Light Division Camp, Sebastopol, June 7th, 1856.
General Lord William Paulet, commanding Light Division, having inspected the camp cooking-stoves issued by Monsieur Soyer for trial to the ten regiments composing his division, has much pleasure in stating that they answer in every respect. They consume not a quarter so much fuel; they boil the meat more regularly, and the vegetables, and therefore make better soup; they never smoke, which is invariably the case with all barrack cook-houses. You can use them either out of doors or inside, and would prove useful in all standing camps or barracks; and may be issued to the troops according to the number required occupying a barrack, and the remainder being kept in store, they being so portable.
Lord William would like to see them in all quarters occupied by troops where the cook-houses are not good, and the saving of fuel would pay the expense.
Scutari Barracks Hospital, April 9th, 1855.
It gives me great pleasure to testify, after visiting Monsieur Soyer’s kitchen in the above establishment, and comparing the quality and economy of the many excellent preparations made for the use of the sick, that those prepared from his formulæ are very superior to those previously supplied.
I consider, if the suggestions of Monsieur Soyer be acted on, that he will have conferred a great boon on the sick and convalescent soldier, and for such improvement will deserve the thanks of every person having feeling for the British soldier, and who desires to ameliorate his condition.
Hugh Birt, F.R.C.S.E.,
Civil Surgeon of the 1st Class to the Scutari Hospital.
Hyder Pasha Hospitals, Scutari, May 1st, 1855.
This is to certify that Monsieur Soyer has, in his visits to the above hospitals, rendered a very important service, by clearly demonstrating that the dietary for the sick may, by his improved method of cooking, be greatly enhanced in value by making it, out of the usual materials, more nutritious, more palatable, and more advantageous for every purpose.
H. G. W. Macellery,
1st Class S. Surgeon, Superintending Medical Officer,
Hyder Pasha Hospitals.