Crimea September 1854
"You"re a lucky beggar," Elliot said, "you were involved in the battle while we had to sit here and watch."
"I never drew my sword or fired a shot," Jack replied.
"But you were there!" Elliot insisted. "You were at the most famous victory since Waterloo!"
Jack looked around him. They stood on the Heights of Alma with the debris of battle all around them. To the right, the French were carefully shifting their wounded to covered ambulances that took them quickly to the shore. Less organised, the British carried their injured bodily. Although Colonel Murphy had graciously permitted his three arabas to be used for that purpose, most British casualties jolted on litters.
As night fell the 113th camped on the battlefield, through darkness punctured by the hideous sound
