22–28 January 1855

Have lived for more than a month at £sklord near Simferdpol. It seemed dull but now I recall it with regret. And there is reason to regret the 14th Brigade, when one is in the nth. In the artillery I have seen nothing better than the former or worse than the latter. Filimdnov, in whose battery I am, is the dirtiest creature that can be imagined. Odakhdvski, the senior officer, is a nasty mean little Pole. The other officers lack personality and are under the influence of these two. And I am bound to, and even depend on, these people ! I have been to Sevastopol, received money, talked with Totteben, visited the Fourth Bastion, and played cards. Am greatly dis- satisfied with myself To-morrow must go to the bath- house. Have rewritten a memorandum on “ Massacre with small arms ”,1 * * * * * * and have written the report.

Have played stos for two days and two nights. The result is evident — the loss of the house at Yisnaya Polyina. It seems useless to write : am so disgusted with myself that I should even like to forget that I exist. It is said that Persia has declared war on Turkey and that peace will be concluded.