K. Storks,Brigadier-General.
Light Division Camp, Sebastopol,June 7th, 1856.General Lord William Paulet, commanding Light Division, having inspected the camp cooking-stoves issued by Monsieur Soyer for trial to the ten regiments composing his division, has much pleasure in stating that they answer in every respect. They consume not a quarter so much fuel; they boil the meat more regularly, and the vegetables, and therefore make better soup; they never smoke, which is invariably the case with all barrack cook-houses. You can use them either out of doors or inside, and would prove useful in all standing camps or barracks; and may be issued to the troops according to the number required occupying a barrack, and the remainder being kept in store, they being so portable.Lord William would like to see them in all quarters occupied by troops where the cook-houses are not good, and the saving of fuel would pay the expense.
Light Division Camp, Sebastopol,June 7th, 1856.
General Lord William Paulet, commanding Light Division, having inspected the camp cooking-stoves issued by Monsieur Soyer for trial to the ten regiments composing his division, has much pleasure in stating that they answer in every respect. They consume not a quarter so much fuel; they boil the meat more regularly, and the vegetables, and therefore make better soup; they never smoke, which is invariably the case with all barrack cook-houses. You can use them either out of doors or inside, and would prove useful in all standing camps or barracks; and may be issued to the troops according to the number required occupying a barrack, and the remainder being kept in store, they being so portable.
Lord William would like to see them in all quarters occupied by troops where the cook-houses are not good, and the saving of fuel would pay the expense.
Scutari Barracks Hospital,April 9th, 1855.It gives me great pleasure to testify, after visiting Monsieur Soyer’s kitchen in the above establishment, and comparing the quality and economy of the many excellent preparations made for the use of the sick, that those prepared from his formulæ are very superior to those previously supplied.I consider, if the suggestions of Monsieur Soyer be acted on, that he will have conferred a great boon on the sick and convalescent soldier, and for such improvement will deserve the thanks of every person having feeling for the British soldier, and who desires to ameliorate his condition.Hugh Birt, F.R.C.S.E.,Civil Surgeon of the 1st Class to the Scutari Hospital.
Scutari Barracks Hospital,April 9th, 1855.
It gives me great pleasure to testify, after visiting Monsieur Soyer’s kitchen in the above establishment, and comparing the quality and economy of the many excellent preparations made for the use of the sick, that those prepared from his formulæ are very superior to those previously supplied.
I consider, if the suggestions of Monsieur Soyer be acted on, that he will have conferred a great boon on the sick and convalescent soldier, and for such improvement will deserve the thanks of every person having feeling for the British soldier, and who desires to ameliorate his condition.
Hugh Birt, F.R.C.S.E.,Civil Surgeon of the 1st Class to the Scutari Hospital.
Hyder Pasha Hospitals, Scutari,May 1st, 1855.This is to certify that Monsieur Soyer has, in his visits to the above hospitals, rendered a very important service, by clearly demonstrating that the dietary for the sick may, by his improved method of cooking, be greatly enhanced in value by making it, out of the usualmaterials, more nutritious, more palatable, and more advantageous for every purpose.H. G. W. Macellery,1st Class S. Surgeon, Superintending Medical Officer,Hyder Pasha Hospitals.
Hyder Pasha Hospitals, Scutari,May 1st, 1855.
This is to certify that Monsieur Soyer has, in his visits to the above hospitals, rendered a very important service, by clearly demonstrating that the dietary for the sick may, by his improved method of cooking, be greatly enhanced in value by making it, out of the usualmaterials, more nutritious, more palatable, and more advantageous for every purpose.
H. G. W. Macellery,1st Class S. Surgeon, Superintending Medical Officer,Hyder Pasha Hospitals.
Balaklava,June 15th, 1855.My dear Sir,—In reply to your letter of the 7th instant, there will be no difficulty whatever in giving to the troops occasionally salt beef and pork on the same day, should they wish it.Trusting soon to have the pleasure of seeing you in the Crimea,I remain, yours very truly,William Filder.A. Soyer, Esq.,&c. &c. &c.
Balaklava,June 15th, 1855.
My dear Sir,—In reply to your letter of the 7th instant, there will be no difficulty whatever in giving to the troops occasionally salt beef and pork on the same day, should they wish it.
Trusting soon to have the pleasure of seeing you in the Crimea,
I remain, yours very truly,William Filder.
A. Soyer, Esq.,&c. &c. &c.
June 16th, 1855.My dear Sir,—I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken in my behalf, and feel confident that any arrangement entered into by you will be as excellent as the other results I have witnessed, of that ability and energy by which our poor fellows have so much benefited. I will deliver your message to Colonel Daniell.Believe me, my dear Sir, yours very truly,J. W. Carleton.
June 16th, 1855.
My dear Sir,—I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken in my behalf, and feel confident that any arrangement entered into by you will be as excellent as the other results I have witnessed, of that ability and energy by which our poor fellows have so much benefited. I will deliver your message to Colonel Daniell.
Believe me, my dear Sir, yours very truly,J. W. Carleton.
3rd September, 1855.My dear Sir,—I was not well the day of your former feast, which unfortunately deprived me of the pleasure of tasting your good things; and to-day I am compelled to go down to Balaklava to see after stores for the troops embarking for Kertch. But I know all will do well under your able direction, and hereafter I shall have the satisfaction of witnessing the beneficial results of your labours in the camp kitchens.Sincerely yours,J. Hall.
3rd September, 1855.
My dear Sir,—I was not well the day of your former feast, which unfortunately deprived me of the pleasure of tasting your good things; and to-day I am compelled to go down to Balaklava to see after stores for the troops embarking for Kertch. But I know all will do well under your able direction, and hereafter I shall have the satisfaction of witnessing the beneficial results of your labours in the camp kitchens.
Sincerely yours,J. Hall.
Purveyor-in-Chief’s Office, Scutari,August 8th, 1855.My dear Sir,—I have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your letter. If I have done anything to help you, it is because I have seen it to be my duty to the public, and because your admirable arrangements have all the object of making the sickman delight in his diet, which, I fear, was not the case previous to your arrival.I can, perhaps, more than any one appreciate the good you have done. Why, then, should I not heart and soul help you in an object, the attainment of which induced you to leave England?—viz., the good of the soldier.Go on, and success to you. I will endeavour to help you as much as I can at Balaklava, as I have felt it my duty and pleasure to do here.I am, my dear Sir, yours truly,J. Scott Robertson.Monsieur Alexis Soyer,Balaklava.
Purveyor-in-Chief’s Office, Scutari,August 8th, 1855.
My dear Sir,—I have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your letter. If I have done anything to help you, it is because I have seen it to be my duty to the public, and because your admirable arrangements have all the object of making the sickman delight in his diet, which, I fear, was not the case previous to your arrival.
I can, perhaps, more than any one appreciate the good you have done. Why, then, should I not heart and soul help you in an object, the attainment of which induced you to leave England?—viz., the good of the soldier.
Go on, and success to you. I will endeavour to help you as much as I can at Balaklava, as I have felt it my duty and pleasure to do here.
I am, my dear Sir, yours truly,J. Scott Robertson.
Monsieur Alexis Soyer,Balaklava.
Guards’ Camp, First Division, Sebastopol,October 16th, 1855.I hereby acknowledge the receipt of five of Monsieur A. Soyer’s field-kitchens or camp stoves, which are now in active use by the cooks of the Coldstream Guards. And I hereby further acknowledge the receipt of a sixth camp-stove from Monsieur Soyer, for the use of the hospital of the said regiment. I cannot speak too highly in praise of these camp-kitchens for the great comfort and convenience they afford, the great economy and diminution of fuel, whether placed in the open air or under cover, and enabling the cooks to soak their salt meat properly; also to make puddings of rice and other things; and in cases of emergency, any quantity of rice-water, barley-water, or lemonade can be made, as well as soup, beef-tea, &c. If split peas were issued as rations by the Commissariat once or twice a week, when salt pork and beef are given, it would be a great addition to the soldier’s comfort, as well as a most wholesome and nutritious food, and very strongly recommended by Monsieur Soyer. Speaking for the Brigade of Guards, which I have the honour at this time to command, I have to thank Monsieur Soyer for all his kindness, and the very great boon he has given us by granting us the use of his stoves, which are the models for the rest of the army in the Crimea.Gordon Drummond, Colonel,Commanding Brigade of Guards.Monsieur A. Soyer,Guards’ Encampment, Sebastopol.
Guards’ Camp, First Division, Sebastopol,October 16th, 1855.
I hereby acknowledge the receipt of five of Monsieur A. Soyer’s field-kitchens or camp stoves, which are now in active use by the cooks of the Coldstream Guards. And I hereby further acknowledge the receipt of a sixth camp-stove from Monsieur Soyer, for the use of the hospital of the said regiment. I cannot speak too highly in praise of these camp-kitchens for the great comfort and convenience they afford, the great economy and diminution of fuel, whether placed in the open air or under cover, and enabling the cooks to soak their salt meat properly; also to make puddings of rice and other things; and in cases of emergency, any quantity of rice-water, barley-water, or lemonade can be made, as well as soup, beef-tea, &c. If split peas were issued as rations by the Commissariat once or twice a week, when salt pork and beef are given, it would be a great addition to the soldier’s comfort, as well as a most wholesome and nutritious food, and very strongly recommended by Monsieur Soyer. Speaking for the Brigade of Guards, which I have the honour at this time to command, I have to thank Monsieur Soyer for all his kindness, and the very great boon he has given us by granting us the use of his stoves, which are the models for the rest of the army in the Crimea.
Gordon Drummond, Colonel,Commanding Brigade of Guards.
Monsieur A. Soyer,Guards’ Encampment, Sebastopol.
Balaklava,9th Dec., 1855.Dear Monsieur Soyer,—I am favoured with your letter of 29th ult., and am glad to hear so favourable a report of the compressed vegetables which have recently arrived out.I sent to Constantinople some time ago for a supply of haricotbeans, with, the view to being issued with salt pork, as you recommended; and their introduction generally will be greatly benefited by your personal superintendence and advice, as you propose.We shall all have great pleasure in seeing you here again, and availing ourselves of your valuable suggestions and services.The winter has fairly set in, after two months of beautiful weather. Cold, damp, and discomfort prevail to a certain extent, and we move about in a sea of mud; but, as a set-off, we have abundance of supplies of all kinds, including fuel—the men are well clothed, and the erection of the huts is well advanced, notwithstanding their late arrival and the difficulty in transporting them to the front.I remain, dear Monsieur Soyer,Yours very faithfully,Geo. Maclean.Monsieur Soyer, &c.,Scutari.P. S.—I have written for a six months’ supply of Chorlet’s compressed vegetables as a reserve, and to guard against unforeseen contingencies. We have fresh vegetables, potatoes, and onions, more regularly; but cannot always expect this will continue. The quantity sent for will be about 10,000,000 of rations.—G. M.
Balaklava,9th Dec., 1855.
Dear Monsieur Soyer,—I am favoured with your letter of 29th ult., and am glad to hear so favourable a report of the compressed vegetables which have recently arrived out.
I sent to Constantinople some time ago for a supply of haricotbeans, with, the view to being issued with salt pork, as you recommended; and their introduction generally will be greatly benefited by your personal superintendence and advice, as you propose.
We shall all have great pleasure in seeing you here again, and availing ourselves of your valuable suggestions and services.
The winter has fairly set in, after two months of beautiful weather. Cold, damp, and discomfort prevail to a certain extent, and we move about in a sea of mud; but, as a set-off, we have abundance of supplies of all kinds, including fuel—the men are well clothed, and the erection of the huts is well advanced, notwithstanding their late arrival and the difficulty in transporting them to the front.
I remain, dear Monsieur Soyer,Yours very faithfully,Geo. Maclean.
Monsieur Soyer, &c.,Scutari.
P. S.—I have written for a six months’ supply of Chorlet’s compressed vegetables as a reserve, and to guard against unforeseen contingencies. We have fresh vegetables, potatoes, and onions, more regularly; but cannot always expect this will continue. The quantity sent for will be about 10,000,000 of rations.—G. M.
Camp,May 11th, 1856.Sir,—One of your cooking-stoves was tried by me yesterday and to-day.It answers to perfection; I never tasted better soup than was this day made by a soldier out ofthe regular rations.The quantity of fuel saved by this stove is enormous.I trust that your information is correct—viz., that Government have made arrangements to supply the army with these cooking-stoves.I have the honour to be, Sir,Your obedient servant,Alexander Maxwell, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 46th Regiment.Monsieur Alexis Soyer.
Camp,May 11th, 1856.
Sir,—One of your cooking-stoves was tried by me yesterday and to-day.
It answers to perfection; I never tasted better soup than was this day made by a soldier out ofthe regular rations.
The quantity of fuel saved by this stove is enormous.
I trust that your information is correct—viz., that Government have made arrangements to supply the army with these cooking-stoves.
I have the honour to be, Sir,Your obedient servant,Alexander Maxwell, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 46th Regiment.
Monsieur Alexis Soyer.
Camp, Sevastopol,May 21st, 1856.My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I can have no hesitation in saying that your stove is the best I have seen, and the men of my regiment are very much pleased with it.I think you told me that ovens could be fitted to them also; if so, they will be a boon conferred on the British soldier, which he will, I am sure, highly appreciate.Yours very faithfully,B. Daubeney,Commanding 55th Regiment.
Camp, Sevastopol,May 21st, 1856.
My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I can have no hesitation in saying that your stove is the best I have seen, and the men of my regiment are very much pleased with it.
I think you told me that ovens could be fitted to them also; if so, they will be a boon conferred on the British soldier, which he will, I am sure, highly appreciate.
Yours very faithfully,B. Daubeney,Commanding 55th Regiment.
Camp, near Sebastopol,May 23rd, 1856.Sir,—I have the honour to report that the result of the experimental cooking by Monsieur Soyer’s stove and boiler has been most satisfactory.The small quantity of fuel required is a great advantage, a small stick carried by each man of a company would afford sufficient fuel to cook a meal.I have the honour to be, Sir,Your most obedient humble servant,W. Sparke, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 38th Regiment.The Major of Brigade.
Camp, near Sebastopol,May 23rd, 1856.
Sir,—I have the honour to report that the result of the experimental cooking by Monsieur Soyer’s stove and boiler has been most satisfactory.
The small quantity of fuel required is a great advantage, a small stick carried by each man of a company would afford sufficient fuel to cook a meal.
I have the honour to be, Sir,Your most obedient humble servant,W. Sparke, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 38th Regiment.
The Major of Brigade.
Camp, Sebastopol,May 25th, 1856.Sir,—I have to acknowledge your letter of this morning, and have much pleasure in stating that during the short period we had the opportunity of using your field-stove, nothing could be more satisfactory, both in its superiority as a means of cooking a large quantity of rations in a short time, and also from the small quantity of fuel used in doing so. I must also give it as my opinion, that it is admirably suited for operations in the field, but requires to have the outer casing protected in some way; probably an open netting of iron wire would do so, with a couple of loops, so that two stoves could be attached and carried by one mule or horse.I remain, Sir,Yours very faithfully,Ramsay Stuart,Lieutenant-Colonel 21st Fusiliers.Alexis Soyer, Esq.,&c. &c. &c.,Crimea.
Camp, Sebastopol,May 25th, 1856.
Sir,—I have to acknowledge your letter of this morning, and have much pleasure in stating that during the short period we had the opportunity of using your field-stove, nothing could be more satisfactory, both in its superiority as a means of cooking a large quantity of rations in a short time, and also from the small quantity of fuel used in doing so. I must also give it as my opinion, that it is admirably suited for operations in the field, but requires to have the outer casing protected in some way; probably an open netting of iron wire would do so, with a couple of loops, so that two stoves could be attached and carried by one mule or horse.
I remain, Sir,Yours very faithfully,Ramsay Stuart,Lieutenant-Colonel 21st Fusiliers.
Alexis Soyer, Esq.,&c. &c. &c.,Crimea.
Camp, Sebastopol,26th May, 1856.Sir,—I beg leave to state that I approve most highly of your field-stoves.Each company in my regiment has had good opportunities of fully testing their qualities; and both in the cooking of fresh and salt meat have been found to answer the purpose for which they were intended, remarkably well.I have the honor to be, Sir,Your most obedient humble servant,B. Riley, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 48th Regiment.Monsieur A. Soyer.
Camp, Sebastopol,26th May, 1856.
Sir,—I beg leave to state that I approve most highly of your field-stoves.
Each company in my regiment has had good opportunities of fully testing their qualities; and both in the cooking of fresh and salt meat have been found to answer the purpose for which they were intended, remarkably well.
I have the honor to be, Sir,Your most obedient humble servant,B. Riley, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 48th Regiment.
Monsieur A. Soyer.
Fourth Division, Camp, Sebastopol,26th May, 1856.Monsieur Soyer,—In reply to your letter of the 21st of this month, relative to the field-stoves, I beg to state that the stove hasbeen tried by the 57th Regiment, and I am of opinion that it is well adapted for the purpose intended.It affords every facility for cooking, and saves a considerable quantity of fuel; and two of the stoves to one company on the march would be far preferable to the camp-kettles now in use.I have the honour to be,John A. Street, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 57th Regiment.Monsieur Soyer,Fourth Division.
Fourth Division, Camp, Sebastopol,26th May, 1856.
Monsieur Soyer,—In reply to your letter of the 21st of this month, relative to the field-stoves, I beg to state that the stove hasbeen tried by the 57th Regiment, and I am of opinion that it is well adapted for the purpose intended.
It affords every facility for cooking, and saves a considerable quantity of fuel; and two of the stoves to one company on the march would be far preferable to the camp-kettles now in use.
I have the honour to be,John A. Street, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 57th Regiment.
Monsieur Soyer,Fourth Division.
Camp, Sevastopol,27th May, 1856.Sir,—I have the honour to state, for the information of the Major-General commanding the Fourth Division, that Monsieur Soyer’s cooking-stove has been tried in the 57th Regiment, and I am of opinion that it is well adapted for the purpose intended; there is a very considerable saving of fuel, and little difficulty in cooking; and two stoves per company would be far preferable to the camp-kettles now in use.I have the honour to be, Sir,Your obedient servant,John A. Street, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 57th Regiment.Lieut.-Col. Smith, A.A.G.,Fourth Division.
Camp, Sevastopol,27th May, 1856.
Sir,—I have the honour to state, for the information of the Major-General commanding the Fourth Division, that Monsieur Soyer’s cooking-stove has been tried in the 57th Regiment, and I am of opinion that it is well adapted for the purpose intended; there is a very considerable saving of fuel, and little difficulty in cooking; and two stoves per company would be far preferable to the camp-kettles now in use.
I have the honour to be, Sir,Your obedient servant,John A. Street, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 57th Regiment.
Lieut.-Col. Smith, A.A.G.,Fourth Division.
Camp before Sebastopol,26th May, 1856.Sir,—With reference to No. 3 of this day’s order, I have the honour to state that during the short period we had the opportunity of using Monsieur Soyer’s field-stove, nothing could be more satisfactory, both in its superiority as a means of cooking a large quantity of rations in a short time, and also from the small quantity of fuel used in doing so.I must also give it as my opinion that it is admirably suited for operations in the field, but requires to have the outer casing protected in some way; probably an open netting of iron wire would do so, with a couple of loops, so that two stoves could then be attached and carried by one mule or horse.I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,Ramsay Stuart, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 21st Fusiliers.The Assistant-Adjutant-General,&c. &c. &c., Fourth Division.
Camp before Sebastopol,26th May, 1856.
Sir,—With reference to No. 3 of this day’s order, I have the honour to state that during the short period we had the opportunity of using Monsieur Soyer’s field-stove, nothing could be more satisfactory, both in its superiority as a means of cooking a large quantity of rations in a short time, and also from the small quantity of fuel used in doing so.
I must also give it as my opinion that it is admirably suited for operations in the field, but requires to have the outer casing protected in some way; probably an open netting of iron wire would do so, with a couple of loops, so that two stoves could then be attached and carried by one mule or horse.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
Ramsay Stuart, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 21st Fusiliers.
The Assistant-Adjutant-General,&c. &c. &c., Fourth Division.
Camp, Sebastopol,26th May, 1856.Sir,—In compliance with Division Order No. 3 of this day’s date, I beg leave to state that I approve most highly of the Soyer field-stoves.Each company in my regiment has had good opportunities of fully testing their qualities; and both in the cooking of fresh and saltmeat, they have been found to answer the purpose for which they were intended, remarkably well.I have the honour to be, Sir,Your most obedient humble servant,B. Riley, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 48th Regiment.The Brigade-Major,Second Brigade,Fourth Division Camp.
Camp, Sebastopol,26th May, 1856.
Sir,—In compliance with Division Order No. 3 of this day’s date, I beg leave to state that I approve most highly of the Soyer field-stoves.
Each company in my regiment has had good opportunities of fully testing their qualities; and both in the cooking of fresh and saltmeat, they have been found to answer the purpose for which they were intended, remarkably well.
I have the honour to be, Sir,Your most obedient humble servant,B. Riley, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 48th Regiment.
The Brigade-Major,Second Brigade,Fourth Division Camp.
Camp, Fourth Division,27th May, 1856.Sir,—In compliance with divisional orders of yesterday’s date, directing officers commanding corps to report on Monsieur Soyer’s stove,I have the honour to state I consider Monsieur Soyer’s stove cooks the men’s rations infinitely better than the ordinary way. The saving of fuel, also, to Government is a very important consideration; and moreover I am informed by Monsieur Soyer that the men’s rations can easily be baked by his stove, which I consider very desirable, so as to enable the men to have a change in the way of cooking their dinner.I have the honour to be, Sir,Your most obedient servant,F. C. Evelegh, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 20th Regiment.The Assistant-Adjutant-General,Fourth Division.
Camp, Fourth Division,27th May, 1856.
Sir,—In compliance with divisional orders of yesterday’s date, directing officers commanding corps to report on Monsieur Soyer’s stove,
I have the honour to state I consider Monsieur Soyer’s stove cooks the men’s rations infinitely better than the ordinary way. The saving of fuel, also, to Government is a very important consideration; and moreover I am informed by Monsieur Soyer that the men’s rations can easily be baked by his stove, which I consider very desirable, so as to enable the men to have a change in the way of cooking their dinner.
I have the honour to be, Sir,Your most obedient servant,F. C. Evelegh, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 20th Regiment.
The Assistant-Adjutant-General,
Fourth Division.
Camp, Sebastopol,27th May, 1856.Sir,—Having had one of your field-stoves in use for some weeks, for the men of the 23d Fusiliers, and all the companies having taken their turn of cooking with it, I am happy to be able to bear testimony to the great improvement you have effected in the soldiers’ cooking. Your field-stoves are clean, easy to use, and very economical of fuel; they cook the soldiers’ food extremely well, and the men like them very much, each company having been anxious to retain the stove as long as possible. The great saving of fuel, also, renders these stoves particularly valuable in a camp like this.I am, Sir,Your obedient servant,Henry W. Bunbury, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 23rd Fusiliers.Monsieur Alexis Soyer,&c. &c. &c.
Camp, Sebastopol,27th May, 1856.
Sir,—Having had one of your field-stoves in use for some weeks, for the men of the 23d Fusiliers, and all the companies having taken their turn of cooking with it, I am happy to be able to bear testimony to the great improvement you have effected in the soldiers’ cooking. Your field-stoves are clean, easy to use, and very economical of fuel; they cook the soldiers’ food extremely well, and the men like them very much, each company having been anxious to retain the stove as long as possible. The great saving of fuel, also, renders these stoves particularly valuable in a camp like this.
I am, Sir,Your obedient servant,Henry W. Bunbury, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 23rd Fusiliers.
Monsieur Alexis Soyer,&c. &c. &c.
Light Division Camp,May 27th, 1856.Sir,—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter respecting the field-stove, and have no hesitation in giving my testimony as to its great efficiency, both as to economy of fuel and the simplemethod of cooking, the result of which can scarcely fail to be satisfactory, even with the most ignorant and unskilful performer.Your most obedient servant,Percy Hill, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 2nd Bat. Rifle Brigade.Monsieur Soyer,Fourth Division Camp.
Light Division Camp,May 27th, 1856.
Sir,—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter respecting the field-stove, and have no hesitation in giving my testimony as to its great efficiency, both as to economy of fuel and the simplemethod of cooking, the result of which can scarcely fail to be satisfactory, even with the most ignorant and unskilful performer.
Your most obedient servant,Percy Hill, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 2nd Bat. Rifle Brigade.
Monsieur Soyer,Fourth Division Camp.
Camp of the Light Division before Sebastopol,27th May, 1856.My dear Sir,—I am happy to inform you that your new stove has been used, with great success, in the 77th Regiment.It dresses the men’s dinners remarkably well, and a great saving of fuel is effected by using it—about a stone of coals a day.I consider it admirably adapted for cooking in the field, and it is very portable.I am, my dear Sir,Very faithfully yours,R. J. Straton, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 77th Regiment.Monsieur Soyer, &c. &c.
Camp of the Light Division before Sebastopol,27th May, 1856.
My dear Sir,—I am happy to inform you that your new stove has been used, with great success, in the 77th Regiment.
It dresses the men’s dinners remarkably well, and a great saving of fuel is effected by using it—about a stone of coals a day.
I consider it admirably adapted for cooking in the field, and it is very portable.
I am, my dear Sir,Very faithfully yours,R. J. Straton, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 77th Regiment.
Monsieur Soyer, &c. &c.
Camp before Sevastopol,28th May, 1856.Sir,—Having tried your stove, I consider it the best possible cooking apparatus for the army, whether in barracks or standing camp.I have the honour to be, Sir,Your most obedient servant,A. Russell, Major,Commanding 1st Bat. Rifle Brigade.Monsieur A. Soyer, Camp, Fourth Division.
Camp before Sevastopol,28th May, 1856.
Sir,—Having tried your stove, I consider it the best possible cooking apparatus for the army, whether in barracks or standing camp.
I have the honour to be, Sir,Your most obedient servant,A. Russell, Major,Commanding 1st Bat. Rifle Brigade.
Monsieur A. Soyer, Camp, Fourth Division.
Camp, Sevastopol,28th May 1856.Monsieur Soyer,—The cooking-stove sent to my regiment on trial was in use one week, and I am glad to be able to tell you was highly approved of.The soup was richer and superior in flavour, and the meat better boiled.It has the great advantage of cleanliness, also being capable of service in the open air, needing only a shed to keep the weather off those employed.Yours very obediently,W. H. Wellesley, Colonel,Commanding Royal Fusiliers.Monsieur A. Soyer.
Camp, Sevastopol,28th May 1856.
Monsieur Soyer,—The cooking-stove sent to my regiment on trial was in use one week, and I am glad to be able to tell you was highly approved of.
The soup was richer and superior in flavour, and the meat better boiled.
It has the great advantage of cleanliness, also being capable of service in the open air, needing only a shed to keep the weather off those employed.
Yours very obediently,W. H. Wellesley, Colonel,Commanding Royal Fusiliers.
Monsieur A. Soyer.
Crimea,31st May, 1856.I hereby certify that Soyer’s field-kitchen for fifty men has recently been tried in the battalion under my command, in cooking soldiers’ rations, and that it appears perfectly to answer all purposes. It possesses many advantages—viz., the small quantity of fuel required, its lightness and portability, and requiring, when in use, the attendance of only one man. It is in every respect preferable to the cooking coppers generally used in barracks.R. W. Huey, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 2nd Bat. 1st Royal Regiment.
Crimea,31st May, 1856.
I hereby certify that Soyer’s field-kitchen for fifty men has recently been tried in the battalion under my command, in cooking soldiers’ rations, and that it appears perfectly to answer all purposes. It possesses many advantages—viz., the small quantity of fuel required, its lightness and portability, and requiring, when in use, the attendance of only one man. It is in every respect preferable to the cooking coppers generally used in barracks.
R. W. Huey, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 2nd Bat. 1st Royal Regiment.
Camp, Kamara,1st June, 1856.I have much pleasure in bearing my testimony to the great advantage of Monsieur Soyer’s field-stove over the usual method of cooking practised by an army, from the economy in fuel, the little attention it requires when the fire is once lighted, and its construction enabling the soldier to cook in the open air in all weathers. The slow process of boiling, also, which is easily regulated by the men after a day’s instruction, produces a more nutritious soup, and renders the meat more tender than when cooked in the ordinary way. Altogether, I consider the improvement one of great utility.John Douglas, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 79th Highlanders.To Monsieur Alexis Soyer.
Camp, Kamara,1st June, 1856.
I have much pleasure in bearing my testimony to the great advantage of Monsieur Soyer’s field-stove over the usual method of cooking practised by an army, from the economy in fuel, the little attention it requires when the fire is once lighted, and its construction enabling the soldier to cook in the open air in all weathers. The slow process of boiling, also, which is easily regulated by the men after a day’s instruction, produces a more nutritious soup, and renders the meat more tender than when cooked in the ordinary way. Altogether, I consider the improvement one of great utility.
John Douglas, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 79th Highlanders.
To Monsieur Alexis Soyer.
Crimea,June 2nd, 1856.Sir,—I have much pleasure in bearing testimony in favour of your stove, which is highly approved by my men; and from its cleanliness, and economy in fuel, I think it must supersede the old method of cooking.I remain, Sir,Your obedient servant,Edward W. Walker, Colonel,Commanding Fusilier Guards.Monsieur Soyer, &c. &c.
Crimea,June 2nd, 1856.
Sir,—I have much pleasure in bearing testimony in favour of your stove, which is highly approved by my men; and from its cleanliness, and economy in fuel, I think it must supersede the old method of cooking.
I remain, Sir,Your obedient servant,Edward W. Walker, Colonel,Commanding Fusilier Guards.
Monsieur Soyer, &c. &c.
Camp, Kamara,2nd June, 1856.Sir,—In answer to yours of the 21st May last, I am of opinion that your “field-stove,” if taken into general use in the army, would be a great improvement over the old system of cooking with camp-kettles. It requires but little attendance, a great deal less fuel, without the least regard to situation, and may be used with perfect freedom in any description of weather.I have the honour to be, Sir,Your obedient servant,A. Leith Hay, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 93rd Highlanders.Monsieur Alexis Soyer,Cathcart’s Hill, Crimea.
Camp, Kamara,2nd June, 1856.
Sir,—In answer to yours of the 21st May last, I am of opinion that your “field-stove,” if taken into general use in the army, would be a great improvement over the old system of cooking with camp-kettles. It requires but little attendance, a great deal less fuel, without the least regard to situation, and may be used with perfect freedom in any description of weather.
I have the honour to be, Sir,Your obedient servant,A. Leith Hay, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 93rd Highlanders.
Monsieur Alexis Soyer,Cathcart’s Hill, Crimea.
Light Division Camp,4th June, 1856.Sir,—I have much pleasure in being able to bear testimony to the efficacy of your field-stoves. Their extreme simplicity and their consuming so little fuel, render them particularly applicable to the use of soldiers. The men of the regiment under my command all approve of them.I have the honour to be, Sir,Your obedient servant,A. C. Goodenough, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 34th Regiment.Monsieur Alexis Soyer,Cathcart’s Hill.
Light Division Camp,4th June, 1856.
Sir,—I have much pleasure in being able to bear testimony to the efficacy of your field-stoves. Their extreme simplicity and their consuming so little fuel, render them particularly applicable to the use of soldiers. The men of the regiment under my command all approve of them.
I have the honour to be, Sir,Your obedient servant,A. C. Goodenough, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 34th Regiment.
Monsieur Alexis Soyer,Cathcart’s Hill.
Camp, Sebastopol,7th June, 1856.I have witnessed the working of Monsieur Soyer’s patent portable kitchen for troops, and consider it most excellent—the process simple, saving of fuel great, and always insuring a good meal to the soldier, in camp or barrack, it will be a great boon, should it be generally adopted.Thomas Kelly, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 31st Regiment.
Camp, Sebastopol,7th June, 1856.
I have witnessed the working of Monsieur Soyer’s patent portable kitchen for troops, and consider it most excellent—the process simple, saving of fuel great, and always insuring a good meal to the soldier, in camp or barrack, it will be a great boon, should it be generally adopted.
Thomas Kelly, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 31st Regiment.
Camp before Sebastopol, Fourth Division,June 14th, 1856.Major-General Garrett approves highly of the cooking-stoves introduced by Monsieur Soyer, which have been made trial of by all the regiments of the Fourth Division, and have given great satisfaction to the men, and have been approved by commanding officers.In a standing camp, or in quarters, they are admirable; they can be put up in an instant anywhere, either in or out of doors, and they never smoke. If attention is paid to the proportions of meat, water, and the necessary ingredients, when cooking commences, the most careless soldier can scarcely fail in making a good mess. There is also a great saving of fuel; and as only a certain amount of fire can be kept going, a steady and even process of cooking is insured, by which, without any great skill on the part of the soldier, a good dinner is in due course produced.A. Garrett, Major-General,Commanding Fourth Division.
Camp before Sebastopol, Fourth Division,June 14th, 1856.
Major-General Garrett approves highly of the cooking-stoves introduced by Monsieur Soyer, which have been made trial of by all the regiments of the Fourth Division, and have given great satisfaction to the men, and have been approved by commanding officers.
In a standing camp, or in quarters, they are admirable; they can be put up in an instant anywhere, either in or out of doors, and they never smoke. If attention is paid to the proportions of meat, water, and the necessary ingredients, when cooking commences, the most careless soldier can scarcely fail in making a good mess. There is also a great saving of fuel; and as only a certain amount of fire can be kept going, a steady and even process of cooking is insured, by which, without any great skill on the part of the soldier, a good dinner is in due course produced.
A. Garrett, Major-General,Commanding Fourth Division.
Light Division Camp, Crimea,14th June, 1856.My dear Sir,—It gives me great pleasure to send you my opinion of your camp-stove—the 90th Light Infantry under my command having had one on trial for some weeks, during which time I watched it very closely. If generally used in the army, I consider it will be as great a boon to soldiers as it must be a saving to the public. Its portability for camp purposes, where one mule can carry two stoves to cook everything for one hundred men, andwithout the necessity for a cook-house, is an important consideration; but the more so when its portability does not affect its qualities for general purposes in barracks, &c. The smallest quantity of fuel is required to light it and to keep it sufficiently hot, and the degree of heat being so well and simply regulated, waste of fuel becomes impossible, and the cooking much improved over ordinary coppers in the usual barrack cook-houses. With the addition of your very simple receipts, it appears to me that there is everything we can require, not only to make the most of a soldier’s rations, but to render them both wholesome and palatable.You were good enough to superintend personally at my cook-houses—until that time, the soldiers threw away, or used for other purposes than intended, the fat of the pork ration; with your plain instructions, they afterwards spread it on their bread as butter, and no wonder they were exceedingly fond of it, for it was pure and sweet, and far superior to the rank bad butter they purchased in the canteens, &c., in the Crimea. It will not be wasted again. I am happy to have this opportunity to acknowledge a great service rendered, and I wish that your camp-stoves may meet with the success they deserve, that they may be generally used in the army, not only in camp, but in quarters, hospitals, &c.I am, dear Sir, very faithfully yours,Robert Campbell, Colonel,Commanding 90th Light Infantry.Monsieur Alexis Soyer,&c. &c.
Light Division Camp, Crimea,14th June, 1856.
My dear Sir,—It gives me great pleasure to send you my opinion of your camp-stove—the 90th Light Infantry under my command having had one on trial for some weeks, during which time I watched it very closely. If generally used in the army, I consider it will be as great a boon to soldiers as it must be a saving to the public. Its portability for camp purposes, where one mule can carry two stoves to cook everything for one hundred men, andwithout the necessity for a cook-house, is an important consideration; but the more so when its portability does not affect its qualities for general purposes in barracks, &c. The smallest quantity of fuel is required to light it and to keep it sufficiently hot, and the degree of heat being so well and simply regulated, waste of fuel becomes impossible, and the cooking much improved over ordinary coppers in the usual barrack cook-houses. With the addition of your very simple receipts, it appears to me that there is everything we can require, not only to make the most of a soldier’s rations, but to render them both wholesome and palatable.
You were good enough to superintend personally at my cook-houses—until that time, the soldiers threw away, or used for other purposes than intended, the fat of the pork ration; with your plain instructions, they afterwards spread it on their bread as butter, and no wonder they were exceedingly fond of it, for it was pure and sweet, and far superior to the rank bad butter they purchased in the canteens, &c., in the Crimea. It will not be wasted again. I am happy to have this opportunity to acknowledge a great service rendered, and I wish that your camp-stoves may meet with the success they deserve, that they may be generally used in the army, not only in camp, but in quarters, hospitals, &c.
I am, dear Sir, very faithfully yours,Robert Campbell, Colonel,Commanding 90th Light Infantry.
Monsieur Alexis Soyer,&c. &c.
Camp, Sebastopol,14th June, 1856.My dear Sir,—I have just received your letter.In reply, I have now to state, from what I have seen of your stoves, that they are most admirably adapted for the purpose intended. They economize fuel, which is a great thing; and they will be a great “boon” to the soldier, in every respect.I am, yours very truly,Thomas Ingram, Lieut-Col.,Commanding 97th Regiment.To Monsieur Soyer, &c.Barrack Hospital, Scutari.
Camp, Sebastopol,14th June, 1856.
My dear Sir,—I have just received your letter.
In reply, I have now to state, from what I have seen of your stoves, that they are most admirably adapted for the purpose intended. They economize fuel, which is a great thing; and they will be a great “boon” to the soldier, in every respect.
I am, yours very truly,Thomas Ingram, Lieut-Col.,Commanding 97th Regiment.
To Monsieur Soyer, &c.Barrack Hospital, Scutari.
Head-Quarters, Sebastopol,19th June, 1856.Sir,—In acknowledging your letter of the 15th instant, I have to observe that one of your camp-stoves has been in constant use in the 56th Regiment for the last two months, and from inquiries from the men themselves, and my own observation, I am decidedly of opinion that they possess very considerable advantages over any other means of cooking at present in use in the British army, and I would strongly advocate their being furnished to all barracks, not only on account of their superiority in rendering the soldiers’ ration muchmore wholesome than when prepared by the means ordinarily used, but also for their great economy of fuel and labour.All these advantages were clearly demonstrated on the occasion of Lord Gough’s visit to the camp of the 56th, when, with ten of the stoves in operation, you superintended so successfully the cooking of five hundred men’s rations.I remain, your very obedient servant,A. W. Lacy, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 56th Regiment.Monsieur Soyer, &c. &c.
Head-Quarters, Sebastopol,19th June, 1856.
Sir,—In acknowledging your letter of the 15th instant, I have to observe that one of your camp-stoves has been in constant use in the 56th Regiment for the last two months, and from inquiries from the men themselves, and my own observation, I am decidedly of opinion that they possess very considerable advantages over any other means of cooking at present in use in the British army, and I would strongly advocate their being furnished to all barracks, not only on account of their superiority in rendering the soldiers’ ration muchmore wholesome than when prepared by the means ordinarily used, but also for their great economy of fuel and labour.
All these advantages were clearly demonstrated on the occasion of Lord Gough’s visit to the camp of the 56th, when, with ten of the stoves in operation, you superintended so successfully the cooking of five hundred men’s rations.
I remain, your very obedient servant,A. W. Lacy, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 56th Regiment.
Monsieur Soyer, &c. &c.
Camp, Kadikoi,June 26th, 1856.Dear Monsieur Soyer,—The kitchen which you were kind enough to leave in our camp has been working admirably; the men are quite delighted with it, because it saves them so much trouble and cooks their rations so far superior to the old way: the saving in fuel must be immense. I trust, when we get back to England, every regiment may be served with them.Believe me, very truly yours,W. Peel, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 11th Hussars.
Camp, Kadikoi,June 26th, 1856.
Dear Monsieur Soyer,—The kitchen which you were kind enough to leave in our camp has been working admirably; the men are quite delighted with it, because it saves them so much trouble and cooks their rations so far superior to the old way: the saving in fuel must be immense. I trust, when we get back to England, every regiment may be served with them.
Believe me, very truly yours,W. Peel, Lieut.-Col.,Commanding 11th Hussars.
Scutari,August 11th, 1856.My dear Sir,—The department to which I belong having been broken up consequent on the return of the English army from the East, I hope you will allow me, before I leave this country, to express to you the obligation I feel for your invaluable services in the hospitals here and at Kululee. To the important information and improvements which from the first you brought to bear upon the culinary department at each hospital, have the sick been indebted for much of the comforts they enjoyed when in hospital; nothing does tend to console a patient, or to restore him, so much as the nicety of the food which is given him: on the other hand, the badly-cooked food which is so often found in hospitals where the cooks have not been trained, retard no doubt the convalescence of the sick, the patient rather turning from his meal than desiring it. It was not so, however, with the hospitals here from the time you commenced your improvements in the kitchens.I could not, for myself, have desired anything better than the meals which, through your management, were furnished daily to the patients. I think the general management of the kitchen has been admirable, and, considering the vast numbers which had to be cooked for, in every way successful. I believe your system introduced into the general hospitals of the army generally, would be attended with incalculable advantage in every way, to the sick as well as the convalescents, and, I have no doubt, with much economy.You are aware how much pleasure it gave me to see the working of your excellent field-kitchens at the First Division, when I visited the Crimea in September last on duty. So much was I struck withtheir excellence, and the little expense attending them, that I addressed a letter to Sir Benjamin Hawes on the subject at the time, suggesting the propriety of at once introducing them into the hospitals in the front, where I believe they were very much wanted. I can only hope that ere long not a regiment in the service will be without them; and I am sure that will be the wish of all who have seen them in operation.Wishing you a happy return to England, where you left your family and friends with the patriotic and humane object of rendering your gratuitous services to the army in the East at a time when so much suffering was endured by the soldiers both in hospital and in the field, and with my thanks for your valuable assistance to my department,Believe me to be, yours very sincerely,T. Scott Robertson,Purveyor-in-Chief.To Monsieur Soyer.
Scutari,August 11th, 1856.
My dear Sir,—The department to which I belong having been broken up consequent on the return of the English army from the East, I hope you will allow me, before I leave this country, to express to you the obligation I feel for your invaluable services in the hospitals here and at Kululee. To the important information and improvements which from the first you brought to bear upon the culinary department at each hospital, have the sick been indebted for much of the comforts they enjoyed when in hospital; nothing does tend to console a patient, or to restore him, so much as the nicety of the food which is given him: on the other hand, the badly-cooked food which is so often found in hospitals where the cooks have not been trained, retard no doubt the convalescence of the sick, the patient rather turning from his meal than desiring it. It was not so, however, with the hospitals here from the time you commenced your improvements in the kitchens.
I could not, for myself, have desired anything better than the meals which, through your management, were furnished daily to the patients. I think the general management of the kitchen has been admirable, and, considering the vast numbers which had to be cooked for, in every way successful. I believe your system introduced into the general hospitals of the army generally, would be attended with incalculable advantage in every way, to the sick as well as the convalescents, and, I have no doubt, with much economy.
You are aware how much pleasure it gave me to see the working of your excellent field-kitchens at the First Division, when I visited the Crimea in September last on duty. So much was I struck withtheir excellence, and the little expense attending them, that I addressed a letter to Sir Benjamin Hawes on the subject at the time, suggesting the propriety of at once introducing them into the hospitals in the front, where I believe they were very much wanted. I can only hope that ere long not a regiment in the service will be without them; and I am sure that will be the wish of all who have seen them in operation.
Wishing you a happy return to England, where you left your family and friends with the patriotic and humane object of rendering your gratuitous services to the army in the East at a time when so much suffering was endured by the soldiers both in hospital and in the field, and with my thanks for your valuable assistance to my department,
Believe me to be, yours very sincerely,T. Scott Robertson,Purveyor-in-Chief.
To Monsieur Soyer.
Malta,September 8th, 1856.Sir,—In reply to your letter requesting me to give you my opinion on the subject of your military cooking stove, I now beg to give you the opinion I have formed of them.I will first mention that the stove was used by each of the companies of the 47th Regiment in succession. The non-commissioned officers and soldiers all spoke most favourably of it.The portable cooking stove has, in my mind, many important advantages to recommend it—one very important one being that it can cook in any situation whatsoever, and in any weather, and with the smallest possible consumption of fuel of any kind which may be available—a very great consideration in localities where fuel is scarce or difficult of access. I imagine those stoves would have answered admirably for cooking in the trenches before Sebastopol, taking little room, consuming little fuel, and showing but little smoke, and cooking the food as securely and perfectly in bad weather as in fine.For field hospitals they would answer admirably,especially as carrying their own fuelon a march. The cooking for the sick could commence instantly on the halt taking place.I think here at Malta they would be very useful in many of the encampments; in fact, anywhere that troops are suddenly placed they (the cooking stoves) would be found of great use. Even they could answer very well in the event of troops having on any emergency to embark in vessels inadequately provided with cooking apparatus.Fully convinced of their merits, I wish the invention all the military success and encouragement it deserves.I have the honour to be your very obedient servant,M. J. Haley,Colonel commanding 47th Regiment.To Monsieur Alexis Soyer.P.S. There is one observation I cannot help adding, which is that, however desirable it is to give the army improved utensils for cooking, little progress will be made in military cookery and teaching the soldiers to turn such rations or other articles of food to account in the most advantageous and ready manner, unless it is some one person’s particular business to teach cooking. We ought to have a non-commissioned officer for the special duty, and who would be responsible for imparting instruction in that most essential craft; recollecting a most importantmaxime de guerre:—“C’est la soupe qui fait le soldat.”
Malta,September 8th, 1856.
Sir,—In reply to your letter requesting me to give you my opinion on the subject of your military cooking stove, I now beg to give you the opinion I have formed of them.
I will first mention that the stove was used by each of the companies of the 47th Regiment in succession. The non-commissioned officers and soldiers all spoke most favourably of it.
The portable cooking stove has, in my mind, many important advantages to recommend it—one very important one being that it can cook in any situation whatsoever, and in any weather, and with the smallest possible consumption of fuel of any kind which may be available—a very great consideration in localities where fuel is scarce or difficult of access. I imagine those stoves would have answered admirably for cooking in the trenches before Sebastopol, taking little room, consuming little fuel, and showing but little smoke, and cooking the food as securely and perfectly in bad weather as in fine.
For field hospitals they would answer admirably,especially as carrying their own fuelon a march. The cooking for the sick could commence instantly on the halt taking place.
I think here at Malta they would be very useful in many of the encampments; in fact, anywhere that troops are suddenly placed they (the cooking stoves) would be found of great use. Even they could answer very well in the event of troops having on any emergency to embark in vessels inadequately provided with cooking apparatus.
Fully convinced of their merits, I wish the invention all the military success and encouragement it deserves.
I have the honour to be your very obedient servant,M. J. Haley,Colonel commanding 47th Regiment.
To Monsieur Alexis Soyer.
P.S. There is one observation I cannot help adding, which is that, however desirable it is to give the army improved utensils for cooking, little progress will be made in military cookery and teaching the soldiers to turn such rations or other articles of food to account in the most advantageous and ready manner, unless it is some one person’s particular business to teach cooking. We ought to have a non-commissioned officer for the special duty, and who would be responsible for imparting instruction in that most essential craft; recollecting a most importantmaxime de guerre:—“C’est la soupe qui fait le soldat.”
13, Kensington Park Terrace North,July, 1857.Dear Sir,—I understand that you are about to publish some observations respecting your valuable labours in the culinary department in the military hospitals of Scutari and the Crimea. If you permit me, I shall be happy to add a few remarks, such as occurred to me during the period I was engaged by the Government as one of the physicians in the Barrack Hospital. One of the first duties in the treatment of the sick was to ascertain the quality of the food adapted to invalids labouring under every form of fever, of acute and chronic diarrhœa, and especially dysentery. It is in vain to attempt to cure these diseases by medicines only; a carefully regulated diet was of the first consequence; and I was early disappointed and embarrassed by the wretched state of the kitchens and diet intended for the sick. I was in the habit of frequenting the kitchen which belonged to the division of the hospital in which I was doing duty, and observing the mode of cooking, and soon found that the soldier-cooks were quite ignorant of their art. I have constantly examined and tasted the mutton and fowls, the soups, the vegetables, and the puddings, and I do not hesitate to affirm that they were as unpalatable and unsavoury and as objectionable as they could be. The practice of cooking the fowls was to put them into nets—a dozen or more in one net; several nets were placed in large coppers; and then to boil them as rapidly as possible, with fierce heat. I have many times examined their quality after this process of rapid boiling, and always found them extremely tough and uneatable, and generally the sick soldier could not masticate them, especially as so many of the sick were suffering from spongy gums and decayed teeth, the effects of scurvy. The mutton, generally bad in quality, was always very badly cooked, and the broths or soups very destitute of flavour. No one, sir, can know so well as a physician the great value of palatable and easily digestible food—it is of more consequence than the whole contents of the apothecary’s shop.I do not desire to flatter you, nor unnecessarily to disparage the former miserable system of cooking. Your presence in that essential department of the healing art inspired us with new hopes. In a few days we discovered the superiority of your successful efforts to unite the agreeable and nutritive qualities of food. Under your instructions,the meat became savoury and eatable—the soups were relished—the puddings were pleasant, and enjoyed—the tea and coffee were refreshing. Those invalids who before your arrival seemed to yield most patiently to their hard lot of semi-starvation, and often went without the medical comforts, now looked out anxiously for the hour when these creature blessings were usually distributed. The Government, with a proper generosity, gave almost acarte blancheto the Medical Staff to order every medical comfort to the poor sick soldier who could no longer wield a sword or shoulder a musket, and who were perishing by diseases aggravated by improper diet and bad cooking. The art of thecuisineyields not in importance to medicine itself—it is the handmaid of the physician; and I would rather trust to its curative powers than to the physic of the doctors, if I were limited to the alternative of either the one or the other.I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant,Robert Woollaston,M.D. Lond., F.S.C.S.,Late one of the Physicians of the BarrackHospital at Scutari.To Monsieur Soyer.
13, Kensington Park Terrace North,July, 1857.
Dear Sir,—I understand that you are about to publish some observations respecting your valuable labours in the culinary department in the military hospitals of Scutari and the Crimea. If you permit me, I shall be happy to add a few remarks, such as occurred to me during the period I was engaged by the Government as one of the physicians in the Barrack Hospital. One of the first duties in the treatment of the sick was to ascertain the quality of the food adapted to invalids labouring under every form of fever, of acute and chronic diarrhœa, and especially dysentery. It is in vain to attempt to cure these diseases by medicines only; a carefully regulated diet was of the first consequence; and I was early disappointed and embarrassed by the wretched state of the kitchens and diet intended for the sick. I was in the habit of frequenting the kitchen which belonged to the division of the hospital in which I was doing duty, and observing the mode of cooking, and soon found that the soldier-cooks were quite ignorant of their art. I have constantly examined and tasted the mutton and fowls, the soups, the vegetables, and the puddings, and I do not hesitate to affirm that they were as unpalatable and unsavoury and as objectionable as they could be. The practice of cooking the fowls was to put them into nets—a dozen or more in one net; several nets were placed in large coppers; and then to boil them as rapidly as possible, with fierce heat. I have many times examined their quality after this process of rapid boiling, and always found them extremely tough and uneatable, and generally the sick soldier could not masticate them, especially as so many of the sick were suffering from spongy gums and decayed teeth, the effects of scurvy. The mutton, generally bad in quality, was always very badly cooked, and the broths or soups very destitute of flavour. No one, sir, can know so well as a physician the great value of palatable and easily digestible food—it is of more consequence than the whole contents of the apothecary’s shop.
I do not desire to flatter you, nor unnecessarily to disparage the former miserable system of cooking. Your presence in that essential department of the healing art inspired us with new hopes. In a few days we discovered the superiority of your successful efforts to unite the agreeable and nutritive qualities of food. Under your instructions,the meat became savoury and eatable—the soups were relished—the puddings were pleasant, and enjoyed—the tea and coffee were refreshing. Those invalids who before your arrival seemed to yield most patiently to their hard lot of semi-starvation, and often went without the medical comforts, now looked out anxiously for the hour when these creature blessings were usually distributed. The Government, with a proper generosity, gave almost acarte blancheto the Medical Staff to order every medical comfort to the poor sick soldier who could no longer wield a sword or shoulder a musket, and who were perishing by diseases aggravated by improper diet and bad cooking. The art of thecuisineyields not in importance to medicine itself—it is the handmaid of the physician; and I would rather trust to its curative powers than to the physic of the doctors, if I were limited to the alternative of either the one or the other.
I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant,Robert Woollaston,M.D. Lond., F.S.C.S.,Late one of the Physicians of the BarrackHospital at Scutari.
To Monsieur Soyer.
Copy of Letter addressed by the Author to the Right Honourable the Lord Panmure, K.T., &c. &c. &c., relating to the completion of his Mission, in the shape of a Journal.
My Lord,—I beg to close this little journal by stating the reason of my long absence since the treaty of peace. It was with the intention of writing a work which will, I hope, perpetuate the ameliorations I have been enabled (through the confidence reposed in me by your lordship) to introduce in the diets for the hospitals, as well as the cooking for the army. And this can be effected in a very short time, without increasing the expense to the nation, but will, on the contrary, be likely to tend to economy, it being well recognised by the faculty that change of food is as essential to the soldier in health as change of diet is to the invalid. This work will also, with little trouble, have the effect of making cooks of the soldiers, and teach them at the same time to make the most of their rations either in camp or in barracks.With the most profound respect, I have the honour to remain,Your Lordship’s obedient servant,A. Soyer.
My Lord,—I beg to close this little journal by stating the reason of my long absence since the treaty of peace. It was with the intention of writing a work which will, I hope, perpetuate the ameliorations I have been enabled (through the confidence reposed in me by your lordship) to introduce in the diets for the hospitals, as well as the cooking for the army. And this can be effected in a very short time, without increasing the expense to the nation, but will, on the contrary, be likely to tend to economy, it being well recognised by the faculty that change of food is as essential to the soldier in health as change of diet is to the invalid. This work will also, with little trouble, have the effect of making cooks of the soldiers, and teach them at the same time to make the most of their rations either in camp or in barracks.
With the most profound respect, I have the honour to remain,
Your Lordship’s obedient servant,A. Soyer.
SOYER’S SCUTARI TEAPOT.
This teapot, which is registered, is manufactured by Messrs. Deane and Dray, London Bridge, and sold by all ironmongers in the kingdom.
The top of the minaret forms the lid, and the tube which holds the tea, being moveable, allows every facility for cleaning, and amongst its many advantages the most prominent are its cheapness, elegance, and simplicity. It can be made any size.
PATENT ROTARY KNIFE-CLEANER.
Amongst the many tribulations of small families, one of the worst is knife-cleaning, which is one of the most disagreeable of all household duties—and what is worse than a dirty knife? Yet where is the house where the housewife is not well up in the household duties who does not experience this inconvenience? A gentleman named Detheir, a nephew of the celebrated Detheir of the Great Northern Hotel, has really invented a knife-cleaner which ought to be introduced in all public institutions, commercial houses, and private families. So much do I approve of this machine as a public boon, that I trust they will be made at such a moderate price as to come within the reach of all.
HOSPITAL DIETS.
Apple Barley Water,523Arrowroot Milk,517Arrowroot Water,517Baked Apple Toast-and-Water,522Barley Water,518Batter Pudding,519Beef Soup,514Beef Tea,514Boiled Rice,521Bread-and-Butter Pudding,520Bread Pudding,520Browning for Soups,522Calf’s-foot Jelly,516Cheap Plain Rice Pudding for Campaigning,519Chicken Broth,515Citronade,523Currant Syrup,523Custard Pudding,520Date Water,523Effervescent Beverages,523Essence of Beef Tea,515Figs and Apple Beverages,521Fig Water,523French Herb Broth,522Jelly Stock,517Macaroni Pudding,520Mulberry Water,523Mutton and Veal Tea,115Orange-Flower Water,523Pine Apple Syrup,523Plain-boiled Rice,515Plain Lemonade,523Plain Oatmeal,516Raisin Water,523Raspberry Water,523Rice with Gravy,516Rich Rice Pudding,520Rice Water,518Sago Jelly,517Sago Pudding,521Semi-citric Lemonade,518Semi-stewed Mutton and Barley Soup for one hundred Men,513Soyer’s Cheap Lemonade,519Soyer’s Plain Lemonade,518Spring Drink,523Stewed French Plums,521Stewed Macaroni,520Strengthening Beef Tea,515Summer Drink,523Sweet Rice,516Syrup of Orgeat,523Tapioca Pudding,521Tartaric Lemonade,519Thick Arrowroot Milk,517Thick Beef Tea,515Toast-and-Water,522
ARMY RECEIPTS.
Army Soup for fifty Men,526Baking and Roasting with the Field Stove,528Baking in Oven,529Beef Soup,532Camp Soup,531Cocoa for eighty Men,530Coffee for ten or eighty Men,529Easy way of Cooking in Earthen Pan,530French Beef Soup, or Pot-au-Feu,530How to Soak and Plain-boil Rations of Salt Beef and Pork on Land and at Sea,525How to Cook for a Regiment of one thousand Men,527Pea Soup,532Plain Irish Stew for fifty Men,527Receipts for Frying-pan,532Salt Meat for fifty Men,525Salt Pork, with Mashed Peas, for one hundred Men,562Salt Pork and Pudding, with Cabbage and Potatoes,527Semi-Frying, Camp Fashion,530Soyer’s Food for one hundred Men, for using two stoves,527Stewed Salt Beef and Pork for one hundred Men, or a Regiment of one thousand Men,526Stewed Fresh Beef and Rice,532Suet Dumplings,533Tea for eighty Men,529Turkish Pilaff for one hundred Men,528
BILL OF FARE FOR LONDON SUPPERS.
Battered Eggs with Mushrooms,546Battered Eggs with Sprue Grass,546Bouillabaisse Anglicised,550Ditto, Second Class,550Chicken, American fashion,549Chipped or ribboned Potatoes,548Chop or Steak à la Sultana,536Chops semi-Provençal, or Marseilles fashion,536Cold Asparagus Salad,549Crab Salad,543Crabs au Gratin in the Shell,541Curried Eggs,547Curried Tripe,539Eggs with Tomato Sauce,547Eggs with chopped Ham or Tongue,546Eggs with Mushrooms,546Eggs with Truffles,546Eggs with Sprue Grass,547Eggs à la Bonne Femme,547Eggs au Miroir with Ham or Bacon,546Eggs à la Tripe or Onion Sauce,547Endive Salad,544Fillet de Bœuf, Parisian fashion,535Fillet de Bœuf, semi-Chateaubriant,536Fried Oysters, New York way,542Fried Potatoes,547Fried Potatoes with Maître d’Hôtel Butter,548Fried Potatoes with Cayenne Pepper,548Game for Supper,542Gratin Tripe in Shell,539Grilled Chicken with Sharp Sauce, 539Ham and Bacon Omelettes,545Ham with Shalots, Parsley, and Chervil,546Herring à la Rob Roy,549Kidneys Saute, with Sherry, Port, or Champagne,537Kidney Toast,537Lamb Chops à l’Africaine,538Lamb Chops à la Printaniere,538Lamb Chops à la Boulogne,538Lamb’s Fry,540Lobster Curry,540Lobster Curry in Shell,540Lobster au Gratin,540Lobster Cutlets,540Lobster Salad,543Minced Sandwiches,536Mirrored Eggs,546Mushroom Kidney Sandwich,536Mutton and Lamb Cutlets à la Bouchère,535Mutton and Lamb Cutlets semi-Bouchère,535Mutton, Lamb, or Veal Cutlets, en Papillote,537Mutton or Lamb Chops à la Turc,540New Potato Salad, German fashion,549Ditto, with French or Haricôt Beans,549Omelettes with fine Herbs,544Omelettes with Mushrooms545Omelettes with Sprue Grass,545Omelettes with Parmesan,545Oysters stewed American fashion,542Plain Mutton Chops and Steaks,535Plain Salad with Anchovies,544Poached Eggs with Cream,545Poached Eggs with Maître d’Hôtel Butter,545Poached Eggs semi-curried with Ham or Bacon,545Pork Chops à la Tartare,538Pork Chops with Pimento Butter,538Rarebit à la Soyer, with Sherry or Champagne,547Relishing Steak,535Rumpsteak and Potatoes,534Salad, new, Tartar fashion,543Sandwiches for Evening Parties,540Sauces, List of, 551 to554Scalloped Lobster,540Semi-curried kidneys,537Soyer’s Broiling or Universal Devil,539Soyer’s Grouse Salad,543Soyer’s Universal Devil Mixture,548Ditto for the Million,549Soyer’s Balaklava Nectar,560Soyer’s Crimean Cup à la Wyndham,550Stewed Tripe,539Stewed Oysters on toast,542Tripe Lyonnaise fashion,539
A SERIES OF RECEIPTS FOR THE NEEDY, 555TO566.
ANECDOTES,ETC.
The Duke of Cambridge’s Head-Quarters prior to the Battle of Inkermann,567A Visit to Dolma Batchi Palace,570The Travelling Gentleman of the Crimea,573The Consumption Hospital,574Copies of Letters,575 to 591Patent Rotary Knife Cleaner,593
LONDON:SAVILL AND EDWARDS, PRINTERS, CHANDOS STREET,COVENT-GARDEN.