19–25 February 1855

Some not quite reliable fellows told us much news to-day. The Redoubt, an attack on which has been repulsed by the Selengfnsk and Minsk regiments, was constructed by order and at the wish of the Emperor. Menshikov is said to have left for Petersburg and his place is to be taken by Gorchakov. Prussia is said to have declared war on Austria. After to-morrow I shall go to Sevastopol and learn all the details. To-day and to- morrow I will write the project to show to S£ken.