Monsieur Soyer,—The cooking-stove sent to my regiment on trial was in use one week, and I am glad to be able to tell you was highly approved of.
The soup was richer and superior in flavour, and the meat better boiled.
It has the great advantage of cleanliness, also being capable of service in the open air, needing only a shed to keep the weather off those employed.
Yours very obediently,
W. H. Wellesley, Colonel,
Commanding Royal Fusiliers.
Monsieur A. Soyer.
Crimea, 31st May, 1856.
I hereby certify that Soyer’s field-kitchen for fifty men has recently been tried in the battalion under my command, in cooking soldiers’ rations, and that it appears perfectly to answer all purposes. It possesses many advantages—viz., the small quantity of fuel required, its lightness and portability, and requiring, when in use, the attendance of only one man. It is in every respect preferable to the cooking coppers generally used in barracks.
R. W. Huey, Lieut.-Col.,
Commanding 2nd Bat. 1st Royal Regiment.
Camp, Kamara, 1st June, 1856.