2–8 October 1854

In Odessa they told me of a touching inci- dent. The Adjutant of the General in charge arrived at the N. Hospital where the wounded men of the 4th Corps were lying who had been brought from the Crimea. “ The Commander-in-Chief, Prince Gorchakov,” said he to them, “ bids me thank you for your brave service and to ask. . . .” “ Hurrah ! ” sounded weak voices one after another from all the beds. It is a famous and a great reward for Gorchakdv’s efforts ! Better than the Emperor's medallion round his neck. The pilot on the ferry-boat at Nikolaev told me that on the 26th there was an action in which Karmitov distin- guished himself He is said to have taken numbers of prisoners and guns, but that out of 8000 of our men, two hours later only 2000 returned. In Nikolaev these rumours were confirmed. Nakhfmov 1 and Liprandi * are said to have been wounded The enemy have received reinforcements and are settling down in winter quarters. Heaven knows what is true. The pilot also told me a story about a Cossack who caught a little English prince with a lassoo, and led him to Prince Menshikov. The little prince fired his pistol at the Cossack. “ Hey ! don’t shoot ! ” said the Cossack. The prince again fired and again missed. ” Hey ! don’t play the fool 1 ” said the Cossack. The prince once more fired and missed (these things are always done three times). Then the Cossack began to flog him with his whip. When the prince complained to Menshikov that the Cossack had whipped him, the Cossack explained that he was teaching him to shoot, for if he started to do it without knowing how, the Cossacks would never hear of him at all I Menshikov laughed. In general among the people one oftener hears the English mentioned than the French.

I saw nothing in Nikolaev. I will not note down the rumours as they all turned out to be nonsense. Since the 24th nothing has been undertaken except siege work. I was brought by boat from Khersdn and Oteshko. The boatman told us about the transport of the soldiers, how a soldier lay down in the pouring rain on the wet tyttom of the boat and fell asleep ; how an officer beat a soldier for scratching himself ; and how a soldier during the crossing shot himself out of fear at having over-stayed his leave by two days, and how they threw him overboard without burial. Now the boatmen try to frighten one another when passing the place on the river where the soldier was thrown overboard. 44 What is your company ? ” they shout. At 016shko I was detained . by a pretty and intelligent Ukrainian woman whom I kissed and caressed through the window. . . On account of this I got left behind by my fellow-officers, Serzhputovski, Boborykin, and Shubin. I heard from them through Vysdtski, whom I met at Perekdp, that the alarming rumours are nonsense. Shdbin’s departure disturbs and vexes me I do not wish to cease to respect that lad. Have seen French and English prisoners but have not had time to speak to them. Merely the appearance and step of these men somehow fills me with a melancholy conviction that they are far superior to our troops. How- ever I only had some army service corps men to compare them with. The post-boy who brought me here said that we should have completely beaten the English on the 24th had it not been for treachery. It is sad and ridiculous. 44 And the other day ”, he said, 44 they came with an iron, six-horsed carriage, probably for Menshikov.” I also met some of our wounded men — fine fellows. They are sorry for the Commanders, and say that they several times advanced to the attack, but could not maintain themselves, because the left flank was turned ; they are glad to catch at a word unknown and therefore very important to them as an explanation of the failure. It would be too sad for them to believe in treachery.

Have received money, spent a good deal on trifles, and played cards. Have bought a horse and moved into new quarters. The magazine advances slowly. On the other hand little by little I am becoming steadier. Most important of all for me is to cure mys^f of idleness, irritability, and lack of character.