Camp, Sevastopol, 27th May, 1856.
Sir,—I have the honour to state, for the information of the Major-General commanding the Fourth Division, that Monsieur Soyer’s cooking-stove has been tried in the 57th Regiment, and I am of opinion that it is well adapted for the purpose intended; there is a very considerable saving of fuel, and little difficulty in cooking; and two stoves per company would be far preferable to the camp-kettles now in use.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
John A. Street, Lieut.-Col.,
Commanding 57th Regiment.
Lieut.-Col. Smith, A.A.G.,
Fourth Division.
Camp before Sebastopol, 26th May, 1856.
Sir,—With reference to No. 3 of this day’s order, I have the honour to state that during the short period we had the opportunity of using Monsieur Soyer’s field-stove, nothing could be more satisfactory, both in its superiority as a means of cooking a large quantity of rations in a short time, and also from the small quantity of fuel used in doing so.
I must also give it as my opinion that it is admirably suited for operations in the field, but requires to have the outer casing protected in some way; probably an open netting of iron wire would do so, with a couple of loops, so that two stoves could then be attached and carried by one mule or horse.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
Ramsay Stuart, Lieut.-Col.,
Commanding 21st Fusiliers.
The Assistant-Adjutant-General,
&c. &c. &c., Fourth Division.