My dear Monsieur Soyer,—I cannot allow you to leave Scutari without expressing my perfect satisfaction with all you have done to ameliorate the culinary system for our soldiers. The kitchens you have established at Scutari answer admirably, and I am satisfied that we are as much redevable, if not more so, to the cooks for the good health we now enjoy, as to the doctors.
Pray receive, my dear Monsieur Soyer, the assurance of my sentiments of kind regard.
Yours truly,
H. K. Storks,
Brigadier-General.
To Monsieur Alexis Soyer.
Soyer’s Villarette, May 15th, 1856.
After doubting many of your enthusiastic views as to cooking, I acknowledge that I am fairly beaten. Every one to his trade.
Yours very truly,
C. A. Windham,
Major-General, Commander of Staff.
Camp, First Division, May 25th, 1856.
Monsieur Soyer,—I accept, with many thanks, the portable cooking-stove you have been kind enough to present me; and I perceive it will henceforth be the means of my eating after a civilized fashion, so long as I have a coat-pocket to carry it in.
I beg your acceptance of an inkstand, made with a Russian grapeshot. It bears upon its surface the proof of having been projected during the siege, and will, therefore, serve you as a lasting reminiscence of your sojourn in the camp.