[ WP ] Walk me through a soldier 's last day alive .

My Dear Mother, 
 
 I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. I was overjoyed when I heard about Clara ’ s engagement to Thomas Bottomley. He is a good man who will provide for her and treat her well. With regard to the biscuits that you sent along earlier, they were vandalized by Turks before they could reach me. Even so, the thought is kind. You may remember Lawrence Grigg from one of my previous letters about his gallantry in the field at Inkermann. It is with great regret that I must tell you that he succumbed to dysentery. He is the third man from his unit to expire from the sickness in the last week. It is a terrible shame to see such fine fighting men wither away to an unseen enemy. 
 
 I now think myself able to adequately answer Father ’ s question about the Russian soldier, and I can write with certainty that he does not appear to be as barbaric or uncivilized as The Times claims. Two days prior to writing this letter our unit got into a scrap with some Russians. We shot four before they returned to the safety of their lines. Emmott and I hurried after them, but were stopped by the scene of a wounded Russian. He looked to be about thirty-five with a dirty beard and pitiable grey uniform. The poor man was shot through the belly: a slow and painful death sentence. A crucifix was clutched in his right hand, and with his left he was holding hands with his comrade who, shot through the neck, must have died not long after hitting the ground. Emmott told me that he was reciting a prayer in his last moments. This Russian soldier was worth twenty Times journalists. 
 
 I have the honour to be, 
 
 Mother, 
 
 Your humble and obedient servant, 
 
 Percy 

