Cannings Marsh
Devizes
29 Nov.
My dear Talbot
My Brother has sent us no Particulars of the Fall of Genl Strangways <1> beyond what you have seen in the Paper, that he was struck between my Brother & Ld Raglan. Indeed we have had but one Letter from my Brother since the Engagement of the 5th – He speaks of it as a much more severe affair than the Alma – What a horrible Massacre war is nowadays: I thought inventions of Destruction would practically diminish Loss of Life: but we have to do with an enemy to whom human Life is valueless. I am glad Parlt is to be assembled: we must shew a firm Front –
Should we have any chance of seeing you and Mrs Talbot at Estcourt this winter.
Yrs vy truly
T H S Sotheron
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esq
Athenaeum Club
London
Notes:
1. Brigadier General Thomas Fox Strangeways (1790 - 5 November 1854), Royal Artillery, was on horseback at the Battle of Inkermann at the right hand of Lord Raglan when he was killed by a shell.